107 - Little Peasant Wife

Jing Ao Xue let out a sigh of relief. Once she came around, everything became clearer. She stayed a while longer at Qin Yi Shu's house, only deciding to leave when the newborn woke and began to fuss. She gave her gift and prepared to take her leave. But Qin Wu Shuang clung tightly to Liu Er's leg, insisting, “Liu Er sister, you said that after visiting home, you'd stay at my house and lull me to sleep. Sister, you can’t break your promise.” Liu Er's eyes curved with a gentle smile, “When did I ever say that?” Qin Wu Shuang frowned, trying to recall. It seemed Liu Er never really promised that, but no matter; her mothers were busy with her newborn monkey-like brother, so it was the perfect opportunity for her to guilt Liu Er into staying with her. Liu Er always told interesting stories and carried a sweet scent; holding her was like being enveloped in warmth and softness. She was reluctant to let go. Thus, she rolled her eyes and began to fake cry, “Sister, if you leave, I’ll be a poor little thing that no one wants. Mother and Mom only care about my newborn brother, not about me. If you leave, I’ll be like an unwanted cabbage in the field, unloved and uncared for.” While Qin Yi Shu was bringing the baby back to Gu Bai Wei for feeding, she overheard her daughter’s lament and couldn’t help but smile as she approached. Effortlessly, she lifted Qin Wu Shuang, asking, “What were you saying just now, Wu Shuang?” Qin Wu Shuang was caught off guard, as she hadn’t realized her mother had returned. She quickly changed her tune, “Mother, I didn’t say anything. I just wanted Liu Er sister to stay with me tonight because today is… my birthday.” Liu Er shook her head helplessly, “I remember your birthday was quite a while ago, Wu Shuang.” Hearing this, Qin Wu Shuang became indignant, “But Liu Er sister, you were up in the mountains then and didn’t come back to celebrate with me. You must not like me anymore. Did you find someone new?” She wiped the corner of her eye, even though there were no actual tears. Jing Ao Xue, observing the scene, couldn’t help but twitch her lips and thought: What a little actress! Rolling her eyes, she said, “Liu Er, don’t mind her, let’s head home.” That remark instantly earned her a glare, but Jing Ao Xue was unfazed and merely rested her hand on Liu Er’s shoulder, giving Qin Wu Shuang a triumphant smile. Finally, Qin Wu Shuang pouted, genuinely beginning to cry. When she cried for real, it was silent; tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. Jing Ao Xue felt her jaw drop. Wasn’t this little rascal usually rather formidable? How could one simple sentence cause tears? She quickly turned to Qin Yi Shu, apologizing, “I didn’t mean it.” Qin Yi Shu frowned slightly. She knew her daughter’s nature; she was cheerful and straightforward, unlikely to cry over trivial matters. Someone must have whispered something in her ear. Otherwise, where did comments about Qin Yi Shu and Gu Bai Wei not caring for her come from? Wu Shuang was quite carefree, and even if she really realized this, it would take her a while. Thus, someone must have been thoughtlessly chatting nonsense by Wu Shuang, especially since Qin Yi Shu and Gu Bai Wei truly had been focusing more on the newborn recently. Wu Shuang might be feeling neglected, and Jing Ao Xue’s comment was just the last straw. Qin Yi Shu gave Jing Ao Xue a reassuring smile and told Liu Er, “Since Wu Shuang misses you, why not stay the night?” With her foster mother’s consent, Liu Er naturally didn’t object. The phoenix inside her stirred again, and she soothed it mentally before turning to Jing Ao Xue, “Mother, I’ll stay here; you and Mom can go home.” Watching Qin Wu Shuang sob while cheekily sticking her tongue out at her, Jing Ao Xue couldn't help but smirk. Indeed, the child that cries the loudest gets the candy. Qin Yi Shu, usually so astute, seemed duped by her daughter’s tears this time. Yet, for Liu Er, even if she cried for the moon, Jing Ao Xue would fetch it for her. She wouldn’t bicker with a child. Allowing Liu Er to spend just one night wasn’t a big deal. Smiling wryly, Jing Ao Xue agreed, “Alright then, Liu Er can stay. But remember, before going up the mountain, inform us at home so we can all go together.” Liu Er blinked, realizing that staying at her foster mother's house would put her mothers' minds more at ease, thus achieving the goal she initially aimed for by going to the mountains. A blessing in disguise, perhaps. She smiled, “Alright.” Jing Ao Xue patted Liu Er’s head, as the little actress Qin Wu Shuang continued to shoot cheeky looks her way, which Jing Ao Xue promptly ignored. After bidding farewell to Qin Yi Shu, she and Shen Lv Man turned to leave. As they walked home, Jing Ao Xue sighed, “Wife, I’m worried I’m not cut out to be a mother.” Shen Lv Man pressed her lips together, “You’re doing great.” Jing Ao Xue was startled by her prompt response. Turning towards Shen Lv Man, she hesitated, “Am I really… doing well?” Shen Lv Man smiled, taking her hand, “Yes, in the entire village, you’re the best.” At those words, Jing Ao Xue swelled with pride, getting bolder, “I believe I’m the best mother in the entire cultivation world.” The cultivation world often saw family ties diluted by longevity, where offspring were given less importance unless one was aware of their impending end and rushed for succession. Or in cases like the Jing family, where offspring were abundant. When the original host was banished from the cultivation world, she already had over twenty peers within the family. Plus, Jing Da Bo and Jing Er Bo took concubines annually. Their talents were limited to the foundational stage, which they deemed their pinnacle. Thus, they opted to continuously have offspring, hoping for promising progeny among them. Children in the Jing family had become mere pawns for the clan's prosperity. The original host was a star among them, yet the Jing family didn’t solely rely on her. Despite her shattered spiritual roots, her grandfather felt pity but soon enough discarded her after years of nurturing. Jing Ao Xue couldn’t believe her grandfather couldn’t see through Jing Da Bo’s character, his hatred, and jealousy, yet he entrusted his granddaughter to an adversary. Cold and heartless, just thinking about it sent a chill down her spine. Jing Ao Xue had no feelings for the Jing family—where there’s no attachment, there’s no hurt. Compared to them, Jing Ao Xue prided herself on her sense of responsibility towards Liu Er. Shen Lv Man chuckled, “Then I’ll give you another.” Jing Ao Xue: “…” Her words left her speechless. After a long pause, Jing Ao Xue looked at Shen Lv Man with a complex expression, asking, “Why?” Shen Lv Man gazed towards home, “No particular reason. Just because. The stronger our cultivation, the harder it becomes to have offspring later. We’re now in the mortal realm, a peaceful place. Once we enter the cultivation world, we’ll inevitably be drawn into resource battles. At that time…” Jing Ao Xue pressed her lips, “No need to be so pessimistic. We’ll face things as they come.” Shen Lv Man met her eyes, then leaned in to whisper, “But I want it.” “…” Jing Ao Xue stiffened, swallowing nervously before declaring resolutely, “Alright! Let’s have one!” Shen Lv Man: “…” If it were this easy, why did I need to visit the Wu and Qin families? She couldn’t help but laugh, “Why do you agree now? Before, you insisted on not having more.” Jing Ao Xue scratched her head, “Naturally, my wife’s opinion matters most. And I never really didn’t want another, just feared I couldn’t be a good mother. But you, you’d definitely be the best mom in the world.” Her compliments turned Shen Lv Man’s cheeks a rosy hue, and she shyly lowered her head. Seeing the blush reach even her earlobes, Jing Ao Xue couldn’t resist leaning in to peck her, “Great! Let’s go home and start right now.” With that, she wielded her spiritual sword, flying home. A flash of silver light later, Jing Ao Xue and Shen Lv Man landed in the courtyard. Jing Ao Xue rolled up her sleeves, “I’ll go heat some water for a bath.” Shen Lv Man flushed so red that it seemed like blood might drip, “I’ll cook, there’s no rush for… that.” Jing Ao Xue laughed, “Exactly, there’s no rush. It’s been four or five years already; a bit longer won’t harm.” As if! Shen Lv Man hurried away, and Jing Ao Xue, watching her retreat, puzzled over Shen Lv Man’s insistence on having a child now. To Jing Ao Xue, Shen Lv Man was wonderful in many ways, though she had a habit of keeping significant matters to herself or handling them silently until it was too late. Important thoughts could be shared openly, yet Shen Lv Man favored the opposite. Like when she first planned to sternly teach Liu Er; Jing Ao Xue had intercepted her intention just in time to prevent it. Then came the covert planting of a poison on her. After rescuing Qin Yi Shu, had she not unexpectedly learned that during the demon cultivators' tempering stage intense exercise is best avoided due to possible harm to the body, Shen Lv Man might have agreed to her demands. That was really... Jing Ao Xue rubbed her forehead. Shen Lv Man was incredibly stubborn in this matter, so she had no choice but to go along with it, waiting for the day Shen Lv Man would open up about it. If her partner wanted children, then so be it. Though she always felt uneasy about it, setting aside those yet-to-materialize worries, she was genuinely looking forward to having a newborn. Just as she’d seen at Qin Yi Shu’s house, she longed for a child resembling Shen Lv Man—soft and fair, lying in a swaddle, adorably smacking their lips in slumber. Just envisioning it made her heart melt. Moreover, Liu Er had always hoped for a sister, much unlike the unwilling older siblings back when the two-child policy was relaxed in modern times. Liu Er was mature and sensible, even more so than many adults, and she would surely make a great sister in the future. Having come to terms with reality, Jing Ao Xue unconsciously began considering the positives, feeling more optimistic and upbeat about what lay ahead. Clenching her fist, she resolved: this time, she'd be a good mother! She wouldn’t let another tragedy like the Liu family's happen again! Once Shen Lv Man finished heating the water, Jing Ao Xue immediately drew a bath and washed herself. Now that she had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, her body no longer required ordinary food cycles, and even matters like regular meals were mostly unnecessary. All it took was a cleansing spell, and she’d be spotless. But that felt a little too casual, so she thoroughly washed as a formality. When it was time to eat and Shen Lv Man went for a bath, the sound of water made Jing Ao Xue feel feverish. She numbly finished her meal, managing only a single bowl, before getting up and lying in bed. Before long, Shen Lv Man entered, clad in a pale blue garment. Jing Ao Xue watched her casually close the door and set up a defensive array around them. Her face slightly flushed as she undid the tie at her waist and approached. Clothing fell to the floor, and the room filled with warmth… By the time the dawn light seeped through the windows, Jing Ao Xue felt like a parched desert traveler finally drinking from a clear stream and contentedly closed her eyes to sleep. Shen Lv Man felt uncomfortable but managed to cast a cleansing spell. Listening to the soft breathing nearby, she too drifted into a deep slumber. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Jing Ao Xue awoke, yawning as she fought the urge to drift back to sleep with the soft form of Shen Lv Man in her arms. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable herself, seeing that Shen Lv Man seemed to be resting poorly, Jing Ao Xue decided to get up and fetch some well water. After using her fire energy to warm it, she gently began to wipe down Shen Lv Man with a damp cloth. Stirred by the movements, Shen Lv Man slowly opened her eyes to find Jing Ao Xue clad merely in a white undergarment. She immediately blushed, murmuring, “I can do it myself. Go get dressed properly.” Jing Ao Xue chuckled mischievously, “There’s nothing here you haven’t seen before. Now’s a good chance, take a thorough look.” Shen Lv Man, lacking Jing Ao Xue’s shamelessness and fatigued from the night, even though she was at the Golden Core stage, felt utterly exhausted. She glared at Jing Ao Xue, collecting her energy to soothe her weary body, catching a faint odd scent on herself that stubbornly lingered despite the cleansing spell, and the feeling of sweat was unbearable. Fully awake now, she decided it was time to get up. Flushing deeply, she hurriedly dressed and left to draw water for a bath, while Jing Ao Xue leisurely donned her outer garments and followed after her, playfully suggesting, “Let’s bathe together, save some water and firewood.” Shen Lv Man gave her a skeptical glance, not buying it one bit. But Jing Ao Xue had already jumped into the tub. As water spilled over the sides and her thin clothes floated, she pulled Shen Lv Man into the water with her, snuggling close. Completely overwhelmed by Jing Ao Xue’s boundless energy, Shen Lv Man recoiled slightly, “No more. I might already be pregnant.” Jing Ao Xue didn’t believe it. After all, she’d spent over twenty years in the modern world, how could it happen so quickly? Laughing, she said, “If you’re so eager to have my child, we’ll just keep trying. You’re bound to conceive in two months.” Shen Lv Man was at a loss for words against her unabashed remarks. Mostly, she’d met her wife with a heart full of tolerance, letting Jing Ao Xue have her way in the end. A thought flashed by: it was lucky Liu Er wasn’t home, or else it’d be beyond embarrassing. Those days of seclusion and intimacy went on for a few days. Even with Shen Lv Man’s initial guilt, wanting to compensate, even she—a half-demon—couldn’t keep up. Consequently, she began to dodge Jing Ao Xue. Thankfully, Jing Ao Xue was content after all the playful tricks, with her time of mischief satisfied, letting up on her relentless affection. Yet somehow, through those close encounters, Jing Ao Xue grew fond of being around her constantly. No matter where she went, Jing Ao Xue would follow. While cooking, she’d either clumsily try to help only to be shooed away or stand at the kitchen door with a small stool, watching intently. Shen Lv Man was unnerved by her gaze, exasperatedly suggesting, “If you’re that bored, find something else to do.” Jing Ao Xue protested confidently, “Who said I’m bored? I'm busy, aren’t I?” Shen Lv Man’s lips twitched, “And what exactly keeps you so occupied?” Jing Ao Xue, stroking her chin, replied with mock seriousness, “Why, admiring the greatest masterpiece this world has to offer. Everyone appreciates beauty, and this masterpiece has utterly captivated me.” Initially, Shen Lv Man was unsure what she meant, scanning the kitchen only to find ordinary pots and pans. Choosing to ignore it, she continued cooking, though her thoughts lingered until the realization of Jing Ao Xue’s playful flirt dawned on her. Late to catch on, she shot Jing Ao Xue a reproachful look, which only made Jing Ao Xue cackle, gleefully declaring, “Wifey, you’re just too adorable.” Heat rushed to Shen Lv Man’s cheeks, resolving not to engage any longer. But unfortunately, within half an hour, Jing Ao Xue had completely erased that resolve with her teasing. Their days of quiet companionship continued. One afternoon, Liu Er finally returned from Qin Yi Shu’s house, intending only to stay a night before heading to the mountains to meet with Bai Ma Ji Si. However, Qin Yi Shu had suddenly requested her help to look after Wu Shuang for a few days and investigate who had been gossiping in Wu Shuang’s ear, to handle those people. Seeing how her foster mother personally cared for the newborn, just like when Wu Shuang was born—I had to chuckle at the memory of Qin Yi Shu doing even the diaper changes by herself, with Gu Bai Wei hardly getting a chance to help—Liu Er readily agreed. Recognizing that the phoenix was in ill spirits, she soothingly coaxed it. She found that by indulging Xiao Hui’s pride, it would be well-behaved, but cross it, and it would drive anyone to despair. A few kind words, and though Xiao Hui seemed reluctant, it still agreed. Liu Er realized: maybe getting along with Xiao Hui like this wasn’t so bad. Spending a few days watching over Wu Shuang, she noticed that part of Wu Shuang's day was devoted to martial training, while the rest was spent playing, especially with village children. She was a leader among them, though some remained defiant, talking ill of her mothers, claiming they wouldn’t care for her now that they had a son. Wu Shuang typically ignored such nonsense, opting to use her fists instead. Liu Er, frowning at this, followed the kids home, hearing their parents’ unjust curses directed at Wu Shuang from the rooftop, words so vile they made her ears itch. These speakers were village known gossips, whom Liu Er usually avoided. But this time, daring to slander her foster mother's daughter enraged her. Therefore, she devised a little scheme—since these women loved to gossip so much, why not make them the gossip’s center? Thus, they found themselves waking from slumber in others’ homes beside others’ husbands. It was like poking a hornet’s nest. This incident shattered several friendships with dramatic fallout throughout the village. Even finding it odd, they assumed it was divine retribution, falling silent with newfound awe. Liu Er returned to report both progress and outcome to Qin Yi Shu, who was pleased, smiling, “Thank you, Liu Er. My baby boy has been so fussy night and day, I couldn’t break away to care for Wu Shuang, but thankfully you helped. Now, after seeing the doctor, he’s healthier and much calmer. Thank you.” Liu Er smiled gently, "It's no trouble. As long as I can help you, foster mother. Besides, Wu Shuang is my sister, and I'm more than willing to look after her." Qin Yi Shu looked at her with a sigh, "You’re a good child. I can tell you’ve had things on your mind. Thank you for taking care of Wu Shuang until now. Since I have more time now, go tend to your own matters." She had noticed Liu Er sometimes standing idly in corners, which led her to presume that Liu Er was preoccupied with something. In reality, those were moments she spent appeasing Phoenix Xiao Hui. Hearing this, Liu Er nodded with a smile. After bidding farewell to Qin Wu Shuang and enjoying lunch, she made her way back home. Though her initial plan was to head to the mountains to find the Bai Ma Ji Si, she recalled her mother's previous request to come home. Hesitating slightly, she decided to visit home first. As she pushed open the courtyard door, she saw her mom and mother drinking tea in the hall. Shen Lv Man poured her a cup, while Jing Ao Xue beckoned her over, "Liu Er, you're back." Liu Er approached with a smile, observing her moms; there was an increasingly loving and harmonious atmosphere between them. Her smile broadened slightly, for nothing was more important to her than her parents' happiness. Seated on a bench, she took a sip of tea. It was a brew Wu Zhi Yong had gifted them earlier; he'd lingered to chat in their courtyard before departing. After lunch, feeling a bit idle, she retrieved it and asked Shen Lv Man to prepare the tea. When asked about her recent activities, Liu Er shared her experiences, prompting Jing Ao Xue to huff, "Those gossipy women are truly a nuisance. Cold, hurtful words in midsummer—how they love to wag their tongues, oblivious to the harm they cause. But they probably wouldn’t care even if they knew. They’re not well-liked in the village but still delude themselves into thinking they’re formidable. It’s truly vexing." Shen Lv Man, aiming to ease her irritation, remarked, "They're but a few mortals, hardly worth your anger." Jing Ao Xue sighed, full of emotion, "Wife, your patience is admirable." She had even resorted to physical retaliation last time; without a bit of tough love, those folks would never learn. Satisfied, she turned to Liu Er, "You've handled things nicely. Liu Er has truly matured." Liu Er chuckled, "I'm ten now. It’s time to grow up. Oh, mother, I was planning to visit the mountains tonight." Jing Ao Xue hesitated, glancing toward the mountains, "Very well, I’ll accompany you." Liu Er paused, a bit hesitant, "That’s not necessary. I’m no longer weak, being well-versed in this mortal realm holds little danger. Don't you have important matters to tend to?" Unaware of any urgent tasks, Shen Lv Man asked, "What matters?" Jing Ao Xue cleared her throat, "It’s mostly settled, and it’s time for real business. I can’t let you head to the mountains alone at night; it's unsettling. Besides, I'm curious about what Bai Ma Ji Si has been concealing." Shen Lv Man frowned, "If that’s the case, let’s go together. The mountains have been restless lately. I sensed foreign presences before, these past days... Yet, they've only lingered in the village, not venturing up." "Your cultivation might be exceptional here, but you haven’t faced true combat. Should danger arise, inexperience might cost you." Jing Ao Xue was surprised, "Is that so?" Her cultivation level was relatively low, and much like Liu Er, her understanding of true cultivator combat was rudimentary. If confronted with a group of practitioners, the outcome was far from certain. With these thoughts in mind, her demeanor became serious, "Indeed, we must act together." Seeing her mothers' firm resolve and her mother's subtle signal, Liu Er nodded, "Very well, let’s go to the mountains together." After dinner, the family ventured into the mountains. Noticing their departure, a practitioner lingering in the village spoke hurriedly, "Quick, return to town and inform Aunt Lan." One nodded and disappeared in a blink. Sensing this, Shen Lv Man scoffed but continued toward the mountains. Predicting Bai Ma Ji Si’s location was easy. Riding on Jing Ao Xue's spiritual sword, they quickly arrived before the mountain’s protective array, finding Wu Yi Ling deep in thought. The moment Shen Lv Man landed, she set up a robust defensive array. Jing Ao Xue, puzzled by this, assisted without questioning. Perplexed, Wu Yi Ling asked, "Why are you here?" Liu Er stepped forward, "Someone wishes to see you." Saying this, an overwhelmingly powerful and pure demonic aura surged skyward, carrying a chilling, familiar terror. Wu Yi Ling’s eyes widened, and after a moment, she trembled, "It's the Demon King… Your Majesty…" Phoenix Xiao Hui emerged from Liu Er’s form. Perhaps hindered by its current appearance, not imposing enough to awe others, it chose not to reveal its true form. Nonetheless, its aura was unmistakable. It clutched its throat with its paw, speaking in a powerful young woman’s voice with icy mockery, "Are you the newly appointed Grand Priest?" Wu Yi Ling nodded repeatedly, looked towards the source of the voice with awe and fear, "Subordinate Wu Yi Ling greets Demon King. I was indeed appointed by the beast tribe’s demon cultivators. I ventured into the mortal realm to find you, but…" Xiao Hui sneered, "You were incompetent enough to fall into mortal enslavement, receiving lashes and being traded. Such glorious achievements truly uplift our demon kind!" Wu Yi Ling's face turned pale, guiltily explaining, "There were reasons… previously, I sought the Demon King’s whereabouts, trespassing upon the celestial path... and was trapped. I peeked beyond permission, invoking celestial punishment. However, I've since broken the celestial curse." Xiao Hui rolled its eyes, "And how does this concern me? I want to know why no demons sought me all these years." Logically, a phoenix undergoes rebirth by fire at regular intervals. In previous lifetimes, while reborn in the demon realm, priests and loyal followers always discerned its presence and brought it back to the demon king palace for caretaking until it was ready to advance to the Nascent Soul stage and take on a human form. Yet this time, thousands of years passed with no sign of them. Was it ignorance or something more sinister? Regardless of being taken by True Aoki, the demon realm should not have relented. If the Grand Priest genuinely tried, fate’s trajectory should reveal its whereabouts. How curious they've done nothing, even though it's been reborn for years and the mortal realm remains peaceful. Clearly, something was amiss in the demon realm! As these thoughts brewed, Xiao Hui’s gaze grew dangerous. Though Bai Ma Ji Si couldn’t see its form, he felt its intimidating stare. Having just finished aiding Shen Lv Man with the defensive array, Jing Ao Xue mused silently: who knew this seemingly ordinary little phoenix could be so majestic? Indeed befitting of a demon realm ruler! Wu Yi Ling, struck with fear, stammered, "It's not the past Grand Priest’s fault. The Demon King’s rebirth took thousands of years. While grand foresight can predict many things, not such lengthy spans without adverse consequences." "The curse was due to overreach, and because celestial judgement veered, the predictions diverged from reality." "There are also whispers within, alleging the Phoenix Demon King has entered its capitulation phase. Historical records claim the Demon King occasionally vanishes for thousands of years, resurfacing only during existential crises." Xiao Hui chuckled icily, "Preposterous capitulation phase! It was a fabrication to dodge responsibility. My confidants, the Feathered Serpent Clan, know best, yet they…" Frowning, it recalled peculiarities from its demise. Theoretically, stationed in the demon world, even if True Aoki colluded internally, he was still alone. Why then, was self-detonation necessary to retaliate against mortal practitioners? Unless there was a traitor within the demon realm? Suddenly everything made sense. Snarling and clenching phantom fists, Xiao Hui considered: if true, the Feathered Serpent Clan’s culpability was inescapable. Wu Yi Ling’s jaw hung in shock. Turning into scripture-recorded confidential truths was… a mere alibi for the Demon King’s laziness? How remarkably… in line with the Demon King’s habits! Heart conflicted with amusement, Wu Yi Ling grimaced, acknowledging: should this be fact, then indeed, it was troubling. The fabricated narrative circulated for millennia in the demon realm. Repeated enough, fiction became fact, particularly when half the demon realm accepted it as gospel. And this "truth," it originated from within the Feathered Serpent Clan. This clan, possessing diluted dragon blood, held a position in the demon realm just beneath the Demon King Phoenix, as the second most powerful tribe. With abundant offspring and formidable strength, it wasn't surprising that ambition might arise over time. Realizing this, Wu Yi Ling was finally enlightened as to why the Feathered Serpent clan leader treated her, a new priestess, with indifference, even swiftly agreeing to her departure for seeking the Demon King. It was all part of their scheme. The most frightening aspect was how this lie had been universally accepted among demons as fact, except by her and the Demon King Phoenix. Unless the Phoenix returned to the demon realm, nothing would change... Realizing this, Wu Yi Ling's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Feathered Serpent Clan harbors treacherous intentions toward you." Xiao Hui had reached the same conclusion, its feathers bristling in anger. The normally dull gray now shimmered with a vibrant red, like a blazing fire. It seethed, "Oh! Such audacity. Regardless of the true situation, the Feathered Serpent Clan is undoubtedly involved! As for you..." It snorted coldly, "Death shall be spared, but penalties must be endured. Upon your return to the demon realm, you shall be stripped of your Grand Priestess status. A more suitable candidate will be chosen." Wu Yi Ling stiffened, nodding in defeated acknowledgment. Observing this, Liu Er pondered: If Xiao Hui were to return to the demon realm, its circumstances wouldn't be favorable. Though Wu Yi Ling bravely ventured into the mortal realm alone to find it, Xiao Hui immediately removed her from the Grand Priestess position. At first glance, this appeared as a demotion, but it was actually protection. Given Xiao Hui's current form and power, it likely couldn't contend with the so-called Feathered Serpent Clan. Unable to defend itself, it certainly couldn't protect Wu Yi Ling, who stood with it. Thus, the only way to safeguard Wu Yi Ling was to marginalize her. Realizing this, Liu Er felt a newfound appreciation for Xiao Hui. Reflecting on its nature, though domineering and willful, once it accepted you as one of its own, it would go to great lengths for your well-being. Perhaps it was for this reason it saved her mothers. Maybe she should treat Xiao Hui a little better in return. Lost in thought, Liu Er suddenly heard Xiao Hui ask Wu Yi Ling, "What else have you hidden?" Wu Yi Ling glanced at Liu Er, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena recently and foresee a great treasure will soon surface in the mortal realm. If my guess is correct, it will appear within this Nascent Soul cave." "Though the mountain's barrier was broken by heavenly lightning, creating an opening and causing spiritual energy to spill out, most of that energy is locked within a specific area." "My observation suggests it's a small defensive shield, limited in capacity. Yet, within it, there’s a disconcerting energy. Once ample spiritual energy or that energy breaches the shield, it will leak, attracting other practitioners, and then..." She paused, looking at Jing Ao Xue and Shen Lv Man, "If you wish to seize this treasure, you'd best enter before time runs out. Delay, and once the treasure manifests, practitioners from all over will come. You'll not only face the perils within but also battles and thefts from others." Hearing this, Jing Ao Xue was tempted but hesitated when her gaze landed on Liu Er. "But I recall you once said entering without having reached the Foundation Establishment stage is suicidal. Liu Er, though at the peak of Qi Refining, isn’t quite there." Bai Ma Ji Si replied, "Indeed, that's usually the case given the inherent threats inside. However, with Shen Lv Man at the early Gold Core stage, your Foundation Establishment, and Liu Er at the high Qi Refining stage, combined with my protection, entering the Nascent Soul cultivator's cave might yield opportunities." Understanding the situation, Jing Ao Xue realized that while it was risky, the chance for gaining significant benefits made it worth considering. The potential for great rewards lay ahead, provided they acted wisely and swiftly.