214 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

The ancestor of the Fu Yun Sect, Yun Daozi, questioned Yan Zhao's identity. To everyone's surprise, Yao Shenzi stepped forward, acknowledging Yan Zhao as his disciple and claimed that her participation under a concealed identity was orchestrated by him. Thus, Yan Zhao was indeed Nian Qing, a fact she now affirmed without doubt. What truly shocked was how much Yan Zhao had changed over the three years since they last met, making her almost unrecognizable. Bi Lan vividly recalled the first time she encountered Yan Zhao at Tian Zhu Peak, where Yan Zhao was relentlessly bullied by many inner disciples. Back then, she was a disheveled figure barely hanging on. But now, not only was she dressed tidily and her hair well-groomed, her features had matured significantly, looking so unlike the girl from before. Bi Lan sincerely praised her, "Congratulations on winning the competition." Yan Zhao calmly accepted Bi Lan's congratulations; this was her first acknowledgment since she won first place. She nodded in response, saying, "It really was quite arduous." Bi Lan was amused by her solemn demeanor, realizing that perhaps Yan Zhao hadn't changed all that much. Suddenly, Yan Zhao asked, "Have you seen my elder sister?" Bi Lan instinctively glanced at the little fox in Yan Zhao's arms. The tiny creature met Bi Lan's gaze, twitching its eyelids and guiltily turning its head away. Bi Lan thought: So Yan Zhao still doesn’t know that the little fox in her arms is Ren Qing Yue. Surprisingly, she assumed Yan Zhao already knew, especially considering the bell and all... Clearing her throat, Bi Lan replied, "I haven't seen her. Why are you looking for your elder sister?" At these words, the anticipation in Yan Zhao's eyes dimmed. Even Bi Lan hadn't seen the elder sister. Could it be that her elder sister hadn't come to the disciple conference at all? Was she unwilling to come, or had something else held her back? Yan Zhao couldn't help but indulge in wild speculations. Did this mean her sister didn't witness her grand victory at the competition? The thought left Yan Zhao somewhat regretful. She pouted slightly and explained to Bi Lan, "My elder sister said she would meet me in the Tai Xu Immortal Domain, yet she did not keep her word." Bi Lan stayed silent, thinking to herself: Perhaps the sister hadn't deliberately broken her promise. Though slightly downcast, Yan Zhao didn't remain troubled for long, for she had another reason for seeking Bi Lan. So, she asked, "Aren’t you skilled in crafting too?" Bi Lan, a bit out of practice conversing with Yan Zhao, almost couldn't follow the sudden shift in topic. After a brief pause, she inquired, "Is there anything you need?" Yan Zhao moved the little fox to her shoulder, retrieved a furnace from her waist, and lifted its lid to reveal a golden bat to Bi Lan. At first glance, Bi Lan furrowed her brow in confusion, seeing a golden bat inside the furnace. But soon her eyes widened in shock upon discerning the bat had three heads. "What is this?" Bi Lan couldn't help but raise her voice. Yan Zhao answered, "This is Xiao Jin." "Xiao Jin?" Bi Lan was momentarily puzzled, then realized Yan Zhao had named the golden bat Xiao Jin. She swiftly closed the lid and mouthed silently, "Is it a dragon?" Yan Zhao nodded, explaining, "It has a Spike of Sealed Spirit, which causes it great pain. Even my godmother can't remove it, but Xuan Yuan Mu said you might have a way." Bi Lan was taken aback for a moment, glancing instinctively at Xuan Yuan Mu. He was turned away from them, staring toward the doorway, lost in thought. Recapturing her focus, Bi Lan mulled over Yan Zhao's words, examining Xiao Jin’s situation in the furnace closely. "A Spike of Sealed Spirit..." Bi Lan murmured, partly absorbed in thought, carelessly asking Yan Zhao, "Who's your godmother?" "She's the Palace Master of Wanbao Palace," Yan Zhao admitted. Come to think of it, she hadn't yet discovered what her godmother's true name was. Yan Zhao pondered if she should seize an opportunity to inquire. Across from her, Bi Lan froze, nearly choking on her own breath upon hearing Yan Zhao's reply. Her lips twitched in disbelief, "Are you referring to Su Zijun, Senior Su?" "Oh," Yan Zhao realized, "So my godmother is named Su Zi Jun." Bi Lan was left speechless. Chapter 231 Old chap, you didn't even know your godmother's name. Bi Lan's mind was filled with exasperated ravens, yet she had come to understand Yan Zhao's unreliable nature deeply three years ago. Seeing Bi Lan in a daze, Yan Zhao prompted again, "Can you undo Xiao Jin's Spike of Sealed Spirit?" Bi Lan snapped back to focus, a sudden inspiration flashing through her mind. "I vaguely remember seeing something about that in ancient texts." Hearing this, Yan Zhao’s eyes sparkled, "Really?" Bi Lan nodded, "Indeed, but those texts should be in the Xuan Yuan clan's library. Let me return there to check." Yan Zhao quickly replied, "Then I'll go with you!" Bi Lan hesitated, "You should just wait here until I return." "Why?" Yan Zhao questioned. Thoughtfully, Bi Lan explained, "The Xuan Yuan clan is filled with prying eyes. Having won the competition's top prize, your identity is now widely known. I fear those people from Xuan Yuan might make you their target." Recalling similar warnings from her master in the Wanbao Palace hall earlier, Yan Zhao realized. If true, didn’t that mean she couldn’t move freely alone? How, then, was she supposed to hand her mother’s keepsake to Nan Gong Yin? Doubt settled in Yan Zhao's mind as Bi Lan prepared to leave immediately. They agreed that in three days Bi Lan would return to Wanbao Palace with records regarding the Spike of Sealed Spirit, and Yan Zhao was to wait there. Bi Lan soared away on her sword, the aura dissipating, only after which Xuan Yuan Mu turned around, seeing the light yellow sword gleam streak across the sky. In the infirmary, Chen Er sat by the bedside, head bowed, shoulders slumped, her silhouette filled with weariness. In her hands was a small medicine bottle given by Yan Zhao, yet it hung limply by her sides, too afraid to lift the covers over Ye Yan Ran. At the Mingjing Platform earlier, cradling the fallen Ye Yan Ran left an unforgettable touch in her hands. That gory, mangled wound was something she dared not behold a second time. Yet, if Yan Zhao’s remedy truly held miraculous healing properties, not using it might delay recovery. Chen Er frowned deeply, her mind ensnared in turmoil. She didn't know how long she wrestled with indecisiveness until heavier worries outweighed her hesitation, driving her to carefully peel back the thin quilt. Ye Yan Ran was dressed in only a white inner garment, with her throat bound tightly with bandages leading into her collar. A shiver ran through Chen Er at this sight. Though the traces of blood had been cleaned, she could not stop recalling every scene of that fateful event. Alongside the pain, a simmering hatred rose unbidden. She loathed that Xuan Yuan Zheng had died too easily. Finally steeled, Chen Er positioned herself at the bed’s edge. Delicately, she untied Ye Yan Ran's sash, slowly loosening the bandages. When the first wound emerged, Chen Er's pupils contracted as dizziness hit her, taking a moment to regain her composure. Xuan Yuan Mu had mentioned concern clouding her judgment; now she sensed the overwhelming burden of earnest care. Quelling the tremors within, she lifted the flask’s lid. A pungent odor hit her nose, bringing a frown. Distractedly, she mused: How terribly potent this concoction must be to stink so. Still, few remedies smelled pleasant. With newfound acceptance, Chen Er trusted the extract's potential, turning expressionless as she cautiously poured the liquid over Ye Yan Ran’s wounds. Once the injury was saturated, she moved to the next site. In that instant, she witnessed the wound beginning to heal noticeably. Chen Er’s eyes widened. Doubting her vision, she rubbed her eyes vigorously before peering again. The gaping injury was truly closing. "By heavens!" Chen Er marveled at the drug’s miraculous effect. Without hesitation, she quickly applied the elixir to all remaining wounds. Initially shaky, practice soon lent swiftness to her actions. After treating the throat injuries with the dwindling contents of the bottle, Chen Er began to lament not knowing if Yan Zhao possessed more of such a remedy. Every bit of its foul stench forgotten in light of its effectiveness. Watching as the wounds rapidly healed and Ye Yan Ran’s complexion visibly improved, Chen Er finally felt a sense of relief wash over her. She casually placed the medicine bottle on the bedside table and began to re-bandage Ye Yan Ran’s wounds. Once everything was tidied up, as she pulled up the covers, Chen Er noticed one of Ye Yan Ran’s hands lying outside the blanket. Pausing for a moment, she was moved by an unclear sentiment and gently took hold of Ye Yan Ran's hand. The fingertips were cold, though a trace of warmth lingered in the palm. Lifting Ye Yan Ran’s hand, she cupped it with both of hers, pressing it against her forehead and made a silent prayer, "Please wake up soon; if you do, I'll even serve you like a dog." "...Really?" The sudden voice startled Chen Er. Realizing the implication, her body froze as she slowly opened her eyes. Her hands obscured her vision, still clutching Ye Yan Ran's hand. Torn between dropping the hand to confirm whether Ye Yan Ran had truly awakened and fearing it was a mere illusion, and thus faced with disappointment, Chen Er remained in awkward suspension. A moment later, that familiar voice sounded again, "You just said it, and now you won't admit it?" Chen Er’s breath hitched, her hands trembling slightly. Gradually, she lowered her hands to clear her sight. On the bed, Ye Yan Ran’s long lashes lifted slightly. Her eyes, weak and mostly shuttered, unmistakably indicated she was now awake. "You’re awake!" Chen Er exclaimed in disbelief. Ye Yan Ran glanced at her sidelong, her lips faintly curved. Perhaps out of embarrassment or some other reason, Chen Er seemed to intentionally skirt the topic. Never mind, Ye Yan Ran sighed internally. To awaken and see Chen Er first, and only Chen Er, was already an extraordinary privilege for her. Chen Er continued to hold her hand, pretending ignorance as Ye Yan Ran asked, "Where am I?" "You're in the infirmary at Wanbao Palace," Chen Er replied with certainty and then inquired, "Are your wounds still painful?" Ye Yan Ran tried to sense her injuries, but found herself perplexed. Strangely, despite having suffered severe wounds, upon waking, she felt no pain. Yet seeing Ye Yan Ran frown, Chen Er became immediately flustered, "Does it hurt a lot?" Returning to her senses at Chen Er's anxious inquiry, Ye Yan Ran felt a mischievous urge and replied, "Very much." Chen Er pressed on, "Where does it hurt?" Ye Yan Ran replied, "Of course, the wounds hurt." Caught off-guard, Chen Er offered awkward comfort, "I applied medicine earlier; the wounds are healing. If you can bear through it, you should recover soon." Ye Yan Ran latched onto a crucial part of that statement, "You applied the medicine?" Facing Ye Yan Ran's inquisitive gaze, Chen Er's ears turned red, and she stammered, "Well, someone had to do it, and it just happened to be me..." Attempting to explain seemed only to worsen matters. Sensing an unexpected nuance but uncertain if her suspicions aligned with reality, Ye Yan Ran softly continued, "What I mean is, thank you." Chen Er, embarrassed, retorted, "We're friends, no thanks needed." The word "friends" uttered by Chen Er brought a resigned sigh from Ye Yan Ran.