The Kan clan had once declined after Kan Ze’s death, and it was only after several hundred years of recovery that they had just begun to show some improvement. If Kan Ze could succeed to the throne, it would be an enormous benefit to the Kan clan. As the leader of the Kan clan, he couldn’t have failed to consider this issue.

But looking at the Nine Heavens Jade bracelet on Er’er’s wrist, he smiled frankly: “With past lessons as warnings, how can this position be taken lightly by anyone? My Kan clan has its destiny, and she should return to the position where she belongs.”

Er’er frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable: “I prefer to idle away my time.”

Kan Ze wasn’t surprised at all, and had even prepared for this: “As ruler of the Nine Heavens, every morning upon opening your eyes, you can taste the finest cloud dew, filled with the fragrance of ten thousand flowers, nourishing all meridians in your body. At noon, there are even more rare delicacies, delicious and sweet, extending your years and vitality.”

Swallowing her saliva ingloriously, Er’er asked: “What about evening meals?”

“Evening meals.” Kan Ze smiled slightly. “Whatever you want to eat, you shall have. Whether you want flying birds or walking beasts, or even roasted corn. More importantly, once you take that position, you will govern all living beings.”

Whether this world was peaceful or in chaos, whether all things flourished or withered, would all depend on her.

Er’er instinctively glanced at Li Ye.

A little girl with great ambition wasn’t something people liked, especially in front of someone like Li Ye. He could allow her to be mischievous and unreasonable, but could he tolerate her becoming the ruler of the Nine Heavens?

…

…

He was skilled in political intrigue, though only for revenge, with no interest in this position. But if she were to take it, would he be displeased?

The wind swept over the ruins behind, scattering several ice crystals. Water vapor flew onto Li Ye’s collar, instantly burned into mist by the scorching heat emanating from his body.

He sat indifferently, his right hand gripping the Phoenix Slaughter Blade, his left hand forming a mudra to regulate his breath, showing no emotion.

“I… I’ll think about it?” Er’er laughed dryly. “With my current aptitude, it does seem somewhat improper.”

Kan Ze didn’t pressure her, only saying: “When you’ve decided, just return to the Heavenly Gate.”

The Kan clan members hesitantly approached to help him up, glancing warily at Li Ye, then whispered: “Supreme God, please go to the small retreat in the back mountain to recover.”

As Kan Ze was helped up, he turned his head and sighed: “I am outmatched. I couldn’t even defeat this old scoundrel on my territory—I should indeed retreat to recuperate. Relay my message: the Nine Heavens Jade has been given to Immortal Er’er. Henceforth, all trivial matters of the Nine Heavens should be directed to the Upper Bing Palace.”

Everyone looked at each other, and after a moment of silence, they agreed. Several people supported him as he left, while the others cautiously stood before Er’er: “Immortal, this way please?”

Er’er came to her senses and stepped forward to pull Li Ye’s hand: “Let’s go back too.”

Li Ye opened his eyes, said nothing, and directly picked her up, leaving the Kan clan’s immortal gate.

He didn’t speak again the entire way. Er’er looked at him several times, about to speak but then stopping, eventually swallowing her words. The atmosphere was so tense it became awkward.

He was displeased, wasn’t he? Yes? She wondered inwardly. Her destiny was somewhat special, but even as the ruler of the Nine Heavens, she could at most oversee his immortal gate, not rule over him.

Er’er was quite tempted. The mortal world under the governance of the Celestial Divination Master had to offer a large amount of incense to the Nine Heavens every year. Incense wasn’t useful for immortals, merely a dignified decoration, but it consumed enormous human, material, and financial resources from mortals, which was why the mortal realm had never truly prospered in tens of thousands of years.

If she could govern the world, she would abolish that rule forcing mortals to make offerings. Faith in deities should be sincere in heart—how could it be forcibly collected like taxes from the mortal realm?

After mortals were well-clothed and well-fed, incense offerings wouldn’t decrease. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?

Moreover, due to the Five Elements’ generating and overcoming relationships, the five major immortal gates in the Nine Heavens engaged in much scheming and intrigue, and it was the lower-ranking minor immortals who suffered. The atmosphere needed cleansing.

Furthermore—

Ideas kept emerging, and Er’er’s eyes grew brighter and brighter. By the time they returned to Upper Bing Palace, without thinking, she hugged Li Ye’s leg.

“Boss!” She bit her lip and looked up. “If I start trying to please you now, could you agree to let me try this?”

Raising her bracelet-adorned hand and waving it, Er’er’s face was full of eagerness.

Li Ye looked down at her, his eyebrows slightly moving, but his face still showing no emotion: “If you want to go, then go. Why do you need my permission?”

“Because I like you!” She wiggled her little body. “If you’re unhappy and don’t agree, then even if I go, I won’t be at ease.”

Picking her up and placing her in the crook of his arm, Li Ye snorted lightly: “You want to go, yet you want me to be happy about it.”

“That’s right.” She answered confidently, even grabbing his collar, her clear black and white eyes gazing deeply into his. “So can you agree?”

Li Ye didn’t answer, only sighing deeply, seemingly troubled.

How could a dignified Supreme God reveal such an expression? Er’er was truly concerned and hurriedly hugged his neck, saying softly: “If I try this, I won’t leave you. We’ll still be together as usual.”

“Mn.” He responded softly, a faint trace of sorrow hanging on his brow.

Er’er became anxious, cupping his face and planting a kiss on it: “What are you thinking? Just tell me directly, why act like this?”

His thin lips parted slightly as Li Ye looked into her eyes. After a moment, he finally said with restraint: “You’re still a child.”

Looking down at herself, Er’er said: “I was being lazy before, thinking this appearance wasn’t bad, but if you’re worried about that, I’ll accelerate my cultivation to become an adult, okay?”

“That would be very tiring.” Li Ye sighed. “You won’t be able to persist.”

“How could that be!” Jumping back to the ground, Er’er puffed her cheeks and said, “Give me a month. If I can cultivate back to an adult form, will you permit me?”

Looking at her wistfully, Li Ye nodded hesitantly.

Thus, Er’er became unprecedentedly serious. She rose early and retired late, cultivating all day long. Even when Long Xu came to visit, he was blocked outside, only distantly seeing her diligent barrier.

And so, after Supreme God Li Ye personally visited various immortal gates to dispel the “illegitimate daughter” rumor, another rumor began to spread widely.

“Hey, have you heard? Immortal Er’er has successfully reincarnated.”

“Yes, but still in a child’s body. Alas, it caused a misunderstanding.”

“I heard Immortal Er’er deeply admires Supreme God Li Ye. Because that child’s body is unsuitable, she’s urgently cultivating now, truly devoted.”

“Won’t Supreme God Li Ye help her?”

“I heard Immortal Er’er insists on cultivating by herself, so that after becoming an adult, she can ask Supreme God Li Ye to be her immortal partner. That’s why she refuses outside assistance.”

“Interesting, I never thought Immortal Er’er would be so lovesick.”

…

The lovesick one was obliviously working hard, soaking in the hot spring within Upper Bing Palace, her tiny head dipping into the water.