The Heaven Dao Diviner had a kindly face and spoke with gentle familiarity. If Zhu Yan hadn’t seen with his own eyes how this fire started, he might have believed the man’s lies.

Li Ye wasn’t skilled at controlling his emotions. Years ago, when he was inexplicably accused of several counts of insubordination, he erupted in anger at the Upper Bing Palace. The flames shot straight toward the Heavenly Gate. When the immortals of the Kan clan couldn’t extinguish the fire, they could only find ways to divert it, ensuring it wouldn’t challenge the majesty of the Heavenly Gate.

Thus, the Zhu clan became the nearest sacrifice.

At that time, the Zhu clan hadn’t even assumed power. The tragic death of an entire family hardly raised an eyebrow, and there were barely any in the Nine Heavens who remembered them. The Heaven Dao Diviner had intended to use him to make Li Ye admit guilt, but Zhu Yan had remained silent for three thousand years after that great fire. No matter what was said to him, Zhu Yan wouldn’t utter a word.

So, the Heaven Dao Diviner abandoned him, tossing him back to the Zhu clan, leaving him to cultivate on his own.

Perhaps thinking his foundation was poor and that he would never ascend to godhood no matter how he cultivated, after many years, the Heaven Dao Diviner even forgot about the existence of the Zhu clan orphan in the Nine Heavens. This thought wasn’t wrong—Zhu Yan indeed couldn’t ascend. Twenty thousand years had passed, and he was still just a True Lord.

But he had become Li Ye’s confidant.

“Have you never thought about revenge?” the young girl beside him asked with pure innocence.

Normally, Zhu Yan wouldn’t answer such a question, but at this moment, recalling past events, his emotions were truly unsettled, so he spoke in a low voice: “In the mortal realm, they say a gentleman’s revenge may wait ten years. In this Heavenly Realm, taking revenge after ten thousand years isn’t necessarily too late.”

…

…

Er’er nodded as if in sudden understanding, then obediently asked no more, simply following behind him as they continued walking.

Zhu Yan had originally planned to send her to the Upper Bing Palace. The Upper Bing Palace was now guarded by his people. If she went there, the situation would be much better, and if anything needed to be done in the future, it would be much more convenient.

But, whether because his mind was distracted or for some other reason, when he came to his senses, the place ahead was not the Upper Bing Palace. Only ten zhang away stood Li Ye’s figure.

“Thank you, my lord.” Er’er smiled and curtseyed to him.

Zhu Yan was somewhat stunned. He pursed his lips, his eyes full of confusion, but she noticed nothing and flew toward Li Ye like a butterfly.

Li Ye was engaged in combat with the True God of the Three Realms, with a barrier of surging immortal energy around him. But whether he had eyes in the back of his head or not, as soon as Er’er lunged forward, his barrier suddenly opened a passage, swallowing her inside before closing again.

“Don’t make trouble,” he scolded her with displeasure.

Er’er pouted, her body trembled, and she transformed back into a cat, jumping onto his shoulder to look ahead.

The True God of the Three Realms was an immortal famous for his combat prowess. He primarily cultivated Wood Dao arts. In terms of the Five Elements, Fire and Wood weren’t exactly opposing, which was why he had been sent to face Li Ye in battle. This person possessed immense strength and profound immortal power. Dealing with him, although Li Ye was adept, he couldn’t break free in a short time.

Er’er could sense that he was growing impatient and wanted to simply eliminate the person, but if his immortal power was too fierce, the netherworld beings below would also be affected.

Extending her cat tongue to lick his cheek, Er’er gave a soft “meow.”

Li Ye maintained a stern face, both angry and helpless: “How do I have time to deal with you?”

How disrespectful! Er’er pouted, turning her head to look at Dui Ren, who was engaged in fierce battle with Zhong Qin on the left front.

Dui Ren’s spiritual power wasn’t weak, but he always relied on brute force, wasting enormous amounts of immortal energy, especially against Zhong Qin. Even if the opponent was just recovering from serious injuries, he couldn’t gain an advantage.

The cat’s whiskers twitched as Er’er made a hand seal.

Water carries all things and has the power to guide flow, but this time she didn’t use Water Dao spiritual power. She merely borrowed the shell of this technique, using her cultivation as a guide to draw the waves of golden light from that direction into her paw.

Zhong Qin sensed something was wrong and looked over in shock.

The immortal energy released by his opponent was caught by the wind and flew toward Li Ye’s direction like thin golden gauze.

Was this… a plundering technique? He wondered, but looking more carefully, it didn’t seem quite like it. It wasn’t as domineering as a plundering technique, merely collecting some of the immortal energy in the air. Dui Ren, burning with impatience, hadn’t even noticed.

Seeming to understand something, Zhong Qin wasn’t in a hurry to wound Dui Ren, only dodging left and right, provoking him to attack.

And so, half an hour later, just as the True God of the Three Realms’ “Great Wilderness Tree Entanglement” technique with countless thick roots rolling toward Li Ye, it was suddenly cut open by countless sharp blades with speed, precision, and force.

He was stunned. Looking at the blades flying in the air, he immediately turned and shouted angrily: “What is the meaning of this, Dui clan?”

Dui Ren, who was already hopping mad, heard this shout and turned back in bewilderment: “What?”

The tree roots emerging from the cloud layer had all been cut open. The True God of the Three Realms pointed angrily: “This is your doing!”

Dui Ren laughed in extreme anger: “We are on the same side, why would I do such a thing?”

“If not you, then who?” The True God of the Three Realms had an even worse temper. In this world, the Five Elements follow their paths. Even Li Ye, with his Fire Dao techniques, couldn’t produce Metal Dao immortal energy.

The blades in the air weren’t very powerful. They only broke this one move before falling into the clouds and disappearing. But over there, internal strife had broken out. Li Ye seized the opportunity, bypassing the True God of the Three Realms to continue forward.

Er’er clutched his shoulder, proudly licking her paw: “I didn’t slow you down, did I?”

With a light snort, Li Ye glanced sideways: “If you want praise, just say so.”

“Then I’ll say it directly.” She smiled. “Praise me quickly. That technique just now was something I figured out on the spot.”

“Hmph.” He turned his head disdainfully, but still reached out to rub her snow-white fur. “Quite impressive.”

Er’er was content and pushed her luck: “Then I’ll just keep helping you like this.”

Rolling his eyes, Li Ye said: “Not necessary.”

At most, it would just waste some effort; he didn’t need to rely on her to get things done.

Pouting, Er’er wagged her tail: “I don’t want to leave you.”

This sounded much more pleasing. Li Ye’s expression immediately softened, and there was even a hint of a smile in his eyes.

“Just don’t get in my way.”

With a flick of her tail, Er’er immediately “meowed.”

“Supreme God.” Zhu Yan caught up from behind and cupped his hands in salute. “The Heaven Dao Diviner has retreated to the Thorn Forest. They have rearranged the formation there. Please proceed with caution. It would be better to wait until our formation experts have thoroughly investigated the array before going.”

His smile fading, Li Ye was truly annoyed: “I’ve fought to his doorstep, and he has the nerve to be a coward.”

Zhu Yan smiled sardonically: “After all, he’s just a diviner. How could he be skilled in combat?”

Feeling even more irritated, Li Ye waved his hand and sliced through the flying dragon pillar outside the Heavenly Gate.

The white marble pillar slowly fell, passing through the cloud layer and descending to the mortal realm.

Er’er watched and quickly scratched him with her paw: “Don’t be hasty. We’ve already come this far; capturing him is just a matter of time.”

Her voice was softer than usual, with a hint of caution, like a handful of warm water instantly quenching the fire in his heart.