The Celestial Realm.
Inside the Hall of Sobering Wine, Yao Zuizui sprawled lazily on her celestial bed, her mind blissfully empty.
She had just left that plane, where she had spent a warm and happy decade with Suhei and the little black cub.
It was just like any ordinary family—content and joyful.
So much so that even after returning to the Celestial Realm for several days, she still hadn’t shaken off that feeling.
Truth be told, she missed Suhei and the little cub…
All she wanted was to lie around lazily, unwilling to move a muscle.
Outside the hall, the wind howled, and a young attendant arrived on a celestial crane.
“Immortal Qingzhuo, Immortal Sovereign Suhei requests your presence.”
Yao Zuizui barely lifted an eyelid. The Sovereign was known for his aloof nature and rarely invited her over.
If she remembered correctly, this was only the second time.
The first time, the Sovereign had condescended to ask if she was willing to subdue the Great Demon King.
At the time, she had been utterly awestruck, gazing into his clear silver eyes that seemed to ripple like divine waters. In a daze, she had volunteered without hesitation, leaping straight into the mortal realm.
Yao Zuizui pouted bitterly. She wasn’t so keen on continuing this mission anymore… What should she do?
Dragging her feet, she took her sweet time, only reluctantly heading to Suhei’s celestial palace after the attendant’s repeated urgings.
A stark contrast to her usual eagerness to rush to Suhei the moment she returned—even a fool could tell what was on her mind.
Standing in the vast, silent hall, Yao Zuizui watched as Suhei reclined on the throne at the far end, gazing down at her from his lofty perch.
He lowered his eyes, their pure silver hue resembling the icy, translucent mountains of the Celestial Realm’s northern reaches—serene, detached, and filled with compassion for the mortal world.
“When will you depart?” He took a sip of tea, his voice as tranquil as the deepest ocean, where even the fall of countless stars would not stir a ripple.
Yao Zuizui hung her head, shrinking slightly. “Sovereign, I…”
She hesitated, unsure how to phrase her refusal in a way that would please him while letting her off the hook.
Suhei sighed and stood. His features were as exquisite as a painting, his robes whiter than snow—a true celestial being.
Just hearing his soft sigh made Yao Zuizui feel like she had failed his expectations, deserving of a thousand deaths.
“Do you remember ten thousand years ago?” Suhei clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze distant as he looked beyond the hall.
Yao Zuizui nodded. Of course she remembered.
Ten thousand years ago, her mother had suddenly vanished.
Frantic, she had searched every corner of the Celestial Realm like a headless fly.
Finally, she had ventured to the northernmost reaches—the translucent mountains even immortals dared not tread.
But not only had she failed to find her mother, she had nearly died there. It was the merciful, compassionate Sovereign who had saved her.
To do so, he had expended a hundred thousand years of his celestial power.
The Sovereign had always been benevolent, treating every immortal and mortal with kindness and sincerity. He valued cultivation above all else, never slacking for a single day—even meditating in his sleep—all to better serve the world.
Yet for her alone, he had sacrificed a hundred thousand years of effort.
From that moment on, she had vowed never to forget his grace.
She told herself that her life belonged to him, and she would gladly risk it for him without hesitation.
Thinking of this, Yao Zuizui bowed her head even lower in shame.
The Sovereign had been so kind to her, yet she was unwilling to go to the next plane…
Suhei’s lips, pale as warm jade, curved into a faint smile.
Like the purest first snow atop the translucent mountains—bright, gentle, and dazzling—everything around him paled in comparison.
“Do you know why I sought to kill Suhei?” he asked softly, his voice still light but carrying a rare sternness.
Yao Zuizui instantly looked up, eyes widening slightly.
She only knew that the Great Demon King Suhei had been punished by the Sovereign, his soul split into seven fragments and cast into the mortal realm.
But she had never known the reason.
Suhei’s gaze swept over her before settling on the rainbow-hued clouds outside the hall.
“Because he sought to destroy the entire Celestial Realm.” Each word fell like a heavy stone, crushing Yao Zuizui’s heart.
Her lips parted in disbelief as she stared at Suhei.
Emotion made her reluctant to believe it, but reason left her no choice.
Legends of Suhei’s cruelty had spread widely since ten thousand years ago.
It was said he was a bloodthirsty tyrant, committing unspeakable atrocities wherever he went, leaving rivers of blood in his wake—a being of pure evil.
But she had never imagined he would be so insane as to attempt annihilating the Celestial Realm itself.
“Tell me, should such a person die?” Suhei stepped closer, his silver eyes piercing into her.
Their clarity made Yao Zuizui feel unworthy to even look at him, her petty thoughts shameful in his presence.
She lowered her head, murmuring, “He… should die…”
The Sovereign chuckled, his smile so breathtaking it startled the celestial cranes dancing among the clouds outside.
Yao Zuizui was mesmerized, staring dumbly at him.
Compared to the Sovereign, who carried the weight of the world’s salvation, her wavering resolve felt pitifully insignificant.
“You may go now. I’ll await your return.” With a glance, he summoned a cloud beneath her feet, carrying her out of the hall.
The Sovereign’s words lingered in her ears.
*I’ll await your return.*
She adored the Sovereign, was endlessly grateful to him, and wanted to do something for him.
This feeling was different from what she had with the Great Demon King Suhei.
But a life-saving grace was more important, wasn’t it?
Before her bond with Suhei deepened, it was best to cut ties now.
With renewed resolve, the rational Yao Zuizui set off for the next plane—her mission unchanged.
Watching her determined retreat, Suhei’s lips curled slightly.
Yet his brows furrowed involuntarily—the agony of soul fusion was unbearable.
He whispered under his breath.
“Suhei, did you hear? She said you deserve to die. Why do you still resist?”
The torment in his mind intensified, forcing even the unflappable Suhei to grit his teeth and sit cross-legged on the cold floor, struggling against the demon king’s rebellion within.
He *had* to merge with Suhei’s soul.
Only then could he become the supreme ruler of the Celestial Realm—the undisputed sovereign of all realms!
===
**[New Plane Unlocked: Greed]**
In this world of magic, wonders abound—spectacular spells, formidable combat auras, and countless exotic races.
Dwarves, giants, goblins, elves, humans, the undead, beastfolk…
And among the innumerable magical beasts, dragons reign supreme.
The most perilous region in the Western Continent, teeming with magical beasts, is a mountain range spanning hundreds of thousands of miles in the east—
The Coiling Dragon Mountains.
For here dwells the noblest bloodline of the Western Continent’s magical beasts—the dragons.
Dragons come in all varieties—red, green, blue, white, gold, wyverns, and more.
Since the Great Demon King Suhei’s name bore the character for “black,” he naturally took the form of a black dragon.
Dragons are notorious for hoarding treasures, and black dragons are the greediest of them all.
Historical records of the Western Continent describe them thus:
*Black dragons are chaotic, malevolent creatures of immense power and magical prowess. Obsessed with wealth, they hoard gold and silver, always demanding treasures before slaughtering their victims.*
At this moment, the black dragon lay in his cavern, admiring his greatest treasure.
A flawless, crystal-clear gem he had seized from a band of mercenaries months ago.
So beautiful, so perfect—resting beneath his claws, its radiance nearly shattered his heart with its sheer magnificence.
Oh, heavens!
How could such a breathtaking treasure exist?
By the gods! How could it be so flawless, so divine, so utterly immaculate?!
Every second he gazed upon it, his admiration grew.
Since acquiring this peerless gem, the black dragon had scarcely left its side—admiring it by day, cradling it at night, never letting it out of his sight.
Only its cool, enchanting touch could soothe him.
But today, the black dragon panicked.
As usual, he was lost in admiration of his treasure, having long ignored the mountains of other riches in his hoard.
Clutching the crystal, he was utterly entranced.
He didn’t even dare blink.
But blink he must—his eyes ached from staring.
And in that split second—
*Impossible!*
One moment, it was his pristine, beloved crystal.
The next, it had turned into a tiny child?!
The black dragon blinked furiously, willing her to change back.
The child, of course, was Yao Zuizui.
Upon arrival, she instantly grasped the situation.
Watching Suhei blink stupidly at her, she found him utterly adorable.
Unable to resist mischief, she stretched out her tiny arms and hugged his massive claw.
“Daddy, up!”
The black dragon was still reeling from this existential crisis, utterly baffled.
Instinctively, he swatted her soft little body away.
“I don’t have a daughter like you! Give me back my crystal!”
……
Yao Zuizui, now appearing no older than five, winced from the force of his swipe.
Tears welled in her large, shimmering eyes as she sniffled pitifully. “Waaah! Daddy hit me! Daddy’s so mean!”
The black dragon instantly faltered, his heart inexplicably flustered—more so than when battling the dragon chieftain.
He averted his gaze, refusing to acknowledge her cuteness. “Stop crying! Who said you could call me ‘Daddy’? I’m not your father! I’m a single dragon—never even had a mate!”
“……” Chastised, Yao Zuizui stopped crying, staring at him with teary eyes, her damp cheeks glistening.
“But Daddy hatched me!” Covering her mouth, she grinned, her crescent eyes and tear-stained lashes striking a devastating blow to his heart.
So all those days and nights he’d spent cradling that crystal… he’d been *incubating an egg*?!
And instead of a majestic dragon, out came this crybaby who called him Daddy the moment she saw him?!
Worse—*where was his crystal?!*
No! The black dragon hardened his heart, immune to her cuteness.
“Give me back my crystal, or I’ll toss you to the magical beasts!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage