Amid the raging storm, her silhouette appeared exceptionally frail, like a newly hatched chick. She walked unsteadily, her legs trembling slightly. Forget about the earth-shattering lightning ahead—she probably couldn’t even withstand an ordinary tribulation flame.

Even so, Li Ye, standing nearby, showed not the slightest bit of pity. His ashen eyes watched her retreating figure with disdain, as if saying: being frightened by such minor lightning, how could she be his disciple?

Zhen Huan Gong: “…”

This was excessively strict. How could a small immortal with just a thousand years of cultivation compare to this old beast with tens of thousands of years?

In Li Ye’s eyes, such lightning was something he encountered every ten thousand years—truly ordinary. But to Er’er, this lightning was enormous, as if the entire sky was about to collapse.

With a deafening boom, Er’er screamed miserably, clutching her head as she knelt in the center of the sea of clouds, curled into a ball.

Purple-tinged lightning suddenly struck her body, feeling like ten thousand iron-toothed ants gnawing at her tendons, bones, and limbs. She could even hear the sound of her flesh being chewed, her bones making cracking noises.

It was too painful. In her several hundred years of life, Er’er had never experienced such pain. She couldn’t even cry, her entire body trembling.

Another massive thunderbolt struck from above. The world was illuminated by a flash of white light that engulfed her. The churning clouds and rain before her eyes and the explosive sounds in her ears suddenly disappeared.

…

…

In the dead silence, Er’er saw Taihe Immortal Gate.

More than a dozen senior disciples gathered together, helping someone resist the centennial heavenly tribulation. The senior sister in the middle held several preserved plums, gently comforting someone.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. With your senior brothers and sisters here, Er’er doesn’t need to suffer like this.”

“Senior Brother Meng is very powerful, and Senior Sister Yan is also formidable. We can protect you for thousands or tens of thousands of years. As long as your senior brothers and sisters are alive, Er’er will be safe.”

As long as the senior brothers and sisters were still alive.

Alive.

Er’er trembled, as if remembering something, and her three souls and seven spirits instantly returned to their proper places.

The pain throughout her body invaded once more, and the thunder in her ears grew louder. Er’er barely managed to open one eye halfway, glancing at Li Ye, who stood not far away.

He wore his red robe, his features cold and stern, as if appraising her, yet also as if looking through her at the lightning on the horizon.

Her fingers trembled slightly as Er’er barely took a breath and began forming hand seals.

Li Ye watched coldly as several heavenly lightning bolts struck down. The little creature seemed to have lost all life signs, curled up quietly in the crackling remnants of thunder.

She couldn’t pass through it.

He shook his head and was about to step forward when he saw Er’er move slightly.

Half an eye opened to look at him, and the moment her gaze touched his, it instantly became determined.

Then she began forming hand seals—the simplest defensive seal. Before she could complete it, the next lightning bolt scattered her efforts, causing pain that made her fingertips blister.

But after a brief respite, she started again, this time faster than before. A thin barrier formed around her just before the heavenly lightning struck.

However, when the lightning fell, this barrier shattered with a crash, unable to withstand a single blow. The merciless lightning still struck her completely.

Er’er didn’t even have the strength to scream in agony. Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth as she collapsed in a heap.

But her hands still formed seals.

The lightning grew stronger, and her seals became more scattered. Er’er was expending every bit of immortal power in her body, trying to contend with heaven itself.

Unfortunately, the heavenly lightning was too powerful. Her meager immortal power left no room for resistance.

Everyone present could no longer bear to watch and began discussing among themselves. Some said today’s heavenly lightning was too extreme; others said the small immortal was too foolish.

Already charred black by lightning, she had no hope. The simplest defensive technique couldn’t block the heavenly lightning at all. She might as well lie down and wait for death, saving her energy.

Amidst the commotion, only Li Ye stood quietly.

He gazed casually in Er’er’s direction, as if waiting for something, or perhaps just looking around.

Another bolt of heavenly lightning gathered, its dazzling light illuminating the surroundings like daylight.

Er’er was already at her last breath, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. Yet sensing the danger, she still stubbornly curved her fingertips, forming a weak defensive seal.

Li Ye suddenly smiled.

The final bolt of heavenly lightning came with tremendous force, bearing the momentum to overturn heaven and earth, seemingly about to pierce through the entire sea of clouds. Er’er’s seal was too scattered, the barrier thinner than all previous attempts, utterly incapable of withstanding it.

But when the lightning crashed down, Er’er felt no pain.

The blinding light around her gradually dispersed, and the thunder grew more distant. Er’er lay with her face against the cloud, her face covered in blood, breathing bewilderedly.

She saw a pair of cloud boots step before her eyes, and a fiery red robe swept over the charred ground to cover her body.

Then, someone picked her up by the back of her collar.

The great master looked down at her with neither comfort nor concern, only asking: “Anything you want to say?”

Her entire body ached, and Er’er was in no mood to speak. But looking around at the many immortals gathering near, she didn’t dare to let the great master’s words fall to the ground.

So she said softly: “I couldn’t find corn to roast.”

It was better not to speak; once she opened her mouth, she became choked with emotion. Er’er sniffled, her eyes reddening: “Would roasted disciple do? Crispy outside, tender inside.”

Her thick nasal voice was full of grievance.

Not only did he not save her, but he also didn’t praise her a single bit after the tribulation. Even a simple “you look delicious” would have counted.

Nothing. Nothing at all.

How annoying.

Angry, she turned around in his hands, facing away from him and closing her eyes.

Li Ye snorted with laughter, wrapped her more securely, and was about to walk back.

“Wait,” Zhen Huan Gong suddenly spoke.

Li Ye paused his steps, turned his head, and looked at him impatiently: “What is it?”

Startled by his sudden change in demeanor, Zhen Huan Gong hesitated briefly, but still frowned and said: “Your disciple likely needs proper care and nourishment.”

It was obvious to everyone that this extraordinary heavenly tribulation had targeted his small disciple specifically. One Li Ye was enough to give the Ten Gates of the Ninth Heaven a headache; if there was another extraordinary disciple, who knew what calamity might arise.

Qian Tian stood beside him with similar thoughts.

Examining the small disciple in Li Ye’s arms, he followed up: “You prefer solitude, and Upper Bing Palace isn’t suitable for multiple residents. Why not let her recover at my place? My palace recently stocked up on nourishing immortal herbs and divine mushrooms, and has a superior Dew Pool, most suitable for small immortals who’ve just undergone tribulation.”

Hearing this, Er’er immediately opened her eyes.

Such good treatment!

Li Ye looked down at her, the depths of his ashen eyes unfathomable: “Want to go?”

Of course she wanted to! Upper Bing Palace had nothing but a bunch of hard stone pillars.

Er’er blinked, tentatively looking up at the great master’s face.

And there she saw undisguised killing intent.

“…”

Shrinking back, Er’er mumbled: “No, I don’t want to bother others. I’ll stay with Master.”

Li Ye chuckled softly: “If you want to go, then go. Your master won’t blame you.”

“No, no, no, this disciple prefers Upper Bing Palace.”

No matter how good other places might be, they would only be exquisite coffins. As barren as Upper Bing Palace was, at least it was a place where she could remain alive.

With tears in her eyes, Er’er glanced at Zhen Huan Gong and Qian Tian, then buried her head against the great master’s chest.