245 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

When Yaoshenzi struck the Yushi again, the creature collided with the mountain, breaking a leg, and its pitiful howls echoed for miles. Just as it seemed that Yaoshenzi and his companions were about to subdue the Yushi, an unexpected shift occurred. A rippling void emerged, and a powerful, oppressive force swept across the mountains and rivers. From within the swirling void fissure, a low voice commanded, "Stop!" Yaoshenzi had no intention of stopping initially, but the appearance of the oppressive force sent alarm signals ringing in his mind, prompting him to hastily halt his attack and retreat at the last moment. Swish— Almost simultaneously with his retreat, a brilliant azure light sliced through the air. In the next instant, the peak he had been standing on was reduced to flat ground; the entire mountaintop had been sheared off by the newcomer with a single stroke. A white figure appeared from the void, with the fierce wind sweeping through his hair like a deity descending to the mortal realm, exuding an extraordinary presence. The earlier attack had been a casual flick of his fingers transformed into a blade—an effortless feat. The Yushi transformed into a small, palm-sized blue orb and returned to the newcomer's hand. In a moment, it was released again, its injuries completely healed. Simultaneously, Su Zijun's copper mirror shattered with a crunch, rendering the enchanted tool useless for controlling the Yushi as before. Yaoshenzi and his two companions felt a heavy sinking in their hearts. They had fought with the Yushi for so long, finally about to subdue it, and now, in the blink of an eye, their efforts were in vain. The Yushi opened its mouth and expelled a silver-blue orb of light. This orb acted like a cage, imprisoning Nangong Yin within it. The orb holding Nangong Yin fell into the hands of the newcomer. He opened his palm, and the blue-glowing cage silently revolved in his grasp. A mocking smile appeared on the newcomer's handsome face, as his narrow phoenix eyes swept over the gathered trio with indifference: "Wanbao Palace, Yaoshen Sect, and Elder Dongfang of the Fuyun Sect." He identified each of them, a cold smile playing on his lips: "You all wish to rescue Nangong Yin from me together? Is the collusion between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm now so deep that you conspire to oppose the Celestial Realm?" Dongfang Cixin faced this threat with caution, while Yaoshenzi and Su Zijun's expressions turned serious. This man was no mere Celestial envoy or official—they could tell from his regal bearing that he might be a Xianjun, a Celestial Lord. Although his powers weakened upon descending from the Celestial Realm, his overwhelming strength remained formidable enough to possibly face Nangong Yin at her peak. Su Zijun's eyes flickered as she speculated on the true identity of this Xianjun. At this point, their efforts to rescue Nangong Yin and their falling out with the Celestial Alliance were inevitable, regardless of any accusations of collusion with demonkind. Any attempt at defense would only be self-defeating. Seeing their silence, yet preparing for battle, even Su Zijun abandoned her usual cordial demeanor. The Xianjun raised an eyebrow: "Since you insist on blocking my path, save your arguments for the Celestial Palace." With a wave of his sleeve, he coldly commanded the Yushi, "Spare those who surrender; those who don't have no need to be left alive—leave only one." Emboldened by its backing, the Yushi advanced more ferociously, bracing itself for action. Su Zijun, now without the means to restrain the Yushi, found herself and her companions once again at a disadvantage, knowing their true challenge had yet to begin. At that moment, Dongfang Cixin suddenly spoke, "Hasn't the Celestial Realm long sought Yan Yuanqing and the Divine Source Fruit? I know where they both are." Su Zijun and Yaoshenzi's expressions changed at once. The Xianjun showed an intrigued look, motioning for the Yushi to pause: "You wish to trade this information for your life? A wise decision." The report brought by Ying Xiao only mentioned discovering the whereabouts of the Divine Source Fruit, not Yan Yuanqing. If Dongfang Cixin spoke truthfully, then this mission was significantly fruitful. Dongfang Cixin's demeanor remained calm, ignoring Su Zijun's fury and anxiety, and she spoke, "This is a matter of great importance, and I will only divulge this information to you alone." The Xianjun's eyes betrayed a trace of amusement. He wondered what game this woman was playing; did she really think a mere trick could turn the situation? Confident in his strength, the Xianjun feared no tricks from Dongfang Cixin and instantly waved the Yushi aside, allowing Dongfang Cixin to approach him. Su Zijun, visibly agitated, attempted to intervene. Unfortunately, with a single roar from the Yushi, she was forced to retreat, clearing the path for Dongfang Cixin. Dongfang Cixin moved, crossing several yards of void space, gradually approaching. The Xianjun remained motionless, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as he prepared himself. However, Dongfang Cixin made no aggressive move. Upon reaching his side, she whispered something in the Xianjun's ear, her lips almost touching it. The Xianjun's expression grew increasingly stern, the calm façade dissipating. He cast a cold glance at Dongfang Cixin and asked in a deep voice, "Is this true?" Dongfang Cixin met his gaze without flinching: "You can verify it yourself." Outwardly composed, the Xianjun was inwardly taken aback. Though he found Dongfang Cixin's words absurd, he doubted she would risk her life for a lie. "Very well," the Xianjun allowed Dongfang Cixin to step back, "Once I've confirmed the truth, should your words be honest, your contribution may offset your transgression, and I will not pursue today's events." Dongfang Cixin let out a sigh of relief and bowed: "Many thanks for your magnanimity." The Xianjun glanced coldly at Su Zijun and Yaoshenzi, instructing the Yushi, "These two need not be spared." --- Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue climbed to Huangyin Peak, arriving outside the small waterfall. As they prepared to head to Dongfang Cixin’s cave dwelling, Yan Zhao suddenly detected a change in the air. She jerked Ren Qingyue back: "Senior sister, I smell blood." At the same time, Ren Qingyue sensed the unusual atmosphere outside the cave. The area, a hundred feet in every direction, was eerily silent, making the babbling of the waterfall and its echoes particularly piercing. Ren Qingyue signaled for silence, her expression grave, indicating for Yan Zhao to remain still and find a place to hide without making any rash moves. She would go check first. Yan Zhao showed signs of worry: "Could it be dangerous?" Concerned that her senior sister could be ambushed, she wished to accompany her. Ren Qingyue shook her head, "I don't know, but if there's danger, it's even more crucial you don't come." "But why!" Yan Zhao was desperate, "I can help, I won't be a hindrance!" Her internal seal now lifted greatly increasing her strength, Yan Zhao had learned to control part of her power and was certain she wouldn’t hold her senior sister back. Seeing Yan Zhao's worried and aggrieved expression, like a puppy not trusted, Ren Qingyue softened, replying helplessly: "If there's an ambush, coming with me makes us both targets, bringing nothing but harm. Hiding allows you to better observe the situation and provide me with support." This wasn’t just an excuse to appease Yan Zhao. After the day's previous confrontation, Ren Qingyue had realized that while Yan Zhao's maturity might be lacking, she possessed the strength to contend with powerful figures. She couldn't treat Yan Zhao as an ignorant child in terms of emotions or capability. Constant worry would only create unnecessary limitations, and excessive interference would hinder Yan Zhao's growth. Like young eagles attempting their first flight by leaping off a cliff, sometimes they needed the chance to grow. Reassured, Yan Zhao analyzed her sister’s words and acknowledged their logic. Feeling convinced by Ren Qingyue, she nodded: "Alright, I'll be outside, ready to help you." As Ren Qingyue headed for the cave dwelling, Yan Zhao found a vantage point outside where she could discreetly observe. Moments later, instead of Ren Qingyue, a small bat flew overhead. The bat flew straight to Yan Zhao, landing on her face with a flapping sound. Yan Zhao plucked the bat off, opening her hand to inspect it. "Xiao Jin?" she exclaimed in surprise, quickly checking the alchemical furnace by her waist. Opening the lid, she found it indeed empty. The small dragon waggled its three tiny heads, chattering away as it scolded Yan Zhao for running too fast earlier. Just then, a flash of blue light appeared outside the cave. Ren Qingyue emerged from behind the waterfall, urgently calling to Yan Zhao, "A-Zhao, we need to leave, something's happened!" --- At the Fuyun Sect's boundary, mountains stood like screens, covered in dense wilderness. Upon receiving the command, the Yushi's eyes gleamed with fierce light as it advanced towards Su Zijun and Yaoshenzi. Su Zijun's face was as cold as ice. Yaoshenzi, however, slowly furrowed his brow, a fleeting doubt crossing his eyes. Had Dongfang Cixin truly betrayed them? Could someone who secretly switched out Yan Yuanqing's corpse, hiding it from Fuyun Sect's higher-ups for three hundred years, suddenly change their stance? Their acquaintance with Dongfang Cixin was brief, and they didn't know much about her character. Previously, Dongfang Cixin had lent them a hand, possibly because she could still afford to. Now, with her life in danger, choosing to pledge allegiance to the Celestial Realm would be a natural human response—not particularly surprising. However, the situation had abruptly become dire. While the trio had already been struggling against the Yushi, Dongfang Cixin's sudden betrayal left only Yaoshenzi and Su Zijun to face it. Both were injured, and quickly found themselves losing ground. They were no match for the Yushi. The Yushi was an advanced magical creature, possessing intelligence formed from a high-grade artifact, rendering most of Su Zijun's enchanted tools ineffective. Forced back by the immense force of the Yushi's blows, Yaoshenzi's internal injuries worsened, his face growing increasingly pale. With Yaoshenzi momentarily paused to catch his breath, the Yushi seized the opportunity, lunging at him with its gaping maw filled with rows of sharp teeth, capable of swallowing half of Yaoshenzi's body. Just as Yaoshenzi was about to be devoured, a flash from an enchanted tool struck the Yushi's eye. The Yushi howled in pain and stumbled back a couple of steps. Though the tool couldn't harm the Yushi, it was enough to delay its lethal intent. Again and again, the Yushi grew increasingly enraged by being thwarted. Failing to consume Yaoshenzi, it turned its attention to Su Zijun. Having just aided Yaoshenzi, Su Zijun found her own magical reserves dwindling. The Yushi charged at her, fierce winds and oppressive power barreling towards her, but her injuries slowed her response just long enough for its claws to tear into her arm, leaving a deep wound down to the bone. After pledging her allegiance, Dongfang Cixin refrained from intervening. Even as Su Zijun and her companions faced mortal peril, she remained a silent observer. Unnoticed, the night passed painfully slowly, and yet, it wasn't over. Scenting blood, the Yushi's gaze grew fiercer as it lunged again at Su Zijun. Yaoshenzi wished to assist, but moving sent searing pain through his entire body, halting his steps and leaving him to watch helplessly as Su Zijun faced danger alone. "It seems it's about to end," the Xianjun remarked with amusement. Dongfang Cixin's long lashes lowered, her eyes blinking swiftly. As the Yushi neared Su Zijun, suddenly a shadowy mist flew in, forming a shield that intercepted its attack. With a loud impact, the shield shattered into countless tiny black insect corpses, falling like snowflakes from the sky. At the same moment, Dongfang Cixin swept in, rescuing Su Zijun. Su Zijun froze, and Yaoshenzi looked equally astonished. The Xianjun's expression changed sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he glared at Dongfang Cixin: "What is the meaning of this?" Dongfang Cixin looked up at him: "Isn't my intention clear enough? Perhaps you should first inspect your own palm." His attention caught, the man instinctively opened his palm to see it covered in numerous tiny red dots. Dongfang Cixin continued, "If your hands aren't enough proof, you might want to check your chest as well." The Xianjun's face shifted from surprise to shock, quickly tearing open his garment to look.