Shi Siyao was indeed taken into custody by the soldiers upon arriving at the New Wilderness and handed over to General Zheng for judgment.
Seeing her voluntary surrender and the circumstances of her being compelled, General Zheng spared her life.
However, while her life was spared, she could not escape punishment. After deliberation, it was decided to exile Shi Siyao to the Broken Cliff Volcano in Xihe Continent to endure five hundred years of fiery torment.
Five hundred years was a long time. Upon her return, perhaps everything would have changed, mountains and seas transformed, and fields turned into skyscrapers.
Her greatest worry was whether she would be able to see Mo Qi again after five hundred years.
Mo Qi told her, "I will come to pick you up in five hundred years!"
With that, Shi Siyao tearfully departed for the Broken Cliff Volcano!
After thanking General Zheng for his patronage, Mo Qi regretfully informed him, "I am going to Dongsheng Continent, so I can no longer serve you."
Zheng Bubai had already heard of Mo Qi's exploits in the Demon Realm and knew he would be forced to participate in the Investiture of the Gods. Thus, he was mentally prepared and smiled upon hearing this, "This is a good thing. I can only wish you well. However, a general's position here will always be reserved for you. If you are unhappy over there, you can return anytime."
Mo Qi bid farewell to Zheng Bubai, Li Chunhou, and others, and under Shui Han's guidance, boarded the Sky City.
The Sky City was a city floating in the sky, inhabited by the Shui family, their retainers and their families, King Xin, Ge Zhou, the four Grand Celestial Masters and their families, and other important civil and military officials.
The Sky City was a mountain, with the outer city at its base and the inner city on its summit, perpetually shrouded in mist and adorned with auspicious colors.
Regardless of who it was, one had to pass through the outer city to reach the inner city.
This was a rule set by Shui Wancheng, and he himself was no exception.
When Mo Qi and Shui Han arrived at the city gate, the guards, recognizing Shui Han, directly granted them passage.
Upon entering the city, a circular road wound its way up along the mountain's contours, ascending straight into the clouds.
Wild grasses and mountain flowers grew along the roadside, accompanied by the gentle murmur of a stream, its destination unknown.
Amidst the verdant woods, occasional structures stood, their eaves and beams intricately carved, exuding a majestic aura, resembling secluded villas of wealthy families.
The two walked side by side in silence, occasionally enveloped by a wafting fragrance, with picturesque scenery unfolding before their eyes, and the presence of a companion making it feel as if they were in a fairyland.
Walking with Shui Han, Mo Qi felt somewhat tense, unlike the relaxation he felt with Xue Nü.
Xue Nü did not speak much, but she exuded a peaceful aura.
Shui Han, on the other hand, intentionally or unintentionally emanated a chilling aura. When she was silent, it felt like a cold wind was constantly blowing.
When one tried to break the silence, they feared their mouths would freeze.
Yet, Mo Qi still attempted to break the silence, "Are you also going to Dongsheng Continent?"
Shui Han seemed annoyed by Mo Qi's disruption of the moment's quiet. She glared at Mo Qi and said indifferently, "Not necessarily. If I win, I will go. If I lose, I won't."
Oh, if only I had asked her earlier if she would participate in the competition.
Perhaps it wasn't too late to ask now.
Mo Qi immediately asked again, "Then, will you participate in the competition?"
How much clearer did it need to be? Shui Han was somewhat exasperated. If it were anyone else, she would have likely slapped them away. But for Mo Qi, for some reason, she found herself tolerating him more and more lately.
She could tolerate his incessant questioning, his persistent and shameless pursuit, and even many of his bad habits.
It was truly baffling!
She found it terrifying just thinking about it!
"I will participate," Shui Han replied curtly.
It seemed even uttering two words was an effort. After speaking, she quickened her pace, as if afraid Mo Qi would continue with more trivial questions.
But she couldn't escape him.
Mo Qi caught up and posed another trivial question, "What do you think of me?"
Too trivial.
Shui Han didn't want to answer, but she glanced at Mo Qi and, seeing his eager expression, couldn't bear to disappoint him. She replied, "Not much."
Mo Qi stood there, his face displaying disappointment and dejection.
Shui Han walked a few steps and, seeing he wasn't following, turned back. She saw Mo Qi looking dejected, as if about to commit suicide.
She immediately amended her statement, "Actually, you're not bad."
Mo Qi immediately smiled again and strode forward, "You have good taste."
This... such smugness!
Shui Han inwardly scorned him, offering no response.
Mo Qi continued, "Do you think your father would accept me?"
"He would accept you," Shui Han replied after a moment's hesitation, feigning ignorance. "If he didn't accept you, why would he let you return to participate in the competition?"
She's even learned to change the subject.
Mo Qi found it utterly boring and, picking up on her words, continued, "Not necessarily. Perhaps it's some kind of scheme?"
A scheme? What scheme could there be? She was offering him a tremendous opportunity, and he was ungrateful, still casting aspersions.
"What are you talking about?" Shui Han finally became angry. "Would my father harm you? As the City Lord of Sky City, when he received the Heavenly Court's order to apprehend you, his first reaction was to suggest that you participate in the Investiture of the Gods, which would greatly reduce your punishment. You are ungrateful and instead judge a gentleman's heart with a villain's mind. It's truly, truly detestable."
Mo Qi thought to himself that the suggestion to participate in the Investiture of the Gods was likely proposed by the King of Hell, and Shui Wancheng was merely going along with it, acting as a messenger. Shui Han, unaware of this, believed her father to be exceptionally noble.
However, he couldn't voice these thoughts to Shui Han; she wouldn't believe him and would think he was trying to sow discord between her and her father.
Mo Qi immediately bowed exaggeratedly, "Your lesson is well-taken, senior. This junior will remember it."
"You," Shui Han stamped her foot in anger. "Who is your senior? Don't talk nonsense."
Just then, a commotion erupted from behind them. A group of people was approaching rapidly.
As the two turned to look, the group had already drawn near and stopped.
Men and women alike, all radiant and striking.
Among them, a stunningly beautiful woman, unable to contain her excitement, exclaimed, "Mo Qi, is that you? Are you also here to participate in the competition?"
Mo Qi looked closely and recognized Ge Xiang.
Mo Qi was also excited, "Yes, Sister Ge Xiang!"
Seeing Shui Han walking so intimately with him, Ge Xiang's expression darkened. "You're still not dead? Weren't you supposed to go to the Demon Realm? Didn't those demons in the Demon Realm bite you to death?"
Mo Qi was accustomed to her sharp tongue and chuckled, "Since you're still alive, how could I bear to die? I still have something to live for!"
To outsiders, this sounded like playful banter. However, Ge Xiang felt it was a curse and became enraged, "You, you die first. You must die first!"
While the two were engaged in their public display of affection, others were displeased.
Especially a handsome young man with a jade-like complexion and rosy lips named Zhong Xin Tie, the son of Grand Tutor Zhong. He was accustomed to arrogance and conceit, looking down on everyone. He believed that in Sky City, his father was second only to the ruler, making him second to none.