The Demon Lord Relied on His Imagination to Get Together with the Protagonist. - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Even after being placed in the spatial ring, Tong Siqing was very worried about the outside world.

Why did Father only bring her back? Where was Zhihua? Where were Immortal Master Fu Luan, Qing Lin, and Su Rong?

Tong Siqing was worried, but not overly anxious.

She believed her Father would protect everyone. As for why she was the only one put into the spatial ring…

Tong Siqing figured it was probably because Father had something he didn’t want her to know.

So he was protecting her.

Tong Siqing sat on the ground, slightly worried, thinking that she wasn’t that foolish. Father still liked to protect her too well, just like when she was little, not letting her see any of the corrupt side of things.

Fortunately, she was the person of destiny, the protagonist. Otherwise, with Father protecting her like this, she would likely grow up to be a fool ignorant of the world’s hardships.

Tong Siqing waited and waited. Finally, when the commotion outside subsided, her Father released her.

The North Sea shrine had experienced immense turmoil. The people who were just present were all gone, and she didn’t know where they went.

Tong Siqing was curious but didn’t ask.

She noticed that Immortal Master Fu Luan and a group of disciples had also arrived, but everyone looked exhausted, as if they had been through a fierce battle. Several disciples with lower cultivation levels were still gasping for air.

The scene held an atmosphere of tranquility after a great disturbance.

Finally, Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen spoke to Fu Luan: “Take her back to the Xianning Sect’s Father Cloud Hall first. There is still half a piece of a broken mirror there. That half has not gained sentience, and it will be used to repair her.”

Fu Luan bowed: “Thank you, Heavenly Venerable.”

Tong Siqing was a bit confused. Hadn’t the Phantom Mirror always been with Zhihua? Why did something happen to it today? And Father said they needed to go back to the Xianning Sect to repair the mirror.

Shi Zhihua came over to comfort her: “It’s nothing. The matter with the North Sea is settled.”

Although Tong Siqing didn’t know anything, she still nodded obediently. Immediately after, she looked in her Father’s direction and asked Shi Zhihua: “Zhihua, what should we do next?”

This time, before Shi Zhihua could speak, Sheng Wen on the side spoke coldly, putting on airs: “Both of you return to Xianning.”

Shi Zhihua: ???

I was planning to take the rabbit back to the Abode of Indulgence. I can’t go back to Xianning with Sheng Wen.

Tong Siqing looked at the Demonic Venerable with an inquiring gaze Zhihua, what do we do? Are you going to Xianning?

Shi Zhihua was contemplating. Just as she was thinking, Sheng Wen suddenly spoke again.

The Heavenly Venerable: “The betrothal gift Siqing gave you is still kept in Xianning’s immortal treasury. If you come to Xianning, you can immediately marry my daughter. This Venerable will invite all three realms to hold a grand wedding for you. By then, the whole world will bless you.”

Tong Siqing: !!!

Great! With Father involved, the wedding will surely receive many blessings!

Her heart leaped with joy. She quickly tugged on the Demonic Venerable’s sleeve: “Zhihua! Hurry and agree to Father! I want to marry you!”

Shi Zhihua: “…”

There’s something I don’t know if I should say or not. Until now, she had always felt that the rabbit should marry her. As the Demonic Venerable, marrying into the immortal realm always felt like a contradiction, like she was marrying into the family.

But Sheng Wen was standing there, carrying the demeanor of a patriarch. Just looking at him, she knew it was impossible to sway him on this matter.

Shi Zhihua sighed silently. Oh well, marrying into Xianning is fine too.

Just for Tong Siqing.

“After the North Sea is rebuilt, leave the position of ruler to Ji Hui,” Sheng Wen continued. “But for now, Ji Hui cannot remain in the North Sea. She will also return to Xianning with us.”

Tong Siqing was full of questions, not understanding what her Father was thinking. In such confusion, she usually looked back at Shi Zhihua to see her reaction.

She turned her head, leaned close to Shi Zhihua, and found that the other also had a complex expression.

Shi Zhihua turned back: “What is your Father planning?”

Tong Siqing whispered: “I don’t know.”

But it doesn’t matter.

The thought of returning and being able to marry Zhihua instantly made Tong Siqing uncontrollably excited. She remained in this state the whole journey, wanting to cling to Shi Zhihua at all times.

Shi Zhihua poked her head: “Why are you so clingy?”

“Zhihua is my little bride. Of course, I’m happy,” Tong Siqing said truthfully, her eyes sparkling with light. “To think my Zhihua fell into my hands. We’re getting married in a few days. No one will ever covet you again. You are mine.”

Shi Zhihua laughed: “Alright, yours, all yours.”

When they returned to Xianning, they rode on Sheng Wen’s immortal ship. This ship was originally used by the powerful figures during certain Xianning events to view the world below. Now, Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen was using it as a means to return to Xianning.

Shi Zhihua stood at the bow of the ship, silently looking at the mortal world below.

She looked at the scenery, and Tong Siqing looked at her from behind.

The night breeze softly blew. The most beautiful woman in the three realms was graceful and elegant. Her red robes outshone all the mortal world’s fireworks, and her profile was beautiful enough to be painted.

Tong Siqing gazed at her blankly, as if she had just melted the sweetest candy in the world. The sweetness would be unforgettable for the rest of her life.

She remembered their first meeting. The greatest villain in the story had instantly disturbed her heart, leaving her without the courage to even move her feet.

How could anyone not like the villain?

Zhihua was clearly so wonderful. Her personality was clearly defined by good and evil. She handled both private affairs and public justice excellently. As the Demonic Venerable, she could balance everything in the Demon Realm, making everyone revere and follow her. If not for the constraints of fate, this world, these three realms, would surely leave a grander place for her.

She would even be recorded in the historical scrolls of the three realms, remembered forever by future generations.

Tong Siqing usually appeared carefree and simple-minded, but she saw things more clearly than anyone else. She had awakened her individual consciousness long ago and had a comprehensive view of the world’s situation.

But…

Understanding had only brought more worries and no other benefits.

Sometimes, it was good to be ignorant.

No need to worry about loss, no need to be afraid.

At this moment, Tong Siqing silently watched Zhihua. The initial excitement faded, replaced by confusion and unease.

The night was getting cold.

A question crossed her mind.

In the end of the story, the villain is not allowed to exist. But she seemed to have gone against the heavenly mandate, not only failing to defeat the villain but also becoming her lover.

Would they be punished for this…?

Tong Siqing was very afraid.

On one hand, she greatly anticipated marrying Zhihua. On the other hand, she greatly worried that this marriage was just a fleeting dream.

What if, when she and Zhihua were bowing to each other, the heavenly mandate suddenly forcibly took Zhihua away?

She would go mad!

Tong Siqing clenched her hands, her fingertips trembling.

She still didn’t dare to tell Zhihua all of this, treating it like a beautiful dream. She knew she was in the dream, but she couldn’t tell the person she loved in the dream, fearing that speaking it would end the dream.

Therefore, when her Father proposed getting married in the Xianning Sect, she did not follow Shi Zhihua’s implied wish to suggest, “Should we get married in the Abode of Indulgence?”

She wasn’t oblivious; she knew. She knew that Zhihua actually wanted to return to the Abode of Indulgence. As the Demonic Venerable, Zhihua wasn’t keen on lowering her status to marry into the Xianning Sect.

Tong Siqing lowered her head, her eyes slightly stinging. She chose to marry in the Xianning Sect because of her anxiety. If the heavenly mandate were to impose punishment, the Xianning Sect had her Father. Father, with his great wisdom and knowledge of the past and present, would surely find a way to make things right.

So—she could only inconvenience Zhihua by marrying into Xianning.

Tong Siqing kept all this to herself. Her internal struggle and decision were something she couldn’t tell Zhihua. She could only continue to pretend to be foolish and innocent.

“Zhihua…”

Tong Siqing looked at her back, longing to go up and embrace her.

Just then, a steady hand suddenly rested on Tong Siqing’s shoulder.

She turned her head and met her Father’s calm, gray eyes.

“Fa…”

Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen raised his hand, lightly signaling her to be silent.

“Father has something to discuss with the Demonic Venerable.”

Tong Siqing instantly became quiet, silently retreating.

Shi Zhihua was engrossed in watching the scenery and didn’t notice that the rabbit behind her had disappeared.

The mortal world below was bustling. Occasionally, she could see brilliant lights and fireworks at night. Shi Zhihua knew that this immortal ship was likely specially prepared by Sheng Wen for Tong Siqing, just to make her happy.

It seemed the hearts of parents all over the world were much the same. Even Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen in the Ninth Heaven was no exception.

Shi Zhihua was filled with emotion, about to turn back and say something to Tong Siqing.

But when she turned around, she found Tong Siqing was nowhere to be seen.

Standing behind her—was Sheng Wen himself.

“This immortal ship was specially prepared by this Venerable for Siqing,” Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen said, looking at Shi Zhihua. “She rarely left Xianning before. Now that the dust has settled, I, as a father, am no longer worried, so I want her to see more of the mortal world.”

Shi Zhihua accurately caught the implication in Heavenly Venerable Sheng Wen’s words. She asked: “So what were you worried about before, Heavenly Venerable? Was there someone in this world who could harm her?”

Sheng Wen clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the edge of the ship: “This Venerable once found half of the Phantom Mirror. After hearing the mirror’s prophecy at the time, this Venerable sealed and banished Siqing’s malevolence into the other half of the mirror. At that time, I worried that her fortune would be stolen, and the merit of the Lord of Destiny would be surrendered by her.”

Shi Zhihua listened patiently.

“Later, this Venerable used the Scroll of Grace to check the cause and effect,” Sheng Wen said. As he spoke, he removed his mask. His black hair cascaded down. He turned his face and looked at the Demonic Venerable with his compassionate gray eyes. “Here, there are two immortal moles marking the breaking of vows. One was because I forcibly sealed Siqing’s inherent malevolence. The other was because I changed her marriage fate.”

Shi Zhihua was startled: “So, you knew about our bond, Heavenly Venerable, and even intentionally brought it about?”

As a Sage with profound knowledge of the past and present, Sheng Wen’s wisdom was vast. He had seen the rise and fall of all things and had sought guidance from the heavenly mandate.

“Siqing fell seriously ill after returning to me from the path of mortals,” Sheng Wen unhurriedly placed the mask to one side. The long ribbons fluttered with the evening breeze. He said, “I initially intended to use the Scroll of Grace to find a cure, but I unintentionally discovered a clue.”

His daughter was the master of this vast world. Everyone, including himself as her father, revolved around her, existing for her alone.

And his daughter, the master, would one day awaken her individual will.

At that time, Sheng Wen was genuinely relieved, but his worries were also real.

He suddenly thought, If the world revolves around one person, when that person “awakens,” will she feel very lonely?

What would she do after he, her father, passed away centuries later?

Sheng Wen immediately checked her marriage fate, thereby discovering another person who was “lonely” just like Tong Siqing.

“All things in heaven and earth are intoxicated, save for the two of you, who are like people half-asleep and half-awake. You are destined to be with her for three lives. You should have been equally involuntarily driven, but she woke up ahead of time,” Sheng Wen’s words were profound. He didn’t care if Shi Zhihua understood. Facing the evening wind, he said, “This Venerable didn’t think much at the time and deepened the connection between the two of you.”

Later, as soon as he had done so, he regretted it.

After all, Shi Zhihua was the villain! What was he doing?

Following that, he provoked the Demon Realm, testing the Demonic Venerable’s character, and received a great deal of resentment in return.

Sheng Wen regretted it, so he kept his daughter in Xianning, trying to prevent the two of them from interacting.

Until—

Tong Siqing soon awakened.

She went to the Demon Realm to assassinate the Demonic Venerable and, as expected, developed feelings.

Therefore, when Tong Siqing declared in front of the whole world the next day that she would marry the Demonic Venerable, Sheng Wen sighed in resignation. It had turned out this way after all.

They had already become intimate. What else could be done? He could only let nature take its course.

Sheng Wen could only continue to test the Demonic Venerable while hoping his daughter would be happy.

After going through many things, he had also realized that the Demonic Venerable Shi Zhihua was a person of deep devotion. Although she was a bit wicked, she was not the type to be unfaithful. Tong Siqing would not suffer by being with her.

He could entrust his daughter to her.

Sheng Wen affirmed the Demonic Venerable.

He raised his hand and pointed at her forehead from a distance: “To ensure she is no longer lonely for the rest of her life, this Venerable will help you awaken your individual consciousness early. When the world reaches its end, you will be there to accompany her.”

Shi Zhihua’s eyes widened, her brow chilling.

A pure and vast spell entered her forehead. She stepped back half a pace, her mind clearer and more lucid than ever.

Looking tens of thousands of years into the past and tens of thousands of years into the future, she seemed to stand still, watching the carousel of all things in the world. The scene before her was bizarre and colorful, making it hard to distinguish between reality and illusion…

For a long time.

For a long time.

She could barely hear any sounds. Sheng Wen seemed distressed, murmuring an apology to her. Later, someone seemed to arrive, kneeling before Sheng Wen and saying something, then that person disappeared…

Shi Zhihua knew nothing.

Her head ached terribly.

The person who had just arrived was Xiu Zhu, the Scroll of Grace, who had rushed to the location.

Xiu Zhu had exhausted everything, losing his human form and reverting to the original appearance of the immortal artifact.

A Scroll of Grace, dropping from the sky.

It landed on the deck.

Sheng Wen bent down, picked up the Scroll of Grace, and turned to leave.

“Come to Xianning to get married. This Venerable will remove all obstacles for you. However, if the heavenly mandate imposes punishment, it will be up to the two of you.”

Tong Siqing didn’t know what happened that day. All she knew was that after returning to Xianning, her marriage to Zhihua was immediately put on the agenda.

With her Father presiding over the affairs, there was no dissatisfaction from the three realms, only a chorus of blessings.

The wedding came so quickly.

So quickly that Tong Siqing felt like she had been in a dream.

A grand dream, and when she woke up, her lover was by her side, and her strict father was lenient.

Nothing could make her happier than this moment.

On the day of the wedding, the air was filled with rosy mist, and the music played incessantly. Tong Siqing wore the wedding robes personally sewn by her Father to meet her bride.

Heaven and Earth celebrated together, a scene of harmony and joy.

The wedding went smoothly, without any hitches or obstacles.

Tong Siqing rarely drank a little clear wine. After bidding farewell to the guests, she returned to the joyous Jade Pool Palace, eager to find Zhihua.

Shi Zhihua was sitting by the couch, not as demure as a typical bride, but leaning languidly against a red soft pillow. Hearing someone approach, she pulled off the veil, using her slender index finger to lift the golden tassels beneath the phoenix coronet, revealing her beautiful features.

“You’re back?”

Tong Siqing felt dizzy, whether from the wine or excessive excitement: “Mm.”

Shi Zhihua laughed at her poor tolerance for alcohol, saying she was as clumsy as a rabbit.

“Zhihua, you married me. I won’t let you suffer any grievances,” Tong Siqing declared her determination. She decided to be honest. Since the wedding was over, the heavenly mandate wouldn’t impose punishment. She used telekinesis to retrieve the gift she gave Zhihua. “Zhihua is the best in the world. I want to give the world to Zhihua.”

Shi Zhihua laughed non-stop: “The world is yours. Are you giving yourself to me?”

It was a miniature rabbit that Tong Siqing had personally carved out of Azure Fate Jade, lifelike in its small size.

Shi Zhihua accepted it without hesitation, still smiling.

“I’m not joking,” Tong Siqing said. “I will help Zhihua fulfill this dream.”

Shi Zhihua: “I don’t have such great ambition. It’s impossible to gather all the immortal artifacts, and even if I did, they wouldn’t be very useful. Now your Father is also my elder. I can’t very well point at your Father and tell him to scram, can I?”

Tong Siqing: “…”

But, I can have all five immortal artifacts placed before Zhihua to make her happy.

Shi Zhihua pulled her closer and blew out the candle: “I’m too lazy to follow the procedures. This Venerable disdains to comply with worldly etiquette. The spring night is short. Let’s proceed directly to our wedding night.”

“Zhihua, wait, I have something else to say,” Tong Siqing quickly lit the candle again. She said, “It’s very important. Do you want to hear me out first?”

She was preparing to tell Zhihua everything today.

Including the heavenly mandate and her own awakening.

Shi Zhihua didn’t give her the chance. She blew out the candle again: “Even if the sky falls, it can wait until tomorrow. Come quickly.”

The flustered Tong Siqing stumbled and somehow fell onto the wedding quilt.

“Well, alright then…”

When dawn broke, Tong Siqing had long forgotten the matter. She slept until noon the next day, so tired she could barely open her eyes.

“Get dressed. Everyone is here to see us,” Shi Zhihua urged her, then personally helped her get dressed. “The Phantom Mirror is finally repaired. Fu Luan brought it over. Qing Lin, Su Rong, and Ji Hui are also here. Oh, and your Father. He helped the Scroll of Grace regain its human form… Truly, it was an unnecessary effort. That Xiu Zhu is so annoying. I don’t even want to see him…”

Shi Zhihua talked to herself, but couldn’t help but smile.

Tong Siqing gave a tiny sneeze and rubbed her nose.

She said: “I had a dream yesterday.”

Shi Zhihua: “What dream? You went to sleep so late last night. You actually had time to dream.”

Tong Siqing recalled: “I dreamed I was in a painting. The painting was beautiful, but everyone was still. Only I was walking alone in the painting. I walked and walked, unable to see the end. Just as I was feeling discouraged, I suddenly saw Zhihua. Zhihua was waiting for me there. When I went over, Zhihua suddenly started moving too…”

Shi Zhihua didn’t pay much attention to her. She poked her cheek: “Silly girl, you must have been overthinking things lately.”

She really hit the nail on the head.

Tong Siqing felt a little guilty.

Yes, it was all because she was so anxious about gaining and losing before the wedding, worrying that Zhihua would disappear.

Now, it seems there’s nothing to worry about.

The heavenly mandate’s punishment was just meant to scare her.

Shi Zhihua laughed at her. She laughed and laughed, then suddenly stopped and asked half-jokingly: “What would you do if you couldn’t find me one day?”

Tong Siqing was about to speak, but Shi Zhihua interrupted her: “You’re not allowed to say you’d go mad. Say something practical.”

Tong Siqing answered: “But that question is not practical at all. I will never be unable to find Zhihua.”

Shi Zhihua didn’t let up: “What if?”

In that case…

Tong Siqing said: “I would go to the Abode of Indulgence to find you.”

“What if the Abode of Indulgence isn’t there anymore?” Shi Zhihua said. “As long as I’m alive, I won’t let you be unable to find me. If you truly can’t find me one day, go search in the mountains to the northwest. Our bond began in three lives. In the first life, it was a connection through the path of vegetation. You go to the back mountain of Yue’an, which is in the northwest, in a shady ditch away from the sun, and look for the most beautiful tree.”

Tong Siqing chuckled.

Zhihua sounded so serious, it was quite amusing.

They wouldn’t be separated. The final hurdle of the heavenly mandate had been crossed. No calamity would be able to separate them again.

However, Tong Siqing noted the location down while laughing.

“Got—it—” She dragged out the sound, taking small steps to run out into the noon sun. “Zhihua, come quickly.”

Shi Zhihua looked at her and smiled helplessly.

The sunlight was abundant, all pouring onto the rabbit. Tong Siqing held her hands above her head, smiling sweetly. While shielding herself from the bright sun, she restlessly spun in circles.

“Don’t keep everyone waiting too long.”

They went to find everyone.

The others had been waiting for a while. The recently restored Phantom Mirror was still unwell, resting against Fu Luan’s shoulder while basking in the sun.

Fu Luan supported her head, nearly fully embracing her for fear that she wouldn’t sleep well.

It was an uncanny yet harmonious scene: two identical people, one with frosty hair and the other with black hair, sitting together leaning on each other. It made all observers gasp in surprise.

On the other side, Qing Lin and Su Rong sat on stools carved from jade, heads lowered as they studied the patterns on the stools.

Su Rong, having read extensively, passionately explained the history and significance to Qing Lin.

Unlike Qing Lin, who listened attentively, Ji Hui listened for a while but was soon distracted by someone else. A single sentence from Xiu Zhu made her lose her temper, and she chased after him, wanting to hit him.

The two of them chased each other around the stone table, making the already frail Xiu Zhu, the Scroll of Grace, almost cough up a lung.

He raised his hand, signaling a cease-fire: “I quit, I quit! A gentleman doesn’t remember the faults of a small person. Look who’s here behind you—”

Ji Hui turned her head: “Master! Venerable!”

Tong Siqing, holding Shi Zhihua’s hand and facing the light, waved at everyone.

“This is from the Heavenly Venerable,” Xiu Zhu produced a beautifully packaged box and handed it to them. “The Heavenly Venerable said this is the fifth immortal artifact—the Sage’s Mask. He said it was just for the two of you to look at. You have to return it afterward.”

Shi Zhihua: “…”

How stingy.

Tong Siqing was very happy, though. She picked up the jade mask, looked at it against the sunlight, and then put it back in the box, pushing it toward Shi Zhihua.

Shi Zhihua finally understood.

She looked around and realized what Tong Siqing meant last night.

All five immortal artifacts were present—Emperor’s Scorn, Phantom Mirror, Midnight Bell, Scroll of Grace, and the Sage’s Mask.

“How is the Sage’s Mask used?” Su Rong asked curiously. “So the one on the Heavenly Venerable’s face was the Sage’s Mask! This fifth immortal artifact was truly well-hidden. It was out in the open, yet no one in the world knew.”

Only Sheng Wen himself likely knew how the Sage’s Mask was used.

Shi Zhihua didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She rubbed Tong Siqing’s head: “This is the ‘world’ you mentioned?”

Tong Siqing was righteous: “Yes! Didn’t Zhihua always wish to collect all five immortal artifacts? They say that with all five immortal artifacts, the world is yours.”

Shi Zhihua: “But I only need you. What do I need the world for?”

Tong Siqing’s voice gradually weakened: “I just… wanted to give you the best…”

“Alright, alright. It’s mine. I’ll pretend I have it all wrapped up,” Shi Zhihua sat on the stone stool with everyone. “There. The world is mine.”

Just as everyone was laughing, suddenly, the scene was filled with white light. Before anyone could react, everyone froze.

Only Tong Siqing remained standing, exactly as she was.

Tong Siqing was stunned.

What was going on?

What happened to everyone?

Wait? Where is Zhihua?

Where did such a big person go?

Tong Siqing suddenly remembered Zhihua’s joke earlier—Did the other person know something beforehand?

And…

Tong Siqing finally reached the final punishment. She had given the “world” to Zhihua. The heavenly mandate delivered its final strike. The punishment was—all things were still, the mountains and rivers paused. Everyone except her was frozen in place.

Tong Siqing went over and shook everyone’s shoulder one by one. No matter who it was, no one could respond to her anymore.

She squatted on the ground, hugging her knees, silently looking up at the sky.

The auspicious birds in the sky stopped flying. The sea of clouds in the distance was still. Even the small streams and rivers used for landscaping further away were motionless. Only she was left, alone.

What should I do? What should I do…?

Tong Siqing’s mind was a mess.

Right! Zhihua had told her the location beforehand!

Thank goodness Zhihua said something!

Tong Siqing immediately brightened up, running towards the shady northwest area of Yue’an Mountain.

The back mountain of Yue’an was a very mystical and spiritual place.

It was where her and Zhihua’s bond first began.

But—

What was the “most beautiful tree”?

Tong Siqing searched and searched, crossing mountains and rivers, running from one mountaintop to another.

Finally, she found a very desolate tree.

The tree grew out of the rocks, lacking sunlight, struggling fiercely to grow in the harsh environment.

Her intuition was very strong. She just knew this tree was more beautiful than the others.

Tong Siqing ran to the tree and saw that the trunk was actually entwined with vines. She squatted down in a panic, digging the soil beneath the tree with her bare hands.

She thought,  Could Zhihua be buried here?

No matter how deep, she had to dig her out!

The world was silent. It felt as if she were the only one left, terribly lonely. She desperately dug at the soil. After an unknown amount of time, she was still at a loss.

There was nothing.

She was close to digging past the large stone and exposing the tree roots.

Just then, a few small white flowers suddenly spread across the ground behind her. Tong Siqing’s neck had been stuck in the same position for several days. She painfully turned her head to look behind her.

Behind her—was a flourish of blossoms.

Even in the shade, there was such a spectacular sight.

The vines that had been clinging to the tree were now covered in large patches of white flowers. The white flowers changed into various colors, creating a vibrant scene.

In the midst of the flowers, Zhihua was lying quietly.

Tong Siqing’s eyes stung. She ran over and called out to her.

“Zhihua, Zhihua, I’ve come to find you…”

Tong Siqing cried as she hugged her, lifting her up.

She was warm in her arms. Zhihua was breathing.

Zhihua was not frozen!

Tong Siqing was utterly terrified.

The immense joy of having her back left her speechless. She just hugged her tightly.

“This Venerable is very curious about why you were digging the earth,” Shi Zhihua opened her eyes, looking helplessly at the large hole in front of her. “Did you think I was dead and were going to bury me?”

Tong Siqing: “…”

No, not exactly.

“I thought, I thought you were inside,” Tong Siqing gestured. “Wasn’t it the path of vegetation? Shouldn’t you have grown out of it?”

Shi Zhihua: “…”

That would be truly ugly.

That way of appearing would be worse than not being alive.

“Alright, stop crying,” Shi Zhihua wiped her hands. “Digging with your bare hands. How clever.”

Tong Siqing laughed through her tears: “You’re making fun of me! I was so scared.”

“How did your Father watch all this? He is truly patient,” Shi Zhihua sighed. “Why isn’t he here?”

Tong Siqing looked confused: “My Father what?”

Shi Zhihua questioned: “You didn’t look for your Father? Something this big happened. Wasn’t the first thing you did to look for him?”

“But everyone stopped moving. Even if I looked for my Father…” Tong Siqing was about to explain, then suddenly realized. Oh, right. My Father is so powerful. Why didn’t I look for him first?

Shi Zhihua: “…You didn’t actually look for him, did you?”

Tong Siqing nodded sheepishly: “I didn’t think of it.”

“Your Father called me out that day specifically to discuss this. I thought he had also found a way to clue you in,” Shi Zhihua stood up, bringing her along. “It’s alright. We’ll go find your Father. This isn’t a big deal.”