188 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Everyone now understood and nodded in agreement, saying, "So that's how it is." Rules are rigid, but people are flexible, and this unexpected development indeed added some intrigue to the competition. Once again, everyone's gazes were drawn towards the Mirror Stage. On the floating island, Yuan Hai Zhen Ren's gaze lingered on Yan Zhao for a moment before moving on nonchalantly. On the other side, Yun Dao Zi watched Yan Zhao's back with a thoughtful frown. Unnoticed, Ying Xiao concealed a gleam of dark intelligence in his eyes atop a stone pillar, and a knowing smile played on his lips. In the maze, Zuo Xun approached Yan Zhao, glancing at the dark tunnel ahead. Bi Lan was incredulous, shocked at Yan Zhao's unexpected actions when Wu Ying Ying suddenly leaned closer and asked, "Miss Yan, you're amazing! How did you discover there was a path here?" Both Zuo Xun and Bi Lan turned to Yan Zhao, equally curious about the answer. Yan Zhao pressed her lips together. A detailed explanation would expose Xiao Jin's existence, but without one, she struggled to come up with a reasonable explanation. At a loss, Yan Zhao responded earnestly, "I don't know." Wu Ying Ying: "?" Zuo Xun: "..." Bi Lan held her forehead. Her expression was complex. If her suspicions were correct, then Yan Zhao's "I don't know" was genuine, but Zuo Xun and Wu Ying Ying might suspect otherwise. Yet Wu Ying Ying quickly believed her, cheerfully nodding. "Is this what they call extraordinary luck?" Zuo Xun remained silent. She summoned a few worker insects and volunteered, "Let me scout ahead." Yan Zhao didn't stop her, feeling that Zuo Xun's little insects were indeed quite useful. "How do you raise your insects?" Yan Zhao asked curiously, "Can I learn?" Zuo Xun was slightly surprised by the question, but considering Yan Zhao's background as a disciple of the Beast Master Sect, it wasn't unexpected. Before she could respond, the little fox in Yan Zhao's arms suddenly bit her hand. "Ow!" Yan Zhao yelped in pain, looking down at the fox dangling from her hand, frowning. "Why are you biting me again?!" Could it be trying to remind her of something this time? Asking about cultivation was also off-limits? The little fox hung from Yan Zhao's hand, flicking its bushy tail impatiently. Learn, learn, learn! Always wanting to learn something! Why learn about insects of all things?! Aren't the strange creatures you have enough?! Xue Qiu was internally quite furious. Rarely had Yan Zhao seen the little fox so resolute in biting her, and given her previous question to Zuo Xun, she pondered for a moment. "Oh, I understand now," Yan Zhao said with sudden realization. Zuo Xun looked up in confusion. Wu Ying Ying and Bi Lan also directed curious glances at Yan Zhao. The little fox was taken aback. Did Yan Zhao finally have a breakthrough in thinking today? Two clear understandings in a row, truly unusual. However, considering how far Yan Zhao had come, she should have made some progress by now, a realization that filled it with relief. It released its grip, giving Yan Zhao a reprieve. Unexpectedly, Yan Zhao suddenly spoke again, "You must be worried that if I raise insects, I won't like you anymore." Ren Qing Yue: "?" The esteemed Nine-Tailed Fox of Qingqiu, needing to compete with insects for affection? As a fellow pet owner, Zuo Xun surprisingly agreed with Yan Zhao's perspective. "That seems about right." Zuo Xun's confirmation only strengthened Yan Zhao's thoughts. She affectionately patted the fox's head, reassuring it, "I won't learn it, don't worry. You're definitely my favorite." The little fox: "..." Not happy at all. Seeing Yan Zhao voluntarily drop the subject, Zuo Xun didn't continue either. After a while, the worker insects she sent out began to return, though this time, only two came back. Yan Zhao looked puzzled, "Are there more behind?" "No," Zuo Xun's expression turned serious, "They were killed." Wu Ying Ying gasped, "How can that be?" They had been exploring the maze for quite some time, and despite facing other disciples occasionally, they hadn't encountered anything particularly dangerous. A wounded worker insect lay on Zuo Xun's fingertip, and she declared, "There are some strange creatures wandering here, highly aggressive. Their weakest is likely as strong as a Body Refinement cultivator, and the strongest could rival those at the Golden Core stage." This insect had narrowly escaped an encounter with such a creature but was gravely injured and wouldn't survive much longer. Only one unscathed worker insect returned. "So dangerous..." Bi Lan murmured in surprise, then asked Yan Zhao again, "Do you really want to go in?" Yan Zhao pursed her lips. She could hear Xiao Jin's agitated breathing. Connected by a contract, she was aware of it, though those around her were oblivious. Yan Zhao was a bit worried about how to respond should Bi Lan ask why. Seeing Yan Zhao hesitating, Bi Lan understood her intent. Taking a deep breath, she decided, "If that's the case, let us go." Yan Zhao was surprised. She looked at Bi Lan, saying, "I can go alone." Bi Lan calmly replied, "We're a team; we don't abandon anyone halfway. Besides, you owe me a Xianxuan Token to help me pass." "Bi, you're so right!" Wu Ying Ying enthusiastically agreed, "Friends should help each other, through thick and thin!" Only Zuo Xun remained silent. She stood at the tunnel's entrance, looking at Yan Zhao, then Bi Lan, and finally placing a steadying hand on Wu Ying Ying's shoulder. Sensing something, Wu Ying Ying turned and saw Zuo Xun's silent expression, astutely catching on to her mood shift. "Sister Zuo?" "We won't go," Zuo Xun said. Before Wu Ying Ying could persuade her otherwise, Zuo Xun grabbed her arm and turned away. Wu Ying Ying: "Huh?!" Caught off guard, Wu Ying Ying was already being led around a corner into another path by Zuo Xun. Unaware of how far they had walked, Zuo Xun finally released Wu Ying Ying. Facing each other, neither spoke. After a moment's silence, Zuo Xun suddenly felt ashamed, turning her head and continuing forward. Footsteps trailed behind her after a brief pause; Wu Ying Ying chose to follow, maintaining a deliberate distance. Zuo Xun felt conflicted. With Wu Ying Ying shadowing her, each step felt increasingly oppressive. Leaving like this, would Wu Ying Ying consider her cowardly? Yet she thought that despite the danger in the tunnel, there were many powerful figures present to keep things from getting deadly. No sooner had this thought settled than new concerns arose in her mind. Even if Wu Ying Ying didn't see her as cowardly, Zuo Xun's actions were undeniably selfish. Kindhearted Wu Ying Ying, always willing to help others, would surely frown upon abandoning companions. Unconsciously, Zuo Xun's frown deepened as she wrestled with her dilemma. At moments, she even considered abandoning her stance to rejoin Wu Ying Ying. However, realizing her thoughts, she was both incredulous and infuriated. Why should she care what Wu Ying Ying thinks? Driven by this inexplicable anger, Zuo Xun quickened her pace, not slowing until Wu Ying Ying's call reached her ears: "Sister Zuo! You're walking too fast, wait for me!" Zuo Xun halted. Wu Ying Ying jogged to catch up, firmly grasping Zuo Xun's wrist before bending over to catch her breath. Zuo Xun cast her gaze downward, fixating on Wu Ying Ying's hand clasping hers. "Sister Zuo," Wu Ying Ying began, "I'm sorry, please don't be mad." Her voice was soft, with a touch of pleading innocence, though her breathing was labored, breaking her sentence into gasping fragments: "I'm always... so willful, making you accommodate me constantly. I'm truly, very sorry." "I know you're doing this for my sake..." "I'm doing it for myself," Zuo Xun interrupted, "I don't want to team up with anyone, or help anyone. I'm selfish and self-centered, and you should see me for who I really am as soon as possible. Do whatever you want." Wu Ying Ying stood frozen. Zuo Xun shook her hand free. Meeting Wu Ying Ying's eyes, the surprise and shock in them burned Zuo Xun's gaze, forcing her to lower it. Inside her chest, a knot of emotions twisted into an intense tangle. She silently regretted her harsh words. Yet, simultaneously, she couldn't understand why she hesitated. She should decisively cut ties, avoiding any risks that might compromise her goals for this journey. She had no obligation to indulge Wu Ying Ying's whims. Wu Ying Ying lowered her hands, her long lashes gradually falling, her expression betraying a hint of uncontainable disappointment. Zuo Xun's heart clenched tightly, but her stubbornness kept her from relenting. "I'm sorry," Wu Ying Ying took a deep breath, her demeanor deeply dejected. "It was presumptuous of me and I've caused Sister Zuo unnecessary trouble." After speaking, she bowed to Zuo Xun in apology. When she straightened, Wu Ying Ying was composed once again. Her gaze retained its kind demeanor but also a respect for Zuo Xun's decision: "Let's part ways here, Sister Zuo. I'm sure you'll achieve your goals." Without further delay, Wu Ying Ying turned and quickly left. Zuo Xun opened her mouth, her words of farewell stuck in her throat, but her prideful dignity sealed her lips shut, holding back until Wu Ying Ying's figure disappeared around the corner. Only then did her sharp brows draw together tightly. With a rational mind suppressing her restless impulse, Zuo Xun clenched her fists and stepped in the opposite direction. Rather than follow Wu Ying Ying into misadventures, the urgent task at hand was to find another token for passage. At the other end of the path, Yan Zhao hugged her little fox tightly as she entered a dimly lit tunnel. The small bell on the fox's leg jingled softly. Bi Lan followed close behind, and hearing the sound, she casually asked Yan Zhao, "This little bell is quite unique and pretty. Where did you get it?" Yan Zhao replied, "My master gave it to me." "Oh," Bi Lan continued, "Why did you put it on its leg?" Usually, accessories for spirit pets were worn around the neck, weren't they? Yan Zhao lifted the little fox higher, revealing the silver bell on its leg: "It didn't want to wear it on its neck, so it's on its leg." Bi Lan paused in surprise. If her suspicion was correct... Bi Lan's gaze toward the little fox suddenly held a touch of intrigue. "So... that's how it is?" Could it be that this was the little fox's particular preference? "…" Facing Bi Lan's seemingly perceptive gaze, Ren Qing Yue was silently dismayed. No, that's not it at all! Chapter 203 Deep within the cavern, the tree monster continued to thrash about with its vine-like branches. Ye Yanran and Chen Er coordinated their efforts to restrain the tree monster, preventing it from approaching Xuan Yuan Mu. Chen Er was struck hard by a branch, leaving a wrinkle on her sleeve. Though it wasn't torn, she could guess that her arm must already be swollen, with layers of blue-purple bruises crisscrossing it. She landed with a somersault, gritting her teeth in pain as she shouted back, "Mu, not done yet?!" This tree spirit, with a little more cultivation, could probably contend with a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator. She and Ye Yanran could barely hold it back, perpetually on the defensive, unable to deal a decisive blow. The feeling was downright suffocating. It reminded her of the great battle she witnessed deep in the snowy mountains recently. If Ren Qing Yue were here, she'd likely split this tree spirit into a pile of useless wood chips with a single sword stroke. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Ren Qing Yue’s incredible talent seemed wasted in not wanting to be her senior sister, inheriting her master's legacy, which was such a pity. Whoosh— BL novels www fushutxt cc BL Book Website Not the moon, but the encounter with you is what I look forward to. Voluntary Donations The site has no ad revenue, and is non-profit. Donations are used for server expenses! Afraid of getting lost? Visit the donation page to add contact info! Click here to visit the donation page>> 331 Home Previous Page 188 Next Page Last Page