172 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Yan Zhao deduced that her senior sister’s feelings towards her had transformed from indifference to affection. However, having just caused such a major incident, she felt too embarrassed to confess her thoughts to her senior sister. So, she quietly followed behind Ren Qingyue, stepping into each footprint her senior sister left in the snow. Chapter 185 Ren Qingyue planned to climb to a higher point to get a look at the surroundings. Although the mountain beneath their feet didn’t seem tall, the trek felt unexpectedly lengthy. They walked for a long time before finally reaching a small hill. Ahead, another taller mountain obstructed their view. "......" It seemed endless. As the sky began to darken, and with the fear of blizzards at night, Ren Qingyue pulled Yan Zhao toward a steeper cliff that provided some shelter from the wind, hoping they could find a cave for the night. The climate here was extremely harsh, with just one advantage: The spiritual energy was abundant, rivaling even that of Yan Yuanqing’s cave dwelling. Sure enough, as night fell, the wind picked up, and large, downy snowflakes gently descended from the sky. Though the scene was picturesque, the boundless snowy landscape inevitably left one feeling lost. Unable to find a natural cave, Ren Qingyue wielded her sword to carve one out. They nestled inside, sitting shoulder to shoulder beside a fire, the flickering orange glow offering a thin warmth to the chilly cavern. In the silent snow mountain, only the subtle crackling of the fire could be heard. Ren Qingyue expected Yan Zhao to fall asleep soon. Unexpectedly, Yan Zhao got up, stepped aside slightly, sat back down cross-legged, and said to Ren Qingyue, "Senior sister, you rest for a while, I'll keep watch." Ren Qingyue was slightly taken aback. Her eyes met Yan Zhao’s, illuminated by her clear, bright gaze. Yan Zhao had indeed grown. Although she was still a bit clumsy and prone to mistakes, she was learning to be considerate, learning to take responsibility and share burdens. Ren Qingyue felt relieved. Even though it was an icy world outside the cave, her heart was warm and soothed. Following Ren Qingyue's guidance, Yan Zhao sat silently by, occasionally adding a stick or two to the fire, observing how the firelight reddened her senior sister’s aloof profile. At a certain point, she turned to look outside the cave. The accumulating snow piled higher at the cave entrance, forming nearly an inch within an hour. This reminded her of a dream she once had, sitting in her mother’s lap, watching the snow together. The heavy snow buried the entrance, reducing the vast sky to a small prison. Suddenly moved, Yan Zhao grasped the tiny golden pearl hanging from her neck, clasped her hands together, and made a wish. She hoped her mother would awaken soon. The next morning, the snow stopped, leaving the cave entrance half-sealed, and Ren Qingyue woke to find Yan Zhao peering outside. "What are you doing?" Ren Qingyue asked. "Is someone out there?" Yan Zhao shook her head, "No, but the sky is so blue." Understanding, Ren Qingyue suggested, "Let’s go out and take a look." Yan Zhao eagerly volunteered to clear the snow piled at the entrance, and as the pile collapsed under her feet, her heart felt enlightened, as if breaking free from constraints, emerging like a butterfly from its cocoon. Had Yan Yuanqing shattered his shackles three hundred years ago, would he have survived? However, what were the chains binding the greatest sword cultivator in the human realm? This question briefly crossed Yan Zhao’s mind without an answer before she dismissed it and followed Ren Qingyue to continue their climb. This mountain didn’t seem too high; even before reaching the summit, another peak came into view in the distance. Ren Qingyue sighed helplessly, realizing they still had a long way to go, mountain after mountain. At that moment, Yan Zhao tugged her hand and pointed, "Senior sister, look, what is that?" Following Yan Zhao’s direction, Ren Qingyue looked. Initially, she didn’t see what Yan Zhao pointed to, until Yan Zhao murmured, "It looks like a large block of ice." This time, Ren Qingyue saw it and her heart turned silent. Indeed, it was a large ice block. However, amidst the glaciers of the snow mountain, nothing seemed particularly unusual. What was out of place was that the ice stood at the summit, shaped like a person meditating in cultivation. But how could someone be frozen without using magic to protect themselves in such a harsh and deserted environment? With curiosity, Ren Qingyue and Yan Zhao approached the peak. The distance to the human-sized ice block shortened with every step. Under the midday sun, the contents sealed within the ice were distinct. It was indeed a person! Ren Qingyue hesitated a step, unsure whether to proceed. Yan Zhao also stopped, peering forward with curiosity. Discovering a frozen person at the snowy peak was a rather peculiar sight. After a moment, Ren Qingyue decided they should take a look. Perhaps they could find a clue about how to leave this place. "Ah Zhao, wait here." Ren Qingyue instructed Yan Zhao not to wander, as she herself approached the ice block, ready to melt it with her magic. As Ren Qingyue applied her magic, steam rose from the ice's surface, thin layers began to melt. Before long, the ice became so thin it emitted cracking sounds. The ice at the shoulder area broke away first, revealing a gray-blue Taoist robe beneath the ice. Ren Qingyue's hand rested on the person's shoulder. The residual cold from the ice still covered their body. At the same time, she unexpectedly felt the faintest pulsation of a heartbeat beneath her palm. Ren Qingyue’s pupils shrank, ready to retract her hand when the seemingly dead body suddenly opened its eyes. An immense force burst forth. Ren Qingyue’s heart trembled, and with no hesitation, she quickly stepped back, drew her sword, and shielded Yan Zhao behind her, shouting, "I had no intention of disturbing you, senior!" Yan Zhao was equally shocked, peeking out from behind Ren Qingyue to glimpse at the peak, "Not dead, it’s alive?" Ren Qingyue felt a heavy weight on her shoulders matching that precarious moment. She hastily warned Yan Zhao, “Don’t speak carelessly.” Yan Zhao didn’t understand why speaking the truth was considered careless. But the atmosphere had changed abruptly to one of tension, and with Ren Qingyue focused on the awakened figure, she didn’t dare argue. Still seated and half-entombed in ice, the person exposed a partially smooth face. The features were deep yet gentle, though the expression was indifferent, dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe, clearly a Dao Gu. Damp bangs clung to her eyes, which were a rare sky blue. The briefest of gazes exchanged with her and Ren Qingyue felt immense pressure. The Dao Gu’s eyes moved, glancing swiftly over Ren Qingyue and Yan Zhao. The only sound on the mountain peak was the whispering wind. Yan Zhao shuffled slightly, her step producing an audible crunch in the silence. "Senior," Ren Qingyue took a deep breath, speaking swiftly, "During a space transmission, we unexpectedly arrived here and found the area sealed by a barrier, preventing us from leaving." She paused, throat bobbing, then forced herself to continue, "Do you know where this is and how we can get out?" The Dao Gu’s gaze was cold, responding instead with a question, "What is Yan Yuanqing to you?" Ren Qingyue’s heart jolted, but she quickly realized that the Dao Gu recognized the sword she wielded as crafted by Yan Yuanqing. This person knew her master, though it was unclear whether they were friend or foe. Matching strength against such a profoundly mysterious figure wasn’t an option. Resolving to take a risk, Ren Qingyue replied evenly, "Master Yuanqing is my teacher." The person slightly raised an eyebrow, her expression revealing a trace of disdain, softly mocking, "You are Yan Yuanqing’s disciple?" Ren Qingyue felt a chill. Judging by the tone, it seemed this person and Yan Yuanqing were more likely foes than friends. The tension heightened, leaving Ren Qingyue no time to lament the day's misfortune, her mind rapidly strategizing. She gripped her shoulder tightly, discreetly sending a message to Yan Zhao, "If a fight breaks out, run as far as you can without looking back!" Yan Zhao frowned. Just as Yan Zhao was about to tell Ren Qingyue that she wouldn’t flee, an invisible force suddenly pulled her body. Unable to resist, she was flung forward and, before she knew it, was caught in the Dao Gu’s grasp. The pressure from the Dao Gu was overwhelming. Yan Zhao’s ears filled with a buzzing noise, and her vision darkened as she fainted. Ren Qingyue’s face changed drastically. “Ah Zhao!” Without hesitation, she drew her sword. Even knowing her sword skills might not be effective, instinct drove her to attack, hoping to rescue Yan Zhao. Her slashing sword aura aimed at the figure sitting at the peak. The Dao Gu had only half-extricated herself from the ice, but with a casual pointed finger, she dispelled the oncoming sword aura effortlessly. Then, she curled her fingers, the surrounding spiritual energy rapidly gathering at her fingertips. Whoosh— With a flick of her finger, the Dao Gu sent a highly compressed burst of energy, a dark blue streak shooting straight toward Ren Qingyue. It came swiftly, like a flash of lightning. With all her might, Ren Qingyue could only manage to raise her sword in defense. A sharp ding sounded as her sword shuddered violently; the force of the collision split her skin, and numbness spread through her arm. Her sword nearly flew from her grip. Just a flick of a finger bore such power, filling Ren Qingyue with despair. Landing on her feet, she looked up at the peak and saw the Dao Gu holding Yan Zhao’s head, purpose unknown. “Let Ah Zhao go!” Throwing caution to the wind, Ren Qingyue channeled all her magic into her sword, executing the strongest move her master Yan Yuanqing had taught her. Snow Piercing Flight. The sword light flashed faster than lightning, untraceable by the naked eye. The Dao Gu noticed it just as it was upon her, less than half an inch from her forehead. In that tense moment, she instinctively gathered her inner magic, forming a shield at her brow. The hastily formed shield diminished ninety percent of the sword's power; the remaining force still struck, cutting her hair and leaving a crimson mark on her forehead. A drop of blood oozed from the cut, sliding down her nose. In that stunned instant, Ren Qingyue rushed forward, scooping up Yan Zhao and attempting to cast the swift movement spell. “How interesting.” The woman’s aloof voice carried a hint of amusement. Suddenly, Ren Qingyue felt a tremendous pressure press all around her, freezing her in place. She couldn't move her feet forward, as if bound by a spell of immobility, unable to budge. She heard the crackling sound of ice breaking behind her. The sound loomed like a death knell, an invisible hand gripping Ren Qingyue's heart tightly. At this point, what could she do to ensure Yan Zhao’s escape? Ren Qingyue was filled with sorrow, feeling powerless to change their fate. The sound of breaking ice faded, replaced by footsteps. The woman walked around to face them. A whisk rested casually in the crook of her arm as she lifted her gaze, casting a bland look at Ren Qingyue. “Yan Yuanqing died too early, wasting such talent. What a pity.” Chapter 186 Ren Qingyue was stunned, unable to grasp her meaning. The Dao Gu lifted the whisk, lightly tapping Ren Qingyue’s brow. “An ice spiritual root of heavenly quality, such excellent aptitude, yet Yan Yuanqing only taught you swordsmanship. She must have been too lazy and negligent, failing to nurture you fully—truly a case of leading someone astray!” The contemptuous tone in the Dao Gu’s voice ignited Ren Qingyue's anger, causing her to glare fiercely, her expression icy. “What good is glaring at me?” The Dao Gu faced Ren Qingyue’s gaze without flinching, her smile cold. “Even if Yan Yuanqing herself were here, I would say the same.” The scorn and arrogance in the Dao Gu's words shocked and infuriated Ren Qingyue further, leaving her feeling both righteous fury and helplessness in this dire situation.