The entire sect is obsessed with love, but I'm the only one who's truly insane.

The fairy crashed headfirst into Lin Du's arms, like a deer in the forest bumping into bamboo, scattering a thin layer of snow on the ground.

Ni Jinxuan tilted her head back, hands on her hips with immense pride, and exclaimed, "Junior Uncle, aren't I amazing?! Yuan Ye hasn't even ascended yet!"

Lin Du nodded, "Amazing, absolutely amazing."

Ni Jinxuan chuckled, instantly reverting to her composed immortal demeanor the moment she released Lin Du. Her eyes crinkled into crescents. "Senior Brother is currently at the Thunder Department's Divine Firmament Palace, and Senior Sister Tianwu is at the Thunder Department's Fire Palace. I'm currently a rogue immortal, so I came as soon as I heard the news!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Du did some calculations and said, "Only the three of you ascended? And you just ascended recently?"

Ni Jinxuan shook her head, "Actually, I was the fastest to ascend. I ascended three hundred years ago! My eldest brother and second sister just ascended recently. I ascended with Uncle Cang Li. Hehe, we are still in the Supreme Sect in the Immortal Realm."

Lin Du wasn't surprised by where the others went. She was surprised that Mo Lin, who cultivated the Divine Firmament Path, didn't join the Thunder Department. She was surprised that Xia Tianwu joined the Fire Palace of the Thunder Department instead of the Heavenly Medicine Department.

Ni Jinxuan noticed her confusion and shook her head seriously, "Junior Uncle, you have no idea how powerful Second Senior Sister is now! You'll see when you meet her."

Lin Du was relieved to hear this, as long as it was voluntary.

"I have something to do right now, I'll come find you later." Lin Du glanced at the celestial official and began to rapidly rewrite his new persona in his mind.

Many disciples from the Supreme Sect ascended to the top. Although it seems that only three, four, five, or six disciples ascended in each generation, the total number is still quite large.

Even though not many people entered the Heavenly Palace, just from this one meeting, Lin Du's connections within the Heavenly Palace extended to at least three departments.

This isn't about lacking connections; it's about having a powerful, albeit still immature, network of connections and backing.

Wei Zhi noticed Lin Du's unease about the interpersonal situations he would face in the future. Without changing his expression, he said softly through his divine sense, "Why hold your hands and feet? After all, you are the thirteenth disciple of the Dao Ancestor. If you cause any more trouble, even the Heavenly Emperor will have to hand it over to the Dao Ancestor to deal with."

Lin Du shook his head. "Originally, I wouldn't have cared, but now that they're here, I have to think it over. I can't let them get involved."

If she were all alone, she would be with Wei Zhi and Chu Guanmeng, and she wouldn't have to repeatedly consider her options.

It is only when there are attachments that there are constraints.

"To put it another way, this way the Heavenly Emperor will feel more at ease about your existence." Wei Zhi thought for a moment and then offered his advice seriously. "Because he knows you are worried about implicating these people, you won't act too recklessly, and the stability of the Heavenly Palace will be guaranteed. Having something to worry about is actually a good thing."

Lin Du's brow twitched slightly. "That's true."

The Heavenly Emperor at Yuqing Palace was far more magnanimous than they had imagined. He wore a simple, wide-sleeved robe, had kind features, and was surrounded by golden light, perfectly embodying the phrase "the light of the righteous path."

Lin Du and Wei Zhi bowed, and the Heavenly Emperor descended the jade steps, looking kindly at the two who had straightened up.

"Lord Lingwei, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Good child, you have accomplished so much at such a young age."

The good boy smiled insincerely, "I didn't enter the Heavenly Palace when I ascended, so I wasn't qualified to meet the Heavenly Emperor. Afterwards, I was trapped in the ruins to study. It's my fault that I'm only coming to pay my respects now."

"I wonder which ancient god's legacy Lingwei Daojun received?" the Heavenly Emperor asked with a smile.

Wei Zhi glanced at the unchanging smiles on the two people's faces out of the corner of his eye, and suddenly felt grateful that he could pretend to be a martial artist. If he had to keep talking like that, even an immortal would have stiff facial muscles.

Lin Du said there were many more, but she didn't list them all, saying reservedly, "I received the inheritance of the Earth Official."

The Heavenly Emperor remained unfazed upon hearing this, saying, "The succession of the Earthly Officials, ah, excellent! The Three Realms and Nine Palaces are now suffering from a shortage of talent, which is exactly what we need young people to enter. Young people are full of energy."

Lin Du just smiled when he heard this.

Everyone knows that the Heavenly Palace is a place where "retired old cadres" live out their days, and they basically don't come out all year round. The only one who appears more often is just a wandering immortal who subdues demons and monsters.

It sounds like Lin Du is going to take on a sinecure.

The Heavenly Emperor looked at the smiling Lin Du before him and thought, "It's so good to be idle. In this Heavenly Palace, the most dangerous thing is someone who causes trouble."

Lin Du's next words shattered the beautiful future that the Heavenly Emperor had just envisioned.

"Now that I have inherited the Floating Life Fan, which has been lost for a long time, the seniors of the Three Realms and Nine Palaces naturally have no missions and will not come out of the mountains. It is not because of the lack of talent."

Lin Du spoke lightly, but the Heavenly Emperor was already starting to have a headache.

"The Heavenly Palace is peaceful and the Three Realms are at peace. There's hardly any work to be done. The less work there is, the better." The Heavenly Emperor looked at Lin Du. "In short, the Three Realms and Nine Palaces have been without anyone for a long time. Now you might be the only one. If there's anything you're lacking, just tell me."

Lin Du nodded, appearing extremely honest. "I will report any shortages truthfully. If we're short-handed, aren't there still the Thunder Department and the Fighting Department?"

The Heavenly Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Very well, if there's anything, you can report it to Tai Xuan Province, and the Heavenly Master will report it to me."

After the two finished laughing, the Heavenly Emperor turned to Wei Zhi for pleasantries.

Lin Du still had a smile on his face, but he lowered his eyes slightly. In the conversation just now, the Three Elements and Nine Palaces, which were in charge of human fortune and misfortune and examined the merits and demerits of gods, had become a leisurely government office that almost never hired anyone. Lin Du had already made it clear by pointing out the spiritual treasure he had inherited.

The Heavenly Emperor made no promises that she could assume supervisory responsibilities, did not grant her any real power, and left her as a figurehead commander without any real personnel; if she needed people, he could not directly issue orders.

She was very familiar with this matter; she said everything on the surface, but actually made no promises.

The Heavenly Emperor was exchanging pleasantries with Wei Zhi, saying, "You have been reluctant to take over the position of Taiyi for so long, but it is fate. If you had not accepted the inheritance, so be it. Now that you have accepted the inheritance, our Heavenly Palace needs you very much."

Wei Zhi was equally sincere, "Just now, Your Majesty, you said that the Heavenly Palace is peaceful and the Three Realms are at peace. Where is there an urgent need for me? If there really is a shortage of manpower, I think the Three Realms and Nine Palaces would be very suitable. After all, I am not very talented and only know a little bit of the skills of subduing demons, eliminating evil spirits, and summoning clouds and rain."

The Heavenly Emperor choked upon hearing this. He had summoned Wei Zhi long ago when he ascended to heaven, but unfortunately, this true dragon was not a good-tempered man. Every word he uttered was a soft knife, and he was right about it. He had no way to punish him and was completely helpless.

Now that two soft knives were standing in front of the Heavenly Emperor, he suddenly felt a little like calling on the Heavenly Medical Department to treat his headache.

Why are all the previous Taiyi leaders such stubborn and unyielding individuals?

He was worried.

Seeing the helpless expression on his face, Wei Zhi quickly added, "The legacy of the previous Star Lord has not yet been found, so how can I be considered the rightful Taiyi Star Lord now?"

The Heavenly Emperor was even more troubled upon hearing this.

Some stubborn thorns remain embedded in the flesh even after they die, causing a dull ache whenever they are poked.

He reacted quickly, "Alright, then I'll entrust you with the task of finding the inheritance. What do you say?"

Wei Zhi remained calm and said, "We should do our best."

The Heavenly Emperor glanced at Taiyi, who looked weary, and Lingwei, who had a perfect smile but seemed ready to cause trouble at any moment. He took a deep breath and said, "Since that's the case, it's settled then. You two go back and rest."

The two turned and left, their expressions unchanged even after they left Yuqing Palace. The celestial official in charge of seeing them off believed it to be true and secretly labeled the two as a smiling tiger and a lazybones.

Lin Du left Yuqing Palace and saw Yan Ye coming out of Siming Hall, Mo Lin coming out of Shenxiao Palace, and Xia Tianwu coming out of the Fire Department.

All three of them had indifferent expressions and seemed to be going their separate ways. She raised an eyebrow and said, "I wonder, Immortal Official, how do I get to Spirit City? I'm too poor; I need to go sell some things."

The celestial official paused for a moment, but still responsibly pointed out the way.

Lin Du left, completely satisfied.

Upon arriving in the city, the group unexpectedly met.

"Oh my, what a coincidence," Lin Du said, feigning nonchalance.

Yan Ye was too lazy to pretend, so he put his hands in his pockets and remained silent.

Mo Lin and Xia Tianwu chuckled at Lin Du, "Uncle-Master, hehe, wanna eat? Let's go! Sheng Yan opened a restaurant, it's really good."

Wei Zhi lagged behind by a step and walked side by side with Yan Ye.

"How's it going? Feeling in control of the Book of Fate?"

Yan Ye shook his head, "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

Wei Zhi glanced at him, chuckled, and remained silent.

"I haven't thanked you yet for taking care of her for me. In the future, I'll be even less likely to take care of her," Yan Ye said in a low voice.

"She's very strong. It's not like I'm the one taking care of her." Wei Zhi looked at Lin Du's retreating figure. "I'm just following her voluntarily."

"Because of your current position, she's already been very restrained. You two, master and disciple, have to avoid each other like this just because you possess the most powerful innate spiritual treasure in the Heavenly Palace. You think it's for the other's good, but neither of you is willing to speak frankly. Is it worth it?"

Given Lin Du's personality, if Yan Ye hadn't been in the Celestial Palace, she probably would have gone straight to the Heavenly Palace and started the investigation as soon as the Celestial Officials invited her.

Yan Ye sneered, "There's no such thing as worth it or not. Everyone has their own destiny and it's just a choice."

"Hey, how much lifespan does Lin Du have left?" Wei Zhi suddenly asked. "Just give me a rough estimate."

"Don't worry about it. When I ascended to the Thirty-Third Heaven, my lifespan instantly became equal to that of a normal immortal. That Dao Ancestor treated me quite well," Yan Ye said, pausing for a moment. "But some things can't be solved simply by becoming an immortal."

For example, if something is destined not to happen, it will never happen.

Wei Zhi laughed, "You don't care about some things, and she doesn't care about how long she lives. She never regrets anything."

Yan Ye shook his head, his brows furrowing slightly. "She chose the most dangerous path. It's either a complete purge or no movement at all. Given her personality, she will definitely only choose the former."

"It might not have been her own choice, but it must have been something she was willing to accept." Wei Zhi considered for a moment. "Do you know about what happened to the former Lunar Star Lord before her death?"

Yan Ye glanced at him. "Trying to get close to me, huh? Want to see the Book of Fate? She's completely dead. I might not have the authority to do so."

Wei Zhi remained silent, waiting for Yan Ye's reply.

"Fine, I'll give you a suggestion: Guixu. It's said that the last time the previous Taiyin appeared in the Immortal Realm, her route led to the very end of the Immortal Realm." Yan Ye glanced at him. "Do you dare go?"

The Ruins of Return are bottomless, the final resting place of countless vanished immortals, none of whom have ever returned alive.

"It's alright, after all, I have the inheritance of the Water God." Wei Zhi thought for a moment, "I should be able to come back."

The Heavenly Palace is too harmonious now, like a soft dough, impossible to grasp or scoop out. It remains tight-lipped about the Fallen Gods and the origin of demonic energy, as if they don't exist. The death of the previous Taiyin is the only breakthrough.

The Heavenly Emperor's words today may also be telling him that finding the Taiyin inheritance requires a legitimate reason.

Yan Ye gave him a deep look, his tone somewhat stiff, "You're courting death, don't drag my disciple down with you."

Wei Zhi gasped, "These are people who are in charge of lives, can you please not speak so casually? Don't you know how to be discreet?"

"I don't understand." Yan Ye strode away, leaving behind a remark, and took the main seat at the table in the restaurant's private room.

Lin Du sat calmly to the side and said, "Manager, bring out all your best dishes."

Sheng Yan crossed his arms and glanced at her. "This is a high-end restaurant in the Immortal Realm. Don't act like a nouveau riche from the countryside. Can't you be a little more refined? You're an Immortal Official now, why are you still acting like a child?"

Chu Guanmeng and Ni Jinxuan stared blankly at the grand feast, their large eyes wide with disbelief. "Can't we?"

feast:……

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll do it right away."

She resigned herself to her fate and instructed the kitchen staff to prepare dishes by the basin, and to personally handle the preparations, avoiding the delicate small portions favored by immortals, and to serve the whole dish in its entirety.

Lin Du propped himself up on his arms as Ni Jinxuan excitedly recounted the many adventures she had encountered in the mortal realm.

After a hearty meal and drinks, Ni Jinxuan, her face flushed, suddenly leaned close to Lin Du and asked, "Junior Uncle, is the price of growing up always going to be getting separated from others?"

Lin Du was taken aback upon hearing this. "What?"

She muttered to herself, "I really want Yuan Ye to come soon, and Yan Qing too, so we can all be together again."

"Never mind, it's okay if you don't come. I can live a happy life on my own."

When Lin Du went to check again, the person had already fallen asleep on the table.

Wei Zhi apologized, "This wine has been brewed for a thousand years, so it is indeed quite strong."

Yan Ye, who doesn't drink, had already left. Feng Chao, carrying the boisterous Ni Jinxuan, went with Cang Li back to the mountain where the Supreme Sect of the Upper Realm was located to rest.

"So that's why I was so good at blowing up stoves when I was little! Turns out it's because my fire skills are amazing! Not only can I refine pills, but I'm also a super fighter now, Junior Uncle!"

Xia Tianwu started rambling on again, and was taken away by Mo Lin.

Looking at the mess on the table, Lin Du suddenly propped his head up and smiled, "It still wasn't strong enough."

Otherwise, how could she still be so clear-headed?

Chu Guanmeng was lifted up by her. "Let's talk about something sad."

The frizzy-eyed man said, "Are you even speaking human language?"

"You witnessed Taiyin's dying moments, didn't you? I suspect she was a compassionate person and couldn't possibly have been unconcerned about you. So, the only possibility is that you are the only clue she left me."

"So, where was she on the verge of death?"

Lin Du asked earnestly, "Use your divine sense to visualize it for me, and I'll look for it in the Immortal Realm."

"I know you'll be sad, but I have to take the first step, and this is the only clue I can follow."

Lin Du stroked its fur, his eyes filled with a sense of vicissitude.

Chu Guanmeng remained silent for a long time. "I seem to have forgotten, but I also seem to remember. It was... a place where there was nothing at all. I can't tell what it was. Let me show you."

Lin Du received that scene through the contract, and in that very instant, Wei Zhi suddenly and unusually entered her consciousness.

This time it wasn't a telepathic transmission, but his own divine sense, imbued with a profound demonic power completely different from that of humans.

Lin Du was stunned for a moment, but did not resist. Then he heard his deep voice.

"It is the Ruins of Return. Beneath the Ruins of Return lies an endless sea that no immortal has ever left. It is unfathomably deep, which is why it is impossible to discern what kind of place it is. It is known as the final resting place of fallen gods."

She looked up. "How did you know?"

Wei Zhi withdrew his consciousness, leaned lazily against the corner of the lattice window, and smiled faintly. His eyes were clear and bright, just like when they first met. He was so close, yet he carried a barrier of unbridled arrogance. "Well... it's a secret."

With a pre-set clue and this scenario, the answer becomes obvious.

Yin Huaitian probably died in Guixu, where there was only endless water, so there was nothing around him when he was dying.

"Lin Du, I might have to go down and look for Yin Huaitian's legacy."

Wei Zhi met her eyes and said gently, "This is our only chance."

Lin Du was taken aback for a moment, but quickly understood what Wei Zhi meant, "You're all alone?"

Wei Zhi nodded. "I can manage on my own. I can't let them wipe us all out. What if none of us come back?"

Seeing that she wanted to say something more, he raised his hand and pointed to the bowls and chopsticks on the table, "They don't want an empty seat."

Lin Du opened his mouth, then frowned slightly, "You once advised me that the world has more than one savior..."

"You are the one who cannot be allowed to fall. You are the only one who has the ability to completely cleanse the immortal realm and eradicate the source of demonic energy."

"Let me be the one who crashes into the pillar, and you, be the one who changes the world." Wei Zhi interrupted her, his expression slightly serious. "Isn't this the most rational and prudent solution?"

Unusually, Lin Du didn't insist on arguing to a draw as usual. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze falling on him like a leaf startled in a cold pond, and said, "You don't have a second life."

"Wei Zhi has never lost a debate on classics, and neither have you."

At this moment, Lin Du suddenly understood that the source of her previous hostility towards Wei Zhi might not just be their evenly matched and confrontational relationship, but rather the consistency between him and her in many moments.

His thought process when faced with a problem is like ripples spreading out when a stone falls.

Beneath the calm surface of the deep sea, turbulent currents surge, and they all vie to be the lone boat that breaks the tranquility.

"I possess the legacy of the Water God, and no one is more suitable to be your vanguard than me." Wei Zhi, seeing Lin Du deep in thought, suddenly stepped over several seats and stood in front of Lin Du. "For the sake of everything, I think you and I should sign a contract. At least, even if I am far away in Guixu, I can still send you messages. Even if I cannot send messages, you can still connect with my five senses and understand the truth of everything."

If he doesn't come back, he might still be able to pass on enough messages to Lin Du.

Lin Du closed his eyes, then leaned forward, causing Wei Zhi, who was stepping forward, to instinctively want to step back, but then regained his balance.

"Don't move." Lin Du raised his hand to form a seal, and his divine sense slowly formed a seal before entering Wei Zhi's forehead.

At close range, Wei Zhi's beastly eyes appeared in an instant.

Lin Du's unique and chilling divine sense was injected into his divine palace, and the silver contract mark slowly settled into the dragon-shaped divine palace.

The silver dragon, gleaming with golden light, lowered its head and shook vigorously. Its head and tail joined together, and golden divine sense instantly wrapped around the mark, surging upwards and then condensing into a new golden contract mark. Little by little, it followed the cold divine sense and fell into Lin Du's divine palace.

Lin Du then opened his eyes and met those amber vertical pupils without any hesitation.

She leaned back in her chair, clearly seated, yet exuding the unique ease of a seasoned trader, like a final glance down upon the green mountains and land below a towering peak before ascending to heaven—a serene gentleness beneath an endless indifference.

"Alright," she said, seeing that Wei Zhi was somewhat dazed.

Wei Zhi suddenly straightened up, revealing half of a dragon-shaped demonic mark on his neck, a rare sight. "Shall we go?"

Lin Du also stood up, picked up Chu Guanmeng, and said, "Wait a minute, they've all left. Did they pay? Am I going to have to stay and do the dishes?"

……

Wei Zhi stopped in his tracks, the crimson color of the demonic markings fading considerably. "Good question."

The two looked at each other, their faces somber. "If all else fails, let's go sell something next door..."