Somewhat surprised, Zhu Yan pondered for a moment before hesitantly asking: “Did they say something wrong?”

Previously, when His Highness had resolved to accept the death and resentment energy, he had opened a separate entrance for the Netherworld at the barrier outside Shangbing Palace. Zhu Yan had thought His Highness was willing to associate with them, so why suddenly…

“No, that’s not it.”

With a sweep of his sleeve, Li Ye dispersed all the remaining filth in the great hall, his face gloomy: “The traces are too heavy. Someone doesn’t like it.”

Things that crawled up from the Netherworld were never clean. They left black energy wherever they passed or trod. Not many people came to Shangbing Palace anyway, so who would dislike—

A light suddenly went on in his mind. Zhu Yan shifted his gaze in astonishment toward the screen, then turned back equally stunned.

No way?

Even those who cultivated the demonic path wouldn’t normally care about such trivial matters, let alone Li Ye, who had always only cared about cultivation progress. For him, the Netherworld or the Ninth Heaven should make no difference, since nothing was more important than revenge.

But his words now seemed to indicate that, subconsciously, he felt the Netherworld was not a good thing.

…

…

This was too frightening. Zhu Yan’s expression immediately became serious: “Your Highness, since you’ve chosen this path, such associations are unavoidable.”

Li Ye remained silent.

He did need an extremely large supply of death and resentment energy, so contact with Netherworld beings was indeed unavoidable, but… for some reason, he just didn’t want to see her disappointed face again.

Just thinking about her expression that quickly dimmed made Li Ye feel extremely irritated.

“We’ll discuss it later. At least, they shouldn’t come to Shangbing Palace anymore.”

“Yes.” Zhu Yan could only reluctantly agree for now.

Having been by his side for so long, Zhu Yan had always felt that Li Ye was without emotion or desire, like an extremely sharp blade—without weakness, possessing only overwhelming sharpness. But now, as he left Shangbing Palace, he suddenly realized that no matter how unfeeling, Li Ye still existed in human form.

As long as one had a human form, one would have emotions.

“A miscalculation,” Zhu Yan looked toward the sky outside and lightly laughed, shaking his head.

He had thought he only needed to worry about miscellaneous duties, but now it seemed there was much more to handle.

Er’er cultivated steadfastly within the barrier for seven days. After seven days, she opened her eyes and felt that the scenery before her had become clearer by several degrees. Looking carefully at certain spots, she could even see spiritual energy flowing.

Withdrawing her hand with satisfaction, she heard her stomach rumble loudly.

“So hungry.” Rising and removing the barrier, Er’er poked her head out, about to call for the big boss, when she was startled.

Many people were standing outside Shangbing Palace.

Li Ye wore a dark red robe, leaning against the doorframe with an impatient expression, but the people outside continued to chatter incessantly: “Except for you, no one else can undertake this important task. The Gate of Life and Death is too crucial—if it remains lost for a few more days, the world will certainly fall into chaos.”

“Indeed, since the Heavenly Diviner is willing to entrust this task to you, Your Highness, it shows great trust. Why must you dwell on past grievances?”

“This is already the third day. It’s not appropriate for us to keep bothering you like this. Please just agree.”

They chattered away, one after another, leaving Er’er completely bewildered.

Were they trying to persuade him to find the Gate of Life and Death? But why him?

Seeming to notice that she had finished her cultivation, Li Ye turned his head, the tense expression on his face instantly softening: “There’s food on the table.”

As soon as he spoke, the group outside immediately fell silent, their gazes following his to look at her in unison.

Er’er shrank back under their stares, showing only half her face: “Alright, I’ll eat now.”

Glancing at the spiritual energy on her body, Li Ye nodded with great satisfaction, then asked as if casually: “Has the Elder Lord acquired some treasures recently?”

Tai Shang Lao Jun had been agonizing over how to continue persuading him, but hearing these words, his eyes immediately brightened: “Is Your Highness referring to the Fire Grass I just obtained? That’s excellent indeed. If made into pills for you to consume…”

“Not that.” Raising his hand to interrupt, Li Ye said leisurely: “It’s a bottle.”

A bottle? After thinking briefly, Tai Shang Lao Jun’s face immediately paled: “That Hundred Paintings Bottle isn’t a fire element artifact. What use would Your Highness have for it?”

Li Ye didn’t answer, only letting out a soft “tsk.”

The True Lord beside immediately tugged at Tai Shang Lao Jun’s sleeve, motioning with his mouth.

It’s just a bottle, give it to him!

Tai Shang Lao Jun’s face fell. That treasure of his had been obtained with great difficulty. It could store refined spiritual energy without limit, providing tremendous benefits to cultivators. He hadn’t even used it himself yet—how had it caught Li Ye’s attention?

He should give it away, though it was truly hard to part with. But if he didn’t, Li Ye had no intention of agreeing to descend to the mortal realm.

His expression changed several times. After hesitating for a long while, Tai Shang Lao Jun finally sighed: “If Your Highness likes it, I’ll have my young attendant deliver it immediately. But regarding this matter of finding the gate, what do you say?”

“That won’t be a problem.” Li Ye nodded.

Outside the door came a chorus of relieved cheers, so loud that Er’er choked in surprise.

She couldn’t quite understand these immortals. Previously, they had been wary of the big boss as if he were something terrible, but now they were suddenly begging him to descend to the lower realm. Weren’t they afraid he might turn everything upside down?

“The Netherworld is not a good place to visit.” Meng Wan’s voice sounded from the candlestick. “Don’t follow him there.”

“Why not?” Er’er raised an eyebrow. “Is it dangerous?”

“The danger goes without saying. To reach the Netherworld, one must pass through the mortal realm. The mortal realm has extremely little immortal energy. Your body’s spiritual energy supply will be insufficient, and you won’t even be able to use your spells properly. By the time you reach the Netherworld, you’ll be completely exhausted, at the mercy of others.” Meng Wan’s voice was full of concern. “Just wait for me here. I’ll come to the Ninth Heaven soon.”

Hastily shoveling two mouthfuls of food, Er’er mumbled: “If Li Ye goes, I have to go too.”

“What can you accomplish by going?” Meng Wan grew anxious.

“My cultivation isn’t high. Perhaps I can’t find the Gate of Life and Death or defeat anyone, but…” Her eyes shifted slightly as Er’er stated firmly, “I can pull him back.”

The Netherworld was shrouded in resentful energy. If Li Ye went alone and became lost there, all her efforts would be wasted. She had to keep an eye on him personally to stop him.

As Meng Wan tried to say more, Er’er waved her hand, placing a concealing barrier around him.

After seven days of cultivation, her spells flowed more smoothly, and her barriers were thicker. As soon as the light fell, her Senior Brother’s voice immediately disappeared.

Nodding with satisfaction, Er’er finished every grain of rice in her bowl.

The people outside had already dispersed. Li Ye turned around to see that the little one had already laid out her bundle and begun packing her belongings one by one.

His eyebrows twitched slightly as he went over to take a look.

“Is it necessary to bring this?” He picked up a small potted flower with confusion.

It was just an ordinary wild flower from outside Shangbing Palace, the kind that grew in the cracks between bricks—small and not fragrant. What was the point of bringing it?

The little one snatched it back, pouting: “I think it looks nice.”

Fine. Li Ye turned and picked up a kitchen spatula: “…And this looks nice too?”