Chapter 141

Luo Han was wearing light, thin clothes while recovering, and when Ling Qingxiao embraced her, he could clearly feel how fragile and slender she was beneath the fabric. A sense of heartache filled him, followed by a natural sense of duty.
He had examined her pulse while she was unconscious, her body bore signs of repeated danger. Her meridians bore traces of forced overexertion, proof that she'd repeatedly pushed herself beyond limits in battle. If she was living in such peril in another world, then she should remain here now, safe by his side.
From now on, he would ensure she lived like any other young lady her age, dressed in silks, eating delicacies, free of all danger. As long as he was here, she would never need to worry again.
Mindful of propriety, Ling Qingxiao quickly let go. Though his heart had made its choice, their engagement wasn’t yet official. He couldn’t overstep. He picked up the bowl again, stirred it, checked the temperature, then held it to her lips.
Luo Han seemed a little lost and dull. He fed her a spoonful, she drank without question. After a while, she asked vaguely “How long was I asleep?”
“Three months.”
“That long?” Luo Han blinked.
Ling Qingxiao gave a noncommittal hum.
In truth, Luo Han had been critically injured. Her spiritual energy drained, her body damaged by backlash. When Ling Qingxiao carried her back to the Heavenly Palace, all the immortal physicians said she'd be unconscious for two to three years, at best.
But Ling Qingxiao refused to accept that. He infused her with spiritual power daily, tirelessly nursing her back. It had cost him a great deal of cultivation, but he had done it, he’d woken her in just three months.
Luo Han thought three months was long, but to the immortals, this was a miracle. Ling Qingxiao never mentioned the effort he had made. He simply said “You’ve been too exhausted. Sleeping longer helped. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere now?”
Luo Han checked herself and shook her head. “No...but I feel really weak.”
Ling Qingxiao instantly understood, her meridians were still blocked, her spiritual energy unable to circulate. But he didn’t show it. He said gently,
“You’ve been asleep too long. You’ll feel tired at first. A few more days and you’ll be fine.”
Luo Han nodded, trusting him completely. Ling Qingxiao finished feeding her the medicine, helped her lean back against the pillows, and then brought over some candied fruits.
“I thought you’d dislike taking medicine,” he said.
He had already prepared to coax her if she complained about the bitterness—but she drank it all without protest. Luo Han opened her mouth, taking the candied fruit from his fingers to wash down the taste.
“No one likes medicine,” she said weakly. “But I’ve taken care of myself since I was little. I know it helps, so I don’t make a fuss.”
Children who grow up without being coddled...eventually forget how to cry. Ling Qingxiao fell silent for a moment. Then softly asked:
“Your parents…?”
Illness made one emotional. Luo Han, suddenly reminded of her parents, felt unusually downcast.
“They were good to me. Gave me the best of everything, clothes, food, school...but they were always emotionally distant. I don’t remember ever hugging or confiding in them, or even having trivial arguments like other families.”
Not because they didn’t love her, but because their love was...impersonal. Her father and mother treated each other with formality, and that extended to her. Luo Han didn’t understand it at first, until she discovered who they truly were. They were not human. Not her true parents.
They were part of another realm’s Heavenly Dao, beings who had seen countless cycles of life and death. Emotions meant little to them. They sheltered her, gave her peace—but they couldn’t give her warmth. Ling Qingxiao knew this. Luo Han’s “parents” were adoptive, not biological.
He didn’t know how she had spent her first eighteen years, but from her gentle, thoughtful nature, he could tell, her guardians must have treated her well, at least materially.
Only children who grow up surrounded by safety and love can be this optimistic, joyful, and convinced that hard work will always bring reward. They have never known hurt, so they never fear disappointment.
Luo Han also understood that her parents had done their best within their means. As manifestations of the Heavenly Dao, their emotions were naturally distant. She could not blame them for it. Yet...remembering it still left a trace of regret.
Ling Qingxiao gently brushed aside the loose strands at her temple and said softly:
“It’s all right. Now, you’re allowed to be willful. You can be afraid of pain, afraid of hardship. You can do whatever you like.”
Luo Han stared at him, a strange chill suddenly rising in her chest. Ling Qingxiao had always been indulgent toward her. Even before, but especially now, he seemed to spoil her more and more. She didn’t know when these changes had begun. It felt like, by the time she noticed, he had already changed.
Luo Han fell silent. After a while, she whispered:
“The ancient forbidden arts have been resolved. As for post-war arrangements, that’s your business. My task is complete, I should return.”
Ling Qingxiao had been combing through her hair when he heard her words. His hand paused, but only for a moment. Then he resumed, smoothing her hair gently.
“You’re still recovering. Nothing is more important than your health. Rest first. We can talk about the rest once you’ve fully healed.”
Luo Han recalled the nightmare from before. She couldn’t shake a lingering unease. The Forbidden Soul’s final words weighed heavily on her.
He said: “You can’t kill me. Unless...you kill him.”
She didn’t even dare to think who that “him” was.
Ling Qingxiao helped her lie down, his movements gentle, but his tone left no room for argument. Luo Han allowed herself to be settled, thinking that returning while still ill wouldn’t do any good. It was better to recover here first.
The medicine had a sedative effect. Once she was tucked in, Luo Han’s eyelids began to droop. The figure by her bedside grew blurry, dissolving into overlapping shadows. She could only make out the man’s silhouette, silver crown atop his head, solemn ceremonial robes, seated straight-backed and composed. His very presence carried a quiet pressure.
Ling Qingxiao noticed she was still watching him. He leaned over to pull the quilt higher and whispered “Go to sleep. I’m here.”
That phrase...it sounded familiar. Luo Han felt she had once said the same thing to someone else. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted off.
Once she was asleep, Ling Qingxiao gently turned her face so it rested straight, then cast a few silence spells around her bedside and quietly stepped out. Outside the room, everyone was already kneeling. When the celestial maids saw him emerge, they bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty.”
“Take good care of the Heavenly Dao. No one is to disturb her rest.”
Ling Qingxiao walked past them, robes untouched by dust, hem embroidered with mountains, rivers, and stars, a solemn majesty pressing on everyone’s heart.
The maids kept their eyes down, watching the hem of his robe pass before them like a sweeping tide.
“If she wakes, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Just as Ling Qingxiao reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped. Instant silence. No one dared breathe. The entire hall held its breath, until finally, his voice echoed from the entrance:
“The Heavenly Dao has been gravely wounded in defense of the Six Realms. She must rest and recover in peace. From this day on, anyone who disturbs her for trivial matters, if I find out, will be thrown into the Celestial Prison without exception.”
Terror swept through the hall. The maids and guards dared not think what this command meant. They dropped to their knees, heads bowed low.
“We obey!”
A chorus echoed through the inner and outer chambers.
Ling Qingxiao stepped out into brilliant sunlight. Outside the hall, Tianyu and the others immediately followed. Star Lord Tianyu watched his face closely, then tentatively reported:
“Your Majesty, a reply has come from the Demon Realm.”
“What did they say?”
Tianyu paused slightly. “They said...if this is Your Majesty’s will, they will comply.”
Ling Qingxiao extended his hand. Tianyu immediately presented the document. Ling Qingxiao gave it a quick glance, his lips curled into a faint sneer.

“How obedient.”
The letter was a formal diplomatic note. The Demon Realm had requested peace. The Celestial Realm’s reply was swift and brutal: they would agree to peace, only if the Demon King, Ye Zhongyu, was handed over to the Heavenly Court for judgment.
For any government, this was a humiliation beyond compare. Wars usually ended with land cessions, reparations, or hostage exchanges. But to deliver one’s own ruler to the enemy, this wasn’t just an insult to Ye Zhongyu. It was a slap in the face to the entire Demon Realm.
But losers had no right to bargain. The Demon Court had argued for a day and night, but in the end, one by one, all the demon kings stamped their seals on this blatant and arrogant demand.
A Demon King could be replaced. But if the Demon Realm fell, they would all perish.
Ling Qingxiao tossed the letter aside. In his eyes, even this historic concession was nothing more than routine bureaucracy.
“What about the Beast Realm?” he asked.
“They panicked long ago. After hearing of our reply to the demons, they executed the Red Lotus Demon King on the spot. His body has already been delivered to our borders, awaiting Your Majesty’s decision.”
The Beast Realm had meddled in the war, unluckily, on the losing side. Now shattered and divided, the moment news of the Celestial victory arrived, every beast king was terrified. But the Heavenly Realm ignored them completely, negotiating only with the Demon Realm.
Frightened, the beasts acted preemptively, executing the Red Lotus King themselves and sending his corpse to win favor.
Ling Qingxiao merely said:
“The Celestial Realm is a land of purity and clarity. We do not accept defiled remains. Return his body to them. Let them dispose of it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tianyu obeyed reverently. As he stepped back, another Star Lord stepped forward to report new matters, waiting for Ling Qingxiao to decide. Tianyu was pushed toward the back. As he moved, he couldn’t help glancing up at the figure walking calmly at the very front.
Ling Qingxiao wore the full regalia of the Celestial Emperor. Nobility and grace were perfectly fused in him, majestic and dignified, yet tinged with beauty. The previous Celestial Emperor had been gentle, ruling with benevolence. Under his reign, the Celestial Realm had been peaceful and stable but festering with countless hidden sores.
When Ling Qingxiao took the throne, he immediately abandoned the soft-handed approach of his predecessor. With thunderous speed and an iron grip, he severed the festering wounds across the Celestial Realm. Very quickly, the Six Heavens were swept clean and renewed.
He was the youngest Celestial Emperor in recorded history and also the most formidable. Since the first Emperor Su Zongshi, no one had achieved such an overwhelming victory in war.
Ling Qingxiao could’ve killed Ye Zhongyu on the day of battle but he didn’t. Instead, he waited until Ye Zhongyu returned to Haocang City, then slowly pressed the Demon Realm until they handed over their sovereign willingly. As for the Beast Realm, he didn’t need to say anything. The moment they sensed which way the wind was blowing, they executed the Red Lotus Demon King themselves, the one who had crossed Ling Qingxiao, hoping to curry favor.
Having the Demon Realm surrender their monarch looked like a simple act of surrender, but the symbolism behind it was seismic. It declared to the entire world: the Demon Realm was not Ling Qingxiao’s equal. One letter from the Celestial Emperor, and the demons handed over their king like frightened courtiers. What right did a Demon King have to stand on equal footing with the Celestial Emperor after that?
As for the Beast Realm, they were just an afterthought. In punishing the Demon Realm, he kicked the dog beside it on the way. Ling Qingxiao’s achievements far surpassed any emperor before him. He humiliated the Demon Realm, crushed the Beast Realm, tightened control over the Human and Underworld Realms, and in doing so, elevated the Celestial Emperor to true supremacy over the Six Realms. Now, only the Divine Realm remained untouched.
But perhaps, once he and Luo Han married, the Divine Realm would be his too. Everyone in the Heavenly Court knew it: the Emperor and the Heavenly Dao were growing close. She was currently resting in Da Luo Heaven. Once she recovered, the grand wedding would be held. Tianyu Star Lord had to admit, this was a powerful ruler. But also, a frightening one.
Luo Han spent several days drifting between eating and sleeping, healing in the Hall of Radiant Light. Each time she woke, Ling Qingxiao was there, feeding her medicine, dining with her, coaxing her to rest again. Time blurred together. Luo Han found herself unsure whether it was day or night.
But...he wasn’t always there. Sometimes, when she woke up, he would only appear much later. While he fed her, Luo Han could sense, there were many people waiting outside for him.
Today was one of those days. Luo Han had already awakened, bathed, changed her clothes yet Ling Qingxiao still hadn’t come. She sat idly on the couch, and then suddenly realized: during this entire time, she had only seen Ling Qingxiao.
A chill ran down her spine. Something felt wrong. Even if lovers were deeply devoted, no one should be this isolated. Even in affection, one shouldn’t lose all connection to the outside world.
But Luo Han thought deeper and realized she had no one else in this timeline. All her friends and companions were in another timeline. Here, no one knew her. No one, except Ling Qingxiao.
And he hadn’t grown with her, hadn’t walked through fire with her. From the moment she met him he was already a sovereign. She now realized, with total clarity: she had to return. And just as clearly, she knew Ling Qingxiao already knew.
She didn’t know how much he’d discovered, or when he started suspecting—but he seemed reluctant to let her go. Just thinking about it gave her a headache. Luo Han called over a palace maid and asked:
“What time is it now?”
“Replying to Miss Luo, it is the hour of You.” (Evening)
In Da Luo Heaven, the skies always remained locked in flowing clouds and endless wind, making time feel unreal. Luo Han asked again:
“Where is your emperor?”
The maids exchanged glances. Their voices lowered. “His Majesty is holding court in Yuqing Palace.”
“When will he be done?”
The maids looked troubled. “Forgive us, Miss Luo. Our status is too low, we dare not speak of His Majesty’s schedule.”
Fine. Luo Han changed the subject.
“What’s going on with the truce between the Celestials and Demons? Any recent news from the Six Realms?”
“We don’t know.”
“Then what has the Celestial Realm been so busy with? It’s been so long, I haven’t seen a single other person. What’s keeping everyone so occupied?”
The maid trembled. “Forgive us, Heavenly Dao...we don’t know.”
Luo Han looked at their frightened faces and couldn’t help frowning. She hadn’t even scolded them, yet they looked like they were about to cry. Was she really so terrifying? She gave up.
“Fine. I’ll go see for myself.”
The moment she stood, all the maids dropped to their knees, eyes wide in panic. “Heavenly Dao!”
“What now?” Luo Han’s voice turned cold. She didn’t order them to rise. Instead, she stared down at them, her gaze sharp and quiet “I may be convalescing, but I am not a prisoner. Do I not even have the freedom to leave the room?”
Just then, calm footsteps echoed from the outer hall.
Ling Qingxiao entered. He looked over the kneeling maids and asked evenly “What’s going on?”
He walked straight to Luo Han. Seeing her expression unhappy he smiled gently.
“Who upset you?”
Luo Han knew: if she admitted she was upset, every single person kneeling here would suffer. She turned away. “It’s nothing. I just wanted to step out for some fresh air. They overreacted.”
Ling Qingxiao gave a tolerant smile.
“It was my oversight. If you want to go anywhere, I’ll go with you.”
His imperial authority had grown sharper. Even the maids feared him. And even Luo Han felt a chill in his presence. She replied:
“No need. Don’t you have court affairs in Yuqing Palace? Go attend to them. I’ll walk alone.”
“It’s already over.” Ling Qingxiao completely ignored Luo Han’s implicit attempt to send him away, still amiable as he asked, “Where do you want to go?”
Luo Han sighed and replied, “Nowhere in particular. Just wandering around.”
Ling Qingxiao accompanied her as they strolled along the covered walkways. Though she said it was a casual walk, wherever Ling Qingxiao went, immortals and divine beasts all fled far away. Wherever Luo Han walked, the path became deserted.
Unknowingly, they arrived at Yuqing Palace. Luo Han stopped at the corridor and looked up at the Star River Tree.
This towering tree had become the symbol of the Heavenly Palace. Empires rose and fell, emperors came and went but the Star River Tree in front of Yuqing Palace remained, standing guard over the clouds. Ling Qingxiao noticed her gaze and joined her, saying,
“This tree was planted personally by the first Celestial Emperor, Su Zongshi. After all these years, enduring countless storms, it’s impressive that it’s still standing tall.”
“Yes,” Luo Han murmured. “It’s been so many years.”
The Celestial Emperor had changed from Su Zongshi to Ling Qingxiao, and what once was a delicate sapling had grown into the Heavenly Court’s most treasured legacy.
The Star River Tree’s leaves glowed, and in Da Luo Heaven, wind was ever-present. Its rustling branches sounded like music, and from afar, it looked like the stars themselves shimmered through its crown.
A single glowing leaf floated down, landing in Luo Han’s hair like a star falling to her temples. Ling Qingxiao reached out to remove it and asked casually, “You seem out of sorts today.”
Luo Han had intended to deny it, but the words died on her lips. She sighed softly.
“Yes. Even though he is dead, I can’t shake this feeling of unease. The Demon God is too cunning. He wouldn’t give in so easily.”
Ling Qingxiao paused a moment, then asked in a low voice:
“You’re worried about him?”
“Yes.” Luo Han nodded, her gaze steady and serious. “I don’t have time to rest. I have to go back.”
Ling Qingxiao met her eyes. Her eyes were beautiful, especially the light in them, scattered and resolute, always enchanting. But that light was never for him.
“Why not stay?” he asked. “Whatever he gave you, I can give more. If you feel lonely, you can seek out people you once knew. They’ll become your friends again.”
“It’s not about others,” Luo Han said. “What I can’t let go of is him.”
The leaf in Ling Qingxiao’s fingers instantly crumbled to dust. The breeze from him shook the Star River Tree, and leaves began to fall like rain.
Glowing stardust drifted through the air, and the two of them seemed to stand inside a meteor shower. Ling Qingxiao’s gaze turned heavy as he asked, “Why?”
But there’s no why for matters of the heart. Luo Han couldn’t bear his stare. She looked away, gazing at the swirling leaves.
“We made a promise. You said once the ancient forbidden technique was resolved, you’d let me go.”
“A promise?” Ling Qingxiao chuckled softly. He stared at the side of her face—even though she deliberately turned away, he didn’t mind.
“Little girl, you govern wishes. You of all people should know what a man’s promise is worth. Especially when that man is an emperor.”