248 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Oriental Cixin was taken aback, turning to Yan Zhao with surprise. "So all along, the Spirit Condensing Pearl was with you!" Yan Yuanqing was usually quite tight-lipped; even she had no idea of the pearl's whereabouts. Yet, driven by an inexplicable intuition, she suspected that Yan Yuanqing had some secondary plans and wouldn't easily succumb to fate and suffering. Yan Zhao responded, "I've worn this pearl since childhood." She wasn't quite sure how she came to possess it, but she recalled her senior sister mentioning that it was a protective charm given by their master. Without this pearl, she wouldn't have lived to the ripe old age of three hundred with her mortal body. As the words left her mouth, Yan Zhao suddenly realized—a dawn of understanding—that she had always been the favored one. Upon receiving the Spirit Condensing Pearl, Oriental Cixin was questioned by Yan Zhao, "With this, will my mother awaken?" "No," Oriental Cixin shook her head. Yan Zhao was deeply disappointed. Seeing her sudden dismay, Oriental Cixin couldn't bear to leave her without hope. She reassured her, "If this artifact can resonate with Yan Yuanqing’s body, her corporeal form will cease to decay. The pearl has a soul-nurturing effect; gathering the spirit is just a matter of time." In other words, even if they couldn't find any more fragments of Yan Yuanqing's soul, as long as the pearl remained on her body, Yan Yuanqing might awaken in a millennium or so. Yan Zhao didn't know how long Oriental Cixin meant by "a matter of time," but her hopes were rekindled. The former gloom was swept away, and she urged Oriental Cixin to quickly place the Spirit Condensing Pearl on Yan Yuanqing. Everyone chimed in their thoughts. Lei Shuang, however, remained bewildered, looking confused. "So, what exactly is going on?" --- Oriental Cixin took the Spirit Condensing Pearl and Yan Zhao shadowed her closely, while Su Zijun supported Ren Qingyue. Among the group, only Yaoshenzi had the chance to pay attention to Lei Shuang. He explained that previously, Oriental Cixin had sent Zuo Xun to the Wans Treasure Palace to relay a message. They had come to the Fuyunzong Grand Festival primarily to confirm with Oriental Cixin the whereabouts of Yan Yuanqing’s body. Since Oriental Cixin had expressly requested to see Yan Zhao, there was concern that she might be one of Yun Daozi’s minions, trying to trick Yan Zhao into showing herself. Thus, they had initially withheld action. After the fierce battle, many of Fuyunzong's masters met untimely deaths. It was only after Oriental Cixin took the initiative to save Nangong Yin that Su Zijun cautiously lowered her guard. Upon learning the full story from Yaoshenzi, Lei Shuang sat dumbfounded. She had thought that the goal of this Fuyunzong Grand Festival trip was for Nangong Yin to avenge herself, and perhaps to have Feng Jin search for Yan Yuanqing’s relics along the way. However, with Yaoshenzi's explanation, realization struck Lei Shuang. She finally understood what task Nangong Yin had secretly assigned to Feng Jin. Feng Jin was responsible for searching Fuyunzong and locating Yan Yuanqing’s remains. Despite Oriental Cixin having sent a message to Yan Zhao via Zuo Xun earlier, since Oriental Cixin was someone from Fuyunzong, Nangong Yin didn’t fully trust her. There was worry that she might use Yan Yuanqing’s body as leverage against Yan Zhao. Therefore, Nangong Yin instructed Feng Jin to act alone and kept this matter from the others, including Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying. Lei Shuang glanced at the ice pillar in the distance, gazing intently at the white-clothed woman within, her feelings a mix of emotions. Yan Yuanqing. For this woman, Nangong Yin became utterly infatuated, abandoning her esteemed position as demon lord to wander the human realm and spend all her time with Yan Yuanqing, despite the risk of being hunted by the Immortal Alliance. Even after Yan Yuanqing's death, Nangong Yin took Yan Yuanqing’s child under her wing. Recalling the past, Lei Shuang shook her head and let out a sigh. Unlike Jiang Ying, Lei Shuang harbored no significant animosity toward Yan Zhao. After all, a child is innocent, and Yan Zhao was unaware of the history between Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin. The injuries Nangong Yin sustained were a consequence of her own choices. Lei Shuang's loyalty to Nangong Yin was unwavering, and she would obey her orders without question. However, this did not mean she fully agreed with all of Nangong Yin's actions. Yan Zhao was Yan Yuanqing's daughter, and bore a strong resemblance to Yan Yuanqing. Lei Shuang couldn't help but worry. Especially after interacting with Yan Zhao, Lei Shuang recognized her as a simple-hearted child. This heightened her vigilance around Nangong Yin. Her decision to acknowledge Yan Zhao as her younger sister was motivated by a desire to protect Yan Zhao. If Nangong Yin were so unscrupulous as to treat Yan Zhao as a substitute for Yan Yuanqing, Lei Shuang vowed she would risk her life to protest, even if she knew it might earn her a fatal blow from the demon lord. Her resolve would not waiver. Fortunately, they had found Yan Yuanqing, her physical form intact with the Spirit Condensing Pearl to nurture her soul. Yan Yuanqing, therefore, was merely in a state of heavy slumber, closer to awakening than ever. Yan Zhao had also been reunited with her biological mother, resolving the immediate crisis. Lei Shuang could only feel genuine happiness for them. An unfortunate twist, however, was that Nangong Yin had been gravely injured and was now trapped by the barrier imposed by Xianjun. If not for this, she would be the most thrilled upon seeing Yan Yuanqing today. Oriental Cixin gently cradled the Spirit Condensing Pearl, forming a sign with her hand. The pearl started glowing with a golden light, hovering from Oriental Cixin’s palm. After a brief moment in the air, it seemed drawn by some call and leapt upwards, directly heading toward the ice column. With a soft "ding," the pearl collided with the ice. The golden warmth of its light felt as hot as the sun, melting the ice it touched. The pearl pierced through the layers, finally making contact with Yan Yuanqing. The small golden pearl settled on Yan Yuanqing's forehead and gradually merged into her body. Once fully integrated with Yan Yuanqing’s physical form, the pearl emitted a soft hum, causing a crack to blossom across the ice’s surface. Then, a sequence of crisp cracking sounds followed, expanding into a web of fractures across the ice pillar. The crowd turned their heads simultaneously, watching intently. Hope flared in Ren Qingyue's heart despite knowing it was unlikely, wishing fervently that once the ice shattered, the person might step forth from silence. Perhaps they would first let out a wild, triumphant laugh to announce to the world that Yan Yuanqing had returned. Or maybe they would make a quieter entrance, arranging a feast for everyone to enjoy. Alternatively, her master might just walk over silently and gently pat her head, ensuring she no longer needed to fear. But none of these came to pass. The ice split apart, and Yan Yuanqing’s form fell away from it. Still, she did not open her eyes and naturally toppled back, falling from the air. Yan Zhao was the first to react. She lunged forward, catching Yan Yuanqing in her arms. Yan Yuanqing lay there in Yan Zhao's embrace, the striking resemblance between their features noticeable for the first time at such proximity. After the ice melted, drops of water lingered on Yan Yuanqing’s skin, creating a damp, cool touch. Fortunately, these water droplets didn’t last long; a simple incantation from Oriental Cixin and Yan Yuanqing’s attire was pristine once more. Yan Zhao held Yan Yuanqing tightly. Despite Yan Yuanqing’s appearance of life, her body was cold and rigid. The moment their skin met, the reality of death became a tangible image, vividly ingrained in Yan Zhao’s consciousness. If the overwhelming spectacle of Yinfengzan’s murder of Yan Yuanqing at the Fuyunzong festival had stirred something within Yan Zhao, hinting at the heartache of familial bonds being severed— Only in this moment did she truly grasp the anguish of witnessing the death of a loved one firsthand. And this beloved person was her mother. Yan Zhao gasped sharply, feeling a tightness in her chest, an indescribable heaviness pressing within her. Emotions, latent for three centuries, surged forth like an untamed beast. Dry-eyed and anguished, she could neither find words nor shed a tear, but only held Yan Yuanqing closer on instinct. In the ensuing moment, the words spoken by the elders behind her slipped into oblivion. Ren Qingyue, having regained her composure, approached Yan Zhao and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. Sensing the touch, Yan Zhao finally managed to pull herself back and turned to meet Ren Qingyue’s eyes. Ren Qingyue, restraining her own emotions, said to Yan Zhao, "Ah Zhao, Fuyunzong is no longer safe. We need to think of a way to take Master away." In a daze, Yan Zhao nodded without hesitation, "Alright." "Where do you intend to take her?" Oriental Cixin's voice interrupted, cautioning them against rash decisions. "If Fuyunzong isn’t safe, do you think other places will be less likely to be discovered?" Without a secure place to harbor Yan Yuanqing’s body, it might be wiser to leave it here. At least, under Fuyunzong's guardianship, those from the Immortal Alliance might not be able to locate her. Yaoshenzi made a rational judgment similar to Oriental Cixin, "What Elder Dongfang says is true. This place is well-hidden, and currently, only a handful of us know about it. It's relatively safe here, probably more so than anywhere else." Ren Qingyue was silent, finding it hard to refute. Yet Yan Zhao clung tightly to Yan Yuanqing, unwilling to let go. Having finally reunited with her mother, she was reluctant to part again. No matter what Oriental Cixin said, she wanted to take Yan Yuanqing away. Yan Zhao didn’t understand why everyone insisted on hiding Yan Yuanqing’s body; nor did she grasp the significance of the name Yan Yuanqing throughout the Three Realms. Her mind was preoccupied with a single thought: her mother had died. Su Zijun saw this and sighed inwardly. Since the first time she’d met Yan Zhao, she had never seen her in such a state. Lost and forlorn, the light in her eyes extinguished, bearing immense sorrow. In that moment, Su Zijun suddenly realized fundamentally that Yan Zhao was different from them. For the others, finding Yan Yuanqing’s body meant hope. As long as Yan Yuanqing could be revived, the human realm could be saved. The significance carried by the name Yan Yuanqing was so profound that it seemed they had forgotten her true identity. But for Yan Zhao, Yan Yuanqing was not just anyone. She wasn't the famed Immortal Lord Yuanqing, nor the world's most revered sword cultivator, but simply her mother. Su Zijun suddenly remembered a place. "I know a suitable location," Su Zijun spoke up suddenly. "It's within the Tai Xu Immortal Domain, a self-contained space. The Yantian Scroll is the only way in, which should be safer than Fuyunzong." Oriental Cixin raised her eyebrows, "Where are you referring to?" "Nianqing Mountain." At the mention of Nianqing Mountain, Lei Shuang’s attention was piqued. Nianqing Mountain was Nangong Yin’s abode. With Nangong Yin unconscious from her injuries, the Golden-Winged Roc might cease its duties as well, meaning only the Yantian Scroll could grant entry. Turning to Yan Zhao, Su Zijun asked, "Zhao'er, what do you think?" Yan Zhao nodded, "Yes." She proceeded to produce the Yantian Scroll, preparing to cast the spell for transportation. "Wait a moment!" Lei Shuang interjected, placing a hand on Yan Zhao's arm. "Jiang Ying was injured by the Jade Lion and is unsafe here. Take her with you." Yan Zhao, her expression blank, responded, "Okay. Where is she?" Lei Shuang released her grip, replying, "In Elder Dongfang’s sanctuary." Yan Zhao handed the Yantian Scroll to Oriental Cixin, who unfurled it and wrote down the name of her own sanctuary. A flash of gold later, everyone had departed from the cavern. Meanwhile, in Oriental Cixin's sanctuary, Zuo Xun had just finished administering treatment. The disturbance in the energy flow roused Jiang Ying. She opened her eyes and looked around, suddenly making a struggle to rise. Lei Shuang darted forward to support her, only for Jiang Ying to push her away urgently. Then, with an anxious look, Jiang Ying dashed towards Yan Zhao, "Young Master! Are you alright?" Lei Shuang was baffled, "?" What??? --- Jiang Ying staggered as she made her way to Yan Zhao. Her injuries left her limbs weak, and she stumbled, her left foot tripping over her right as she neared. Holding Yan Yuanqing, Yan Zhao stepped back to avoid being knocked down by Jiang Ying. Thus, while calling out "Young Master," Jiang Ying fell to her knees in front of Yan Zhao. Although it wasn't the first time Jiang Ying had knelt, Yan Zhao was nonetheless surprised and couldn't help but say, "I heard you’re injured, there's no need to kneel." *[Fushutxt]* I look forward not to the moon, but to meeting you. Support the site voluntarily This site is non-profit with no ad income, and donations help cover server costs! If you're worried about getting lost, head to the donation page to add contact info! [Click to go to the donation page] 331 Home Previous Page 248 Next Page End