222 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Yan Zhao kept this in mind and began accompanying Ren Qing Yue to greet the fox queen every day. This routine naturally extended to the present. Su Zi Jun preferred to cultivate in the purple bamboo forest. While carrying the fox through the forest, Yan Zhao unexpectedly ran into Bi Lan, who was also coming to see Su Zi Jun. The previous night, Xuan Yuan Mu and Yan Zhao had rescued Bi Lan. Not wishing to leave without a word, she spent the night at the medical center in the Wanbao Palace. After a brief rest, Bi Lan regained some of her energy and decided to visit Su Zi Jun to bid farewell before departing. Now that the Xuan Yuan clan had been destroyed and she had no home to return to, her only option was Fu Yun Sect, which was preparing its sect ceremony. She needed to return there without fail. She didn’t expect to encounter Yan Zhao as soon as she stepped into the purple bamboo forest. "Yan Junior Sister," Bi Lan greeted proactively. Yan Zhao responded with a friendly smile, "How are your injuries?" Bi Lan felt her sincerity and replied, "I'm fine now." Yan Zhao asked, "Are you also here to see my foster mother?" "Yes," Bi Lan nodded. "I'm here to say goodbye to Palace Master Su." Yan Zhao was surprised, "You're leaving?" Recalling how Yan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Mu barged into the Xuan Yuan clan last night, Bi Lan felt a subtle shift in her feelings. A fleeting emotion from her past surfaced again, so she playfully asked Yan Zhao, "Are you reluctant to see me go?" As she spoke, she glanced sideways at the small fox cradled in Yan Zhao's arms. Sure enough, the fox's ears perked up immediately, eyes filled with vigilance. But Yan Zhao answered straightforwardly, "Not really." Bi Lan: "..." The small fox’s eyelids fluttered, its ears relaxed, and its fluffy tail gently swayed back and forth. Bi Lan's eyes showed a hint of helplessness. After being separated for three years, she realized that she and Yan Zhao had changed, and any friendship they had before seemed to have dwindled. Feeling somewhat melancholic, Bi Lan understood that the brief turmoil in her heart was ultimately just her wishful thinking. Someone as straightforward as Yan Zhao might find it difficult to grasp the complexities of human relationships. Still, she was somewhat curious. As if by chance, Bi Lan brought up another question, "Yan Junior Sister, do you have someone you like?" The small fox's tail began to swish impatiently. What ridiculous question is this? Yan Zhao blinked, seemingly unsure of the question's implications. Bi Lan chuckled; it was just as she suspected. Just as she was about to change the topic, Yan Zhao suddenly answered, "Yes." The small fox's eyes sharpened, and its fur bristled. What?!! "Ah?" Bi Lan was also taken aback by the unexpected answer. After a moment of hesitation, she asked Yan Zhao, "Is it someone you wish to grow old with, someone you truly like?" Yan Zhao contemplated the phrase "grow old together," finding it quite evocative. She had never imagined what her Senior Sister would look like with gray hair. Yet, if they could truly spend their entire lives together, watching her transform from youthful and vibrant to an old lady missing teeth seemed quite intriguing. Senior Sister was so beautiful when young; surely she'd grow into a charming old lady. Her master had also mentioned that liking someone means wanting to be with them forever. Since no one else was around, sharing her secret didn’t feel embarrassing; in fact, it seemed quite joyful. Yan Zhao told Bi Lan, "It's the kind of like that makes you want to grow old together." Unfortunately, Senior Sister didn’t like her enough. Thinking about this made Yan Zhao feel troubled. Senior Sister had used the excuse of attending the Immortal Sect Disciples' Conference to leave secretly. Now, several months had passed since the conference ended. Even though Yan Zhao had earned the grand prize, she still hadn’t seen her Senior Sister again. She wondered when she would see her again. "Yan Junior Sister," Bi Lan looked around and, seeing no one, asked cautiously and curiously in a lowered voice, "Could you tell me who it is you like?" In conclusion, she assured Yan Zhao, "Don’t worry; I won’t tell anyone." In Yan Zhao's arms, the small fox’s little paws tightened on Yan Zhao's sleeve, unable to smooth down its bristled fur. Its head lifted, and its eyes fixed intently on Yan Zhao. Who could it be? Everyone Yan Zhao had encountered in the past three years played through its mind. It started to overthink, especially since Yan Zhao had interacted with many people, both men, and women, during the recent Immortal Sect Disciples' Conference. Ren Qing Yue’s mind locked onto a suspicious face, wondering: Could it be Wu Yingying? Yan Zhao had interacted with Wu Yingying in several rounds of competition and had even invited her to team up in the second round. Just as this thought crossed her mind, Yan Zhao’s clear voice sounded in her ear. "I like Senior Sister." Chapter Two Hundred and Forty The small fox froze, its fur smoothed down, eyes vacant. Bi Lan was stunned, instinctively glancing at the fox in Yan Zhao's arms, momentarily hesitant before asking, "Who? Which Senior Sister?" "I only have one Senior Sister," Yan Zhao answered truthfully, pronouncing her name clearly, "Her name is Ren Qing Yue." She could even write these three characters. Bi Lan finally snapped back to reality, understanding dawning on her face, "I see. Does Senior Sister know?" Yan Zhao didn’t catch her meaning, "Know what?" Bi Lan’s curiosity burned, but Yan Zhao's earnest eyes made her a bit self-conscious. After clearing her throat, Bi Lan phrased her question carefully, "I mean, does Senior Sister know that you like her?" Yan Zhao pouted, "I haven’t told her, so of course she doesn’t know." Bi Lan noticed that the small fox’s eyes were vacant, its tail lifeless. It looked as if its soul had left its body, leaving it unsure of what it thought. She didn’t know much about Ren Qing Yue, only what she had heard, and had no idea how Senior Sister would react to Yan Zhao’s revelation. Bi Lan asked again, "Have you ever considered confessing to Senior Sister?" "What does 'confessing' mean?" Yan Zhao questioned Bi Lan’s choice of words. "It means sharing your feelings," Bi Lan explained to Yan Zhao. "Telling Senior Sister that you like her." Yan Zhao shook her head, "No." These two words snapped the small fox back to reality, making it look up at Yan Zhao. Bi Lan was also puzzled, "Why not?" She thought someone as straightforward and unreserved as Yan Zhao wouldn’t be shy and would confess without hesitation if they truly liked someone. Yan Zhao explained, "Liking Senior Sister doesn’t mean she’ll like me back. There are so many people who like Senior Sister. Those who confess to her seem to drift apart afterward, and I don’t want that to happen." Although Yan Zhao’s reasoning was a bit roundabout, Bi Lan fully understood. With a wistful sigh, Bi Lan acknowledged, "That’s true." Someone as exceptional as Ren Qing Yue, even temporarily transformed into a small fox following Yan Zhao, would soar high when the time came. Furthermore, the nine-tailed fox was an ancient mythical beast from the Qingqiu Fox Clan, potentially linking Ren Qing Yue to the demon clan. Even without considering whether Ren Qing Yue could reciprocate Yan Zhao’s feelings, the sheer complexity of their identities would be intimidating enough. On this point, Bi Lan could sympathize. However, the small fox nestled in Yan Zhao’s arms showed a glimmer of confusion in its green gemstone-like eyes, indicating it was lost in thought. The topic ended there, and Bi Lan didn’t pursue it further. Walking side by side through the depths of the purple bamboo forest, Bi Lan mentioned, "You probably won’t return for the Fu Yun Sect's ceremony, right?" Considering how Yan Zhao was mistreated at Tianzhu Peak, if Bi Lan were in her position, she wouldn’t return to Fu Yun Sect if she had found another place to belong. But she was just a reed, and defecting from her sect privately would come at a cost she couldn't afford. Yan Zhao said, "I plan to go." Bi Lan stopped in her tracks, surprised, "You're going back?" "Yes," Yan Zhao nodded, "I have things to do." She didn’t elaborate on what those things were. Bi Lan didn’t know the whole story and assumed that Yan Zhao had reconciled with her past and held no resentment towards Fu Yun Sect. Given Yan Zhao’s current strength, returning would undoubtedly shock those who had once mocked her. Who could have imagined that the "worthless" person once thrown out of the sect, thought to be doomed, not only returned but did so in spectacular fashion? Yan Zhao had openly defeated Zuo Xun and claimed the top prize at the Immortal Sect Disciples' Conference. Picturing Yan Zhao's triumphant return, Bi Lan felt an inexplicable thrill, more delighted than if she had avenged her own grievances. "We could travel together," Bi Lan suggested happily, "It'll be nice to have company on the road." Yan Zhao replied, "I'll leave a bit later." Bi Lan kindly reminded her, "If you leave too late, you might not make it; the sect ceremony is only a month away." "I know," Yan Zhao nodded, "I have the Heavenly Transformation Scroll. I'll get there in no time." Bi Lan: "..." She realized her oversight. How could she forget Yan Zhao’s connections? Her mentor was the Medicine God Son, her foster mother Su Zi Jun; having treasures like that was hardly surprising. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Bi Lan resigned herself to the fact that she'd better travel the old-fashioned way by flying on her sword. Thus, she told Yan Zhao, "Then I'll be off today, and we'll meet again at the sect ceremony." Yan Zhao nodded in agreement, "Alright." As they conversed, they reached the deeper part of the purple bamboo forest. Su Zi Jun was meditating cross-legged among the bamboo. Bi Lan and Yan Zhao paid their respects with cupped hands. "You two are up early," Su Zi Jun remarked, her eyes sweeping over Bi Lan's small bundled belongings slung on her back, "Are you leaving, Miss Bi?" "Yes," Bi Lan replied, taking her leave from Su Zi Jun, "I must return to my sect for the ceremony. I'm departing today. Thank you for your hospitality last night." Su Zi Jun waved her hand dismissively, "No matter. When you return, please convey to your sect leader that I'm quite curious about how your sect ceremony will be held. I will definitely pay a visit and observe, perhaps gain some insights." Bi Lan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Su Zi Jun to attend Fu Yun Sect’s ceremony. However, it made sense upon reflection. Yan Zhao's previous treatment at Fu Yun Sect wasn’t a secret; Su Zi Jun likely intended to support Yan Zhao. Bi Lan felt a deep respect for Su Zi Jun and couldn't help but feel envious of Yan Zhao's good fortune in having such a foster mother. With both the Medicine God Son and Su Zi Jun looking out for Yan Zhao, she had indeed gone from hardship to prosperity. Who would dare bully her again? Consequently, Bi Lan replied respectfully, "Yes, I will be sure to pass your words on." After waving her off, Bi Lan respectfully bowed again and said farewell to Yan Zhao before turning to leave the purple bamboo forest. Once Bi Lan departed, Su Zi Jun glanced at Yan Zhao, "Zhao’er, did you practice your swordsmanship this morning?" Yan Zhao was carrying a new sword at her waist, prompting Su Zi Jun to ask. "Yes," Yan Zhao nodded, "I practiced for one hour." Su Zi Jun praised her, "Very diligent. With such dedication, Zhao’er is bound to achieve great things in time." Embarrassed by the compliment, Yan Zhao sheepishly scratched the back of her head with a grin. Su Zi Jun continued, "Sit down, have a chat with your foster mother." So Yan Zhao obediently settled down in front of Su Zi Jun. This visit marked the beginning of a month-long discourse. Every day, Yan Zhao came, and Su Zi Jun personally imparted knowledge and taught through storytelling. She told Yan Zhao of the world’s origins, the division of the Immortal, Human, and Demon realms, and the legends that arose from those times. These tales captivated Yan Zhao, leaving her in awe of Su Zi Jun’s vast knowledge and talents. Like a story from hundreds of thousands of years ago, when the three realms fought against the external spirits. A renowned master known as the Yellow Sea Daoist, formerly the vanguard for the previous Immortal Emperor, and the ancient progenitor of the Corpse Curse Sorcerers, led ten thousand fallen soldiers to block the spirits beyond the Void Gate, an achievement of legendary proportions.