The main street of the capital of the Precious Elephant Kingdom was bustling with activity.
Although it was already late at night, and curfew should have been enforced according to regulations, the kingdom’s third princess, who had been missing for over a decade, had returned just two days prior. The entire nation was celebrating, and the curfew had been lifted for half a month.
The streets were filled with people, children playing and laughing everywhere, and couples out for a stroll.
Colorful lanterns and street performances lined the way.
The taverns and teahouses along the street were brightly lit, as if it were daytime.
“It seems wearing these clothes makes me too conspicuous,” Nezha remarked as he walked, feeling as though many subtle glances were directed his way.
Li Miaoci looked at his attire, then at his face.
Even if you were draped in a sack, your appearance would still draw attention, she thought to herself.
“What’s that?”
“A lantern.”
“And over there?”
Li Miaoci replied, “Pastries and candied fruits.”
“And there…”
“Aren’t deities supposed to know everything?” Li Miaoci asked curiously.
He shrugged it off. “Since the deification, I’ve rarely visited the mortal realm. How would I know how much it has changed over a thousand years?”
“I’ve heard girls often like pretty clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and such. I’m in a good mood today, so I can buy you some.”
His tone was stiff.
Li Miaoci shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“Well, I heard from Second Senior Brother that you once released river lanterns to make a wish. Actually, those are just tricks deities play on children. What deity would help you fulfill a wish for no reason?”
“But the three of us are all immensely powerful. If you truly have a wish, instead of making it to the lanterns, you might as well tell us directly.”
“Third Prince?” Li Miaoci looked at him suspiciously. He averted his gaze uncomfortably. “What is it?”
“Are you apologizing to me?” she asked.
Nezha immediately took three steps back, looking at her incredulously. “Me? Hah, me? How could I possibly apologize to anyone?”
“I already said, I’m just in a good mood today.”
Li Miaoci felt a warmth in her heart. “Alright, but I don’t blame you or First Senior Brother.”
“After all, I only suffered minor injuries. It’s nothing serious.”
She spoke magnanimously, but inwardly, she was crying.
False. It’s very serious.
She was all talk; in reality, she couldn’t bear even a little hardship.
As the crowd stirred, many people on the street began releasing sky lanterns.
The lanterns slowly rose into the air, mingling with the sparse stars.
Nezha stood still, following Li Miaoci’s gaze upward.
The mortal scenery was sparse.
He had always thought the Five Immortal Mountains were far more picturesque.
But watching the mortals cheer and rejoice, even praying for family prosperity and favorable weather as the sky lanterns ascended, he suddenly realized that every place had its own beauty.
“Mortals dreaming late at night—making wishes with river lanterns or praying with sky lanterns,” he pretended to complain.
But secretly, he thought to himself that since he had nothing to do tonight, he might as well find a few sky lanterns later to see what wishes the mortals had made. He could show some kindness and help fulfill them.
After watching the lanterns, Li Miaoci strolled along the main street for a while longer, sampling many delicious treats.
Only then did she prepare to return to the inn to rest.
Nezha cheerfully went off to find sky lanterns and help mortals fulfill their wishes.
Li Miaoci walked alone toward the inn. A bright moon hung high in the sky, with only a few stars scattered around.
In the distance, the main street remained lively, but the closer she got to the inn, the quieter it became.
Feeling deeply homesick, she was somewhat distracted.
As she walked, a sudden cool breeze swept by, and she abruptly realized someone was following her.
No way—after consuming so many Immortal Elixirs, she could fear demons, but could she really be bullied by mere mortals?
She spun around sharply and saw a tall, ghostly apparition-like figure looming over her like a mountain.
“Help!” she cried out in alarm.
But the dark shadow lunged at her as swiftly as a starving wolf pouncing on its prey.
Instinctively, she shouted, “Big Brother, save me!”
A blur shot past, heading straight for the dark shadow.
When she regained her composure and focused her gaze, she saw that her savior was none other than Xiaotian Quan, who now staggered with every step he took.
After devouring the shadow, Xiaotian Quan’s legs gave way, and it took him a while to get back up.
The power of the zombie bone was truly immense.
“Thank you, Xiaotian Quan,” Li Miaoci said, her heart still pounding with fear.
Xiaotian Quan glanced up at her, confirmed she was unharmed, and then vanished into the night.
“Big Brother, save me.”
A figure appeared beside her, mimicking Li Miaoci’s words.
Li Miaoci turned her head and saw Yang Jian.
“Wow, so Second Brother is here too.”
“Where’s Nezha?”
Yang Jian unfolded his folding fan and leisurely fanned himself.
Li Miaoci replied, “He said the night market is interesting and is still playing around.”
“Second Brother, what kind of demon was following me just now?”
Yang Jian paused, “I didn’t get a clear look.”
Xiaotian Quan moved too quickly; before he could see clearly, Xiaotian Quan had already swallowed the creature.
“Little Sister, if you were in danger and could only call on one person to save you, who would you choose?” Yang Jian asked half-jokingly.
Under the night sky, he wore a dark-patterned robe the color of distant mountains, and the autumn breeze lifted the hem of his clothes. Truly, he was the aloof and noble Venerable Deity of the upper realm.
His beauty was captivating.
Li Miaoci thought for a moment, “Second Brother, your Magical Power is boundless, and you are both handsome and majestic. Of course, I would choose… Big Brother.”
“Why?”
Yang Jian couldn’t understand how he and Nezha could be inferior to that monkey.
Of course, he had to admit that the monkey was a prodigy, proud and unyielding, and exceptionally skilled in combat.
“Because I’ve admired and revered the Handsome Monkey King since I was little.”
Come on, the Great Sage is the hero in the hearts of countless innocent youths.
Yang Jian closed his folding fan and fell silent for a long while before concluding.
“So, it seems Third Brother and I are at a disadvantage for becoming deities too early. At your young age, you probably only remember things from five hundred years ago.”
Li Miaoci chuckled sheepishly.
Yang Jian raised his hand and offered her his folding fan. “Take this.”
“Why?”
She wasn’t even hot.
“A magical artifact.”
Yang Jian explained calmly, “Your Magical Power is weak, and without a magical artifact to protect you, you might suffer again if you encounter demons.”
The journey to the west is fraught with hardships.
Although those demons aren’t particularly formidable, many trials seem unavoidable.
Even with the monkey, him, and Nezha around, it might still be an inescapable fate.
Li Miaoci replied modestly, “Is that appropriate?”
Even as she spoke, her hands deftly took the folding fan.
The fan’s ribs seemed to be made of some kind of jade, cool to the touch.
She could clearly feel the abundant Spiritual Power pulsating within the artifact.
“Wah,” she tearfully tugged at Yang Jian’s sleeve, “Thank you, Second Brother.”
“That day, I was negligent in begging for alms, causing you and Master to suffer.”
Li Miaoci smiled awkwardly. She felt it was her who got lost in the mountains and was accidentally captured by demons, dragging everyone down instead.
“Oh, so someone knows how to be shy now? When we first met, I wonder who told me her name was Gao Lanlan.”
Yang Jian teased her.
Her face suddenly flushed bright red, and she hastily let go of his sleeve. “Second Brother, don’t forget, I almost got killed by demons.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Then why are you still making fun of me!”