“This is useful!” She snatched it back and wrapped it carefully in her bundle. “We’ll need to eat in the Netherworld too, you know.”

Somewhat amused, Li Ye folded his arms: “Who said I was taking you along?”

“If you’re not taking me, why did you seize Tai Shang Lao Jun’s Hundred Paintings Bottle?” She glanced back at him, proudly lifting her little chin. “You think I’m that foolish?”

With cultivation at his level, he certainly did not need the Hundred Paintings Bottle, but for a novice like her going to the Netherworld, it might well save her life.

Li Ye clicked his tongue, with hints of laughter in his eyes, though his face showed disdain: “You’re not particularly clever to begin with. Following me down there is far less carefree than staying in the Ninth Heaven.”

Waving her hand dismissively, Er’er mumbled: “What’s so special about being carefree? I just want to go with you.”

These were her true feelings. If she didn’t accompany him and something went wrong, how worried would she be?

But to the big boss’s ears, these words were truly… quite cloying.

Didn’t she dislike him? Why was she always wanting to follow him? There wasn’t a word of truth from her mouth. Who knew what nonsense she was thinking all day?

…

…

The corners of his mouth lifted a few more degrees as Li Ye turned away, feigning seriousness: “If you’re coming, then pack properly.”

“Sure thing!”

Quickly tying her bundle with a knot, Er’er hoisted it onto her back and excitedly pulled him toward the exit.

“I’ve made quite a bit of progress during this closed cultivation.” Reaching the door, she released him and snapped her fingers showily. “Save your energy. I’ll summon the cloud chariot.”

Look at this inexperienced little demeanor, Li Ye laughed inwardly. Was she that excited about being able to transport people with a cloud chariot?

However, moments later, his smile froze on his lips.

An eight-foot-wide cloud chariot appeared with an elaborately flowered double seat in the middle. The cloud flashed with rainbow colors from the center to the edges, wave after wave, like ripples or ocean waves—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, not missing a single hue.

Li Ye: “…”

Er’er looked at her beautiful cloud chariot with satisfaction, then turned to bow to him: “After you?”

Quickly lowering his gaze, Li Ye stepped back: “No need. I suddenly remembered something.”

Er’er: ???

What could he possibly remember when they were about to depart?

Grabbing his sleeve, Er’er said: “Don’t worry, my cultivation has improved. I definitely won’t let you fall.”

That wasn’t the issue.

Li Ye stared at the cloud with a green face. He was a mighty ancient deity—didn’t he have any dignity? Riding this would be no different from parading on a flower cart!

With a wave of his hand, he summoned his cloud chariot, shook off her grip, and descended to the mortal realm without another word.

“Hey!” Er’er hurriedly mounted her cloud to chase after him, calling out as she pursued, “There’s room for you here!”

“You ride it yourself.” The person ahead showed no appreciation.

How cold, Er’er pouted, sitting back in her flower seat and swinging her feet as she followed him.

The mortal realm was amid spring bloom. Children frolicked and rolled about on the grass. A little girl with double-loop buns lay happily on the grass, gazing at the sky, and happened to see a white cloud moving.

“The wind is so strong,” she murmured in her childish voice.

But immediately afterward, a multicolored cloud floated by, sweeping across the sky and disappearing behind the mountain on the other side.

Slightly startled, the little girl sat up straight.

“There are immortals,” she stared blankly at where the colorful cloud had fallen, her chubby finger pointing. “Immortals.”

Her playmates were all absorbed in their games, and no one heard her words.

Half an hour later, a tall man in red garments led a petite young woman in pink into the bustling town.

“I’ve already told you cloud chariots are for travel, there’s no need to waste extra spiritual energy on decoration.”

“But it looks so pretty that way.”

“What good is looking pretty when you’re now too exhausted to walk?”

“Though I am tired… but it was so pretty!”

His temple twitching, Li Ye stopped in his tracks.

Er’er bumped right into his back with a thud, clutching her nose in pain: “What are you doing?”

“Which is more important—looking good or being practical?” he frowned and asked.

“Looking good is more important, of course.” Er’er clenched her fist. “I may not be the strongest, but I must be the most beautiful!”

“…” The thoughts of minor immortals were truly beyond his comprehension.

Tossing her the Hundred Paintings Bottle filled with spiritual energy, Li Ye continued walking irritably: “Next time you can’t walk, I’ll just leave you where you fall.”

Catching the bottle, Er’er was delighted. She removed the cloth stopper and took a light sniff, instantly becoming lively and energetic again.

“Don’t walk so fast, it’s getting late.” She rushed forward a few steps to grab him, nodding to the side. “Let’s have a bowl of noodles before finding an inn.”

Li Ye turned to see a dusty little stall by the street, with blackened cooking pots and oily tabletops. On a half-worn, tattered banner were the characters “Wonton Noodles,” with the last horizontal stroke nearly faded away.

Pulling back his sleeve, the big boss sneered, “I’m merely passing through the mortal realm, not a mortal. Eat such things?”

He turned his head, intending to admonish her: “This kind of stall won’t be good…”

Where someone had been standing just a moment ago, only a shadow remained.

Li Ye paused, narrowing his eyes to look ahead, and saw that the little one had already joyfully seated herself at the table, calling out her order to the owner while washing the bowls and chopsticks with hot tea.

She didn’t take him seriously at all.

Striding over, Li Ye looked down at her loftily: “There are countless delicacies at the Immortal Banquet Hall that I wouldn’t attend even if begged.”

“Mm-hmm.” Er’er pulled him down to sit.

The big boss frowned with displeasure: “I don’t eat the five grains.”

“Mm-hmm, I know.” Taking the noodles the owner had prepared, Er’er placed them on the table, mixed them for him, and then put the chopsticks in his hand.

“Are you even listening to me?” Li Ye was truly annoyed now.

The freshly cooked wontons were fragrant and delicious. Er’er picked one up, blew on it, and took a bite with an “om nom.” It was so hot that she stuck out her tongue, her cat-like eyes narrowing, the corners warm and content: “It’s so tasty.”

Did she think he would fall for that? Li Ye coldly turned away.

One incense stick of time later.

Two empty bowls sat on the table. Li Ye exhaled with satisfaction, then elegantly turned his head: “Excuse me, another bowl, please.”

“Right away, sir.” The owner responded with a smile, using a large ladle to drop more wontons into the pot.

Er’er took a sip of the hot soup, not teasing him at all, and simply said: “Though the mortal realm lacks spiritual energy, it’s quite an interesting place.”

How was it interesting? Li Ye disagreed.

But these noodles were indeed quite delicious.

“Mortals have short lives, appearing as mere ants in your eyes.” Swinging her legs, Er’er said, “But there’s joy and sorrow, union and separation here. Within their limited lifespans, they are incredibly vibrant.”

“You’re an immortal now,” Li Ye reminded her. “There’s no need to reminisce about the mortal realm.”

She knew he would say that.

Er’er sighed. In Li Ye’s eyes, the mortal world was like an anthill. That’s why, when the time came to destroy heaven and earth, he didn’t even blink at the suffering of all living beings.