Five hundred years later, one day while carrying out a confidential mission under orders from the Celestial Emperor, he passed through the palace gates—only to find a red figure waiting for him outside.
When she saw him, her face lit up with joy. Yet she stood still, hesitating, caught between the impulse to run forward and the fear of overstepping.
He recognized her immediately. “Little Cha.”
It took her a moment to realize he was addressing her. Once it registered, she hurried up to him, eyes lowered, clearly flustered. “Divine Lord.”
He still remembered that bold little demon from long ago—surprisingly vivid, despite the centuries. But now, after five hundred years apart, the person standing before him had grown even more beautiful, her demeanor more composed and reserved. He smiled gently and asked, “Why haven’t I seen you at the past few Flower Festivals?”
She lifted her gaze instantly, visibly disheartened. “I thought… the Divine Lord had seen me.”
In five hundred years, her cultivation had clearly advanced. He looked her over with quiet appreciation and—unable to resist—used his divine power to divine her fate once more.
What he saw shocked him.
In all his years of cultivation, he had never encountered such an anomaly. It had to be a result of some great disturbance in her spiritual path—likely related to a tribulation. Yet if even he could not divine the cause, then it was no simple matter. What kind of accident or event could trigger such a deviation in fate?
More importantly, had it already happened… or was it something that had yet to come?
He narrowed his eyes and looked at her more closely. “Has your inner cultivation been disturbed lately?”
Clearly sensing his concern, she shyly shook her head. “No… Only the tribulations have been getting heavier. It’s been… a little hard.”
He’d once been young and impetuous too—how could he not recognize her nervousness? He gave a small smile, but inwardly sighed. This little demon had no idea that disaster was looming right above her head.
He gently shifted the subject. “So, what brought you into the city so suddenly?”
Among her kind, cultivation was especially difficult due to their limited forms. Now that someone from her clan had finally made it this far—only to be met with ominous fate—it stirred his pity.
Looking at her small, sincere face, he said softly, “Then stay here at the Flower Palace to cultivate. Would you like that?”
Given her current condition, staying in the palace would undoubtedly be the safest option. Perhaps the source of the disturbance could even be uncovered—and the coming disaster averted.
He glanced to the distant sky and added, “But first, you’ll have to come with me to handle something.”
She nodded without hesitation.
Seeing her confusion, he smiled and raised a hand. Then, without warning, he waved his sleeve and transformed her into a tiny blooming red camellia. He gently plucked her into his palm and tucked her into his sleeve.
“This matter is highly confidential. I can’t bring outsiders. Stay in my sleeve for now.”
“If you truly wish to cultivate,” came a voice with faint rebuke,
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