173 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Ren Qingyue's eyes were red with anger, but restrained by the Daoist nun, she was unable to speak. Her fury could only be expressed through wide eyes and clenched teeth. Tension filled the air, when suddenly a voice echoed from the base of the mountain: "Master! Where are you?" The voice traveled across the snowy peaks and reached the summit. Ren Qingyue felt a twinge of alarm; the voice was familiar. However, the distance made it hard to identify who the caller actually was. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Ren Qingyue's nerves were taut as a bowstring, unable to relax for even a moment. The persistent calls from below made the Daoist nun frown slightly. She picked up her horsetail whisk and swept it casually toward the mountain's base. Instantaneously, a thunderous rumbling approached them. Ren Qingyue instinctively turned her gaze, witnessing a flurry of snow billowing up from the mountain hollow. At the same moment, the mountain beneath them began to quiver, the earth trembled—an avalanche was underway. "!" An exclamation of alarm lodged in Ren Qingyue's heart. What grievance existed between this novice and her opponent, that such a fierce spell intended to take lives was already unleashed before even meeting face-to-face? The avalanche boomed for a while, and as the mountain ceased to shake and the tremors stilled, a head suddenly popped up from the snow behind the Daoist nun. "Hey, Master, there you are!" The newcomer emerged from the snow like a groundhog, grinning widely. Just as she was about to move forward, she noticed two more people standing in front of her master. Upon closer inspection, she realized she knew both individuals. Chen Er's smile froze, and the corners of her lips twitched upward sharply, her eyes growing wide: "Eh?! What are you doing here?!" Ren Qingyue: "..." Her surprise was even greater than Chen Er's. The Daoist nun cast Chen Er a sidelong glance: "Do you know them?" At her words, Chen Er snapped out of her shock and slapped her thigh vigorously: "Of course I know them!" "They are my benefactors! I told you about them before, Master!" Chen Er's arrival instantly animated the peak with incessant chatter. Seeing Ren Qingyue and Yan Zhao bound by her master's restraints, Chen Er was puzzled: "What's going on with you two?" Before she finished speaking, the oppressive spatial power stifling Ren Qingyue and Yan Zhao suddenly eased. Ren Qingyue staggered back a couple of steps, keeping Yan Zhao firmly protected and her guard up. Even if they had some rapport with Chen Er, it was uncertain this Daoist nun would regard their private relationship in the same light. The tension barely abated, and Chen Er looked confused: "What's up with you? Is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Ren Qingyue retreated a few steps, vigilant of the Daoist nun while shielding Yan Zhao. The Daoist nun's expression had softened slightly, as Chen Er's arrival seemed to have shifted the situation. Ren Qingyue quickly explained the sequence of events to Chen Er, who listened in disbelief: "Accidentally teleported here? How careless can you get?" If Yan Zhao weren't unconscious just then, she would have shaken her fiercely to find out how such extraordinary luck could be obtained—she could really use some! Ren Qingyue was at a loss, unable to explain the bizarre coincidences involved. With a serious demeanor, Ren Qingyue, not forgetting her original goal, directed her attention to the Daoist nun beside Chen Er: "What would it take, Senior, for you to let the two of us leave?" Before the Daoist nun could respond, Chen Er assured them with a pat on her chest: "What’s so difficult about that? I'll lead you out!" A trace of helplessness flashed visibly in the Daoist nun's eyes. "What concern is it of yours?" she reprimanded Chen Er, "Weren't you supposed to be attending the Immortal Sect's disciple conference? Why did you run back here suddenly?" "Master, you’ve hit the nail on the head!" Chen Er’s eyes lit up, the imaginary tail wagging jovially. She approached the Daoist nun, taking her hand and shaking it energetically, "Come with me! Every other disciple has their master to back them, and your apprentice shouldn't lack style either, right?" The Daoist nun's expression was one of annoyance, her brows furrowing: "Then go to another master." "Aw, don't say that!" Chen Er clung to her like sticky candy, "No matter where, I'll only acknowledge you as my master. You're my reborn mother, and I'm grateful for your nurturing, as heavy as a mountain, enough to cause landslides..." Ren Qingyue found her prattle unbearably tiresome; it was remarkable how the Daoist nun managed to endure it. Chen Er continued her nonsensical monologue: "I revere my master so much, yet she’s so indifferent to me. I’m really pitiful. Going to the Immortal Sect's disciple conference alone is certain defeat, and that would embarrass not only me but also you, Master..." Daoist nun: "...Fine, just be quiet." Chen Er’s eyes sparkled like a puppy’s: "So, Master, you've agreed to accompany me to the Immortal Sect's disciple conference?" "..." The Daoist nun wore a cold expression, "Hm." Chen Er cheered, leaping three feet into the air: "Wonderful!" Ren Qingyue, observing the proceedings from the side, felt a sense of sympathy for the senior within her heart, along with profound astonishment. The Daoist nun, with furrowed brows, pushed aside the obstructive Chen Er and addressed Ren Qingyue: "You two have intruded upon my meditation space first. I won't intentionally make things difficult. If you retrieve something for me, I'll let you leave." Such a request was reasonable and not overly demanding, allowing Ren Qingyue to breathe a sigh of relief. She clasped her hands in a respectful bow: "What does Senior require?" The Daoist nun replied, "The gallbladder of an Ice Rock Serpent." Ren Qingyue's expression hardened. The Ice Rock Serpent is a variant of the Rock Snake, capable of manipulating the water elemental energy of the heavens and earth. It forms an armor-like shell on its body, making a mature Ice Rock Serpent as powerful as an expert of the Void Refining realm. Chen Er was taken aback: "Master, sending Miss Ren after Ice Rock Serpent gall is incredibly dangerous. You could easily handle it yourself. Why have someone else do it?" The Daoist nun shot her a sharp glance: "Do you think such trifles require my personal intervention? If you find it unsuitable, go in her place." "Uh," Chen Er was left speechless, turning her head to Ren Qingyue, "My master has a peculiar temper, tough and inflexible. Don't take it personally." The Daoist nun's hair nearly stood on end with indignation: "And who are you calling tough and inflexible?!" With a feigned yelp, Chen Er recoiled, then dashed past Ren Qingyue, leaping down the slope and stopping a short distance away. She turned and waved back: "Miss Ren, come with me. I'll show you where to find the Ice Rock Serpent!" Ren Qingyue was about to take a step when the Daoist nun reached out to stop her, gesturing with her chin at Yan Zhao in Ren Qingyue’s arms: "Leave her here until you return with the serpent's gall." Ren Qingyue hesitated, but the Daoist nun seemed to read her thoughts, saying, "If I wanted to kill you, there’d be no need for deception." Ren Qingyue: "..." That made sense. Having finally found a way to resolve matters, confrontation was a path to certain death. For now, she could only comply with the other party's wishes. She bowed respectfully to the Daoist nun: "Then, I entrust A Zhao to Senior's care for the time being." The Daoist nun cast her a brief glance in acknowledgment. Ren Qingyue set Yan Zhao down. With Yan Zhao unconscious, complications were less likely, so she refrained from using any technique to awaken her. Chen Er waited on the gentler slope, and upon Ren Qingyue's approach, tossed her a rope. Ren Qingyue looked confused: "What is this?" "A rope," Chen Er replied, "Hold onto one end and don't let go." With that, Chen Er pulled out two iron plates, handing one to Ren Qingyue while putting the other underfoot. Unsure of what to do, Ren Qingyue followed Chen Er's cue: "Just stand on it like you would on a flying sword." "..." This was nothing like a flying sword. Cautiously stepping onto the iron plate, Ren Qingyue stood firm as Chen Er moved. She formed a seal with her hand, lightly stamped her foot, and the iron plate seemed to be pushed by an invisible force, gliding downhill. The rope stretched taut between them, pulling Ren Qingyue’s iron plate along. Once she felt the rope tug, Ren Qingyue’s iron plate began to glide as well. With Chen Er leading the way, expertly maneuvering on the iron plate, the terrain flashed by, leaving only wisps of fading images. Before long, Ren Qingyue adjusted to the sliding pace, experimenting with directional control over the iron plate. Traveling by this method was completely novel to Ren Qingyue, and she found it intriguing. Chen Er couldn't stay silent for long and continued to chatter: "Miss Ren, don't mind my master too much. She utterly detests sword cultivation, so the restrictions in Nianqing Mountain were all designed against sword cultivators." Ren Qingyue: "..." No wonder she felt targeted. Curious, Ren Qingyue asked, "Why does your esteemed master have such an aversion to sword practitioners?" Chen Er, uncertain, pondered for a moment and said, "...Maybe it's because she used to lose in spell battles against Immortal Yuanqing?" But that was merely her speculation. After all, whenever Immortal Yuanqing was mentioned, her master’s mood soured. Even if her master had lost in those duels, she wouldn’t admit it. Outsiders might think there was some grand enmity between her master and Yuanqing. Hearing this, Ren Qingyue carefully considered her words and quietly asked, "Miss Chen, could you tell me who your master is?" In the vast world, brimming with countless talents and extraordinary individuals, Ren Qingyue's eyes were opened today. The prowess of this senior was unfathomable, surpassing many experts she had ever encountered. Even Yaoshenzi would likely struggle to gain an upper hand against her. "Hm? Haven't I mentioned it before?" Chen Er was rather surprised, thinking she had already talked about it. Ren Qingyue shook her head, "No, you haven't." "Then let me tell you now." Chen Er’s smile was bright and full of pride as she straightened her back. "My master is the world’s foremost spell cultivator, Master Yuanhai!" Master Yuanhai! Ren Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat. It was actually him! Not long ago, Su Zijun and Yaoshenzi had mentioned that Master Yuanhai was about to end his seclusion, and now, she encountered him so soon after. So, the disciple under Master Yuanhai, who hadn't been in training for even five hundred years, was actually Chen Er?! Ren Qingyue was deeply shaken. In the three realms, the number of seniors at the Great Ascension stage was neither small nor large, but those truly on the cusp of ascending were few and far between. Undoubtedly, Master Yuanhai was one of those on the list. "But my talent in spell cultivation is pretty average," Chen Er confided to Ren Qingyue in a hushed tone, "I wonder who Master will pass his legacy to in the future. It sure won’t be me! Ah, we’re almost there! The Ice Rock Serpent’s lair is just ahead!" Ren Qingyue: "..." Despite being a disciple of Master Yuanhai and knowing her master's disdain for sword cultivators, she still openly expressed admiration for Yuanqing. Truly, she was something else. --- Chapter 187 Once Chen Er led Ren Qingyue to the location, she immediately backed away. She was well aware of her own capabilities and had no intention of assisting. Ren Qingyue had no expectations of her; not causing any trouble was already the greatest help she could offer. After Chen Er retreated, Ren Qingyue surveyed her surroundings to evaluate the environment. She found herself in a valley with relatively low terrain. The cliff on the left was steep, exposing large swathes of grayish-white rock, and amidst the mountain wall was a snow-covered cavern, barely visible. Fighting within the cave would be disadvantageous, so she needed to lure the Ice Rock Serpent to a more open area, where she could better leverage her strengths. Her mind raced with strategies, and she quickly reached for a packet of sulfur to repel serpents, wrapped it in a ball of snow, and tossed it into the rocky cave. Before long, the cave emitted strange noises, with ice cracking and resounding clashes of stone. The mountain trembled, causing snow to fall in cascading sheets at the cave's entrance. Boom— An Ice Rock Serpent, as thick as an ancient tree, slithered out of the cave. The sizable opening seemed cramped, crowded by its massive body. With swift precision, Ren Qingyue unleashed several sword energies, some slicing through the serpent's icy layers, dislodging shards of ice. The remaining sword energies struck the wall behind it, triggering explosive sounds. Rocks tumbled, and the cave collapsed. Although the falling rocks couldn't inflict significant harm on the serpent itself, the boulders wedged into the entrance pinched its body, greatly restricting the Ice Rock Serpent's movement.