1.
For two years, Pythius lived with a fish tail, unable to freely shift his form until his shapeshifting ability reached the seventh level. With a seemingly divine endless reserve of abilities, his daily life wasn’t particularly challenging. The only less-than-perfect aspect was his ongoing inability to let his boyfriend experience the joys of being a bottom.
After a few instances where Jun Ye thoroughly explored both the front and back of his fish tail, Pythius came to accept that Jun Ye genuinely didn’t mind his aquatic form. This led Pythius to entertain the idea of using his merman body to bring Jun Ye pleasure instead.
Unfortunately, every attempt ended the same way—with Pythius reduced to a boneless heap, sprawled in Jun Ye’s arms like a lifeless fish.
But Pythius was not one to be discouraged.
After breaking through to the seventh level and regaining control over his shapeshifting, Pythius climbed onto the bed with his two strong, perfectly toned legs.
He was determined to make Jun Ye a proper bottom at last!
Jun Ye’s gaze lingered on Pythius’s legs for a moment before he smiled and said, “Come here.”
Even after two years together, Pythius couldn’t help being dazzled by his boyfriend’s smile. “Okay…”
Jun Ye tilted his head slightly. “Where’s the lube? Aren’t you going to use your water ability?”
Pythius instinctively began to activate his ability, planning to complete the usual preparation process, but then paused. Wait! I’m the one giving, not receiving! What’s the point of lubrication?
“I’m going to top you!” Pythius declared firmly.
Jun Ye’s smile deepened. “That’s fine. If you won’t handle it, I can prepare it myself.”
Before Pythius could react, Jun Ye effortlessly lifted him into position.
“No, no, no! I’m going to make you feel the joys of being a bottom!” Pythius protested loudly, but as Jun Ye’s finger pressed in, a thin layer of water membrane coated it instantly.
After being spoiled by Pythius’s fish tail, which accommodated him both front and back, Jun Ye found that Pythius’s humanoid form couldn’t quite meet his expanded expectations.
After several rounds of effort, Jun Ye’s gaze fell to Pythius’s lips, swollen and reddened from his earlier ministrations.
And so, after his lower half had surrendered, Pythius found his mouth suffering the same fate.
.
“Do you like it?” Jun Ye asked gently, wiping the corners of Pythius’s mouth with a warm towel.
Pythius sniffled, letting out a small hiccup between sobs. “I… I do! But you wait… next time… next time I’ll make you—hic—”
Jun Ye chuckled softly, scooping Pythius into his arms and carrying him toward the bathroom. “I look forward to seeing what you’ll make me ‘hic’ next time.”
2.
After returning from the oceanic secret realm, the officers in C City’s Enforcement Division began to notice a change in their captain.
“Yeah, I’ll be home for dinner…” Jun Ye’s voice was calm as he leaned against the wall outside a jewelry store, having just subdued two ability-user robbers. His expression was relaxed, even tender, as he spoke into his phone.
“Fish soup? No, I only eat fish tails… Oh, it’s almost done cooking? Fine, I’ll drink it this once…”
Nearby, Bai Mao watched enviously. “Captain and his girlfriend must have an amazing relationship.”
Sensing a breeze pass by, he turned his head. “Number One, why were you so slow this time? Captain had those guys subdued before you even made a move.”
“I feel like I know too much…” Number One replied, his invisible form shimmering faintly.
Bai Mao’s eyes lit up. Leaning in conspiratorially, he lowered his voice. “Come on, spill it! Whatever you know, even if Captain silences you, I’ll carry this secret to my grave!”
Number One turned to leave without another word.
After all, seeing the name “Husband” pop up on Captain Jun’s phone display was a lot to process. And if Jun Ye had noticed him lingering nearby, it was better to prioritize staying alive.
Jun Ye, meanwhile, had paid no mind to the faint disturbance in the air when he’d pulled out his phone. It wasn’t like calling his partner to discuss dinner was some covert operation.
3.
The Mage Guild’s presidency was a four-year term, requiring reelection every cycle. When Pythius received notice from his subordinates about the date for the next election, he didn’t bat an eye. Having regained full control over his shapeshifting ability, he calmly followed protocol, drafting invitations for all major ability-user organizations. These were dispatched via the Mage Guild’s messengers.
A few days later, an owl tapped at Jun Ye’s window.
Jun Ye retrieved the letter tied to its chest and opened it. Behind him, Pythius sipped his tea in small, deliberate sips.
Turning back, Jun Ye set the letter on the table and asked, “Stepping down?” His gaze fell to the signature at the bottom right corner of the invitation—Pythius’s name.
Pythius blinked, caught off guard by the question, which was not what he had anticipated. Nonetheless, he replied, “Those candidates can’t beat me.”
Jun Ye considered this for a moment. “The election is decided with fists?”
Pythius corrected him, “With magic.”
The two stared at each other until Pythius deflated. “Why aren’t you surprised that I’m the president of the Mage Guild?”
“I’m the captain of the Ability Enforcement Division,” Jun Ye said matter-of-factly. “Even if I didn’t know much about foreign forces at first, I’ve since studied all the key players. Your unique traits made it obvious.
“The Mage Guild’s leaders possess vast arrays of abilities. There’s only one individual who fits the description of the so-called ‘God’s Favored One’—the Mage Guild president, Pythius.”
Pythius weakly asked, “Will you come watch me knock out those candidates?”
“I will.”
Pythius’s eyes brightened, and he added shyly, “I have a surprise for you, then.”
Jun Ye’s eyelid twitched. A vague sense of foreboding crept over him.
This unease lingered as Jun Ye led his team to witness the Mage Guild’s presidential election. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, and by the end of the event, Pythius had secured his position for another term.
After being reelected, Pythius invited all the ability users present to a celebratory banquet.
When he issued the invitation, his gaze lingered on Jun Ye, the leader of the C Country delegation, as he curved his lips into a small smile.
“He’s provoking us, right? That’s definitely a provocation!” Bai Mao muttered under his breath beside Jun Ye.
Jun Ye’s eyelid twitched again.
.
At the Banquet
The banquet was lively, with ability users exchanging gossip, engaging in friendly spars, and maintaining an air of camaraderie—at least on the surface.
At the height of the evening, the Mage Guild’s elder stood up and addressed the crowd: “Over the years, the Mage Guild has cultivated friendly relations with various ability organizations, particularly with the C Country City Enforcement Bureau. Our mutual support and close cooperation have been invaluable…”
Bai Mao choked on his drink, coughing violently.
When he finally recovered, he turned to Jun Ye and whispered, “Is he delusional? Over the years, haven’t we clashed with the Mage Guild over nearly every resource? Aside from the secret realm two years ago, when have they not gone head-to-head with us?”
Jun Ye’s eyes flicked toward Pythius, seated in the Mage Guild’s section.
What are you planning?
Pythius seemed to sense Jun Ye’s thoughts and smiled faintly, sending a telepathic message: Just wait. Your surprise is coming.
Meanwhile, the elder concluded his speech, expressing a desire to deepen ties with C Country. “In keeping with C Country’s customs, we have decided to strengthen relations between our two factions through the time-honored tradition of marriage alliances!”
“Cough, cough, cough…” Jun Ye turned his head, stifling his reaction.
Surprise! Pythius’s smug voice echoed in his mind.
Jun Ye closed his eyes briefly, resigning himself. What a ‘surprise,’ indeed.
Even Bai Mao, who hadn’t had a drop of alcohol, nearly choked on his own saliva at the elder’s announcement.
“Marriage alliance? Don’t they know the Qing dynasty ended ages ago?” Bai Mao muttered, shooting a sidelong glance at the female ability user responsible for diplomacy. As expected, she smirked with amusement.
Whether for cooperation or marriage, the details wouldn’t be dictated by the Mage Guild. There would be much negotiation ahead.
Noticing Pythius’s questioning gaze, Jun Ye sighed inwardly, then stood up and walked toward him.
“Captain? Don’t be impulsive!” Bai Mao exclaimed, getting ready to follow, but Jun Ye shot him a glance that made him sit back down reluctantly.
“Be ready to fight. If the Mage Guild tries anything, we’ll back Captain and take them down!” Bai Mao declared, gripping his glass. The liquid inside instantly froze, cold mist rising from its surface.
To show goodwill, the banquet seating for the Mage Guild and the C Country Enforcement Bureau had been arranged in close proximity. It only took a few steps for Jun Ye to cross the distance.
Jun Ye first glanced at the elder who had spoken before turning to Pythius, whose face radiated anticipation. “Could you clarify,” Jun Ye asked calmly, “whether this ‘marriage alliance’ refers to collaboration or… an actual marriage?”
Marriage, marriage! Pythius screamed internally, but upon seeing Jun Ye’s narrowed eyes, he sensed that was not the answer his boyfriend wanted to hear.
Why not?
Pythius’s hand tightened around the small box in his pocket as he forced a smile and replied dryly, “Of course, it’s collaboration…”
In C Country, “marriage alliance” indeed held a dual meaning, often implying a union of forces through cooperation.
With the term clarified, other organizations at the banquet began clamoring for their own “marriage alliances.” Thus, the post-election banquet transformed into a matchmaking event for inter-organizational collaborations.
After C Country’s delegation explained the situation to the organizations involved, they, too, joined the frenzy of “marriage alliances” with other ability-user groups.
Bai Mao’s expression was one of utter defeat. “How does this even work? Are we really arranging a royal wedding here?”
Jun Ye sighed, rubbing his temple, as his partner bombarded his mind with incessant telepathic chatter.
“Why won’t you marry me? Doesn’t C Country have same-sex marriage laws now?”
“Do you just want to sleep with me and not take responsibility?”
“Didn’t you say my scales were beautiful? I even made you a ring out of my shed scales! Hmph! I was going to pluck one fresh, but it hurt too much…”
“Is it because I haven’t let you experience the joys of being a bottom? But that’s only because you won’t give me a chance! Every time you touch my legs, I can only stay hard in one place—I can’t overpower you at all…”
Jun Ye realized, with growing resignation, that his partner’s most devastating ability was his telepathic nagging. It left no room for argument or explanation.
After instructing his officers to keep an eye on the diplomats, Jun Ye stood and gave Pythius a pointed look before heading out of the banquet hall.
“Are we going to fight? I’m super strong! Just admit defeat and marry me, or I’ll beat you until you cry…” Pythius continued his mental barrage as he stealthily followed Jun Ye.
It didn’t take long for Pythius to locate Jun Ye in a small lounge area. The door was ajar, and inside, Jun Ye stood by the window in his police uniform.
Pythius quietly closed the door, locking it behind him, and approached with a menacing expression. “I suggest you agree to marry me now. Lie back, don’t move, and I’ll let you experience the joys of being a bottom.”
Jun Ye turned to face him, ignoring the threat, and extended his hand. “The ring.”
Pythius immediately clutched the pocket containing the ring, stopping in his tracks. His expression turned wary. “What do you want it for?”
“Isn’t the ring meant for me?” Jun Ye raised an eyebrow.
“You can have it only if you agree to marry me!” Pythius exclaimed. Who knows what you’ll do with it? Destroy it and erase all evidence, maybe!
He pressed his pocket protectively. Those scales had been painstakingly cut and polished into a ring—he wasn’t about to hand it over just like that.
“Mm.” Jun Ye’s acknowledgment was brief, his hand still extended.
“I said, only if you…” Pythius paused, replaying their conversation in his mind. His eyes widened in disbelief. “You—you agree?!”
Jun Ye glanced at his outstretched hand and raised an eyebrow again.
After two years together, Pythius knew exactly what that gesture meant. In a flurry, he pulled the ring box from his pocket and handed it over, box and all.
When Jun Ye opened the box and examined the ring, Pythius finally realized his blunder. He smacked his forehead. “I should’ve knelt down and put it on your finger! Why did I hand over the whole box?!”
“It’s beautiful,” Jun Ye said sincerely, admiring the ring. The jewel-like scales were even more dazzling after being carved and polished. A faint smile played on his lips as he noticed his name engraved inside.
Pythius leaned in shyly, though his embarrassment didn’t stop him from reaching for the ring. He grabbed Jun Ye’s hand and, while attempting to mask his nerves, asked, “Why didn’t you agree to marry me in the first place?”
“Marriage alliances are about binding two parties together for mutual benefit. Marriage is about joining two people in love,” Jun Ye replied, his gaze warm as Pythius slid the ring onto his finger. “And you love me. Naturally, we couldn’t call it a ‘marriage alliance.’”
The tender words left Pythius speechless for a moment, though he eventually muttered, “Shouldn’t the reason be ‘because I love you’?”
Jun Ye ruffled Pythius’s hair with his newly adorned hand. “I know you love me.”
“Hmph!” Pythius puffed his cheeks like an angry pufferfish.
“It’s time to head back,” Jun Ye said, smoothing Pythius’s ruffled hair before heading for the door.
“Hey! Do you love me or not?” Pythius chased after him, latching onto his arm. “You’ve slept with me, worn the ring, and agreed to the wedding. You owe me an answer!”
Jun Ye paused with his hand on the doorknob and turned back to meet Pythius’s fiery gaze.
Then, he leaned in and kissed him.
“Love you.”
- )1It’s another extra I guess? I have no idea why it wasn’t properly labeled aside from the number ^^
The Divine Pool was the retreat of Emperor Quanke2His name shows his relation/link with water forms, especially springs/streams so that’s why the divine pool is his retreat, where he had been in secluded cultivation for 900 years.
Even in the age of interstellar cultivation, where spiritual practices flourished, 900 years was a lifetime for most cultivators.
But for some long-lived beings, 900 years was merely a nap.
Around the Divine Pool, mystical beasts absorbed the spiritual energy that radiated from below, growing stronger each day. Between their cultivation sessions, they gazed up at the floating pool, veiled in thick, boiling mists.
The younger beasts whispered amongst themselves, “Could Emperor Quanke have gone astray in his cultivation? Has he succumbed to inner demons? Why else would the pool’s water grow hotter each day?”
Such speculation was always silenced by the elder beasts. “The Emperor is a supreme being! From the ancient Earth’s revival of spiritual energy to today’s interstellar cultivation era, no one’s cultivation can compare to his.”
Still, ever since the Emperor entered seclusion and his phoenix consort stood guard, the water had indeed grown progressively hotter.
2.
Jun Ye awoke, drenched in sweat, feeling as though he was holding a ball of fire. The heat was so intense it nearly disrupted his breathing.
When he opened his eyes, he saw what lay in his arms—it wasn’t a fireball but a full-plumed phoenix, blazing with fiery energy.
It was also his dao companion…
Memories flooded back—thousands of years spanning from the revival of Earth’s spiritual energy to the interstellar cultivation era, as well as the hundreds of years spent traveling between worlds with the system parasite.
Jun Ye closed his eyes again, allowing the memories of Emperor Quanke and the system’s host to merge.
He had entered the Divine Pool to temper his soul, but it seemed someone audacious had intruded during his vulnerability.
Sifting through his memories, Jun Ye’s expression remained calm, even as the recollection of intimate moments surfaced. He only stirred when the phoenix in his arms shifted, and the surrounding temperature began to cool.
“You’re awake?” Jun Ye murmured, his hand brushing over the phoenix’s slender neck. The bird stiffened under his touch.
Realizing there was no escape, the phoenix ruffled its feathers and shifted into its most pitiable form: a delicate boy, clad in crimson robes, looking up at Jun Ye with wide, innocent eyes.
Jun Ye hesitated, his hand stilling. Faced with the appearance of a 14-year-old, he couldn’t bring himself to punish what looked like a child.
Delighted, the phoenix boy sat up and tried to perch on Jun Ye’s tail, only to be promptly flicked off onto the lotus platform.
Jun Ye sat up, his gaze cold as he watched the phoenix—now dragging its tail—scramble to rise. “Stay down.”
The phoenix froze mid-motion, sensing the Emperor’s displeasure, and obediently sprawled out, playing dead.
Jun Ye’s voice turned sharp. “Who is the system?”
The phoenix buried its head deeper into the platform, refusing to answer.
Jun Ye’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Do you still dream of mounting me? Of making me lay eggs for you?”
The frigid atmosphere sent shivers through the phoenix. Even the previously boiling waters of the Divine Pool dropped to near-freezing temperatures.
When Jun Ye mentioned the egg he had borne in the Zerg world, his aura turned icier still.
The phoenix remained motionless, its tail limp behind it.
Jun Ye continued, his tone mocking. “Do you remember the lies you told to deceive me into becoming your dao companion? The promises of submission?”
At last, the phoenix “revived,” flipping over and hurling itself into Jun Ye’s arms. Wrapping its legs around Jun Ye’s, it declared, “I did promise to bear dragon-phoenix eggs for you! As many as you want—just come and make it happen!”
Jun Ye clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to commit domestic violence. “Change back to your normal appearance.”
Though he feared punishment, the phoenix complied under Jun Ye’s piercing gaze, shifting back into his true form.
Jun Ye smirked, his temper cooling as he surveyed his partner’s mature appearance. “What you said back then was, ‘I’m willing to cry under you.’”
Grabbing the phoenix by the collar, he pressed him onto the lotus platform and growled, “So who gave you the nerve to try and top me? Hm? Have you grown tired of living?”
The phoenix, trapped beneath his enraged partner, desperately wracked his brain for an explanation, until he finally stammered, “I’m very willing to cry under you!”
YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT THIS WHOLE THING WAS BECAUSE THE ML WANTED TO BE A TOP AND HAVE JUN YE LAY HIS EGGS?????? THAT’S WHY THE SYSTEM EXISTS????? Lmao talk about a twist
Thanks for reading!
![The Way of the Empress [Interstellar]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-04-at-8.01.00-PM.png "The Way of the Empress [Interstellar]")
