When Zhen Huan Gong’s invitation arrived at the Heavenly Gate, Er’er was taking medicine.

The conflict between the Western Sea and the Nine Heavens remained unresolved, causing numerous troubles. After working tirelessly for half a month, she finally collapsed from exhaustion and fell ill.

Li Ye sat by her bedside with a gloomy face, taking the medicine brought by Little Immortal and silently feeding it to her.

“Don’t, don’t be angry,” Er’er blinked at him while drinking the medicine. “It wasn’t intentional. Who knew that even as immortals, we could still catch a cold from the wind?”

With her mortal body, working day and night for half a month, then daring to go out in the cold wind without rest—who wouldn’t catch a cold if not her?

Li Ye held his breath, thinking of the Western Sea, and slightly narrowed his eyes.

The sea domains had always been under the jurisdiction of the Dragon Clan. After the Western Sea Dragon King was captured and brought to the Heavenly Gate, a new Dragon King took the throne. This new ruler rallied other Dragon Kings from different seas, refusing to pay tribute, neglecting their duties, causing tsunamis that submerged hundreds of villages, bringing summer droughts and winter floods, making life unbearable for coastal cities. They had been in opposition to the Nine Heavens for over a hundred years.

Because the matter was so complicated, Er’er had been using indirect methods to negotiate with them. Just when she finally persuaded them to temporarily spare the coastal cities, the Eastern Sea Dragon King became greedy and demanded tribute from all mortal cities within three hundred miles of the coast.

This touched the bottom line of the Nine Heavens. Er’er would not agree, and neither would the Five Great Immortal Sects. Thus, the conflict arose again.

…

…

Li Ye originally didn’t like to meddle in these affairs, but today, he was truly displeased.

After feeding her the last spoonful of medicine, Li Ye put down the bowl and spoke with a softened expression: “Zhen Huan Gong is holding an Immortal Couple Banquet. According to tradition, we should send gifts, but I don’t enjoy such lively events.”

Hearing this, Er’er perked up a bit, shifting to lean against his shoulder, her eyes bright as she asked, “What should we give them?”

“Your senior sister’s cultivation is shallow, and Zhen Huan Gong likes divine beasts. Catching some rare beasts from Mount Buzhou would be most suitable.” He felt her forehead. “But if your illness hasn’t improved in three days, then we won’t go.”

For her senior sister’s celebration, how could she not attend? Er’er immediately sat up to meditate, smiling, “I just feel dizzy and sleepy—it’s only a small cold. I’ll be better in three days.”

“Then rest well and regulate your energy.” Li Ye rose with a sweep of his sleeve. “I’ll go catch the rare beasts.”

“You’re going personally?” Er’er was somewhat surprised.

Li Ye replied irritably, “Rare beasts are rare because not just anyone can catch them.”

Er’er closed her mouth.

Li Ye’s figure disappeared beyond the door. An immortal breeze swept by, causing the koi in the pond to vigorously swing their tails, splashing up several ripples.

Withdrawing her gaze, Er’er continued to focus on regulating her energy.

Strangely, though her cold made her body somewhat uncomfortable, her meridians weren’t blocked at all. After one round of meditation, she became drowsy and fell into a deep sleep.

***

Yan Cha had thought the banquet would simply be inviting some immortal friends over for a meal. Who would have expected that when the celebration began, it would be even more lively than a mortal wedding? Divine beasts led the way, ten thousand immortals came to offer congratulations. She held Zhen Huan Gong’s hand as they walked toward the great hall, her steps trembling uncontrollably.

Sensing her unease, Zhen Huan Gong glanced at her. “Afraid?”

Yan Cha smiled stiffly and whispered, “Isn’t it a bit too grand?”

“I am, after all, the ruler of the Zhen clan,” Zhen Huan Gong said irritably. “Do you want me to treat my celebration as a mere formality?”

Obediently closing her mouth, Yan Cha tried to stay composed as she accompanied him through the procedures. Though nervous at first, she eventually calmed down. After all, they weren’t truly becoming immortal partners—she could treat it like visiting a market fair.

When it came time to drink the ceremonial wine, Zhen Huan Gong’s Adam’s apple bobbed as his gaze deliberately affected casualness while observing the person before him.

She looked exceptionally beautiful today, her eyebrows and eyes tinged with the faint red glow of sunset, her lips like spring flowers in February, a pearl hanging from her forehead. Standing before him with lowered eyes, she truly appeared to be a heavenly immortal.

To say he wasn’t moved at all would be impossible. After spending so much time together, even a stone would show some reaction. But Zhen Huan Gong had a combative nature. If he was unwilling to easily admit defeat to Li Ye, he was even less likely to show favor first to this young woman.

The red string on his hand still showed no ripples, so he absolutely would not make the first gesture of goodwill.

After the ceremony, the two were to embrace before all the immortals.

His Adam’s apple rolled heavily as Zhen Huan Gong maintained a stern face and opened his arms to her.

Yan Cha felt somewhat embarrassed, but carrying the title of his immortal partner, she couldn’t possibly ruin the occasion. So she very naturally stepped forward and put her arms around him.

Through the thin fabric, it didn’t take long to feel the fragrant warmth transmitted from her body. Zhen Huan Gong’s heart skipped a beat despite himself, and he slowly placed his hands on her back.

She was so soft, much softer than the beauties transformed from Kongshang.

He shifted his gaze uncertainly, gradually tightening his hold.

This ceremonial embrace could have been brief, but Yan Cha waited for a long time, and he showed no intention of letting go.

“Supreme Lord?” she reminded him quietly.

Zhen Huan Gong came to his senses but still held her with one arm, not letting go. He merely used his other hand to release a firework.

Bang—colorful streams of light descended from the dome. The immortals watched, offering congratulations as they took their seats and began the feast.

Yan Cha, half-embraced in his arms, felt somewhat embarrassed. “Do we… need to stay like this?”

“Yes,” he answered with a straight face. “We can’t let them see through our pretense.”

So that was it—fake immortal partners should be more intimate. Yan Cha nodded, then turned her head to look at Er’er seated at the upper table.

She seemed very tired, yawning several times since her arrival. Even now, faced with her favorite dishes on the long table, she had barely touched her chopsticks.

Growing concerned, Yan Cha dragged Zhen Huan Gong to her table.

“Junior sister?” she asked with concern. “Are you still unwell?”

Er’er, who had been dozing off, raised her head at the sound and sniffled, “I’m fine. Li Ye only let me come because I got better. I’m just tired from recent exhaustion, always feeling drowsy.”

Yan Cha felt her forehead, then released Zhen Huan Gong’s hand and hurried to another table.

“Kan Qi,” she said softly, “could you examine my junior sister?”

Kan Qi was feeding fruit to a tongue spirit bird. Hearing this, he rose.

Kan Ze had been half-leaning against him, and when he stood up, Kan Ze stumbled slightly and looked up in dissatisfaction. “What is it?”

“Immortal Er’er seems unwell, and I can’t see what’s wrong clearly. May I trouble you to lend me Kan Qi?” Yan Cha cupped her hands in respect.

Kan Ze was already half-drunk. He rested his chin on his hand and smiled, “He’s not mine, why are you asking to borrow him from me?”

Yan Cha was at a loss for words. She blinked at Kan Qi, who smiled gently as the tongue spirit bird spoke, “Lead the way, miss.”

As he stepped forward to leave, his sleeve was caught by Kan Ze’s hand.

Drunk supreme lords don’t like to be reasonable, especially Kan Ze. He held onto Kan Qi’s sleeve without looking at him, only mumbling to Yan Cha, “I’m not feeling well either.”

Angry yet pitiful, like a child throwing a tantrum.