Immortal ladies from the heavens would cry with tears like dew on pear blossoms, their eyes glistening. But this one was different—her face scrunched up, eyelids swollen, tears flowing like small streams down her cheeks, falling onto his chin, burning so intensely that his heart tightened.

Li Ye restrained her struggling movements, his misty eyes finally showing some compromise. As his lips moved against hers, he said in a muffled voice, “Is it worth all this?”

Er’er sobbed, breathless from his kiss, her small hands patting his chest repeatedly until she finally pushed him away.

Belatedly realizing what she had just shouted, she felt somewhat ashamed. She hugged her head with both hands and lightly kicked the blanket beside her. “I was severely injured earlier and spoke nonsense in my delirium. Please don’t blame me, Supreme God.”

Rubbing the corner of his mouth, Li Ye looked at her. “This isn’t the first or second time you’ve spoken nonsense. Why only now do you ask for my forgiveness?”

At a loss for words, Er’er covered her head and sighed, saying listlessly, “Once I’ve recovered, it won’t be too late to beg for Supreme God’s forgiveness all at once.”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Li Ye closed his mouth, slightly frowning as he looked out the window. After a long while, he changed the subject: “Do you know what Heaven’s Diviner is planning?”

Hmm?

She was still angry in her heart, but she was genuinely curious about this matter. She couldn’t help but pout and soften her tone: “How could such a significant matter be something a minor immortal like me could inquire about?”

…

…

“It concerns the life and death of your Taihe Immortal Sect. Do you want to hear about it?”

“…”

Covering her head, Er’er remained silent, her body tense. The light from the crystal outside the window illuminated her stubborn, rigid form.

Li Ye waited quietly, motionless.

After a long while, that stiff body finally shifted slightly toward him.

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as he reached out and pulled her back into his arms. His chin gently brushed against the top of her head. “The Heaven’s Diviner has fewer and fewer helpers over the years, but there are more and more people who can reveal the truth of the past. He’s anxious. Seeing that I’ve stayed in the Netherworld for so long, he also wants to find assistance.”

“Your Taihe Immortal Sect is the connection between humans and immortals. However, your Immortal Master may not be willing to obey the Heaven’s Diviner’s orders, so he wants to use you.”

“Me?” Er’er’s eyes were full of doubt. “What can I do?”

“You are a member of the Taihe Immortal Sect, and also… an important person in my Li Clan’s Immortal Sect.” With a muffled grunt, Li Ye continued, “If you were to turn against me, I would be greatly disturbed, allowing him to take advantage. If you were hurt and returned to your sect to complain, it would fulfill his plan to drive a wedge between us.”

With a heavy sigh, Li Ye stroked her hair. “So, can you forgive me?”

“…”

Everything he said before sounded somewhat off yet reasonable, until that last sentence. Er’er’s mouth twitched.

“You Supreme Gods,” she said in disbelief, “do you always take such a roundabout approach just to lower your head to someone?”

What separation? What scheme? She had almost believed him!

Touching his nose with his index finger, Li Ye sighed: “It is, after all, my first time.”

A person of his stature—who would have thought that one day he would have to ask for someone’s forgiveness? It was truly a complete loss of face, making it impossible for him to say it outright.

The person in his arms was both angry and amused, her eyes looking at him as she said, “It was merely an accidental injury. Supreme God needn’t take it so much to heart.”

That wasn’t what she was angry about.

What she was angry about—just thinking about it made her laugh at herself. An immortal who had lived for hundreds of years, behaving like a mortal girl, how ridiculous. With major events at hand, making a fuss over such trivial matters, she was embarrassed by her behavior.

But the anger wouldn’t subside.

Her chest heaving, Er’er exhaled a long breath and forced a smile: “Let’s put this behind us. Supreme God just mentioned you have matters to attend to, so please go ahead. I’ll wait here.”

This tone sounded relaxed, and her face showed no more anger. Was this what Zhong Qin meant by calming down?

Li Ye raised an eyebrow, thinking this wasn’t so difficult after all. Why did Zhong Qin look so grave, making him think it would be more challenging than ascending three more heavenly levels?

So, as he stood up, he said, “Then you wait here. Don’t wander off.”

“All right.” Lowering her eyes, Er’er agreed.

Li Ye rose, his red robe fluttering as he disappeared at the doorway. Everything around returned to tranquility, and even the nearby crystal seemed to shine a bit brighter.

Silently watching the direction he had left, Er’er rested her chin on her knees. After a long while, she sighed again.

Someone like Li Ye was destined to face endless bloodshed and turmoil. She, like a blade of grass, could not stop him.

The casualties beneath the Netherworld were severe. Once the barrier broke, Zhong You had an idea.

He looked up at Li Ye, who had stepped in from outside the ruins of the Netherworld Palace. Without a second thought, he pushed away Zhong Qin’s hand supporting him, lifted his black robe, and knelt on one knee.

Around them came the sound of sharp intakes of breath, but Li Ye’s face remained completely calm. He walked leisurely to stand before him and raised his hand in a gesture of support: “Why such grand formality?”

“I beg the Supreme God to save the countless lives of my Netherworld!” Zhong You lowered his head, his demeanor exceedingly humble. “From this moment on, the death resentment in my Netherworld is willing to be permanently sacrificed to the Supreme God through the Gate of Life and Death, without interruption.”

“Father King!” Even the usually composed Zhong Su couldn’t help but change his expression upon hearing these words. “You cannot!”

“Ignorant child, stand down!” Zhong You scolded, waving his sleeve, then looked up at Li Ye again. “Does the Supreme God agree?”

Li Ye remained silent, his eyes filled with sympathy and reluctance.

…If he weren’t truly desperate, Zhong You would have cursed aloud. Such a great benefit was delivered directly to this lord, and he was still putting on airs?

But at the moment, this was his only option.

“I, Zhong You, King of the Netherworld for ten thousand years, am willing to serve the Supreme God. I beseech the Supreme God’s permission.”

Gritting his teeth as he spoke these words, Zhong You bowed his head deeply.

Zhong Qin watched in shock, her eyes reddening. The subjects of the Netherworld around them were also confused, whispering among themselves.

Li Ye looked at the back of his head, thinking repeatedly before finally replying reluctantly: “Very well, I grant it.”

“Thank you, Supreme God.”

With a long breath, Zhong You clutched his throat and spat black blood, immediately fainting.

“Father King!” Zhong Qin and Zhong Su hurried forward to catch him. Zhong Qin lowered her head and wept, while Zhong Su couldn’t help but look up at Li Ye.

Everyone knew this visitor was distinguished, everyone knew he was powerful, but no matter how deeply Zhong Su pondered, he couldn’t understand why his father king would suddenly…

After thinking for a moment, Zhong Su composed himself, rose respectfully to bow to him, and then said: “Miss Long Xu misses Immortal Er’er very much. If you’re not busy these days, could she perhaps visit?”

Li Ye looked at him, his eyes somewhat weary: “Don’t play these games with me.”

“…Supreme God, forgive me.” He lowered his head.

Li Ye stepped forward, collecting all the fresh death resentment around, distastefully rubbing his fingers, then flicked his sleeve. As he walked out, he said: “She may go, but you may not.”