In the Nether Realm, there are no stars, no sun, and no moon. Without the celestial cycles, the passage of time becomes a blur, unnoticed by those within.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Liu Yun was still diligently working to make the Nether Lord shift her affections. On the couch, Feng Liuli finally reached her limit. She signaled with her eyes for the other woman to stop.
Liu Yun, who had always been submissive and obedient, chose this moment to be uncharacteristically bold.
She muttered in a low voice, “Did the Nether Lord not tell her subordinate to do as she pleased?”
With that, she prepared to continue.
Since she first gained consciousness three thousand nine hundred years ago, Liu Yun had pined for the Nether Lord for over three millennia. Now that she had finally obtained her heart’s desire, she would be content even if she died right here.
What surprised her even more was that the Nether Lord—who had a reputation for being a flirt both in the Nether Realm and the mortal world—actually still possessed her primary yin.
Did this not mean that she was the first, and only one, to ever…
Feng Liuli glanced down at Liu Yun, whose eyes were brimming with excitement, and spoke in a ghostly tone. “The Empress of the Luo Water has not yet returned. My nether power is unstable.”
Liu Yun’s movements stopped instantly. She scrambled off the couch and knelt on the floor to beg for forgiveness.
“This is my fault. Please, Nether Lord, punish me.”
As she spoke, she began to ignite her Origin Power, intending to help Feng Liuli stabilize her soul. However, Feng Liuli interrupted her with a cold face.
“Stop! Who gave you permission to act on your own?”
Liu Yun froze. Looking at the Nether Lord, who was now a complete contrast to her passionate self moments ago, she stammered, “I have erred. Please, Nether Lord, punish me!”
Feng Liuli gave a cold snort and kicked her off the side of the bed. “Go to the River of Forgetfulness and keep watch. Make sure that ‘Sister’ she’s so obsessed with doesn’t actually meet with an accident.”
“Yes,” Liu Yun replied, turning to leave.
Seeing Liu Yun preparing to walk away just like that, Feng Liuli felt a surge of irritation.
“You’re just going to leave? Nothing else to say to me?”
Liu Yun, who had zero experience in romance and no idea how to coax a partner, racked her brain for a long time after hearing the question. Finally, she asked, “The Empress’s legs were weak because you placed a seal on her. Why did you lie to Miss Shangguan and say it was…”
The moment Liu Yun spoke, Feng Liuli—who had been waiting for something sweet—nearly coughed up a mouthful of ancient blood.
Before Liu Yun could finish, Feng Liuli interrupted her with a darkened expression.
“Get out! Don’t let me see your face for the rest of the month!”
Seeing the Nether Lord’s black expression, Liu Yun completely wilted.
She didn’t understand. Everything had been fine a moment ago; why did the Nether Lord’s attitude flip so suddenly?
“Yes,” she answered dejectedly.
She turned and left the Hall of the Nether Lord with lingering reluctance.
Watching Liu Yun’s retreating back, Feng Liuli’s anger still hadn’t dissipated.
She knew she shouldn’t have expected that little blockhead to say anything pleasing. Whenever this woman opened her mouth, it was either “I have erred” or “Please punish me.” After thousands of years, she hadn’t come up with a single new phrase.
Thinking back on the absurdity of the past month, Feng Liuli suddenly felt a twinge of regret. She shouldn’t have let this fool off so easily. She should have…
But considering Liu Yun’s personality, Feng Liuli ultimately let out a long sigh.
Fine. Since I’m twenty thousand years older than her, I suppose I can be the bigger person and tolerate it…
While the Nether Lord and Liu Yun were preoccupied for the past month, Shangguan Liqian had been enduring solitude and agony, walking alone through the sunless River of Forgetfulness, sustained only by hope.
From the waist down, she had long since lost all sensation due to the soaking river water.
As for how she was still able to move forward, it was entirely due to a single conviction.
The conviction to pluck the Colorful Leaf Grass and stabilize Luo Wushuang’s soul.
When Liu Yun arrived at the banks of the River of Forgetfulness, she saw Shangguan Liqian—pale-faced and barely hanging on by a thread—stumbling forward.
Remembering her master’s orders, Liu Yun frowned and flicked a hand, casting a spell toward her.
The figure in the river, who looked ready to collapse, suddenly looked as if she had been given a potent tonic. Her spirit rallied instantly.
Sensing the change in her body, Shangguan Liqian quickened her pace.
After more than a month, she finally saw the silhouette of the Colorful Leaf Grass.
A faint smile appeared on Shangguan Liqian’s exhausted face. Just as she was about to joyfully reach for the grass…
Her path was suddenly blocked by a dense thicket of thorns.
Black flames danced upon the twisted brambles. The thorns swayed like hungry venomous snakes, looking ready to entwine anyone who dared pass. The scattered white bones beneath the thicket silently proclaimed the lethality of this place.
But the Colorful Leaf Grass was right before her eyes. She would never give up now.
Recollecting the image of Luo Wushuang resolutely carrying her into the Imperial Tomb in their past life, Shangguan Liqian took a deep breath. She reached out to push aside the flaming thorns and prepared to step inside.
The moment her hand touched the black flames, the River of Forgetfulness surged. Countless vengeful spirits crawled out of the water, lunging at her in a frenzy.
Watching from the shadows, Liu Yun frowned and cast another spell.
A ghostly light flashed, and the pouncing spirits vanished with piercing shrieks.
Realizing that someone was secretly helping her, Shangguan Liqian looked around and called out her thanks in a loud voice.
She continued to endure the searing flames and the pain of thorns piercing her flesh, struggling through the vast thicket.
Until…
Countless blades of Colorful Leaf Grass spread out beneath her feet like a beautiful painting. Finally, a smile of relief and fulfillment bloomed on Shangguan Liqian’s face.
Her persistence had not been in vain.
After three long months, she had finally obtained the Colorful Leaf Grass.
Recalling the Nether Lord’s promise that Wushuang would be fine once the grass was secured, Shangguan Liqian’s posture relaxed. she nearly collapsed on the spot.
As she forced herself to stand, debating whether she had to trek back through the river, Liu Yun appeared before her in a flash.
“Now that you have the Colorful Leaf Grass, follow me back to the Hall of the Nether Lord.”
Looking at the still cold-faced Liu Yun and thinking of the repeated secret assistance she had received, Shangguan Liqian had an inkling of the truth. She bowed and thanked her solemnly.
“Thank you, Right Protector!”
Liu Yun raised an eyebrow but said nothing, silently leading the way.
She was thinking to herself: The Nether Lord told me not to appear before her for a month. It’s been over a month now, so it should be fine, right?
Thinking of the last time she saw the Nether Lord, and the expression she wore when she lost herself… Liu Yun instinctively swallowed.
Carrying the excitement of seeing the Nether Lord again, Liu Yun walked so fast her robes fluttered in the wind.
[Xiaobai: Hahaha! This big idiot! She tells you not to show up, and you really don’t show up? You’re even happy about it? Just wait, you won’t be laughing in a moment. Ge-ge-ge…]*
