Fuhuan ran outside. Because of her concealed form, the attendants outside had not detected anything amiss and stood properly outside the door.

Fuhuan found an empty spot to sit down, keeping watch outside the door, not missing any slight movement.

During the waiting process, her heart remained suspended in anxiety.

…

After an unknown amount of time, Siqing finally came out of the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety’s room. Seeing Fuhuan sitting at the doorway, he transmitted a secret voice to her: “Let’s go.”

“Was it successful?” Hearing Siqing’s voice, Fuhuan immediately stood up, looking up at Siqing with excitement in her voice.

Siqing nodded. “Take me to the forbidden area.”

After speaking, he walked toward the rockery.

Fuhuan followed, asking as they walked, “How long can your Art of Life Extension extend life?”

…

…

“It depends on fate.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means nothing.”

“…”

Arriving outside the rockery, Siqing stopped his footsteps and lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on Fuhuan.

Fuhuan understood his meaning. She pressed her lips together, but still reminded him, “The person in the forbidden area was imprisoned by the Celestial Emperor’s order. If you rashly rescue them, I’m afraid…”

“I know what I’m doing.” Siqing’s tone was cold, tinged with impatience.

Hearing this, Fuhuan couldn’t say much more. Since she had agreed to this transaction, she wouldn’t go back on her word.

“Hold out your hand,” Fuhuan said.

Siqing was slightly taken aback but extended his hand.

Fuhuan grabbed Siqing’s hand, hesitated for a moment, then wrote a string of spell incantations in his palm before slowly letting go.

“Have you memorized this spell-breaking incantation?” Fuhuan asked.

Siqing withdrew his hand, tightly clenching his palm, his eyes deep and unfathomable as he looked toward the rockery.

“Since our transaction is complete, I’ll take my leave now.” After speaking, Fuhuan glanced at Siqing, then prepared to go to the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety to check on his condition.

After walking a few steps, a cold voice came from behind her: “Rest assured, this matter will not implicate you.”

Fuhuan paused in her steps, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say. She simply continued walking away slowly.

When she arrived at Purple Subtlety Palace, the Purple Subtlety Star had already returned to normal. She sneaked into the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety’s bedchamber to check, and seeing that everything was fine, she returned to Phoenix Feather Pavilion.

After all, if the Celestial Emperor questioned the abnormal celestial signs, her Purple Subtlety Father would naturally have his explanation.

She didn’t need to worry about so many things.

Tonight had truly been exhausting.

…

For three consecutive days, Fuhuan stayed in Phoenix Feather Pavilion without going out.

During these three days, her heart had not been at peace for a moment. First, she feared the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety would question her about the Art of Life Extension; second, she feared news would come that the criminal in the forbidden area had been rescued.

But during these days, everything remained calm, with no inappropriate news coming in.

Gradually, Fuhuan relaxed a bit and took Ziyu out for a stroll.

Although Ziyu was an immortal, she very much enjoyed burning incense and praying for blessings. While Fuhuan didn’t understand why she did this, most of the time, she would accompany Ziyu.

Today, there were quite a few people at this temple. As soon as they reached the entrance, the queue for offering incense had already extended to the door.

Ziyu knew that Fuhuan was never one for patience. Seeing so many people, she smiled at Fuhuan and said, “Young Master, there are many people here. Why don’t you go wander around first, and I’ll come find you when I’m done?”

“Mm.” Fuhuan nodded in agreement and went to stroll around.

The temple was mostly filled with the scent of incense. After walking for a while, Fuhuan came to her favorite Floating Life Tree.

This tree—ever since Fuhuan first came to this temple with Ziyu, when she accidentally wandered here and saw this tree, for some unknown reason, Fuhuan had liked it very much.

Sometimes when she had nothing to do, she would come here alone and sit under this tree for an entire afternoon, or even a day…

After leaning against the tree and sitting down, Fuhuan summoned the Five-Colored Divine Phoenix, holding it in her arms and stroking its brilliant feathers. “This kind of life is the most comfortable.”

The Five-Colored Divine Phoenix nodded, lazily lying in Fuhuan’s arms with drooping eyes.

Fuhuan’s gaze went vacant, and unconsciously her mind drifted back to Siqing. The incantation in his possession still prevented her from being completely at ease.

Regardless of whether it would implicate her or not, if the person inside were rescued, it would eventually cause a storm.

But she was truly curious about who exactly was inside.

“Awooo…”

Just as she was lost in thought, a sudden roar of a qilin sounded beside her, startling the daydreaming Fuhuan slightly. The Five-Colored Divine Phoenix in her arms also flew out at this moment.

When Fuhuan looked to the side, she saw a jet-black qilin that had appeared beside her at some unknown time. Its appearance was imposing and magnificent, impressive from all angles.

“Chirp chirp…”

The Five-Colored Divine Phoenix called out to the Ink Qilin.

Although it was the first time these two sacred beasts had met, they acted like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years. They each gently rubbed their heads against the other in a gesture of friendliness.

Fuhuan realized that this Ink Qilin hadn’t come for her; it had come for the Five-Colored Divine Phoenix.

She estimated that it must have caught the scent of the Five-Colored Divine Phoenix.

With this thought, Fuhuan rested her chin on her hand, not bothering to pay attention to the friendly interaction between the sacred beasts. She had just closed her eyes, preparing to take a brief rest, when she suddenly opened them again.

Wait a minute…

This Ink Qilin…

Wasn’t it that person’s mount?

If it suddenly appeared here, didn’t that mean that the God of the Underworld, Siqing, was also here?

Just as she thought of this possibility, a flash of light appeared around her, followed by a purple figure appearing before her eyes.

“…” Fuhuan pressed her lips together. To run into him even here—what could she say?

Siqing also seemed not to have expected Fuhuan to be here. He glanced at the two sacred beasts nearby, then at Fuhuan sitting under the Floating Life Tree. With pressed thin lips, he stood in place, showing no intention of greeting her.

Seeing this, Fuhuan sighed inwardly, thinking it was just as well. She crossed her arms and lazily basked in the sunshine.

Seeing her carefree attitude, Siqing’s lips revealed a playful smile. It seemed that in heaven and earth, this woman was the only one who didn’t take him seriously.

Quite interesting.

…

When Ziyu finished offering incense and came to the Floating Life Tree to find Fuhuan, she was slightly taken aback by the scene before her.

Who was this man in purple?

Just as she was curious about Siqing’s identity, Ziyu caught sight of the Ink Qilin from the corner of her eye and immediately understood. She bowed slightly toward Siqing. “Greetings, God of the Underworld.”

“Mm.” Siqing acknowledged with a sound.

Ziyu smiled, then looked toward Fuhuan. “Master, I’ve finished offering incense. We can go back now.”

Fuhuan nodded and stood up, reaching out to call the Five-Colored Divine Phoenix. “Luan’er, come back.”

Hearing its master’s voice, the Five-Colored Divine Phoenix obediently flew back, transforming into a wisp of blue smoke and entering Fuhuan’s back.

Fuhuan did not say goodbye to Siqing and left directly with Ziyu.

After she and Ziyu left, Siqing looked at the spot under the Floating Life Tree where Fuhuan had been sitting, as if talking to himself: “This place, it seems she likes it too.”

The Ink Qilin gazed expectantly at its master, not knowing how to react.

…

After leaving the temple, Fuhuan did not return to Phoenix Feather Pavilion but went to the Celestial Realm.

She had avoided the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety for three days; today, she should at least go visit him. She only hoped that her Purple Subtlety Father wouldn’t detect anything unusual.

When she arrived at Purple Subtlety Palace, the celestial boy Jiusheng told her that the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety was inside talking with the Celestial Emperor.

Upon hearing that the Celestial Emperor was also there, Fuhuan immediately retreated, instructing Jiusheng to say he hadn’t seen her. She then left Purple Subtlety Palace and went to Lengyuan’s residence.

Lengyuan had always been well-liked in the Celestial Realm, deeply loved by everyone. When Fuhuan arrived at Lengyuan’s Emerald Cool Palace, the attendant guarding the door said that Third Princess Bing Lian and Sixth Princess Qing Yu were inside.

The Sixth Princess was fine, but this Third Princess…

Just as Fuhuan was about to leave, Lengyuan had already noticed her and called out, “Huan’er, since you’re here, come in and sit down.”

Hearing this, Fuhuan had no choice but to enter with a stiff face.

As soon as she entered, she felt several gazes on her. Looking up, she saw Lengyuan, the Third Princess, and the Sixth Princess all staring at her.

After exchanging formal greetings, Fuhuan sat down to the side.

“Huan’er, I haven’t seen you for several days. Where have you been playing again?” Lengyuan smiled gently, looking at Fuhuan.

Fuhuan tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Nowhere, just staying at Phoenix Feather Pavilion.”

“Oh?” Lengyuan raised her eyebrows, seeming somewhat disbelieving.

Fuhuan smiled at her without saying more.

“I’ve never seen any high god who would move away from the Celestial Realm to live at the bottom of a stream in the mortal world. You’re not a river spirit, so why live underwater?” Third Princess Bing Lian’s words were tinged with mockery and disdain.

She and Fuhuan were born in the same year, differing by only one month. Yet this one-month difference in their lives created a world of difference.

Although she was the Third Princess of the Celestial Realm, she wasn’t even a high immortal yet, and her immortal power was weak.

But Fuhuan? Not only was she a daughter of the phoenix, but she was also born a high god, her body filled with phoenix power, with limitless potential.

Not only that, but Fuhuan also happened to have such an incomparably superior appearance. In all of heaven and earth, one could probably not find another such beauty.

“All of this was personally approved by the Celestial Emperor. Does the Third Princess have an opinion on the Celestial Emperor’s decision?” Fuhuan raised her eyebrows, directly invoking the Celestial Emperor.

“You…” Bing Lian’s words caught in her throat. “Stop pressuring me with the Celestial Emperor!”

Fuhuan laughed lightly. “Since the princess has doubts, I naturally should explain properly to the princess, don’t you think?”

“…” Bing Lian remained silent.

“However…” Fuhuan drew out the last syllable. “Although the princess has an esteemed status, Fuhuan is, after all, a high god. Next time, I request the princess to be more measured in her speech, lest Fuhuan accidentally unleash her phoenix power and hurt the princess. That would be unfortunate.”

Bing Lian felt her nose was about to twist with anger. From childhood to adulthood, she had never once won an argument against Fuhuan. Even though she was a princess, she simply couldn’t do anything to Fuhuan.

The more Bing Lian thought about it, the angrier she became. Without another word, she stood up and walked out.

Reaching the doorway, she turned back and shouted at Qing Yu, “Aren’t you coming with me?”

Qing Yu was startled and stood up to follow Bing Lian, leaving with her.

After the two princesses left, Lengyuan shook her head helplessly, gave a light laugh, and looked at Fuhuan. “Huan’er, why do you always clash with this Third Princess?”