Chapter 120

Many, many years ago, a nascent cultivation world, while detaching from the World Tree, suffered an accident. Infested with demonic energy, ghostly flames erupted from beneath Song Mountain, spreading uncontrollably, razing cities and villages, and nearly annihilating the newborn realm.

The Heavenly Emperor casually chose a green stone, infused it with spiritual energy from myriad worlds, and placed it in a cauldron. For eighty-one days, he refined it with the Red Lotus Mystic Fire, transforming it into an immaculate white stone to seal the fissure from which the ghostly flames spewed.

The Phoenix God, named Yue Wuhuan, possessed refined tastes and a passion for collecting exquisite gems and stones from across the realms.

That day, as Yue Wuhuan was tasked by the Heavenly Emperor to place this stone, he suddenly noticed… it was exceptionally beautiful—immaculate white, shimmering with spiritual radiance, more lustrous than any jade, imbued with a power that soothed the soul.

The more he gazed, the more enchanted he became, longing to carry it back to his nest and place it by his bedside to admire daily.

However, the world’s calamity caused by the ghostly flames persisted. Yue Wuhuan suppressed his collector's urge and placed the stone in the Song region to seal the fissure, absorbing and suppressing the flames.

Knowing his fondness for stones, the Heavenly Emperor attempted to refine several more. Yet, for some reason, the subsequent stones always seemed artificial, lacking the same perfection.

Yue Wuhuan grew even more regretful.

The Heavenly Emperor made a promise: once the ghostly flames were resolved, he would gift this beautiful stone to Yue Wuhuan.

The ghostly flames would take at least countless eons to extinguish.

The Heavenly Emperor soon forgot about the matter.

Yue Wuhuan waited patiently. Every few centuries, he would secretly wing his way to the Song region to check on his treasured collection, cleaning off dead branches and moss, buffing it to a radiant sheen.

Over time, many legends about the stone emerged in the Song region. Some said the stone where the phoenix alighted was once an immortal who transgressed for love and was turned into stone, and the phoenix visited out of sorrow.

There were many versions—a handsome youth peeking at a phoenix fairy bathing, heavenly decree separating star-crossed lovers, a stone pining for its love…

In any case, people believed this beautiful stone was divine, offering incense and worship. Eventually, a temple was built.

The accumulated virtue and devotion grew stronger until, after the ghostly flames were fully absorbed, the stone ascended, transforming into a handsome young man…

The Heavenly Emperor stood dumbfounded…

Yue Wuhuan had been busy in the World Tree during that time. When he emerged and found the ghostly flames in the Song region extinguished, he joyfully went to claim his stone—only to overhear gods discussing the newly ascended Lord Qingshi before he even entered.

A dreadful suspicion took root.

The Heavenly Emperor finally recalled his promise and made awkward apologies, explaining what had happened.

The Phoenix was thunderstruck…

His patiently awaited collection had sprouted legs and walked off?

He had to see for himself…

And so, he watched for thousands of years.

Lord Qingshi was truly beautiful—his untainted, crystalline essence reminiscent of that stone, every aspect hitting every mark of Yue Wuhuan’s aesthetic. His earnest expression was both obedient and adorable. He still wanted to carry the stone back to his nest… or perhaps his bed…

But how could he carry a stone without a heart?

He would wait patiently.

---

Yue Wuhuan suffered greatly in the small world.

However, he had already let go of his hatred there. Upon awakening, he confirmed that the defiled body was merely an illusion crafted by demons. Returning to his true body felt like stepping out of an illusionary vessel—the emotional immediacy was greatly diminished, making it much more bearable. Having lived for so long, his soul was immensely strong, his memories and experiences more numerous than stars in the sky. One sullied droplet merged into that ocean, causing only slight discomfort, unable to stir great waves.

This also helped him identify his weakness, which he sought to overcome, ensuring demons could never exploit it again. He wanted to reduce his pathological aversion to filth to Song Qingshi’s level—frequent handwashing and disinfection, but without losing composure at the slightest impurity, preventing another trap.

Song Qingshi fully supported him in overcoming this psychological barrier.

Later, Yue Wuhuan discovered a minor aftereffect in the part of his soul that had been tainted—whenever he was… aroused, a tear mole would appear beneath his eye.

Likely a remnant of the seal, harmless to his body.

Song Qingshi, whether in bed or out of it, was intensely focused—when reading, his mind held only books; when experimenting, only the experiment. Combined with his low emotional intelligence, slow reactions, and inability to read expressions, he often inadvertently slighted his partner when engrossed in work…

Yue Wuhuan only noticed the tear mole in the mirror after Song Qingshi spent months in the rodent breeding chamber. Upon reflection, he understood the cause.

The solution was simple—a deity skilled in sealing arts could remove it. He mentioned it jokingly to Song Qingshi, planning to deal with it after finishing World Tree matters.

However, Song Qingshi seemed to misunderstand. After apologizing obediently, he climbed into Yue Wuhuan’s bed, diligently tending to his needs with devotion until the tear mole vanished.

Yue Wuhuan felt wonderful, absolutely wonderful…

In the days that followed, Song Qingshi became much more considerate. He treated the tear mole as a signal—whenever it appeared, he would immediately undress and actively join Yue Wuhuan in his favorite activities.

On the desk, by the bookshelf, in the lab, the garden, the hot springs…

After many rapturous interludes…

The plan to remove the tear mole was postponed again and again…

He thought he could wait a little longer.

---

Song Qingshi was a diligent scholar who believed that physical passions were natural instincts and preferences a matter of psychology—as long as they didn’t harm others, there was no issue.

Thus, he had no taboos about intimacy and didn’t understand why it should be shameful. Whatever scenario Yue Wuhuan desired, he would happily comply.

After repeated losses, Yue Wuhuan retained some insecurity, compounded by his intense possessiveness. Not only did he keep an avatar by Song Qingshi’s side at all times, but he also was unrestrained in their bedplay, staking his claim upon his partner thoroughly with his scent to feel at ease.

Every time he proposed something new, Song Qingshi would agree readily and participate joyfully. The more he was indulged, the bolder his fantasies became…

Yue Wuhuan managed countless small worlds, often assuming various identities to observe them. Thus, he enjoyed and excelled at role-playing.

He frequently took Song Qingshi to interesting small worlds for vacations—like a beastfolk realm populated entirely by demon cultivators, giving him downy bunny ears and a cottontail, settling in a snug warren for a while, then adopting different beastfolk forms to enjoy various activities.

Song Qingshi admitted he loved the red fox version best—Yue Wuhuan with red ears and a big tail was heart-stoppingly gorgeous, leaving him utterly enchanted.

He also adored the mermaid world, where Yue Wuhuan crafted him a white fishtail body while transforming into a crimson-tailed merman. They rolled among pearls, tails entwined—exhilarating beyond measure. They could even shift into land-dwelling sorcerers to explore the surface, watching knights and princes’ tales.

Nascent realms had lower technological levels; interstellar and high-tech settings existed in developed realms, accessible with permission. Researching mechas and medical tech was electrifying.

Song Qingshi immersed himself in both play and study, regretting his past reclusiveness for missing such fun. He also humored his beloved in scenarios like being captured by void marauders after defeat or star-spanning dynastic unions.

What he feared most was Yue Wuhuan’s bad moods triggering "imperial consort scenario."

This script usually unfolded after months of engrossed in research, completely forgetting his partner… Yue Wuhuan would patiently accompany him through experiments, only to drag him to a palace filled with ravishing courtiers of both sexes—all his avatars, each with singular dispositions—demanding satisfaction from all before release.

This was when he truly wept in earnest…

Worse still, the beauties would then wage a rivalry, posing the fateful inquiry: "Who pleased you the most?"

Song Qingshi still hasn't found the correct answer to this day. Each time, he is "punished" and must say "I love you" hundreds of times, ensuring he memorizes how the other feels in his heart before being let off.

He is now very careful. He commissioned a craftsman to make an alarm artifact. Even if he gets deeply absorbed in research, he makes sure to obediently crawl into bed at least once every half month to keep his partner happy and his voice healthy, avoiding the need for throat lozenges.

The harem drama has basically disappeared.

But, but...very occasionally...he even forgets the reminder artifact...

Yue Wuhuan sighs helplessly: "You never learn. Let's do it again."

4.

Song Qingshi has mild social anxiety. Making him hold a grand and complicated divine union ritual in front of all the gods...is simply too much for him. Moreover, he doesn’t know Yue Wuhuan’s friends—the only one he knew, An Long, had his memories sealed and became a stranger. Many things had to start anew.

Song Qingshi was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and disappear, terrified of holding a large ceremony...

Yue Wuhuan understood his feelings and politely declined the enthusiastic friends, simplifying the ceremony and only inviting the Heavenly Emperor as a witness.

The Heavenly Emperor, being worldly and open-minded, didn’t care much about gender norms. But when he thought about the Phoenix and the stone he had forged...something felt off.

Yue Wuhuan retorted: "Wasn’t the stone something you wanted to give me?"

The Heavenly Emperor thought about it and agreed. A god’s promise must be honored. Back then, the stone becoming human and running away was an accident—he couldn’t help it. Now, correcting the mistake was only proper.

So, he cheerfully officiated the ceremony for the two, gifting them many beautiful gemstones and exotic research materials, then issued an announcement to all the gods.

Among the gods, many revered the Phoenix God, but deities held themselves to high moral standards. The most fervent admirers had already been put in their place in the lower realms, their faces still stinging. Everyone also knew of Lord Qingshi’s efforts in those worlds and respected his unyielding perseverance. Plus, Qingshi had saved the divine realm, and the Phoenix had an innate fondness for stones... In short, everyone approved and sent heaps of congratulatory gifts.

Yue Wuhuan originally wanted to settle in the Phoenix Temple.

The Phoenix Temple was sprawling, brimming with treasures from all worlds, the most beautiful place in the divine realm. However...it was too big. There was an overabundance of divine attendants and servants.

Song Qingshi felt out of place.

Yue Wuhuan also found it inconvenient—like when his partner said he wanted to stroll through the garden after waking up, only to spend three days without finishing, or the massive golden bed where his partner tossed and turned in his sleep but never into his arms, ending up clutching the blankets instead.

Why had he built the temple so large? Tracking someone down was a chore, gods often came to visit for business, and even intimacy became inconvenient...

In the end, the two decided to move, settling into Qingshi’s quaint cloud-top cottage, naming it Cloud Abode. They styled it after the Medicine King Valley, adding research rooms, herb storage, and a library, handpicking a few divine aides interested in medical research as assistants.

An avatar remained in the Phoenix Temple to handle official duties. For celebrations or important matters, the two would return to preside, occasionally vacationing in interesting worlds.

Their days were tranquil.

Except...they were stumped by their child’s education...

5.

Song Qingshi wasn’t particularly good with animals, so he was particularly fond of Hao Long, who willingly approached him.

Hao Long called the two "Dad" and "Father," forming a bond.

Yue Wuhuan plucked Hao Long from the small world, adopting him as a foster son, registering him in the divine records, and officially renaming him Song Xiaobai.

He sought out the god of wisdom for fruits and leaves of intellect, then went to a high-tech world for IQ-enhancing gene therapy, pouring it all into the slow-witted serpent, finally raising his intelligence from "mentally challenged" to "below-average student."

Song Qingshi enthusiastically taught his son to read.

Two academically brilliant deities, using endless drills and strict discipline, taught for three whole years—yet Song Xiaobai couldn’t even solve basic arithmetic like "chickens and rabbits in the same cage," frequently making mistakes with simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division under 100. He wailed and refused, preferring to be beaten three times a day by his father rather than do worksheets.

Song Qingshi began questioning his own teaching abilities...

Qing Luan identified the problem: "Young Master Xiaobai’s intelligence is at the level of an average child, but early education requires proper methodology—gradually. Or...perhaps the divine lords could send him to a mortal school, letting professional teachers guide his gradual growth?"

Song Qingshi found this extremely reasonable. He dragged Yue Wuhuan to scout school systems across realms.

The language of gods carried divine power, instantly comprehensible across all worlds, so no special learning was needed.

First, they ruled out warrior-centric or educationally backward realms, then eliminated those with underdeveloped education systems. Finally, after filtering through advanced civilizations, they found one that perfectly fit their standards.

This world had evolved from beastfolk, with technology advanced enough for same-sex procreation—couples raising children were common, and Song Xiaobai’s serpentine lineage wouldn’t make him an outcast among classmates. Using divine power, Yue Wuhuan secured a spot in an excellent kindergarten, where teachers were caring, the administration was meticulous, meals were wholesome, and accommodations were customized for each species...

In this high-tech beastfolk world, denizens lived long lives—children spent twenty years from kindergarten to university.

Song Qingshi ambitiously dreamed of his son earning a doctorate.

His expectations for Xiaobai weren’t high—a single Ph.D. would do, no need for two or three.

Yue Wuhuan had an avatar in this world—a major shareholder of a renowned jewelry company. He kept a low profile, seldom making appearances, and didn’t actively manage the business, mainly using it to collect beautiful gems from this world and surrounding star systems. Occasionally, he’d release a few exclusive jewelry designs, triggering frenetic demand among the elite.

After Song Qingshi arrived, they officially wed and bought a home near the kindergarten.

Wealth and social status meant nothing to them.

They focused entirely on education, taking turns sending Song Xiaobai to kindergarten and signing him up for eight after-school activities: art, war chess, vocal music, instruments, logic, robotics, etiquette, and philosophy.

Song Xiaobai rebelled—he played hooky, brawled, and bit classmates...

Perhaps this was an inevitable rite of passage for every child?

The Creator God and his Daoist partner—one a top student, the other a prodigy—were summoned to the kindergarten office...

A young sheep-woman teacher, an expert in child psychology and highly responsible, sternly rebuked their misguided child-rearing methods, especially Yue Wuhuan’s habit of resorting to corporal punishment. She proposed numerous solutions, strongly advocating for a home-school partnership to guide Song Xiaobai onto the right path with love.

Yue Wuhuan: "..."

Song Qingshi: "..."

They truly didn’t know how to raise such a dull child.

But they’d already adopted him, registered him in the divine records—there was no going back.

Their tumultuous child-rearing years lasted a full twenty-two years (including two years of repeating grades).

No matter how hard they tried, Song Xiaobai’s grades barely scraped by.

They couldn’t lift their heads during parent-teacher meetings...

In the end, Song Xiaobai’s scores couldn’t get him into even the worst university. However, his aptitude tests revealed SSS-tier mental and physical prowess, earning him a direct admission into an elite military academy’s special class—a training ground for future generals...

Song Qingshi stood dazed amid the envious and resentful congratulations from other parents.

Though he’d gotten into a prestigious school, something still felt off...

Yue Wuhuan comforted him: "It’s fine. We’ll send him to serve under An Long."

6.

Yue Wuhuan could brew wine—excellent wine.

Every time An Long returned from battle, he would come to Yue Wuhuan for a drink.

In the past, he would visit the Phoenix God's Temple, but now he comes to the Cloud Dwelling Courtyard. Though it makes no difference as long as there’s wine, he always ends up witnessing Yue Wuhuan and his beloved being affectionate, often shoving their affection in his face until he’s stuffed… An Long finds it baffling, feeling like his sworn brother has become a completely different person after marriage—even forbidding him from aiming for the face in fights.

This time, after slaying several great demons, An Long, brimming with heroic spirit, rushed over for a few strong drinks. Instead, he found Yue Wuhuan sitting beneath a flowering tree, painstakingly peeling grapes and removing seeds one by one before feeding them to Divine Lord Qingshi.

Divine Lord Qingshi, buried in his writing, mumbled, "Enough, I don’t want any more."

Yue Wuhuan, ever attentive, set aside the grapes and offered sweet wine instead: "Here, have a sip."

……

An Long felt like his eyes were about to be blinded.

Is this something a grown man should be doing?

Where was his iron-willed, battle-hardened, prideful sworn brother from the battlefield?

Love is toxic—it blinds you and everyone around you.

Sighing, An Long downed several cups of wine while enduring their lovey-dovey antics.

Yue Wuhuan, knowing him well after years of friendship, teased half-jokingly, "Who knows? Maybe you’ll have moments like this in a lower realm too."

"Don’t joke around! I’d never bring such trouble upon myself!" An Long, drunk and unable to hold back, retorted, "Even if I somehow ended up entangled in emotions in a lower realm, it’d definitely be with a sweet, docile woman—not like you two, clinging to each other, exchanging glances, inseparable for even half a moment."

Song Qingshi, who had just set down his brush, froze at his words: "A virtuous woman?"

Suddenly, he recalled being forced into women’s clothes in the Nightmare Mind-Devouring Formation. Though Yue Wuhuan had explained much, he still didn’t fully understand why An Long had made him wear women’s clothing in the nightmare. Now, the truth was revealed—deep down, An Long had always wished he were a girl!

Song Qingshi wanted to skin this Alaskan Malamute* alive!

But… what happened in the lower realm was in the past…

An Long had been bewitched, his orientation twisted, and his memories sealed. Let bygones be bygones. There was no point dwelling on it now.

Taking a deep breath, Song Qingshi decided to let it go. Peace was a blessing. He returned to his research notes.

Who knows? Maybe one day, that Alaskan Malamute would bring home a boy from the battlefield.

As he wrote furiously, he silently "blessed" the thought.

Yue Wuhuan glanced amusedly at the fuming Divine Lord Qingshi before turning to An Long: "No more liquor for you."

An Long’s face fell: "But you always save some for me every year!"

"Haven’t had time since returning from the lower realm," Yue Wuhuan smiled. "Lately, I’ve only been brewing bitter medicinal brews."

After a long pause, An Long finally understood. Pitifully, he asked, "If I behave and eat my dog food quietly, can I have the wine back?"

He could handle the eye-searing affection, but losing his wine? Unthinkable.

Thumping his chest, he swore—as a mighty black dragon, a general who had faced countless battles, what was a few tons of dog food? Unfazed, he turned to Divine Lord Qingshi for help when Yue Wuhuan remained unmoved. Song Qingshi, not one to hold grudges, relented after a few pleas.

Yue Wuhuan promptly dragged An Long back, shoved two jars of strong wine into his hands, and kicked him out of the Cloud Dwelling Courtyard.

Victory secured, An Long transformed into his black dragon form mid-air and flew off laughing. The western frontier still crawled with restless demons.

Love? No thanks.

A real man’s passion was for battle! For bloodshed!

7.

After the Phoenix God returned to his rightful place, the deities and celestial envoys who had fallen into the lower realm regained their memories and departed one after another.

Kong Muhua, one of the Phoenix God’s lieutenants, should have returned to the divine realm with the others. But having finally found his beloved and successfully proposed, he refused to leave. After weeping and pleading with the Phoenix God for three days, he secured permission and a temporary pass, allowing him to freely travel between the lower realm and the divine realm to oversee order and fate.

The Phoenix God generally did not interfere with the independent operation and fate of lower realms.

However, the influence of the Indestructible Peak was too great to withdraw immediately.

Bai Zihao became the interim leader of the Indestructible Peak, taking over the forces left behind by the Phoenix God and mopping up the fallout. Initially, many doubted his strength, but the Heavenly Dao under the Phoenix God’s protection favored him, bestowing several opportunities that advanced his cultivation by two stages. Everything he did proceeded smoothly.

He also had an Ancient Great Demon as his Dao-companion.

The world quickly submitted.

Bai Zihao knew Kong Muhua loved being the center of attention and wanted to hold a lavish union ceremony.

Overjoyed at first, Kong Muhua saw his bald tail and had a meltdown. Locking himself in his Embroidered Tower, he refused to see anyone, daily weeping while grooming his patchy golden plumage, vowing not to hold the ceremony until his tail grew back and his beauty was restored.

During that time, he even refused to shift into his female form, remaining in his male appearance—short hair (singed and cut), cheeks marred by two scars. A peacock demon’s tail feathers held demon-repelling power, so his injuries healed slowly. Every night, he climbed into Bai Zihao’s bed, lamenting his ugliness and swearing to repay his partner’s unwavering devotion with his body, serving him tirelessly…

Bai Zihao: "……"

The "service" was a bit too enthusiastic, complete with *dual cultivation*-based "marital arts." The noise drew… attention.

Most of the bird demons in the Indestructible Peak who knew Kong Muhua had left with the Phoenix God. The new recruits from affiliated sects were unaware of the details.

Thus, rumors spread once more—this time, that Bai Zihao had locked a peerless beauty in a dark room, ravishing him day and night…

Bai Zihao: "……"

His tolerance for rumors was high, and he paid little heed to gossip.

Back when he killed Jin Feiren, instead of remaining a widow, he joined the Indestructible Peak, earning him the reputation of the cultivation world’s most venomous black-widower. Stories about him ran rampant, with everyone spitting at his name. There was no way to clarify—Jin Feiren’s public image had been impeccable, and the bedroom depravity was unspeakable.

Later, as the Frostblade Pavilion Master and an enforcer under the Indestructible Peak, he killed many.

People no longer dared to speak ill of him to his face. Combined with the Phoenix God’s systematic purge of those linked to the Golden Phoenix Manor, his name gradually faded from public discourse. Though racy novels from that era remained bestsellers, the characters were renamed, and few knew they were about him.

Bai Zihao, steadfast in his Frostblade Dao, cared little for such things.

But when Kong Muhua discovered these books, he flew into a rage, banning them and commissioning renowned writers to rewrite the story—turning the character into a pitiful, abused victim… rescued from misery by a passing heroine.

Bai Zihao: "……"

The Heavenly Dao had bestowed too many opportunities. He needed to focus on cultivation, secluding himself to digest them all and ascend sooner.

Once Kong Muhua’s feathers finally regrew, he preened more extravagantly than ever. Gleefully, he dragged Bai Zihao into an extravagant ceremony, dazzling all attendees. The Phoenix God, Divine Lord Qingshi, and divine realm colleagues sent gifts, filling the skies with auspicious clouds. The magnificent spectacle was recorded in the annals of cultivation history, celebrated for years.

All marveled at Immortal Lord Bai’s fortune in marrying such a beautiful, devoted spouse.

Bai Zihao: "……"

He needed another few decades of seclusion to fortify his mental defenses.

8. * "Alaskan Malamute" is used here as a playful insult, referencing the character’s dog-like loyalty and stubbornness.

After Bai Zihao decided to go into seclusion for fifty years, Kong Muhua was utterly bored.

Though his husband now ruled over the Indestructible Peak and his status had risen significantly, his cold reputation in matters of love meant there were no scheming beauties around for Kong Muhua to engage in palace intrigue. After finishing a pile of scripts, Kong Muhua had an idea—he decided to return to the divine realm and seek out the Phoenix God, hoping to find a high-tech world with a booming entertainment scene to "inspect" (play in).

He wanted to be a female celebrity! Star in movies and TV shows! Experience the addictive drama of tragic love on screen.

Gods weren’t allowed to casually meddle with mortal affairs, especially in atheistic, technologically advanced worlds.

Having followed the Divine Lord for many years and frequently traveled between worlds, Kong Muhua was well aware of these rules.

He obtained a fake identity and stormed into the entertainment industry. His drop-dead gorgeous looks alone ensured he landed numerous headline-grabbing features before even filming much. Whether it was singing, dancing, or fashion, he excelled in all areas. Though his personality was outlandish, his management team kept things under control, and he quickly rose to fame...

Countless scripts were sent his way.

Kong Muhua happily browsed through them, only to be dumbfounded.

Tragic love stories were long out of fashion in this world. Every script featured girlboss narratives or cathartic revenge arcs, with romance being smooth and sweet, filled with sickeningly sweet moments.

None of this suited Kong Muhua’s tastes. He rejected script after script, tossing them aside.

Finally, he stumbled upon an obscure script by a small-time director—a dog-blood melodrama ancient tale of a scumbag man and a pitifully devoted woman. The female lead was a doormat saintly type, constantly chasing after the scumbag, enduring abuse both physical and emotional, with scheming side characters constantly bullying her. In short, out of forty episodes (a typical 40-episode drama), the heroine cried in thirty-eight, with the remaining two for the beginning and the end, where the scumbag had a sudden change of heart for a perfect happy ending.

Kong Muhua pounded the table: "This is the one!"

Agent: "???"

The small-time director was actually a man of integrity, just terrible at networking. He had accepted this trash-tier script—written by the investor himself—to make ends meet, but he intended to make it as decent as possible. Kong Muhua’s breathtaking beauty and star power would at least ensure the show didn’t flop too badly. The director practically indulged Kong Muhua, building the entire cast around him.

However, no male star wanted to play the scumbag.

Kong Muhua had high standards for looks—ugly actors were out of the question. After rejecting dozens of male leads recommended by the director, he started plotting on his own. Acting skills didn’t matter; what mattered was matching his beauty. But his hubby Zihao was in seclusion...

After mentally reviewing all the beauties he knew, he suddenly remembered seeing Lord Qingshi at Cloud Abode Cottage (their heavenly residence), holding a copy of *An Actor Prepares* and studying it intently—seemingly very interested in acting. Though Lord Qingshi wasn’t as handsome as his Zihao, he was still quite good-looking, reliable, and easy to talk to...

Kong Muhua flew back to the divine realm and, seizing an opportunity when the Divine Lord was absent, begged Lord Qingshi to play the male lead.

Song Qingshi read the script carefully. Though the male lead was a scoundrel, he didn’t believe a role defined the actor. He was also willing to try a character completely opposite to his own personality... Besides, the Phoenix God had been praising his "acting skills" in bed lately, which was making him cocky. He wanted to try something new.

So, he readily agreed to Kong Muhua’s request.

Before the Phoenix God could find out and settle the score with the peacock...

Song Qingshi auditioned. His acting was terrible. Epic fail.

Kong Muhua: "..."

In the end, he literally threatened a demon cultivator with twin axes into playing the male lead. After the show aired, many young viewers suffered through it just to thirst over the cast’s beauty, while aunties ate up the plot but complained Kong Muhua was too pretty for the role. Reviews were mixed.

The small-time director rode the wave of popularity to better projects and eventually won awards for other films.

Kong Muhua, refusing to accept defeat, spent over a decade specializing in pitiful female roles, earning the title "King of Bad Movies."

Finally... his agent put a knife to their own throat to force him into a strong female lead role in a xianxia drama. It became a massive hit, and he won Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Kong Muhua: "..."

The world simply didn’t understand him.

Song Qingshi returned to the divine realm, heartbroken.

An academic weapon never surrenders. After binge-studying method acting for a long time, he pulled Yue Wuhuan into his rehearsals...

Yue Wuhuan, in post-coital bliss: "You acted wonderfully."

He decided not to settle accounts with Kong Muhua after all.

9.

After Qing Luan returned to the divine realm, though she still served as Lord Qingshi’s assistant, managing celestial staff, she no longer had to cram like a death-row student.

Every day, she flew to the garden to pick the most beautiful flowers, decorating Cloud Abode Cottage exquisitely.

One day, a wild goose flew through the sky, landing and transforming into a familiar, pretty-boy youth.

Ming Hong: "Sister Qing Luan, did you seal all your memories from the mortal world?"

Qing Luan trimmed flower stems absentmindedly: "Mm, sealed."

Ming Hong sulked: "Sister Qing Luan, we had a romantic history in that world."

"Forgot," Qing Luan teased with a smile. "I wouldn’t have any past life with a little brat."

Ming Hong was furious. By chance, he had grown up in the divine realm under Qing Luan’s care. In his youth, he'd been a little menace to get her attention—a dark history that ensured she still treated him like a child no matter how old he got.

He’d had a 500-year-long crush on her for years with little progress. Finally, in the mortal world, they’d built a whole love story. He couldn’t bear to seal those memories, yet Qing Luan claimed she had...

Back then, when Qing Luan passed away, she’d promised they’d be together in the next life...

Women always renege!

Wait...

Had Qing Luan truly sealed her memories? Or was she teasing him again?

Ming Hong rolled his eyes schemingly. He sighed: "Did you know that unfilial great-grandson of yours from the mortal world, Song Jincheng, is now a silver-spoon brat? His parents can’t control him. Forget inheriting the Valley of Medicine—he spends his days indulging in pleasure. Word on the street is he even allegedly takes other people’s children to pleasure houses for shady business..."

"Pleasure houses?" *Snip*. Qing Luan snipped through a flower stem.

Ming Hong nodded gravely: "That degenerate!"

Qing Luan tossed her shears aside: "Let’s go. I’ll ask the Divine Lord for a celestial visa. I need to teach this brat a lesson."

Ming Hong grinned and hurried after her.

He’d known it—Sister Qing Luan hadn’t sealed her memories at all.

10.

Song Jincheng and Yu Wenyu had eloped for the nth time.

Over the years, they’d traveled to many famous places. Everywhere they went, Song Jincheng recorded local flavor, delicious food, beautiful sights, and interesting stories. At Yu Wenyu’s suggestion, they partnered with publishers to release *Jincheng’s Travels*. Thanks to its snappy, laugh-out-loud prose and vivid descriptions, the book became a sensation in the cultivation world, with fans demanding MOAR chapters.

The royalties were substantial, so Song Jincheng no longer feared his parents cutting off his purse strings.

Yu Wenyu adjusting his luggage strap: "Where to this time?"

Song Jincheng, ever the expert: "Maple City. They have a Madame Rouge there—a legendary blade-dancing courtesan."

Yu Wenyu nodded: "You're the boss."

Song Jincheng: "The mead over there is said to be excellent too. Let's go try it."

Yu Wenyu: "By the way, weren’t your parents furious last time? They said you’re refusing to carry on the family business and dishonoring your ancestors."

Song Jincheng shrugged carelessly: "Don't worry. The ancestors aren’t climbing out of their graves to scold me."

*(No, they’re about to arrive.)*

11.

Yu Wenyan looked at the letter about running away from home on the table, tossed it into the trash pile in the corner, and sighed.

Over the years, his emotions had shifted from rage to resentment to resignation.

His eldest son was a lost cause. It was time to have a second child...

He wanted a sweet, adorable daughter—one who wouldn’t defy him and run off with a man, right?

12.

Immortal Spirit Island.

Madam Nian earnestly lectured Duoduo: "Don’t judge men by their looks. Pretty men can be deceitful—they might force you to do exam sheets."

Duoduo shuddered: "That’s horrifying."

On Immortal Spirit Island, most punishments involved exam sheets, and everyone dreaded them.

Especially those handsome schemers who tried to seduce female cultivators. Madam Nian would lock them in a dark room, assigning no fewer than ten thousand exam sheets as punishment, with no release until they finished.

The educational results were reportedly excellent.

After being released, those pretty boys would walk unsteadily, quaking at the sight of beautiful female cultivators, never daring to scheme again.

13.

Yue Wuhuan took Song Qingshi back to the modern world he missed most.

Under the leadership of an iron-willed female CEO, the Song family had long become a renowned international enterprise on the rich list.

Yue Wuhuan sought out the reincarnations of Song Qingshi’s parents and sister, retrieved their souls, and reconstructed the past.

That night, everyone had the same wondrous dream.

In a world from long, long ago, Song Qingshi’s Lou Gehrig’s disease was cured—people called it a medical miracle.

The Song family lived joyfully.

The sister continued her battles in the cutthroat business world, but her husband was a stay-at-home artist, and their marriage was blissful. The younger brother became a trailblazer in the medical field and later brought home a boyfriend named Yue Wuhuan, a world-famous musician.

After the initial shock, the Song family accepted their son’s orientation with open hearts and gave their blessings.

Everyone lived full, happy lives.

Song’s parents lived to a hundred, renowned far and wide as a loving couple.

Song’s sister and brother-in-law had a loving marriage, successful careers, and a pair of twins.

Yue Wuhuan and Song Qingshi held hands into old age.

When the Song family woke up, though they couldn’t recall the dream’s details, they knew it had been profoundly sweet—as if