After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

All the immortals' gazes converged. Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, stood in the front row, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly before relaxing and returning to their usual calm.

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly: "How is the matter at Black Wind Ridge in the Northwest progressing?"

Nezha stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "In the area where the remnants of the Xuan Yin Sect were entrenched, there were indeed ancient evil spirits nourished by evil magic, which had already gained considerable power. I led troops to surround and suppress them, and the area has been pacified. The evil spirits have been completely destroyed, and the evil energy of the earth's veins has been sealed off again."

He spoke slowly, briefly recounting the events, omitting Bai Yeying's presence, and only saying that he discovered the clues during his investigation. There was no hint of pride or self-importance in his words.

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor stroked his beard and nodded: "Very good. Nezha, you previously wiped out the Xuan Yin Sect, and this time you have cleansed the evil spirits and eliminated the hidden dangers in the northwest. Your contributions are invaluable."

"It is my duty."

"Um."

The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment: "The demons in the mortal realm have been making many strange moves lately. Since you are familiar with the situation in the mortal realm, please pay close attention. If any of them cause trouble in a region, you may deal with them as you see fit."

These words effectively granted Nezha considerable autonomy. Many immortals in the hall exchanged glances. This Third Prince was already of high rank and power, decisive in his actions, and now, with even greater favor, it was likely that no one would dare to challenge him.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Nezha readily agreed without the slightest hesitation.

The Jade Emperor waved his hand: "You may leave now, Li Jing."

Li Jing stepped forward and said, "Your subject is here."

"Nezha has been traveling back and forth to eliminate evil spirits, and his health has suffered greatly. The supplies of Yunlou Palace can be replenished as needed to help him recover."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Jing bowed and replied, his eyes glancing at the tall, red-clad figure in the hall, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

Nezha bowed and took his leave. He turned around, his steps were swift as the wind, his red ribbon fluttered, and in the blink of an eye he was out of the Lingxiao Palace.

Instead of returning directly to the Cloud Tower Palace, he rode his Wind and Fire Wheels, slowly traversing the winding immortal mountains and seas of clouds in the Heavenly Court.

A strong wind swept across the sky, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead. Below, a sea of ​​clouds surged, and in the distance, majestic palaces stood, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

Everything was grand and familiar, yet almost tedious.

Another image inexplicably flashed through my mind: a mountain forest under the cover of night, a splashing stream, and almond-shaped eyes that shone brightly despite being covered in dust.

And that stupid mouse, choked by his words, lowered its head and remained silent, its ears turning red.

Nezha's lips curved upwards slightly, then quickly flattened again.

This is really troublesome.

He turned his fiery wheels around and flew towards the Cloud Tower Palace. The celestial officials at the palace gate saw him return and quickly bowed.

"Your Highness, you've returned. His Majesty just sent some fine wine and peaches to replenish your vital energy," the celestial official reported respectfully.

"Okay," Nezha responded, continuing on his way. "Put it in the storeroom."

He walked through the corridor and returned directly to his quiet room. The room was simply furnished and spotless, with only various weapons gleaming coldly on the weapon rack and a graceful lotus flower by the window, emitting a faint fragrance.

He sat cross-legged on the jade couch, but did not immediately enter a meditative state to regulate his breathing.

He tapped his fingertips unconsciously on his knee, his gaze falling on the lotus flower in the window.

The petals are pure white, and the lotus heart is tender yellow, blooming quietly amidst the swirling ethereal mist.

After watching for a while, he suddenly felt a bit bored.

These lotus flowers are beautiful, but they are too quiet and lack vitality.

Unlike that mouse, which was clearly weak but always caused all sorts of trouble and mischief, then stared at him with its round eyes, sometimes panicked, sometimes cunning, sometimes trying to appear calm.

Nezha stood up and walked to the window. From here, he could see the vast outline of the mountains and rivers below, shrouded in mist and clouds, making them indistinct.

I wonder what that mouse is doing now?

Is she burying herself in her rat hole, diligently cultivating herself? Or is she unable to resist running out to do good deeds and attract new trouble?

He frowned slightly.

With her meager skills and meddlesome nature, she probably won't stay quiet for long.

However... she must have been quite frightened by what happened at Black Wind Ridge, so perhaps she'll behave herself for a while?

The moment the idea popped into his head, he dismissed it.

That rat, though it looks soft, has an indomitable spirit deep down. After being scolded a few times last time, it turned around and went off to fight monsters deep in the mountains.

This time... I'm afraid they won't really cower in obediently.

Nezha tapped his finger lightly on the window frame.

We need to find an excuse to go down and take a look.

Just then, the Jade Emperor instructed him to keep an eye out for unusual movements by demons in the mortal realm.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping across the room, landing on an inconspicuous jade box in the corner.

Those were a few trinkets I'd picked up casually from the Black Wind Ridge basement last time. They were useless to him, but might be of some use to that rat.

For example, that special piece of Geng metal essence could be melted into her whip.

There's also that water-attribute spirit pearl, which can help her temper the restlessness within her demonic aura.

Nezha walked to the jade box, opened it, and took a look. There weren't many items, but they were still quite useful.

He closed the jade box and weighed it in his hand.

Continuing like this seems a bit... abrupt?

He's a dignified Great God of the Three Altars and Marshal of the Middle Altar, yet he keeps running into the hole of a rat spirit in the lower realm. What kind of talk is that?

Nezha stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing.

After standing there in silence for a moment, he suddenly chuckled, as if mocking himself, or as if he had figured something out.

It's troublesome, but so be it.

Anyway... it's not the first time.

Without further hesitation, the flames of his Wind and Fire Wheels swirled beneath his feet, and his figure transformed into a streak of crimson light, rushing straight out of the Cloud Tower Palace, piercing through layers of clouds, and hurtling towards the lower realm, towards the direction of the place called Trapped Sky Mountain.

The wind howled in my ears, and the sea of ​​clouds was torn apart.

The young man's red clothes fluttered in the wind, a bright red mark burned on his forehead, and the slight curve of his lips was invisible to anyone in the light and shadow created by his speeding journey.

...................

At this moment, Bai Yeying was practicing whip techniques by the waterfall on the back mountain, trying to incorporate some newly learned skills into her practice.

The stone chips flew everywhere as she swept them away with her whip around the pool.

Just as she was getting into the swing of her practice, she suddenly sensed something, stopped whipping, and looked warily at the woods behind her.

A figure was leaning against an old pine tree, arms crossed, watching her with a leisurely air.

The red robes remained, but today the silver armor was absent, replaced by a casually tied belt, giving the wearer a more youthful and refreshing air rather than the fierce, battle-hardened look of the battlefield. The red mark on her forehead was still striking against the dappled shadows of the trees.

It's Nezha.

He didn't know how long he stood there or how long he watched.

Bai Yeying's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and her grip on the whip tightened slightly.

What brings him here? Is he just passing by this time too?

She put away her whip, walked over, stopped a few steps away from him, and respectfully bowed: "Third Prince."

Nezha hummed in agreement.

"Are you alright?" she couldn't help but ask, her gaze lingering on him.

Nezha looked at her, his beautiful phoenix eyes holding a hint of something unreadable: "What do you think?"

Bai Yeying felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, lowered her head, and unconsciously tugged at the leaves of the tree next to her: "I...I was just asking."