After a satisfying meal, Gong Xue insisted on dragging Mu Xian to River Moon. Despite his strong reluctance, Mu Xian had no choice but to comply under Gong Xue’s threat of “no more brewing alcohol,” though he did so with a grim face.

Before leaving, Gong Xue turned and directed Yuan Na, “Nana! In the kitchen, there’s some wine I brewed. If the senior brothers and senior sisters want to drink, go ahead and share it with them.”

“Okay! You guys come back soon!” Yuan Na replied.

“Got it!” Gong Xue confirmed.

Mu Xian anxiously exclaimed, “That’s my wine! Mine!”

Gong Xue continued to drag him along, soothing him with sweet words, “I’ll brew more for you! I’ll make even better ones!”

After much cajoling, the two finally arrived at River Moon.

Gong Xue never came to Xu Tao empty-handed when she had a task at hand.

Xu Tao was deep in sleep when Gong Xue dangled a freshly roasted chicken in front of him. The aroma woke Xu Tao immediately.

His spirits instantly lifted as he grabbed the chicken and hungrily tore into it without regard for decorum, while Gong Xue thoughtfully handed him a bottle of plum wine.

“Take your time eating; no one’s going to steal it from you,” she assured him.

Mu Xian, harboring a belly full of resentment, couldn’t help but feel indignant. Why did this old man get to enjoy both roasted chicken and wine, while he, a Deity Lord, could only drink wine? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, glaring sideways at the old man.

Xu Tao, well aware of the calculating thoughts hidden behind Gong Xue’s fawning demeanor, asked, “Spill it. What do you want from me this time?”

With a sly smile, Gong Xue flattered, “I knew nothing could get past you. I just wanted to ask if there’s any other way in this world besides the ‘Soul Reviving Spell’ that can accelerate the growth of a deity soul.”

Xu Tao, gnawing on a chicken leg, replied, “As far as I know, when it comes to spells that can cultivate a deity soul, there’s only the ‘Soul Reviving Spell,’ nothing else.”

Gong Xue wasn’t about to give up, “What about anything that assists? Even if it’s only marginally effective.”

Xu Tao, after a moment of pondering, said, “There is! Alchemical pills!”

“Alchemical pills?” Gong Xue inquired.

“Yes, alchemical pills can assist. Some alchemical pills are beneficial for nourishing the deity soul. I’m not versed in the way of alchemical pills; you’ll have to ask that youngster Wei Xian.”

Xu Tao continued to savor his chicken leg.

Gong Xue’s eyes sparkled with hope. She hastily thanked Xu Tao and, pulling Mu Xian along, rushed toward Moonrise.

Boom!

Crash!

The Memory Reflecting Mirror shattered!

The story within the mirror came to an abrupt end.

Shuiyang’s angry gaze shifted towards Zhuo Mu.

His pupils had turned blood-red, and his entire body was engulfed in thick, swirling black aura, completely devoid of the high moral character of the Divine he had previously displayed.

“Demonic Aura!”

The gods gasped in horror.

In an instant, the atmosphere changed, and around Zhuo Mu, numerous demons gathered overhead. These demons didn’t have bodies, only heads, swimming through the pitch-black clouds like fish, occasionally letting out skin-crawling screeches.

Zhuo Mu broke free from the heavenly shackles placed by Sovereign Xiangti.

“Ruined my plans!” Zhuo Mu growled, glaring viciously at Shuiyang. With a wave of his hand, countless malevolent spirits lunged excitedly towards her.

Lord Feng Ang immediately shielded Shuiyang, chanting firmly, “Thunder roars across the heavens, ten thousand thunders scour the world, hundreds of thousands of lightning bolts, scatter all evil demons!”

His incantation resonated powerfully. A fierce wind slashed through the churning black clouds like a knife, as deafening thunder showcased its ferocity. Countless lightning bolts churned within the dark clouds.

Suddenly, a massive lightning bolt struck down from the sky, hitting the roaring malevolent spirits dead center.

With agonizing screams, the demons dissipated into black smoke and ascended into the sky.

Realizing the situation, everyone quickly moved to stand in front of Shuiyang, with Shi Zhao pulling her directly behind him.

Zhuo Mu, in a fit of rage, tried to take another vicious strike, but Sovereign Xiangti’s majestic voice descended like a mountain, nearly suffocating Zhuo Mu under its weight. Cold sweat poured down his face.

“Zhuo Mu! You have fallen into the Devil’s path. Do not struggle any further; surrender peacefully!”

Seeing the situation turn against him, Zhuo Mu summoned a swarm of malevolent spirits for cover, and in the blink of an eye, vanished from sight.

Sovereign Xiangti’s powerful voice rang out once more, “Feng Ang, I command you to capture Zhuo Mu and bring him to justice!”

“Feng Ang accepts the command!”

Lord Feng Ang disappeared into the wind in an instant, leaving only a fleeting afterimage.

Sovereign Xiangti flicked a finger, erasing the scene before them. The Heart-Linked Jade emitted a faint glow. As Xiangti was about to grasp it, the jade returned to its original place.

With a helpless smile, Sovereign Xiangti’s refined eyes curved slightly, retracting his hand.

“Sovereign, we are willing to assist Lord Feng Ang!”

“Permission granted.”

Zhen Yin and Li Yan immediately took off in pursuit. Shi Zhao wanted to join them, but Shuiyang held him back, pointing to the now-destroyed Cloud Academy.

Shi Zhao understood what Shuiyang meant—it was crucial to properly settle the affairs of Cloud Academy and reassure the mortals involved.

“Sovereign! How should we handle the situation at Cloud Academy?” Shuiyang awaited Sovereign Xiangti’s instruction.

After contemplating, Sovereign Xiangti responded, “I’ll leave that decision to you. Just let me know if you need anything.”

“Very well, but I request that you ensure Cloud Academy receives a satisfactory resolution,” Shuiyang replied earnestly.

Sovereign Xiangti chuckled lightly, “You have quite the nerve, Human Deity, talking to me without the slightest hint of formality.”

“I’m merely addressing the matter at hand,” Shuiyang said, maintaining her serious demeanor.

Sovereign Xiangti’s laughter echoed, clear and melodious, like the sound of silver bells, entirely devoid of the earlier imposing presence.

“You’re an intriguing person, Human Deity. Why do you remain in the First Heaven? If you wish, I can promote you to the Third Heaven.”

Shuiyang refused without a moment’s hesitation, “No need.”

“Why not?”

Sovereign Xiangti’s curiosity was piqued. After all, everyone aspires to climb higher ranks, deities being no exception; who wouldn’t grab a beneficial opportunity?

Shuiyang’s response was straightforward, “In the First Heaven, I am a Deity Lord. In the Third Heaven, I might not even rank as an Immortal. It’s not worth it.”

Sovereign Xiangti was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter, amused by Shuiyang’s candidness, “Very well, I won’t force you. Should you ever change your mind, you can seek me out.”

Retracting his voice-transmitting message, Sovereign Xiangti, who clearly was an emperor, felt to her more like a callow youth, someone untouched by the hardships of the world.

With an eye-roll, Shuiyang shook her head, finding herself at a loss for words regarding this peculiar Sovereign Xiangti.