259 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Ren Qingyue asked as they walked, "What solution did Master propose?" She couldn't risk letting Yan Zhao randomly perform the unsealing spell again. Yan Zhao opened the door and meticulously relayed everything Yan Yuanqing told her about the seal to Ren Qingyue. Upon hearing the words "Nine Nether," Ren Qingyue was astonished. "Master wants you to go to the Nine Nether?" "That's what Mother said," Yan Zhao recalled Yan Yuanqing's instructions. "The extreme Yin energy of the Nine Nether can suppress the pure Yang energy of the Zhengqing Seal, facilitating the unsealing." Ren Qingyue frowned deeply, her expression serious. The term "Nine Nether" might sound ordinary, but anyone with a little knowledge of the demon realm knew how perilous such a place could be. If the Xuanyuan Secret Realm were akin to a dragon's lair, the Nine Nether would compare to purgatory. The dangers of the demon realm greatly surpassed those of the human realm by hundreds or thousands of times. In the human world, the highest level of cultivation was no more than the Great Ascension stage, whereas the demon realm had mighty true demons akin to terrestrial and celestial immortals. A great demon from the demon realm and an immortal sovereign from the human realm were not comparable. Suddenly, Ren Qingyue stopped, pulling Yan Zhao back to prevent her from walking further. Yan Zhao paused, turned back, and asked, "What's wrong?" "The demon realm is too dangerous," Ren Qingyue told Yan Zhao. "I can't agree with this plan." Yan Zhao hadn’t even fully established herself in the human world but was now considering risking her life in the demon realm over the unsealing matter—something Ren Qingyue couldn't support. If Nan Gongyin hadn't been sealed and wanted to take Yan Zhao back to the demon realm, Ren Qingyue wouldn't have stopped them. The demon realm truly revered strength as the ultimate authority. While many monstrous entities were willing to serve Nan Gongyin, they might not acknowledge Yan Zhao's status. Even if she had guardians supporting her, the demon realm was vast, and many true demons were eager to compete for the title of demon lord; only Nan Gongyin could maintain control over these unruly beings. However, Yan Zhao wanted to go to the demon realm to unseal Nan Gongyin. It seemed like an endless cycle with no way out. Surprised, Yan Zhao contemplated for a moment and said, "But if I don't, Ah Yin will be trapped there forever." "Nan Gongyin won't be imprisoned eternally," Ren Qingyue shook her head. "Once you gather Master's soul fragments and she awakens, she might have another solution. If not, we can wait until Nan Gongyin heals and unseals herself." Time was essential. Even if Yan Zhao journeyed to the demon realm for the Nine Nether, she couldn't return immediately. It might take years, and by then, the seal could naturally dissipate. Yan Zhao, however, argued, "That's impossible, Senior Sister." "If the seal didn't contain the Zhengqing Seal, both methods might work. But since it's embedded in the seal itself, even if my mother intervened, she would have to rely on the Nine Nether's power to ensure success." Ren Qingyue fell silent, realizing how troublesome the Zhengqing Seal was. Yan Zhao approached Ren Qingyue, speaking sincerely, "Senior Sister, I want to save Ah Yin." Ah Yin was her mother too, and despite realizing the truth not long ago, Yan Zhao had deeply felt how Nan Gongyin had treated her. Surviving alone for three hundred years, she finally understood who her parents were. Although she hadn’t discovered the full story from three hundred years ago, she intuitively trusted that Nan Gongyin wasn't someone who would abandon her family. If Nan Gongyin had discarded Yan Yuanqing, why, after his death, would she defy fate to resurrect him, regardless of the cost? Surely, there was something hidden behind this incident. Ren Qingyue, under Yan Zhao's earnest gaze, couldn't help but waver. Whenever Yan Zhao communicated with such sincerity, Ren Qingyue found it hard to maintain a firm stance, becoming soft-hearted. Yet, the rational part of her constantly urged calmness, demanding thoughtful consideration before making any promises to Yan Zhao. With Ren Qingyue not replying, Yan Zhao took her hand and shook it, pleading, "Senior Sister~" Ren Qingyue's eyelid twitched, turning her head away awkwardly as she pushed at Yan Zhao's wrist, "Stop it, let go." "But Ah Yin is important to me too," Yan Zhao suddenly pouted, her eyes misting up swiftly. "I've been without a mother since birth, and Ah Yin suffered terribly from her injuries, a severed arm healed for three hundred years..." A pang like a hole being carved into her heart tormented Ren Qingyue with each word Yan Zhao spoke, making her heart tremble. She knew how much hardship Yan Zhao had endured. Although Ren Qingyue didn't have her parents around either, she had at least spent her first two hundred years under their loving care. As Yan Zhao spoke, Ren Qingyue felt more and more sympathetic. Finally, she relented with a sigh, "Let's meet with Palace Master Su first and see what she suggests." Yan Zhao caught the hint in Ren Qingyue's words, her eyes subtly shimmering. She blinked her puppy-dog eyes repeatedly, an innocent yet perfectly expectant look on her face, though her tone was uncertain, sounding almost heartbreaking, "Will Senior Sister accompany me?" Ren Qingyue: "..." Chapter 282 Being stared at with such gentle eyes by Yan Zhao, Ren Qingyue found herself feeling a wave of unease before even forming a response. She instinctively became cautious, wary of responding in a manner that might harm Yan Zhao’s "young" heart, forcing her to ponder her words carefully. Yan Zhao looked up at her unblinkingly, waiting earnestly yet stubbornly for her reply. After about three breaths, Ren Qingyue, unable to resist, spoke from the heart, "Wherever you go, I will accompany you." Yan Zhao beamed with joy, loudly singing praises, "Senior Sister is the best," and dived into Ren Qingyue's embrace. Ren Qingyue was stunned, her body stiffening. Before she could fully react, Yan Zhao retreated with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry, Senior Sister. I got too excited and couldn't hold back. Are you upset?" "...," Ren Qingyue sensed something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it, only responding woodenly, "No." Yan Zhao exhaled in relief, "That's good, hehe." With that, she happily took Ren Qingyue's hand, quickening her pace toward another room in the courtyard. As Yan Zhao held her hand, Ren Qingyue looked down at their clasped hands, a slight doubt surfacing in her mind. Why did it feel like Yan Zhao planned this deliberately? Inside, Su Zijun, Yaoshenzi, and Dongfang Cixin were still present. Jiang Ying, knowing the unsealing attempt had failed, remained somewhat downcast, but there was still good news: Yan Yuanqing's spirit had awakened. If the demon lord knew, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed. The group was discussing how to proceed with the sealing matter when Su Zijun remarked, "We may need to wait for Zhaoyi to awaken and discuss further. Right now, only Zhaoyi can communicate with Yuanqing's spirit." If Yan Zhao could act as a bridge between Yan Yuanqing and them, perhaps Yuanqing could offer some insights from a novel perspective. Regardless, on matters of sealing, none in the three realms matched Yan Yuanqing's expertise. Yan Zhao's attempt at unsealing upon awakening indicated the spirit's consciousness had truly returned; otherwise, she might have succeeded already if not for some hidden complexities in the seal. Yaoshenzi sighed, "I wonder how Yaosheng Sect is doing. This Nianqing Mountain is a one-way door, and I'm somewhat concerned about the situation outside." Su Zijun also frowned, looking worried. Their injuries were severe, and it was uncertain how long they would remain there. Among them, Dongfang Cixin remained the most relaxed, as Fuyun Sect's destruction left her without much care. The disciples of Huangyin Peak were free-spirited and could leave whenever, living comfortably outside if needed. Thus, she simply focused on recovery, without worrying over other matters. Just then, Jiang Ying, who had been silent, spoke. "The Divine Scroll is in the Young Master's possession. If the seniors wish to leave, you just need to inform the Young Master." Yaoshenzi huffed, "My disciple's still unconscious. Why would I leave now?" His tone was displeased by Jiang Ying’s use of "Young Master" for his apprentice as if sidelining him as an outsider. Though Jiang Ying meant well, Yaoshenzi's irritation made her refrain from speaking further, feeling somewhat speechless. From outside the courtyard, muffled conversations could be heard, and soon footsteps approached the door. The door creaked open, and Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue entered one after the other. "Godmother! Master! Senior Dongfang!" Yan Zhao greeted the elders in the room energetically, finally turning to Jiang Ying. "Aunt Ying!" Jiang Ying perked up at Yan Zhao's sweet greeting, feeling a tingling sensation in her mind that momentarily interrupted her thoughts. It was a strange nickname. As a subordinate of the demon lord, Jiang Ying shouldn't accept such a familiar term from Yan Zhao, yet the way Yan Zhao said it felt perfectly natural. By the time Jiang Ying recovered and thought to correct Yan Zhao, she had already dashed into the inner room to check on Yan Yuanqing. For a moment, Jiang Ying experienced a mix of emotions, an indescribable feeling swirling within her. When Yan Zhao emerged from the room again, bringing up the topic seemed unnecessary and like making a mountain out of a molehill. Returning to the main hall, Yan Zhao walked over to the table where Nan Gongyin’s seal was placed just as it had been, untouched. She ran her fingers over the walnut-sized core inside, carefully sensing the energies within the seal. Though Nan Gongyin’s presence was faint, the blood she had shed on the seal allowed Yan Zhao to perceive a slight connection to her. Su Zijun motioned Yan Zhao over, and she dutifully sat beside her. “How are your injuries?” Su Zijun asked with concern. “Are you still in pain?” Yan Zhao shook her head, “I’m all healed now.” Just as Su Zijun was relieved, Yan Zhao couldn’t wait to add, “Godmother, while I was unconscious, I saw my mother again.” Everyone in the room expressed surprise at her words. Su Zijun promptly inquired, “Did you see her again? What did she say?” Yan Zhao repeated what she had seen in her dream, and the expressions of Yaoshenzi, Su Zijun, and the others turned serious. In contrast, Jiang Ying seemed invigorated. “I know how to reach the Nine Nether. If the Young Master wishes to return to the demon realm, Jiang Ying is willing to lead the way.” Yaoshenzi immediately objected, “No, absolutely not! My dear disciple cannot go to such a perilous place! I firmly oppose this!” Su Zijun looked hesitant but didn’t make an immediate decision, instead asking Yan Zhao, “Zhaoyi, what do you think?” Yan Zhao replied without hesitation, “I want to find the Nine Nether to save Ah Yin.” Yaoshenzi was momentarily speechless, and Su Zijun grew serious, reminding Yan Zhao, “The demon realm is unlike the human realm. With your current level of cultivation, venturing there could be extremely dangerous.” Yan Zhao didn’t understand. “But going to Fuyun Sect was dangerous too.” “That’s not the same!” Yaoshenzi interjected, “We were all there for the Fuyun Sect’s grand ceremony, and Nan Gongyin was with us. But if you go to the demon realm, you’ll be…” Midway through his sentence, Yan Zhao questioned, “Isn’t it the same?” His words snuffed out, Yaoshenzi stopped short, a look of awkward realization halting the rest of his explanation. Su Zijun sighed and rubbed her forehead, while Dongfang Cixin watched the exchange with a sort of amused detachment. However, Jiang Ying, who had not attended the main peak ceremony, was left confused. She turned to Ren Qingyue, who stood quietly nearby, and asked, “What are they talking about? What happened at the Fuyun Sect's ceremony?” Worried about Yan Zhao’s situation, Ren Qingyue answered without much thought, “Palace Master Su and Senior Yaoshenzi attended Fuyun Sect’s ceremony, but there was an incident. A powerful beast, an ancient dragon, was summoned by Ying Xiao. The two seniors had their hands full defending the sect’s disciples, and ultimately, it was Zhaoyi and Senior Nan Gongyin who subdued the dragon.”