Chapter 16: The State Preceptor
The Fengshan ceremony—with the weight of the nation's altars and hearths, bearing the might of heaven and earth. If successful, it would allow a smooth breakthrough to the 7th Realm, letting a mortal touch the divine. More crucially, the imperial dragon qi would expand to encompass the entire Da Zhou territory, equivalent to an 8th Realm celestial emperor—a true ascension to the heavens, dominating the world.
As for the 9th Realm, it existed only in legends, like the Yin Jie Jian and Li Yang Yin.
But if the Fengshan failed, the emperor himself would perish, and the nation's destiny would shatter, plunging the entire realm into chaos.
In all of Da Zhou's history, only the founding Taizu had succeeded in the Fengshan, establishing nine centuries of unshakeable rule.
Li Ye hadn't yet recovered from the shock of this news when another announcement left him dumbfounded.
Shen Luhua of the Shangqing Sword Sect was appointed State Preceptor of Da Zhou.
His mother had become the State Preceptor!?
And at such a critical moment? What had happened that he didn't know about?
This was undoubtedly Ji Xuan's declaration to the world: he had secured the support of the Shangqing Sword Sect for the Fengshan.
Outside the imperial study, Shen Luhua's face was icy cold, her phoenix eyes flashing with murderous intent. With a flick of her sleeve, an invisible surge of qi shoved aside two young eunuchs trying to block her path. She pushed open the door and fixed the emperor with a frigid stare. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
"Why is the State Preceptor so angry?" Ji Xuan smiled broadly.
"I emerged from seclusion to witness the mortal world, not to endorse you. I refuse this title of State Preceptor." Shen Luhua's voice was like frost.
"Please calm yourself, State Preceptor. I never imagined things would align so perfectly—it's purely a misunderstanding." Ji Xuan had no choice but to explain, his usual imperial dignity nowhere in sight.
He couldn't afford to act rashly. If anything happened to Shen Luhua here, that reclusive 8th Realm elder from the Shangqing Sword Sect would surely come for his head. He wasn't heartless toward his sect; how could he ignore a matter like this?
"I don't care about misunderstandings."
Shen Luhua was deeply irritated. While wandering the capital, Ji Xuan had sought her out, offering the position of State Preceptor and subtly probing about the Yan Shou Dan. She'd thought one or two life-extending pills would be a small price, and the role would let her watch over her son in the palace. But she hadn't anticipated getting dragged into this mess.
Of course, Ji Xuan couldn't back down now—that would be a slap to his own face before the world.
Besides, he'd deliberately raised the Fengshan after she'd agreed to the title, precisely to borrow the banner of the Shangqing Sword Sect.
"I've heard that the State Preceptor possesses a yin spirit sword body and cultivates the Tai Su Jiu You Jian Jing?"
"And if I do?" Shen Luhua's gaze turned chilling, her slender jade hand already gripping her sword hilt.
Seeing her on the verge of drawing her blade, Ji Xuan cursed inwardly at the sword-mad woman, but kept his composure. "Don't be angry, State Preceptor. What I mean is, the palace holds a Li Yang Divine Talisman."
"Li Yang Divine Talisman?" Shen Luhua had no idea what he was talking about.
"According to records left by Taizu, those with a yin spirit sword body cultivating the Tai Su Jiu You Jian Jing progress swiftly, but the yin qi is overwhelming. Every Zhongyuan Festival, it causes a yin qi body burn, stripping away all cultivation. Is this true?" Ji Xuan spoke with utter confidence. After realizing this new sword immortal cared little for the Yan Shou Dan, he'd deliberately gathered intelligence on her—and uncovered this delightful surprise.
Shen Luhua's gaze remained impassive, but shock rippled through her heart. It wasn't just the Zhongyuan Festival; her yin jie sword body caused the yin qi burn every month on the fifteenth. Even her shijie didn't know.
Seeing her unmoved, Ji Xuan smiled. "This Li Yang Divine Talisman bears the imprint of the legendary Li Yang Yin, infused with a trace of li yang qi. It not only aids martial cultivation but harmonizes yin qi."
Shen Luhua wavered. The body burns had kept her largely confined to the Shangqing Sword Sect, but now that she'd found her son, she couldn't stay hidden forever. Losing her cultivation every fifteenth would be too dangerous.
"It works?" Her face remained cold, but the anger had faded.
"You'll know if it does with a try." Ji Xuan felt relief flood him.
"I need to consult my sect first."
"Very well. I'll await the State Preceptor's word." Ji Xuan laughed heartily. He wasn't worried about the Shangqing Sword Sect refusing—they weren't like the Yuxu Palace, meddlesome in worldly affairs. There was no reason for opposition.
Still, thinking of the Li Yang Divine Talisman pained him. An ancestral treasure, its li yang qi sped cultivation and healed fatal wounds. What a waste.
Meanwhile, Li Ye was reeling from the news of his mother's appointment. Under Xue Yunrong's enigmatic gaze, he didn't know what to do but wave the maids away. "You lot, withdraw."
"You really know how to surprise me." Xue Yunrong stepped closer, her golden phoenix hairpin trembling faintly.
"If I said I had no idea what was going on, would you believe me?" Li Ye spread his hands.
"You truly didn't know?"
"Truly." Li Ye gave a helpless smile.
"Just what is she to you?" Xue Yunrong finally voiced the question.
"A distant aunt, I suppose." Li Ye avoided the truth—the mother-son bond was too intimate, ripe for exploitation by schemers.
"Aunt..." Xue Yunrong pondered silently.
"Don't overthink it. I'll go ask her later and snag those Yan Shou Dan while I'm at it. Just wait for your empress crown, sis."
Li Ye wanted answers himself.
"True enough." Xue Yunrong smiled, relaxing.
Putting it aside, Li Ye drew her waist gently into his arms. "You look so dignified today, sis."
"Not dignified the rest of the time?" Xue Yunrong pushed him lightly.
"Usually, you're more bewitching."
Having tasted the forbidden fruit, Li Ye was hooked, restraint crumbling as he pressed in again.
Xue Yunrong twisted gracefully, reclining on the bed with a teasing laugh. "Such a bold servant."
"This servant aims to serve Your Ladyship well."
Li Ye advanced, only for her foot to bar his chest. "Then serve this palace properly."
Her stocking-clad jade foot trailed up his chest.
Li Ye cradled the foot before him, inhaling deeply—a faint floral scent. She'd clearly put thought into it.
"Your Ladyship, sit up."
"Why?" Xue Yunrong blinked in confusion.
"To look more dignified." Li Ye grinned.
She shot him a flirtatious glare but rose, sitting primly—though with one leg crossed.
Li Ye gazed at her regal makeup and ornate hairpins, the very picture of a noble consort. His cock stiffened. He bent low, pressing soft kisses to her stocking-sheathed foot.
Xue Yunrong felt an odd thrill watching the youth kneel to lick her feet—a strange conquest surging within her. Yet recalling that night's ferocious thrusts twisted it into perverse pleasure.
Whatever it was, as his lips enveloped her toes, the slick warmth felt surprisingly good, an itch blooming in her core.
Perched regally on the bed, the tingling itch climbed from her foot to her heart, filtered through the sheer silk—sticky yet slippery. His tongue swept her toe gaps, teasing with elusive pleasure that left her restless. She arched her foot, forming a perfect curve.
Beneath her phoenix cape, Xue Yunrong trembled faintly, the itch maddening yet deliciously soothing. She didn't want it to stop.
Li Ye teased her stocking foot with his tongue until saliva soaked it translucent. He sat on the floor, guiding the slick, slippery foot to his throbbing cock.
The foot slipped under his robe, vanishing from sight—only a bulge probing beneath the fabric.
Xue Yunrong watched with amused fascination, her mind reeling at the absurdity.
This worked?
Her dainty foot pressed and stroked his rigid shaft under the robe, the searing heat pulsing through her sole to her heart, making it stutter.
Before she could savor it, her other foot was drawn to his face for gentle rubbing. Strange... yet oddly comfortable.
Li Ye ignored her thoughts, lost in bliss. The silk-smooth foot kneaded his cock, toes occasionally grazing his glans—pure ecstasy. His face nuzzled the other, its light, sandy texture like a dream's caress, laced with floral notes and faint sweat, igniting his lust.
Xue Yunrong's legs quivered as she shifted her foot on his cock, a shy flush rising. Called a "bewitching consort" for knowing men's desires, she'd never tried this.
"Where did you learn all these tricks...?"
Li Ye inhaled her foot deeply before replying. "Straight from the storybooks, sis. Don't believe me?"
"Which book is this depraved? Let me see."
"If Your Ladyship wants to learn, this servant will teach you personally."
On tricks, Li Ye recalled oral. His mind flashed to the illusion—his mother sucking him. Heat surged inexplicably. He stood.
"This servant will teach Your Ladyship a move called fellatio." Pants shed, robe hiked, his massive cock sprang free.
The scorching, musky shaft before her eyes made Xue Yunrong's heart skip. Instinctively, she grasped it. Her fox eyes blinked seductively, tongue flicking her lips—prim poise turning sultry.
Seeing her parted vermilion lips, Li Ye thrust forward, glans kissing them.
Her eyes sparked like lightning, nearly stealing his soul. She leaned in, mouth opening to engulf the huge shaft.
The soft, wet embrace drew a satisfied sigh from Li Ye.
His mind conjured his mother again—her lips around him.
The taboo thrill made his cock twitch, hips pumping into her mouth.
Li Ye's size strained her; she struggled but refused to release it, adjusting her angle to accommodate.
She innately knew how to please, experimenting to take him deeper. Halfway, her throat rebelled with nausea; she paused.
Seeing her frown, Li Ye eased up.
But he craved the warmth. Mouth and pussy felt worlds apart—pussy tight and slick, mouth soft and hot, tongue teasing uniquely.
His mother's face—tender one moment, cold the next—merged with Xue Yunrong's, birthing a depraved thrill.
If only Mother would suck me like this...
No... she's my mother, my only family...
Doesn't that make it better...?
The forbidden urge intensified. Imagining her icy beauty mouthing his cock filled him with desperate longing...
Just then, a distant proclamation echoed from outside the hall: "His Majesty arrives~"