To return this time, they still had to pass through the Mist Forest, which was filled with poisonous snakes and insects.
But outside the Mist Forest, in the Divine-Demon Borderlands, Zhaozhao saw an extremely familiar figure.
Zhaozhao was slightly stunned, and by then, he had already walked up to them.
The man’s snow-white robes were spotless, and his every movement exuded an air of noble elegance.
“Greetings, Divine Emperor.”
Shi Qinian was the first to regain his composure, quickly bowing in respect, while the others immediately lowered their heads.
Only Zhaozhao and Su remained standing there motionless.
Zhaozhao simply wasn’t accustomed to such formalities, while Su had no intention of doing so at all.
“Rise,” Luo Chen said, sweeping his gaze over them before his indifferent eyes slowly settled on Zhaozhao, who was covered in blood.
Gods and demons were incompatible. Except for Su, all their wounds were tainted with Demonic Breath. Without removing the Demonic Breath, the wounds would not heal, and to remove it, they needed the Heavenly Pool Water from the Divine Realm. Thus, their injuries had to be left untreated for the time being.
Zhaozhao’s injuries were too severe, and he had been relying on Su and Shi Qinian to support him along the way.
Luo Chen’s expression remained impassive as he stretched out his hand toward Zhaozhao. “Come here.”
Zhaozhao’s expression was calm as he replied softly, “I can’t walk.”
Luo Chen let out an almost imperceptible sigh and personally went over to take Zhaozhao into his arms. Zhaozhao relaxed without hesitation, letting his full weight rest on him.
Luo Chen lowered his gaze, his indifferent expression making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
The golden Healing Art in his palm immediately began to heal Zhaozhao’s body. As he worked, he addressed the others, “The younger generation shows great promise and deserves commendation.”
“I grant each of you one condition, effective at any time.”
Jun Si immediately broke into a grin and said happily, “Thank you, Divine Emperor.”
The others also perked up and expressed their gratitude.
Seeing this, Su, who was standing nearby, curled his lips into a smile. “Does ‘everyone’ the Divine Emperor mentioned include me as well?”
“Naturally.”
“Then I wish to have the freedom to visit Zhaozhao.”
He smiled as he met Luo Chen’s gaze, his expression carrying a hint of provocation.
Luo Chen paused briefly before replying, “As you wish.”
Over the past thousand years, due to Su’s special status, Luo Chen had imposed certain restrictions on his movements, and Chu Yi had been particularly strict in disciplining him. However, keeping him confined like this indefinitely was no solution.
He added, “From now on, you may visit whomever you wish.”
“Thank you, Divine Emperor,” Su said, flashing Luo Chen a disingenuous smile.
“Su’er.”
A familiar voice called out from behind.
Su’s smile stiffened, and he reluctantly turned around to see Chu Yi staring at him with a half-smile.
Chu Yi’s features were deep and striking, giving off an ill-tempered impression when he wasn’t smiling. He rarely smiled, but whenever he did, Su knew he was in trouble.
“Su’er.”
Chu Yi approached, smiling as he pinched Su’s ear. “Didn’t you say you were going into seclusion? Hmm?”
Su remained silent.
“Speak,” Chu Yi said, tightening his grip.
Su looked at him expressionlessly, adopting an attitude of resigned defiance.
“Very well, let’s see how I deal with you.”
With that, he dragged Su away by the ear before Su even had a chance to bid farewell to Zhaozhao.
Zhaozhao looked up, watching the retreating figures of Su and Chu Yi, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Luo Chen glanced at the group of injured Divine Sons and Daughters and said calmly, “I will take you to the Heavenly Pool.”
Then, in a flash of white light, before they could react, they found themselves standing at the edge of the Heavenly Pool.
Nanyue steadied Zhaozhao, who was struggling to stand, and looked up, meeting Shi Qinian’s gaze across from him.
She grinned at him, and once Zhaozhao was steady, she grabbed Ye Liangqing from the side and said, “Let’s go, we’ll head to the other side.”
“Alright.”
As soon as the two Divine Maidens left, Jun Si eagerly stripped off his clothes and stepped into the water.
“Whoa, it’s freezing.” Jun Si shuddered from the icy chill of the pool, but after a moment, the healing effects of the Heavenly Pool began to take hold.
“It’s really comfortable. Shi Qinian, Zhao Zhao, hurry up and get in.”
“Right away,” Shi Qinian replied with a smile.
Zhaozhao loosened his collar, revealing wounds all over his body, each one seeping with dark energy.
Shi Qinian paused. He knew Zhaozhao’s injuries were severe, but he hadn’t expected them to be this bad.
Flesh and robes had fused together. As Zhaozhao roughly tugged at his collar, a cold hand reached over from the side.
Shi Qinian leaned in slightly, carefully and slowly helping him peel the fabric away. “Does it hurt?”
Zhaozhao’s expression remained blank. “No.”
Shi Qinian chuckled softly. Before long, he had completely separated the fused robes. Then, as if on a whim, he proceeded to help Zhaozhao unfasten and remove the rest of his clothing.
Zhaozhao: …