453 - Senior Sister Is on Top

Long-tailed demons hold a special fondness for their tails. Even when they can fully transform, they often prefer to keep their tails exposed. After Bai Ling turned into a seven-tailed fox, she didn't miss a chance to flaunt it, waving her tail around all day long, just like Miao Nu. Watching this, Wen Mingyu was always envious and would often sneak a touch, much to Bai Ling's irritation. A tail is incredibly important and extremely sensitive. Every time Wen Mingyu tried it, Bai Ling would fly into a rage. Clearing her throat, Wen Mingyu feigned innocence, “I didn’t touch it. You bumped into me.” Bai Ling couldn't believe the brazenness of Wen Mingyu. She was about to hit her, but her strike was deflected gently as Wen Mingyu skillfully turned defense into offense, ending up restraining her hand. “Alright, alright, don't be mad. I won't touch it next time,” Wen Mingyu deceitfully promised, shifting the topic, “There are still three months left this year. Since Mu Xi said she'd return by year-end, she probably won't break her promise.” Bai Ling could tell that Wen Mingyu didn't think she was wrong. Pursing her lips, she resolved never to show her tail in front of this person again. “Five years ago, she said the same thing. That time she promised to return, but she broke the vow.” Wen Mingyu was surprised, not expecting Bai Ling to have such a sharp memory. Staring at the night sky filled with glittering stars, sparkling like gems, her expression became dreamy, “Yes, it's been five years. Who knows if the longing hearts will finally find fulfillment?” Five years ago, Tang Muxi made a promise to return within six months. However, unforeseen circumstances delayed her. She discovered that Jiang Yin’s soul was unlike other living souls, and couldn’t be recreated out of thin air. It needed to be nourished bit by bit from a remnant soul. But Jiang Yin’s soul had already dissipated when it was pierced by a demonic core. Where could a remnant soul be found? Tang Muxi once exhausted herself over this. Fortunately, heaven rewarded her diligence. She found a drop of heart’s blood in her heart, containing a fragment of her sister’s soul. This blood was left from a contract between them years ago. Later, the heart was gravely damaged by the Eastern Rebel Yun Yuchen, breaking the contract, but preserving the heart’s blood. As a last hope, it had hidden in Tang Muxi’s heart. Yet, even the remnant soul wasn’t enough. Recalling Miao Nu’s words about the “three indispensable elements,” she sought out her sister’s demonic core. Surprisingly, she found the matching demonic breath in the Prison Blade. Finally securing the once elusive three items, Tang Muxi understood the divine words. Her sister had been with her all along. Not allowing joy to cloud her mind, Tang Muxi quickly infused the demonic breath and remnant soul into the Map of the State, not creating from scratch but gradually nurturing and restoring it with the power of the divine scroll. She was grateful she didn’t move the Sacred Tree from the Heavenly Island. With the nurturing of the Yang Pole, Sacred Tree, and divine artifact, Jiang Yin’s soul and core rapidly recovered. To further the process, Tang Muxi frequently infused divine blood into the scroll and soul. For five years nurturing the soul and demonic core, for four years the flesh, for nine years she protected the Map of the State, never leaving it for a moment. Seeing the soul within grow more complete brought her immense joy. She didn’t know if her sister’s consciousness had recovered or if she would remember her upon waking. But those fears paled in comparison to having her alive. As long as Jiang Yin could live again, going through it all over would be worth it. If sincere feelings could pierce through obstacles, offering a heart willing to stay together forever was the least she could do. Three months passed quietly. At the end of the lunar year, the demon realm was covered again in a blanket of frost and snow. Bitter winds blew, everything was dressed in silver. The large city hidden among towering ancient trees steamed with warm mist. Streets decorated with vivid paper cutouts and crimson lanterns exuded a festive human warmth. Demons typically didn’t celebrate the new year, nor did they hang lanterns or stick up couplets. It was said that someone once visited Wen Fei and found lanterns hanging at her door and paper cutouts on her windows. Curious, they inquired and learned that mortals and spiritual cultivators celebrated the new year. Wen Fei, being the master of the current Shen Huang, had a prestigious position and her habits became emulated throughout the demon realm. Wen Dai laughed at Wen Fei upon hearing this. But laugh as she might, the next day the entire Azure Luan Palace was decked out with red lanterns. Amidst the flying snow, Wen Fei walked up the palace’s exquisite stone steps, reaching the chambers of Mingyu and Bai Ling. She saw the red silk balls and ribbons battered by the snow and disheveled and couldn’t help but fix them with a lift of her hand. “Are you still planning your wedding this year? Guests who've received the invitations are visiting one after another, and your mother and I can hardly keep them away.” Wen Fei sighed lightly. The demons of the realm were still manageable, mindful of their status, but a certain monarch from the Nine Fiends Hall was different. Under the guise of delivering gifts, she would visit Wen Fei frequently. Initially reserved, she eventually felt at ease and would stay in the demon realm without returning to the Coiling Dragon Capital. With the approaching New Year and no court duties, she became utterly shameless and lingered. Unable to chase her away, Wen Fei had no choice but to bring her to her residence. It had been half a month, and she seemed intent on spending the New Year there. Wen Fei felt at a loss. “That's right, when can we finally get married?” Bai Ling sighed at the question. She had assumed her friend would return by December and began decorating the marital chamber early. Now, not only was the princess’s mansion adorned, but Wen Mingyu’s quarters in the Azure Luan Palace were covered with silk balls and ribbons. With only seven days left before the New Year, Bai Ling felt increasingly uncertain. Will Mu Xi really come back? As the three women pondered in turmoil, a giant, hundred-zhang-wide rift suddenly tore open in the distant sky. Fierce spatial turbulence poured out, wreaking havoc with the snow throughout the demon realm. A mighty heavenly force surged forth but was soon dispersed as a nine-tailed divine fox shot into the sky, shattering it entirely. “This time, I'm finally free,” rang a voice brimming with boisterous laughter, echoing far and wide.