Xin Wu’s first reaction was that this annoying aura felt familiar. Even after hundreds of years, one whiff could still provoke all the murderous intent in his body.

But upon second thought, something wasn’t right. How could this creature, even less human than himself, appear suddenly intent on saving someone?

The last time he saw Li Ye was during his ten-thousand-year heavenly tribulation. Back then, Xin Wu thought he could take advantage of Li Ye’s severe injuries to cast him down from the ninth heaven. Instead, he was forced into seclusion for several hundred years by this man covered in divine blood. During his meditation, all he could see was Li Ye gripping the Phoenix-Slaying Dagger amidst thunder and rain, a vision that lingered, difficult to dispel.

He had assumed their next encounter would inevitably be another bloody battle.

But now, looking down, Xin Wu only saw a flash of fire-red sleeve robes passing before him, and Li Ye’s hazy pupils that didn’t even glance his way.

He followed the rapidly falling little immortal, diving down with his arm outstretched to catch her in his embrace. Yet their downward momentum didn’t stop, and both continued to plummet toward the white light beneath the main banquet platform.

“Master.”

Recognizing who had come, Er’er secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her small hand pressed against his chest as she smiled at him ingratiatingly. “Since you’re already here, won’t you take me back up?”

Li Ye didn’t look at her, his expression as cold as if he were merely passing by. “Falling is just as well.”

…

…

“No, not quite so well?” Feeling the burning sensation of the overly concentrated spiritual energy, Er’er nervously pinched his robe. “My life, small as it may be, is still a life.”

With an extremely faint snort, he finally closed his eyes and looked at her. “You dare to jump down while wanting to live?”

Regarding this matter, Er’er felt truly wronged. “I thought I could jump across. Who knew that even in immortal territory, immortal power would be restricted?”

If it had been elsewhere, she definitely could have flown to Storage Primordial Supreme God’s pavilion.

Noticing the big shot’s displeased expression, Er’er jolted and hurriedly continued: “But your disciple has also thought it through. Even if I really fell, it wouldn’t matter. With so many Supreme Gods present, they certainly wouldn’t let a small immortal like me die here—how inauspicious and disruptive to their meditation that would be! So surely a majestic Supreme God would descend from the heavens, filled with compassion and radiant golden light, to save my little life.”

Having said this, she pressed her palms together in prayer, eyes sparkling with bright stars as she looked at him eagerly.

Would flattery work? Li Ye was quite disdainful.

Then he turned around, treading on air with his energy, bringing her back to the nearest immortal pavilion.

The suffocating feeling around them suddenly disappeared. Er’er landed and staggered two steps before steadying herself. Glancing sideways, she saw that the big shot had already seated himself in the pavilion, quite wearily rubbing his brow.

This was Qian Tian Supreme God’s pavilion. Qian Tian seemed startled by their sudden intrusion and stood stiffly nearby. Seeing Li Ye sit down, he finally regained his composure and said with a wry smile, “The Li Clan Immortal Gate’s pavilion is on the other side.”

“Mm.” Li Ye responded dully without lifting his head.

Realizing this person had no intention of leaving, Qian Tian sighed. The enormous difference in cultivation levels made him suppress his impulse to take action. He merely sat back two positions and said quietly, “I just wanted to eat immortal fruit in peace.”

Before his words could land, an evil wind carrying the sound of gold struck the flying eaves of the immortal pavilion from outside.

With a crisp “crash,” the glazed tiles on the eaves fell down like an avalanche. Half the pavilion, along with the neatly arranged immortal fruits, all tumbled down.

Qian Tian: “…”

Was his choice of location today not very good?

Er’er reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side to avoid being hit by the tiles. As she turned back, she met Xin Wu’s uncanny gaze.

“Didn’t I tell you that today you must stay by my side and not leave?” He stepped onto the remaining half of the stairs, his pace slow, like a ghost that reappears at the end of an alley after being chased through ten streets, his gaze firmly locked on her.

After all, he was the one who had brought her to the main banquet platform. It was indeed her fault for running off without a proper explanation. Er’er stepped forward to explain, but suddenly heard a low voice from behind: “Stop.”

Her feet froze instantly, and she stood rooted to the spot, only her eyeballs still moving while the rest of her body didn’t dare to move.

“You fear him that much?” Xin Wu raised an eyebrow, slowly approaching until he stood one step in front of her, elegantly revealing his pointed teeth. “But you’re not afraid of me anymore?”

“No, Supreme—”

“Shut up,” Li Ye frowned.

“When he tells you to shut up, you shut up. But what if I insist you speak?” Xin Wu lowered himself to meet her gaze, his eyes black and intimidating. “Come on, call me, or else today you definitely won’t meet that—” He pointed toward Storage Primordial Supreme God, killing intent surging in his eyes.

“What does this have to do with him…” Er’er was about to retort when she suddenly felt someone at her back.

“You don’t understand what I’m saying?” Li Ye extended his hand across her neck, asking darkly.

Er’er: “…”

What sin had she committed? Why was she caught between these two big shots who were at odds with each other?

This wasn’t right. She was just a low-level small immortal.

With wolves in front and tigers behind, she was damned if she spoke and damned if she didn’t. Her eyeballs turned anxiously a couple of times. Er’er took a deep breath, suddenly inspired, and made a transformation gesture with her hand.

With a “poof,” she transformed herself into a giant carrot.

Li Ye:?

Xin Wu:?

Carrots can’t speak. She didn’t want to bear the pressure a carrot shouldn’t have to bear. Let them fight however they wanted. She moved her body clumsily, maneuvering herself to Qian Tian Supreme God’s feet, then settled in to watch the show.

Qian Tian found it amusing: “You dared to withstand such a great heavenly tribulation, yet you’re afraid of this little scene?”

If you’re not afraid, why don’t you get involved? Aren’t you also hiding in the corner of the immortal pavilion like me?

Er’er thought to herself as she hid in her carrot shell, breaking off a piece to chew while she watched.

Without her as a pretext, Xin Wu became much more direct: “Let’s fight.”

Li Ye didn’t respond, only extended his hand.

A black energy wrapped in scorching flames soared forth, burning off half a strand of Xin Wu’s hair.

Noticing his peculiarity, Xin Wu raised an eyebrow and laughed: “Hundreds of years ago, you said my immortal energy was chaotic and would never amount to much. I didn’t expect that now you’d be willing to lower yourself to also practice these heterodox methods.”

“You lack the talent,” Li Ye calmly stated. “What you cultivated is neither here nor there, naturally it’s a heterodox method.”

But he was different. Whether to become a demon or an immortal was all within his control.

The smile froze, and Xin Wu’s eyes were covered with a layer of gloom.

He hated it most when people mentioned talent.

As murderous energy swept through the area, Qian Tian sensed the battle intent and hurriedly picked up the large carrot from the ground, moving to a nearby immortal pavilion to avoid the conflict.

“Aren’t you going to stop them?” Er’er couldn’t help but ask, reverting to her original form.

Qian Tian shook his head: “I’m used to it. Can’t stop them anyway. You and I should keep our distance.”

As if to confirm his words, the Supreme Gods in the surrounding pavilions all formed defensive barriers, then calmly continued eating fruits and drinking jade nectar.

“Storage Primordial Supreme God!” As they passed an immortal pavilion, Er’er quickly called out.

Qian Tian was indeed more agreeable than Xin Wu. Hearing this, he brought her down to Storage Primordial’s pavilion.

Seeing that kind face again, Er’er no longer cared what was happening behind her. As soon as she landed, she stepped forward and bowed: “Greetings, Supreme God.”

Storage Primordial had been admiringly watching the battle flames erupting in the distance. Suddenly seeing a familiar junior arrive, he was surprised: “How is it you?”

He and Taihe were close friends, and he had often visited his Immortal Gate for tea and chess. He had seen this quick-witted little disciple many times. Whenever he wanted to look more closely, Taihe would distract him. He didn’t know what that old fellow was hiding.

Now with this coincidental opportunity to talk up close, Storage Primordial generously opened his defensive barrier to welcome these two.

“Is the Immortal Master here too?” he asked with a smile.

Er’er shook her head, took a fruit and placed it in Qian Tian’s hand: “Thank you for your assistance, Supreme God.”

Qian Tian understood, accepted the fruit with a smile, and after greeting Storage Primordial, sat at the tea table in the back.

“This small immortal comes rudely, but it’s for an urgent matter.” Calming herself, Er’er looked at Storage Primordial with burning eyes. “Three months from now, during the Immortal Master’s seclusion, he will be disturbed by an evil beast, enter a cultivation deviation, and his core will shatter. Please, Supreme God, you must visit Taihe Immortal Gate the day before to guard the formation for the Immortal Master.”

These words sounded absurd. Storage Primordial shook his head: “Taihe has ten thousand years of cultivation. How could a mere beast…”

“Two days from now, Supreme God will pass through the Ten Directions Cloud Sea.” Determinedly interrupting him, Er’er said seriously, “If an immortal child guides you to see Zhen Huan Gong, please refuse, otherwise you will be accidentally injured by the Phoenix-Slaying Dagger, forcing you into seclusion, missing the last chance to save Taihe Immortal Master.”

His expression changed slightly. Storage Primordial stepped forward: “Your… your heaven aperture is?”

Er’er looked at the Supreme God before her without moving, opening her mouth to utter two words.

Behind her came the tremendous roar of Li Ye and Xin Wu’s battle, the sound waves sweeping through, covering her words. But Storage Primordial still clearly saw her lip movements. His brown pupils gradually contracted, and his face revealed a sudden understanding and regretful expression.

Er’er bowed deeply to him.

Having just returned from the Fierce Beast Cave of Mount Buzhou, Li Ye didn’t want to engage in prolonged combat with Xin Wu. After one palm strike, he waved his sleeve and released a very strange small beast.

The small beast had long ears and a single eye, covered in ugly purplish-red fur. But when Xin Wu saw it, he immediately stopped fighting and flew over to pick it up in his arms.

“Use it to exchange for a treasure from your Xin Palace,” Li Ye said.

Playing with the little monster in his hands, Xin Wu sneered: “Since when did you learn to barter with people?”

Wasn’t his usual method to simply take what he wanted?

“You think I want to?” Looking irritably at the pavilion where the Kan Clan Immortal Gate was, Li Ye frowned slightly.

Xin Wu suddenly understood. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he leaned against the broken wall and laughed: “In that case, one Baji Beast isn’t enough. You need to add something.”

“Add what?” Li Ye asked, not particularly concerned.

Licking his cracked lips, Xin Wu pointed toward the immortal pavilion in the distance: “That carrot from just now. It was quite delicious.”

“…?”

Er’er saw from a distance that the fighting had quieted down and thought she could return. Just as she was about to bid farewell to Storage Primordial Supreme God, she saw the pavilion that had just calmed down suddenly being pierced by divine fire with a boom.

All the glazed tiles and construction stones exploded into powder, flying in all directions like countless blades.

Frightened, she immediately withdrew her leg that had been stepping forward.

The fragments clinked and clanked against the protective barrier. Storage Primordial watched in silence, his eyes filled with deep worry.

“He has grown stronger.”

“Yes.” Qian Tian took a sip of wine, lowering his eyes. “And compared to before, his temperament has become much more irritable.”

“He must not have read the scriptures we sent.” Storage Primordial sighed. “What should we do?”

Qian Tian drank in silence. As the sweet wine entered his throat, he suddenly glanced in Er’er’s direction.

“This little immortal.” Putting down his wine cup, Qian Tian suddenly turned to her kindly. “Your aptitude is excellent. If you could find someone to open all your meridians and share immortal power with you, then ascending to Supreme God would be just around the corner.”

Er’er had been worrying about whether Li Ye could win this fight, and was confused when she suddenly heard the Supreme God praising her. She turned back puzzled: “Me?”

“Yes.” Qian Tian nodded. “You’re excellent material for cultivation.”

“!!!”

To be praised again!

Er’er stood up straight with delight, secretly thinking: Could it be that Taihe Immortal Master’s cultivation wasn’t high enough to discover her potential as a rare talent? The big shot praised her this way, and now Qian Tian Supreme God also praised her—perhaps she had simply been overlooked?

Storage Primordial gave Qian Tian a reproachful look.

Qian Tian gently shook his head.

The greater cause was paramount—what did one little girl matter?