“…”

Is that how it is?

With a complex expression, Er’er rubbed her face, somewhat unwilling to admit: “What I meant earlier was that under those circumstances, I was compelled by the situation, not that he forced me to submit.”

Eyebrow raised high, Long Xu shook her head with deep emotion: “What did I tell you?”

Isn’t this exactly being devoured completely, yet still feeling like she owed him?

“You also think I got the better deal?” Er’er scratched her head. “Why do your words suggest I’ve been deceived?”

Having calmed down from the shock of Li Ye giving up half his cultivation power, Long Xu narrowed her eyes, looking at the melancholic young girl before her. She couldn’t help but reach out to pat her shoulder: “In terms of cultivation, this is a blessing you must have accumulated over several lifetimes. But emotionally, you’re no match for Li Ye. Little girl, take good care of yourself.”

These words made Er’er uneasy, though on the surface she remained defiant: “I’m at least eight hundred years old, how am I still a little girl?”

Long Xu: “I’m three thousand years old.”

…

…

“…Fine, little girl, it is.” Tactfully turning her head away, Er’er muttered, “But I’m not foolish. I won’t be taken advantage of.”

Patting her shoulder, Long Xu stretched lazily: “I haven’t slept well for days. Your place is quiet. May I rest here for a while?”

“Sure.” Agreeing without hesitation, Er’er sat cross-legged on the bed, making space for her. “You rest here while I continue my cultivation.”

“Cultivation?” Long Xu lay down, looking at her in confusion. “There’s not a trace of immortal energy here. What will you use for your breathing practice?”

Taking out the Hundred Paintings Bottle and shaking it at her, Er’er said self-deprecatingly: “I am his person after all, I should get some benefits.”

Looking at her with a complex expression, Long Xu’s feelings were equally complicated.

How did such a naive girl end up entangled with Li Ye? Though she was somewhat adorable, Long Xu truly couldn’t understand how a Supreme God like Li Ye could generously give her half his cultivation power.

The room quieted down. Er’er began her breathing exercises, while Long Xu lay with half-closed eyes. She was still thinking about this matter when she sensed something unusual nearby.

Such complex spiritual energy.

She turned her head, glancing from the corner of her eye, and saw the immortal energy circulating Er’er’s body.

Water and fire intertwined, surprisingly mixed with metal, wood, and earth elements. Although the latter three weren’t very prominent, they were present.

All five elements complete?

Sitting upright in shock, Long Xu held her breath and examined her carefully.

Cultivating multiple paths simultaneously—this was a realm even Xin Wu hadn’t achieved. How could a minor immortal like her have such extraordinary meridians?

However, she seemed to strongly reject the death resentment energy of the Netherworld. Li Ye had given her half his cultivation power, which inevitably contained dark energy. As she regulated her breathing, the immortal energy circled before her, spiritual power returned to her bloodstream without a drop missing, but the death resentment was entirely expelled.

Black haze quickly filled the room. Long Xu hastily formed hand signs to summon wind that dispersed the resentment energy. But no sooner had it dissipated than the resentment energy expelled by Er’er thickened again.

Too fast, Long Xu thought, not daring to release her hand signs.

She had only intended to borrow a place to rest, but unexpectedly found herself exerting effort to help.

However, looking at the person on the bed continuously rejecting resentment energy, Long Xu felt that helping her might create good karma.

Er’er used to be impatient with cultivation, but now, perhaps due to having something on her mind or perhaps eager to become more powerful, she meditated for three full days without even opening her eyes.

Three days later, Li Ye returned to the mountain and water pavilion as promised. As soon as he entered, he was startled by the thick death resentment energy in the courtyard.

“Supreme God Li Ye.” Long Xu stood in the pavilion, bowing to him from a distance, her voice extremely weary: “She’s cultivating.”

Cultivating? Li Ye was confused. He casually collected all the death resentment energy in the courtyard into himself, then passed the pavilion and pushed open the door.

The resentment energy was even heavier inside. If not for Long Xu still being outside, Li Ye would have thought some powerful being from the Netherworld had attacked.

With a raise of his sleeve, the tables and chairs in the room gradually emerged from the black energy. The bed also revealed its outline, with a person sitting cross-legged obediently within. As the black energy dispersed, her delicate features came into view, causing his heart to ease.

A hint of a relaxed smile appeared in his eyes as Li Ye sat on the edge of the bed. His right hand lightly touched the barrier around her.

Ding-ling—

As if hearing a silver bell awakening her, Er’er roused from her selfless state and opened her eyes in confusion.

“You’ve improved significantly.” Seeing the immortal energy surrounding her body, Li Ye nodded. “When you return this time, you’ll be the most powerful immortal in the Taihe Immortal Sect. Even Taihe will have to yield to you somewhat.”

“…” Her shoulders slumped, and Er’er lowered her eyes. “All thanks to your blessing.”

Why did she still sound unhappy? He narrowed his eyes slightly and reached out to touch the top of her head.

Er’er quickly dodged.

Moving as swiftly as a little rabbit, she jumped off the bed and stood before him, asking with a calm expression: “Have you finished your business?”

His hand froze in midair before withdrawing. Li Ye was perplexed—hadn’t he already comforted her before leaving? How had she become so indifferent after just a few days?

He instinctively turned to look outside.

Long Xu was standing in the front courtyard. Suddenly sensing his gaze, her hair stood on end, and she immediately shook her head without thinking.

Withdrawing his gaze, he sighed: “Yes, I’ve finished. I can take you back to your immortal sect now.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Sincerely curtsying to him, Er’er turned and transformed her clothes with a spell, then arranged her hair bun, saying hurriedly: “I’ll go with Long Xu. You need only escort me out of the Netherworld Mountain.”

Without accepting or refusing, Li Ye turned and walked straight out. Seeing this, Er’er immediately followed, pulling Long Xu along.

“I can leave too?” Long Xu raised an eyebrow.

“It’s a rare opportunity, so let’s go,” Er’er said. “Leaving this place, no matter where you go, at least you’ll be free.”

Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, Long Xu followed along with Er’er’s pulling force.

The three moved quickly. With Li Ye leading the way, they encountered almost no obstacles and were out of the Netherworld Mountain in the blink of an eye.

“Wonderful.” Breathing in the mortal realm’s air, Er’er let out a long breath, finally smiling. “Supreme God, you can send us off here. She and I will continue together for a while.”

Li Ye nodded, his face showing no emotion as he stood with his hands behind his back. At the foot of the tall, black Netherworld Mountain, he appeared particularly solitary.

Er’er didn’t look at him further and pulled Long Xu away.

She sensed immortal energy following behind them, thinking Li Ye was perhaps concerned and escorting them a bit further, which was fine.

However, after traveling ten thousand miles through the mortal realm, approaching the Western Sea, the immortal energy behind them still hadn’t dispersed.

Er’er restrained herself again and again, but finally couldn’t help it. She looked back.