The room remained quiet for quite a while.

Li Ye’s expression shifted from heavy to puzzled, then to bewilderment, and finally, with a twitch of his brow, to profound dissatisfaction: “How is what I made not fit for human consumption?”

Er’er felt very conflicted. She racked her brains for tactful words, carefully stating: “We mortals eat meat that’s either boiled, steamed, or cured, and it all needs salt. You threw a piece of meat the size of my head into water, without slicing it or adding salt. In my weakened state, eating that would be quite difficult.”

Li Ye was unconvinced: “Didn’t I also roast corn for you?”

That was true. Er’er nodded, raising her small hand to wipe her face. Although the corn also lacked seasoning, it was at least more edible than a whole chunk of meat. However, she couldn’t recall ever teaching him that roasting corn meant charring the entire cob black.

She had tried her best to eat it, but the consequence of taking just one bite was that her barely gathered soul nearly scattered on the spot.

Looking at him earnestly, Er’er laboriously patted his shoulder: “You just need to know that my not eating what you fed me wasn’t because I disliked you.”

Li Ye fell silent.

The knot in his heart loosened, and his expression improved somewhat. He lowered his gaze to the little one before him, turning her body this way and that to examine her.

…

…

Her three hun and seven Po souls were now complete. Perhaps because she had nurtured her own body, the meridians had formed exceptionally well. The Five Elements’ immortal energy flowed smoothly within her, and although the seven channels and eight vessels were sealed again, that wasn’t a major issue.

Er’er felt dizzy from being turned around so much. She let out a couple of cries before collapsing onto his shoulder, saying with slight annoyance: “Even though I look like a child right now, you shouldn’t treat me like one to bully.”

“I’m not bullying you,” Li Ye stroked her soft little bun of hair and sighed. “When will you grow up?”

Er’er grumbled while counting on her fingers: “Ten years of nurturing should do it.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as Li Ye responded with an “Mm,” restraining himself as he gently caressed her chubby face before lifting her and placing her on his right shoulder.

“I can walk by myself,” Er’er struggled.

“Your body is too weak,” Li Ye shook his head. “Just sit quietly.”

Pouting, Er’er swung her legs and asked: “Where are you going?”

“Just wandering around.”

He truly was casual about it. As soon as they went out, he put a fire-red small cape on her, then let her sit on his shoulder as he strolled past the side hall entrance.

“Er’er?” Long Xu caught the familiar immortal aura and immediately hurried out from the side hall.

She had been arguing with Xin Wu earlier, her face still showing traces of anger, a whip clutched in her hand. But upon seeing Er’er, she brightened, tucking the whip at her waist as she smiled: “How long has it been since I saw you? How did you turn into a little child?”

When Long Xu had suffered soul disintegration, Er’er had still been fine, so she didn’t know what had happened afterward. She looked at Er’er, then at Li Ye, who remained serious-faced but didn’t get angry despite Er’er’s legs kicking about freely. Her eyes overflowed with intense envy.

“It’s a long story,” Er’er waved her little hand at her, then curiously glanced at the gloomy-faced Xin Wu behind her. “Were you two… arguing?”

“Nonsense,” before Xin Wu could answer, Long Xu laughed. “I’m not familiar enough with him to warrant the term ‘arguing’—at most, we had some conflict. Since you’re here, would you be willing to take me away from this place?”

Xin Wu: “…”

For thousands of years, he had always been lofty and superior before Long Xu. Previously, without him having to explicitly state it, Long Xu could guess his intentions and comply. Now things had certainly changed—even when he openly expressed his desire to form an immortal bond with her, she refused to agree.

Truly, fortunes rise and fall in cycles.

With his temperament, if she wanted to leave, he wouldn’t detain her—let her go, and they could remain strangers forever after.

But somehow, at the thought of her returning to find Zhong Su, Xin Wu became intensely angry. Even if it meant earning her resentment, he wanted to keep her confined. He had never been a good person, so taking extreme measures wasn’t beyond him.

Er’er found this quite amusing, but seeing that Xin Wu’s soul seemed somewhat weak, she didn’t agree, only saying: “I’m afraid it’s not possible today; we have other matters to attend to.”

“What matters?” Long Xu’s eyebrows drooped.

Er’er chuckled, momentarily unable to think of a good excuse, her little legs kicking back and forth, nudging Li Ye.

Li Ye let out a light snort and said with utmost seriousness: “We’re hurrying to form an immortal bond and have no time for other matters.”

“That’s right,” Er’er immediately nodded.

But after nodding, she froze, turning stiffly to look at Li Ye: “Huh?”

He… wanted to form an immortal bond with her?

She was just a newly resurrected minor immortal, while he was a god who could glimpse eternity. He wanted to form an immortal bond with her?

“Have you gone mad?” Er’er’s eyes widened. “If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”

“I’m not lying,” Li Ye calmly looked back at her.

“…” Reaching out her small hand to feel his forehead, Er’er didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “If you’re just overly excited because I’ve returned, there’s no need. I’ll only hold you back.”

After a pause, she earnestly continued: “If you want to share your cultivation with me, that’s also unnecessary. I can cultivate well on my own. You once said that cultivation shouldn’t take shortcuts. Now that the world is peaceful, I have plenty of time to progress slowly.”

Li Ye listened attentively, then rolled his eyes: “Why so many twists and turns? I want to form an immortal bond with you simply because I want to. It has nothing to do with cultivation or anything else.”

It’s simply because I like you.

Er’er was stunned, her little face gradually turning bright red: “But, but…”

“Will you form the bond or not?” he asked.

Fidgeting so much that her feet curled up, Er’er anxiously scratched her cheek: “It’s not that I’m unwilling, but this is such a significant matter…”

Not interested in hearing the latter half, Li Ye turned his head directly toward Xin Wu: “She says she’s willing. You be our witness.”

Xin Wu rolled his eyes at this display of affection, observing the spring breeze in Li Ye’s eyes, and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “I’m grateful that the High God specifically came to console me like this.”

“Not at all,” Li Ye nodded. “A drop of kindness deserves a gushing spring in return.”

Grinding his teeth, Xin Wu responded irritably: “Thank you, High God, but perhaps you’ve forgotten that no one can form immortal bonds now.”

Slightly startled, Li Ye asked in confusion: “Why not?”

“The Matchmaker’s Island that you destroyed,” Xin Wu clapped his hands. “The Matchmaker’s Temple completely collapsed, the Romance Tree withered, and the Bonding Pool’s waters will take at least a hundred years to regain clarity—isn’t this all your handiwork?”

“…”

Li Ye froze in place.

The child on his shoulder was also momentarily stunned, then turned her little head and said with sudden realization: “I truly thought you were being emotional, but it turns out you destroyed the Matchmaker’s Island first, then came to talk to me about forming an immortal bond.”

“That’s not it,” Li Ye lowered his eyes, somewhat flustered. “That wasn’t my intention.”

“It’s fine,” Er’er smiled again. “This is more like you.”