Qian Tian and Zhen Huan Gong had been good friends for many years, but this was the first time he had seen such a panicked expression on his face.

Zhen Huan Gong opened his mouth as if wanting to explain further, but after glancing at the undisturbed red string on his hand, he closed it again, his expression seeming somewhat annoyed.

Finding it amusing, Qian Tian very loyally spoke up: “Immortal Yan Cha may not know, but Huan Gong is particularly fond of raising divine beasts. This beast is indeed his; it’s called Kong Sang and has transformation abilities.”

Yan Cha looked at Kong Sang with surprise, then smiled: “This humble immortal’s knowledge is limited. Please don’t be offended, High God.”

Zhen Huan Gong waved his hand with a cold expression: “I’m not blaming you.”

This doesn’t look like “not blaming”? Yan Cha covered the red string on her wrist, which was burning hot, and looked at him with confused eyes.

“I’m in a bad mood because of something else,” he explained stiffly, turning his head away. “That string is unnecessary. After your father enters seclusion, you might as well remove it.”

All immortal partners wear the red string; even those with a superficial relationship use it to sense each other’s feelings and circumstances. No one would directly ask their partner to remove the string—it would be too humiliating.

However, when Zhen Huan Gong said this, Yan Cha surprisingly didn’t object, smiling and curtsying in agreement: “Alright.”

…

…

Qian Tian watched in astonishment.

Storage Element High God arrived soon after. Zhen Huan Gong swept away his previous gloom and received Storage Element very warmly, taking him around to inspect everything. The two got along quite well, even having dinner together at the Upper Jia Palace.

After several cups of immortal wine, Storage Element sent Yan Cha away and looked at Zhen Huan Gong with misty eyes: “My daughter is sensible and won’t give you anything to worry about. But sometimes she’s too sensible. You need to be more caring toward her.”

Zhen Huan Gong agreed without hesitation and poured more wine for Storage Element.

However, watching the flowing nectar, he felt somewhat angry. Yan Cha was called sensible? If she were truly sensible, she wouldn’t have actively pursued him and then pretended to be indifferent, controlling her emotions so well, as if she had come to scheme against him.

The dinner was very enjoyable. Upon leaving, Storage Element placed Yan Cha’s hand in Zhen Huan Gong’s palm.

“During my seclusion these few hundred years, you must live well together.”

“Father, don’t worry,” Yan Cha smiled. “The High God won’t let me be bullied.”

“Good, good!” Nodding repeatedly, Storage Element departed for the immortal mountain on a cloud, satisfied.

Their hands separated the moment his figure disappeared.

Zhen Huan Gong looked at the person beside him with a stiff face. Yan Cha was somewhat embarrassed, nodding awkwardly to him: “Thank you, High God.”

With a light snort, Zhen Huan Gong turned and returned to the main hall.

Yan Cha stood at the entrance, feeling puzzled. Had she offended him somehow today? Thinking carefully, she couldn’t recall any inappropriate actions.

The red string on her wrist was still burning hot. Yan Cha suddenly remembered Zhen Huan Gong’s request and hurriedly untied the string, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and tucked it into her sleeve pocket.

There had been no banquet for their immortal union, nor had messages been sent to the various immortal sects. Thus, when people suddenly discovered a female immortal had been added to the Upper Jia Palace, they instinctively assumed it was a private affair.

“The customs in the Nine Heavens are becoming more and more liberal. Anyone can just move into someone else’s palace if they take a fancy to them—quite remarkable.”

“Indeed. But Zhen Huan Gong is truly appealing. Among the five major immortal sects, he was the latest leader to ascend, yet he handles matters efficiently, and his cultivation advances rapidly. If I were a female immortal, I’d be attracted to him too.”

Such gossip was always somewhat unpleasant to hear, but Yan Cha didn’t mind. It went in one ear and out the other as she continued delivering three meals a day to Zhen Huan Gong.

Unfortunately, Zhen Huan Gong, who had gone out on business, happened to hear an earful of it.

He was annoyed.

Even though Yan Cha was like a cook who only knew how to bring him meals, and the total of her daily words to him didn’t exceed five sentences, she had at least shared the binding water with him. No matter how distant their relationship, they lived under the same roof. How could he allow her to be slandered like this?

So upon returning to the Upper Jia Palace, he wandered over to the side hall.

“High God?” Yan Cha was making a robe and was surprised to see him. “Would you like some snacks?”

“I’m not the Purifying Altar Envoy. What would I do with so much food?” Rolling his eyes irritably, Zhen Huan Gong sat on the stool beside her and glanced at the robe in her hands.

It was a men’s long robe, in indigo—exactly the color he preferred.

A touch of pleasure colored his brow. He cleared his throat, his tone softening: “After we finish with the Western Sea affairs, I’d like to hold a banquet in the Upper Jia Palace.”

Yan Cha nodded obediently: “Just let this humble immortal know in advance what dishes the High God requires.”

Zhen Huan Gong was taken aback, both amused and exasperated: “I’m not asking you to cook. I’m asking you to attend.”

Yan Cha blinked in confusion.

“We’ve formed an immortal union without informing others. Though it may be a false phoenix and dragon, it still concerns your reputation. It’s just a banquet, not much trouble.”

Yan Cha’s heart stirred slightly; she was very surprised.

In her impression, Zhen Huan Gong didn’t much like her. Whenever she delivered his meals, his expression was unpleasant. Even when she tried to speak as little as possible, setting down the food and leaving, he was still unhappy.

She had thought he was intent on maintaining a clear boundary between them, yet unexpectedly, he wanted to hold a banquet for her reputation.

This person didn’t seem as fierce and unreasonable as he appeared.

With curved eyes and smile, Yan Cha nodded: “Thank you, High God.”

After thinking for a moment, she felt a bit embarrassed and quickly added: “After finishing this garment, this humble immortal could make a robe for the High God as well? Although it can’t compare to those created through transformation, it has the advantage of not requiring immortal energy to maintain.”

“That would be nice… wait.” Zhen Huan Gong suddenly looked at the robe in her hands, narrowing his eyes. “Who is this one for?”

“For my eldest senior brother,” Yan Cha explained with a smile. “Senior Brother has been involved in many fights recently, and his robes get damaged quickly. He especially bought fabric from the mortal realm and asked me to make several sets for him.”

His expression immediately darkened. Zhen Huan Gong coldly eyed the robe, his tone unfriendly: “He doesn’t have his immortal partner, yet he comes to order around my person.”

The last three words made Yan Cha’s heart skip a beat, and her face grew somewhat warm. She hurriedly suppressed it, afraid of displeasing him, and said as calmly as possible: “It’s a small favor. After all, we’re fellow disciples. It’s nothing significant.”

After a pause, she added: “If the High God likes, I can make several for you as well.”

“I don’t care for it.” Rising with a sweep of his sleeve, Zhen Huan Gong turned and left. “If you love making them for him, then make more.”

Angry again.

Yan Cha clicked her tongue, scratching her earlobe in perplexity. Zhen Huan Gong was quite a good immortal, but his temper wasn’t great. He got angry at the slightest provocation, and since she wasn’t familiar with him, she didn’t know how to console him.

“Too much anger harms the body,” she murmured at his retreating figure before picking up the robe and continuing to hum a tune as she embroidered bamboo leaves onto it.