Er’er felt somewhat awkward.

She could clearly sense the supreme being’s disgust and aversion toward her, but given the current situation, no matter how much he disliked her, she could only brazenly stand before him and cautiously ask, “Would you like to take a walk on Mirror Mountain?”

“No.”

“But it’s so beautiful. All the rocks look like polished bronze mirrors. The scenery is mesmerizing as you pass through. Flowers grow among clouds, and trees reflect in the water below—things you can’t see elsewhere.” She gestured enthusiastically, then tugged at his sleeve.

Li Ye didn’t respond further, his face listless, as if nothing interested him.

However, with just one tug, his feet moved slightly.

Raising her eyebrow slightly, Er’er tugged once more.

The murderous aura surrounding Li Ye was terrifying, as if he might begin a massacre at any moment, yet with just a bit of force, he followed her steps.

What did this mean? Er’er was full of questions, holding her breath as she pulled his sleeve bit by bit toward Mirror Mountain, fearing he might suddenly become angry and change his mind.

…

…

However, by the time she stepped onto the stone stairs of Mirror Mountain, the person beside her still hadn’t shown any resistance. Only his suffocating aura continued to linger around them, making her somewhat uncomfortable.

“Look down, you can see the sky,” she said awkwardly, pointing to the mirrored stones below.

Li Ye followed her gaze downward and snorted disdainfully.

“Not impressive?” Er’er scratched her head. “When I first came to the immortal sect, I loved this place the most. No matter how wealthy the mortal world might be, no one would pave an entire mountain with mirrors. Look at those red maples and snow pines over there—in other places they’d be ordinary, but here they’re as beautiful as dream-like celestial trees.”

Fire trees and silver flowers, water and sky as one—the natural mirror images lacked the artifice of the mortal world, forming a seamless, dreamlike landscape.

She couldn’t help but click her tongue in appreciation.

“Back then, my cultivation wasn’t sufficient, so Xianshi specially sent me here to overcome an illusion. Only when the illusion surrendered could I enter Taihe Xianshi’s sect.”

Looking nostalgically at the mirror lake halfway up the mountain, Er’er lifted her chin and gestured, “It was right there.”

Following her gaze, Li Ye said indifferently, “The mirrors here reflect all things in heaven and earth. When people walk upon them, they see their inner demons. These demons, born of mountains and waters, are three times stronger than oneself.”

Then, looking at her suspiciously, he asked, “You defeated your inner demon?”

Er’er honestly shook her head. “I couldn’t defeat it.”

Couldn’t defeat it, yet still entered the immortal sect to cultivate? Li Ye’s expression grew complex. Had she used some trick again or gone through the back door?

“No, that’s not it.” Seeing his dubious look, Er’er quickly waved her hands. “Xianshi only said the illusion had to surrender; he never said I had to defeat it. The illusion and I played in this illusory realm for three days. After three days, it said it would surrender on its own and told me to return early.”

Li Ye:?

Most people’s inner demons are filled with greed, anger, and delusion—how could they be so considerate and kind?

“I’m not lying.” Er’er shook her head vigorously as she pulled him onto a cloud chariot, pointing while they floated along. “It should be over there. It’s the only shadow that survived on the entire Mirror Mountain. I even built a small house for it here, and every mortal festival, I bring food to visit it.”

This was too absurd. Li Ye didn’t want to believe it. How could anyone reconcile with their inner demon?

Yet, looking in the direction she pointed, he truly saw a small house with blooming flowers all around it, and among the flowers stood someone who looked exactly like her.

The cloud chariot suddenly halted.

Er’er was eagerly looking down, trying to see clearly where her inner demon was located so she could summon it. However, just as she glimpsed a shadow, she sensed the supreme being’s wariness.

“What are you trying to do?” he asked.

Knowing she couldn’t hide it, Er’er turned her head and candidly said, “I’m too weak, no match for you. If you intend to slaughter the immortal sect, I can’t stop you. But I love my Xianshi and senior siblings too much, so I wanted to try together with them.”

If one Er’er wasn’t enough, what about four? She had to try her best to feel content.

Her eyes were clear and pure; though slightly unfocused, they still held a stubborn courage as she looked at him, like a newborn lamb with tiny horns trying to butt him.

Li Ye chuckled lowly at the sight.

“How presumptuous,” he said. “Even with ten more inner demons, you couldn’t defeat me.”

“Then…” Er’er wrinkled her nose. “What should I do?”

She was asking him now?

Li Ye wanted to mock her with a few words, but somehow, as his thoughts churned, what came out was: “Why ask me? Aren’t you close with Xin Wu? Go ask him.”

Xin Wu?

Er’er looked confused. “When did I become close with him?”

Sneering, Li Ye swept his sleeve and led her back. “Why bother pretending?”

“If I were truly close with Supreme God Xin Wu, why would I hide it? I would go straight to him for help.” Rubbing her wind-reddened nose, Er’er looked back regretfully at the increasingly distant shadow of her inner demon. “It’s precisely because I’m not familiar with him that I don’t dare to trouble him about connecting the seven meridians and eight vessels.”

Otherwise, she would be an immortal by now, and her inner demon wouldn’t be so looked down upon by him.

Li Ye’s expression darkened, his misty eyes lowered with a hint of thunder brewing. “So eager to connect the seven meridians and eight vessels?”

“Yes, Supreme God Qian Tian said I’m good cultivation material. Once my seven meridians and eight vessels are connected, I’ll progress by leaps and bounds.” Sitting back dejectedly in the cloud chariot, Er’er cast a resentful glance at him. “It’s just my fate that’s lacking. Not only did my meridians fail to connect, but I almost lost my life in the process.”

Li Ye: “…”

The nameless fire in his heart gradually subsided, and clarity finally emerged in the supreme being’s mind after many days of confusion.

“You,” he narrowed his eyes, “did this because of Qian Tian’s words?”

Er’er nodded.

His heart skipped slightly, and Li Ye pressed his lips together. “Then do you know how to connect the seven meridians and eight vessels?”

“Meridians are just like cultivation.” Er’er looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Didn’t you help this little immortal open two acupoints and even make me attract the heavenly tribulation early?”

“…”

Li Ye averted his gaze and slowly reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

A clear wind suddenly blew, dispersing the murderous aura that had been surrounding them. Er’er felt the air instantly freshen and quickly opened her mouth to take two deep breaths.

Then she heard the supreme being ask in a strange tone, “Your injuries don’t hurt anymore?”

Slightly startled, Er’er looked up at him.

Her diminished senses prevented her from seeing his expression clearly; she could only make out a familiar silhouette, his emotions indiscernible.

Bringing her gaze down in confusion, she softly said, “They hurt. Since meeting Supreme God, I haven’t had a single good day.”

Cultivation hurt, breathing techniques hurt, heavenly tribulation hurt, and being struck by him also hurt.

“…Then why don’t you run away when you see me?” His tone grew fiercer.

Her shoulders shrank, and Er’er moved toward the edge of the cloud. Not paying attention, her hand slipped through empty air, and she suddenly fell from the cloud.

Li Ye caught her back with slight panic, his broad hand pressing her head firmly against his chest.

He didn’t know why she was so timid, unable to handle even the slightest shock.

He didn’t notice his fingertips trembling slightly, nor did he understand this sudden feeling of guilt. He just held her tightly, not letting go despite her struggles.

Er’er was terrified.

Pressed against the supreme being’s chest, she more clearly sensed his killing intent toward her. Obstructed by something, he was exerting extreme restraint, restraining himself so much that his hands trembled slightly. The scorching flame-like energy surged, nearly cutting off her breath.

She wanted to escape, but her strength was no match for his.

Just before being smothered to death, Er’er finally managed to utter a single word with difficulty: “Hurts.”

The hand pressing her froze for a moment, then quickly released.

Er’er looked up, gasping for air, her vision a blur, only feeling that something was blocking her.

Being too close, she instinctively brushed her lips against it.

A warm sensation, carrying sweet, urgent breath, passed across his lips like a feather.

Li Ye froze, looking down at her in disbelief.

She seemed unaware of what she had done, staring blankly at the indistinct pale pink before her. After a long daze, she asked, “Is Supreme God going back to take action now?”

Taking two deep breaths, he responded with a low sound of assent.

He had already given enough time; if old Taihe had any sense, he should have known to retreat. Sparing his life would be an act of mercy.

But the gate to the netherworld, he must open it.

“Then, then please let me down,” she said, her brows furrowing. “I must go find Senior Brother.”

Li Ye sneered, “Your senior brother hasn’t even ascended yet. What use is finding him?”

She fell silent, pouting in dejection.

He could guess she was probably cursing him in her heart.

Li Ye felt quite uncomfortable. “What’s so good about this wretched immortal sect? Even if it’s gone, you can still return to the Upper Bing Palace.”

The last half of his sentence was somewhat mumbled, as if scattered by the wind.

Li Ye felt this was the greatest concession he could make. Since there had been a misunderstanding before, her return wouldn’t matter.

However, the person in his arms didn’t seem to accept this, struggling a bit as her eyes reddened.

“What are you doing?” he said coldly. “After living for hundreds of years, you should know that crying never solves problems.”

Who doesn’t know that? But how could she hold back? Her nose soured, and tears welled up.

She was so angry at her weakness. If she were a bit stronger, would she still be trapped here, unable to move by someone about to destroy her immortal sect? If her senior siblings saw this, they might think she had betrayed them and sided with the enemy.

The more she thought, the more aggrieved she felt. Er’er pursed her lips and buried her head.

Something wet and cool soaked his robe.

Li Ye’s face darkened like an approaching storm, curses at the tip of his tongue, yet he forcibly swallowed them back.

“Do you know what it means to prioritize the greater good?” he asked.

“Those who become Supreme Gods never show favoritism or sacrifice the greater good for the lesser.”

“It was Taihe who obstructed me first. I came only to allow what should happen to continue. Do you understand?”

The cloud dispersed, and his cloud boots touched the ground. Li Ye had many more lessons he wanted to teach.

But glancing at the little thing in his arms who was crying silently but desperately, he closed his eyes in frustration, finally swallowing all his admonishments and sighing helplessly.

“Would you like some roasted corn?” he asked.