Just as she leaned closer, a sharp beam of energy shot out from the ventilation opening at the back of the carriage, flying straight toward her face.

In the past, Er’er definitely wouldn’t have been able to react immediately, as the energy beam was too fast and too close. But now, for some reason, when she looked up, everything seemed to slow down before her eyes. She simply tilted her head slightly and avoided the attack.

The energy beam flew past and struck the eaves of a distant building behind her. With a thunderous boom, half of the high pavilion was sliced away.

The galloping carriage came to an abrupt halt.

Er’er jumped down from the carriage and, unsurprisingly, faced Zhong Su.

“It’s you.” Zhong Su frowned slightly, brushing aside his sleeves embroidered with silver dragons. He sighed softly, seeming reluctant to deal with her, but remembering someone, he still asked, “Why are you following me?”

Er’er answered honestly: “I want to know what’s happening up ahead.”

Zhong Su shook his head: “That’s not something you can handle. If you have time, you might as well go see Long Shu. She’s been thinking about you for many days.”

This person spoke too gently, like lake water warmed by the summer sun. Even if one wanted to refute him, it was difficult to bring oneself to speak.

Er’er scratched her chin and said: “If you won’t take me, that’s fine. I can go by myself. Just don’t stop me.”

Absurd.

Zhong Su shook his head, not bothering to speak with her further. He reached out to conjure a celestial binding rope and threw it toward her.

The Underworld and the Ninth Heaven had been enemies for many years. While he couldn’t speak for other spells, the celestial binding rope was certainly the most refined. Even though he only used thirty percent of his power, it should be enough to make this little immortal behave.

That was what he thought, but as the binding rope flew over, before it could even touch her, she casually brushed it aside.

The solid black energy was scorched by divine fire, turning to ash before it could even hit the ground. Er’er’s eyes showed caution as she stepped back halfway and said: “If you’re in a hurry, there’s no need to waste effort trying to stop me.”

Zhong Su was slightly startled, finally focusing his eyes to look at her carefully.

Looking now, he realized that the light flowing around her body was no less impressive than Li Ye’s.

His heart tightened as Zhong Su raised his hand to stop Er’er from leaving, his tone becoming even more gentle: “It was my fault to attack rashly. If the young lady doesn’t mind, I am willing to guide you.”

This change of face was faster than turning a page. Er’er hardly dared to trust him so easily. As she hesitated, she heard him add: “Without this carriage, it would be difficult for the young lady to enter the barrier ahead.”

Fine then. Er’er immediately jumped onto the carriage shaft. Regardless of what Zhong Su’s intentions were, the urgent matter at hand was to find Li Ye quickly.

The Underworld was already cold and gloomy. Now, for some unknown reason, the ground beneath their feet trembled constantly. The low roars and howls of netherworld beasts could be heard from far and near. The further they went, the heavier the resentful energy became, like ink spread into fog, making it impossible to see clearly beyond ten feet.

The first barrier was that of the Underworld, with patterns of spider lilies on it. The Underworld war horses easily pulled the carriage through it.

But on the second barrier, a huge golden crow pattern glowed with light, blocking a crowd of Underworld denizens.

“Prince!” Someone spotted Zhong Su’s carriage and anxiously flew over, saying, “The King and those people are all inside. We can’t get in.”

Zhong Su lifted the carriage curtain to look, and appeared somewhat troubled: “This is the honored guest’s barrier. Not only can we not break it, but if we did, it would cause problems.”

Er’er didn’t understand: “What problems?”

“The young lady doesn’t know.” Zhong Su smiled bitterly and cupped his hands. “This honored guest has a rather bad temper. If we break his barrier without permission, we might bring a fatal disaster upon ourselves. I’m afraid our journey must end here.”

Tilting her head to observe him, Er’er found it amusing: “You know I’m acquainted with him. You could simply let me go directly. Why put on this act and take such a roundabout approach?”

She wasn’t stupid. Her going to see Li Ye was his arrangement, so how could he not know she was acquainted with Li Ye?

No wonder Long Shu didn’t like him. This person was truly too smooth and cunning.

Zhong Su smiled and cupped his hands, expressing his gratitude. Er’er shook her head, jumped down from the carriage shaft, and walked calmly into the barrier.

The barrier, as firm as a rock, was like water’s surface when it encountered her, letting her through without any resistance.

Someone behind hurriedly tried to follow but was met with a body full of raging fire.

“Young lady!” Zhong Su took two steps forward.

Er’er turned back and spread her hands toward him: “I can’t break it open. Being able to enter is good enough. Let me go check the situation and return later to inform everyone.”

Zhong Su pressed his lips together, sighed softly, and cupped his hands toward her.

Er’er waved her hand and turned to walk into the barrier.

The aura inside the barrier was very strange. Not only was the resentful energy dense, but the immortal energy was also very concentrated. Could it be that he had fought with someone and was injured?

Her heart tightened, and Er’er quickened her steps, crossing over the flower courtyard and corridor, flying directly to the main hall where the immortal energy was most concentrated.

The surroundings were dark and dim. Er’er narrowed her eyes as she walked to the entrance of the main hall, finally able to see things.

A group of immortal guests was scattered throughout the main hall. Zhong You sat on the throne, clutching his chest, while Li Ye stood before him, holding someone in his arms.

When her gaze fell upon his hand embracing another person, Er’er felt a slight constriction. Without thinking, she quickly leaned against the door frame outside the main hall.

The atmosphere in the great hall was tense, and no one noticed the additional person at the doorway. Zhen Huan Gong spat out a mouthful of blood and snorted: “I came here without expecting to leave alive. Perfect. As long as I don’t return, the Celestial Diviner will know what you’re up to here.”

Li Ye stood there indifferently, transferring energy with his hand to sustain the life of Zhong Qin in his arms.

Following with his eyes, Zhen Huan Gong frowned deeply: “I thought you had no interest in beauty, but since your disciple broke that precedent, you’ve become indiscriminate. Li Ye, don’t tell me you’re willing to give up your ten-thousand-year divine position for such a ghost.”

“It’s none of your concern.”

The deep voice echoed through the great hall, shaking the immortals until they could barely stand. Zhen Huan Gong in front couldn’t help but cough up another mouthful of blood.

“Fine, fine. If you’re determined to do this, then I’ll settle this with you once and for all.”

The immortal energy in the hall surged greatly. Er’er pressed her lips together and clenched her fists.

Li Ye had lost half of his cultivation. He was bluffing. In the past, he would never have used such externally projected immortal energy to intimidate people. If he really fought with Zhen Huan Gong now, the outcome would be hard to predict.

Moreover, he was still holding someone in his arms.

Her mind in turmoil, Er’er thought for a moment, then concealed her form, transforming into a wisp of immortal energy and slipping into the hall.

Li Ye and Zhen Huan Gong had begun fighting. Their immortal energies clashed, shattering the tiles on the eaves of the Underworld King’s palace one after another. The other immortal guests surrounded and attacked Zhong You. Zhong You snorted as he engaged in battle, while Zhong Qin lay softly in Li Ye’s arms, her body trembling.

“What are you afraid of?” Li Ye rarely took the time to speak during battle. “I’m still here.”

“…”

Such familiar words. Er’er heard them and felt as if the blood in her entire body had stopped flowing. She froze in mid-air, unable to recover for a long while.

She didn’t mind not having an important position in Li Ye’s heart.

But she minded when things he had given to her were given to someone else.

It was painful just to watch.