As her nose drew closer, Er’er caught the scent of Li Ye.
It was like the ashen smoke of burnt spirit money, dispersed along an empty, ancient street—reclusive and deathly still.
She was momentarily stunned.
This man’s garment was embroidered with the fiery golden crow pattern, suggesting he should be as passionate as the blazing sun. Yet why did he seem like someone walking on the sunless path to the underworld—cold and silent?
The scent made her somewhat sad, and Er’er wrinkled the tip of her nose.
Li Ye, however, was in a good mood.
He took the little creature to Tai Shang Lao Jun’s alchemy room and very politely “inquired” about recent pill-making results.
Then his arms were filled with an assortment of colorful medicinal pills.
Seemingly not quite satisfied, he also went to Queen Mother of the West’s mountain, and after being stuffed with a pile of immortal herbs, he reluctantly made another visit to the Jade Pool.
…
…
By the time they returned to Upper Bing Palace, the immortal pills and herbs beside him had accumulated into a small mountain.
Er’er was practically drooling at the sight.
She gazed gratefully at Li Ye: “Thank you, Master.”
Li Ye sneered, casually sitting on his throne with one leg folded, supporting his brow: “I didn’t say they were for you. I was just walking around with nothing to do. With your level of cultivation, how could you possibly use such high-grade items?”
Er’er nodded: “Are the immortal herbs from the Queen Mother for eating or bathing?”
“Bathing.”
Er’er gleefully grabbed the immortal herbs and tossed them into the hot spring.
Half of Li Ye’s face darkened.
He didn’t know why he had answered so quickly, nor did he understand how this small immortal seemed to completely ignore his words and happily did as she pleased.
Her body was covered in wounds, with dried blood still at the corner of her lips, and her eyes swollen from crying. Yet because of these mere immortal herbs, she could smile again.
Li Ye frowned, feeling both irritated and thinking that he should have asked the Queen Mother for more.
Qian Tian was right—he preferred solitude. Upper Bing Palace had always contained only one throne made of black stone and nothing else. But this little creature was easily satisfied; just digging a hot spring and throwing in a couple of immortal herbs made her very happy.
There was no need for others to help him care for her.
However…
She was still too weak, almost unable to withstand the heavenly tribulation.
Li Ye still felt somewhat disdainful.
Er’er was grimacing while soaking in the immortal herb hot spring when she inadvertently caught her master’s gaze, almost puffing up with anger on the spot like a blowfish.
Was that an ordinary tribulation? That was a tribulation targeting Kan Ze! She, an innocent host, had suffered collateral damage due to Kan Ze’s powerful divine energy. An ant cannot lift an elephant—could one blame the ant for being too weak?
Er’er wanted to defend herself, but just as her mouth opened, she saw Li Ye cough a couple of times.
Crimson blood flowed down from the corner of his mouth, strikingly vivid.
Li Ye wasn’t particularly concerned, casually wiping it away before continuing to stare at her. Er’er, however, was startled and stared at him, not daring to move.
This heaven-destroying, earth-shattering person could be injured?
She had thought he was some kind of invulnerable, indestructible monster.
Looking around, Er’er barely managed to use a small spell of star transposition to levitate one of the immortal pills piled beside him, shakily bringing it to his lips.
Li Ye scoffed: “I don’t need it.”
That little lightning was nothing to him. He had only sustained minor internal injuries to keep up appearances in front of Zhen Huan Gong and Qian Tian—hardly worth taking medicine for.
But this small immortal became anxious, frantically pushing the pill toward him again, as if he would disintegrate into dust and smoke if he didn’t take the medicine.
Making a mountain out of a molehill.
Li Ye curled his lip, staring at the pill the size of a pinky fingertip, his ashen eyes full of disdain.
But turning his head to look, he saw that his refusal had nearly driven her to tears. Her eyes were filled with worry and anxiety, gazing at him earnestly. On her charred little face, two tracks of tender white skin had been cleared by her tears.
Really, what could he do?
Li Ye snatched the pill and tossed it into his mouth.
Er’er breathed a long sigh of relief.
He was her sky above and mountain behind—her ultimate support. He absolutely couldn’t have anything happen to him now. Better for him to pass these hundred years safely than display his divine might later.
“Not hurting anymore?” Li Ye asked irritably.
Er’er returned to her senses, her face scrunched up: “It hurts.”
With no good spot anywhere on her body, how could it not hurt? She had already cried until her tears ran dry from the pain.
Chewing the immortal pill leisurely, Li Ye said: “Repair your divine soul well. In three days, I’ll teach you something.”
Hearing this, Er’er instantly perked up and hastily focused her energy.
Most of what she had learned before were flashy transformation techniques, mainly used for creating beautiful clothes and accessories. After this heavenly tribulation, Er’er finally understood that she needed to learn something practical. Otherwise, in such a dangerous place as the Ninth Heaven, she might not survive.
There was no immortal more powerful than Li Ye. Learning techniques from him would be nothing but beneficial for her.
The warm water rippled, wrapped in the unique fragrance of immortal herbs, filling her limbs and meridians. The pain throughout her body gradually dissipated, and Er’er relaxed her brow, beginning to rest with closed eyes.
After some time, she heard Kan Ze’s sighing voice.
“Don’t trust Li Ye.”
Er’er was momentarily stunned, instinctively frowning.
Why not trust him?
“The Li Sect’s immortal techniques are the most domineering among the five elements, incompatible with your nature. When he lets you learn them, it’s not for your benefit.”
Kan Ze seemed to have suffered no small injury himself, his voice sounding particularly weak: “With your temperament, you’re suited to cultivate the Kan Sect’s immortal techniques.”
Er’er’s mouth twitched as she listened.
How had she, a small salted fish declared devoid of talent by the Taihe Immortal Master, suddenly become someone whose training the great masters of the Ninth Heaven competed over? Li Ye was one thing—he was the master she had sworn allegiance to. But why would Upper God Kan Ze bother? The Kan Sect had plenty of descendants to pass their techniques to.
“Trust me,” Kan Ze murmured. “Since I saved you during the heavenly tribulation, I wouldn’t harm you now.”
Heavenly tribulation? Er’er was startled, her mouth moving slightly.
No wonder—no wonder she hadn’t died after being struck by so many lightning bolts. So it was Kan Ze protecting her.
But if he hadn’t used her as a host, she wouldn’t have faced such a severe heavenly tribulation in the first place. By that calculation, cause and effect were balanced.
Kan Ze was surprised by her thoughts, finding them difficult to understand.
“Everyone in the Ninth Heaven knows that Li Ye is devoid of humanity, violent, and unpredictable. Why would you rather side with him than trust me?”
It wasn’t about trust, Er’er thought with pursed lips. She simply believed in keeping her word. She had first sought refuge with Li Ye, so naturally, she couldn’t switch sides midway. Otherwise, she might not even know how she died.
As if angered by her response, Kan Ze fell silent. A stream of white immortal energy passed through her meridians and directly seized her pulse.
Er’er remained completely unaware of the danger, merely twisting her waist, wanting to ask more about Upper God Li Ye’s past.
But as soon as she moved, she heard a splash of water.
Someone swam to her side. A scorching finger pressed against her brow, and a deep voice tinged with anger said:
“With such a distracted attitude, forget three days—you won’t be allowed ashore even after thirty days!”