AUOF - 88

Si Tu grew somewhat impatient and, steeling herself, asked: “Stop beating around the bush and explain clearly.”

Ji Hengyu suddenly stood up and slowly descended from the high platform.

She immediately had a bad premonition.

Ji Hengyu didn’t stop walking: “The divine realm knows that I am tormented by karma. If the goddess were to be injured by me, what should the divine realm do?”

Si Tu remained silent, easily guessing Ji Hengyu’s intentions without further elaboration.

The Supreme Dao Lord loved to put on a show. With her title as a goddess, if she caused a scene at the Immortal Feast using this as an excuse, the Supreme Dao Lord wouldn’t force her to remarry in front of all the immortals.

As for Ji Hengyu, if he dared to severely injure a goddess, even if the Supreme Dao Lord intended to find another candidate, they would surely think twice.

In this way, Ji Hengyu could dissolve his engagement with her and completely thwart the Supreme Dao Lord’s plans.

Killing two birds with one stone—it was indeed a good strategy.

However...

“If you hurt me, the divine realm won’t let it go so easily.”

Ji Hengyu shrugged indifferently: “That’s not something the goddess needs to worry about.”

Actually, Si Tu didn’t fully trust Ji Hengyu.

Her position was just an empty title with no real power. If Ji Hengyu deceived her and killed her, as long as he remained the Lord of Gui Xu for a day, the divine realm couldn’t touch him.

For Si Tu, this matter also represented a risk.

“Alright,” Si Tu decided to trust him once, “Go ahead.”

“Wait.”

Si Tu: “?”

Ji Hengyu: “We need a witness.”

Si Tu: “...” After a while, she squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, “Sly old fox.”

But relying solely on their testimony, given the Supreme Dao Lord’s suspicious nature, he definitely wouldn’t believe them.

This person couldn’t be a disciple of Gui Xu; he needed to have some authority and influence.

After much thought, Si Tu settled on Shen Zheyou.

—No one was more suitable than him.

“Three days later is the grand opening ceremony. I will lose control in the main hall,” Ji Hengyu had secretly planned everything, “To ensure authenticity, only you and I know about this.”

Ji Hengyu secretly warned: “Goddess Si Tu, we only have one chance. I hope we succeed.”

At the beginning of each new year, Gui Xu held a grand palace ceremony.

All disciples would gather in the Chang Lin Front Hall. Si Tu originally thought he would handle it covertly, finding an opportunity to let Shen Zheyou see it. However, under the current circumstances, he was going to make it known to everyone?

Thinking of Sang Li, Si Tu couldn’t help but feel some concern: “If you kill me in front of Sang Li, aren’t you afraid she will harbor resentment towards you?”

Ji Hengyu lazily flicked his eyelids, his brows exuding leisure: “So it’s up to the goddess to speak well of me.”

“...” Si Tu sneered at him, “Shameless.”

Ji Hengyu: “Flattered.”

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and strode out of the Shuoguang Hall.

This plan seemed flawless, but in reality, it carried great risks.

The divine realm was full of ancient beings who looked down on him as a lowly Kui clan member due to their divine lineage. If they used this as an excuse to directly take over Gui Xu and control him, it wasn’t impossible.

If that happened, Ji Hengyu’s actions would surely be exposed.

The more Ji Wu thought about it, the more worried he became: [Master, are you really going to do this?]

Ji Hengyu closed his eyes, his silence representing his thoughts at the moment.

[I’m just worried that the Supreme Old Man won’t let it go. If he directly sends a heavenly deity to replace your position...]

“This Gui Xu Sea has thousands of sleeping demon gods. Do those self-proclaimed noble deities really have the courage to bear this responsibility?”

Seeing a war god fall from the heavens, becoming a monster plagued by karma, daily driven mad and unable to live, do they really have the courage to come here and replace him?

Listening to the unrest coming from the deep sea beneath his feet, the malevolence suppressed in his heart stirred restlessly.

He wasn’t afraid they would come, but rather that they wouldn’t dare.

Ji Hengyu very much wanted to see how those lofty divine lineages would be torn apart by the demons lurking in the abyss.

Just thinking about it made him anticipate it.

**

That night, Si Tu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

On one hand, she regretted agreeing so easily. What if Ji Hengyu really stabbed her to death? It would be a loss not worth it. On the other hand, she was very worried about Sang Li. If she really had feelings for Ji Hengyu and witnessed him going mad, their future relationship would surely be bumpy!

Moreover, knowing Sang Li’s personality, would she jump in to block the blade for her?

Thinking of this possibility, Si Tu felt reassured, but then quickly dismissed the thought. She would rather endure ten stabs from Ji Hengyu than let Sang Li take one for her.

With her frail body, half a stab would probably kill her outright.

What to do?

Tell her directly?

But Ji Hengyu seemed to want Sang Li to remain unaware...

She fretted back and forth, unable to come up with a brilliant plan.

The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. Si Tu glared, propping herself up from the bed—

Never mind! The most important thing between friends is trust!

She would go to the Demon Suppression Palace now and tell Sang Li clearly!

Si Tu acted on impulse, sneaking into the residence where the Demon Suppression Guard disciples lived. Due to the surrounding restrictions, she didn’t dare climb over the wall openly, so she casually folded a thousand-paper crane, breathed a puff of immortal qi into it, and the little crane wobbled over the wall, flying towards Sang Li’s room.

Then she jumped onto a nearby tree, anxiously waiting.

Sang Li’s current dormitory still housed two people per room.

Her roommate happened to be on night duty, and since she couldn’t sleep, she went to practice two sets of techniques in a small cave used by disciples for cultivation. After washing up and returning to rest, she saw the paper crane wobbling by her pillow.

The thousand-paper crane was exquisitely folded, adorned with flamboyant cloud patterns, leaving Sang Li momentarily speechless.

Without a doubt, it was Si Tu’s handiwork.

Who else would use advanced immortal techniques to fold a paper crane!

She unfolded the crane, revealing a line of golden small characters.

[Waiting for you outside.]

Coming so late, it seemed there was something to discuss.

Sang Li casually destroyed the crane and walked out of the courtyard with a small lamp.

Gui Xu was cold and dark after nightfall.

The faint warm light emitted by the lantern stretched far into the distance, quickly being swallowed by the darkness.

Standing beneath the wall, she looked around several times but couldn’t find Si Tu’s figure. Just as she was puzzled, a small pebble lightly hit her shoulder.

Sang Li followed the sight upward.

Si Tu sat brazenly on a thick, tall sacred tree, one leg dangling in the air. When Sang Li looked over, she grinned mischievously like a successful prankster.

Sang Li’s eyes revealed a hint of helplessness.

“There’s a restriction above, isn’t A Tu afraid of being discovered?”

Sure enough, upon hearing about the restriction, Si Tu immediately stopped smiling and fell off in fright.

Sang Li walked over, naturally helping her remove leaves stuck in her hair, softly asking: “Coming so late, is there something you need to talk about?”

Si Tu brushed the dirt off her butt and nodded.

Afraid of being overheard, Sang Li pulled Si Tu farther away.

Si Tu quietly followed behind.

She was usually restless, but now she was acting so solemn and worried, indicating it must be something difficult.

Sang Li also became serious, turning to face her: “Tell me. If there’s anything I can help with, A Tu, feel free to ask.”

Si Tu hesitated, unsure how to say it.

She couldn’t directly tell Sang Li: [Three days later, your lord will stab me during the grand ceremony, don’t interfere.]

That would be too strange.

After struggling for a while, Si Tu decided to approach indirectly.

She stammered: “Are... are we friends?”

Sang Li nodded without hesitation: “Of course.”

Si Tu sighed in relief. That was good.

She assumed naturally: “Then friends should trust each other, right?”

Sang Li found tonight’s goddess strangely odd but still nodded: “Right.”

Si Tu: “So no matter what I do, you must believe me.”

“...” Sang Li struggled to remain silent for a while, “That depends on what exactly you’re doing.”

Sang Li was a principled person.

If Si Tu really committed murder or arson, filled with wickedness, let alone being friends, she wouldn’t have associated with her from the start. If she truly became evil in the future, Sang Li would first ask the reason for her change. If reasonable, Sang Li would join her in becoming evil and help her seek revenge; if unreasonable, she would promptly pull her back on track to avoid divine retribution.

Seeing Sang Li pondering seriously, it was clear her thoughts had wandered to other unrelated matters.

Unable to hold back, Si Tu burst out laughing, her previously tense mood relaxing. She reached out to pinch her soft cheeks, “Don’t worry, it’s not a bad thing, don’t overthink it.”

Sang Li tilted her head suspiciously.

Si Tu said: “On the day of the opening ceremony, no matter what Ji Hengyu does to me, don’t interfere.” After a pause, “And don’t hate him for it.”

Opening ceremony?

Hate him??

What did all this mean?

Sang Li scratched her head in distress, “Can’t you tell me the reason?”

Si Tu nodded: “Hmm.”

“Alright then.” Sang Li pursed her lips and smiled, “If A Tu can’t say, I won’t ask.”

Her thoughtful gentleness made Si Tu feel uneasy.

Her heart ached and felt sour, unbearable. Initially, she intended to keep it from Sang Li as Ji Hengyu wanted, but now she felt that keeping it from her wasn’t fair.

Si Tu took a deep breath and grabbed Sang Li: “If you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

Sang Li shook her head: “I trust you, and I trust Lord Ji.” She said, “If you can’t tell me, there must be a reason I shouldn’t know, so I won’t inquire.”

Sang Li smiled, the faint candlelight dancing on her brow: “As long as the goddess stays safe, that’s all.”

Si Tu’s face twisted in pain: “...”

Safe? Not a chance.

She was about to be stabbed by Ji Hengyu, and with his thievery-like nature, he might kill her outright.

Sang Li wasn’t stupid. Judging from Si Tu’s demeanor, she knew this was certainly not a good thing.

Si Tu specifically sought her out in the middle of the night, telling her not to resent Ji Hengyu. Perhaps Ji Hengyu was planning something during the opening ceremony. Whatever they conspired about, they must have reached an agreement, so Sang Li naturally had no reason to interfere.

Instead, she was happy.

Happy that Si Tu hadn’t left her out.

Since that was the case, she would naturally trust them wholeheartedly.