175 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Ren Qingyue once again performed a respectful bow toward Yuanhai Zhenren, "Thank you for your trouble, master." Yuanhai Zhenren swept his long sleeves, and Ren Qingyue suddenly felt her body grow heavy as a flurry of snow arose, enveloping both her and Yan Zhao. Immediately, the snowball containing them moved swiftly across the snowy ground. After a short while, the movement ceased. Ren Qingyue waited for a moment without sensing any further motion, so she reached out to knock away the snow covering her head. Brilliant sunlight streamed down upon them; they had emerged outside the barrier. Behind them loomed endless expanses of snow-capped mountains, while before them lay a verdant expanse of meadow. Looking down at her feet, Ren Qingyue noted a thin covering of snow upon her shoe tops. This was precisely the spatial transportation technique that Yuanhai Zhenren had previously executed, resembling an "avalanche technique." Such high-level magic, easily wielded by Yuanhai Zhenren, was indeed befitting of his reputation as the foremost spellcaster of the time. Glancing at Yan Zhao beside her, whom she was gently holding, still unconscious, Ren Qingyue felt a deep sense of gratitude—for it was through Yan Zhao's presence that she obtained such a great opportunity. She retrieved the Divine Scroll from Yan Zhao's embrace and again inscribed the characters "Nianqing Mountain." Upon completing the final stroke, she infused the scroll with magic. Suddenly it illuminated with a golden light that enveloped them. The surroundings dimmed momentarily before brightening again, revealing a new world. This time, they arrived at the proper "Nianqing Mountain." Terraces and pavilions nestled upon the hills, streams babbling below; an elegant landscape, filled with the chirping of birds in the lush woods, brimming with vitality and life. Who would have imagined such a picturesque place to be the lair of the demon master, Nangong Yin? From a distant courtyard came the sound of music. Ren Qingyue lifted Yan Zhao, riding her sword, and swiftly arrived at the place where Nangong Yin resided and recuperated. Nangong Yin sat in a small two-story building, fingers dancing over the strings of a guqin. Only after finishing her piece did she gaze at the visitors outside. Yan Zhao lay comfortably in Ren Qingyue's arms, peacefully asleep. Nangong Yin's expression softened, her gentle smile extended even to Ren Qingyue. "You've returned." · After a deep slumber, Yan Zhao awoke to find herself in a familiar room. Her mind stirred, realizing she was at Nianqing Mountain! Senior Sister had successfully rescued her from the clutches of the old demon! How incredibly strong Senior Sister is! Filled with admiration for her Senior Sister, Yan Zhao immediately tried to get up. Suddenly, a white blur dashed across her vision, a furry bundle leaping up from the ground and landing in her arms with a swift dive. Yan Zhao took the impact full on, a brief sinking sensation in her chest. Her body still ached from pain, yet her spirits soared high. "Snowball!" Overjoyed, Yan Zhao embraced the furry creature that had leapt into her arms, and without hesitation, she showered the little fox with kisses all over its head. Having reunited after so long, Yan Zhao's joy knew no bounds; she hugged and kissed the little fox repeatedly, burying her face into its soft fur, feeling the warmth of its body and hearing the gentle thump of its heartbeat. Expecting this close contact, Ren Qingyue had already steeled herself mentally, prepared to remain composed. She didn't let Yan Zhao's affectionate antics fluster her into a state of confusion. Though her body instinctively tensed with nervousness, she managed to keep her hands from leaving any red marks on Yan Zhao's fair cheeks. Holding the little fox tightly, Yan Zhao breathed a long sigh of relief. The little fox was wonderful; she could hug it, kiss it as much as she liked without fearing it would take offense. Judging from the way its big tail wagged happily, it too enjoyed the affection. It was content, and so was she. Having indulged in a good snuggle with the little fox, Yan Zhao remembered her purpose, rising to her feet with the fox in her arms. Used to being in human form for too long, Ren Qingyue felt a bit uneasy being carried around by Yan Zhao, wishing to hop down and walk on its own. But just as it began to move, Yan Zhao tightened her embrace, holding it securely with no room for movement. "Don't squirm," Yan Zhao admonished it. Resigning itself, it relaxed and ceased its struggle. With the little fox in her arms, Yan Zhao dashed out, familiar with the path from having lived there for quite some time. In no time, she found herself aboard a great roc, soaring toward Nangong Yin. "Ayin!" she called out from afar to the tranquil figure sitting in the pavilion. Nangong Yin turned at the sound, her gaze meeting Yan Zhao's, instantly softening into a gentle, shallow smile. "Awake? How did you rest?" "Slept well," Yan Zhao replied. She settled beside Nangong Yin and nonchalantly picked a piece of flower pastry from the table, taking a bite. With her cheeks puffed from the pastry, Yan Zhao still remembered to inquire about Nangong Yin's well-being. "How is your injury?" Nangong Yin plucked the strings a few times. "Much better." The wound from the Exorcism Sword wasn't easy to heal. Fortunately, Ren Qingyue had asserted her authority, fully extricating the sword from Nangong Yin's body before it could cause significant harm. Moreover, the formidable recovery ability of her demonic lineage facilitated her recuperation. Yet, even now, she had only healed halfway. Hearing Nangong Yin's assurance, Yan Zhao was relieved and asked another question she was concerned about. "Where's Senior Sister? Where did she go?" She knew her own lack of strength, knocked unconscious by the old demon with a mere touch. Surely, it was her Senior Sister who used the Divine Scroll to transport her to Nianqing Mountain. Nangong Yin cast a subtle glance at the little fox nestled in Yan Zhao's arms. With an air of indifference, the little fox rested its head against Yan Zhao's arm, its fluffy tail swishing gently from side to side, as if the matter had nothing to do with it. Nangong Yin deliberated briefly before speaking, "Your Senior Sister went ahead to the Taixu Immortal Realm. She must have some pressing matters to attend to." Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao's brows furrowed, chewing her flower pastry without relish. "Why did she leave so quickly?" Yan Zhao murmured, finishing the last bite of her pastry, her empty hands then pulling at the fox's tail. "Couldn't wait until I woke up." What could be more important than her? Having spent so long inseparably with her Senior Sister, Yan Zhao was used to having her by her side. The sudden news of Ren Qingyue's departure left her feeling quite empty. This sense of loss was different from when her Senior Sister had previously proposed to escort the Fox Emperor back to Qingqiu, without the anxiety and unease of that time. It was more of a grievance, feeling less favored. However, Yan Zhao was not discouraged. Remembering how she had upset her Senior Sister before, causing fear and dislike, and now seeing that their relationship had improved considerably, she felt less downhearted. The next time they met, she would try her best to earn a little more of her Senior Sister's fondness. But with her Senior Sister absent from Nianqing Mountain, Yan Zhao found the days unremarkable. Even when Nangong Yin taught her music and calligraphy, her mind wandered. Only after a mere three days in Nangong Yin's retreat did Yan Zhao, with the little fox in her arms, bid her farewell in person. "I'm going to attend the Immortal Sect Disciples' Convention," she declared. Nangong Yin couldn't help but smile helplessly. Still, she didn't try to dissuade Yan Zhao, simply reminding her, "Promise me three things on this journey." "Sure," Yan Zhao promptly agreed. "What are they?" "First, wear a mask and participate under the name 'Nian Qing,' representing the Beast-Taming Sect; second, do not reveal your relationship with Yan Yuanqing to anyone else; third, do not use your bloodline power, but face the challenges with your own cultivation and wisdom." "Huh?" Yan Zhao felt confused. "Why all this?" She could grasp a bit of the reason behind the last request because her Senior Sister also disliked it when her bloodline power flared up. But the first two puzzled her entirely, having never heard of the Beast-Taming Sect. At this moment, Nangong Yin seemed less approachable than usual. Though she still wore a smile, there was a kind of unspoken pressure that conveyed her seriousness to Yan Zhao. "If you don't do this, even if you win the competition and come out on top, they won't hand over Yan Yuanqing's belongings to you." Hearing this, Yan Zhao was momentarily stunned. Nangong Yin fully understood the purpose of her journey and knew how to mitigate the risks. "Your mother, an unparalleled swordswoman of her time," Nangong Yin imparted some wisdom about human nature, "is only revered when deceased." Yan Zhao furrowed her eyebrows, partially comprehending. In her arms, the little fox's eyes glinted with a sharp coldness. Nangong Yin's final words, half a chant, half a sigh, carried a hint of grief that Yan Zhao found difficult to fathom. "Few like us genuinely wish for her to come back to life." Chapter 189 Nangong Yin's words lingered long in Yan Zhao's thoughts. Her mother, the greatest swordmaster of her time, persecuted to death by her sect, was immortalized in songs and tales, yet not everyone wished for her resurrection. This world was far more intricate than she had imagined. Even her Senior Sister had told her that there were still many things she didn't understand and that she needed time to learn. Yan Zhao still didn't fully grasp why this was the case, but she absolutely refused to let anyone sabotage the plan to awaken her mother. Thus, she responded to Nangong Yin with uncharacteristic seriousness, "I understand." Her tone carried a rare gravity. The little fox in her arms blinked in surprise, secretly astonished by Yan Zhao's transformation. Nangong Yin felt a sense of satisfaction; there was nothing more she needed to instruct. The rest would depend on how Yan Zhao chose to proceed. Since Yan Zhao wasn't yet proficient in using the Divine Scroll, she wisely refrained from writing recklessly upon it. Instead, she had Nangong Yin summon a great roc to transport her to the Taixu Immortal Realm. The great roc soared into the sky, piercing through the void, swiftly disappearing into the horizon. Once the clouds dispersed and the sky cleared, two figures materialized beside Nangong Yin. The left and right guardians stood by her side. Lei Shuang stepped forward first, presenting a long silver box with both hands, "Master, I have retrieved the final shard of your Blood Shadow Spear." With a gentle motion, Nangong Yin lifted the lid of the box, releasing a potent aura. The spear itself was a deep black, interwoven with patterns of blood and gold, exuding an ancient and formidable presence. Unfortunately, the spear's surface was marred with cracks, rendering it a broken weapon. This spear had shattered during a battle with the Floating Cloud Sect three hundred years ago, its pieces scattered across the celestial realm. Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying had spent three centuries gathering all the fragments. Yan Yuanqing had gifted her many things, each holding special significance for her. But this spear was different; it wasn't a gift from Yan Yuanqing. It was a soulbound weapon that had been with her since her birth in the Nine Netherworlds, growing with her. Before meeting Yan Yuanqing, she was the fiercest specter of the Nine Netherworlds. Her body was laden with sins, and all who sought to tear her apart met gruesome ends. Yet it was because Yan Yuanqing remarked that the spear was too bloodthirsty, preferring more elegant things, that Nangong Yin took up music for Yan Yuanqing's sake. This didn't mean she had forgotten how to wield a spear. Nangong Yin turned to Jiang Ying, "What did Su Zijun say?" Jiang Ying replied truthfully, "Palace Master Su admitted her power doesn't match Yuanqing Immortal's. Even with access to all ancient texts and exerting her full effort, there's only a ten percent chance." "Ten percent..." Nangong Yin lowered her gaze, sighing softly, "It's enough. Give it to her." She was prepared to face any challenge to resurrect Yan Yuanqing, and this ten percent chance seemed promising in comparison. Before closing the case, she gently caressed the fractured spear shaft, whispering, "If you still wish to join me in avenging ourselves, then let us try once more." The dim spear offered no response, but Nangong Yin wasn't perturbed and closed the lid. Lastly, she waved her hand gently. With a flicker, the two figures behind her vanished into thin air. Nangong Yin stood on the pavilion, feeling a breeze from outside. The mild wind lifted the beaded curtains around her, setting the jade beads clinking together, producing clear and sweet chimes like silver bells. Such tranquility, she thought, would soon be lost forever.