Upon hearing this, Yun Zi and the others could not sit still.

“This is outrageous! He’s just a child, do they have no humanity?” Heijiao was furious.

Yun Zi slammed the table and stood up, “We will help him!”

Jiu Kan reminded, “Deities cannot interfere with mortal life and death; this is the Heavenly Law.”

Yun Zi smirked cunningly, “Deities cannot, but humans can.”

Yi Lian and Jiu Kan immediately understood.

Outside the forest, Yun Zi, Heijiao, and Lao Ren had each captured a Taoist Priest.

Jiu Kan was about to take action, but Yi Lian stopped him and grabbed the dagger from his hand, “Let me do it.”

Harboring hatred and guilt towards Xiao Jing, Yi Lian killed the three Taoist Priests.

A golden light enveloped him. Dressed in white, with his flowing hair, a blue bindi on his forehead, long eyelashes like fans, a golden necklace on his neck, a white jade golden belt around his waist, and holding a Buddhist rosary, Yi Lian radiated a holy light.

Jiu Kan had a blood mark on his forehead, red tassel earrings, his long hair tied high, clad in black robes with a black veil draping around him, holding a long sword emitting a blue glow full of murderous intent.

“Hong Xin-Yi Lian.”

“Jiu Kan-Jinmo.”

“Receive the Rebirth Command!”

The two returned to their positions; the Sun and Moon Chess were still missing one player.

In the Mortal Realm.

Dai Xi was pushed out of the thatched hut and fell to the ground as a man’s rough and furious voice came from inside.

“Get out! This is my home; it has nothing to do with you from now on!”

Dai Xi wiped away her tears, full of grievances, and walked alone in the quiet village at night. She truly regretted it at this moment—regretting leaving the Heavenly Realm, regretting leaving the Sun and Moon Chess.

Living as a mortal was painful, not suitable for her, and she had no ability to manage relationships between people. In reality, she was only fit to be an assassin.

Sitting by a brook, Dai Xi took off her shoes, dangled her legs, and looked up at the countless stars in the night sky. She could still instantly recognize which one was theirs.

Stars are the lifeblood of Deities, their achievements forever hanging in the sky, even though they have all given up on them.

“I wonder, how are you guys doing?” Dai Xi’s voice was hoarse.

She wasn’t sure if she was asking herself or them.

“How are you doing?”

Dai Xi wasn’t expecting a response, yet she heard one.

Turning around abruptly, those familiar faces were still there, smiling at her gently as they always did.

Dai Xi suddenly felt as if she were dreaming, her eyes immediately welling up with tears.

“Am I…dreaming?”

Tears flowed down her cheeks, shimmering like pearls in the moonlight.

“Xi He, can you dream of so many of us?” Heijiao teased playfully.

At that moment, Dai Xi could no longer hold back, and her overwhelming grievances poured out along with her tears.

“Alright, alright, who bullied our Xi He? I’ll help you take care of him!” Heijiao hugged Dai Xi gently, comforting her. Dai Xi sobbed, “I missed you all so much. Where did you all go? I couldn’t find you.”

The Xi He who was adored by thousands, who always had someone to rely on, who could act spoiled, was back.

The six of them clung together tightly, just like before, feeling the exhilaration of surviving every mission.

The next day, at Dai Xi’s home.

A rough-looking man was about to start a fire to cook. As soon as he tended the fire, it flared up, igniting his clothes.

The man ran around the yard, looking for water to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, from inside the house, a child screamed and stumbled out, not wearing any clothes.

The man hurriedly asked, “What happened?”

The boy gestured frantically, “Snakes! There are snakes on the bed!”

Upon hearing this, the man grabbed a shovel and rushed inside. But as soon as he opened the door, a heap of snakes rushed out, leaping onto his face.

The man and the child screamed and ran out of the thatched hut.

Neighbors came out upon hearing the commotion and saw countless snakes, insects, and rodents chasing the man and the child.

The man was entangled by snakes on the ground, getting bitten, while the child cried in fright.

Suddenly, a melodic and ethereal voice echoed from above. All the villagers looked up and saw five Immortals laughing heartily on five golden clouds.

“It’s the Deities! The Deities!”

The villagers immediately knelt down to worship.

After the snake swarm receded, the man who had been bitten by the snakes asked, “How did I offend the Divine to deserve such punishment?”

The Deities remained silent. Dai Xi stepped forward from the side, “What do you think?”

The man, infuriated at the sight of Dai Xi, snarled, “You wretched woman…” He raised his hand to strike her, but he was suddenly immobilized and then flung against the wall.

From the golden cloud, Yun Zi spoke, “Do you think you can strike a Deity?”

Instantly, the villagers began to whisper amongst themselves.

Yun Zi raised his hand and sent down a green lotus. The lotus landed on Dai Xi’s forehead, enveloping her in a radiant green light. White feather lotuses gathered around her.

She was dressed in flowing green robes, adorned with gold and jade at her waist, a golden crown on her head. Her long black hair turned to white, and as she opened her eyes, they shimmered with rainbow hues. Birds nearby bowed in reverence.

The villagers were left in awe.

“Xi He-Dai Xi, receive the Rebirth Command!”

Xi He returned to her position, and the masses knelt in worship. The man who had been flung away looked as if his soul had left his body, lying on the ground, fear-stricken.

Xi He decreed that the man and his child would endure endless suffering and sorrow for all their lives.

That child was born from her mortal self, Dai Xi, but it was not the child of Xi He, the Immortal.

In Fusheng Land, at Zipei Hall.

Tonight, the Night Bloomers were in full bloom. Bai Qian knew he had returned.

A man stood behind her, watching the lush and beautiful Lanshan Tree together.

“You’re back?” Bai Qian spoke softly.

Feng Ang took a few steps closer. Bai Qian’s fragrance was intoxicating like fine wine.

Bai Qian sensed his proximity and naturally leaned against him. Feng Ang wrapped an arm around her waist, speaking softly, like gentle rain soaking the earth, “I’m back.”

“Is your investigation done?”

Feng Ang replied, “The Sun and Moon Chess have returned, so I’m less burdened. I came back to see you.”

“The Sun and Moon Chess are back; this must be more complicated than we thought.”

“Don’t worry, I will handle it,” Feng Ang whispered into Bai Qian’s ear, making her heart flutter.

A voice-transmitting talisman flew to them, and they exchanged a glance. Bai Qian lightly touched it with her jade-like finger, and Chengqi’s voice came through.

“The barrier in Gaoshang Land is damaged, and Demonic Aura is rampant. All Deities are urgently summoned to hold the barrier!”

Feng Ang and Bai Qian wasted no time and quickly headed to Gaoshang Land.

Sandstorms carrying Demonic Aura swirled around them. Feng Ang and Bai Qian cast spells to fend off the aura, clearing a path.

Bai Qian cautioned Feng Ang, “You head to the barrier; I’ll handle things here.”

Feng Ang nodded and flew towards the sand dunes.

Bai Qian summoned her Divine Manifestation.

“Peering Net of Heaven, Lawful Net Descends, Absorb Impurity, Transform Reality, Envelop!”

Under the divine light, the Demonic Aura fleeing around turned to ashes, scattered by the wind.

At the barrier.

Chengqi and the Five Deities were forming a formation to repair the damaged sky.

Feng Ang took his position and cast his spell to assist.

“Feng Ang, you sure took your time,” Shi Zhao joked.

Feng Ang chuckled, “My apologies, something came up.”

“Now that the formation is complete, let’s seal this hole first,” Chengqi instructed.

“Alright!” the Deities responded in unison, “Ghosts unite and light up, solidity fills the void, clusters converge and gather, seal!”

The hole gradually closed and finally merged seamlessly with the sky, leaving no trace.

Everyone released their spells, and Chengqi ordered, “Purge the Demonic Aura!”

“Yes!”

In no time, the dispersed Demonic Aura was gone, and Gaoshang Land was restored to its former clarity.

Shuiyang frowned, still a bit uneasy, “I fear this barrier won’t hold for long. The three realms and the Devil Realm are destined for a confrontation.”

Chengqi, looking somber, glanced at Shuiyang and sighed, “The Deities will take turns guarding this place. Report any developments immediately!”

The Deities responded, “Understood!”