218 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

The last few words were difficult for her to utter. Yan Zhao listened, furrowing her brow. Ren Qing Yue also secretly drew in a breath of cold air. Could the spirit awakened in such a way truly be a tool spirit? Or was it merely imprisoning a person’s soul in a spirit puppet, making life a living hell for them. Such behavior, how was it any different from that of a sinister cultivator? Bi Lan's throat moved as she suppressed the nausea rising to her throat. She spoke with difficulty: “The head of the family...he did not just craft artifacts. He altered corpses; he brought Xuan Yuan Zheng back and used artifact techniques to turn him into a monster.” The Nine-Tailed Fox abruptly halted in its tracks. Yan Zhao did not understand what this meant. But Bi Lan didn’t need to explain further, for Yan Zhao would soon know the truth. A figure appeared out of nowhere at the end of the road, blocking their path. It was a monster wearing Xuan Yuan Zheng’s skin. Chapter 235 Xuan Yuan Zheng? Yan Zhao was at first stunned, then realized: the person resembling Xuan Yuan Zheng was likely the monster Bi Lan had referred to. Could this Xuan Yuan family even be considered a legitimate place? Monsters roamed freely, it was practically comparable to a demonic den. Oh no, Yan Zhao shook her head, realizing that saying so was unfair, even an insult to the demonic den. All the way here, what Yan Zhao encountered was nothing but unexpected obstacles. At the moment of Xuan Yuan Zheng's appearance, Yan Zhao immediately recalled the corpse puppets she'd seen before, pondering what differences there might be between the Xuan Yuan family's monsters and the corpse puppets crafted by the Fu Yun Sect. She spoke to the Nine-Tailed Fox, “Put me down.” Earlier, while battling the spirit puppet, the fox’s tail had already been injured. Yan Zhao reckoned she should be able to handle Xuan Yuan Zheng herself. The Nine-Tailed Fox ignored Yan Zhao, sensing danger, it leaped without hesitation. Boom— An extensible iron chain erupted from the ground, chasing after them like a venomous snake. Yan Zhao was taken aback, looking down to find that the other end of the chain was attached to Xuan Yuan Zheng’s right leg. Xuan Yuan Zheng stood on only his left foot; the right leg below the knee transformed into a hook chain, darting out thirty meters like lightning, failing to catch the fox, before pausing mid-air and retracting along the same path. The hook chain burrowed back into the ground, coiling beneath Xuan Yuan Zheng’s foot, reforming into the appearance of a normal leg. Yan Zhao's eyes widened: “How is this possible?” More outrageous than the corpse puppets she had seen before, this monster required no one to control it, possessing an independent will of its own, launching attacks on intruders unprompted. Were it not for this accident, who would have discovered Xuan Yuan Kai’s grotesque deeds conducted in secret? He deserved the retribution he received, Yan Zhao thought. The Nine-Tailed Fox swiftly retreated, widening the gap between them and Xuan Yuan Zheng. Xuan Yuan Zheng opened his mouth, spitting out a volley of hidden weapons. These weapons were sharp, their surfaces poisoned. The Nine-Tailed Fox swung her long tail, using her protective aura to repel the weapons, causing some to fly back. Rustling as if some of the weapons vanished, one or two struck Xuan Yuan Zheng. The sharp blades failed to cut flesh, instead ringing with the sound of metal clashing, the skin mask tearing to reveal the metallic hue underneath, identical to the spirit puppet from the underground chamber. Though this monster resembled Xuan Yuan Zheng, it was only wearing a human skin, underneath it remained a spirit puppet. The metal utilized to craft these spirit puppets was far beyond ordinary, making them virtually indestructible through normal means. This puppet itself was far superior to Xuan Yuan Zheng in quality, and in combat ability, it likely rivaled those at the Void Refinement Realm. The Nine-Tailed Fox flicked her tail, sending several tails to lash out, ensnaring Xuan Yuan Zheng, and then swinging him down with force. With a loud crash, the ground became cratered from the impact, yet Xuan Yuan Zheng lay unscathed. Ren Qing Yue inwardly snorted; this thing was truly troublesome. Xuan Yuan Zheng expressionlessly climbed to his feet. Yan Zhao, observing, was lost in thought, wondering if the Qing Shuang Sword could harm the monster. Thinking followed by action, she decided to retrieve the Qing Shuang Sword from its case and handed it to the Nine-Tailed Fox: “Try using this.” Upon seeing, the Nine-Tailed Fox wrapped the Qing Shuang Sword in her tail and hurled it like a dart. As the cyan light sliced the air, Xuan Yuan Zheng sensed danger and instinctively retreated. Effective. The Nine-Tailed Fox’s tail curled back around the Qing Shuang Sword, launching another attack. Swish, swish, swish. Sword energy flew. Soon, one or two rays landed squarely on Xuan Yuan Zheng. He was no longer as composed as before, instead frantically dodging, and where the sword energy struck, the skin peeled away, leaving prominent marks on the metal beneath. Yan Zhao was awestruck: “I didn’t expect Snowball’s sword skills to be this formidable!” Not to mention, Snowball wielded the sword as proficiently as a top disciple! Was a fox’s tail truly so dexterous? Her own swordsmanship paled in comparison to that of the fox, leading Yan Zhao into deep self-reflection. Perhaps she ought to put in more effort, spend more time practicing swordsmanship. Maybe it wasn’t that her senior sister demanded too much of her before, but that she had truly been too lazy. While pondering, Yan Zhao noticed Bi Lan beside her out of the corner of her eye. Bi Lan had her eyes tightly shut, having fainted. Both of them were wrapped in the Nine-Tailed Fox's tail, suspended in mid-air, and as the fox moved quickly, they swung around erratically. Yan Zhao had grown accustomed to the motion, but Bi Lan, experiencing it for the first time, couldn’t help reacting. Another resounding crash echoed as Xuan Yuan Zheng was struck by a series of sword energies, flung backward. The Qing Shuang Sword performed brilliantly, leaving Xuan Yuan Zheng’s body riddled with holes, one arm even severed. The arm spiraled away, lost in some crevice. The Nine-Tailed Fox raised the sword, poised to deliver the final blow to Xuan Yuan Zheng. Suddenly, a sharp blade, without prior warning, emerged from an angle. The Nine-Tailed Fox’s eyes caught sight of the severed arm springing up from the crevice, with blade tips extending from both ends, spiraling towards Yan Zhao. The tail retracted, Yan Zhao’s body dropping low to avoid the spiraling blades. These blades missed Yan Zhao, continuing forward until they reattached to Xuan Yuan Zheng, merging with the severed arm’s wound. The Nine-Tailed Fox’s expression turned icy. It was unclear where this spirit puppet’s weak point lay; even a dismembered arm could be reattached. Just as it intended to continue the attack, forcefully clearing a path, a pillar of flame surged from behind the puppet, engulfing Xuan Yuan Zheng in an instant. A sharp phoenix cry pierced the sky, causing Yan Zhao and the Nine-Tailed Fox to look up simultaneously, where they saw Xuan Yuan Mu approaching alongside the Cai Huang spirit puppet, reaching the Nine-Tailed Fox in just a few leaps. Xuan Yuan Zheng’s clothing caught aflame, burning fiercely, yet the figure showed no signs of succumbing, functioning unimpeded while enveloped in fire. Yan Zhao offered Xuan Yuan Mu a friendly reminder: “It's immune to weapons and fire.” Even the Qing Shuang Sword was ineffective at complete destruction, merely wounding it. Yan Zhao even mused that had Xuan Yuan Kai equipped himself similarly, the outcome of their encounter might have remained uncertain. Acknowledging with a nod, Xuan Yuan Mu solemnly responded, “Take Bi Lan and leave first.” Engaging with this creature would likely consume much time. The chaos within Xuan Yuan’s family was bound to soon attract onlookers. The Nine-Tailed Fox glanced her way, prompting Yan Zhao to add: “It’s quite formidable, being alone is dangerous.” Xuan Yuan Mu gave her arm a slight shake. The Cai Huang spirit puppet then soared, transforming into a streak of crimson light, rushing toward Xuan Yuan Zheng. Yan Zhao heard Xuan Yuan Mu calmly reply, “I’m not alone.” “…Alright then,” Yan Zhao thought aloud. At this moment, Bi Lan awoke faintly, noticing an additional presence by the Nine-Tailed Fox. She murmured, “Sister Mu.” Hearing her, Xuan Yuan Mu spared a glance, her tone firm: “You take Miss Yan and leave.” Amidst the rumbling, Bi Lan gathered her senses, watching the Cai Huang engage Xuan Yuan Zheng. Worried, she asked, “What about you?!” Should Xuan Yuan Kai arrive, he would undoubtedly spare no mercy towards Xuan Yuan Mu. Knowing her concern, Xuan Yuan Mu calmly reassured, “Xuan Yuan Kai is already dead.” Bi Lan was stunned. Yan Zhao gasped upon hearing, not entirely surprised; considering his injuries, without prompt treatment, it was very probable for him to die. Yet the swiftness of it was still quite surprising to her. Xuan Yuan Mu then performed another incantation, with Cai Huang spewing forth a pillar of flames, further searing Xuan Yuan Zheng. Under the extreme heat, the metal on Xuan Yuan Zheng’s exterior began showing signs of melting. Yan Zhao called out: “Snowball, now’s your chance!” The Nine-Tailed Fox reacted swiftly, sweeping her long tail and slashing with the sword in one fluid motion. Swish— The Qing Shuang Sword, sharp enough to cut through metal softened by the high heat, proved unstoppable. Xuan Yuan Zheng was sliced into two pieces by a single stroke. A heart rolled out from the metal-encased body, falling into the raging fire below. The Cai Huang's assault paused, and Xuan Yuan Mu turned to look at the Nine-Tailed Fox beside her. Yan Zhao spoke up: “Let’s leave together.” Wrapping her tail around Xuan Yuan Mu, the Nine-Tailed Fox leaped into the air, carrying the three of them swiftly away. · At the Immortal Alliance headquarters, Ying Xiao's study door was knocked on. “Master, there’s news.” Ying Xiao ceased writing, looking up at the messenger. Recognizing the person as the one he sent to track Yan Zhao and keep an eye on Nan Gong Yin, he frowned, “Why have you returned? What happened?” The individual hurried to the center of the room and, with a respectful bow to Ying Xiao, reported, “Master, the head of the Xuan Yuan family, Xuan Yuan Kai, has died.” Ying Xiao's expression became serious: “How did he die?” Just three days ago, at the conclusion of the assembly, the man seemed well. How did he suddenly end up dead? Recently shaken by a string of unexpected events, Ying Xiao’s first thought upon hearing this news was: Might someone be plotting against me again? The messenger continued, “Yan Zhao accompanied Xuan Yuan Mu to the Xuan Yuan family to search for someone, but we were blocked by a forbidden formation halfway and couldn’t follow them in. We had to wait outside for their return.” The more Ying Xiao listened, the tighter his frown became, his voice commanding, “Get to the point.” The messenger hurriedly continued, “After they came out, the Xuan Yuan family estate was engulfed in flames. We sent people to investigate and discovered Xuan Yuan Kai’s corpse.” Ying Xiao asked, “Did you find out who killed him?” “We don’t know who the murderer is,” the messenger shook his head, “But Xuan Yuan Kai was severely wounded by a sword before being burned to death. We suspect it might be Yan Zhao…” Before he could finish, Ying Xiao interrupted with, “Do you think that’s likely?” The messenger fell silent, then honestly replied after a moment, “Not very likely.” After all, Xuan Yuan Kai was a master of the Integration Realm, while Yan Zhao was merely in the Core Formation stage, worlds apart in terms of power. Ying Xiao stroked his chin, speculating, “It’s likely that Xuan Yuan Kai tried to seize the Qing Shuang Sword and was killed by the sword spirit.” The spy seemed to have an epiphany, admiringly acknowledging, “The Master has pointed it out, it must be so!” Chapter 236 The Nine-Tailed Fox dashed out of the Xuan Yuan estate, confronted by Xuan Yuan family members who discovered and pursued them. The crowd barred their way, and the Nine-Tailed Fox, unwilling to kill indiscriminately, was forced to halt. Xuan Yuan Mu then spoke, “Let me handle this.” Saying so, she disentangled herself from the fox tail and stepped forward. The servants, upon seeing her face in the flickering firelight, were shocked: “Miss Mu!” Witnessing this, Bi Lan also asked the fox to release her, then quickly stepped beside Xuan Yuan Mu, shouting, “Make way!” If it were only Xuan Yuan Mu, that might have been tolerable, but even Bi Lan siding with them left the servants exchanging bewildered glances. Although Bi Lan was just an adopted daughter of the main family and not highly valued by the head couple, she still held a legitimate status, and the servants dared not offend her. The disparity in strength was clear; they couldn’t match them in battle, but any trouble could easily be blamed on Bi Lan and Xuan Yuan Mu. Without much hesitation, the leader of the servants suddenly struck his own chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood, then signaled for the crowd behind to disperse.