The cultivation barrier could block ordinary external things, but for someone of Li Ye’s caliber, whose cultivation had reached another realm entirely, Er’er’s barrier was like a thin sheet of paper. He only needed to approach to hear the movements inside.

Meng Wan was in the form of a soul flame. Er’er didn’t even know where to cover to stop him as she heard him continue, completely unaware: “Since you’re considering it, say no more. After I ascend, I’ll personally explain everything to Heavenly Deity Li Ye for you.”

“…”

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end one by one. Er’er no longer dared to turn around. She instinctively channeled more spiritual energy into the barrier, attempting to block the big boss’s sight and hearing, but unfortunately, a cold laugh already sounded from outside.

“Explain?” Li Ye withdrew his hand and leisurely clasped it behind his back, his gaze penetrating the barrier layer to fix steadily on the candlestick on the table. “What do you wish to explain?”

The soul flame that had been burning steadily was suddenly swept by a fierce wind, nearly extinguished. Meng Wan’s voice disappeared with it, unable to answer a single word more.

Er’er was startled and quickly rose to protect the candlestick with both hands, turning her head in panic: “He’s just barely recovered enough strength.”

If the soul flame truly went out, where would she find another soul fragment for her Senior Brother?

“What does that have to do with me?” There was undisguised irritation in his tone as Li Ye half-closed his eyes to look at her. “Do you care so much about this Senior Brother of yours?”

…

…

How could she not care? He was practically family.

Er’er tried to reason with him gently, but when the big boss lost his temper, he was domineering and unreasonable, giving her no chance to speak. With a wave of his hand, he attempted to extinguish the soul lamp.

Anxious and somewhat annoyed, Er’er immediately formed a protective shield to block his power.

With a muffled “boom,” the disturbance wasn’t large, but Li Ye’s pupils contracted, and his face immediately darkened.

“You dare to raise your hand against me?” he asked.

Laughing from extreme anger, Er’er said: “Can you let me finish speaking first? You act without a word of explanation—what am I supposed to do?”

Who wanted to listen to her make excuses for her Senior Brother?

Li Ye felt extremely irritated. He turned with a sweep of his sleeves, intending to leave, but after a few steps, he stopped and turned back to look at her: “If someday, your Senior Brother and I were in the same predicament, with two soul lamps but you could only protect one, would you protect me or him?”

Er’er: “…”

How could the mighty Ninth Heaven Deity, a great being born with heaven and earth, ask such a childish question?

He would never have the chance to be in such a predicament in his lifetime!

But seeing his particularly unfriendly gaze, Er’er couldn’t tell the truth. She could only be diplomatic: “I would save you.”

His brow relaxed slightly as Li Ye snorted: “You think I would believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not, the choice is still to save you.”

“Hmph.”

Like clouds dispersing after rain, illuminating everything brilliantly, the big boss took two steps back toward her, his tone still displeased: “Then do you still intend to leave with him?”

“That’s unjust!” Raising both hands above her head, Er’er said helplessly, “Senior Brother fears I’ll be bullied out there, so he wants me to go with him, but I never agreed.”

“You just said you were considering it.”

He had heard quite thoroughly. Er’er stamped her foot.

“I could hardly say I wasn’t considering it. We’re not related by blood, nor are we master and disciple. If I stubbornly stayed here, Senior Brother would inevitably think there was something between us.”

Confusion flickered in his eyes as Li Ye tilted his head slightly: “Why shouldn’t he think that?”

“Nonsense!” Er’er rolled her eyes. “You’re a Heavenly Deity, while I’m just a newly ascended immortal. We’re from completely different worlds. If others misunderstood, not only would it be embarrassing for you, but I also don’t want to gain a bad reputation as someone who neglects proper cultivation just to climb the social ladder.”

So that was the reason.

Looking at her slightly aggrieved expression, Li Ye understood.

He had previously thought she was like other female immortals seeking shortcuts, and his words had been quite harsh, frightening her. This little thing cared about her reputation, so she had been unwilling to mention it again afterward.

It wasn’t because she didn’t care for him.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly as Li Ye turned away: “You only lack the seven meridians and eight vessels. Once your meridians are unblocked, your cultivation progress will be ten times faster than others, so… don’t worry about misunderstandings.”

What did he mean? Er’er looked at him in confusion. His words were so ambiguous that she hadn’t quite understood. Lowering her head to think carefully, she figured the big boss might be secretly praising her talent, which was only limited by her meridians. As expected of the big boss, even his compliments were so reserved.

Beaming at him brightly, Er’er carefully placed the soul lamp in the formation and supplied some spiritual energy as lamp oil: “There should be no misunderstandings. I’m quite happy just doing some work in Shangbing Palace.”

Li Ye: “…”

Had she even listened carefully to what he was saying?

Glancing at the spiritual energy overflowing from her fingertips, Li Ye impatiently asked: “Do you owe him many favors?”

“Yes.” Er’er nodded. “Many.”

“I see.”

Stepping forward, Li Ye approached the formation.

Startled with a shudder, Er’er immediately raised her hand again to protect the lamp. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a stream of pure spiritual energy flow over her head and pour into the lampstand with a rushing sound.

Rich and mellow spiritual energy nourished the soul faster than anything else. The soul flame that had been extremely weak moments ago suddenly leaped three feet high, its tongue of flame nearly licking the nearby silk curtain.

Hurriedly moving the candlestick farther away, Er’er turned back, looking at Li Ye in confusion: “Weren’t we supposed to nourish it slowly?”

“With your spiritual energy, it wouldn’t be fast enough.” Expressionlessly withdrawing his hand, Li Ye said, “But I can make it so.”

Was he mocking her? He was, right?

Puffing out her cheeks, then exhaling in bewilderment, she asked: “If you don’t like my Senior Brother, why are you helping?”

“I merely don’t like him, that’s all.” Coldly turning his head away, Li Ye walked toward the exit. “He no longer needs your concern. Focus on your cultivation.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and Er’er inexplicably blushed a little.

The big boss seemed to have said something, but upon careful consideration, he hadn’t said anything at all.

No, she couldn’t overthink this. Cultivation was the most important thing.

Concentrating her mind and calming her spirit, Er’er sat down with a flushed face to meditate. It took quite a while for the heat to fade from her face before she could enter a state of meditation.

Sitting back on his throne, Li Ye rested his chin on his hand, lazily observing the barrier’s glow behind the screen. He felt somewhat annoyed but had no good way to deal with her. The light in his eyes flickered, and his brow gradually furrowed.

“Your Highness.” Zhu Yan arrived silently.

Pulling back his thoughts, Li Ye waved his hand to place another layer of his barrier outside Er’er’s, then turned his head: “What is it?”

“News just arrived that the Heavenly Diviner is looking for someone to go down to the mortal realm to search for the Gate of Life and Death.”

With a scornful laugh, Li Ye leaned back: “If they care so much, why don’t they go themselves?”

“He seems to be busy with other matters and has rarely appeared at recent councils.” Zhu Yan cupped his hands. “Recently, various sects in the Ninth Heaven have experienced some mishaps. Considering everything, someone might soon come as an envoy…”

“Were you the one who brought the Netherworld people up here?”

Suddenly interrupted before he could finish, Zhu Yan was stunned momentarily, then nodded: “I received some valuable treasures as payment.”

“Next time,” lips slightly pursed, Li Ye said displeasedly, “have them go to your place. Don’t let them bother me.”