With these words, the Heaven-Gazing Platform became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Er’er turned her head to find Li Ye’s expression extremely displeased. On the other side, Tai Shang Lao Jun’s expression was also solemn. Neither had relaxed their power, leaving her suspended between them like a tug-of-war rope. All the surrounding immortals frowned at her as if she were some bewitching enchantress who would bring disaster.

Belatedly realizing what was happening, Er’er twisted her body and broke free from the two conflicting immortal powers, barely managing to land on her feet.

“Surely I should have a say in this,” she said, spreading her hands.

Tai Shang Lao Jun frowned.

He was looking out for Li Ye’s interests. After all, they were outside the Heavenly Gate, and it would be better for the minor immortal to bear the burden herself than for him to directly confront the other sect leaders.

He had assumed this minor immortal would certainly lack sufficient power, and at worst, he could secretly assist her, which would still satisfy Li Ye.

But Li Ye refused to let go. Not only did he refuse, but he truly seemed intent on showing favoritism.

Just as Tai Shang Lao Jun was growing anxious, the immortal power in his whisk suddenly loosened.

…

…

Looking down in astonishment, Tai Shang Lao Jun realized that the minor immortal he had been ignoring all along wielded her immortal power with remarkable flexibility and ease.

For most cultivators, the path to immortality involved absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, converting it into pure spiritual power, then storing it in meridians and acupoints, slowly refining it for use. With outside assistance, storing spiritual power was extremely simple, but making the spiritual energy respond to gestures required years of cultivation. This was why Supreme God Gen Qi had sarcastically remarked that having sufficient cultivation alone wasn’t enough.

The pure fire-path spiritual energy in this minor immortal was a gift from Li Ye, but what Tai Shang Lao Jun couldn’t understand was how she could use it so deftly, as if she had refined it for hundreds of years.

Thinking his eyes might be deceiving him, he flicked his whisk again, trying to pull her over.

The snow-white whisk was long and soft, strongly resembling Taihe’s white beard. Er’er couldn’t resist reaching out to catch it, smoothing it with her hand.

It didn’t feel as good as Master Taihe’s beard.

Releasing it with disapproval, she looked at the person holding the whisk and said earnestly: “Old Lord, if you had simply instructed this minor immortal to come over, there would be no need for this.”

With that, she obediently stood on the circular platform at the center of the Heaven-Gazing Platform.

Li Ye was somewhat displeased, his misty eyes dark and deep, clicking his tongue with slight hostility.

Er’er heard him and turned back to wave: “Let me try myself.”

Wasn’t he the one who said immortals are born from belief? One must first believe in oneself.

“According to the rules of the Nine Heavens, for a minor immortal to ascend to higher immortal status, one must awaken the Heaven-Mending Stone and strike the Immortal Longevity Bell,” Tai Shang Lao Jun said, stroking his beard. “Today, with all the immortals gathered here, if you truly wish to ascend, step forward and try. If you succeed, your name card can immediately enter the Heavenly Gate. If you fail, you will at least have introduced yourself to all the Supreme Gods.”

The Heaven-Mending Stone absorbed spiritual power. If one’s spiritual power was abundant enough to illuminate it, it proved that one’s cultivation had reached the realm of a higher immortal. The Immortal Longevity Bell could not be moved by brute force alone; it required extremely strong control to guide spiritual power into the bell-striking wood. One strike would grant a thousand years of longevity.

“Don’t think we’re making things difficult for you.” Gen Qi looked at her coldly, then glanced past her at Li Ye behind. “He also passed these two tests before being named a Supreme God.”

Er’er was somewhat surprised. Weren’t such tests only for mortal cultivators like her? Didn’t the Great Lord have divine status from birth? Why would he need to go through this ordeal?

Moreover, the tone in which Supreme God Gen Qi spoke was lofty and tinged with contempt, making her quite uncomfortable.

Looking down on her was one thing, but the Great Lord was so formidable—why should he be needled by this matter?

A spark of anger ignited in her heart. Er’er barely suppressed it and asked with a smile: “If I pass, I’ll only be a higher immortal. Why was Supreme God Li Ye directly granted godhood?”

Gen Qi paused, lowering his eyes coldly: “Cultivation has its levels. Whether you are an immortal or a god, they will tell you.”

“Surely this minor immortal should understand how they react to a Supreme God, to have something to look forward to,” Er’er bowed to Gen Qi with great docility, her tone sincere. “Please, Supreme God, show me the way.”

Gen Qi: “…”

The rulers of the Nine Heavens and Ten Doors were all born with divine status. Except for Li Ye, who was initially not accepted and needed to be tested, which other god would need such tricks? He opened his mouth to refuse.

However, the minor immortal standing on the circular platform looked at him with eyes full of expectation and, before he could speak, pointed at something on his body and exclaimed: “Oh! The Eight-Treasure Gourd!”

“To casually wear such a divine artifact at your waist—truly this Supreme God is a model for all of us to emulate!”

Clutching her heart with both hands, Er’er scurried toward him with small steps and bowed deeply: “Even if I cannot pass this test today, to receive guidance from such a great personage as yourself will make my visit worthwhile.”

“…”

Gen Qi was stunned. He hadn’t expected this minor immortal to be so bold as to make such a request of him. What surprised him even more was that as soon as she finished speaking, all the surrounding immortals turned to look at him.

With all eyes upon him, including many who were enjoying the spectacle, the words of refusal were on the tip of his tongue, but somehow Gen Qi couldn’t bring himself to utter them.

He raised his hand, intending to brush Er’er aside, but the person before him stepped aside first, bowing and gesturing for him to proceed.

Gen Qi’s hand froze in midair.

Tai Shang Lao Jun, who had not interrupted until now, finally spoke leisurely: “Though somewhat impetuous, she is new here and has never seen a Supreme God’s abilities. Such curiosity is only natural.”

“Why not let Li Ye try again?” Gen Qi gritted his teeth, his face darkening. “He’s already familiar with it anyway.”

“Supreme God jests,” Tai Shang Lao Jun shook his head. “Tens of thousands of years ago, Supreme God Li Ye nearly destroyed the Heavenly Gate.”

Now, that gate would certainly be even less protected. Who would dare let him try?

Angrily sweeping his sleeve, Gen Qi very much wanted to leave on the spot, but with so many sect members watching, wouldn’t he become a laughingstock if he left? But if he didn’t leave…

His gaze fell on the brightly smiling little face before him. Gen Qi forced a smile, gritting his teeth: “Guidance is no trouble. Watch carefully, and you absolutely must pass.”

If she failed, he would immediately take the name card from Tai Shang Lao Jun’s hand and accuse Li Ye of unauthorized conferral of immortal status and overstepping his authority.

Understanding the implication in his words, Er’er lowered her head to give way, slightly clenching her fists.

Li Ye stood at a distance, watching her.

He had intended to make things easy for her, but now, he suddenly felt that standing aside might yield unexpected rewards.

A brown immortal light illuminated the Heaven-Gazing Platform. A stream of immortal power struck down, causing the Heaven-Mending Stone hanging beside the Heavenly Gate to sway slightly before lighting up.

“Three-tenths brightness for a higher immortal, five-tenths for a True Lord, and full brightness for a Supreme God,” Gen Qi gradually increased his spiritual power, glancing at Er’er behind him. “Make sure you observe clearly.”

Er’er watched the Heaven-Mending Stone attentively, seeing it slowly brighten until the entire stone turned translucent green, drawing an involuntary gasp of admiration from her.

Then she heard the sound of the Immortal Longevity Bell.

Dong—Dong—Dong—

Clear, powerful, and lingering.

Seemingly trying to regain some face, Gen Qi held nothing back, continuously pouring immortal power into the two divine objects. In an instant, the bell’s toll could be heard within a hundred miles of the Heavenly Gate.

The consequence of this display, however, was that the veins on his hands bulged, and his breathing became labored due to the strain on his meridians.

Er’er secretly assessed her immortal power, growing increasingly concerned.

The bell tolled for the time it took to burn a stick of incense before one of Gen Qi’s sect members from the Gen Immortal Gate stepped forward, unable to bear watching any longer: “This should be enough for her to learn from.”

Gen Qi immediately withdrew his power, his face pale as he made a gesture to regulate his breath.

Several sect members came forward to assist him, but he waved them away. After steadying himself, he looked at Er’er and said: “You should be careful.”

Tai Shang Lao Jun, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was startled by these words.

“I overlooked something,” he waved his hand. “There will be residual immortal power from the Supreme God in the divine objects. If Immortal Er’er goes now, she’s likely to be in backlash.”

Mixed spiritual energies were harmful to an immortal body. Gen Qi was a powerful Supreme God, and his remaining spiritual power wouldn’t dissipate quickly. Even if Er’er could originally have passed the test, she now had no way to proceed.

“What?” Gen Qi frowned. “I have condescended to indulge in these games with a minor immortal like you, and now you want to back out?”

“No,” Er’er shook her head and bowed to Tai Shang Lao Jun. “This minor immortal is willing to try.”

Tai Shang Lao Jun looked helplessly toward Li Ye.

Li Ye gazed at him coldly without speaking, merely conjuring a breath-regulating formation at the side.

This attitude indicated he was allowing Er’er to try, but the look in his eyes made Tai Shang Lao Jun’s spine shiver.

“Then… give it a try,” he said hesitantly.

Er’er nodded and returned to the center of the circular platform on the Heaven-Gazing Platform. Taking a deep breath, she imitated Gen Qi’s previous actions, channeling spiritual power into the Heaven-Mending Stone.

Sure enough, as soon as she touched the stone, a powerful immortal force rushed back toward her.

Er’er didn’t panic. She quickly recalled the earth-path immortal techniques she had learned at the Taihe Immortal Gate, selecting the simplest one. She made a gesture to mobilize the remaining earth-path immortal power in her body, using it as a conduit to receive all the rebounding immortal power.

Fortunately, due to her previous lack of talent, she had studied a bit of everything without mastering anything. This method allowed her to absorb the backlash immortal power into her acupoints, buffer it, and then use it for herself.

Those watching saw only that the Heaven-Mending Stone remained unlit, and the stream of spiritual energy she sent out seemed thin. Yet in the blink of an eye, Er’er’s Tianging acupoint, which had always been deficient in immortal power, now contained abundant spiritual energy reserves.

“Not qualified,” Gen Qi declared coldly, looking at the Heaven-Mending Stone.

However, just as he finished these three words, the immortal light before him suddenly flared brilliantly.

The brown light—the manifestation of Gen Gate’s immortal power—surged toward the Heaven-Mending Stone, instantly illuminating it to three-tenths brightness.

Gen Qi’s pupils contracted sharply.

How could this be possible? She had only fire-path spiritual power. How could she use immortal power identical to his to awaken the Heaven-Mending Stone?

Not only did the Heaven-Mending Stone light up, but the Immortal Longevity Bell beside it also rang once.

Dong—

The brown immortal light exploded across the Heaven-Gazing Platform, forcing all the immortals to raise their sleeves to shield their eyes.

Li Ye stood unmoving in the light, his misty eyes fixed unblinkingly on the little creature earnestly making gestures. The corners of his lips couldn’t help but rise slightly.

So clever.

Using Gen Qi’s spiritual power for the test would naturally allow her to pass. Gen Qi was too foolish, thinking his residual immortal power would backlash against her, not realizing that this little one was already practiced in the five elements.

Moreover, he still hadn’t realized that this brown immortal light was his own. The way he looked at her, it was as if he had discovered the next generation’s successor for the Gen Gate.

Foolish.

He saw through it clearly, but only the Great Lord had such discernment. All the immortals, including Tai Shang Lao Jun, were shocked by this powerful earth-path spiritual power.

Er’er struggled to smooth her swollen meridians, her eyes darting around to see if anyone would call her out for cheating. Seeing no one step forward, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Dong—Dong—Dong—

The Immortal Longevity Bell rang particularly joyfully, completing the twenty tolls required for a higher immortal.

Er’er promptly stopped.

She rubbed her aching wrists and turned to ask Gen Qi: “Is this still not enough?”

Gen Qi stared at her steadily, his previous contempt and difficulty giving way as he strode forward to check her pulse.

A fiery red shadow sharply blocked his path.

“What are you doing?” Li Ye looked down at him, his eyes full of mockery. “Not convinced?”

Instinctively stepping back, Gen Qi’s face turned from blue to purple: “I won’t hurt her, I just want to check.”

Nodding understandingly, Li Ye remained motionless, but somehow the Fengsha Blade had appeared in his hand. The dazzling divine fire forced Gen Qi to retreat another two steps.

How unreasonable! Gen Qi gritted his teeth and turned to look at Er’er behind him: “Has this minor immortal ever joined my Gen Immortal Gate?”

“Never,” Er’er shook her head. “I’ve always been with the Li Gate.”

“Would you consider changing your allegiance?” Gen Qi asked.

So direct? The Great Lord was still standing before him with a blade in hand. Er’er scratched her eyebrow somewhat awkwardly: “From what you’re saying, it seems I’ve passed the test.”

Gen Qi remained silent, glancing at the others behind him.

Representatives from various sects had come today to watch the excitement. Seeing this turn of events, they all understood that Li Ye wasn’t showing favoritism after all. Instead, it was they, the Supreme Gods, who appeared overbearing, leaving them too embarrassed to speak up.

They would just accept it implicitly.

Tai Shang Lao Jun stepped forward with a smile, stopping Li Ye, who looked ready to wield his blade.

“This is a joyous occasion, a joyous occasion. There’s no need for anger,” he advised in a low voice. “With this, your disciple is now a legitimate higher immortal.”

“Not my disciple,” Li Ye frowned.

“Yes, yes, at any rate, she’s your person,” Tai Shang Lao Jun waved his hand.

Giving him a look, Li Ye withdrew his blade: “Are all of you here today to pay respects to the Tianqua Daoist?”

“No,” everyone shook their heads.

They had all come to watch the spectacle.

They didn’t dare say this, but sensing that the excitement was over and that the Supreme God intended to dismiss them, the perceptive immortals immediately departed on clouds and mist, more than half of them leaving.

Gen Qi still seemed unwilling to give up, looking at Er’er with words unspoken. Tai Shang Lao Jun glanced at Li Ye and quickly led Gen Qi away, half-dragging and half-inviting him.

The Heaven-Gazing Platform gradually returned to tranquility. Er’er stood unmoving until the last immortal had disappeared from view. Only then did she exhale, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.

“That was terrifying,” her voice trembled. “I thought I would be discovered.”

Li Ye snorted softly, leisurely kneeling beside her with one knee, supporting her back with his knee: “They’re fools.”

With the support, Er’er immediately leaned back, sighing comfortably and muttering: “I need to cultivate diligently. This kind of trickery isn’t a long-term solution.”

Glancing at her, Li Ye said: “Strike the Immortal Longevity Bell again.”

“What?” Er’er stared in shock. “Didn’t I already pass? I’m so tired. Look at my hands—they’re too exhausted to lift.”

Her soft paws waved before him, then fell limply as if powerless.

Li Ye lowered his eyes, his large hand closing around her wrist, catching it in midair.