The Baize is an auspicious beast, truly a darling of the Heavenly Dao, and every single Baize carries a profound amount of merit.
Had Yaoguang not been bathed in that golden light of merit, she likely would not have regained her senses so quickly.
For millennia, Emperor Donghua's constitution had been steadily declining; by all accounts, he should have descended into the mortal realm to undergo trials. But seeing his old friends acting as though possessed by demons, he simply could not find peace of mind. He had once visited Kunlun Xu, and even back then, Yaoguang had already been acting abnormally, completely brushing off his warnings.
Donghua had calculated that if Yaoguang failed to wake up, she would likely dissipate between heaven and earth before long.
Now, seeing his friend awake, he was naturally gladdened at heart.
"Was the Baize inheritance interrupted? It seems someone has set their sights on you as well."
Although this Baize had changed considerably compared to his predecessor, Donghua still detected that something was amiss. His spiritual power fell far short of the previous Baize's might; instead, there was a weakness about him as though he were recovering from a severe injury.
Hearing Donghua's words, Yaoguang tossed Moyuan aside and anxiously examined the Baize's physical condition.
This was the first task Baize had undertaken upon entering his new department. The moment he arrived in this world, he discovered that the original vessel had already lost all vital breath. It was only when he entered this body that the Baize was revived, though the previous inheritance had been interrupted through no fault of his own. He had simply accepted what remained, which was why his spiritual power was not strong.
He had not expected Emperor Donghua to actually notice.
"Is there any way to remedy this, Donghua?"
Yaoguang took the Baize's hand and sat down in a nearby chair.
On the floor, Moyuan lay all alone, looking rather pitiful.
Soon enough, Chonglin from Taichen Palace hurried over and hoisted the man away on his shoulder.
"There is no way. A Baize receives only one such inheritance; it is a miracle of immense fortune that he lost not his life."
The mastermind behind this had grand ambitions. Failing to seize the Baize's merit, they had evidently turned their sights upon these ancient deities. Both Moyuan and Yaoguang possessed great merit, and since they had both fallen victim to the scheme, Zheyan would likely not escape unscathed either.
Yet Donghua could not divine his own fate. Since that person could plot against the others, what about himself? Was he too part of their design?
"It's fine, Yaoguang. You are the sole female God of War of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations—surely you can protect me, can you not?"
The Baize blinked, gazing at her with a look of utter adoration.
"But there will inevitably be times when I am not by your side! Back then, I lost my dearest friend; I cannot bear to lose my only love again!"
"If the two of you continue to spout such nauseating drivel in my presence, take your leave at once!"
Emperor Donghua could not bear to look upon anything so foul!
"My, the Emperor is in such a fierce mood."
"Pay no mind to that stubborn old rock. Back then, he personally carved his own name off the Three-Life Stone. For all we know, what those plotters are after is his own romantic fate—perhaps they'll make him taste the agony of a heart breaking into pieces."
With that, the Baize raised an eyebrow in amusement, realizing that Yaoguang's words had hit the mark. He cast an intrigued glance at Emperor Donghua, who had closed his eyes to rest. Later on, didn't this very man carve out half his own heart for that fox from Qingqiu, and nearly die in battle against Miaoluo?
Romantic love truly wreaked havoc upon people.
"Hmm?"
Whether the impatient Emperor had finally been provoked to anger or not, a sudden gust of gentle wind swept the two of them right out of Taichen Palace.
"Let's go, A Ze. We're heading back."
"What about Moyuan?"
Yaoguang knew that what she had just said might have given Donghua something to ponder. Furthermore, her conversation with him showed that he remained entirely lucid. Perhaps the claws of the mastermind had not yet reached into the Heavenly Palace; if so, leaving Moyuan here was safe. No doubt it would not be long before Donghua restored Moyuan to consciousness.
She had best not waste the Baize's merit.
"Never mind him. Now that A Ze has grown up, we should discuss the wedding date so my darling doesn't become an old maid."
"Alright, alright!"
Getting married meant they could have little ones!
...
No sooner had they returned to Yaoguang Palace than they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance.
Clad in white robes, they were unmistakably Moyuan's disciples.
Seeing Yaoguang return, they immediately swarmed around her.
"High God Yaoguang, may we ask where our Master has gone?"
The speaker was Moyuan's senior disciple, Diefeng, who was also the Second Prince of the Western Sea. Upright in character, steady in his handling of affairs, and possessing exemplary conduct, he was someone Yaoguang had seen a few times before and considered quite respectable.
"You bring all these people and gather outside my immortal dwelling—what is the meaning of this?"
"Where have you taken my Master? Do not think that just because you are a High God you can act without regard for the law!" Siyin leapt forward and shouted, pointing straight at Yaoguang's nose.
"Seventeenth, watch your tongue!"
Diefeng spoke too late, and could only watch helplessly as Siyin was sent flying backward through the air.
The crowd turned their gazes toward the Baize, their eyes filled with fury. It was this person who had injured their junior martial brother.
"Might I ask what immortal station this gentleman holds? We are disciples under High God Moyuan; aren't you afraid that when our Master returns, he will hold you accountable for bullying us?"
"He will not!"
Yaoguang linked her fingers with the Baize's, interlocking them tightly. This incorrigible child was always like this, unable to bear seeing her suffer even the slightest grievance.
The oppressive aura of a High God emanated from the Baize and surged toward the disciple, instantly stunning him into speechlessness.
He had not expected this person to be a High God as well. They had simply assumed the Baize was nothing more than a kept toy raised by High God Yaoguang, especially since High God Yaoguang's affection for their Master was an open secret known to all. Consequently, when they occasionally overstepped in their speech toward Yaoguang, she never punished them, which gradually emboldened their audacity.
"Your Master has his own affairs to attend to. Must he abandon all personal matters simply because he is your master? Or is it that you, this stinking fox, harbor feelings for Moyuan and fear that he and Yaoguang are here meeting in secret?"
The Baize could not stand Siyin's sharp tongue and the resentful glare she directed at Yaoguang. He figured Yaoguang hadn't even done anything to her, yet she put on such a pitiful display—it was a sheer waste of Shaowan's face.
"What nonsense are you spewing! Isn't he just a kept toy raised by High God Yaoguang? Don't you know she fancies my Master? If—ah!"
Siyin was sent flying once more, and this time, no one stepped forward to catch her. Only Diefeng looked on with a face full of anxiety.
"Please forgive us, High God. Junior martial brother is young and has been somewhat spoiled by us."
"In that case, it is just as well. Allow me to properly discipline him for you!"
Siyin possessed merely the cultivation of an immortal lord; she wasn't even a high immortal, let alone a match for the Baize, who had used thirty percent of his cultivation in both strikes. She collapsed onto the ground, coughing up blood. Seeing her in such a miserable state, Zilan—who had himself been disciplined earlier—felt an urge to step forward and stop him.
"Don't go. The High God won't kill junior martial brother. Over the years, junior martial brother has indeed been far too unruly; it's high time he learned a lesson."
With Diefeng's words, Zilan could only bitterly rub his rear end and pretend not to see Siyin's wretched state.
"This little fox truly has a sharp tongue. Did Baizhi fail to teach you how to greet your elders?"