195 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Bi Lan was momentarily dazed before tentatively asking, "Is it Yan Zhao, Junior Sister Yan?" She remembered that Yan Zhao had become a disciple under the Medicine God Sect, and Wu Ying Ying was the granddaughter of Elder Wu, so it was certain that Wu Ying Ying also knew Yan Zhao. "That's right!" Wu Ying Ying was quite surprised. "Miss Bi, you know Junior Sister Yan too?" As she spoke, Wu Ying Ying slapped her forehead, "Oh, how could I forget? You're a disciple of the Fu Yun Sect, so of course, you know Junior Sister Yan. She used to be with Fu Yun Sect before joining our sect. Junior Sister Yan is such an interesting person." Bi Lan had no time to reflect on this, instead showing a hint of puzzlement, "Interesting?" Yan Zhao, who had been silent, perked up her ears. Wu Ying Ying continued, "Yes, Junior Sister Yan has a soft personality, like a glutinous rice dumpling. No matter how you squeeze her, she won't get angry. She's incredibly patient and shockingly stable, with a uniquely interesting way of speaking that always catches people off guard." Bi Lan: "..." Are you sure you're describing Yan Zhao? The named person, however, found her lips curving more into a smile, greatly appreciating Wu Ying Ying's praise. Unknowingly, they had walked into a dead-end alley. Wu Ying Ying exclaimed aloud and turned to Yan Zhao, "It seems we've hit a dead-end." Yan Zhao nodded, preparing to turn back. Suddenly, Bi Lan extended a hand to stop her. As Yan Zhao turned to look at her, Bi Lan explained in a low voice, "Someone's coming." Before her words had even fully landed, several figures blocked their way from behind. Bi Lan quickly scanned the group, confirming they were not the same ones who had followed them earlier. Therefore, if these are new followers, then it must be a case of 'mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' Besides this group, there must be others even further back. The people blocking the path were not of low cultivation. Among the five, three were in the Golden Core stage and two in the Body Refinement stage. In the lead was a man with a small, monkey-like stature and a black eagle perched on his arm, undoubtedly a high-grade spiritual beast. Seeing this, Wu Ying Ying wisely retreated a few steps, determinately not wanting to drag Yan Zhao and Bi Lan down. Both sides sized each other up, estimating each other's strength. Previously in seclusion, Bi Lan had successfully condenses her core, and Yan Zhao was also in the Golden Core stage. However, to those blocking the path, the most significant threat was actually the little fox on Yan Zhao's shoulder. This spirit fox, despite its unassuming appearance, managed to easily defeat a Golden Core stage blade cultivator. Hence, they specifically recruited two more people, one of whom was also skilled in Beast Mastery. The spiritual eagle on that person's arm spread its wings wide, exuding an overwhelming presence, displaying utter disdain towards the little fox on Yan Zhao's shoulder. Its owner, equally arrogant, sneered, "Beast Mastery Sect? Never even heard of it." A fox can't possibly match the speed of a flying creature. Once they suppress the spirit fox, the passage tokens will be within their grasp. "Hand over the passage tokens if you’re smart!" Lu Ying opened directly, his nose lifted arrogantly, "Otherwise, you'll regret ever coming to Mirror Terrace today!" Though outnumbered, Wu Ying Ying was a bit frightened, but within the bounds of the rules, even if conflicts arose, they shouldn't lead to death. She glanced at Yan Zhao's back. From the first moment she laid eyes on Yan Zhao, she felt her demeanor was remarkably similar to Junior Sister Yan's. Unfortunately, Junior Sister Yan hadn't come to attend the Immortal Sect Disciple Conference. Wu Ying Ying thought it a pity, as she would have loved to introduce Miss Nian to Junior Sister Yan. Bi Lan frowned deeply, quickly formulating a strategy. Unexpectedly, Yan Zhao suddenly spoke from behind her, "Then make your move." Lu Ying paused, with even his underlings surprised that the seemingly gentle and weak Yan Zhao possessed such a tough character—this completely caught them off guard. One underling advised Lu Ying, "Boss, the situation doesn’t look right. They’re in an absolute disadvantage; how can they remain this unfazed? Do they have a hidden trump card?" A trump card? Lu Ying's eyes flickered, carefully observing the trio of Yan Zhao, Bi Lan, and Wu Ying Ying. Wu Ying Ying, looking anxious, hid in the background, and Bi Lan also showed signs of tension, yet only Yan Zhao seemed unfazed. Surely, it must be the fox she's relying on! Lu Ying made his judgment, dismissing the advisor by his side, "We have more people than they do! What of their trump card?" "Don't eat the food of good fortune!" He barked loudly, releasing the black eagle from his arm, "Given the case, don't blame me for being impolite!" Caw— The black eagle let out a sharp cry, flying off Lu Ying's arm, transforming into a bolt of lightning, charging straight at Yan Zhao. Its speed was blisteringly fast, as swift as lightning, in an instant passing by Bi Lan in front and reaching Yan Zhao. A sharp talon swooped directly towards the little fox on Yan Zhao's shoulder. Yan Zhao's expression turned cold. Before the little fox could respond, she raised her arm to block the talon's strike. The sharp talons dug into her arm, instantly causing blood to seep, staining her sleeve red. In those eerie green eyes of the little fox, a cold light flashed. It perceived that the black eagle's earlier attack was meant for Yan Zhao's throat. The black eagle was indeed fast, but unexpectedly, Yan Zhao's reaction was quicker, managing to intercept its talon, albeit at the cost of her own injury. Upon witnessing this, the little fox's fur bristled entirely. Though maintaining its proud posture, the black eagle's body suddenly became rigid, like a statue frozen in mid-air. It seemed to see the phantom of a nine-tailed fox enveloping Yan Zhao. Murderous intent boiled within those fox eyes, a glint of cold light suddenly emerging. The overwhelming pressure that only spiritual beasts could sense crashed upon it like an unrestrained flood, slamming into its body without mercy. The black eagle let out a frightened scream, releasing Yan Zhao. Suddenly, it forgot even how to fly, landing with its wings flapping wildly, scattering a cloud of dandelion-like feathers, then darting half-running, half-hopping behind Lu Ying, clutching his clothes tightly, trembling in fear. Lu Ying: "?" Chapter 210 The spiritual eagle was shaking like sieving chaff. No matter how Lu Ying coaxed it, it refused to come out again. His face alternated between green and white, utterly embarrassed by the scene. With a contract bond linking them, Lu Ying was acutely aware of the spiritual eagle's fear and terror. They hadn’t even begun to fight, yet they had already instilled this much fear into the spiritual eagle. Clearly, the spiritual fox was either of higher cultivation or rank, beyond the eagle's ability to contend with. Yet, with his followers watching, after having made such bold threats, the eagle’s performance left him truly in a dilemma. One embarrassed follower cast a glance at the spiritual eagle clinging to Lu Ying’s back, “Boss, are we still proceeding?” “If you want to go, then go yourself!” Lu Ying, enraged, grabbed the follower by the scruff and hurled him toward Yan Zhao. Having already obtained his passage token, Lu Ying would never have endured such humiliation if it wasn’t for standing up for these few incompetents. With a scream, the follower tumbled through the air. Bi Lan’s eyes flashed coldly, acting swiftly without hesitation. A tendril lashed from the ground, wrapping that follower tight, giving his cheeks a resounding slap, leaving him utterly disoriented. The other guy in the Body Refinement Realm saw what happened and turned pale, retreating several steps in disgrace before Lu Ying could utter a word. Seeing this, Lu Ying ground his teeth in anger. The two others accompanying him exchanged complex glances, each harboring their own thoughts. Backing off now would be too humiliating. Sensing the tables had turned, the black-clad swordsman on the left, carrying his sword, suddenly made his move. He didn’t aim for Yan Zhao or Bi Lan but instead, Wu Ying Ying standing bewildered behind them. The speed of his sword strike was lightning fast, a swift stream of light passing through narrow gaps, reaching Wu Ying Ying in an instant. Her pupils shrank, no time to react, finding the sword tip already at her throat. A hand gripped her shoulder firmly, pulling her backward, increasing the distance between her and Yan Zhao and Bi Lan. Bi Lan cried out in surprise, “Miss Wu!” Yan Zhao softly frowned, the little fox on her shoulder swished its tail, also showing a trace of impatience. What a cowardly tactic, to target Wu Ying Ying of all people. The swordsman pressed his sword against Wu Ying Ying’s neck, speaking in a hoarse voice, “Hand over the passage token.” Wu Ying Ying, now a hostage, her face turned ashen, too terrified to breathe. She was just a helpless alchemist, skilled only in refining pills, with cultivation only in the Body Refinement stage. Being caught, she was entirely at their mercy. Tears welled up in Wu Ying Ying’s eyes. She truly was dragging everyone down and regretted listening to her grandfather to attend any Immortal Sect Disciple Conference. The balance shifted again, with Lu Ying peeling his spiritual pet off his clothes, now smugly declaring, “We have a hostage now. Will you hand over the tokens voluntarily, or shall we search for them ourselves?” Bi Lan reacted swiftly, ordering the vine to coil around Lu Ying's underling's neck. "We have a hostage too!" The underling trembled with fear, never expecting the situation to flip like this. "It doesn't matter," the swordsman replied to her. "He doesn't have a passage token." Bi Lan: "..." How ruthless. Meanwhile, she discreetly moved one hand behind her, attempting to form a spell to rescue Wu Ying Ying. Sensing her intent, the swordsman shifted his blade horizontally, "Don't move!" A blood line appeared on Wu Ying Ying's neck instantly. Though it wasn't life-threatening, it certainly promised considerable pain. Bi Lan was forced to cease her spell-casting. The situation became more complicated. Yan Zhao remained silent, and Bi Lan communicated with her telepathically, "What do we do?" "...I don't know," Yan Zhao replied. She lacked experience in rescues, and given the opponent's speed with a sword, Wu Ying Ying might be injured before they could act. Are they seriously going to hand over the passage token? Yan Zhao pondered the viability of such a decision. With less than twelve hours left in the preliminary round, scattered tokens were likely already claimed. Searching for a token anew would be significantly harder without the sect’s guidance. "We can’t give it to them," Bi Lan communicated to Yan Zhao. "These people are insatiably greedy; they won’t stop at just one token." Yan Zhao agreed. But what about Wu Ying Ying? The two's silence seemed like they were buying time, prompting the swordsman to press the blade closer to Wu Ying Ying, coldly urging, "Hurry up, stop dawdling!" "Wu Wu Wu…" Wu Ying Ying, feeling despondent, mustered the courage to shout, "Miss Nian, Miss Bi, you can just leave me!" She knew her passage token was likely forfeit, but Yan Zhao and Bi Lan were far more powerful. These combatants stood no chance of stopping them if they chose to flee. The swordsman, growing anxious, exclaimed, "Silence!" He struck Wu Ying Ying on the back of the head, knocking her out. Bi Lan glared angrily but dared not make a move. The situation was turning bleak. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Yan Zhao petted the little fox’s head, racking her brain for a solution. This was a grand competition; despite their arrogance, they dared not kill. With that assurance, she still had a way to rescue Wu Ying Ying. Yan Zhao reached into her sleeve, expressionless. "I'll give you the token." "No, Miss Nian!" Bi Lan protested urgently. The swordsman sighed slightly with relief, yet his face remained stern. He nodded toward Yan Zhao, "Take out the token and throw it to them!" Yan Zhao retrieved the token, its palm-sized, rhombus-shaped dragon scale glinting in her hand. Holding the passage token in one hand, and with the other hand behind her, she formed a rarely used spell gesture. She tossed the passage token gently into the air, capturing everyone's gaze, including that of Bi Lan and the swordsman restraining Wu Ying Ying. At that exact moment, Yan Zhao harnessed her internal power, casting the spell her mother had first taught her. The Divine Movement Technique. Whoosh— To the swordsman, it seemed a mere afterimage flashed before his eyes. Suddenly, his wrist jerked; the sword blade skewed, and the next instant, his hand was empty—Wu Ying Ying had vanished. The passage token reached its apex high in the air while Lu Ying ordered his familiar to snatch it. *** The story leaves us wondering not about the moon, but the encounters we long for with you. --- The text was an excerpt from a web novel, with readers reminded of voluntary donations to support the non-profit and ad-free nature of the hosting website.