Unlike the few bumbling little deities, Wen Yuan descended gracefully, folding fan swaying in hand. Although he was truly a god, something about him seemed deliberately performed—so even a true god appeared somewhat artificial.

Following him were several other Immortal Lords. Luan Ling and Si Zhuo were already concentrating fully, searching for the source of the thunder. This time, Thunder Lord hadn’t appeared, and there were several familiar faces among those present—someone here was definitely seeking revenge!

Cultivators scattered throughout the palace, upon seeing the gods descend, became as excited as if they had seen a savior. Meetings between cultivators and deities were not only intersections of the mortal and divine realms but also extremely important opportunities for cultivation. Many spent their entire lives merely chasing legends; even those who had previously seen a deity could only hear of the celestial realm secondhand. Seeing a deity in person, however, was entirely different.

These were gods—real gods. Witnessing them meant their cultivation could finally see some hope.

Wen Yuan’s expression was calm, gazing at the mortals with a composure far more serious than his demeanor in heaven. As he observed them, all present heard his voice—same voice, but slightly different content depending on the listener.

Luan Ling and Si Zhuo heard:

“A strange phenomenon descends, twin souls unite, spirits harmonize, the divine seal restrains the demon, heavenly thunder clears the path, the restrictions are lifted. Do you know what must be done?”

In the next instant, Si Zhuo unleashed a great burst of fire straight toward Wen Yuan.

“Wow!”

Luan Ling exclaimed.

Her shock wasn’t because Si Zhuo was attacking again, but because the flames, rising, twisted like crashing waves and threatened to engulf the entire palace. The evil spirits scattered throughout the palace shrieked like water about to boil over.

The situation was critical; there was no time to hesitate. Luan Ling immediately formed hand seals, summoning a glowing golden formation core inscribed with ancient characters.

She raised her hand to the sky; the seal suddenly expanded, covering the entire capital.

Even the spilled “waters” of the spirits were exposed under the divine seal’s illumination.

Si Zhuo pressed the advantage, throwing another massive burst of fire. Under the night sky, the flames displayed red, yellow, and blue layers. The lowest blue layer instantly incinerated the demonic energy, while the orange and yellow flames, guided by the divine seal, purged the vengeful spirits hiding within the city. Red spread across the heavens, leaving no trace of smoke from the burning demons.

“Didn’t expect you could adapt your flames like that,” Luan Ling remarked, glancing at Si Zhuo.

Si Zhuo snorted coldly: “You know too little about us dragons. I wonder—does your seal only cover the capital?”

“Don’t underestimate me,” Luan Ling said, her competitive spirit flaring. “Watch me expand it!”

Her seal was about to grow, but Wen Yuan’s swift intervention stopped her.

“Has the heavenly thunder energized you too much? I only lifted the restriction. Your bodies aren’t fully restored yet, but your spirits are lively enough. Keep it up, and I’ll have you training in the mortal world for twenty years before you return.”

“That won’t do,” Luan Ling said obediently, pointing at Si Zhuo. “Let him handle it—he’ll be glad to. After all, Penglai is in the mortal realm.”

Si Zhuo released her hand and said to Wen Yuan, “I heard Luan Yu loves the mortal realm. Why not let him cultivate here a few more years, Wen Yuan?”

“I heard everything!”

Luan Yu suddenly appeared, “I’ve been annoyed with you, old dragon! Spreading rumors in front of the dean!”

Si Zhuo didn’t care. “Rumor or not, with your strength, you can’t harm anyone except dropping them from the Tribulation Path.”

“How do you know—”

Wen Yuan interjected: “Luan Yu, the trouble you caused is serious. You should be punished. Now that your powers are back, send the purified souls to the underworld. We’ll discuss your punishment back in heaven.”

Wen Yuan always smiled, but most in heaven feared him. The Heavenly Empress highly valued him, so Luan Yu dared not argue further and obediently acknowledged him.

After a night of battle, victory was achieved. Everyone contributed and received their due. Luan Ling and Si Zhuo regained their bodies and could return home—a reward in itself. The cultivators gained spiritual energy and guidance, and Cen Yingyu, who contributed the most, received a special opportunity from Wen Yuan.

Wen Yuan then posed a choice:

“If you have two options and can only pick one, what would you choose?”

Cen Yingyu: “Speak, Divine Lord. I shall hear.”

Wen Yuan explained:

1. 1. Return to her original body, reunite with family, resume her former life. Her body lacks cultivation talent, and all memories of gods and demons would be erased—including everything tonight. She would simply remain Cen Yingyu.

1. 1. Stay in the body of the female rogue cultivator. All illegitimate powers would be removed; she would start cultivation from zero, abiding by the rules of immortals, unable to interfere with the mortal world. She could continue serving as the national advisor but would face heavenly punishment if she revealed magic to mortals.

Wen Yuan folded his fan. “The choice is yours.”

Cen Yingyu thought long and hard. This was both strange and exciting—a new world, a new body, a chance to do things she never could before.

Finally, she looked up:

“Divine Lord, isn’t the first choice the one I am owed? The rogue cultivator stole a mortal body from me; it is only right that the gods rectify it. I guided the little deities and suppressed the palace’s evil energy as best I could before your arrival. If this is considered a mere continuation of the natural order, I am willing to return as a mortal and share the burdens of heaven.”

Wen Yuan was silent for a moment, then laughed heartily: “Very well, a mortal sincerely wishing to share the burden of heaven—clever indeed.”

Luan Ling quipped: “Better this than letting you old foxes sweep things under the rug.”

Wen Yuan shushed her with a wave of the fan and smiled at Cen Yingyu: “Then I shall restore your soul. What reward do you seek?”

Cen Yingyu, resolute: “To seek immortality and explore a wider world.”

Those who should return did, those who should be punished were, and the rogue cultivator received her due. Luan Ling and company could finally go home.

“Damn, Fishhead, you really don’t look bad,” Luan Ling said, surprised by his true form. Though gods were all elegant, seeing a fish-headed monster transform into a handsome man was a shock.

Si Zhuo glanced at him. “Unfortunately, you must return with your ‘dream girl.’ Be careful not to turn back into a fish at night and get eaten by her…”

Cen Yingyu gained an unprecedented opportunity to start cultivation from scratch in Penglai, the place richest in spiritual energy. Fishhead—no, the prince—would also return home to reunite with family; both would travel by sea.

The prince sneaked a glance at Cen Yingyu, bashful and silent. First love and the one who ruined his reputation were the same person—a complicated situation. But in his single-minded mind, the solution was simple:

“I will marry her!”

“Give me a break,” Luan Ling teased. “She finally gets her chance to seek immortality. Go home and cultivate properly, fifty-year-old fishhead.”

The prince looked at Si Zhuo and Luan Ling, whining: “We fish don’t mature fast, and I’m talented!”

“Get lost.”

Si Zhuo, fed up with his foolish antics, turned and left.

“Hey boss, why don’t you reward me for my contribution to sealing the demon?”

Fishhead chased after them. Seeing Cen Yingyu about to leave, he hesitated, then turned back toward her direction. Better to return home—home.

Luan Ling recalled the visions in the illusion. Honestly, she didn’t want to return home yet. But hearing that Luan Yu caused trouble in her palace before descending, she had to check if her old house was on fire.

Fortunately, everything was intact. Luan Ling relaxed and, using the spells she honed in the Qilin Hall, redecorated her book-filled palace.

Then she noticed a new tree in the backyard—a sweet osmanthus, similar to one in the celestial palace’s annex.

Instinctively, she dug under it and found a jade box.

She slowly opened it.

A tiny flame dragon shot out, leaping past her nose.

Luan Ling gritted her teeth: “You little brat… just wait.”

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