She stubbornly turned her face away. “I’m afraid that if wind and thunder injure my roots, I won’t remember you the next time I come back.”
So that’s what she’s afraid of? He was caught off guard.
She bit her lip and said, “I’ve almost failed the last few times.”
There was one time she’d nearly been struck back into her original form. But whenever she thought of him, she couldn’t accept defeat—and managed to pull through in the end.
He snapped out of it and spoke gently, “You’ll make it. Don’t you believe my words?”
Of course! He was Lord Divine—he could foresee the future! Suddenly, an unexplainable confidence bloomed within her. Smiling radiantly, she said,
“Of course I believe you! I will definitely become immortal and be your Divine Consort.”
Even now, she was thinking about becoming his consort—he didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.
“Then face the trial carefully. Don’t panic. As long as you get through it, I’ll take you to the Jade Pool Banquet.”
The Jade Pool Banquet in the Heavenly Realm! Her eyes lit up. “Really?”
He knew well that immortal cultivation relied on inner resolve, not tempting rewards—but strangely, when it came to her, he didn’t think such coaxing was wrong. Smiling, he nodded:
“Stay sharp. I’ll be watching you.”
She blinked excitedly. “I know you’ll help me—I’m not afraid!”
He paused, saying nothing.
He only needed to lend a small hand, and shielding her wouldn’t be difficult. But the strange omens tied to her fate couldn’t even be divined with his 200,000 years of cultivation—it showed how grave this was. If this tribulation was indeed the source of it all, stepping in recklessly might defy the will of Heaven, risking disaster. When it came time for him to return to his post, even the smallest mistake would be unforgivable.
Besides, there were too many cases like hers. He simply couldn’t help them all—that was why their kind had dwindled to so few.
Was it truly worth intervening for the sake of one little demon?
Looking into those radiant, spirited eyes… he couldn’t bear to say no.
He sighed and warned,
“Remember—no matter what happens, never separate from the land or damage your roots.”
She nodded with conviction. “I will. Don’t worry.”
He glanced up at the sky. “Hurry and hide.”
Reveal her original form in front of him? Her cheeks flushed red. She pushed him lightly.
“You go first.”
He didn’t insist, simply turned and left.
“Don’t forget to take me to the Jade Pool Banquet!” she called after him.
With a leap, she transformed into a red camellia.
Compared to the other camellia trees around her, this one was extraordinary—taller than a man, with glossy dark green leaves as large as a palm. Its blossoms were as big as a human head, glowing with a brilliant red sheen. Eight flowers had already bloomed, and one more was just beginning to unfurl.
The wind picked up.
Thunder gathered in the skies.
The red camellia bent and swayed wildly in the storm’s rising breath.
A great tribulation comes once every thousand years—don’t panic. Just get through it!
She resisted the trembling in her body and quietly urged herself onward. If she survived this heavenly trial, she’d no longer be restricted by her original form when moving about. More importantly, she’d be one step closer to him. She’d worked so hard to pass the last few trials—this one would be no different. Besides… he was helping her.
The camellia, tall as a person, slowly shrank, taking on the appearance of an ordinary camellia, blending into the surrounding patch of flowers.
The black clouds grew so heavy the heavens seemed about to collapse. Wind and rain swept violently across the world.
Rain lashed at the petals—a scene of utter chaos.
It hurts! Even more than last time!
She bit her lip and endured it, clutching at the earth beneath her feet.
High above, a silver serpent appeared, coiling and writhing in the sky, darting swiftly through the cracks in the clouds. But the expected thunderclap didn’t come—it seemed to be searching for something.
With a deafening roar, the whole of Mount Baizhou trembled.
0 Comments