The air was filled with chaotic currents of ice and fire colliding. She was practicing with obviously more dedication than ever before, but due to Kan Ze’s presence, a thin layer of sweat from pain appeared on her forehead.

It hurt, it truly hurt, even more than the previous time.

Er’er could barely sit still, but thinking that she couldn’t just await her doom, she still forcibly steadied herself, gritting her teeth to endure.

She knew she was too delicate. Immortal cultivation couldn’t fear pain, but this was too excessive. She instinctively wanted to abandon the fire path cultivation and instead draw a thread of water path immortal power to soothe the burning sensation in her internal organs.

However, the moment this thought arose, she sensed Big Shot Li Ye’s presence standing beside her.

Her back chilled. Er’er immediately slapped back the Kan Ze immortal power she had just drawn out into the darkness.

Kan Ze: “…”

After being locked away for many days, finally having a chance to see daylight, how could she be such a coward?

How could she not be? Er’er lifted her eyelids a crack, glancing at the person standing beside the bed.

…

…

Her earlier proposal had indeed been too inappropriate. The big shot went out for a while and still hadn’t calmed down. His hazy eyes were staring at her, looking frightening.

Trembling slightly, Er’er withdrew the spiritual energy flowing through her body, got off the bed, and respectfully bowed to him: “You’ve returned.”

Li Ye gave an “mm,” neither cold nor warm, his gaze still not moving away from her.

What did this mean? Er’er puzzledly tilted her head, feeling as if he was waiting for her to say something, but she had nothing more to say.

After an awkward silence between them for a moment, Li Ye said, displeased: “What are you standing here for?”

Er’er was startled, quickly stepping aside to make way, also moving the raised bed to the side, creating a path for the big shot: “Please.”

“…”

Was that what he meant?

Quite disdainful of her slow-witted brain, Li Ye snorted and raised his chin: “Very eager to ascend quickly?”

“Naturally.” Recalling the earlier unpleasantness, Er’er very sensibly added, “This disciple will put in more effort by herself.”

With her aptitude, more effort would be useless.

Raising his hand to rub his brow, Li Ye suddenly said: “Hungry.”

“Hm?” Er’er thought she had misheard. “Hungry?”

How could a Supreme God be hungry? Hadn’t they all transcended the need for food long ago?

“Want to eat something interesting?” he continued.

She hadn’t misheard this time. Er’er’s first reaction was to immediately hug herself, looking at him warily.

Just after fighting with Xin Wu, had he also developed the bad habit of eating people?

Li Ye stared at her for a long while with a look reserved for idiots, then turned away quite helplessly: “I’m asking you to make food, not eat you. What kind of creature do you think you are?”

Er’er: “…”

Although the last sentence didn’t seem to be meant as mockery, why did it sound so uncomfortable?

Realizing that the big shot might think she was too idle and wanted to give her something to do, Er’er was very conscious of her dependent position and immediately went to the mortal realm.

She was very familiar with the mortal realm. With a piece of gold, she could exchange for pots, bowls, ladles, baskets, bamboo fences, chickens, ducks, fish, and geese.

Placing these things around Upper Bing Palace, Er’er felt that this cold, imposing palace instantly became warmer and more welcoming. Cooking smoke rose from behind the palace, chickens crowed and ducks quacked, very much like the Ming Zhu Platform where she had lived before.

Covering the fragrant stew in the large pot, Er’er sighed with satisfaction, feeling that this was how immortals should live freely—peaceful, serene, and warm…

Gentle.

The last word died on her lips as she turned to see the scene before her.

Er’er stared wide-eyed, shocked at the sight of Li Ye gripping a large goose by the neck. She froze for a moment before rushing forward: “Master, it’s not time to kill the goose yet!”

Blue veins throbbed on Li Ye’s temples: “Too noisy.”

He just wanted to find an excuse to let her establish some merit, so he could rightfully agree to be her immortal companion. But instead, she had brought back a group of chattering creatures that made him want to kill someone.

“Choose between this goose’s life and your own,” he said, his eyes reddening.

Er’er immediately retreated ten steps, cupping her hands in invitation: “We can add another dish. Please proceed. I’ll add more spices later.”

Li Ye snorted coldly, about to use force, but his peripheral vision caught her deliberately calm yet terrified expression.

His aura stabilized. He frowned, wondering if his demeanor was too ferocious. Her courage was already small; seeing such scenes too often, she might never again have those sweet dreams she spoke of.

With that thought, his hand loosened. The white goose, having survived its ordeal, fearfully glanced at him before spreading its wings and running away quickly.

Hm? Not killing the goose anymore?

Remembering what he had said about only the goose or her remaining, Er’er’s eyes widened, and she also wanted to spread her wings and run away.

“What are you afraid of?” Li Ye glanced sideways.

“No-no-not afraid, how-how-how could I be afraid of Master? No-no-not afraid at all.”

Better not to explain at all.

Rolling his eyes, Li Ye turned and sat down at the pear wood table, appearing to be waiting for the meal to be served.

Er’er didn’t dare to delay, quickly speeding up her movements.

Although her culinary skills weren’t impressive, immortal cultivators generally didn’t care much for food, so the two dishes she managed to prepare were barely acceptable to the big shot’s eyes.

After all, the big shot had never seen what normal food should look like.

With five dishes of both meat and vegetables arranged on the table, Er’er sat down nervously beside him, rubbing her hands on her knees, wanting to try the food with chopsticks first.

But the big shot spoke: “Something is missing here.”

He pointed at the space beside the bowl.

Er’er understood and immediately stood up: “This disciple will find some wine.”

There were many good wines in the heavens; finding wine wasn’t difficult. But when she brought the wine back, the big shot said: “Also, a plate of dessert.”

Er’er hurried out again without pause.

“What about roasted corn?”

Er’er nodded and rushed out the door once more.

After several trips back and forth, the entire table of food had gone into the big shot’s stomach.

Looking at the empty plates on the table, panting, Er’er suddenly belatedly realized—was the big shot deliberately tormenting her?

She had heard before that Supreme God Li Ye was vindictive, but she hadn’t expected that just mentioning opening the seven meridians and eight networks would cause the big shot to hold such a grudge.

Unable to taste the food she had made herself, Er’er picked up a steamed bun dejectedly and began to clear the table. To make matters worse, after Li Ye had eaten and drunk his fill, he casually asked her: “Is there anything else you want now? I’ll give you a chance. Tell me again.”

In Li Ye’s mind, since he had enjoyed the meal, it counted as a great merit, and he could agree to her shameless request, helping this little immortal out.

However, in Er’er’s eyes, these words were like a massive demon pressing an iron fork against her throat, asking ominously: Do you dare to make any more demands?

No, she didn’t dare anymore.

Shaking her head in terror, her hands moving so quickly they left afterimages: “No wishes at all. As long as you’re happy.”

Li Ye:?

He looked bewilderedly at the little thing before him, who rushed out of Upper Bing Palace like her clothes were on fire, clattering to clean up the bowls and chopsticks. He wondered if the hint wasn’t obvious enough, and she felt too embarrassed to speak up.

And so, Er’er encountered the greatest ordeal of her life.

Early in the morning before dawn, she would be carried along with her blanket to the entrance of Upper Bing Palace to absorb the world’s spiritual energy. At noon, she would cook for the big shot, requiring three meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and soup. In the evening, she would be sent on errands, without the use of cloud travel, relying solely on foot to shuttle between Upper Bing Palace and Lower Xin Palace.

In just half a month, Er’er’s goose egg-shaped face had thinned into an almond shape.

She hung dejectedly on the door strings of Lower Xin Palace, thinking that staying by the big shot’s side indeed wasn’t easy. What’s more, Li Ye not only physically tormented her but would also ask her every few days: “Is there anything you want?”

This was nothing short of torturing her fragile heart.

Er’er thought desperately, perhaps she should seek help from someone else? As long as her meridians were cleared and she ascended to upper immortal status, this matter could be put behind them, and the big shot wouldn’t keep harboring a grudge.

But she knew few people in the ninth heaven. Besides the big shot, who else could help her?

“Ah, what a coincidence.” Someone passing by her side suddenly stopped.

The toe of an ink-colored boot turned to face her: “What are you doing here?”

Like a snake’s tongue sliding across the back of her neck, Er’er shuddered. She slowly raised her head, her gaze sweeping over this person’s slightly open collar, finally resting on his pale face.

“Supreme God Xin Wu.” Er’er was somewhat surprised.

He was still in good shape? She thought he had been severely injured at the main banquet platform and would need to seclude himself for at least a few hundred years.

“That inauspicious look in your eyes, you’d better not use it on me.” Licking his snow-white pointed teeth, Xin Wu smiled and looked at the shallow mole on the back of her neck. “You might get eaten.”

Shrinking her neck, Er’er was about to reply when she saw Zhu Yan quickly coming out of the palace, standing beside him and saying: “Supreme God, this is a messenger from Upper Bing Palace.”

The implication was clear: she couldn’t be eaten.

Xin Wu glanced at him, finding it quite boring: “Would I not know that?”

Having finally encountered this poor little thing, he had to tease her a bit to make it worthwhile.

“I happen to be going to Upper Bing Palace.” He stood beside Er’er, looking at Zhu Yan. “No need for you to guide me.”

Zhu Yan frowned, wanting to speak but stopping, looking at Er’er. She seemed lost in thought and nodded slightly: “I can guide the way.”

“In that case… please also take this back to Upper Bing Palace.” Zhu Yan took out a spirit box, very carefully placing it in her hands, then smiled, “After all, they’re waiting for this at Upper Bing Palace as well.”

Xin Wu gave him a white-eyed look.

An old fox was indeed an old fox, afraid he might do something to her, using Mirror Flowers and Moon in Water as her protective charm.

Today, Xin Wu had come to deliver Mirror Flowers and Moon in Water as agreed. Although his last encounter with Li Ye ended on bad terms, he liked the Baji Beast, and lending him Mirror Flowers and Moon in Water wasn’t a bad thing. He was happy to watch the drama unfold.

Wherever Mirror Flowers and Moon in Water were present, all immortal behaviors would be recorded. Zhu Yan, not trusting this small immortal, had her carry it with her.

However, being of low rank, this small immortal probably had no idea of the treasure’s function and directly tucked it into her bosom.

Glancing at her collar, Xin Wu laughed softly.

Er’er was preoccupied with the seven meridians and eight networks matter, completely unaware of others’ expressions. She simply followed Supreme God Xin Wu onto the cloud, sighing deeply as she rested her aching legs.

“Is it difficult at Upper Bing Palace?” Xin Wu asked with a smile.

Perhaps because the sunlight was particularly good today, Er’er felt that Xin Wu didn’t seem as cold, his question even carrying a hint of goodwill.

So she answered very honestly: “Somewhat.”

Lately, the big shot had been tormenting her like a madman. If not for her exceptional perseverance, she would have packed up and gone home long ago.

“If you really can’t stay, you might as well come to my place,” Xin Wu said. “You are a very good seedling. What I can teach you might not be less than what Li Ye can.”

“Thank you,” Er’er pouted, “but my master is quite good.”

“What’s good about him?” Xin Wu rolled his eyes. “As a sect leader, he doesn’t handle any affairs, throwing everything to Zhu Yan, showing no sense of responsibility. As a Supreme God, he’s full of murderous intent, kills indiscriminately, and disregards heavenly rules. As a master, he’s allowed you to remain just a small immortal for so long, providing no help at all.”

Er’er wanted to defend the big shot, but everything Supreme God Xin Wu said was true. After hesitating for a long while, she could only sigh.

“It’s not his fault,” she said in a muffled voice. “I’m too stupid, my cultivation isn’t adequate, but ascending in a few hundred years isn’t too late.”

“Not too late?” Xin Wu snorted with laughter. “If you followed me, I could help you ascend right now.”

This statement had a somewhat flirtatious meaning, but Er’er, not understanding the intricacies of seven meridians and eight networks, took it at face value and even seriously considered it.

If she truly needed someone’s help, how about Supreme God Xin Wu?

She propped her chin, sinking into deep thought.

The spirit box in her bosom emitted a faint light, like a firefly in the night.