Chapter Seventy-Five: Tiny Feet Treading on the Back

After a clattering splash, the white mist fell silent; moments later, a faint moan echoed from within. The two male elves continued their kowtowing, their foreheads already streaming with blood, yet they dared not stop. Lei Xiang considered for a moment, a smile tugging at his lips, then focused his will on his eyes. Blue light flashed, revealing everything shrouded in the mist.

Inside were five large pools, their steam forming the mist. At the pools’ center, a wooden platform supported a vine bed, where a naked woman lay prone. On her back stood the elf with small, delicate feet. He grasped two handles hanging from the wooden frame above, his well-maintained feet performing a dance of tapping, stepping, pressing, spinning, slapping, and pushing upon the woman's back—a life dancer, using his toes, instep, and heel in an epic display. Beneath him, the woman stretched comfortably, emitting occasional soft moans.

“The Green Queen?” Though her face was veiled in black cloth, Lei Xiang was certain of her identity. Within the tribe of Green Elves, none but the Green Queen could enjoy such privilege. And indeed, she knew how to indulge herself, arranging for a special massage—“Damn, it’s even a Thai massage,” Lei Xiang mused inwardly.

Now Lei Xiang understood the small-footed elf’s role. No wonder he was always carried in a palanquin; his feet had to be meticulously cared for, lest their touch mar the queen’s skin. Thus, the so-called Jade Feet elf was not of high rank but merely a senior servant, like all male elves, a slave to the Green Queen.

Half an hour passed before the Green Queen waved her hand. The sweat-soaked Jade Feet leapt aside, and the queen, languid, dismissed him: “Jade Feet, you may go. I don’t need your service now. Summon Lei Xiang.” A strange light flickered in Jade Feet's sapphire eyes; he said nothing, but the queen noticed, adding, “You’ve worked hard these days. Go soak in the imperial pool and rest early.” She turned, reclining, “Take those two useless ones with you as you leave. Kill them at noon tomorrow; I don’t want to see them here.”

The two warriors outside, still kowtowing, did not react with horror. Instead, relief softened their faces. They respectfully knocked their heads to the floor once more. “Thank you, Green Queen, for your great mercy.” Though condemned to death, they seemed liberated, as if finally freed. Jade Feet led them away, casting Lei Xiang a venomous look as he passed, full of envy and resentment: “The Green Queen summons you.”

Watching Jade Feet depart, Lei Xiang gave a helpless smile, thinking, “I never wanted to compete for favor. It’s the queen who’s tired of you. I’d be glad if she chose you instead.” He adjusted the Immortal Shooter hidden at his waist and strode forward.

The white mist parted with a sweep, revealing the five imperial pools. Lei Xiang approached, his face calm, and saw the Green Queen’s alluring figure—a body that would ignite any man’s blood. Yet Lei Xiang showed no reaction.

A surprised exclamation escaped the queen’s lips. Then, in a cool tone, she said, “I hear you learned our language in two days. You’re quite the prodigy, it seems. Would you obey me? I can grant you supreme glory, even immortality.”

Lei Xiang grinned, showing his sharp little tiger teeth. “Like the glory of that Jade Feet? No thanks. Have you heard the saying, ‘Better to shatter like jade than survive as tile’? I’d rather be one of those condemned warriors.”

The Green Queen paused, then laughed coldly. “Do you know why those warriors thank me before death?”

Lei Xiang replied evenly, “Because death is a release for them. I can imagine your methods of torment—neither living nor dying at your hands. To die by your order is true mercy, and their gratitude is sincere.”

The queen sat upright, her sapphire eyes glaring through her veil at Lei Xiang. This foreigner made her see him anew. Perhaps he was wasted as mere breeding stock. She spoke, “Lei Xiang, you’re clever. If you comply, not only will you gain wealth, but benefits beyond imagination. Would you like eternal youth?”

Lei Xiang focused the blue light in his eyes, but could not pierce the thin black veil—a superior artifact, no doubt. He replied calmly, “I just want to go home.”

His answer did not surprise the Green Queen. She elegantly gathered her hair over a shoulder. “Very well. When the time is right, I’ll personally send you back to your people. But for now, you must serve me well. When I am satisfied, you may leave.”

Lei Xiang retorted, “That’s impossible. You haven’t even let me see your face. I strongly suspect you’re hideous.”

The queen did not anger. She curled her right leg, striking a seductive pose. “Do you think someone like me could be ugly?”

“Absolutely!” Lei Xiang answered without hesitation.

The queen’s veil trembled; from between clenched teeth she spat, “Do you believe I won’t carve you up right now?”

Lei Xiang, unconcerned, sat down and stretched his legs comfortably. “I don’t believe it. You surely have some purpose for me. Until it’s achieved, you won’t dare kill me; you’ll protect me well.”

The Green Queen was both amused and irritated. “What purpose, then? At best, you’re breeding stock—a bit larger than others, I suppose. I simply want to try something new.”

Lei Xiang shut his eyes, mumbling, “That’s only one purpose. I bet you have a greater one, probably tied to that eternal youth you mentioned. If you’re so ugly, you must crave a remedy for everlasting beauty. Maybe I’m the key—whether it’s some secret art to extract essence or just as an ingredient for a potion, I don’t know.”

The queen’s expression did not change, but inwardly she was shaken. “What is this Lei Xiang? Not only does he learn languages with unnatural speed, his physique is extraordinary, and his mind is quick and sharp. If used for that purpose, he would be invaluable. But will his intelligence expose my plans and ruin everything?”

Her eyes flickered. She decided to let things unfold naturally. The future could wait; for now, she would indulge in pleasure. She beckoned Lei Xiang, “Come, such a spring night should not be wasted. Tonight, I’ll make you a real man.”

Gazing at her writhing flesh, Lei Xiang turned away, feigning nausea. “Old woman, stop your coy act. I feel like vomiting. You’re not appetizing in the least.”

The Green Queen was finally enraged. She bit her silver teeth and raised a jade palm. After a brief hesitation, she slapped Lei Xiang’s buttocks with a sharp crack—she could not bring herself to strike his face.

Lei Xiang was sent flying ten yards. With such a formidable body, even he was forced to cough blood as his inner energy scattered. The queen’s strength was overwhelming; even with the blow landing on his well-padded rear, it was more than Lei Xiang could withstand. She was at least at the initial stage of Core Formation. If only Lei Xiang’s spirit power was available, he might have some chance to resist.

Now, his only hope lay in a surprise attack with the Immortal Shooter.

Flat on the ground, Lei Xiang still grinned, blood trickling from his lips, about to speak when the queen addressed someone else.

She held a palm-sized peanut shell—one half pressed to her ear, speaking into the other. “Long time no see. What brings you to contact me today? Did you miss me? Hehe.”

Damn! Lei Xiang couldn’t help but curse. “Is this the cultivator world’s telephone? That’s mind-boggling.” Suddenly, he recalled the communicator Blue Xi had given him before parting, similar in design but single-use. Thinking of Blue Xi stirred a complex feeling—hope tinged with loss and regret.

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed in Lei Xiang’s mind—a plan to escape took shape. As he refocused, he caught the queen’s final words.

“...This is wonderful news. I never thought it would happen so soon; I expected to wait twenty years. We must hurry our preparations. And let me share some good news: I’ve already found a suitable candidate—a fine specimen. With a bit of training, I guarantee it’ll serve well. Wait for my good news.”