Xiao Qingluan pounced toward Chen Ye.
Phoenix fire burned all over her body, and a terrifying aura filled the air!
She knew that Chen Ye was at least a warrior at the Linghai realm, so she used all her strength when she attacked and did not dare to be negligent at all!
When the Phoenix Fire was about to fall on Chen Ye...
BOOM!
A terrifying aura that shook the world suddenly burst out from him.
An overwhelmingly domineering power surged forth.
The Phoenix Fire was effortlessly torn apart.
Chen Ye appeared in front of Xiao Qingluan and gently brought his palm down. Xiao Qingluan had almost no power to resist and was struck in the head on the spot!
Her consciousness returned to her body.
Beads of sweat instantly formed on Xiao Qingluan's forehead.
She swallowed, unable to believe it.
"I… I was defeated in just one move?! Are you kidding me?"
"Senior Brother's strength… is so terrifying?!"
"He is definitely not in the Linghai realm, not even in the Jindan realm. He might be in the Tongxuan realm! There is such a huge gap in cultivation. How can I compare?"
Xiao Qingluan wanted to cry but had no tears.
[Comparison failed!]
[Now issuing a punishment feedback task: Massage Chen Ye for three days! If the other party is satisfied, the host can be rewarded with one pound of innate spiritual fluid!]
A pound of innate spiritual fluid...
Though not as much as ten pounds, even one pound was an extremely rare reward.
Xiao Qingluan took a deep breath. "One pound is still one pound. Isn't it just a massage? Can it be difficult for a great empress like me?"
[Pre-announcement of the next comparison content: Martial Arts!]
At this moment, the voice of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Ruler sounded again.
Xiao Qingluan seemed to ponder something.
"Martial arts… meaning, not a competition of cultivation, but purely of martial skill?"
[Yes! The comparison target will be suppressed to the same cultivation level as the host!]
[Also, the next comparison target: Chen Ye!]
[The comparison target will not be changed until the comparison is successful!]
After the Yin-Yang Ruler sent out these messages, it fell silent.
Xiao Qingluan clenched her fists.
"The reason I lost this time is simply because my cultivation isn't as high as Senior Brother's! There's nothing I can do about that—after all, I've only just started cultivating, while Senior Brother has trained for years.
Moreover, he has a special physique. He looks like a mortal, but he's not. He must have been pretending to be weak all along!
But… if we're at the same realm, I definitely won't lose in terms of martial arts comprehension! After all, I am the reincarnation of an empress! My vision, experience, and understanding are far beyond what my current Senior Brother could match!"
Rather than being discouraged, Xiao Qingluan grew even more motivated.
She was already looking forward to the next comparison!
She would avenge this humiliation!
With that thought, she marched to Chen Ye's room. Seeing him still asleep, she climbed onto the bed and sat directly on his back.
Chen Ye's eyes snapped open.
"Master? Junior Sister? What are you—"
"Senior Brother, thank you for taking care of me all this time. You've worked hard. I have no way to repay you, so I'll give you a massage."
She cracked her knuckles.
Chen Ye froze.
Junior Sister, what are you doing?!
Don't scare me like this first thing in the morning!
"Senior Brother, just lie still and let me take good care of you."
With that, Xiao Qingluan began kneading his back.
As a former empress, she had never done such a thing in her past life.
But even if she hadn't done it herself, she'd seen her maids do it countless times.
She pressed her hands against Chen Ye's back and started rubbing vigorously.
Chen Ye sucked in a sharp breath.
"Junior Sister… are you kneading dough?"
"Huh? Isn't this how it's done?"
"Too hard."
"Oh." She lightened her touch.
"Too soft."
Xiao Qingluan: "Too soft or too hard? Make up your mind!"
"AH—you're pressing right on my bones!"
"Ah, sorry, Senior Brother."
After an hour of this, Chen Ye sat up, his entire body aching.
He wanted to cry.
Rather than calling it a massage, it was more accurate to say Xiao Qingluan had *tortured* him for an hour.
He hadn't had any back pain before, but now his entire spine felt like it had been rearranged.
Xiao Qingluan looked at him expectantly.
"Senior Brother, how was that?"
Hmph.
She, the empress, had never massaged anyone before.
Chen Ye was the first!
For that alone, he should be honored!
Chen Ye's lips twitched. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he forced a thumbs-up.
"Not bad, not bad!"
Xiao Qingluan smirked. I knew it!
[Chen Ye's satisfaction: 0.]
The Yin-Yang Ruler's voice struck like lightning.
Her smirk froze.
Zero satisfaction?!
Are you joking?!
Was I really that bad?!
I refuse to believe it!
How can a mere massage defeat me?!
Taking a deep breath, she declared, "Senior Brother, I'll come again tomorrow! I will make sure you're satisfied!"
She turned and stormed out.
She was going down the mountain—whether she had to study under a masseuse or buy books, she would master this!
Chen Ye blinked.
She's coming back?!
"Wait, Junior Sister! I am satisfied!"
---
Day 2.
Xiao Qingluan returned, climbing onto Chen Ye's back as he slept, a massage manual in hand.
Chen Ye opened his eyes and realized there was no escape.
He braced himself.
"Come at me, Junior Sister! I can take it!"
Xiao Qingluan huffed. "Senior Brother, why do you look like you're marching to execution? I've improved this time!"
Following the manual's instructions, she began working on his back.
…Huh?
This actually felt… decent?
Chen Ye was surprised. Maybe it was because yesterday had been so awful, but today's massage was… not bad?
"Senior Brother, how's the pressure?"
"It's alright. A little harder."
"Harder? Like this?"
"YOW—too much! Ease up! And move your hands higher, stop digging into my bones!"
Xiao Qingluan's eye twitched.
This Empress is massaging you, and you still have so many demands?!
Fine!
For the reward… I'll endure!
Another hour later, she stood back.
"Senior Brother, how was it this time?"
"Much better than yesterday! Who knew Junior Sister was a natural at massage?"
[Chen Ye's satisfaction: 70.]
What?! Only seventy?!
Xiao Qingluan clenched her teeth. She was a perfectionist. Even if 70% was enough for the reward, she wouldn't stop until it was 100%.
"Senior Brother, I'll be back tomorrow!"
Again?!
Chen Ye stared as she left, then sighed in quiet admiration.
Having a junior sister like this… caring for me, even learning massage for my sake…
What more could I ask for?
He decided to cook an extra dish for dinner.
---
Day 3.
Xiao Qingluan massaged Chen Ye once more.
[Chen Ye's satisfaction: 100.]
Before she even finished, the notification appeared.
She paused, then understood.
"Senior Brother doesn't just care about the massage itself… it's the thought that counts!
Just a few days of effort made him this happy…
If I provide even more 'services' in the future… wouldn't he be completely wrapped around my finger?
To think my Senior Brother is so easy to please!"
She sighed in amusement.
[Ding! Xiao Qingluan's favorability +5.]