It wasn’t that she was belittling herself. Years of life experience had taught Er’er that without hope, there would be no fear of disappointment. If one expected the worst from the beginning, then no matter how bad things became later, it would be easier to accept.

Her senior martial sister had told her this mindset wasn’t good and she should change it, but Er’er felt that her ability to live carefree for so long was precisely because of this attitude.

So when Li Ye only mentioned Xin Wu, Er’er tempered her little thoughts accordingly.

Since it wasn’t suitable, she might as well enjoy the present moment. After leaving the netherworld, who knew what circumstances awaited? She should indulge while she could.

Thinking this way, Er’er immediately extended her paw and boldly stroked the boss’s hand.

Li Ye: “…”

His misty eyes focused slightly as he looked up and gazed deeply at her.

Guiltily withdrawing her hand, Er’er said: “The aura around you seems much fainter.”

…

…

Previously, Li Ye had a scorching presence that affected people, with powerful fire immortal energy detectable from a hundred paces away. Now, somehow, his immortal energy was as faint as water—if she hadn’t touched him, she might not have noticed it at all.

“You have the nerve to ask?” He sneered.

The scene from earlier in the hall flooded back into her mind. Er’er’s ears burned, and her heart raced: “Did that affair affect you so greatly?”

As soon as she asked, before he could answer, she slapped herself lightly. Silly question—half his cultivation was gone, how could the impact not be significant? No matter how powerful he was, he would certainly be affected.

Licking her lips, Er’er blinked guiltily: “Should I return some to you first?”

Leaning back calmly, Li Ye asked: “Have you learned the technique to transfer cultivation?”

“No.” Awkwardly rubbing her hands, Er’er tried to explain, “It’s not that I’m being lazy. I was planning to practice, but the netherworld is overflowing with resentment energy, and I would need a supply of immortal energy. That’s why I went to find the Hundred Paintings Bottle.”

As if convinced she was just being lazy, Li Ye turned his head away and let out a displeased grunt.

Er’er grew anxious, getting up to move in front of him and turning his face back toward her: “I’m not lying to you. With my aptitude, what use would so much cultivation be to me? If you’re worried I have ill intentions, you can take it back yourself.”

With Li Ye’s abilities, retrieving all the cultivation from her wouldn’t be difficult, but during their previous intimate encounter, for some reason, he had only focused on teasing her without taking back any cultivation.

“Don’t worry about hurting me,” Er’er shrugged. “As long as you’re here, even if I have only half a life left, I can safely leave this place.”

With words spoken so plainly, Li Ye felt that if he continued to restrain himself, he shouldn’t be pursuing the Dao but becoming a Buddha instead.

Having just cultivated, the resentment energy in his body was extremely heavy, so Li Ye had suppressed his immortal energy as well to conceal it from her. But with both immortal and resentment energies colliding within him, perhaps striking some acupoint and disturbing his spirit, just one glance at her aroused his passion.

His fingers curled as his Adam’s apple bobbed. Li Ye raised his sleeve to draw her into his embrace, though his expression remained reluctant.

“Let’s try again then.”

A crimson blush spread from her ears down to her neck. Er’er pressed against his chest and whispered: “Could you be gentler this time?”

He raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The person in his arms immediately waved her hands: “Whatever pleases you.”

How spineless she was, with her reddened eyes looking so pitiful, as if he had bullied her.

Indeed, he had bullied her quite a bit, sparing not an inch of skin, with intimate whispers and tender caresses.

Li Ye considered himself a person with self-control, but during these few intimate encounters, he truly couldn’t claim to have any dignity—whose house, once on fire, could control the blaze? Even after cultivating the fire dao for eighty thousand years, it wasn’t possible.

Previously, he hadn’t quite understood why Xin Wu could recklessly dally with Long Xu, but now he could comprehend it somewhat.

Opening his mouth to gently bite the light mole on the back of her neck, Li Ye smiled, his arms instinctively tightening to draw her closer to his heart.

Er’er let out a muffled groan, trembling like a sapling in a downpour—fragile, sensitive, yet possessing a certain resilience when touched.

Taking a deep breath, Li Ye uttered a low curse and waved his hand to create a barrier.

The screening barrier, created by divine beings, was certainly not meant for this purpose.

But here, it had been raised and lowered many times, all for this activity.

Er’er felt somewhat ashamed. It was one thing for them to fool around in the Nine Heavens, but how could they engage in such activities on someone else’s territory? But Li Ye didn’t give her much chance to think, as their passion overwhelmed her, leaving her unaware of day or night.

When tired, Er’er would sleep for a while, but each time she woke, she would still see Li Ye, either quietly reading a book or looking down at her. Seeing her awake, he would carry her to eat, and after the meal, carry her back to bed.

In the past, when reading novels that mentioned “unable to leave the bed for three days,” Er’er and her senior martial sister had strongly condemned such exaggerated dramatic writing. But now, she finally had to admit it was true—not that she couldn’t walk, but that she had no opportunity to do so.

The boss Li Ye appeared serious, with barely any emotion on his face, but he truly showed no sign of restraint. She slept and woke, woke and slept, constantly in a daze as if in a dream.

The tenth time she fell asleep, Er’er finally had a dream.

Red curtains, exquisite and splendid, golden bells tinkling. A woman in black gauze leaned over Li Ye, whispering. Li Ye listened quietly, just as he listened to Er’er, eyes lowered, expression gentle.

A pain shot through her heart. Er’er stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

“We should go back,” she said anxiously. “The netherworld is not a place to linger. You’re a Supreme God, not a Demon Lord.”

Li Ye looked up, gazing at her in confusion. The woman also raised her face—beautiful eyebrows, gentle eyes, smiling sweetly: “Who told you he isn’t a Demon Lord?”

Suddenly, the death resentment energy around them surged greatly, growing until she couldn’t breathe. Er’er desperately clutched Li Ye, wanting to leave, but he pressed his hand on hers, then pried her fingers open one by one.

Her pupils contracted, and Er’er was stunned.

The feeling of not being favored was terrible. Even though she had prepared for the worst, she hadn’t imagined the boss would choose someone else over her.

Her throat constricted painfully. Er’er jerked awake with a start.

The hall was illuminated by crystal light. Li Ye stood at the front of the hall, seemingly pacing. Noticing her movement, he unhurriedly returned to the bedside.

“Hungry?”

Looking at him with lingering panic, Er’er clutched the collar at her chest, pressing her lips together with a frown: “Not this time.”

“That’s good,” Li Ye said. “Would you like to come down and walk around?”

Having not set foot on the ground for so long, Er’er’s legs had grown somewhat stiff. Following his suggestion, she conjured a wide-sleeved dress to wear. Lifting the blanket, she stepped into embroidered shoes and stood up, staggering for a couple of steps.

Li Ye reached out to steady her, unable to suppress a light laugh: “Long Xu sent someone to ask about you today. I told them you were ill. Looking like this now, you could certainly convince them.”

His words were too teasing. Er’er scratched him with her paw in embarrassment and indignation. Just as she was about to retort, she sensed an aura that did not belong to him.