183 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

The path Yan Zhao and Bi Lan were on was shrouded in uncertainty about whether it led to the sought-after talisman. Yan Zhao quickened her pace, with Bi Lan close behind. They wove through the intricate passageways, swiftly switching routes when one path proved impassable. At a certain point, Yan Zhao's peripheral vision caught an unusual glint of light. She abruptly halted her steps, immediately retreating. She stopped so suddenly and without warning that Bi Lan almost collided with her back. "This way," Yan Zhao called to Bi Lan, dashing towards the end of the corridor without looking back. The source of the light was an exit. Stepping out, their view expanded swiftly, revealing a circular platform similar to their starting point before Yan Zhao. In the center of the platform hovered a white orb of light. The talisman felt by their mystical guide was housed within it. Bi Lan’s eyes lit up. "We found it!" She hastened her steps, leaping onto the stone platform with Yan Zhao, both rushing towards the orb. Suddenly, figures also emerged from the other side of the platform. "!" Bi Lan halted abruptly. It was Xuan Yuan Zheng! What a twist of fate! Before she could continue, Xuan Yuan Zheng had already made his move, sending several strikes of energy hurtling towards Yan Zhao. Upon seeing this, Bi Lan’s face changed dramatically, "Be careful, Yan Zhao!" Yan Zhao heard the rushing sound in the air. Without altering her expression, she crouched low, tumbling forward. The bursts of energy skimmed past her shoulder just as Little Fox sprang from her arms. Leaping into the air, it snatched the talisman from within the orb. Landing gracefully, Little Fox spun elegantly back to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao extended her hand, and in perfect sync, Little Fox offered its paw for a celebratory high-five. "Well done!" Bi Lan and Xuan Yuan Zheng’s party were left speechless. Chapter 197 Xuan Yuan Zheng was furious. "Put it down!" Hearing this, Yan Zhao swiftly pocketed the talisman she had taken from Little Fox's mouth. The atmosphere was tense as Yan Zhao remained on guard against these uninvited guests. She failed to notice the cauldron wrapped in coarse cloth giving a violent shudder the moment she stashed the talisman. Bi Lan quickly moved to Yan Zhao's side as Xuan Yuan Zheng led his henchmen onto the platform. Outnumbered, the two women faced Xuan Yuan Zheng and his three companions, who closed in from all sides. "So, that's who you are! The ones without any sense!" Xuan Yuan Zheng's face contorted with rage, his gaze bouncing from Yan Zhao to Bi Lan. "You really have some nerve, Bi Lan. My uncle raised you in good faith, and now you go against him, joining the Cloud Weaver Sect. Truly a disgrace to the Xuan Yuan family!" Bi Lan's face darkened, her demeanor grim. "Enough!" Xuan Yuan Zheng sneered, "What? You dare to act but not to be criticized?" Without waiting for a response, he turned to Yan Zhao. "Why on earth would you choose such a backstabbing turncoat as your partner? Watch out, or she'll sell you off and make you count the money for her!" Yan Zhao considered briefly before responding, “I won't." Xuan Yuan Zheng raised an eyebrow in surprise, while Bi Lan was visibly taken aback. After just one encounter, Yan Zhao trusted her so much! Bi Lan was deeply moved. But then Yan Zhao finished her thought, "I won’t help her count the money." "……" A momentary silence followed, broken by Xuan Yuan Zheng’s amused laughter. His three lackeys joined in, unable to stop their guffaws. Yan Zhao frowned, puzzled as to why they were laughing. Was what she said so funny? Bi Lan inwardly sighed, urging Yan Zhao, "We don’t need to waste words with them, let's quickly leave!" "You think you can leave?" Xuan Yuan Zheng's expression grew stern. "Give up the talisman this instant!" Yan Zhao glanced around warily. Among these four people, aside from Xuan Yuan Zheng, the others did not appear as formidable. Her cultivation had gradually improved, enhancing her spiritual awareness. Now she could sense the presence of living beings around her and gauge the danger they posed, allowing her to roughly estimate their abilities compared to her own. Though Xuan Yuan Zheng seemed laid-back, he was the most advanced among them. While Yan Zhao pondered an escape plan, Bi Lan stepped forward, protectively shielding her. "Thank you for trusting me, Yan Zhao, and for accompanying me this far." Taking a firm breath, Bi Lan spoke resolutely, "Our partnership ends here. The talisman is rightfully yours since you found it. I'll hold them off, you take it and go." Yan Zhao frowned upon hearing this. She shot a glance at Bi Lan's resolute figure before turning to leave. Seeing this, Xuan Yuan Zheng barked, "Stop her!" As the men moved simultaneously, Yan Zhao quickened her stride. Bi Lan, in turn, intercepted Xuan Yuan Zheng. "Think you can block me?" Xuan Yuan Zheng spat, sending Bi Lan stumbling back with a powerful blow. Yuan Zheng’s taunts reached her ears, "As expected, birds of a feather! Your friend’s loyalty is only skin-deep!" Despite feeling a pang of disappointment, Bi Lan didn’t regret her decision. Yan Zhao’s assistance was a favor, not an obligation. Born into misfortune, Bi Lan was determined not to drag anyone else down. That thought flitted through her mind just as a loud crash resonated behind her, followed by agonizing screams. The cries were certainly not Yan Zhao’s. Though clueless about the happenings behind her, Bi Lan saw sheer terror on Xuan Yuan Zheng’s face. Pulling away, she turned to look back. Yan Zhao stood at the platform's edge, the aide who had blocked her was nowhere to be seen. While another advanced, they abruptly retreated. Yan Zhao could have leaped off the platform to escape, but she didn’t. Instead, she moved toward those who stood in her way. From her arms, Little Fox exhaled a misty breath of white. Xuan Yuan Zheng’s henchman let out a bizarre cry, trying to dodge, but the breath was faster than him. Just a trace of the fog touched his sleeve before it spread rapidly from that spot to his limbs and torso. The sound of ice forming filled the air, rapidly encasing him in an icy sarcophagus. Once frozen, Yan Zhao sent him flying with a precise kick. He shattered upon impact, shards scattering everywhere, his body split with numerous wounds as if violently torn. Though not fatal, the searing pain wracked his body, a scream tore from his throat, echoing across the realm. The last lackey turned pale with fear, too terrified to stand in Yan Zhao’s way. As her gaze fell on him, his knees began to shake. Bi Lan was equally stunned by the scene. Yan Zhao had not left. She turned to face Xuan Yuan Zheng with a cold demeanor. His face twitched involuntarily, retreating a step as he eyed Bi Lan, an idea flickering maliciously within him. Bi Lan blinked, her breath hitching as Xuan Yuan Zheng suddenly lunged, choking her from behind. "Drop the talisman!" Xuan Yuan Zheng roared at Yan Zhao, his voice laced with threat, "Or I’ll kill her!" Yan Zhao stopped, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She had never faced such a predicament. Little Fox narrowed its eyes, its gaze icy as it swept over Xuan Yuan Zheng’s foolish face. It had repeatedly taught Yan Zhao to restrain her anger, to prevent her power from spiraling out of control. Yet this foolish, obnoxious man dared provoke Yan Zhao like this — intolerable! Bi Lan struggled silently, unable to shout at Yan Zhao with Xuan Yuan Zheng squeezing her throat. Only a whimper resembling a plea for mercy escaped her lips. She silently cursed her own carelessness, berating herself for allowing Xuan Yuan Zheng to seize such an advantage. Yan Zhao had stayed and selflessly fought back — under no circumstance should the talisman fall into Xuan Yuan Zheng’s hands! She had to find her own escape! In the blink of an eye, each person on the platform sprang into action. Little Fox leapt from Yan Zhao’s hold, a blur racing across the distance. Despite her exposed throat, Bi Lan summoned strength to slam her elbows fiercely into Xuan Yuan Zheng’s ribs. Simultaneously, a small black-and-yellow striped bee swooped down, stinging Xuan Yuan Zheng’s neck with deadly precision. Boom— With a pained howl, Xuan Yuan Zheng released his grip and stumbled backwards, only to be met with a heavy snowball-like force hammering into his chest. He collapsed to the ground with a thud, his eyes rolling back as a severe dizziness swiftly overtook him. His limbs twitched briefly before falling still. Seeing this, the last of his lackeys was petrified. With a terrified yelp, he turned to flee, but he hadn't run far before the venomous bee caught up with him, sending him crashing to the ground without a sound. On the platform, Bi Lan stood still, partly in shock, partly relieved to have survived the ordeal. Little Fox rolled a half-turn on the ground after landing, then stood and saw Xuan Yuan Zheng unconscious, utterly surprised. Its earlier impact should not have carried such devastating power. Suddenly, within its range of senses, it detected two unfamiliar presences. Turning its head, Little Fox saw two figures standing at the exit of another corridor on the other side of the platform. The venomous bee from moments ago must have been the work of one of them, a cultivator from the Huang Yin Peak. At the corridor entrance, Zuo Xun shared the same surprised expression. Zuo Xun and Wu Ying Ying had encountered the commotion while searching for the talisman and arrived just in time to see Xuan Yuan Zheng threatening Yan Zhao by ambushing Bi Lan. Initially believing Yan Zhao to be stuck in a bind, Zuo Xun had promptly intervened. However, much to her amazement, the situation reversed in an instant, with all retaliatory strikes finding their mark on Xuan Yuan Zheng. Unexpectedly, the dilemma Yan Zhao faced a moment ago resolved effortlessly without her having lifted a finger. Yan Zhao approached, picking up Little Fox, before turning her gaze towards Zuo Xun and Wu Ying Ying, asking, "Are you here for the talisman too?" Before Zuo Xun could respond, Wu Ying Ying quickly reassured, "No, Zuo Shijie is skilled enough; we already secured one talisman." Whether they obtained another one was irrelevant. Zuo Xun's intervention was evidently motivated by the fact that Bi Lan was a fellow disciple from the Cloud Weaver Sect, thus inspiring her to stand up against injustice. Relieved, Yan Zhao moved to Bi Lan's side, inquiring, "Are you alright?" Bi Lan bore two bruised marks on her neck, still aching slightly, but she was fortunate it was not life-threatening. Shaking her head, she expressed her gratitude to Yan Zhao's unwavering support, "I'm fine, thank you, Yan Zhao." She also felt immense gratitude towards Zuo Xun and her companion for their righteous help and offered her thanks to Zuo Xun with a gesture of respect. Zuo Xun, unaccustomed to such formal expressions of gratitude, shifted her gaze, maintaining a cool demeanor albeit with slightly reddened ears, muttering, "We're fellow disciples, no need for thanks." "Fellow disciples?" Bi Lan echoed in genuine surprise. Zuo Xun confirmed, "I'm a disciple of Huang Yin Peak." Bi Lan was amazed and delighted to unexpectedly meet a fellow sect member at this grand gathering of practitioners, and she hastily performed a courteous bow. "I see! Bi Lan greets Shijie!" Zuo Xun grew increasingly bashful, awkwardly turning away without saying a word. Seizing the moment, Wu Ying Ying proposed, "Why don't we join forces for the next phase?" Though Zuo Xun furrowed her brow, finding it somewhat troublesome, she didn't voice any objections. Naturally, Bi Lan had no objections. However, she worried Yan Zhao, unfamiliar with Zuo Xun and Wu Ying Ying, might be hesitant to collaborate. Casting a glance at Yan Zhao, Bi Lan sought her opinion, "Yan Zhao, what do you think?" Yan Zhao didn’t respond immediately, instead consulting Little Fox, "What do you think?" Little Fox nodded affirmatively. Yan Zhao then said, "I have no objections." Having already acquired the talisman, it didn't matter much who continued alongside them. As long as the snowball didn't mind, she could accompany them.