The Great God 3: Abandoning Cultivation to Win Back the Female Lead for the Supporting Male Character

"I must admit, I was drawn to that long-lost warmth of mortal life, and it was then that the bottleneck I had been stuck on for so long finally broke!"

"Oh!" Some disciples seemed to understand.

"Is cultivating immortality really about becoming an immortal? No—it’s about cultivating ourselves!" Fang Zhiyi’s tone was firm. "Because of that warmth, I fell helplessly in love with Zhong Ling'er. But I realized she couldn’t share my appreciation for such ordinary emotions, nor could she derive any benefit for her cultivation from them."

"Many in Cloud Sky Palace believe a cultivation partner is merely someone to accompany them in their practice. But I tell you, you’re wrong. You must treat your partner as your beloved, savoring every emotion that comes with it. I always believed I loved Zhong Ling'er, but ever since I discovered her entanglement with this demonic cultivator, my conviction wavered. We don’t need a partner who cannot distinguish right from wrong. This is unacceptable!"

Zhong Ling'er stared at the man she once knew so well, her mouth agape in disbelief. Before she could speak, Fang Zhiyi cut her off.

"I ask you—must you save him?" Fang Zhiyi pointed at Chu Aotian, who lay on the brink of death.

Zhong Ling'er’s gaze flickered uncertainly, but after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded resolutely. "Aotian is a good man. I won’t let you harm him!"

The crowd erupted in shock. The palace master’s cultivation partner (and direct disciple) was openly shielding a demonic cultivator!

"Guards!" Fang Zhiyi, still carrying the habits of his former life as a prince, commanded, "Expel Zhong Ling'er from Cloud Sky Palace, then execute this demonic cultivator!" He scoffed inwardly. If I have the chance to kill you, why wouldn’t I? Am I insane?

"You... you..." Zhong Ling'er felt as though the man before her was a complete stranger. But when she met his eyes—filled with sorrow and reluctant longing—she faltered. Was I truly wrong? No... no, I wasn’t! Chu Aotian may be a demonic cultivator, but he’s a good person! Why won’t Zhiyi believe that even demonic cultivators can be good?

"Finally, the truth comes out." Chu Aotian, pale and weak, let out a bitter laugh before gazing tenderly at Zhong Ling'er. "Ling'er, come with me."

The law-enforcement elder had seen enough. "You think you can just leave?" With a furious roar, he raised his palm to strike.

But Chu Aotian clenched his fist—something shattered.

A terrifying aura suddenly descended from the sky.

"Shadow Teleportation? A Soul Unity cultivator!" a elder bellowed, immediately shielding the disciples.

Cloud Sky Palace’s defensive formation activated, but whatever Chu Aotian had used bypassed the barrier, tearing open a tiny rift. The Soul Unity demonic cultivator slipped through in an instant, appearing before them.

Fang Zhiyi remained silent, releasing his own Soul Unity-level pressure.

The demonic cultivator seemed surprised. "Rumors claimed the master of Cloud Sky Palace had reached Soul Unity. I didn’t believe it—until now."

"It’s the Demon Sovereign!" someone shouted.

The Demon Sovereign smirked. "Today, I’ve come only to retrieve my son, not to wage war."

Fang Zhiyi took a subtle step forward. The Demon Sovereign caught his intent. "Think carefully. This is your territory." His gaze flicked toward the low-level disciples.

Fang Zhiyi had no choice but to halt.

"Father, take her too!" Chu Aotian cried as he was lifted into the air.

The Demon Sovereign gave Zhong Ling'er a curious glance. She was still glaring resentfully at Fang Zhiyi. Then he looked back at Fang Zhiyi, who shrugged as if to say, Do as you please.

"Ling'er, come with me!"

Zhong Ling'er’s mind reeled. Chu Aotian is the Demon Sovereign’s son? Why didn’t he tell me? But given the circumstances, she had nowhere else to go—she had publicly defended a demonic cultivator before the entire sect.

Closing her eyes, she nodded. The Demon Sovereign swiftly retreated with her, and Fang Zhiyi signaled the elders to lower the formation, allowing them to leave.

The system reappeared in Fang Zhiyi’s mind. I think I get it, Host. You wanted her to see Chu Aotian’s true nature so she’d obediently stay by your side, right? Isn’t this what you humans call... playing hard to get?

Do I look like I have time for that?

Fang Zhiyi was frustrated. While reviewing the plot earlier, he’d sensed something off. Sure enough, Chu Aotian wasn’t just some reckless fool. How could he roam the demonic cultivators’ territory with troublemaker Zhong Ling'er and remain unharmed? That alone proves he’s more than he seems. And the way Cloud Sky Palace’s defenses failed at the end—there must be a traitor among us!

Worse, Zhong Ling'er’s actions could drive many disciples to abandon Cloud Sky Palace. No way. These are my people!

It’s my fault for not mastering my abilities sooner. If I had, I could’ve tried to capture all three of them and lived in peace afterward.

But Fang Zhiyi didn’t dare gamble.

Still, he had to maintain his image. He stared longingly in the direction Zhong Ling'er had vanished, then asked the system, Well? Have they all left? (He meant the elders and disciples.)

The system replied honestly, Nope. You haven’t moved, so they won’t either.

Damn it!

Fang Zhiyi announced he would enter seclusion and ordered the defensive formation reinforced. The rare treasures the original host had prepared for Zhong Ling'er were moved to the treasury, where disciples who reached a certain cultivation level could claim them.

Though he called it seclusion, Fang Zhiyi really just needed time to familiarize himself with the cultivation system and techniques.

Thanks to the original host’s memories and the system’s guidance, he progressed rapidly—even making a small breakthrough.

Wow, is this the protagonist’s privilege? Fang Zhiyi marveled at the surge of spiritual energy within him.

Host, shouldn’t you worry about your mission? The female lead just stormed off, the system grumbled.

Fang Zhiyi grinned. Remind me of the mission again?

"Ascend to immortality with your cultivation partner."

Exactly. Fang Zhiyi clapped.

"Hey, look!" A female disciple nudged her companion, who glanced up to see Fang Zhiyi striding purposefully toward Yue Anyao. When he reached her, he studied her intently.

Yue Anyao flushed under his gaze. These past days had felt surreal—was she dreaming? Did my senior brother really cast out that girl?

"Senior Brother... you..."

"Don’t speak. I have a question for you."

Yue Anyao’s cheeks burned as she nodded meekly.

"Whoa, am I seeing things? Since when is Martial Aunt Yue so shy?"

"Have you never noticed? Martial Aunt Yue is actually quite beautiful."

"Who’d dare look? She’s terrifying."

"I disagree. I always thought she seemed a bit... affected."

"Only when the palace master is around."

"Shh! Quiet—she’s looking this way!"

Yue Anyao swept her gaze across the murmuring disciples, and silence fell instantly.