Liu Shuang had stayed too long in the Weak Water, and her physical form urgently needed reconstitution.

That day, Feng Fuming had ventured briefly into the Weak Water and still sustained injuries. Yan Chaosheng had only been submerged momentarily before being corroded to bare bones. Only she had stayed too long in the Weak Water—her immortal body dissipated, as fragile as an infant.

Even with the spiritual power Shao You had transferred to her, it would take at least ten years to form a physical body. This process was excruciating. Shao You remembered a collateral clan sister who, after her immortal body was injured, was nourished with countless heaven and earth treasures, yet still screamed in agony between life and death.

Yet Liu Shuang, with her immortal form nearly transparent, chose to sleep quietly, no fuss, no noise, extremely docile.

Today, she finally awakened briefly, helped to sit up by Shao You.

Liu Shuang’s face was pale. Sensing something in her hand, she looked down to see an exquisitely beautiful jade box emanating a faint luster.

The Creation Soil was inside, its aura completely contained.

She felt somewhat delighted and looked toward Shao You: “This did you give this to me?”

While she slept, Shao You had thought nothing of it—the Spirit Vein matter alone was enough for his contemplation. But now that she was awake, as Shao You met her gaze, he strangely recalled his master’s words.

“Young Lord, have you never seen a woman? Not taking her Creation Soil is one thing, but giving her the Tear Dew Jade Box for free? You gained nothing and lost a world treasure. Is Kunlun a fool?”

Shao You had calmly replied: “Master worries too much. I merely didn’t want to attract too much covetousness.”

Now, meeting the young woman’s watery, misty eyes, Shao You felt somewhat embarrassed.

In the immortal realm, gifting spirit herbs was common, but giving jade refined from a divine artifact was exceedingly rare. Shao You slightly averted his gaze: “Yes.”

She looked down at it: “It has the aura of Shen Nong’s Cauldron. Was it refined from the Divine Cauldron?”

Although Shao You had lived for nearly ten thousand years, he had little experience interacting with girls. From childhood, he had been taught by several masters in rotation. Kunlun had mostly male disciples, and he had been raised with strict righteousness. The only persistent female attention came from Feng Caiyi’s fanatical pursuit.

So, facing her question, Shao You could only continue: “Yes.”

Shen Nong’s Cauldron was the only one of the three remaining divine artifacts capable of refining other treasures, but it could only craft one piece every ten thousand years. Liu Shuang suddenly recalled something.

“Shao You, may I ask how many treasures the Divine Cauldron has refined over these years?”

Shao You didn’t conceal it from her: “Three—the Tear Dew Jade Box, the Twin Fish Lotus Pendant, and the Ming Xi Pearl.”

As he finished speaking, the young woman by the couch looked somewhat helpless and regretful: “So they were all given to me.”

Shao You asked: “What?”

She came back to herself, smiling lightly, her small face pale as she tried not to show pain before him: “I mean, such precious things shouldn’t be given to me. Once I take out the Creation Soil, I’ll return the Tear Dew Jade Box to you.”

He paused: “You don’t like it?” After asking, seeing her staring at him, Shao You realized his inappropriate question and calmly added: “All right.”

Liu Shuang had long harbored a question: what kind of close friend would give away all his treasures?

To say Shao You was naive—in her previous life, many aspects of human affairs were taught to her by Shao You.

Including when they passed by Yangzhou River, the first time they overheard sounds through a wall. Liu Shuang had risen to pass through the wall to the next room.

Shao You held her back: “What are you doing?”

The little immortal grass had listened carefully: “I heard that woman crying in pain. Someone must be bullying her. Didn’t Shao You say that those who do good should help the weak? I’m going to help her teach that man a lesson.”

Shao You’s expression became somewhat unnatural as he coughed lightly: “Don’t go. Stay seated. She… is not being bullied.”

The little immortal grass trusted him greatly and obediently sat down, but was extremely puzzled: “Why?” It was a voice of suffering.

After a long silence, Shao You squeezed out a few words: “The pleasure of marital relations.”

“Marital relations?”

He commanded: “Close your hearing. Don’t listen anymore, and don’t look. In the future… in the future you’ll understand.”

Previously, in Liu Shuang’s heart, Shao You understood everything. He was like a pillar of heaven supporting her world. She revered him, trusted him unconditionally, yet found she had never truly seen through him.

“Shao You,” she raised her small face, “under what circumstances would a man accompany a woman for a hundred years, teaching and protecting her everywhere, yet be unwilling to become her master?”

Shao You didn’t understand why she asked this. After considering briefly, he answered: “Perhaps affection.” The status of master and disciple, after all, conflicted with human relationships.

Liu Shuang suddenly coughed.

She coughed until her small face turned red, unable to distinguish whether she was more surprised by learning that Yan Chaosheng liked her or by Shao You’s mention of affection.

Heavens, did Shao You… did he love her in her previous life?

It wasn’t that she had never thought in that direction. From the beginning, Shao You had played the role of a serious mentor. A teacher imparts knowledge, skills, and resolves doubts. Shao You was, in her heart, the unfettered, handsome Ancient Peachwood God, while she was just a silly little immortal grass—she had never dared to imagine him that way.

Later, when she married Yan Chaosheng, Shao You showed no joy or sorrow. On her wedding day, he even helped comb her hair and escorted her.

She hadn’t known before that the Twin Fish Pendant and Ming Xi Pearl were so precious, assuming they were ordinary wedding gifts from Shao You. Now, hearing this possibility directly from Shao You’s lips, she felt like a steamed shrimp.

The Hui Ling Heart was sensitive—the bashfulness she had lost before now overwhelmed her.

Goodness, Shao You actually… she shouldn’t have asked. Shao You had liked her in her previous life, but what about this life? She secretly glanced at him. Now that the veil was lifted, she could never face him as candidly as before.

Shao You lowered his gaze to look at her.

After asking that strange question, from her fair neck to her cheeks, she had turned completely red. That pallor receded, replaced by a different kind of pinkness.

Shao You asked: “Did I say something wrong?”

She shook her head, stealing another glance at him. What about in this life—did he still like her? If so, what should she do?

Shao You: “…” He was somewhat helpless, asking: “Chi Shui Immortal, now that you have the Creation Soil, but your immortal body is damaged, staying in the mortal realm long is not an option. I have a close friend named Zhan Xue Yang, skilled in the ways of heaven and earth, expert in the five elements of medicine. He might be able to help you stabilize your immortal form quickly. Would you be willing to go with me to see him?”

Liu Shuang: “Thank you, Shao You, but I’d like to return to Kung Sang first.”

Shao You nodded.

With the Creation Soil in her possession, no one felt at ease, though this meant she would have to endure more days of pain.

Liu Shuang didn’t stay awake long before falling asleep again. Her condition was poor—only slumber could alleviate her suffering.

It was several days later when Shao You directed the celestial crane to return her to Kung Sang.

As the future Lord of Kunlun, his arrival caused quite a stir. Chi Shui Chong received him in the great hall. The two gentlemen of the Bai family were also present. Bai Yuxiao, seeing Liu Shuang’s immortal form barely intact, immediately flared up: “Young Lord of Ji Mo, you injured her like this?”

The more composed Bai Zhuixu restrained Bai Yuxiao: “Don’t be impulsive. Let’s hear the explanation first.”

Chi Shui Chong ordered someone to take Liu Shuang.

After Shao You calmly explained everything, Chi Shui Chong finally looked at the jade box tightly held in his daughter’s arms.

The people of Kung Sang were both shocked beyond belief and overjoyed. Chi Shui Chong’s expression revealed nothing, showing neither joy nor anger, merely thanking Shao You for returning Liu Shuang.

“Young Lord of Ji Mo, have you received the Heavenly Lord’s decree recently?”

Although Shao You hadn’t returned to Kunlun, having been traveling with Liu Shuang, someone from Kunlun had already informed him through voice transmission. Chi Shui Chong looked at him: “The Heavenly Lord has ordered the extermination of demons throughout the world.”

Chi Shui Chong asked: “None dare disobey the Heavenly Lord’s command. Currently, many celestial soldiers from Kung Sang have been conscripted to suppress demons. Kunlun must also be executing this order. What are your thoughts?”

Shao You said, “I am merely a disciple of Kunlun. At this time, decisions should be made by my father. I dare not speak presumptuously.”

Chi Shui Chong smiled rarely: “Nephew Ji Mo is far more composed than my daughter.”

Shao You also smiled: “Uncle Chi Shui flatters me.”

Chi Shui Chong dismissed everyone, dropping the demeanor of a realm lord and speaking kindly: “I never imagined Liu Shuang would truly bring back a Spirit Vein.”

At this moment, his eyes showed gratitude mixed with self-reproach.

“For her, a daughter raised with tender love, to return injured like this, as a father, I failed to protect her. Thank you for escorting her back, Nephew Ji Mo. And thank you for not harming her and taking the Spirit Vein.”

Shao You raised his hand and silently performed a ceremonial bow.

“I understand Kunlun’s current situation is not optimistic. You and Old Friend Ji Mo are struggling. I heard you attended the Four Seas Banquet but left midway. Your immortal realm has excelled in divination for generations, so you must have sensed the emergence of the Spirit Vein and gone for it. Before this, were you considering an alliance through marriage with the Feng clan?”

Knowing he couldn’t hide it from Chi Shui Chong, Shao You said: “Yes.”

“What are your thoughts now?”

Shao You lowered his gaze: “Kunlun needs a Spirit Vein to address its urgent crisis. The immortal clans’ conscription at this time only adds to our difficulties. If marriage to the Feng clan can provide immediate relief, I am willing to give it a try.”

Chi Shui Chong walked over and patted his shoulder.

“Along with the Heavenly Lord’s secret decree, there was also a verbal command,” Chi Shui Chong said. “Prince Feng Fuming seems interested in my daughter Liu Shuang and has invited her to stay in the celestial realm in Feng Caiyi’s name.”

Shao You raised his eyes.

A flash of coldness passed through Chi Shui Chong’s eyes: “The Feng family is cold-blooded and ruthless, and the Prince even more so than the Heavenly Lord. He wants Liu Shuang, but now that Kung Sang’s Spirit Vein crisis is resolved, I naturally won’t agree.”

Chi Shui Chong looked at him, smiling slightly: “Shao You, Liu Shuang was reckless before and has wronged you in many ways. But now she has grown much and become more obedient. Although your betrothal was canceled due to her mischief, if you are still interested, perhaps you could ask her again…”

He didn’t finish his last sentence, but Shao You couldn’t help thinking further.

Ask her what?

Chi Shui Chong laughed heartily: “Come, I have rarely seen you since your childhood. Now that you’ve come to Kung Sang, I must fulfill my duties as a host.”

Shao You could not continue his deep thoughts and withdrew his mind.

The next day, learning that Shao You’s friend could help heal Liu Shuang, Chi Shui Chong, unable to bear his daughter’s suffering, agreed to let him take her away. Consort Zi, with tears in her eyes, wanted to accompany them.

Shao You had to honestly say: “Zhan Xue Yang dislikes crowds.” That man had a terrible temper, and whether he would be willing to save Liu Shuang was uncertain.

Soon after they left, a celestial soldier rushed back with news.

It turned out that among the celestial soldiers surrounding the demon mountain, some were from Kung Sang.

Chi Shui Chong’s heart sank as he listened.

“After the collapse of the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, do great demons remain in the world?”

And with cruel, violent methods, slaughtering immortals without mercy! Over these days, three batches of celestial soldiers had gone to that demon mountain, and not one had returned. Not just their physical bodies, but even their souls had been mercilessly incinerated by that Mountain Lord.

Recalling the demonic energy that had appeared when the Spirit Veins were depleting, Chi Shui Chong understood there must be a problem. He made a swift decision: “Order all celestial soldiers to stay away from that demon mountain, and summon Bai Zhuixu.”