Er’er was staring absently at the red pill in her palm when, unexpectedly, she heard Zhu Yan’s voice at the door: “Excuse the intrusion.”

Slightly startled, she looked up to see Zhu Yan dragging in a thoroughly bound person.

Li Ye had gone out, instructing her before leaving not to leave this room. She hadn’t expected that, while staying put, visitors would come to her.

“Immortal Er’er,” Zhu Yan smiled faintly. “This is a physician we just captured outside. The Supreme God said you might find him useful, so he had me bring him here.”

Jumping down from the soft couch, Er’er approached and bent down, seeing Kan Ze’s familiar yet haggard face, and the tongue spirit bird trembling and hiding in his robe.

Her eyebrows twitched as she took the rope from Zhu Yan’s hand and nodded: “Indeed, he will be useful. Thank you.”

Zhu Yan hadn’t seen her for a long time. Upon noticing the immortal energy around her, he frowned slightly. However, given the raging battle, he had no time to investigate this young girl further. With a bow, he left again.

As soon as the door closed, Er’er’s tense body relaxed, and the tongue spirit bird that had been shrinking back finally jumped onto Kan Ze’s shoulder, saying pitifully: “Miss, it’s been a long time.”

This was Kan Ze’s inner voice. Er’er helped him up and seated him in a chair, resting her chin on her hand as she examined him: “Is your Kan clan out of people, that they would send a medical immortal like you to battle?”

…

…

He paused, his eyes filled with defeat. The tongue spirit bird spoke: “Not by my choice, but as the clan most capable of restraining Li’s clan, Kan naturally stands at the forefront. Thanks to you, Li Ye was willing to spare my life.”

What did that have to do with her? Er’er shook her head: “Medical immortals are rare. Li Ye was just being thorough, not acting out of sentiment.”

The tongue spirit bird tilted its head, looking at her with words left unsaid.

She was too well protected, completely unaware of the situation outside. Li Ye had been killing gods and slaying Buddhas indiscriminately, his hand about to fall again when he glimpsed him. His eyes flickered, and he withdrew his killing intent, reaching out to grab him from among a group of immortals.

“It’s you,” he said expressionlessly.

Seeing him again, Kan Ze was quite shocked. He had guessed this person held some position, but didn’t know he was Supreme God Li Ye.

Even more shocking was that he didn’t kill him, merely turning to Zhu Yan and saying: “Throw him to her, see if she can use him.”

The Nine Heavens were in chaos. In rumors, Li Ye had become a great demon who had gone berserk, killing innocents indiscriminately. The immortals who died at his hands were countless. Kan Ze thought he was doomed, but amidst the bloody mist, when Li Ye mentioned a certain person, his gaze softened for an instant.

He survived in that moment of gentleness.

“How could a demon possibly have feelings?” The tongue spirit bird murmured along with his thoughts. “Someone with feelings couldn’t become a demon.”

Just as she was pouring tea, Er’er heard these words and became distracted. Without paying attention, the tea overflowed from the cup.

The water spread across the table. She looked down at it and suddenly sighed.

“What if I told you that it’s precisely because he has too many feelings that he became a demon? Would you believe it?”

Kan Ze frowned, and the tongue spirit bird shook its head along with him.

Only a fool would believe that.

Indeed, Er’er smiled wryly. If she hadn’t gotten close to Li Ye, she would have also found it absurd. How could someone who had committed such excessive slaughter possess any feelings?

But these past few days, as she studied the Mirror Flower Water Moon, she came to understand.

Li Ye would insist on Ji Ji’s existence because he was naturally emotional and also longed to be cared for and protected. Although he always appeared cold and indifferent, if he truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t have been moved by her senior sister’s bowl of soup.

Therefore, no matter how she explained, he wouldn’t believe her. He was determined to avenge Ji Ji and also resolve a regret in his heart.

Having realized this, Er’er even felt that if Zhu Yan was deceiving him, that might be for the best. At least in Li Ye’s perception, there was always someone who loved him, just like how the old woman Liu in the mortal realm thought of her son Fang Han until her death. There was always someone who had once cared for him.

This way, his heart wouldn’t be completely desolate and cold-blooded.

Putting down the teapot, Er’er stopped talking about Li Ye and placed the red pill before him with an outstretched hand: “Take a look at this for me. If you identify it correctly, I can ensure you won’t die.”

Kan Ze raised an eyebrow and followed her gaze.

The black-red pearl had faint water patterns on it. At first glance, it carried the scent of the Western Sea Dragon Palace, but upon closer sniff, that scent faded, revealing an inner fishy smell.

His expression grew solemn, and he remained silent for a long time. Er’er couldn’t help but frown: “Is it poison?”

“No,” the tongue spirit bird said. “This item isn’t poisonous; it’s a treasure.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Er’er felt quite guilty, wondering if she had been overly cautious and if Zhu Yan truly had Li Ye’s best interests at heart.

Before she could finish this thought, Kan Ze continued: “Consuming this will temporarily increase one’s cultivation for a short time. But with benefits come drawbacks. This item has a strong fishy smell and easily causes violent rage and uncontrollable emotions.”

“…” Without a second thought, Er’er immediately crushed it.

With a crack, powder fell from between her fingers, scattering into the cracks of the floor tiles, buried by dust.

Kan Ze watched as the previously gentle and adorable young girl suddenly turned cold-faced. The immortal energy around her intensified for a moment before gradually calming.

He was stunned and instinctively moved back.

“Thank you for your help,” Er’er said softly. “Please rest well here. As long as you don’t leave, nothing will happen to you.”

With that, she rose with a sweep of her sleeve and strode out the door. Her cyan-green skirt hem was caught by the wind outside, curling into a beautiful ripple before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Such strong immortal energy.

Kan Ze couldn’t help but frown. When the Kan clan last saw her, she was just a minor immortal. How much time had passed for her to become so formidable?

Er’er didn’t consider herself formidable, but she could indeed now come and go freely. There were originally several immortals guarding her at the door, but with just a flicker of her body, she left the watchtower.

As far as she could see, gods and demons fought in a chaotic mix, black and red intertwined, blood coloring the sky. Standing on a floating cloud, she tried hard to find Li Ye, but there were too many people. Before she could see clearly, a magical weapon came flying at her from the side.

“Capture her!” Qian Tian saw her from afar and became instantly alert. “Quickly!”

This young girl had walked right into their trap. If she could be taken hostage, Li Ye would surely be constrained.

At his command, surrounding immortals moved into action. Zhu Yan, not far away, sensed something and was about to turn with a frown when he saw the True Lords rushing toward her being repelled by a wave of immortal energy.

The powerful current formed a circular surface, rippling outward like lake water. Even Zhu Yan, a mile away, felt the wind brush past his ears.

“What kind of righteous immortals specifically target young women?” Er’er withdrew her hand, looking quite aggrieved. “Real men face each other directly in battle. What skill is there in taking hostages?”