Mortal Realm.

Amidst the forest path, a swifthorse galloped through, carrying a striking woman in red with a determined gaze.

Suddenly, a blade of light descended from the sky, aiming menacingly at the woman.

She maneuvered her horse to dodge, and the light blade cut through trees and mountains, leaving a charred deep groove on the ground.

The weather changed abruptly, and a majestic voice echoed from the darkening clouds above.

“Lord¹ Shuiyang! The deity has ordered divine punishment. You cannot escape after committing an act that enraged the deity!”

The voice was as loud as a gong, causing birds and beasts in the dense forest to scatter in fear. Following a massive thunderclap that broke through the clouds, a lightning bolt struck directly at Shuiyang on horseback.

This frightened the horse, causing it to topple over. Shuiyang leaped into the air, and in her hand, white light coalesced into a bow and arrow. She drew the bow fully and shot into the sky. The arrow split into a hundred, illuminating the entire mountain with white brilliance.

The hundred arrows pierced through the clouds, and after a deafening thunderclap, a golden light descended from the clouds.

Shuiyang gently landed, her red dress fluttering. She had naturally affectionate eyes but her thin red lips gave her an unfeeling look.

From the descending divine light emerged not only golden beams but also four men dressed in white robes and wearing golden masks.

The four Celestial Generals surrounded Shuiyang, who held her white bow, calmly observing them.

Then, the white bow dissipated into white smoke.

The four Celestial Generals were momentarily perplexed and exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward and respectfully urged, “Lord Shuiyang, please come with us. We believe the deity will not harm you.”

Shuiyang smirked, “Dream on!”

She leaped up, forming seals with her hands, and chanted an incantation: “Heaven and Earth, boundless, formless, the wind and clouds, ever-changing, transform!”

Upon the command, a whirlwind formed around Shuiyang, rapidly growing into a tornado, forcing the four Celestial Generals to retreat.

They quickly responded, forming defensive seals.

“All laws return to one, united and unbreakable, shield!”

The tornado, like a sharp sword, collided with the shield, sparking fiercely.

Realizing the standstill would lead to mutual destruction, one of the generals retracted the shield, ascended into the air, and summoned his Divine Manifestation.

“Starlight as dust, clear breeze reflecting the moon, the heavens and earth proclaim, all things become clear, manifest!”

Under the divine light, a golden divine manifestation appeared behind the general, majestic and solemn. The mere divine light suppressed the tornado’s ferocity. The general pointed downward, and a divine ring descended, shattering the whirlwind around Shuiyang and pressing down on her.

The other three Celestial Generals seized the moment to restrain Shuiyang.

“Bind mountains and rivers, trap seas, shape without form, bind!”

Three light ropes shot toward Shuiyang. She quickly leaped into the air, with the glowing ring above her head just inches away. As she prepared to smash it with her fist, a golden light burst out from nowhere, dissipating the golden figure of the general in the air and causing the halo above Shui yang’s head to vanish.

A Man in White swept his robe as he passed, heavily injuring the four Celestial Generals who collapsed to the ground. The Man in White then flew over swiftly, wrapping his arms around Shuiyang’s waist. Their eyes met.

The Man in White grinned charmingly at Shuiyang, displaying a pair of mischievous-looking fangs.

“Shuiyang, I saved you again.”

His enchanting green eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. Even after landing, he didn’t release his hold.

A black line appeared on Shuiyang’s face, and she said impatiently, “Had enough? Let go!”

Only then did the Man in White reluctantly release her waist, savoring the scent left on his hand.

At this moment, the injured Celestial Generals spoke to the Man in White, “Lord Shi Zhao, are you defying the deity’s order? The deity himself commanded the capture of Lord Shuiyang!”

Shi Zhao sneered, “I don’t care who gave the order. This Mortal Realm is my domain. Anyone who messes with my people here has to answer to me. Go back and tell Chengqi, I don’t give a damn about the Heavenly Law. I only know that Little Shuiyang is my guest in the Mortal Realm. Whoever dares to touch her will deal with me. Now, get lost!”

The four Celestial Generals exchanged glances. Annoyed by their hesitation, Shi Zhao sent them flying back to the heavens with a gust of wind from his palm.

Shi Zhao watched the four white figures disappear into the distance, feeling immensely pleased.

Without looking back, Shuiyang lifted her leg and walked away. Shi Zhao immediately caught hold of her, demanding a reward.

“Hey, hey, hey! Little Shuiyang, aren’t you being a bit too ungrateful? I saved you, after all. Not even a word of thanks?”

With a cold expression, Shuiyang replied unemotionally, “Thank you,” and then continued walking.

Shi Zhao quickly followed.

“That’s too perfunctory! In the Mortal Realm, saving someone’s life usually warrants a lifelong commitment.”

Shuiyang cast him a glance and kept walking.

Shi Zhao continued his chatter.

“Alright, maybe not a lifelong commitment, but at least give me a promise…”

Knowing he would keep pestering her unless she agreed to something, Shuiyang stopped and interrupted him, “What promise?”

Shi Zhao was momentarily stunned but quickly became overjoyed, pretending to be aloof. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”

Shuiyang felt like killing him but restrained herself, ignoring him as she walked on.

“Little Shuiyang, where are we going?”

“To the Long Xia Kingdom.”

“And what are we doing there?”

As their shadows elongated, the setting sun gradually hid away.

Footnote:

1. Lord(神尊): The full title is Deity Lord. To avoid redundancy, it will be referred to as “Lord.” In this novel, it refers to deities with lower status and divine power in the Heavenly realm.