When night fell, the two found an inn to stay at.

Under normal circumstances, this would be the time when the inn would have only one room left, and then the two would awkwardly place a bowl of water in the middle of the bed, each going to sleep with their thoughts.

However, as soon as the great master Li Ye stepped into the inn, he went straight to the counter and placed some silver on it.

“One guest room.”

The innkeeper was taken aback. He looked up at him, then at the young girl behind him, who appeared not yet of age, and hesitantly pointed to the room tags hanging behind him: “Sir, we have many vacant rooms. Would you like to see these?”

Giving him a puzzled look, Li Ye repeated: “One room.”

They were together every day, so there was no reason to be coy when they were out. The mortal realm’s air was heavy with impurities, and it would be better to set up a barrier at night to rest well. Staying close meant a smaller barrier, which would save spiritual energy.

Thus, Er’er didn’t feel there was any problem either. Even though the boy who showed them the way kept looking back at them every few steps, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, Er’er still followed with a composed expression, stepped inside, and closed the door.

The inn was rudimentary, without a comfortable bed or pillows. The tables and chairs weren’t very clean either. Er’er glanced around, wrinkled her nose slightly, but didn’t take it to heart. Being on the road meant dealing with such inconveniences.

…

…

She opened her small bundle and took out a few copper coins, then went out to ask the attendant for hot water.

Li Ye silently gazed out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

But when Er’er returned with the water, with one foot across the threshold, she was startled by the fragrant and soft atmosphere that greeted her.

The furniture in the room was completely renewed. The simple bed frame had transformed into a pear wood luohan bed, layered with freshly scented brocade quilts and soft pillows. A wisp of blue smoke was rising steadily from the incense burner.

The inn attendant walking behind Er’er was calling out: “Guest…”

Er’er turned around and promptly kicked the door shut.

The water in the copper basin she was holding sloshed heavily, then gradually settled. She placed it on a nearby decorative table, then hurried over to Li Ye.

“If people saw this, they’d be scared to death,” she whispered. “We could have just stayed in a regular room; I’m not that picky.”

Holding a book written in some unknown text, Li Ye carefully examined it without looking up: “It wasn’t me.”

Who else could it be? Did the room feel it wasn’t good-looking enough and immediately transform itself? Er’er laughed, crouching beside his leg and looking up: “You’re so meticulous, even choosing such a beautiful style.”

“I told you, it wasn’t me.” Using the book to cover his face, Li Ye snorted with amusement. “Who has time to care so much about you?”

With a smile that couldn’t be suppressed, Er’er teased: “It’s fortunate that I know I’m not worthy of you. Otherwise, with your attentiveness, how could a minor immortal like me escape from your palm?”

His body stiffened slightly, and Li Ye said with displeasure: “Not worthy?”

“That’s what my senior brother said, it has nothing to do with me.” Standing up to wring out a handkerchief, Er’er took his hand, opened his palm, and carefully wiped away the juice from the scallions he had touched. “And he wasn’t wrong.”

It wasn’t wrong, but what did her senior brother mean by saying that? Not worthy of him, but perfectly matched with her senior brother?

His gaze grew heavy, and Li Ye shook off Er’er’s hand.

Er’er complained: “What are you doing? I haven’t finished cleaning it.”

“If you’re not worthy, why bother wiping?” he snorted coldly.

Slightly choked, Er’er fell silent, her eyes darting around as she looked at him, amusingly saying: “Why are you getting upset now?”

“I’m not.”

“If you’re not, why are you talking like this?”

“I just said I’m not.” Tossing aside the netherworld history book, Li Ye turned his back, his voice deep. “Stop minding my business.”

He’s really difficult to please, Er’er thought with a mixture of laughter and exasperation. She washed the handkerchief clean, put it away, and changed into her sleeping attire.

“What are you doing?” the person behind her asked unhappily.

What else could she be doing? Er’er said: “Going to sleep.”

“Only mortals need sleep. You’re an immortal,” Li Ye said irritably. “Get up and cultivate.”

Her expression fell as Er’er sat cross-legged on the bed and looked at him: “Isn’t it good to follow local customs? Mortals all sleep, and besides, the immortal energy here is sparse. How can I practice breath cultivation?”

“Hundred Paintings Bottle.”

“…” She had been touched for nothing. The master brought this treasure not to protect her life, but to make sure she wouldn’t slack off in her cultivation.

Pouting, Er’er took out the bottle.

Inside was refined spiritual energy that had not yet been attributed to any of the five elements. She didn’t know where he had gotten it, but the supply was abundant. She took two breaths of it, then secretly glanced at him, wanting to beg for leniency.

However, the master had already entered meditation, with a circle of flowing fire light surrounding his body.

Many immortals cultivated the way of fire, but Er’er had only seen one with such beautiful flames—his. Each of his flames seemed to contain a phoenix, golden and brilliant. The black energy that had previously entwined with them seemed to have been refined, submerged into the gold and red, no longer conspicuous.

Sighing with admiration, Er’er was about to look away when she saw an abrupt strand of black energy burst from his left palm, like a snake, quickly jumping into his brow.

“Li Ye?” she exclaimed in slight alarm.

The firelight paused, gradually fading in the air. Li Ye opened his eyes and said with great disdain: “Why are you disturbing my cultivation?”

Her finger unconsciously pointed, then weakly retracted. Er’er thought for a moment and tactfully asked: “If during my cultivation, there’s a strand of energy from another path that consistently floats above my energy, what situation would that be?”

Li Ye stood up and walked slowly to the bedside: “Meditate.”

Er’er quickly closed her eyes.

The spiritual energy around her body began to flow, with all kinds of colors, extremely chaotic. Li Ye watched, his eyes showing gravity.

“If spiritual energies don’t merge, they will always compete for dominance. Eventually, only one type of spiritual energy will remain in your body.”

Er’er opened her eyes and asked, tilting her head: “Is it that whichever energy is stronger will remain?”

“No,” Li Ye shook his head. “It’s whichever your heart leans toward that will remain.”

“…” Her heart sank, and Er’er’s eyelashes trembled.

In other words, if his death-resentment energy wasn’t completely integrated, it would eventually take over him.

“Why think so much?” His index finger touched her furrowed brow, and Li Ye said, “Just focus on cultivation.”

Forcing herself to regain focus, Er’er responded with an “Oh” and closed her eyes again to enter meditation.

Someone sat down beside her, clothes rustling, warm breath drawing very close.

Er’er sensed it and uncomfortably shifted her waist.

“Don’t be distracted,” he reprimanded her somewhat sternly.

His voice sounded right in front of her, seeming as if he had sat down facing her. Er’er cleared her throat lightly and tried hard to concentrate.

But, but, this supreme deity took matters into his own hands, helping her merge her spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy circulating her body was originally meant to absorb immortal energy and send it back to her meridians. Li Ye sat in front of her, like someone untangling a knot, twisting together her unmerged spiritual energy strand by strand, and sending it back to her meridians.

Very clearly, Er’er could feel as if a hand was brushing over all the uncomfortable places on her body, soothing them one by one, then gently covering them.