The streets were still bustling when it happened—no one knew why a pillar of fire had burst from the Upper Ren Palace like a dragon breaking through clouds, soaring with a long howl that shook heaven and earth. The supposedly impenetrable Anhe Barrier seemed to have been torn open, with turbid energy surging out.
But in just an instant, the energy dispersed, the fire extinguished, and only the blessing of the divine wood remained.
It happened so quickly that it seemed like a mere illusion.
“What happened?” bewildered immortal couples asked each other on the street.
“Perhaps a True Lord ascended, or some ancient supreme god attained the Way.”
“But this fire light—how could it appear within the Kan clan’s immortal sect territory? Could it be that Li—”
“Don’t make wild guesses. Our immortal sect, not even counting our immortal power, has enough numbers to make the Li clan fear us. Who would be foolish enough to venture in alone?”
The muttering and discussions continued.
Supreme God Li Ye, who had indeed been foolish enough to venture in alone, passed expressionlessly through the crowd.
…
…
There were still traces of blood on his face, but his expression was indifferent yet relaxed. With his back to the Upper Ren Palace, his silhouette outlined by light, he looked as tall as a majestic mountain.
And hanging from this mountain was a monkey.
Er’er used all her strength to desperately cover the pulse point on the great master’s wrist. But she was truly too small, and with the great master walking so quickly and urgently, she could only half-hang from his wrist, stumbling along.
“Please slow down,” she couldn’t help but say.
Li Ye glanced at her with contempt in his eyes: “You are welcome to let go.”
How could she let go? How?
Er’er was exasperated.
This great master might act recklessly without concern, but could she afford to be so careless? She had watched him absorb so much death resentment energy—who knew if he might suddenly go berserk and start a killing spree in Kan clan territory? If he went into a blood-red rage, would her little life still be safe?
Er’er really couldn’t understand how he had been able to directly break through such a formidable Killing God Death Formation. And even after breaking through, shouldn’t he be severely injured and need rest?
No, not only was the great master not heading toward the blue-tiled cottage, he was charging straight onto the most prosperous street.
It looked like he was intent on starting a massacre!
Nervously gripping his wrist, Er’er took a deep breath, trying not to provoke him, and softened her voice: “It’s not easy to let go.”
By holding on like this, if he acted impulsively, she might still be able to stop him. If she let go, who could restrain him?
However, these words sounded quite different to Li Ye’s ears.
From her desperate protection in the killing formation earlier to her current reluctance to part from him, Li Ye suddenly realized that her thievish heart for him hadn’t died. She claimed to have transferred her affections elsewhere, yet here she was clinging to him, her tone so gentle it was unnatural, her small white hand holding onto him with a slight tremble—she looked completely overcome with emotion.
Raising his chin proudly, Li Ye caught sight of the ice lotus flower in her hair and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Do you have nothing to say to me?” he asked.
His tone sounded full of hostility. Er’er’s heart tightened, and she immediately remembered that she hadn’t yet explained why she had appeared in that Killing God Death Formation.
Could the great master suspect that she was in league with the Kan clan to harm him?
Shaking her head repeatedly, Er’er darted her eyes around and said: “Today I had planned to meet with Kan Ze to see the Sweet Rain Festival celebrations on the street. Unexpectedly, I got lost halfway—I don’t know how, but I stumbled into the formation. Did I delay you in any way?”
Before the formation was broken, Er’er had boldly claimed that the great master owed her a favor, that she had gone to save him. But after the formation broke, Er’er understood—the great master truly didn’t need anyone to save him. Even if the Snake Tail blade had been plunged into his chest, even without divine power, he would have used death resentment energy to break through.
So, she was just an uninvited guest.
Shrinking her neck nervously, Er’er observed the great master’s reaction from the corner of her eye.
Li Ye seemed quite dissatisfied with her explanation. His face darkened slightly, his eyes containing a hint of mockery: “You arranged to go out together and still got lost?”
“Y-yes,” Er’er persisted reluctantly. “Kan Ze said he needed to buy something, and then we got separated.”
The hand around her waist suddenly loosened.
Er’er stood properly on her own, like a child who had done something wrong, hiding one hand behind her back and obediently lowering her head.
Li Ye gave a cold laugh.
Then he shook off her hand and said indifferently: “If that’s the case, then go find him.”
Was he going to confront the person face to face? Er’er swallowed, rubbing her hand that hurt a bit from being shaken off, and resignedly agreed: “Alright.”
And she went to look.
Watching her retreating figure intently, Li Ye found it absurd.
Could she not understand what he meant, or did she think he was an easy-going immortal? Even after he had spoken so clearly, how did she still dare to walk away?
Who did she think Kan Ze was? A mere medical attendant, and a talentless immortal at that—was he worth her leaving Li Ye behind?
Anger suddenly surged within him. Li Ye himself hadn’t even realized it, but scorching flames had already spread from beneath his feet, following the blue stone ground toward the surrounding crowd.
Er’er had already walked quite far, worriedly thinking about how to coordinate her story with Kan Ze, when she suddenly heard screams behind her.
Within the immortal realm, those who had attained the Way and ascended were all experienced individuals—how could they lose composure like common folk? Er’er thought reproachfully, turning back to look.
She would have been better off not looking—once she did, she also let out a cry.
“Stop right now!”
On the crowded street, arrogant fire wrapped in black smoke leaped in all directions. Water urns at the entrances of shops along the street exploded with a bang, and water splashed up from the fountain channels. Countless fairy maidens lost their composure, fleeing in panic, while more composed immortals had already begun to form defensive arrays.
Her pupils contracting, Er’er ran back in two quick strides and crashed into him.
Li Ye had been lost in thought when he suddenly felt something rush into his arms.
His first reaction was to push it away.
But just as his hand extended, he saw the panicked eyes of the little thing.
Moist, black, and bright.
The force of his push transformed, and he composed himself, letting out a muffled grunt as he caught her.
The surrounding flames immediately extinguished, but black smoke still billowed.
Er’er raised her head from this black smoke, both angry and frightened, gripping his wrist: “Indeed, I cannot let go!”
She had only walked a few steps, and the great master was already trying to burn down the street! This was Kan clan territory—even with his divine power reaching the heavens, ants could still bite an elephant to death if there were enough of them. What was he thinking?
Li Ye raised an eyebrow, looking at her.
Didn’t she say she was going to find someone? Why had she come back?
Moreover, she looked very afraid, her voice trembling: “Let’s go back, shall we?”
After taking a couple of deep breaths, Er’er collected herself and looked around. “This is not a place to linger.”
More and more immortals were gathering around, and more and more magical devices were lighting up.
Yet at this moment, the great master still asked her: “Not looking for Kan Ze anymore?”
“Look for a ghost! Run quickly!”
A streak of water light crossed the sky. Without thinking, Er’er grabbed Li Ye’s arm and rushed straight out.
Li Ye had his cloud transportation. He only needed to perform a summoning technique, which would be much more graceful and effortless than running on two legs.
But.
Looking down at this little thing, not even as tall as his shoulder, trying hard to support him as they ran, Li Ye said nothing. He withdrew his hand and obediently leaned on her.