The evening light cast long shadows across the stone courtyard of the Censure Phoenix Sect. Xuanfa walked slowly along the main path, his black training robes immaculate, his expression as cold and unreadable as carved jade. Behind him, three women crawled on hands and knees, each completely naked, each adorned with a black slave collar around her throat.
Lin Qiaoxin led the trio, her twin ponytails swaying with each careful movement. She moved with a lightness that belied her position, her youthful face carrying a hint of her perpetual mischief even as she crawled like a devoted pet. Behind her came Li Que, whose fiery red hair cascaded down her back in a high ponytail, her athletic frame moving with controlled power and barely concealed pride—a pride she now expressed only in the perfection of her submission. Bringing up the rear was Shen Mengyue, her waist-length black hair brushing the ground, her elegant features serene and accepting, the most senior of Xuanfa’s female slaves in both age and service.
A length of black leather dog leash connected Xuanfa’s right hand to rings on each of their collars. He walked as if leading three obedient hounds, and they moved as such—crawling in perfect synchronization, heads lowered, spines curved in perpetual deference. Other female disciples of the sect moved about the compound, also completely naked, going about their duties without shame. Some swept the stone paths with bamboo brooms. Others carried medicinal herbs to the infirmary. All moved with the same quiet acceptance that marked every woman in Xuanfa’s domain.
In the outside world, these three crawling women were legends whispered with fear. The Heart Slave, the Phoenix Slave, and the Moon Slave were names that made even Nascent Soul cultivators tremble. When Xuanfa wished to punish a disrespectful cultivator, he sent these three. When he desired a new female slave, they went to retrieve her. No one refused the summons of the Censure Phoenix Sect’s great elders. Few survived the experience unchanged.
“You three have all broken through to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, yes?” Xuanfa’s voice was flat, without warmth or approval.
The three women immediately stopped crawling and pressed their foreheads to the cold stone.
“This slave owes everything to the master,” Shen Mengyue said, her voice soft but clear. “It was the master’s stern discipline and the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Realm that allowed this worthless one to break through in three hundred years.”
“This slave as well,” Lin Qiaoxin added, her tone stripped of its usual playfulness. “Every blow of the master’s board reminded me to cultivate harder. To be more worthy.”
“The Heavenly Realm’s cultivation chambers are a gift beyond measure,” Li Que said, her voice low and rough. “I have no words to express my gratitude.”
Xuanfa’s lips twitched slightly—not quite a smile, but the closest thing to approval any of them would see. “Since you have all reached the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, I have a task for you three.”
He resumed walking, and they scrambled to follow, their knees and palms scraping against the uneven stones. He led them toward a small pavilion at the center of the sect compound, where a stone table held a simple tea set. Xuanfa sat down, and the three women positioned themselves at his feet, still kneeling, still with heads bowed.
“The sect master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Bai Zhenshuang, has spoken disrespectfully of my Censure Phoenix Sect,” Xuanfa said, picking up a cup of tea that had been prepared in advance. “The Valley Master of the Hundred Flowers Valley, Hua Qianyu, has allowed her disciples to occupy spirit herb gardens that belong to me. And the Holy Maiden of the Demon Clan, Su Qianyao, has used her charm techniques to corrupt the minds of my disciples.”
He took a sip of tea. The three women remained motionless, listening with complete attention.
“You three will go to them. Inform Bai Zhenshuang, Hua Qianyu, and Su Qianyao that they are to strip themselves naked, kneel at the entrance of the Censure Phoenix Sect, present their buttocks, and receive one hundred strokes of the Heavenly Dao Board every day for ten years. This will serve as a minor punishment.”
He set down the teacup and withdrew three lengths of golden chain from his spatial ring. The shackles were formed of a metal that seemed to glow from within, inscribed with dozens of sealing formations. They were artifacts of immense power, capable of binding even a Nascent Soul cultivator.
“If they resist,” Xuanfa said flatly, “defeat them and bind them with the Immortal Binding Shackles. Then bring them back here.”
Lin Qiaoxin raised her head slightly, her eyes meeting Xuanfa’s gaze for a brief moment before dropping again. “This slave understands the master’s will completely.”
“This slave will not fail,” Li Que added.
“We will carry out your command perfectly,” Shen Mengyue finished.
Xuanfa was about to dismiss them when Lin Qiaoxin spoke again, her voice carrying a hint of that playful energy she was known for. “Master, this worthless slave has a request.”
“Speak.”
“Now that we three have broken through to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm,” Lin Qiaoxin said, “we would like to request an increase in our daily punishment. Four hundred strokes of the board, if it pleases the master.”
Li Que and Shen Mengyue nodded in agreement, their faces showing no shame at the request.
Xuanfa’s eyebrow rose slightly. “So now you have come to enjoy the feeling of being beaten, have you?”
Lin Qiaoxin’s cheeks colored slightly, but she did not deny it. “This slave cannot lie to the master. The pain... the submission... it brings this worthless one peace. It reminds me of my place.”
“The stinging sensation after each stroke,” Li Que said, her voice carrying a note of confession, “the warmth that follows... this slave has become addicted to it.”
“This slave also confesses,” Shen Mengyue said softly. “After so many years, the discipline that was once shame has become comfort. Please, master, grant us this increase.”
Xuanfa allowed a genuine smile to cross his face—cold, but genuine. “When you complete this task successfully, I will increase your daily punishment. Four hundred strokes.”
The three women pressed their foreheads to the ground again. “This slave thanks the master for his kindness!”
“But first,” Xuanfa said, rising from his seat, “today’s punishment must still be completed.”
He raised his hand and made a gesture. From the shadows of the nearby buildings, three figures emerged, each moving with the practiced grace of those who had been conditioned since childhood to obey. They were young women, appearing around eighteen years of age. Each bore an uncanny resemblance to the three kneeling slaves—as if the original had been copied with some details altered.
Lin Yuxin walked toward Lin Qiaoxin, her face a mirror of her mother’s mischievous charm, though her expression was now perfectly obedient. Li Yunling approached Li Que, her fiery red hair framing features that could have been carved from the same mold. Shen Xingmian moved to Shen Mengyue, her gentle features a softer echo of her mother’s elegant beauty.
All three of the younger women were naked, black slave collars around their throats. All three walked upright, but upon reaching Xuanfa, they immediately dropped to their knees in perfect synchronization.
“This slave greets the master,” they said together.
“Rise,” Xuanfa said. “Your mothers’ buttocks are itching for discipline. You will each take a Heavenly Dao Board and deliver two hundred strokes to them.”
The three young women bowed. “This slave obeys.”
Shen Mengyue was the first to position herself. She turned around, lowered her upper body to the ground, and raised her hips high, presenting her buttocks to her daughter. Her posture was perfect—knees spread wide, back arched, buttocks fully exposed and offered.
“Xingmian,” she said softly, “use the board with a sweeping motion. Start from the top of the right cheek and bring it diagonally across to the bottom of the left. That creates the most satisfying burn.”
Shen Xingmian’s hand trembled slightly as she accepted the dark wooden Board of Heavenly Dao from her mother. The board was about two feet long, four inches wide, and an inch thick. It had been carved from a branch of the Dao Comprehension Tree and treated with tribulation lightning, making it a treasure capable of delivering pain that penetrated to the soul itself.
“Like this, mother?” Shen Xingmian asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Higher,” Shen Mengyue instructed. “Raise it above your head. And do not hesitate. The master is watching.”
Lin Yuxin stood behind Lin Qiaoxin, who had positioned herself in the same posture. “Mother,” Lin Yuxin said, her voice carrying some uncertainty, “I do not wish to hurt you.”
Lin Qiaoxin laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “Nonsense! My little Yuxin, you could never hurt me. This is discipline, not harm. Each stroke makes me a better slave for the master. Strike with your full strength. Every time that board lands, my cultivation refines further. My devotion deepens.”
“But how should I strike?” Lin Yuxin asked, her hands gripping the board tightly.
“Start low,” Lin Qiaoxin said. “Right at the curve where my bottom meets my thighs. That spot is most sensitive. Then work your way up. When you reach the top, start again. By the time you finish, I will be glowing from the inside out.”
Li Yunling did not ask questions. She simply took her position behind her mother, raised the board high, and swung.
Crack!
The sound echoed across the courtyard. Li Que’s entire body jolted forward, a sharp hiss escaping her lips. A red mark bloomed across her right buttock, perfectly shaped to the board’s dimensions.
“Excellent form, Yunling!” Li Que exclaimed through gritted teeth. “That was perfect! But next time, follow through with your wrist. Let the momentum carry the strike deeper.”
“Yes, mother,” Li Yunling said, raising the board again.
Shen Xingmian took a deep breath and swung her first stroke. The board connected with Shen Mengyue’s buttock with a satisfying crack, and Shen Mengyue let out a soft moan—not of pain, but of pleasure.
“Good,” Shen Mengyue said, her voice strained but calm. “But focus on the lower curve. That is where the lesson settles deepest.”
Lin Yuxin finally raised her board and brought it down with a sharp swing. The impact was solid, and Lin Qiaoxin let out a yelp that mixed with laughter.
“Ha! Not bad for a first strike!” Lin Qiaoxin said. “But put your shoulder into it! Swing from your whole body, not just your arm. Let the master see how strong his little slave girl is!”
Lin Yuxin’s eyes brightened, and she swung again, harder this time.
The courtyard filled with the rhythmic sound of wood striking flesh. Each stroke was measured, precise, and delivered with the full force of the striker’s arm. The three older women maintained their positions, only their bodies jerking with each impact. Their buttocks began to redden, first in patches, then in solid sheets of crimson.
“One hundred seventy-three,” Shen Xingmian counted.
“One hundred seventy-four,” Lin Yuxin continued.
“One hundred seventy-five,” Li Yunling finished.
Sweat beaded on all six foreheads. The older women’s buttocks were now deep red, visibly swollen, and radiating heat that could be felt from a foot away. Lin Qiaoxin’s playful demeanor had given way to focused breathing, her entire body tensing with each stroke. Li Que’s muscles were corded with strain, her knuckles white where she gripped the stone ground. Shen Mengyue had closed her eyes, her lips moving in what might have been a mantra or a prayer.
“Two hundred,” they said in unison.
All three older women collapsed forward, their bodies trembling from the accumulated punishment. Their buttocks were a uniform, angry red, raised and hot to the touch. But they did not cry. They did not plead for
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