A divine lord she fancied?

That was a question for other beautiful female immortals to ponder. For a weak and foolish little immortal like herself, simply staying alive was difficult enough—how could she have time to think about such things?

Moreover, there weren’t many good gods in the Nine Heavens.

A burning sensation surged through her internal organs again. Er’er frowned uncomfortably and shook her head: “No.”

Yan Cha was slightly disappointed, but then thought it was for the best: “Senior Brother is about to ascend. After he goes to the Nine Heavens, he can help look after you.”

Er’er nodded while nibbling on her snack, her gaze drifting toward the door.

It seemed she didn’t have much time left.

The Taihe Immortal Sect had two teaching periods—the morning bell and the evening bell. Each time the bell rang, disciples would gather at Lanruo Platform to listen to teachings on the Dao.

In the past, Er’er would never have appeared at the morning bell. Her little blanket was too warm and soft for her to get up early to learn such boring things.

…

…

But now.

As soon as the morning bell sounded its first ring, a small, thin figure was already sitting upright on the meditation cushion in the center of the first row.

The substitute teacher, Immortal Master Tai Chang, squinted at her for a long time, rolled up the book in his hand, and stroked his white beard: “Which family’s little child has wandered into the wrong place?”

Er’er smiled at him: “Greetings, Immortal Master.”

With a thousand years of cultivation, she was no child, no matter how small she appeared. Tai Chang sat up straight and carefully examined the immortal energy around her. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the students arriving behind them exclaim in surprise: “Immortal Er’er has already ascended, why is she here?”

Their tone carried a strange mockery that was uncomfortable to hear.

Er’er didn’t get angry. She knew her early ascension would upset many people—after all, she was weak, unworthy of her position, and being criticized behind her back was common. She wasn’t here to argue.

So amid the strange atmosphere, she still sat obediently, eagerly waiting for Tai Chang to begin teaching.

Tai Chang glanced at her with some surprise.

Most cultivators of immortal techniques had pride in their bones, believing themselves different from others. How could there be someone who could tolerate others challenging them without getting angry?

After looking at her a few more times, Tai Chang saw that the seats were almost full and began teaching barrier techniques.

“Recently, Immortal Master Taihe has entered seclusion. You all should practice diligently to help ease the burden on the senior brothers and sisters guarding him.” Tai Chang raised his hand, and hundreds of scrolls rose into the air, orderly landing in front of the meditation cushions where the disciples sat.

Er’er began to read through them very seriously.

The barrier technique focused primarily on defense, naturally requiring sufficient immortal power to suppress the formation’s eye. Seeing everyone concentrating on their practice, Tai Chang casually placed a barrier stone on the platform at the front.

The head-sized stone emitted a deep blue light, its surface covered with dense inscriptions that looked somewhat eerie.

Immortal Master Tai Chang lifted it with ease, so no one thought much of it. After an hour of practice, when they heard that the test was merely to lift the stone and place it on another stone platform, everyone couldn’t help but snort dismissively.

“What’s so difficult about that?” someone soon stepped forward.

Er’er was admiring these tall and imposing cultivators, just about to praise them when she saw their palms come down on the barrier stone, which didn’t budge at all.

Huh?

Questioning voices arose around them. The disciples standing by the platform blushed somewhat, repositioned themselves, and concentrated their immortal power in both hands. The thick immortal energy was visible floating around their arms—anyone who saw it would secretly exclaim how impressive it was.

Yet with all their strength, the barrier stone still didn’t move an inch.

Er’er’s expression changed.

She thought as much—the two Immortal Masters Tai Chang and Taihe were famously strict; how could they give such an easy test? The inscriptions on this stone probably added the weight of a thousand jun—how could these minor immortals move it?

The robust disciples were defeated one after another. Even those who had initially been confident became dispirited after several attempts and surrendered in defeat.

Tai Chang stroked his beard as he watched, his gaze falling on the small immortal beside him. He chuckled and spoke: “You come try.”

Looking left and right to confirm the Immortal Master was calling her, Er’er felt somewhat embarrassed: “I’m not as skilled as they are. If they can’t move it, what could I possibly do?”

Tai Chang raised an eyebrow: “This old man thinks you can.”

Just because she had ascended? Er’er laughed dryly and stood up reluctantly, clearly hearing the snickers behind her.

A shiver ran down the back of her neck, making her even more nervous. She stood in front of the barrier stone and uncertainly poked at it.

“If you can move this object,” Tai Chang said, “you may substitute for them in guarding the formation when Yan Hui and the others rest.”

!!!

Suddenly energized, Er’er immediately rubbed her hands together. Her left hand transformed fire into strength, her right hand used water as a medium, and both forces struck the barrier stone simultaneously.

With a loud bang, the barrier stone flew out and landed precisely at the edge of the other stone platform.

Just… like that?

Withdrawing her hands, Er’er could hardly believe it herself. She couldn’t help running over and lifting the barrier stone again.

It was so light—had they switched it out to give her an easier task?

The people below had the same doubts. Someone unwilling to accept it stood up immediately: “Let me try again.”

Er’er nodded and very naturally picked up the barrier stone and placed it in his arms.

The person who had confidently reached out to receive it was instantly smashed into the ground with a bang, dust rising, frightening her into taking two steps back.

“How is this possible?”

“Even if Senior Brother Tang’s power isn’t at its peak, it’s still higher than hers. If she can move it, Senior Brother Tang should certainly be able to.”

Everyone was unconvinced: “Tai Chang, is there something wrong with this stone?”

“Of course,” Tai Chang nodded. “The stone has a thousand-year inscription set by this old man.”

Several people had a sudden realization, then pointed at Er’er: “Then how did she…”

“Her immortal power is pure and substantial, comparable to mine,” Tai Chang chuckled, looking knowingly at Er’er. “Naturally, she can break the inscription.”

With these words, the entire Lanruo Platform fell into dead silence.

Er’er stared at Tai Chang in disbelief, instinctively shaking her head: “You don’t need to show me favoritism. I know my capabilities—how could I possibly compare to an elder?”

“Are we well acquainted?” Tai Chang asked.

Er’er, attending the morning class for the first time, shook her head shamefully.

“Then why would I show favoritism toward you?” Tai Chang said. “In the immortal sect, the strong are always respected. Because you are strong, this old man speaks for you.”

Er’er felt this person was trying to comfort her. How could she possibly be strong when she could be crushed by anyone at any time?

However, Tai Chang’s approval was a good thing. Er’er didn’t intend to undermine herself—she might as well accept the praise shamelessly, as long as she could guard the formation.

“Go have a meal with them,” Tai Chang said. “When Yan Cha returns later, this old man will explain everything to her.”

“Thank you, Tai Chang,” Er’er quickly cupped her hands.

The people around her were still somewhat stunned. Following the crowd mindlessly to the dining area, someone finally reacted and began to discuss the matter in a flurry of voices.

Some believed Tai Chang’s words, while others suspected this was another instance of favoritism. Opinions varied. Those with ill intentions even secretly used immortal techniques to test her.

As Er’er walked back to her immortal residence, she felt cold objects constantly flying at her from behind. Having spent time beside the master, her reactions were quick—she dodged most with twists and turns, and blocked the unavoidable ones with defensive barriers.

These were just basic survival skills, and Er’er found them ordinary. But for some reason, the discussions about her in the immortal sect grew louder, rustling and buzzing, giving her a headache.

She couldn’t help but miss the Taihe Immortal Sect from several hundred years ago. Back then, there were fewer disciples—just a group of senior brothers and sisters who cared for her. They hadn’t yet accepted so many younger disciples. Her senior brothers and sisters never complained about her weakness or discussed her in strange tones.

Sighing, Er’er sat down in the immortal residence. Just as she was about to pour herself some tea, she heard a familiar voice: “Immortal Er’er, your name suits you well.”

The tongue spirit bird flapped its wings and landed on the table in front of her. Its black sesame seed-like eyes seemed to roll at her again, and Kan Qi’s tone came from its red beak: “Your sect may face unexpected changes. Please be vigilant, Immortal.”

Er’er smiled, caught its wings, and reached out to scratch its fluffy belly: “If there weren’t going to be changes, why would I rush back?”

The tongue spirit bird struggled for a while without success, then half-closed its eyes to enjoy the petting, adding: “Major changes.”

Its brown claws lifted, and a small black pill fell into her palm.

Er’er picked it up to examine it. Just as she was about to say that immortal birds shouldn’t relieve themselves anywhere they pleased, the tongue spirit bird said: “Evil-dispelling pill. Eat it.”

Er’er: “…”

She suspected the bird was trying to trick her.

Meeting her distrustful gaze, the tongue spirit bird chirped loudly, flapping its wings: “It’s useful!”

“How could it be useful?” Er’er poked its head. “Although the Taihe Immortal Sect is not as heavily guarded as the Nine Heavens, it’s still a place where spiritual energy from heaven and earth converges. How could evil spirits approach? Even if changes come to the immortal sect, it would be the Immortal Master’s tribulation.”

The tongue spirit bird was so angry that xit wanted to peck her. Looking at her fair and delicate little hand, it restrained itself, broke free, and flew back.

Take it or leave it—it was just a bird after all, and didn’t want to bother with so much.

The lonely pill remained in her palm. After pondering for a while, Er’er still put it away first.

Although she truly believed that evil spirits couldn’t possibly enter the immortal sect, she’d keep it just in case.

Taihe Xianshi’s aura was becoming increasingly unstable. The senior brothers returning from guard duty looked increasingly solemn. After Yan Cha had arranged everything, she looked at Senior Brother Meng sitting at the front and went over to hand him the roster.

Meng Wan was the first to notice something wrong with the Immortal Master, but he didn’t dare speak of it openly, fearing it would cause panic in the sect. He could only practice diligently himself and guard with all his strength. Seeing many junior brothers unable to endure and needing rest, he was already anxious. When he glanced at the list, he immediately stood up.

“What nonsense is this?” Pointing at Er’er’s name, he frowned at Yan Cha. “Don’t you understand the current situation? What if she gets hurt?”

Yan Cha trembled, her voice softening: “Junior Sister wanted to come herself, and Tai Chang has already permitted it.”

Pinching the roster, Meng Wan shook his head: “I will guard her shift for her.”

His index finger brushed over the dried ink, and he sighed, his tone finally softening: “Having just returned, let her get some good sleep and eat some delicious food.”