The great hall was filled with heavy miasma. Black fog clusters, driven to desperation like cornered beasts, snarled and jumped about frantically. The vengeful spirits howled and surged, resembling black whirlpools on the ocean’s surface when viewed from afar.

At the center of the vortex, Li Ye reclined on the bed, eyes slightly closed, his posture relaxed as if merely taking a casual rest. His red robe cascaded from the edge of the bed down into the black ink-like energy on the floor. The darkness crept upward, staining the hem of his robe with a ghostly, eerie flower pattern.

Er’er stood in the corner, covering her head as she watched, unsure whether to approach or not.

Was he cultivating or sleeping?

If he was cultivating, she absolutely could not disturb him lest he deviate from his path. If he was sleeping, she should disturb him even less—the man rarely took time to rest.

No, that wasn’t right. She had come to ask for his help; why was she worrying about him?

Her face wrinkled with indecision as Er’er rubbed her sleeves and hesitantly took three steps toward him.

Suddenly, a vengeful spirit flew at her from the side, brandishing its claws, frightening her back five steps.

Li Ye’s eyelashes flickered slightly.

…

…

But they only flickered—he didn’t even open his eyes.

He had naturally sensed someone entering the hall, but having been upset earlier, he wasn’t about to let her off easily. He wanted her to come forward and inquire herself, giving him a way to save face.

However, this little one was becoming increasingly timid. At this rate of stepping forward and retreating, it might take two more days before she reached him.

Impatiently pursing his lips, Li Ye moved his little finger slightly.

The vengeful spirits howling in the great hall suddenly circled behind Er’er. Startled, she jumped forward a good distance. The blood cut on her face, which had just been treated, somehow split open again. The sweet scent of blood drove the surrounding vengeful energy into a frenzy as it converged on her.

“You can’t be serious,” she murmured. “Ganging up on me?”

She could handle a small number of vengeful spirits, but the ones in this hall were potent and numerous. If they all pounced on her, it would be like ants attacking an elephant—she would eventually die of exhaustion.

She instinctively glanced at Li Ye in the distance.

Li Ye reclined quietly, showing no intention of helping.

So true about new love, making one forget the old, though she couldn’t be considered an old love. Still, such cold indifference was truly excessive.

Pouting, Er’er formed a hand sign and summoned a defensive barrier.

The edge of the barrier showed no mercy, pushing forcefully past Li Ye’s shoulder.

Li Ye: “…”

Where did she learn such stubbornness?

He had only wanted her to open her mouth and ask for mercy. Was that so difficult?

Straightening his body angrily, Li Ye remained motionless, solid as a rock, causing Er’er’s barrier to crack with web-like fissures.

Several vengeful spirits seized the opportunity to squeeze through the cracks.

Er’er was startled and hurriedly dropped the barrier to form a new one, but it was too late. Her immortal power was insufficient to maintain two barriers in such a short time. As the vengeful spirits were about to pounce on her, she looked frantically from side to side before darting behind Li Ye.

“Splat!”

Unable to stop in time, a bloated, vengeful spirit crashed unsuspectingly into Li Ye’s face, bursting like a water sack hitting porcelain.

The air seemed to grow still.

Misty eyes slowly opened as Li Ye raised his gaze to stare deeply at the vengeful spirit before him.

The vengeful spirit was dumbfounded. Normally, immortals had protective barriers—why didn’t he?

Before it could voice its question, the vengeful spirit sensed a bone-crushing, soul-burning power that consumed it without a moment’s chance.

Divine flames erupted violently, causing the surrounding vengeful spirits to retreat eight feet. Tongues of fire licked the curtains and leaped up to the rafters, seemingly intent on destroying the palace.

“Does it hurt?” A voice came from behind as someone pressed against his back.

The voice was soft and sweet, tinged with both awkwardness and concern.

The flames on the rafters instantly died down to a few wisps of smoke.

Li Ye didn’t turn around, snorting coldly with his back ramrod straight.

The person behind him seemed to place a hand on his back, small fingers opening and closing as if scratching.

Feeling something strange in his heart, Li Ye withdrew his sensory awareness from his back and spoke in his most aloof voice: “I’m not that delicate.”

Was he mocking her? Yes, he was, right? Er’er glared, wishing she could burn a hole in the back of his head with her eyes. But considering their situation, she remained silent for a moment before reluctantly saying: “If you have time, would you please escort my Senior Brother and me away?”

“No time.”

“But you’re not doing anything right now.”

“What were your eyes made for?” He sneered, waving his sleeve. “Can’t you see all these vengeful spirits around us?”

So he was cultivating? Her heart tightened as Er’er frowned: “Upper God, you’re already the most powerful immortal under heaven. Why practice such an unorthodox method?”

“What concern is it of yours?”

“You…” Er’er laughed from extreme anger. “There’s no need to be so quick to disown people. I’m still living in Upper Bing Palace, after all. If you deviate from your path, how can it not concern me?”

His eyes flickered slightly as Li Ye said deliberately: “Since I’ve chosen this path, I have my measure. As long as I don’t rush, consuming ten thousand vengeful spirits daily won’t cause any problems.”

Ten thousand? Er’er looked up at the black energy swirling inside and outside the hall, her expression changing drastically: “Could Zhong You be trying to harm you? There must be at least two hundred thousand vengeful spirits around here.”

As if only just realizing this issue, Li Ye made an “mm” sound, then raised his hand to press his brow.

“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” Er’er hurriedly stepped out from behind him, kneeling before him and reaching to pull away his hand.

His touch was scalding.

Drawing in a sharp breath, she pulled down his arm and felt his brow with her hand.

His immortal energy was chaotic.

Her heart sank as she grabbed his chin, forcing him to look into her eyes.

Li Ye tried to struggle uncomfortably, but he had barely moved when she shouted angrily: “Stay still!”

“…” Her voice was quite loud.

Forced to look at her, Li Ye unexpectedly discovered that when this little one became serious, her eyes were truly beautiful—determined and sharp, with clearly defined eyelashes, and even faint silver lines in her pupils.

She was very close to him, seemingly trying to see the condition of his eyes.

Without thinking, Li Ye allowed several strands of black energy to enter his eyes.

“It’s over.” The person before him saw it, mumbled a couple of words, then released him and suddenly clutched her head in distress. “What am I doing? I said to be careful about accidents, why wasn’t I more vigilant?”

He watched her impassively, making a fist and coughing lightly against it.

Er’er seemed to think of something and raised her head to embrace him: “Li Ye, can we stop cultivating? Rest for a while, and I’ll take you up to clear your mind?”

“No.” He turned away coldly. “Don’t interfere with me.”

“I, I know I’m in the way and not helpful to your cultivation, but you can’t continue like this.” She seemed at a loss, searching herself all over but finding nothing useful, which made her even more anxious. “Where is my Hundred Patterns Bottle?”