"Kid, don't let me find out you're flirting around outside, or I won't let you off the hook!"
Qian Daoliu looked at Li Yu, his eyes full of threats.
"Don't worry!" Li Yu didn't even look at Qian Daoliu, his gaze fixed on Qian Renxue.
After thinking for a moment, he suddenly reached out and squeezed a dark blue-black pearl that appeared in his hand, about the size of a baby's fist.
His brows furrowed slightly, and with a firm squeeze, the power of space surged, compressing the pearl down to the size of a yellow bean.
Then a silver chain appeared out of thin air and formed a closed loop, turning into a necklace.
The dark blue-black pearl sealed inside the space would occasionally flash with different colors of light, making it appear dazzling, especially with the fine, thread-like silver chain.
Qian Renxue eyes brightened as she stepped away from Qian Daoliu and walked to Li Yu, her gaze burning as she looked at him.
Qian Daoliu raised hand dropped weakly, and he helplessly watched the scene unfold.
Dugu Bo, on the other hand, chuckled secretly, which made Qian Daoliu glare at him in dissatisfaction.
Li Yu personally put the necklace on Qian Renxue, and then, without hesitation, kissed her forehead.
Without saying a word.
Qian Renxue body trembled, and as she stood on tiptoe, she also kissed the corner of Li Yu mouth.
"Destroyed!" Qian Daoliu rubbed his forehead, quickly turning his head away, his face filled with black lines.
"Hahaha..." Dugu Bo had been watching Qian Daoliu expression, and now, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
However, he quickly stopped.
Because this time, not only Qian Daoliu, but also Li Yu and the blushing Qian Renxue, all cast unfriendly glances at him.
"Ahem, well, I have something to do, you all continue chatting..." Dugu Bo, sensing something was wrong, quickly turned and ran.
"Hmph!" Qian Daoliu snorted coldly, his soul power surging as he wrapped Qian Renxue in it and left quickly.
Li Yu eyes met Qian Renxue, and a tear streaked down her face. Yet, she still didn't speak, turning her head away first.
Her body continued to tremble.
Li Yu eyes were filled with reluctance, but he didn't say any sentimental words. He simply said to Qian Daoliu, "Think carefully about what I said."
Even though they had already gone far, Li Yu spiritual power, coupled with his mastery over space forces, still allowed his words to reach Qian Daoliu ears.
Qian Daoliu figure stiffened for a moment before returning to normal.
He didn't respond.
A long time passed.
"Still watching?" Dugu Bo voice suddenly rang in Li Yu ear.
Li Yu glared at Dugu Bo with displeasure and said, "Do you want me to guide you, old man?"
"Ahem." Dugu Bo coughed lightly, quickly changing the topic. "When are we leaving?"
"In a couple of days, I need to take care of some trivial matters first," Li Yu replied softly.
Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "Go see Dugu Yan. She misses you."
Li Yu froze. "You told her about me turning into a man?"
Dugu Bo gave a bitter smile.
Li Yu had a black line on his face. "I see you really want to improve yourself!"
Thus, a sparring session began...
The details are unknown, but when Dugu Bo left, he didn't look too pleased, though he must have learned a lot.
Afterwards.
Li Yu changed back into women's clothes and went to see Xue Beng.
"Li... Empress!" Xue Beng, startled when Li Yu suddenly appeared, quickly stood up and saluted.
Li Yu didn't speak, silently observing Xue Beng.
Xue Beng broke into a sweat, his clothes quickly dampened, and his body slightly trembled.
But he still maintained the basic etiquette.
"Not bad," Li Yu commented calmly, though he didn't release any of his aura.
Given his previously demonstrated strength, even the Title Douluo would struggle in his presence, let alone Xue Beng, who was only a Four-ring Soul Master.
Therefore, Xue Beng current performance was already quite good.
"Thank you, Empress, for the compliment!" Xue Beng said, somewhat flattered. Li Yu words made him feel a lot more at ease.
At least, it was likely that Li Yu wasn't here to kill him.
"From today on, both your royal brother and I will be busy with our own cultivation. The state affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire will be temporarily entrusted to you. Do you have any objections?" Li Yu laid out her intention.
"Ah!?" Xue Beng was stunned.
What... what is going on?
Busy with cultivation... they're already so strong, and they're still busy?
"Do you have any objections?" Li Yu repeated emotionlessly.
Xue Beng broke into a cold sweat again, his mind racing, and then he suddenly dropped to the ground, forehead touching the floor. "How could I, Xue Beng, dare to have such rebellious thoughts? Please, Empress, don't joke with me!"
"Uh..." Li Yu was stunned.
Did Xue Beng think he was testing him? That if his answer was wrong, his head might fall?
Heaven and earth bear witness, he really didn't have that intention...
"Get up. I'm not joking about this matter," Li Yu said, shaking her head helplessly. Seeing that Xue Beng still didn't dare to stand up, she added, "You two are brothers. Your royal brother still believes in you. There were some frictions due to the struggle for the throne, but now that the overall situation has been settled, he won't make things difficult for you anymore..."
Li Yu reassured him for a while, and only then did Xue Beng rise to accept the task Li Yu had assigned him.
Of course, with Li Yu power, he could have easily planted the Door of Life and turned Xue Beng into a puppet.
But actually, Xue Beng hadn't really wronged him.
In fact, when they had taken the Little Bumpy Three [Eight Spider Lances], he should actually thank Xue Beng...
So, he didn't choose to do that.
Moreover, even after Qian Renxue return, if nothing unexpected happened, she would already be a "God." Would he then have her govern a mundane country?
That would be absurd.
He had no interest in that, but this was Qian Renxue hard-earned achievement, and he didn't want it ruined.
Thus, cultivating Xue Beng was a very good choice.
After giving the instructions, Li Yu left some safeguards on Xue Beng, ensuring that he wouldn't face any danger to his life.
Additionally, this would help him govern more smoothly.
Later, Li Yu went to see Zhu Zhuqing, removing the 'Door of Life' from her and restoring her freedom.
It's worth mentioning that, two months after the Soul Master Competition, Zhu Zhuqing soul power had already reached level 50.
This was naturally due to the effect of the [Mental Condensation Wisdom Skull], as well as the enhancement the 'Door of Life' had on her cultivation.
Thus, when Li Yu dispelled the 'Door of Life,' Zhu Zhuqing was very unwilling.
"Let you go free, and you're still not happy?" Li Yu was quite speechless.
"Are you leaving?" Zhu Zhuqing, very perceptive, seemed to sense something, then added, "After using me, you want to send me away?"
"Ah???" Li Yu looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was looking at him with resentment, and was at a loss for words.
No, girl, it seems like I'm a woman right now!
If I were a man, I'd understand, since the charm is there... cough cough, but what are you getting at now?