There was a time when cultivators from various immortal sects in the heavens wanted to curry favor with Li Ye, specifically inquiring about his preferences. Some said he liked spirit beasts, others claimed he only loved divine artifacts. But countless spirit beasts and divine artifacts were sent to him, and not a single one was kept.

So people later said that Li Ye needed nothing, for he already had everything.

Had everything?

Standing above the clouds, Li Ye clenched his hand, his lips pressed tightly together.

He didn’t want to think about why the Eastern Pearl couldn’t form a soul in his hands, yet showed progress in Yan Cha’s.

Once he started thinking about it, he felt suffocated.

Yes, he had done many outrageous things before, had once disregarded her life, had once severely injured her, had once schemed against her, but that was all in the past. She had clearly said she truly liked him, clearly said…

Had she truly meant it?

His misty eyes panicked for a moment as Li Ye carefully recalled the circumstances. Had she only said it to appease him?

…

…

His lips growing increasingly pale, Li Ye halted his steps. The clouds around him howled past with the wind, chilling him to the bone.

***

Yan Cha took the Eastern Pearl to the Upper Bing Palace.

She didn’t know how to nurture the pearl, and though she asked many immortals, none dared answer her, largely out of fear of responsibility. So she simply fed the pearl some preserved fruits every day and, when idle, also brewed some soup for it to drink.

High God Chu Yuan was shocked by her actions, his face draining of color as he repeatedly told her that soul essence couldn’t eat food, and if she ruined it, they wouldn’t be able to explain to Li Ye. But Yan Cha observed that the pearl ate quite happily, especially things she made with her own hands.

In less than three days, a second strand of soul essence had formed.

Delighted, Yan Cha visited Li Ye to tell him that Er’er’s soul formed faster when fed food she made herself.

High God Li Ye appeared somewhat weak for some reason. He tentatively reached out from the darkness and took the Eastern Pearl she was holding.

However, in less than half a day, he returned the pearl with a pale face.

“You should continue,” Li Ye said, lowering his eyes. “She doesn’t like being fed by me.”

Yan Cha was stunned, dumbfounded as she took back the pearl, only to see that the two strands of soul essence that had just formed had become considerably weaker.

Not daring to give it back to him, Yan Cha immediately kept the Eastern Pearl to continue nurturing it, but after glimpsing Li Ye’s expression, she instinctively comforted him: “She does like you.”

Li Ye said nothing, turning and disappearing beyond the doorway.

Whether she liked him or not had become apparent by now.

It was impossible not to be angry—he was so furious that he even sent down a heavenly fire, burning half a city in the mortal realm. But as her soul formation speed increased, he grew increasingly calm.

As a dignified High God, he couldn’t fly into a rage just because he hadn’t won the true heart of a minor immortal. That wouldn’t look good.

He had to maintain his composure, couldn’t let the myriad deities and Buddhas laugh at him.

So in the days that followed, Li Ye never again went to the Upper Bing Palace to secretly check on the Eastern Pearl.

He pretended to be busy—busy with cultivation, busy with trivial matters. Even the messages Yan Cha sent piled up on his desk, pressed beneath thick volumes of documents, never to be opened.

***

The grand wedding of Long Xu and Zhong Su was suddenly postponed. When he received this news, Xin Wu was sitting in his guest seat, laughing coldly.

Li Ye raised his eyes to look at him, somewhat disdainfully: “That’s beneath you.”

“What does it have to do with me?” Xin Wu rolled his eyes. “She remembered something because of the Baji Beast, and I’m to blame?”

“The Baji Beast is your spirit beast, naturally carrying your aura and memories,” Li Ye said lightly. “By letting it go to her, you wanted Long Xu to remember you.”

“I did not,” Xin Wu denied quickly.

Li Ye leaned back, silently watching him.

Xin Wu snorted coldly, turning his head away disdainfully: “She should at least know the truth before deciding whether to marry or not.”

“I bet she will still marry even after knowing,” Li Ye said. “Would you care to wager?”

“…” Frowning as he glanced at him, Xin Wu was somewhat disbelieving, yet not entirely confident. His dark eyes lowered, showing a hint of agitation.

“You’ve always relied on the fact that she has you in her heart,” Li Ye picked up his brush and made notes on the documents. “But sometimes, even if you’re in someone’s heart, they might not choose you. After all these years, you should know this best.”

The room fell silent.

As the sun set westward and the glow of sunset shone through the window, illuminating the carved patterns, Xin Wu rose.

He cupped his hands toward Li Ye, then swept his sleeves and left.

Li Ye didn’t raise his head, continuing to examine the inconsequential documents.

Three days later, news arrived from the Underworld that Xin Wu was wanted. Zhong Su mustered his courage to visit Li Ye, his face full of fury: “Please guide me, High God. We cannot allow such a villain to disrupt law and order.”

Li Ye stood by the pond watching the water, and merely shook his head at these words.

Zhong Su grew anxious: “Long Xu is about to marry me. His forceful abduction will cause renewed enmity between the Ninth Heaven and the Underworld! The world’s conflicts have only just settled. Does the High God wish to watch calamity rise again because of him?”

After tossing in some fish food, Li Ye turned to look at him: “How has Zhong You been feeling lately?”

Slightly startled, Zhong Su suppressed his anger and forced a smile, cupping his hands: “Thank you for your concern, High God. My father is still recuperating.”

“I recall he has three more sons,” Li Ye smiled faintly. “Each with bloodlines more legitimate than yours.”

His heart sinking, Zhong Su took half a step back, cupping his hands and lowering his head: “The High God’s words are severe.”

“I just remembered some past events,” Li Ye clasped his hands behind his back, speaking as if in casual conversation. “Back then, when you ascended to the Ninth Heaven to kill Dui Feng, you were so courageous. Your subsequent appointment as Crown Prince was indeed logical.”

Recalling the past, Zhong Su fell silent.

He owed Li Ye a favor. At that time, Li Ye had spared his life, and he had promised him one condition.

“The High God is not particularly close to Xin Wu.” Zhong Su’s tone softened, but still held some resentment. “Why help him this way?”

“It’s a small matter,” Li Ye continued, feeding the fish in the pond, and waved his hand dismissively.

Zhong Su had come this time to test his attitude. Since Li Ye was determined to protect Xin Wu, there was truly no point in further contention.

His eyes reddening slightly, Zhong Su took a deep breath, regaining his usual dignity. He cupped his hands toward Li Ye, then silently transformed into black mist, swirling and disappearing.

“You’re quite good at helping others achieve their happiness,” Er’er’s voice sounded behind him.

Li Ye froze, his pupils constricting, suddenly feeling all the blood in his body rush toward his heart, his mind blank.

She… had returned?

Stiffly turning his neck, Li Ye’s eyes brightened intensely, only to see Xin Wu standing behind him, his hand forming a seal against his throat.

Encountering this expression, Xin Wu was momentarily stunned, quickly lowering his hand and resuming his voice: “I was too happy today. I won’t tease you like this again.”

His chest heaving, the blood that had gathered now surged back through his body. Li Ye felt waves of dizziness, stumbling two steps involuntarily.

Xin Wu was startled, raising his hand to support him, but was forcefully pushed away.

“Get out,” Li Ye said.