He arranged for Yan Li's accommodation, building a unique stone tower next to the stone towers of the demon kings. He Li found Yan Li to have good taste; the stone tower was like the Bone Spirit Pagoda, except the Bone Spirit Pagoda held ashes, while this stone tower housed Yan Li.
He Li returned to his own stone tower and lay on the long chair by the window, gazing at the multi-colored sky outside, lost in thought.
Huai Xi brought a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table. She then took out the 'Yan Qi Tablet' and handed it to He Li.
He Li took the 'Yan Qi Tablet' and looked at it quietly, as if trying to find traces of the ancient era and the Yan clan on this small stone tablet.
"You probably know everything about me. Min Ao is quite talkative; he must have told you."
Huai Xi sat beside him and gave a low hum.
He Li looked at the 'Yan Qi Tablet' and said, "I was an orphan university student. Then I fell ill, and somehow awakened spiritual power and gene locks. I was already an anomaly, and this made me feel like an anomaly among anomalies. I just wanted to live a peaceful life, but I ended up joining the Spirit Management Association.
Heh... but it's good. In the eyes of those people, I'm no longer an anomaly among anomalies, just an anomaly.
Fortunately, I have Brother Fei. He wasn't afraid of me and took good care of me. This sword is his. Whenever someone praises this sword, it makes me happier than advancing a realm.
Later, I learned that I wasn't even a person, nor a god. I was just He Jun... just the humanity among the three natures of Xia Peishu.
I wasn't sad because I couldn't feel sadness. I just felt an emptiness in my heart.
So, I was just a substitute thrown out when someone no longer wanted to live. Even so, I still respected and loved Xia Peishu.
But now, everything seems to have changed.
It seems I'm not someone thrown out because he was tired of living. I'm not his humanity. I have another identity: Yan Si of the Yan clan from the ancient era.
But my name is He Li. These things, one after another, popping up – which one is true, and which one is false?"
He Li finally said, "I feel like I'm losing my grip. But deep down, I feel like none of it matters. No matter the reason why those who help me do so,
I am the one who is very important to them. I've never felt this important before.
Huai Xi, tell me, is everything we do in this life for others?"
Huai Xi fell silent. She didn't understand He Li's question. Her life had only consisted of cultivation and battlefield combat. By the time she wanted to speak, she turned to look at He Li and found he had fallen asleep, still clutching the 'Yan Qi Tablet' to his chest.
Huai Xi stayed by He Li's side, quiet and peaceful, with only the warm mist rising from the cup of tea.
After a while,
Huai Xi suddenly said softly, "I don't understand what you're saying, but no matter what, I will be by your side. Whether you ascend to the divine throne or are banished to the countryside, I will be by your side."
He Li did not respond.
Huai Xi stopped speaking after her declaration. She lightly touched the teacup and found it had grown a bit cold. Just as she was about to stand up to get a fresh cup of hot tea for He Li when he woke up,
He Li reached out, took Huai Xi's hand, and placed the 'Yan Qi Tablet' into her palm.
He Li did not open his eyes, but softly said, "Okay."
...
The Assembly Hall.
The meeting of the several Divine Lords dispersed.
He Li and the other two left, but Xun He remained.
Shentu did not ask any questions. He knew Xun He was waiting to discuss the matter of Yan Li, the true god from the ancient era. He quietly waited for Xun He to speak first.
Xun He stood up, hands behind his back. His face, usually adorned with a gentle smile, was now etched with frost. He said in a deep voice, "Our lives are already in peril."
Shentu did not deny it. He extended his hand, and a ball of golden mist rose from his palm, forming divine script. He said, "The Divine Realm has issued an order. The Divine Race army will arrive at the central battlefield shortly, led by several Divine Lords."
Xun He showed no joy; his expression grew even more somber. "The Divine Realm is empty."
Shentu retracted the divine script. "There's no need to worry. Those rebels can be annihilated with a wave of the God King's hand. I'm more concerned about our side. Three from the Spirit Taming Divine Race, the Demon Race, the true gods from the ancient era, and Yi Yao has already sided with them."
Shentu's gaze deepened, and he said in a low voice, "Once the reinforcements arrive, we will immediately begin the plan to kill He Li!"
Xun He nodded, remaining silent.
...