Shen Xin leaned against his chest. The moment Qin Weiji’s lips touched her forehead, she felt streams of cool energy drilling into her body through her brow, reminiscent of the sensation when she had swallowed the Mermaid Pearl.
After swallowing the pearl, she hadn’t had time to absorb or cultivate it—nor did she know how—so it had lain dormant within her.
But now, with Qin Weiji’s kiss upon her brow, she could clearly feel the Mermaid Pearl stirring restlessly inside her. A refreshing coolness, as if immersed in the deep sea, instantly swept through her.
It wasn’t cold but rather soothing, a comfort that could ease all her fatigue and pain.
So comfortable that she closed her eyes, growing drowsy.
Her arms wrapped around Qin Weiji’s neck tightened like vines, entangling herself further in his embrace.
Just as Shen Xin was about to fall asleep, she heard his words.
In her daze, she thought it was an illusion born of exhaustion, for Qin Weiji’s tone was far too gentle.
As gentle as when he had called her “Yao Yao” through the Marriage Jade earlier—no, even gentler than that.
So tender, as if they were truly a loving couple.
But how could that be?
She must indeed be too tired…
Amid these wandering thoughts, Shen Xin completely fell into a deep slumber.
Qin Weiji also closed his eyes, lightly pressing against her brow as he continuously channeled divine power into her body, activating the Mermaid Pearl within her.
He knew well that waiting for this lazy creature, who disliked cultivation, to “digest” the pearl on her own would likely take millennia.
In truth, the moment he saw her, the pain in his heart had ceased.
Yet, for some reason, when he saw her about to collapse into the River of Oblivion, his newly steadied heart suddenly ached again.
Not as sharply as before—not a stabbing pain—but a fine, persistent ache that grated on him intensely.
Only when he held her and saw her pale, fragile state did that tormenting pain, mingled with his fury, make him grit his teeth in hatred toward her.
But she always had a way of easily dissolving his anger, leaving him with no outlet for his rage.
In the end, only helplessness remained.
Qin Weiji slowly pulled back slightly, observing her restored rosy complexion and the way she slept soundly in his arms, completely defenseless.
His heart no longer ached, but his head throbbed fiercely.
The career-driven system asked cautiously, [Divine Lord, you’ve just expended a great deal of divine power to heal yourself. Why are you using more to help her refine the Mermaid Pearl?]
Qin Weiji was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold sneer. “Wasn’t it you who said to be gentler with her? Why else would I do this? Because I like her?”
The system: [Yes… Of course, the Divine Lord couldn’t possibly like the Divine Maiden!]
But something still felt off.
[The Divine Lord currently has a 10% darkening index. You could…]
Before it could finish, knowing what it intended, Qin Weiji coldly interrupted, “She’s asleep.”
The system: [?]
Qin Weiji glanced at the woman sleeping like a little pig in his arms, her lips slightly pouted. His throat moved slightly, but the corners of his mouth curled into a cold smile. “You want me to take the initiative to kiss her while she’s asleep?”
He let out a derisive “Hah!” “Ridiculous!”
The system: [?]
It had a feeling this would come back to bite him.
Qin Weiji’s tone grew even colder. “In the future, there’s no need for you to remind me of such things. I know what I’m doing.”
The career-driven entity sneered twice, “The Divine Lord speaks true. I spoke out of turn.”
Seems like it’s embarrassed into anger?
Qin Weiji paid it no more mind, turning his gaze towards the Netherworld.
Due to his appearance, Yan Jun had already led the ghosts of the Netherworld to kneel with bowed heads, not daring to look up or speak.
The Lord of the Divine Realm is also the Lord of the Six Realms.
Even though Qin Weiji had always kept a low profile and rarely appeared, without the grand entourage that typically accompanied celestial lords when they manifested,
His mere presence alone, even without uttering a word, carried such overwhelming majesty that it suffocated all who beheld him.
This was the imposing aura of the Heavenly Dao itself, which none dared to defy.
Qin Weiji originally intended to take Shen Xin away directly, but she had nearly exhausted her divine power quelling the Yin Fiend uprising. If he took her away now, she would likely fuss and cause him headaches upon waking.
Moreover, it would indeed be inappropriate to simply hand over the Netherworld she had worked so hard to pacify to someone else.
Qin Weiji looked down at Shen Xin in his arms once more, finally sighing in resignation. His form tore through the air, and in the next instant, he stood before Yan Jun and the others.
With his approach, that oppressive aura surged like the suddenly turbulent River of Oblivion haunted by malevolent spirits, wave after wave crashing over them, causing chest tightness and labored breathing.
The lower one’s cultivation, the more unbearable it became. Some ghost guards had already fainted from the pressure.
Yan Jun and the judge’s already pale faces grew even whiter, feeling as if their souls were about to scatter.
Qin Weiji’s gaze fell upon the collapsed ghost guards, frowning as he restrained the oppressive energy surrounding him.
Yan Jun and the judge suddenly relaxed their slumped shoulders, gasping for air, as Qin Weiji uttered a single cool word, “Rise.”
“Thank you, Divine Lord!”
Yan Jun and the judge exchanged glances, trembling as they rose, instructing the other ghost guards and earthly immortals to return to their posts.
Only then did Yan Jun steal a glance at Qin Weiji.
This was his first time seeing the Lord of the Divine Realm, who appeared completely different from what he had imagined.
His black hair was unbound, his silver robes loose and wide, making his entire figure appear even more slender and upright.
His expression was cold and indifferent, his amber phoenix eyes holding clear impatience. His skin was pale as frost, yet his thin lips were bewitchingly crimson. He resembled an immortal, yet carried more demonic allure.
Just as Yan Jun was staring transfixed, Qin Weiji’s voice chilled like the waters of the River of Oblivion, “What are you looking at?”
Yan Jun stiffened, snapping back to reality as he hurriedly bowed, “What instructions does the Divine Lord have for visiting the Netherworld?”
“It wasn’t my intention to come. She insisted on coming.”
The impatience in Qin Weiji’s tone was evident, yet mixed with clear resignation.
Yan Jun’s brow twitched slightly, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the woman in Qin Weiji’s arms.
She nestled obediently in the Divine Lord’s embrace, her palm-sized face snow-white, yet unlike the Divine Lord’s bloodless pallor, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink.
Her elegant nose was like fine jade, her red lips like cherries, the golden mark between her brows still emitting a faint glow that made her appear even more radiant and delicately beautiful.
He wondered why the previous God of the Underworld had described this seemingly useless female High God of the Divine Realm as the most vulgar and utterly hideous.
Yan Jun began to question his own aesthetic judgment.
If this was considered vulgar and ugly?
Would anyone in the Six Realms still dare claim to be beautiful?
While Yan Jun was inwardly marveling, the judge beside him tremblingly tugged at his sleeve. Then came Qin Weiji’s cold voice, “Is she pleasing to look at?””
His tone was ambiguous, but clearly not meant as praise. Yan Jun hurriedly lowered his head, “The Divine Maiden is indeed beautiful.”
Qin Weiji let out a soft “Heh,” “She is my wife. Of course she’s beautiful.”
Yan Jun, “…”
Was it his imagination, or did he detect a hint of… smugness in the Divine Lord’s tone?
While still hesitating, Qin Weiji’s voice deepened: “Where is the God of the Underworld Palace?”
It was clear that Yan Jun and the judge remained unaware of the God of the Underworld’s demise.
They only knew that someone had suddenly broken the seal of the Gates of Hell, and when the Yin Fiends surged forth, they couldn’t contact the God of the Underworld no matter how hard they tried.
Had Shen Xin not appeared unexpectedly, a great catastrophe would have been inevitable.
The God of the Underworld Palace was where the God of the Underworld usually handled affairs—spacious and empty, with only a few chairs and a large desk. Three walls of the hall were lined with bookshelves containing the life and death records of all beings across the Six Realms.
Qin Weiji sat behind the desk but never released Shen Xin, instead holding her on his lap, cradling her in his arms.
Though Yan Jun and the judge were astonished by the sight, they merely lowered their heads slightly, not daring to speak out of turn.
Qin Weiji spoke slowly, “Do you know who opened the Gates of Hell?”
The judge appeared somewhat nervous, “We are still investigating the matter. Does the Divine Lord know something?”
Qin Weiji cast him a cool glance, “If I knew, why would I be asking you?”
The judge wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his brow, “…This humble immortal is foolish.”
Qin Weiji then asked lazily, “Do you know where the God of the Underworld has gone?”
This time the judge replied, “We are trying to contact the God of the Underworld. Once we have any news, we will immediately inform the Divine Lord.”
Qin Weiji chuckled, “I know where he is.”
Yan Jun and the judge, “…”
Qin Weiji looked down at the person in his arms. Her flowing hair had come loose, spilling across his robes.
Feeling an inexplicable itch in his fingers, he lifted his hand and wound the unruly strands around his fingertips, his voice low and measured, “The God of the Underworld has gone to reincarnate in the World Crossing Realm and won’t return for a hundred lifetimes.”
Yan Jun and the judge’s eyes widened instantly, “The World Crossing Realm? The mortal world?”
When did the God of the Underworld go to reincarnate in the mortal world? Why would he go to reincarnate there? They had been completely unaware!
The two were now thoroughly flustered, “How can the Netherworld be without its God of the Underworld? With him reincarnating, we…”
No wonder the Gates of Hell’s seal had been broken today—it must have been done deliberately by someone who knew.
Before they could finish, Qin Weiji spoke, “From today onward, Shen Yaoyao will be the new God of the Underworld until the day of his return.”
Shen Yaoyao?
Who?
Was there such a High God in the divine realm?
Yan Jun and the judge hesitated, “Might we ask where this High God Shen Yaoyao currently resides?”
Qin Weiji looked at them as if they were fools, “In my arms.”
Were all Netherworld inhabitants this stupid? No wonder they’d been schemed against.
Yan Jun and the judge, “?”
When did this High God change her name?
The God of the Underworld’s departure had been so sudden that Yan Jun and the judge had no time to react. In the past, they would have certainly looked down on Shen Xin, believing her completely unfit for the position of God of the Underworld.
But now they were utterly convinced by Shen Xin and would never refuse—in fact, they were quite pleased.
Shen Xin’s divine power was perfectly suited for the Netherworld. With her here, no one would dare cause trouble.
However…
The two couldn’t help but glance again at the still-sleeping Shen Xin, somewhat hesitant, “The Divine Maiden’s condition seems… excessively weak?”
Qin Weiji also looked down at the person in his arms. She had turned her head toward him, her light breaths brushing against his neck, creating a tingling itch.
His lips suddenly curved as he asked softly, “Shen Yaoyao, still not willing to wake up?”
As the words fell, the person sleeping soundly in his arms fluttered her eyelashes slightly—swift and subtle movements that nonetheless escaped Qin Weiji’s notice.
Qin Weiji released her hair, his fingertips gliding down to her cheek, slowly moving to the corner of her lips, where he gently rubbed. “Is my embrace so comfortable?”
Those long eyelashes fluttered again. Qin Weiji clicked his tongue and chuckled softly, about to speak again when his brow suddenly furrowed. After a moment of silence, he slowly lifted his gaze toward the palace doors, his eyes flickering with a cold, faint smile. “Yao Yao, your lover has arrived~”
Yan Jun and the judge also shifted their expressions—it was the aura of a great demon.
With the God of the Underworld gone, the Netherworld had become a place anyone could trespass.
Sure enough, within moments, a figure clad in black appeared before the hall.
Yan Jun and the judge observed discreetly, murmuring in admiration.
Compared to Qin Weiji’s ethereal, demonic beauty, this great demon resembled a Divine Lord more—draped in luxurious black brocade robes, a black jade crown adorning his head, with bright, starry eyes and an aura of righteousness.
Yet, the moment this “righteous” figure spoke, his words were anything but.
He stepped into the hall, his gaze fixed intently on the figure in Qin Weiji’s arms, gritting his teeth. “Qin Weiji, hand Xin’er over to me.”
Understanding dawning, Yan Jun and the judge silently retreated several steps.
Qin Weiji’s eyes darkened intensely, though his expression remained unreadable. Holding Shen Xin lazily, he leaned back against the chair. “It seems you didn’t remember what I said.”
Gu Luoyuan merely sneered, “This is not the Cloud Sea Realm.”
Qin Weiji’s smile was casual as he gently stroked the hair of the person in his arms. “So you think that here, I wouldn’t dare to skin your fox hide?”
Perhaps only Shen Xin knew that this seemingly gentle gesture was anything but—his fingertips pressed with such force that it felt like her hair was about to be torn out.
Shen Xin had indeed awakened when Qin Weiji carried her into the God of the Underworld Palace.
She just didn’t feel like opening her eyes. Being held like this, nestled in his embrace, felt rather comfortable.
She didn’t want to move, content to stay curled up, so she pretended not to have woken up.
Unexpectedly, Qin Weiji had still noticed.
Just as she was pondering how to wake up naturally without seeming fake, Gu Luoyuan appeared.
And Qin Weiji’s aura shifted noticeably—turning icy and dangerous.
The once-comfortable embrace suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if needles were pricking her, making Shen Xin want to leap out of his arms immediately.
As she hesitated, Gu Luoyuan spoke again, “The Divine Lord rules the divine realm and may slay gods at will. But I am of the Demon Clan. Before my fate decreed by the Heavenly Dao is fulfilled, would you dare to move against me?”
His tone carried a threat, inexplicably arrogant.
Shen Xin thought to herself, truly worthy of the original novel’s male lead. Even if his power wasn’t fully realized, his presence was undeniable.
Facing Qin Weiji, he showed not a hint of fear.
Yet, hearing him only irritated Shen Xin, making her want to end him.
What right did he have to act so arrogantly in front of Qin Weiji!
Xiao Ai chimed in promptly: 【He is the male lead, blessed by the Heavenly Dao’s fortune. He isn’t so easy to kill. It’s best if the host doesn’t entertain such dangerous thoughts.】
In other words, it wouldn’t be as simple to eliminate Gu Luoyuan as it had been with Qiyuan.
Qin Weiji remained silent, his eyes narrowed slightly, leaving no one able to discern his thoughts.
Gu Luoyuan believed he had grasped Qin Weiji’s weakness. He let out a light chuckle and turned to Shen Xin, saying, “Xin’er, I know you’re already awake, just afraid to open your eyes.”
His apparent familiarity with Shen Xin made Qin Weiji’s narrowed gaze grow even more dangerous.
Unaware of this, Gu Luoyuan softened his voice, “Don’t be afraid, Xin’er. I’ve come to take you away.”
Before Shen Xin could open her eyes to retort, a warm breath brushed past her ear as Qin Weiji leaned down, gently pressing against her earlobe and asking tenderly, “Be good now, Yao Yao. Tell your admirer how much you love me~”
Shen Xin didn’t know about being good or loving – all she knew was that five slender fingers had come to rest on her neck, gently caressing her skin with equal tenderness.
Yet she understood perfectly that if she dared refuse, her beautiful neck would be crushed by his grip the very next second.
And Shen Xin knew all too well that the way Qin Weiji wanted her to speak was identical to how he demanded her to prove it.
He wanted her to actively kiss him right in front of Gu Luoyuan…