Chapter 6: The Joyful Union Empress’s Legacy

“Well… that’s because our sect possesses… a portrait of the Joyful Union Empress! You must understand, our Hundred Flowers Palace was formerly the Joyful Union Sect. This particular branch of female cultivators, the one we belong to, is precisely the lineage of the Joyful Union Empress.”

Liu Ruyan paused, drawing a deep breath. She steeled herself against the discomfort in her body and began to elaborate. “According to whispers, the former Joyful Union Empress was incredibly unkempt.”

“Despite possessing world-shattering beauty and an exquisite physique, she spent her days engrossed in alchemy and artifact refining. In fact, the renowned Fairy Dolls of the cultivation world were all her creations.”

Luo Bingli’s eyes widened. While ‘Fairy Dolls’ sounded perfectly respectable, in truth, they were merely the cultivation world’s equivalent of silicone dolls. She had never imagined such a thing could have originated from the Joyful Union Empress.

“It’s said that in order to appear more alluring, more like an ethereal, high-ranking fairy, the Joyful Union Empress went to great lengths. She refined a sword and a dress at immense cost, purely for the purpose of ‘fishing.'”

“And indeed, after undergoing such a dramatic change in appearance, the Joyful Union Empress truly embarked on the path of a magnet for affection. She became a genuine heartthrob, captivating countless fairies and reveling in their company daily, enjoying a life of boundless pleasure.”

“Both the dress and the sword were indispensable in helping the Joyful Union Empress achieve such feats. Naturally, these two items are recorded within our Hundred Flowers Palace. Speaking of which, you still lack a sword; one day, Master will find the perfect one for you!”

“I see,” Luo Bingli nodded, though a thought lingered in her mind. The system’s description clearly stated that the Joyful Union Empress had been ensnared by an artifact she herself had refined.

It was meant for someone else, yet once the finished product emerged, it clung to her stubbornly and refused to be removed. The clothes, too, were impossible to take off.

Considering that her own future might mirror this fate, Luo Bingli’s mood grew even heavier. This time, she asked no further questions, simply turning to leave.

****

Upon seeing her disciple finally depart, Liu Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief. She then reached out a fair arm and closed the chamber door.

From the glimpse of skin revealed, it was evident Liu Ruyan wasn’t wearing a dress, making it clear what the two of them had been doing moments before.

“She actually had the good fortune to obtain the Joyful Union Empress’s dress! What incredible luck. It seems that with Rusui following her, her future achievements should also be extraordinary.”

Bai Yuewei, the Palace Master of Hundred Flowers Palace, had naturally recognized the legendary dress Luo Bingli was wearing, and she couldn’t help but exclaim with admiration.

“That’s a given! Who told Bingli to be my disciple?” Liu Ruyan patted her chest, as if to imply that all of Luo Bingli’s excellence was solely her own doing.

“So, all the credit for Rusui being ‘drained’ for so long also goes to you, then?”

“Uh… this…” For a moment, Liu Ruyan looked flustered.

****

Just as Luo Bingli was about to leave Lily Peak, a seductive and enchanting figure suddenly appeared before her.

“Bingli, you’re out of seclusion! Oh! Bingli, not only have you grown stronger, but you also seem to have become even more beautiful. So, how was our Rusui’s ‘flavor’?” With that, the person immediately extended her right hand, caressing Luo Bingli’s cheek.

A mischievous, half-smile played upon her charming and alluring face. Seeing this person, Luo Bingli’s body stiffened involuntarily.

This captivating beauty was none other than Liu Meier, the wife of the Hundred Flowers Palace Master, and another ‘mother’ to Bai Rusui. She was also her master’s cousin, ranked seventh on the Peerless Hundred Flowers List.

Observing the other woman’s enigmatic smile, Luo Bingli felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.

Fortunately, after a moment, Liu Meier smiled faintly. Removing her hand from Luo Bingli’s cheek, she said playfully, “Since you’ve ‘taken’ Rusui, then Rusui is now yours. Your competition ended with Rusui’s defeat, so you should call me ‘Mother’ now.”

“Hmm… but you can just call me ‘Sister.’ It’s more intimate, and I won’t seem so old.”

“Thank you, Sister!” Seeing the other woman speak so, Luo Bingli finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although the matter between her and Bai Rusui had been tacitly accepted, what if it hadn’t been?

Now, having received the approval of one of Bai Rusui’s mothers, she felt a tentative sense of ease.

“Mm! While it’s true that a woman follows her husband, I ask that you, Sister Bingli, show more care for our Rusui in the future. If Rusui suffers any grievances…”

“I will certainly not let Rusui suffer any grievances!”

“Good! That’s more like it. Well, I’m off to find your master. Go on and enjoy yourself!” Liu Meier waved her hand, then headed in Liu Ruyan’s direction.

Seeing this, Luo Bingli finally relaxed. It seemed today’s crisis had passed.

However, driven by curiosity, Luo Bingli, after walking for a while, quietly returned to her master’s cave entrance. She stealthily eavesdropped, thinking that the three of them must be happily ‘playing’ and surely wouldn’t notice her.

It wasn’t that Luo Bingli was audacious, but rather, she was simply too curious.

…

“Meier, you… why did you come too! Uh… can you come the day after tomorrow?”

“Hmph, Yuewei and I are Dao companions, and as the saying goes, ‘united in heart, their strength can cut through metal.’ Today, let’s see how the two of us will properly ‘deal with’ you.”

“Exactly. I’m going to inflict all the suffering Rusui endured back onto both of you.”

“No… no! It was Bingli who ‘took’ your daughter, not me! In four days, that fellow Liuli will be here. Please, I beg you, spare me! If I don’t have enough stamina, that woman will completely break me.”

“Hmph, who told you to trip her up back then! But… speaking of the past, it’s quite nostalgic. How about this: you perform what you used to say to us often. If it’s convincing, we won’t punish you.”

“Re… really?”

“Naturally, it’s real.”

“Alright, then.” Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, recalling her past self. Back then, she was a carefree young woman, utterly unaware of what it meant to use both soft and hard tactics, or what the harsh realities of society felt like.

As if rediscovering that feeling, Liu Ruyan immediately put her hands on her hips, speaking with a scornful, disdainful tone to the two of them: “Sister Bai, Cousin, did you two not eat? Are your hands sore after working so hard for so long? But I don’t feel anything at all! Is it that you’re just not good enough, or…”

“Damn it, I can’t take this anymore! I shouldn’t have reminisced about the past.” Liu Meier, who was usually charming and captivating like a peerless beauty, gripped her hair and gritted her silver teeth at that moment.

“Indeed, one truly shouldn’t reminisce about the past.” Bai Yuewei also wore a chilly smile as she looked at Liu Ruyan.

“Hey! Wait, didn’t you say you wouldn’t punish me if I performed well? Don’t go back on your word!”

“Th… this isn’t punishment… it’s a reward.”

…

Outside the door, Luo Bingli heard this and dared not listen further. She felt that her master truly lived up to her role as the ‘fan service provider’ in the plot, even her words were so artistic. She was truly worthy of her reputation.