Well, at least she knew not to let anyone harm him.

Li Ye wanted to smile, but felt that smiling over such a small remark would be beneath his dignity. So he kept his lips pressed together, regarding Taihe with cold eyes.

Taihe naturally wouldn’t refuse her request, but he didn’t readily agree either. His eyes gazed at Er’er, filled with complex emotions. After a long while, he finally gave an ambiguous grunt of assent.

Er’er smiled. Noticing her senior brothers’ tense postures nearby, she didn’t linger further, and cupped her hands respectfully: “Then this disciple will take her leave.”

With that, she pulled Li Ye toward the residences inside the mountain gate.

Li Ye was displeased at being pulled along. A High God should have a High God’s decorum—who wanted to walk around playfully like this with her?

However, whether due to her improved mood or something else, her originally cold little hand had become warm and cozy, like a handful of tepid water nestled in his palm. Li Ye silently considered for a while, but ultimately couldn’t bear to let go. He allowed her to lead him through the small gate toward the back mountain.

The crowd standing behind them collectively let out a sigh of relief.

“Master,” Meng Wan stepped forward, cupping his hands with a pale face. “This disciple is incompetent and has brought trouble to the sect.”

…

…

Taihe watched the retreating figures of the two, stroking his beard: “With her present, Li Ye won’t strike directly. You need not worry about that, but… sigh.”

He didn’t finish, but Meng Wan understood his concerns, his eyes half-lowered: “I originally intended to go to the Nine Heavens to bring Junior Sister back, but she was unwilling.”

“This child, she’s clever in some ways, yet so easily deceived in others.” Taihe shook his head. “Nevertheless, that cultivation power is undeniably substantial.”

Since Li Ye was willing to share his cultivation with her, he certainly wouldn’t easily harm her life.

However, she had too little experience. Possessing so much cultivation power without knowing how to use it might not be a blessing.

As he pinched his fingers to glimpse fate, a sudden thunderclap appeared in the sky. Taihe’s fingertips trembled, and he withdrew his hand in resignation.

The mountain wind was strong. Er’er initially walked in front, but later pushed the boss ahead, hiding herself behind him.

“Have I been away from the mortal realm too long, or does this strong wind carry some strange scent?”

Indeed, there was a salty smell of sea breeze mixed in the wind. Li Ye raised his hand and lightly pinched the air. With understanding already in his heart, he was about to speak when he heard a familiar bird’s cry.

“Immortal!”

Er’er was startled and poked out half her head to see the familiar Tongue Spirit Bird flying back. It looked fearfully at Li Ye, then struggled against the wind to land heavily on her arm.

“Message delivered. Princess Long Xu says she doesn’t need help,” the Tongue Spirit Bird said pitifully. “Can I have my thing back now?”

Relieved, Er’er smiled and hung the silk pouch she had taken back around its neck, then kindly stroked its head: “Next time you pass through the mortal realm, don’t fly so low. You might get shot by hunters and roasted.”

The Tongue Spirit Bird glared: “How could mere mortals harm me?”

It had to be a great deity like Li Ye who could snatch it from the sky with bare hands.

It was very angry but dared not speak out. Having retrieved its pouch, it dejectedly bid farewell.

Li Ye turned around and asked Er’er in a low voice: “Do you still need to send a message to Zhong Qin?”

Er’er thought for a moment, then nodded: “He’s probably still worried. It would be good to send word.”

Earlier on the road, Er’er had almost failed to recognize Zhong Qin. That gentleman who always wore a smile rarely showed such anxious emotions.

Yet in that moment, Er’er felt he might truly care for Long Xu, but Long Xu’s heart had no place for him.

Shaking her head, Er’er continued walking forward, thinking this matter was resolved. But for some reason, something still weighed on her heart, and she didn’t feel relieved at all.

Looking up at the churning clouds on the horizon, Er’er inexplicably wrinkled her nose.

Back at her dwelling, Er’er was already drowsy and fell asleep before she could even climb onto the bed. Li Ye sat down by her small bed with a sweep of his sleeves, reaching out to cradle her head on his leg, then casually surveyed her little room.

She must have shared it with someone before. There were two beds, but the other had no bedding. A square table stood in the room, messily piled with scripture scrolls for study. A painting hung on the wall, depicting the back of a female warrior carrying a sword, drawn with very childish strokes.

The person sleeping on his leg emitted soft snores. Li Ye pulled over the bedding to cover her. Perhaps it was the coziness of the room, but his half-lowered eyes also showed rare tenderness.

“High God.”

Zhu Yan’s voice came softly.

Waving his hand to block Er’er’s hearing, Li Ye gave an “Mm” in response.

Zhu Yan continued: “The Netherworld has returned to normal, but Zhong You hasn’t recovered. The Nine Heavens have sent many people to guard near the Netherworld Mountain. Zhong Qin almost perished at their hands.”

“Did he return to the Netherworld?”

“He did, but his mood isn’t good. I originally thought he could manage Netherworld affairs in your absence, but it seems impossible now. Also, he asked me to pass on a message, requesting you to save Long Xu’s life.”

Li Ye raised an eyebrow: “Long Xu stayed with Xin Wu voluntarily.”

“Then perhaps he’s being too insistent.” Not dwelling on this small matter, Zhu Yan continued, “Half an hour ago, someone from the Dragon Clan breached Heaven’s Gate. Please be careful.”

Acknowledging with a sound, Li Ye waved to cut off the transmission, then sent out a soul fragment from the residence to look toward the western side of the immortal mountain.

The Dragon Clan couldn’t leave their sea domains without authorization. To come here, they had to disguise themselves and travel through the mortal realm. Even if they secretly used magic, it would take a day before they could approach the Taihe Immortal Gate.

Casually plucking corn from the back mountain, Li Ye idly calculated.

When Er’er woke from her sleep, it was already the next day. As soon as she opened her eyes, she smelled the fragrance of corn and pork rib soup.

Her stomach growled, and she quickly rolled out of bed: “Senior Sister?”

There was no sign of Yan Cha in the room, but Li Ye turned his head at the sound.

Er’er raised an eyebrow, looking at the familiar soup on the table, then at him standing in the doorway. Her face fell: “You scared away my senior sister too?”

Li Ye gave her an impatient glance: “She delivered the soup and left. It has nothing to do with me.”

Pouting, Er’er tidied herself up and obediently sat down at the table. She lifted the soup bowl with both hands, scooped two spoonfuls into her mouth, and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

Li Ye walked back to sit beside her, his face quite indifferent.

Glancing at him, Er’er scooped a spoonful of soup and carefully brought it to his lips: “I love my senior sister’s cooking. Try some?”

She seemed completely unaware of how intimate this gesture was. Li Ye lowered his gaze, opened his mouth to take the soup, and his misty eyes inconspicuously swept over her face.

After a good sleep, her complexion had improved considerably. However, she probably hadn’t used his cultivation power much, which instead became a burden, making the immortal energy around her appear quite heavy.

Swallowing the soup, Li Ye suddenly asked: “How is your fire-starting technique coming along?”