Chapter 16 This Male Lead is Really Hard to Kill (16) I woke up to find myself...

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There is no sun or moon in the mountains, and the world is a different universe.

When Fu Li woke up, the scene before him left him completely dumbfounded.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was not the 108 ever-shining pearls embedded in the ceiling of the quiet room of Yaohua Hall, but the dazzling and clear sunlight and the sky with its rolling clouds.

He sat up, completely bewildered, only to find himself in a mountain wilderness, not on the soft couch of the Demon Palace, but on a soft grassy field.

The grass and trees are fragrant, the sky is bright and clear, and auspicious clouds drift overhead. A gentle breeze sweeps across the grassy slope, carrying the scents of distant lakes and flowers, fresh and free.

It's clearly not the Demon Realm.

Fu Li looked down and checked himself over, finding that his clothes and belongings were still the same as before his seclusion, with no difference.

So how did he get here? And where is this place?

Upon closer inspection, it was easily discovered that the plants and creatures here were not from the cultivation world. Whether it was the plants and spirit beasts, the auspicious clouds in the sky, or even the air itself, everything was imbued with abundant spiritual energy. Nowhere else in the cultivation world could one find such a treasure land rich in spiritual energy.

Fu Li couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that he unknowingly entered a deep meditative state, during which his cultivation broke through a bottleneck and he automatically ascended?

Is there really such an incredible stroke of luck?!

However, when Fu Li tried to mobilize his spiritual power to cast a spell, he found that his meridians were empty and he could not absorb the pure spiritual energy in the environment, as if there was a barrier that firmly blocked him from his body.

Fu Li was even more bewildered. This was beyond common sense.

Could it be that I am in some kind of illusion?

But how did he get here?

As Fu Li got up, preparing to explore the surroundings for clues, she called upon the system in her mind.

However, what's absurd is that the system, which was usually quite responsive no matter how silent it was, failed to appear this time no matter how long it was called.

Fu Li frowned slightly, thinking that the system was unreliable, and then walked forward along the edge of the grass and woods.

Before they had taken more than a few steps, they saw a tall, slender figure walking towards them.

The newcomer moved with graceful yet swift steps, dressed in a white robe as light as a cloud, her long hair tied high with a jade crown, the crown inlaid with bright jewels and stones as dazzling as the sun.

Fu Li stopped in her tracks. As the person drew closer, she could clearly see his deep, handsome face. His features were perfectly proportioned, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding a dashing and heroic air. His lips, as if outlined by ink, held a perfectly balanced smile—any less would be too faint, any more would be too intense, making him appear approachable.

Fu Li felt that his face looked somewhat familiar, but couldn't remember who he was.

Soon, the other person walked up to him.

Fu Li sized up the man, sensing that his cultivation was not to be underestimated, but his aura was gentle and he showed no hostility. Unfortunately, she couldn't use her magic power at the moment, so she could only tentatively ask, "Excuse me, is this the Upper Realm after ascension?"

Seeing his completely unfamiliar attitude, the man's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled and nodded, "Yes. This place is Fangcun Mountain in the Heavenly Realm. Not far away is the Immortal Palace of the Thirty-Three Heavens."

Fu Li's pupils dilated suddenly, followed by ecstasy.

"I ascended to heaven?!"

He ascended to heaven! He ascended to heaven without any warning or preparation. When he woke up, he was on the thirty-third heaven. Is there anyone in this world luckier than him?

"I just took a nap and I actually ascended successfully! That's amazing! That's amazing!"

The man stood there with a smile, his deep eyes reflecting his ecstatic joy.

After a brief moment of ecstasy, Fu Li turned her gaze back to the man.

"I am a demon lord from the lower realm who has ascended here. May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

The man's smile deepened slightly. "Shao Ye."

This name seems somewhat familiar.

Before he could think of anything, the other person asked, "What is your name, brother?" His voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of a spring flowing in a cold stream, pleasing to the ear.

Fu Li didn't think much of it and returned the greeting, saying, "My name is Feng Fu Li."

In front of the immortal, his attitude became much gentler and more polite. After all, he had only just ascended and was not yet clear about the situation, so he wanted to build good relationships with him first.

He then said, "I just arrived and I don't know the way very well. Could you please take me to the ascension registration area?"

Shao Ye nodded gently, "Of course."

Then she led him back the way they came.

Fu Li had no doubts and followed after him briskly.

On the way, he chatted with the man as they walked, and the topics were all about various matters after ascension.

For example, "Shaoye, after I ascended, I found that I couldn't use my magic anymore. Do you know why?"

Shao Ye looked at him with a meaningful gaze and said softly, "Haven't you registered at the Ascension Palace yet?"

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Fu Li successfully concluded that there were specific laws in the upper realm, and those who ascended had to register before they could be freed from their constraints.

So, this question was naturally skipped. The questions were instead directed to other important information and details about the staff at the Celestial Palace.

Shao Ye was quite patient and answered all the questions one by one.

The further you go, the more you see. The mountain springs, waterfalls, plants, birds, and animals are all clearly not products of the cultivation world.

Fu Li was overjoyed—he had only gone to a small world to be a demon lord, but he never expected to be able to ascend and experience being a celestial official. How wonderful!

After a conversation, the two became quite familiar with each other.

Although the man had ascended earlier and possessed a higher level of cultivation, he did not put on airs of a Celestial Lord; on the contrary, he was humble and polite. This pleased Feng Fuli greatly.

So when Shao Ye asked him in a gentle and pleading tone, "Can I call you Ali?" Feng Fuli's words of refusal circled around his lips a few times, but after a twist, he swallowed them back, which was tantamount to acquiescence.

Then, the man continued to chat with him, calling him "Ah Li" repeatedly, and asked him a lot of questions about Fu Li himself.

By this time, they had entered a forest, where the trees were lush and the air was filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers. Thick vines, as thick as a person's arm, climbed and coiled around the tree trunks like snakes, and looked very ancient.

Shao Ye asked him, "Does Ali have any attachments in the mortal realm?"

Fu Li waved his hand and laughed heartily, "Those who can achieve the Great Dao are naturally free from distractions and attachments."

The man's eyes deepened. "I'm different. I have deep concerns. And my obsessions aren't on the main path."

Fu Li couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then how did you ascend to immortality?"

Shao Ye replied calmly, "It's only because I was born with immortal bones that my cultivation is much faster than others."

Fu Li nodded and flattered, "That's your talent. Others can't have this kind of thing even if they beg for it, so naturally they can't compare to you." She didn't think much of it.

Shao Ye looked at him, smiled and nodded, "You're right."

"Although you have no other attachments, do you have a wife and children?" he asked again.

Fu Li didn't know why he was interested in these private matters of his, but at this moment, he had already added the other person as a friend, considering him a mentor. So, he lowered his eyes and thought for a while before replying:

"I think I'm already married, and I have a demon queen in the mortal realm, but I don't have any children."

Have you shared a room with someone?

"What?"

The man's eyes were deep, and his smile seemed to carry a hint of hostility as he asked again, "Have you slept with her?"

Fu Li felt a bit absurd; why ask about such a private matter? He didn't want to answer: "This is my private matter, why should I... tell you?"

Suddenly, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, even the bright sunlight appeared deathly dark, and a suffocating killing intent instantly spread through the woods. Fu Li immediately changed his tune, saying, "No! No! I haven't slept with her yet!"

The murderous aura surrounding him instantly dissipated, and the air began to flow again, bringing a refreshing scent. Shao Ye's eyes were gentle and smiling, as if his outburst had been a complete illusion.

Fu Li hadn't felt his life threatened in a long time. His throat tightened, and he couldn't help but ask, "Does the Heavenly Realm require immortals to be pure of heart and devoid of desires?"

Shao Ye paused for a moment, then said, "Pure and abstinent? No, even immortals can have partners."

Fu Li rubbed her neck, muttering somewhat irritatedly, "Then why did you insist on asking me just now..."

Shao Ye said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I asked too hastily just now." It was as if it had just been an accident.

Fu Li assumed he had some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder and continued to inquire about matters after takeoff.

"After registering, do I have to go to the Thirteenth Heaven to become a disciple of the academy? Can't I just choose to open my own cave and cultivate?"

Seeing his reluctant expression, Shao Ye's expression softened a bit, and he said, "Actually, there are other ways to advance faster. If you can catch the eye of a celestial lord who has already established his own palace and mansion, you can go to his cave to serve him, instead of living in the academy like everyone else."

Upon hearing this, Fu Li was still somewhat disappointed. "You're going to serve someone? I can't do that."

What a joke. In the mortal realm, he was a dignified Demon Lord, always served by others, never ordered around. Now that he's ascended, he's either a disciple or a servant; it sounds so pointless.

He turned to Shao Ye with some difficulty and asked, "If I don't want to ascend anymore, can I go back down?"

Shao Ye seemed amused by his question, smiling gently, "Actually, there is another kind of identity that allows you to not only not serve others, but also be served by others."

Although she knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, Fu Li still couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"

Shao Ye explained calmly, "There is a rule in the Heavenly Realm. If any Celestial Venerable or Emperor takes a fancy to someone who has ascended to Heaven, he can mark that person with his own mark and take him as a concubine to serve as a favorite."

Upon hearing of such a despicable act, Fu Li's expression changed drastically. She quickly took a step back, a blush of anger spreading across her face. She angrily exclaimed, "What kind of rules are these?! Isn't this just extortion?!"

At the same time, Shao Ye's gaze towards him became exceptionally deep and profound.

"But Ah Li is so interesting, and so beautiful and affectionate. I have already taken a liking to Ah Li and want to take her back to enjoy her. What should I do?" He tilted his head slightly at Fu Li, staring at him with a hint of tenderness in his starry eyes, which startled Fu Li so much that he quickly took a few steps back.

"You...you! Who do you think you are!" Fu Li never expected that she would be coveted by a man, and she cursed angrily.

However, they overlooked his self-proclaimed title of "the One".

"I am the Immortal Venerable Shao Ye of the Thirty-Third Heaven, and also the master of this place. I never expected to encounter such a beauty as Ah Li while just strolling around. It truly delights me." He took a step forward, the gold embroidery on his white robe fluttering. His expression remained gentle and enchanting.

Hearing him use the word "stunner" to describe himself, Fu Li was furious—no one had ever dared to use such a vulgar word to describe him before, did they have a death wish?!

However, he forgot that this was not the Demon Realm, nor was he the renowned Demon Lord Fu Li, whose name resounded throughout the cultivation world. Moreover, he had no cultivation at all and no ability to resist.

"You filthy slut! What right do you have to be a Celestial Venerable! Die! I don't want to be with you! Dream on!" He roared as he backed away, intending to make a quick getaway.

But Shao Ye simply raised his hand, extended two fingers, and waved them casually. Immediately, the vines attached to the surrounding tree trunks flew towards Fu Li, wrapping around his limbs and suspending him in mid-air.

Fu Li was filled with shock and anger, but no matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free from the vines' restraints.

Under the dense shade of the trees, Shao Ye, his face bathed in a faint, ethereal light, walked towards him step by step.

The vines very obediently began to peel off Fu Li's clothes. As the robes fell to the ground one by one, the man came to him.

"A disobedient pet needs to be properly trained so that it can learn its lesson."

He said.

A note from the author:

Wufeng: Waaah, Your Majesty didn't even recognize me! You deserve to be punished!

Fu Li: I was actually forcibly taken from you?!

The next chapter begins the plot that everyone is looking forward to.