Ye Xishui was baffled.
She and Qian Ran had known each other for less than half a month, yet he already seemed to have shed any sense of reverence for her.
When they first met, while Qian Ran hadn't been afraid of her, there had been a degree of respect in his demeanor. But now? It was as if she had become one of his subordinates.
Still, at least Qian Ran wasn't entirely stingy.
If he had the audacity to act so brazen in front of her without offering anything in return, where did he get that confidence from?
Weighing the tea leaves in her hand—a similar amount to what she'd received last time—Ye Xishui felt both pleased and annoyed. She was thrilled at the thought of another surge in her cultivation but frustrated that she seemed to be falling deeper into Qian Ran's grasp.
If she didn't find a way to turn the tables soon, this brat might truly have her wrapped around his finger.
This kind of explosive, rapid improvement was dangerously addictive.
Tucking the Enlightenment Tea into her storage soul tool, Ye Xishui composed herself and stepped out of the Undead Demiplane with Qian Ran. She couldn't afford to stay in the demiplane indefinitely. As the backbone of the Holy Spirit Sect, she needed to return to reorganize her forces following such a significant strategic shift.
This level of change was no small matter for a sect as vast as the Holy Spirit Sect.
But Ye Xishui didn't care. If sacrificing the sect meant achieving godhood, she would do it without hesitation. After all, she wasn't the sect's founder. If not for Zhongli Laogui, she wouldn't have any connection to the Holy Spirit Sect. Her ties to it were solely for the sake of her son, Zhongli Wu.
Perhaps to curry favor with Qian Ran, Ye Xishui's appearance had subtly changed. Even without him asking, she dressed far more attractively now.
Of course, she didn't wear anything overtly seductive, instead opting for a more traditional, professional look.
For someone as proud as Ye Xishui, this was the only style she would lower herself to adopt—something that preserved her dignity while still showcasing her allure.
A white blouse hugged her curvaceous figure, tightly wrapping around her ample chest. Her flat, toned stomach struck the perfect balance—neither too full nor too lean, exuding softness and elegance. Below, she wore slim-fitting black dress pants made of lightweight material, their stretchiness accentuating her round, firm hips with a dramatic curve.
Qian Ran couldn't help but wonder if she had sought advice from Nana. Otherwise, how could she have nailed his preferences so precisely?
Although many women around him dressed in similar styles, he never tired of the look. It was timeless, after all—professional yet tantalizing.
The better the figure, the more stunning the uniform. Without a good body, such clothing might look unremarkable, but when worn by someone like Ye Xishui, it became irresistible.
A simple pair of lightweight dress pants, perfectly straight and tailored, flared out into an exaggerated curve at the hips. It was impossible not to stare.
Sometimes, this look was even more alluring than stockings. And if the pants had silk lining... that would be perfection.
Qian Ran's gaze burned with undisguised desire as he looked at Ye Xishui.
If not for his plans to win her over completely, would he even bother entertaining her?
"What a figure. If I could just pin her down on a desk..." Qian Ran thought, his mind wandering. After all, this was Ye Xishui, the infamous Death God Douluo and queen of dark soul masters.
What made it even more tantalizing was the stark contrast between her youthful face and her mature, voluptuous body.
"Tch. What a shameless pervert," Ye Xishui muttered to herself.
She had been closely observing Qian Ran's reactions. If she didn't care about his opinion, why would she have dressed this way?
By now, she was certain. Qian Ran had ulterior motives—clear as day.
In the beginning, he had tried to conceal his thoughts, but now his greedy gaze made no effort to hide his intentions.
She was decades older than him. How could this brat dare to think such things about her?
Had he harbored these thoughts even back when Long Xiaoyao had approached him for pills?
The realization left Ye Xishui feeling conflicted. She felt both strange and strangely proud.
She was still Ye Xishui. Even after all these years, her charm remained undiminished. And Qian Ran, a connoisseur of beauty, found her irresistible. If someone like him felt nothing for her, that would have been the real insult.
Still, Qian Ran was unlike any man she had met before.
Long Xiaoyao, Mu En, Zhongli Laogui—each of them had been simps to the extreme, willing to pamper her unconditionally. This unconditional adoration had enabled her to act recklessly, knowing they would always catch her if she fell.
If Long Xiaoyao had access to something as precious as Enlightenment Tea, he would have given it to her without hesitation.
And Qian Ran?
She now felt like a glorified employee of his. She had to help him refine the Undead Demiplane, train his women, and elevate another woman to empress—all while offering the Holy Spirit Sect as a bargaining chip to solidify his influence.
Despite giving so much, all she received in return was a measly amount of tea leaves, her share entirely dependent on Qian Ran's whims.
Such treatment stung Ye Xishui's pride.
Why can't Qian Ran be like Long Xiaoyao or Zhongli Laogui?
I refuse to believe I can't tame you, Ye Xishui thought to herself, her confidence unwavering.
Her decades of experience dealing with men—powerful ones at that—gave her plenty of reason to believe that Qian Ran, like all the others, would eventually fall for her. When that time came, she would make him pay for every indignity.
"I'm leaving," Ye Xishui declared with a glare, vanishing on the spot.
"Women…" Qian Ran muttered, shaking his head knowingly.
Her deliberate choice of attire was clearly meant to draw his attention. Yet when he actually looked, she called him a pervert.
Women were truly impossible to understand, especially someone like Ye Xishui, who was used to being fawned over.
If he had shown no interest in her, she probably would have been upset, thinking he lacked appreciation for beauty.
She still needs some training, Qian Ran thought.
Of course, he had no intention of becoming Ye Xishui's simp. If Ye Xishui wanted to fawn over him instead, though, Qian Ran would be more than happy to oblige.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X