The moment this thought transmitted from Ji Changkong, he felt an odd sensation, even a faint tremor of guilt, as if he had wronged his family or deceived someone. Yet, under these circumstances, to ensure he could successfully take the Nine Radiance Life Tree out of the Sun, he had no choice but to resort to this tactic. It was all to avoid making an enemy, and for the time being, gain an ally.

On Shang Bingjie's side, silence descended instantly.

Ji Changkong’s heart throbbed with unease, unsure of Shang Bingjie’s next reaction. The worst-case scenario was that she would be perfectly rational, immediately see through his lie, and respond with stinging sarcasm.

After a long pause, a response finally came from Shang Bingjie’s end. "You... who are you? Have you seen me?" Shang Bingjie’s soul-sense was erratic and unpredictable, betraying extreme emotional instability.

“We met before, when I was with Meng Gang. You glanced at me, and although—although you only glanced at me once—I found myself instantly in love with you. I am utterly captivated by you; my mind is consumed, entirely, by your shadow.” Ji Changkong spun a colossal lie. “When we were in the Celestial Aperture, the moment I saw you trapped by those six, I didn't hesitate. I unleashed all my strength instantly, destroying the fire channel for your sake. I even wanted to leave the fire channel to save you, but I accidentally—accidentally got pulled into the Sea of Heavenly Fire.”

Ji Changkong continued his fabrication, suddenly feeling how fragile and full of holes his story was, inwardly cursing himself for being so poor at deception.

To his surprise, Shang Bingjie seemed unaware he was lying. She didn't care about the details of how he ended up in the Sea of Heavenly Fire. After a hesitation, she asked strangely, "It was you? The person beside that old man? Why—why would you say you are already in love with me? Just from a single glance? What are your intentions? Speak!"

Shang Bingjie’s soul-sense grew increasingly unstable toward the end, indicating extreme emotional fluctuation.

"I—I don't know either. Since the moment I saw you, I haven't known what I was doing. In the Celestial Aperture, I knew helping you might provoke the attack of those six, I knew what that meant, yet I did it so inexplicably! I think I’ve truly gone mad.”

Silence suddenly fell from Shang Bingjie’s side.

After a long, long while, Shang Bingjie transmitted, “I—I will not accept you! I don’t want to be distracted by such things. You best give up! No matter who you are, you cannot affect my resolve to advance toward the Supreme Great Dao!”

Ji Changkong let out a sudden, massive sigh of relief, yet his mental transmission sounded disappointed and desolate: “I understand. I understand I am not worthy of you. I will not disturb you. I will not create any obstacles for you. But, up here on the Sun, may I... may I stay in the same Celestial Aperture as you?”

“Suit yourself.”

Overjoyed, Ji Changkong released his soul consciousness and probed the other three Celestial Apertures. He suddenly discovered intense battles raging in the other three.

The Celestial Aperture where Shang Bingjie resided had merged with his original one. The other six Celestial Apertures had fused into three larger ones. The six peak experts of the Eighth Heaven, coming from various continents, were weighed down by mutual suspicion, forcibly placed in the same Aperture, and a great war was inevitable.

At this point, Shang Bingjie should have already integrated that strange, initial burst of power into her divine soul. Under these circumstances, the six realized that even killing Shang Bingjie would be futile. Their only focus was eliminating the enemies merged into the same Aperture, or forcing them out, while awaiting the influx of new power from the deep Sea of Heavenly Fire.

In this situation, no one paid attention to Shang Bingjie, leaving her miraculously safe.

After communicating with Shang Bingjie, Ji Changkong clarified another situation: the defensive barriers around the newly formed four Celestial Apertures had not dissipated. Furthermore, the four Apertures were slowly drawing closer, with the potential for further fusion.

Currently, those inside the Apertures still could not leave, and as the Apertures converged, new, larger Apertures would continue to form. Clearly, even more brutal fighting lay ahead!

And at this very moment, the fire channels leading from the Sea of Heavenly Fire into the four Celestial Apertures were slowly healing!

Ji Changkong’s beautiful plan to reap the fisherman’s profit was doomed to fail. Before the fire channels of the four Apertures closed, his divine soul had to enter one of them. This was precisely why he had fabricated that colossal lie to Shang Bingjie—it was all to ensure that after entering Shang Bingjie’s channel, he wouldn't immediately have to fight her!

Grasping the situation, he didn't rush to slip into Shang Bingjie’s fire channel. Instead, he continued to observe using his soul-sense, occasionally exchanging some innocuous words with her.

He understood that once he entered Shang Bingjie’s Celestial Aperture, the aura of the Nine Radiance Life Tree would inevitably leak from his still-open fire channel. The occupants of the other three channels, upon sensing the aura of the Life Tree, might immediately cease fighting and fix their attention on him.

To maximize the exhaustion of their strength, he needed them to keep fighting until just before those fire channels closed.

By that last moment, when the fire channels connecting the four Celestial Apertures to the Sea of Heavenly Fire would all seal, even if those six sensed a trace of the Nine Radiance Life Tree’s aura before he entered Shang Bingjie’s Aperture, the fire channels within the Apertures would already be shut. They would be temporarily unable to act and could only move once two Celestial Apertures merged, putting everyone in the same pathway.

At that time, he and Shang Bingjie would be in one Celestial Aperture. Shang Bingjie would not have been fighting anyone and would harbor deep resentment toward those six. If he could convince Shang Bingjie to stand with him against the others, their combined force, upon the merging of the two Apertures, could secure victory against the other two who had been locked in battle for a long time in their respective Apertures.

Ji Changkong had calculated everything perfectly.

Finally, the fire channel in Shang Bingjie’s Celestial Aperture healed to a slit just wide enough for one person.

Without hesitation! Carrying the Nine Radiance Life Tree, Ji Changkong’s divine soul shot through the Sea of Heavenly Fire like an arrow loosed from a bow, instantly plunging into Shang Bingjie’s fire channel, hurtling toward the Celestial Aperture where she waited.

The aura released by the Nine Radiance Life Tree was too distinct. Even though Ji Changkong's speed was at its absolute limit, the peak cultivators of the Eighth Heaven in the other three Celestial Apertures immediately detected that soul-shaking, extraordinary power that streaked through the Sea of Heavenly Fire!

Almost in an instant, the fighting in those three Celestial Apertures stopped dead.

The next moment, soul-probing messages echoed from the three Celestial Apertures—six strands of soul exploration information streamed down the fire channel Ji Changkong had used, entering the Aperture, and then quickly retracted before the channel sealed completely.

Before the fire channel closed, Ji Changkong also sensed that the six individuals in the other three channels had all calmed down, none making reckless moves, seemingly waiting for an opportunity.

Shang Bingjie floated imperiously in this new Great Celestial Aperture. The soul-manifestation of Shang Bingjie had long, glossy black hair cascading smoothly down her waist, looking down from a height like a goddess, coldly observing the suddenly appearing Ji Changkong. Only at this moment did Shang Bingjie truly notice him.

Shang Bingjie’s long eyelashes fluttered like a sprite’s. She suddenly looked slightly disappointed: “You are rather ordinary.”

Ji Changkong was startled, then secretly thrilled. This woman’s first concern was his appearance, not the Nine Radiance Life Tree held in his hand! It seemed the saying that women are sometimes more emotional than rational was correct. This realization gave Ji Changkong greater confidence in what lay ahead.

Shang Bingjie’s eyelashes moved again. This time, she finally focused on the Nine Radiance Life Tree in his hand, exclaiming in surprise, “The Nine Radiance Life Tree! You—how did you obtain it?”

Ji Changkong smiled, scratching his head with an embarrassed air. “When I tried to save you earlier, I was unintentionally pulled into the Sea of Heavenly Fire, engulfed by wisps of Heavenly Fire, until I reached the center of the Sea, where I saw this Nine Radiance Life Tree. I just happened to grab it.”

“That simple?” Shang Bingjie clearly didn't believe him.

“Just like that. I don't know how my luck is so good, haha, heaven bless me.” Ji Changkong laughed it off.

Having said that, Ji Changkong looked at Shang Bingjie with deep sincerity, his gaze affectionate. “I am willing to share it with you. Once we leave the Celestial Aperture, we can refine it together, how about it?” These words were deeply insincere, but since the lie had begun, he was prepared to see it through to the end.

The Nine Radiance Life Tree was meant for his maternal grandfather, Gu Ya, as a means to save his life. He was reluctant to use it himself, let alone share it with anyone!

Shang Bingjie’s long eyelashes continued to tremble. Her eyes were filled with disbelief, her mouth slightly agape: “You—what did you say? Share the Nine Radiance Life Tree with me? Why—why would you do that? We only just met. Are you insane?”

“I think… I am insane. I don’t know what I’m doing either!” Ji Changkong managed a bitter smile.

Shang Bingjie’s eyes held a bizarre expression. She stared blankly at Ji Changkong, reason and emotion seemingly engaged in a fierce battle. It was evident that Ji Changkong’s string of illogical, rapid-fire maneuvers had thoroughly shaken her. She seemed to feel a slight flicker of warmth—the heart of the proud and aloof goddess from another continent appeared to have a small corner pried open.

“I don’t want your possessions, but I will help you take what you have back to your continent, as… a repayment of sorts. Afterwards—you must forget about me! I will not fall for you! Remember this: the moment you return to your continent, forget me. We are impossible.” Shang Bingjie stated coldly.

Thank heavens! Ji Changkong cried out inwardly, while outwardly his expression was sorrowful. He nodded slowly, “I respect your decision!”

Just then, another Great Celestial Aperture drew near, about to merge with theirs.

Requesting monthly tickets! Little Ni dares to humbly ask for monthly tickets. Brothers and sisters who have them, please give a little push to Little Ni, treat it as a small piece of mooncake. Hmm, they all have the character "moon" in them, so it’s close enough.