Volume Five: Chuanxi’s Past Life — Chapter 146

Jin Li had just returned to the Sacred Domain Heavens when she saw the Heavenly Lord of the Outer Domain and the celestial soldiers gathered there, along with Tang Jiu.

She had no idea what was happening.

As soon as they saw Jin Li, they all saluted in unison. “Supreme Deity Chang Li.”

Jin Li nodded slightly, and then the Heavenly Lord rose, his expression grave.

“Heavenly Lord, what urgent matter brings you here today?”

The Heavenly Lord said, “The Demon Lord of the Li Demon Realm has returned.”

“Reforging the demon lineage and the Demon Lord’s return—what’s so extraordinary about that? Could it be… the Demon Lord harbors rebellious thoughts?”

Though the Heavenly Lord appeared troubled on the surface, a cunning gleam sparkled in his eyes.

Jin Li couldn’t help but snort softly.

“Supreme Deity Chang Li, this matter… we must deliberate carefully.”

He spoke with a tone of invitation.

But judging by his demeanor, the Heavenly Lord seemed less inclined to discuss and more intent on apprehending her.

She hadn’t even entered the Sacred Domain yet and had already been brought to Yujing.

The Heavenly Lord’s Hall in Yujing of the Ninth Heaven.

The Heavenly Lord and celestial officials stood there.

Upon seeing Jin Li, they all bowed respectfully.

Then the Heavenly Lord sat upon his throne and said, “The Demon Lord Lin Xian of the Demon Realm has returned. Today, I specially invite Supreme Deity Chang Li and all present to discuss this matter. I hope you can provide me with a satisfactory resolution.”

With that, he waved his long robe, and two images appeared within the celestial projection.

One bore a fierce expression; the other was serene.

Jin Li’s expression shifted—she recognized the serene figure well.

At this moment, the gloomy Demon Lord was single-handedly restraining the person beneath him, while using his other hand for unseemly acts—indecent and repulsive.

The pear blossoms soaked, the scene unmistakably intimate.

No one needed to guess what the Demon Lord was doing.

Jin Li’s gaze burned fiercely upon the Heavenly Lord, her hand beneath her sleeve tightening silently.

She noticed the Heavenly Lord’s eyes fixed on her with a gleam of amusement and intrigue.

An old fox’s cunning.

The assembled immortals began whispering, condemning the scene as indecent and scandalous…

Their refined insults and sarcastic remarks pierced Jin Li’s heart like a blade.

She closed her eyes silently, suppressing the fury within.

In the end, the Heavenly Lord made the first move.

Truly despicable.

Finally, a celestial official proposed some strategies, but the Heavenly Lord only wished to hear Jin Li’s thoughts, no longer interested in listening further. Having staged such a grand performance, it would be meaningless if the lead did not catch on.

He dismissed the officials, and after they left the hall, he slowly descended from his throne.

“Supreme Deity Chang Li, what is your opinion?”

Jin Li retorted coldly, “Since you have acted in such a manner, you are truly despicable,” she said fiercely.

The Heavenly Lord was pleased with her reaction.

He had never guessed what weaknesses Jin Li might have, but now it seemed that the idle deity had unwittingly aided him greatly.

She had been intimate with his disciple?

And that disciple was the Demon Lord?

Truly heaven-sent. After all these years as Heavenly Lord, some rewards were due.

He waved his sleeve, hands clasped behind his back, eyebrows raised in pride, eyes gleaming with triumph.

“Supreme Deity Chang Li, now, can we speak reasonably?”

“…”

“You restored the Sacred Domain Heavens, and I have no objections. Why not have the Sacred Domain and Yujing join forces to eliminate the Demon Realm, uniting the Six Realms under the immortals and gods? Wouldn’t that be splendid?”

Jin Li looked at him coldly.

“Join forces? What right do you have to speak of alliance?”

Her eyes were filled with contempt and murderous intent.

“I warn you, if you dare cause trouble again, I guarantee your position as Heavenly Lord will come to an end.”

“So, Supreme Deity Chang Li, are you truly unafraid that your intimate relations with Supreme Deity Jin will become common knowledge throughout the Eight Seas and Nine Provinces?”

The Heavenly Lord had barely finished speaking when Jin Li slammed him against the divine pillar behind him.

His expression remained unchanged, still confident and calm.

“You dare?”

“...Supreme Deity Chang Li, do you think I dare, or do I not?”

His gaze suddenly grew cold.

“I wonder if you recall the Su Fox clan—they have long sought to replace the Qingqiu Tushan clan.”

Jin Li’s momentum slowly faltered.

She released her grip, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking.

“I have but one condition.”

The Heavenly Lord’s smile deepened, sensing his scheme had succeeded.

“Speak freely, Supreme Deity.”

“Do not harm the innocent.”

“That goes without saying.”

“I will not touch your seat as Heavenly Lord, but those around you are off-limits.”

“Those around me? Supreme Deity Jin? The Qingqiu Tushan clan? The Southern Sea Little Merfolk? Or…”

“The people by my side—I would rather die than allow you to lay a hand on them, Li Demon Lord. You shall not touch them.”

With that, Jin Li turned on her heel and left.

The Heavenly Lord’s smile broadened.

From now on, one more obstacle on his path had been removed.

He had expected this matter to be resolved swiftly but never imagined it would be so quick.

Indeed, once a weakness is found, whether god or demon, grasp it tightly and they will obey.

“Congratulations, Heavenly Lord,” Su Wen emerged with a smile.

“Heh, now no one can stop me,” the Heavenly Lord said confidently.

One year later.

Jin Li gazed upon the immortal mountain, once again fresh and verdant, her heart a tumult of emotions.

She never expected to see Geng Yuan again under such circumstances.

After restoring the immortal mountain, her cultivation stood at less than half a level.

If she did not repair herself soon, she would truly lose all power.

Yet, despite her half-level cultivation, Jin Li still felt heavy and burdened.

At night, she came to Lotus River and saw a youth standing among the pear blossoms under the moonlight.

One year had passed, and she never imagined such a short time could so transform a person.

The youth’s expression was gloomy, his eyes filled with disdain.

He reminded her of the one who once ruled the Four Seas—with eyes full only of hatred.

Only hatred.

Her steps were heavy, but she finally spoke, “Geng Yuan.”

The youth halted.

Qi Sui’s expression changed sharply when she saw Jin Li slowly approach.

The female lord had said she was merely on a distant journey to restore the Sacred Domain Heavens, but how had she changed so much upon their next meeting?

Her complexion was utterly bloodless, her clear eyes weary, her expression detached.

Those peach blossom eyes shone faintly when they saw Geng Yuan—a light not of fatigue so much as… the last flicker of a dying flame.

Qi Sui was horrified by the term she thought of.

After a long pause, the youth slowly turned, lifting his calm gaze to Jin Li.

Though his lips curled with mockery, his eyes betrayed confusion.

“Lady… oh no, Supreme Deity Chang Li… it’s been a year. You look utterly wretched.”

He seemed not yet satisfied, continuing, “The once pure and bright moon now reveals such a fallen side—truly lamentable.”

Her long hair was not pinned up; it was loosely tied at the back with a simple band.

Stray strands framed her forehead, and soft locks draped her shoulders.

Her pale gray dress embodied quiet, fragile beauty.

She raised a hand to tuck the strands behind her ear and smiled faintly.

“Yes, I am indeed not as good-looking as before.”

Her expression held a trace of melancholy.

She glanced at Qi Sui, then spoke to those behind in the Pear Blossom Valley.

“You all may return first. We are familiar; there is no need for worry.”

Geng Yuan would not harm her.

That was her confidence.

Otherwise, he would have harmed those disciples when he burned the immortal mountain.

“Supreme Deity… I…”

Qi Sui knew that once Geng Yuan appeared again, everything would end.

Jin Li would never return.

He should have known this long ago.

Seeing Jin Li so lonely and sorrowful over a man, her heart could never return.

Only Jin Li and Geng Yuan remained among the pear blossoms.

The others behind Geng Yuan had departed.

She looked at him closely, her eyes brimming with unmistakable longing.

He had grown more handsome—mature and striking, with a hint of devilish arrogance and wildness.

She wished to touch his face once more, yet the wounds upon her heart and abdomen reminded her she was unworthy.

She averted her gaze, hiding the love in her eyes, speaking as if to an old friend long unseen.

“How… have you been this past year?”

The youth snorted coldly, each word like a blade.

“Thanks to your mysterious spiritual fire, Supreme Deity, I have ‘lived well’ this year.”

Jin Li felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Her vision blurred, even Geng Yuan’s figure fading.

She lowered her eyes and rubbed them, only to find tears streaming down her cheeks.

“…”

She was silent, unsure what to say next.

Geng Yuan saw her silence and continued, “Judging by your appearance, Supreme Deity, it seems you have fared well—restoring the Sacred Domain Heavens, becoming Supreme Deity…”

Jin Li no longer heard his words.

She felt utterly exhausted.

A faint fragrance of pear blossoms filled her breath.

How she wished to lie down among these petals…

And never awaken again…