She became a god

That reason is actually quite reasonable.

But... the decision to take on an apprentice came a bit suddenly.

[The Queen of the Underworld is clearly a clever old woman; there's definitely more to her taking me as her disciple than meets the eye.]

Although she gave us gifts when we were together before, it was still within the realm of ordinary affection between an elder and a younger generation.

Why would he suddenly fall in love with me so much that he wants to take me as his disciple?

There is never love without a reason in this world. What do I have that would make the Lord of the Underworld love me?

[If it were merely this petite and exquisite form, it would certainly be adorable, but powerful beings are all people of unwavering resolve; how could they easily accept disciples and form bonds based solely on appearance?]

Those who cultivate immortality place great importance on cause and effect and predestined relationships.

Since ancient times, the order of things has been: Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher.

In the world of cultivation, a master is almost like a second mother.

The formal apprenticeship ceremony requires both master and apprentice to swear an oath to the heavens and be struck by lightning nine times before the ceremony is considered complete.

Looking back now, Ye Xingming probably never intended to keep Ye Qingzhou in the Xuanji Pavilion for life.

Before Ye Qingzhou became Ling Tianchu's disciple, Ye Xingming refused Xuanji Pavilion's proposal to hold a grand disciple-acceptance banquet, citing the reason that "my daughter is too young to withstand heavenly lightning, let's wait until she's older."

It should be noted that most offspring of the demon realm are born with cultivation, able to cultivate from birth, and have high average cultivation levels and longer average lifespans, thus their infancy period is also long.

In the demon realm, anyone under one hundred years old is considered a cub, and anyone under five hundred years old is considered a minor.

Based on Ye Qingzhou's understanding of his mother, the "grown up" Ye Xingming mentioned most likely meant after she turned five hundred years old.

But if the Lord of the Underworld were to accept a disciple, Ye Xingming would definitely be eager to hold a grand disciple-acceptance ceremony.

The disciple of a realm's ruler—with such a prestigious status, who wouldn't be tempted?

Ye Qingzhou was also quite tempted, but she was more curious about An Qi's motives for taking on a disciple.

[Fate and reincarnation are inextricably linked. Could she be hoping I'll do my best to predict her future, like the events in "Tales of the Underworld," for free?]

Based on their interactions during their trip to the underworld that day, Anqi had bound herself to Anqi in a temporary community of shared interests so that Anqi could come up with a cure for the illness in "Tales of the Underworld".

Therefore, it is reasonable for him to choose to take me as his disciple in order to gain more and greater opportunities and benefits.

As for myself, I have no right to refuse.

To anyone, the Lord of the Underworld taking on a disciple is an incredibly good thing.

Did Ye Xingming really not understand An Qi's intentions?

However, he felt that it would be more beneficial for himself and his people if his son became a disciple of the Lord of the Underworld.

Ye Qingzhou sighed inwardly, "The Underworld Lord is truly a master of cunning! I need to learn from her!"

"Demon Lord, when shall I go to pay my respects to my master?"

Since a powerful figure has offered themselves up, then let's embrace them!

Hold me tight!

Even if it's for the sake of reputation and face, Anqi will never stand idly by if she gets into trouble in the future.

“Fellow Daoist An has important business to attend to, so she will return to the Underworld first. She and Fellow Daoist Xingming have agreed to send you to the Underworld to learn skills next year, and a grand ceremony to accept you as a disciple will be held at that time.”

Nine bolts of lightning! I'm so sorry for myself next year!

Ye Qingzhou then asked, "And what about my mother, the Empress?"

"she's back."

Ye Qingzhou was stunned for a moment, "How long have I been asleep?"

"Seven days. Are all you little brats this sleepy? Fellow Daoist Xingming just left an hour ago. She said your transformation period will end tomorrow."

If her transformation period ends tomorrow, wouldn't she be able to reach Zhongzhou very quickly?

Thinking of Wen Xichun, whose favorability rating had suddenly plummeted, Ye Qingzhou felt both annoyed and worried.

What annoyed Ye Qingzhou was that he thought he had been very good to Wen Xichun, but the other party was fickle and suddenly stopped liking him.

The worry is that Wenxi Chun's lifespan is only half left, and if they are ambushed on the road to Pingcheng Tianhuo, they will be in great danger.

Although Ye Qingzhou sent Yuantong and half of his personal guards to escort him, he did not dare to let his guard down.

The human trafficking problem has persisted in Pingcheng for thousands of years, forming a huge industrial chain.

Wen Xichun's clarification will inevitably affect the interests of countless people.

The Wang family alone could not be protected by just half of the guards, let alone the other participants.

Ye Qingzhou wished she could fly away immediately, but she knew it was best to maintain proper etiquette first.

So she asked, "How is Princess Qingluan's injury?"

"After drinking a bottle of Everlasting Dew, Yanyan's injuries have greatly improved. With my help, she has fully recovered and her cultivation has even advanced to the Great Perfection of the Void Refinement stage. Would you like to go and see her?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking, but if it disturbs the newlyweds, Demon Lord, you must speak on my behalf."

Feng Jiaojiao smiled and, carrying Ye Qingzhou, teleported to the outside of Qingluan's cave.

They arrived at a rather unfortunate time, becoming mere eavesdroppers.

But Lanxin smiled sadly, "I thought you were the spoils of war I had worked so hard to obtain, but I never expected that everything was within your calculations."

Qingluan smiled calmly, "I originally intended to repay your kindness and ask my aunt to help you secure a bright future after returning to the demon realm. But you were the one who had unrealistic expectations. You wanted a perfect Daoist partner, so I played along with you for sixty years. Wasn't that enough?"

"I just don't understand, if you understand everything, why do you still let the Netherworld Ghost Orchid control you?"

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Tribulations in the mortal world are inevitable. You and Youming Guilan have plotted so painstakingly, and I will grant your wish."

"So I was just your tribulation... You are so calm and intelligent, able to incorporate love into your schemes, I'm afraid you've never truly loved Longyan."

Qingluan's eyes darkened. "Longyan is different from you."

After saying that, Long Yan happily rushed out and hugged Qing Luan. Only then did Qing Luan feel relieved, as she had indeed guessed correctly.

Longyan and Lanxin have always disliked each other, so why would they suddenly bring each other up like this?

Fortunately, I was prepared, otherwise I would have fallen into Lan Xin's trap.

Lan Xin couldn't help but smile wryly upon seeing this. After all, she had been Qingluan's bedmate for sixty years, having witnessed the perfect couple, so she naturally knew that Qingluan's feelings for Longyan could not be described as true love.

However, Qingluan is a born queen, and acting seems to be her innate talent.

The reason she no longer wants to act for me is probably because she feels she has lost her usefulness, and she may even be plotting to kill me.

“But if I die, you will have no way to restrain the Netherworld Ghost Orchid.”

When the time came, Lanxin was unwilling to die.

To her surprise, Qingluan smiled slightly, "I never said I wanted to take your life, you may leave!"

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators were stunned.

Now that things have come to this, Lan Xin is the key to controlling Youming Guilan. If she leaves, she will surely be used by someone with ulterior motives. Qingluan is actually willing to let this variable go.

"You're letting me leave?"

Qingluan sighed softly, "On the shores of the Nether Sea, you couldn't bear to leave me. On the borders of the Demon Realm, I'm willing to send you far away."

Lanxin, you keep saying you want to love, but you're not even as good as me.

Love is giving the other person freedom and respecting their thoughts.

Holding back the somewhat jealous Longyan, Qingluan continued, "Of course I don't love you, but I'm willing to give other cultivators freedom and respect, whether they are friend or foe."

This is a refined upbringing ingrained in one's bones, and an innate regal bearing.