Yanji had been concentrating intently on watching the earth spirits construct palaces and halls on level ground. He had seen little earth spirits perform earth manipulation techniques before, but they were completely incomparable to the high-level earth spirits summoned by Yuanhou. Just as he was watching with rapt attention, Yanji seemed to sense something. Looking down, he saw a pearl rolling right to his feet. The soul pearl was originally a piece of Xuantian Heavy Water, and had an innate connection with Yanji. He instinctively bent down to pick it up, but who could have expected that the moment his hand touched it, the pearl would suddenly merge into his palm and disappear from sight. Yanji was greatly shocked and let out a cry of surprise, using his other hand to repeatedly press and knead his palm. There were no abnormalities at all—the pearl had completely vanished without a trace.

Jin Zhan also rushed to his side, and in her urgency, she grasped his hand and turned it over repeatedly to examine it.

“What exactly is this?” Yanji frowned, asking in confusion. It seemed this thing had been dropped by Jin Zhan.

Jin Zhan steadied herself and gave Yanji’s hand a squeeze, indicating that he shouldn’t make a commotion. Yanji didn’t press further with questions, but his expression became extremely strange. Jin Zhan followed his gaze and looked back, discovering that everyone was staring at them, especially Qingsui and Yuanhou, who very synchronously displayed exaggerated expressions of shock. A vein throbbed at Jin Zhan’s temple. She quickly released Yanji’s hand, though this only made it look more like she was trying to cover something up.

Dong Tianyun had been sitting on a rock the whole time, watching coldly. Now he spoke leisurely: “No wonder that boy hasn’t been near women for several hundred years—so that’s how it is.”

Qingsui protested indignantly, “It’s not like that!”

Dong Tianyun narrowed his eyes, using the corners of his eyes to scan Qingsui. Now that he was half-immortal and half-demon, the corners of his eyes carried a faint purple tinge. His features were already too delicate, making him appear quite bewitching, and combined with his provocative gaze, he looked even more coldly arrogant and seductive. “Oh? Did you succeed back then?”

Qingsui stared at him blankly, momentarily forgetting to argue. When she came back to her senses, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This Dong Tianyun had become even more wickedly outstanding than before. How had little Su Bing chosen the thoroughly mediocre Longzhun instead?

Though Yanji didn’t know who they were discussing, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of nausea in his chest.

As evening approached, because the earth spirits had been casting spells by the edge of the Abyss River, they all felt especially exhausted. Yuanhou gave orders early to stop work and arranged for them to rest in the newly constructed side halls. Since the palace chambers weren’t yet completely finished, the several celestial lords could only rest briefly in the main hall. Dong Tianyun disliked crowds and went off on his own to find a secluded hillside, quietly gazing at the Abyss River under the moonlight.

Jiuyou Mountain had just been created by Yuanhou, and many areas hadn’t yet had time for planting trees and flowers. Dong Tianyun sat on the bare hillside. The moonlight was sparse and dim, making the surroundings seem even more desolate and lonely.

“What do you want?” Dong Tianyun didn’t turn around. He knew Jin Zhan had been standing on the other side of the hillside for a while.

Jin Zhan slowly walked out. Because of Chilin, he didn’t dare use his Wood Forest Qi to conceal his spiritual consciousness, so he wasn’t surprised that Dong Tianyun had detected his presence. He also gazed for a while at the rippling moonlight on the Abyss River. He hadn’t had an opportunity to speak with Dong Tianyun about Xiang Su, and now that he finally had a chance for a private conversation, he hesitated again. The soul pearl was also gone—with no physical evidence, would Dong Tianyun even believe him?

“I want to talk to you about Xiang Su.” Jin Zhan’s brow smoothed out. No matter what, he at least had to tell Dong Tianyun the truth. Perhaps he could help Yanji force the soul pearl out again.

Dong Tianyun’s spine stiffened. Just as Jin Zhan was about to speak, he interrupted him. “It’s already in the past. Don’t mention it again.”

Jin Zhan’s gaze was piercing, especially bright with anger. “That wasn’t at all—”

“What are you talking about?” Chilin appeared very suddenly. She stood behind Dong Tianyun, her eyes coldly fixed on Jin Zhan. Jin Zhan immediately broke out in a cold sweat and couldn’t continue speaking. He had heard all those things Chilin had said earlier to Qingsui and Yuanhou. Now he had no way to risk revealing the truth.

Dong Tianyun paid no attention to Chilin and looked at Jin Zhan somewhat urgently. Jin Zhan lightly furrowed his brow and said listlessly, “Anyway, don’t be too sad about it.”

Dong Tianyun lowered his eyes somewhat disappointedly. “Both of you go back. Let me be quiet for a while.”

Chilin nodded obediently and left. Jin Zhan knew that she probably had something to say to him. He walked quickly toward the main hall with a trace of wishful thinking. Sure enough, Chilin called out to him, her tone calm but clearly revealing murderous intent.

“Your true form is a narcissus?” Under the moonlight, her already pale complexion took on a faint greenish tinge, and the cinnabar red flower mark between her brows was beautifully terrifying. “I seem… not to have seen you for a long time.”

Jin Zhan didn’t even dare breathe too deeply, afraid she would intensify her suspicions. Back then outside the Narcissus Tomb, Chilin had ultimately been somewhat uneasy. “Qingsui has been searching everywhere for the whereabouts of the Shennong Cauldron. I’ve been at the estate managing wood spirit affairs and rarely go out.”

Chilin had no reaction, as if weighing the truthfulness of his words. During the day, Qingsui had indeed said in front of everyone that this young Wood Spirit襄君 (Xiangjun) was in charge of wood spirit affairs.

“What… were you about to say to Dong Tianyun just now?” She decided to stop beating around the bush and stared at Jin Zhan, asking directly.

Jin Zhan’s thoughts turned several times. Finally, he took a risk and snorted coldly, “Whatever I want to say to him—why should I tell you?” If she asked and he immediately rushed to explain, it would instead seem guilty and suspicious.

Though Chilin’s face showed displeasure, her killing intent diminished somewhat. “That day, you also heard what I said to your lord. I don’t want anyone else mentioning Xiang Su in front of Dong Tianyun again. The Shennong Cauldron is trapped in Prisoner Dragon Valley, and the thorny demons surrounding it only fear Haotian Fire. Those who displease me… I naturally make them unhappy as well.”

Jin Zhan rolled his eyes. “Princess Chilin, repeating these words over and over only makes them more tiresome. Of all things in this world, there is one thing that cannot be forced…”

“Oh? Is that so?” Chilin laughed coldly. “Many things I truly cannot accomplish immediately, but if anyone continues to speak recklessly, making them shut up forever would be as easy as turning over my hand.”

Jin Zhan heard the sharpness in her words. After all was said and done, she still harbored some doubts. Continuing to entangle with her would only be more disadvantageous. Jin Zhan deliberately flew into a rage and left with a flourish of his sleeves.

Once out of Chilin’s sight, Jin Zhan’s steps became somewhat disordered. Chilin was suspicious and had developed murderous intentions. He feared that the moment he left Dong Tianyun’s vicinity, she would immediately dispose of him without making a fuss. Given her attitude about this matter, she probably wouldn’t mind wrongly killing a hundred. Without the Shennong Cauldron, any wood spirit encountering her Haotian Fire would be utterly powerless. The safest place now was actually to remain at Dong Tianyun’s side together with her.

Having just climbed a hundred stone steps, Jin Zhan saw Yanji leaning against a dragon-carved stone pillar on the highest step. Seeing him approach, Yanji immediately straightened up—clearly he had been waiting for him. Jin Zhan quickly shook his head. Chilin was still nearby; they absolutely couldn’t discuss the soul pearl.

Standing at the higher position, Yanji also noticed Chilin following far behind Jin Zhan. His expression darkened. He had no favorable impression of this arrogant woman. With a cold face, he leaned back against the stone pillar again, turning his gaze away to look out over the Abyss River below the mountain.

Jin Zhan was also eager to chat with Yanji. Without Yanji needing to ask him to stay, he stood beside him. The two had nothing to say for the moment. When Chilin brushed past them, she revealed a mocking cold smile. Both felt angry and embarrassed, yet unable to explain. Each sulkily turned their faces away, looking instead like they were determined to defy worldly conventions.

Only when Chilin had walked far enough away did Jin Zhan show an anxious expression. “Where is that pearl?” He was truly afraid that Yanji’s powerful primordial spirit would devour Xiang Su’s soul.

Yanji raised his hand and forced it out with spiritual power. The soul pearl slowly emerged from his palm, radiating brilliance in the night. He had studied it for a long time and finally learned how to absorb and release this pearl. “What exactly is this?” Yanji was somewhat impatient. This pearl definitely had a significant connection to him. He always felt an inexplicable sense of intimacy with it, which made him want to know the full story even more.

Jin Zhan joyfully took the soul pearl. After being nourished by the Water Lord’s primordial spirit, the soul light was more lustrous and even faintly carried the fragrance of gardenia flowers.

“You were originally the Water Lord reincarnated. This pearl is your unique Xuantian Heavy Water, and inside is hidden the soul of my good friend.” Jin Zhan hesitated. Given Yanji’s current temperament, he might act rashly on impulse and leak the secret. So he furrowed his brow and redirected the topic. “Try to see if you can extract the soul from inside.”

Yanji shook his head disappointedly. He had tried just now but couldn’t manage it. “Why does your good friend have my heavy water?” Yanji wasn’t so easy to fool and circled back. “Among those people, there’s someone you’re extremely wary of, right? Dong Tianyun? Chilin? Or Yumu?”

Jin Zhan was silent for a while. Although Yanji was unreliable at present, extracting Xiang Su’s soul would ultimately depend on him. “This good friend of mine was harmed by Chilin. I don’t know why she would have Xuantian Heavy Water, but she did indeed escape disaster because of it. That’s why I’ve repeatedly told you not to make it public—I’m afraid that if Chilin learns of it, she’ll harm her again.”

Yanji snorted with disgust, his bad feelings toward Chilin deepening even further. “I’ll keep this pearl.” Though Jin Zhan’s explanation was vague and unclear, his favorable feelings toward this soul pearl were extremely strong.

Jin Zhan nodded and returned the soul pearl, watching as Yanji absorbed it back into his primordial spirit before feeling slightly at ease.

Qingsui slowly strolled out from the hall, deliberately making her footsteps heavier, obviously wanting Yanji and Jin Zhan to notice her. Yanji had been tormented for a long time by her and Yuanhou’s strange expressions. Seeing her with that hesitant look on her face again, he was truly afraid of her. He twisted his face away with a snort and simply walked off.

Jin Zhan also felt a bit of a headache. He could guess what Qingsui was thinking about in her head!

“Jin Zhan…” Qingsui blocked his path, speaking earnestly and painfully. “Although we wood spirits have no fathers or mothers, regarding…” She glanced in the direction Yanji had left. “Such matters, we’re relatively tolerant, but romantic love between men and women is still the way of heaven.”

Jin Zhan tried to go around from the other side but was blocked by Qingsui again. “These past few decades, I’ve been lax in supervising you and Su Bing, causing you both to become like this…” Qingsui began sighing with emotion. Jin Zhan didn’t even have the interest to explain. Seeing Yuanhou also walking over leisurely, he actually felt relieved.

“Little Narcissus, I support you!” Yuanhou said with a grin, his expression very amiable.

“What are you saying?!” Qingsui immediately exploded. “You’re teaching children bad things! Although Jin Zhan is mature beyond his years, he’s still only a little over three hundred years old. Your reckless words will harm him for life!”

Yuanhou was unconvinced. “How am I speaking recklessly? If you like someone, you like them. Does it matter what kind of person they are?”

Jin Zhan took advantage of the two of them arguing back and forth, getting heated, and quickly slipped away. He really didn’t know what these two were dragging their feet about after all these hundreds of years. If they weren’t a match made by heaven, even the natural order wouldn’t allow it.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re calculating!” Unable to out-argue Yuanhou, Qingsui spoke without thinking, just wanting to dampen his spirits. “You’d love for Yanji to fall for someone else, wouldn’t you!”

Hearing these words, Yuanhou’s expression froze. Qingsui regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Seeing him put away his playful expression, she didn’t know how to continue instead.

“If that’s how you see me,” Yuanhou rarely showed a cold expression in front of her, “then so be it.” With that, he turned and walked back into the hall.

Qingsui stood in the pale moonlight, her heart suddenly filled with confusion.

At daybreak, the Heavenly Emperor sent an immortal messenger with word that seawater had flooded in one area of the East Sea, destroying several immortal mountains. He requested that Yumu and Yuanhou quickly return to the Heavenly Palace for discussion.

Qingsui saw that Yuanhou’s face was pale from excessive spell-casting and felt reluctant sympathy. But his expression was indifferent, and he didn’t even greet her before preparing to leave with Yumu. She was unwilling to call out to him in front of everyone and could only watch him depart with sullen feelings.

The remaining days continued with construction of Dong Tianyun’s new residence. The work of adorning it with flowers and plants was originally her job, but the Abyss River conflicted with her nature. Only plants that Dong Tianyun personally cultivated using the Biyu Basin could survive, so she simply stood by and watched, spending the whole day listless and taciturn.

These past few days, Jin Zhan had actually been quite peaceful. Although Chilin watched closely, she had no opportunity to provoke him. Just as he relaxed, Yanji sought him out again, asking him to look at what was wrong with the soul pearl. The moment the pearl emerged from Yanji’s palm, Jin Zhan could see something was wrong. Not only had the fragrance dissipated, even the soul light had grown dim.

“What’s going on? It was very bright two days ago, but this morning it suddenly became like this.” In his urgency, Yanji couldn’t care about hiding the fact that he kept company with the soul pearl daily, constantly observing it.

Jin Zhan examined it carefully for a while, then remembered Qingsui’s words. “This soul pearl has probably been away from wood qi for too long. I’ll ask Qingsui for a magical artifact to nurture and protect it.” Yanji urged him to go quickly. Qingsui was listless and gave Jin Zhan the Biyu Basin without even asking questions.

As soon as the soul pearl entered the basin, its spiritual light indeed shone brilliantly and the fragrance became rich again. Both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Is the Biyu Basin with you?” Dong Tianyun suddenly appeared at the doorway. Jin Zhan was so frightened he nearly dropped the Biyu Basin in his hands. Dong Tianyun glanced at him, not knowing why he was so guilty. “I need to embellish the northern slope of Jiuyou. Hand it over.” He gestured with his chin.

Jin Zhan hesitated for a long time without reaching out. Dong Tianyun slowly furrowed his brow. “What’s that smell?” With a crook of his finger, Jin Zhan felt his hand burn as if scalded and couldn’t hold onto the Biyu Basin. Looking again, the artifact was already in Dong Tianyun’s hands. He took out the soul pearl from the basin and examined it with furrowed brows. “What is this?”