261 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

At this moment, Ren Qing Yue asked her, "Where is Lei Shuang?" "..." Feng Jin replied with a headache, "She doesn't dare to come and see the young master." Yan Zhao did not quite understand, "Why?" Feng Jin remained silent, her expression filled with inner turmoil, while Ren Qing Yue hesitated to speak. Only Jiang Ying, unconcerned about Lei Shuang's feelings, mockingly laughed, "And why is that? I reckon she's so ashamed she could die, afraid you'll decapitate her and use her head as a ball. Which underling would dare acknowledge themselves as the boss to their young master?" Yan Zhao still expressed confusion, "So I can't call her boss anymore?" Jiang Ying chuckled, "You can call her that and see if she dares to respond. She's likely nearby, just too scared to show herself. She can hear everything we're saying now." "Oh." Yan Zhao acknowledged. Then she took a deep breath, getting ready to shout, "Boss—" Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky, accompanied by a cracking boom. Lei Shuang appeared out of nowhere in front of Yan Zhao, urgently covering her mouth, sweating profusely, "Please, don't shout! I beg you!" Yan Zhao blinked, staring at Lei Shuang in surprise and confusion. Her mouth was covered by Lei Shuang, leaving her unable to speak, only able to make muffled sounds. Jiang Ying stepped forward, giving Lei Shuang a sharp slap, "Why are you touching her? Let go!" Lei Shuang nearly knelt before Yan Zhao. Having been the boss to Yan Zhao for some days, she was now filled with regret, wishing she could go back to the day Yan Zhao acknowledged her as the boss and give herself a good beating. However, she had been the boss after all, and she couldn't completely put aside her pride in front of her former subordinate. Lei Shuang closed her eyes, summoning the resolve of someone facing execution, deciding to face the consequences: "I've been blind and offensive in the past, please punish your subordinate! From now on, I will change my ways, never speak carelessly again, and serve the young master faithfully to the end!" "Is it really that serious?" Yan Zhao expressed her lack of understanding. Lei Shuang was adamant, "It is!" "Oh." Yan Zhao accepted and nodded, "Alright, boss." Lei Shuang: "..." Chapter 284 Lei Shuang felt despair. Feng Jin watched sympathetically from the side, while Jiang Ying burst out laughing. Ren Qing Yue couldn't help but smile; she was amused by Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao belatedly realized her slip in words, softly exclaiming an "ah" and murmuring an apology, "I called you boss again, sorry, boss, I'll try to change..." She hadn’t finished speaking when she noted Lei Shuang's expression: "Hey, boss, what's wrong, why do you look so unwell, boss? Boss!" Lei Shuang saw stars, nearly fainting on the spot. Jiang Ying couldn’t stop laughing, and seeing Lei Shuang about to collapse, quickly reached out to steady her. Feng Jin's expression was complex; she wanted to laugh but couldn't be too impudent, yet her twitching mouth betrayed her amusement. The culprit, Yan Zhao, was bewildered, turning to ask Ren Qing Yue softly, "What’s wrong with my boss? Is she injured?" "..." Ren Qing Yue pondered briefly, maintaining her composure, "No, she’s just a bit overwhelmed seeing you." Yan Zhao seemed enlightened, gave an "oh," and readily accepted this explanation. Jiang Ying steadied Lei Shuang and asked, "How's your task going?" With the topic shifted by Jiang Ying, Lei Shuang’s scattered consciousness slightly returned. She was about to speak when Feng Jin answered for her, "Because the young master found Yuan Qing Xian Zun's physical body, my task was completed ahead of schedule, so I collaborated with Guardian Lei to carry out the ambush mission. Most of the targets on the list have been taken down, except one who escaped." Jiang Ying's brow furrowed slightly at the news, "Who?" Feng Jin replied, "Immortal Yan Xu." This person was the master of the Earth Spirit Peak and a junior of Yun Daozi, who, despite his advanced age, had yet to break through to the Mahayana stage and would likely never find the right opportunity. However, he was the highest cultivation among those on the list. Jiang Ying pondered with a stern face, "His escape remains a threat." If not for a jade lion beast suddenly interfering and injuring her, she wouldn’t have left Fuyun Sect, and joining forces with Lei Shuang and Feng Jin, they might have detained Immortal Yan Xu. Now that it has come to this, conjecturing about what might have been is futile. Jiang Ying shook her head, no longer dwelling on it. After a brief rest, Lei Shuang regained some spirit and, hearing this, recalled something important. She grabbed Jiang Ying's arm, lowering her voice to inquire, "The outcome is clear. When will you fulfill our wager?" Jiang Ying was caught off guard by Lei Shuang's sudden question and nearly choked on her own saliva, shifting her gaze awkwardly, "I’m seriously wounded this time; you have to let me recuperate for a bit." Lei Shuang eyed Jiang Ying suspiciously, "You're not just making excuses to delay fulfilling the bet, are you?" Jiang Ying glared at her, "When have I ever deceived you?" Upon thinking carefully, Lei Shuang realized she indeed had not. "What wager?" At this moment, Yan Zhao's head suddenly popped up beside them, looking at them curiously, "I want to hear too." Jiang Ying was startled, turning to find Feng Jin and Ren Qing Yue also wearing puzzled expressions. When did Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying gamble privately? "Hehehe, you all don't know, do you?" Lei Shuang had never been so smug, opening her mouth with exuberance, "Jiang Ying bet with me that if she lost, she would... mmph mmph mmph." Halfway through her sentence, Jiang Ying clamped a hand over Lei Shuang's mouth, smiling in a way that didn’t reach her eyes, "Dare to say another word?" Simultaneously, she glared threateningly at Lei Shuang, indicating she’d skin her alive if she dared to speak further. Lei Shuang felt a chill run down her spine, causing her pupils to shrink as she mumbled indistinctly, her head shaking, and legs kicking. How terrifying. Seeing Lei Shuang yield and act reasonably, Jiang Ying released her. Lei Shuang quickly retreated to hide behind Feng Jin, accusing Jiang Ying, "You must be trying to wriggle out of the bet! I shouldn’t have trusted you!" Jiang Ying shrugged indifferently, unconcerned with Lei Shuang’s thoughts. Lei Shuang felt a deep regret for trusting Jiang Ying, a scoundrel! Winning the bet this time had been difficult, and Jiang Ying wriggling out of it had left her to do most of the work alone, feeling utterly cheated! Yan Zhao blinked, still not knowing what the wager between Jiang Ying and Lei Shuang had been. With the two guardians engaged in their squabble, Feng Jin was left feeling somewhat awkward; she remained the most concerned about the following plans and thus asked Yan Zhao, "Young master, what important matters brought you here to Fuyun Sect today?" Yan Zhao replied, "I’m going to the Demon Realm." Hearing this, Lei Shuang, who had been glaring at Jiang Ying, suddenly froze, asking in surprise, "Why are you going to the Demon Realm?" Yan Zhao answered truthfully, "Mother said that only by using the extreme yin energy under the Nine Nether can we suppress the pure yang force of the Zhengqing Seal, thus breaking the seal on A Yin." Lei Shuang and Feng Jin were both taken aback. Then they exclaimed in unison. "Has Yuan Qing Xian Zun awakened?!" "Can the Demon Lord's seal be broken?!" The two turned to look at each other, then simultaneously turned back to Yan Zhao. Facing their gazes, Yan Zhao nodded. Each situation was undoubtedly great news; even the usually composed Feng Jin couldn't hide her emotions, while Lei Shuang was overjoyed, exclaiming repeatedly, "That's great, truly great!" Feng Jin managed to calm down first, reconsidering Yan Zhao’s earlier words and quietly saying, "Traveling to the Demon Realm requires passing through the Mist Demon Ravine. Even if the journey goes smoothly, it will take three to five months. Thus, we should depart promptly." Lei Shuang agreed with a nod, "Exactly, let's set out now!" After all, they had already acquired most of Fuyun Sect's resources, perfect as provisions for the journey, and Jiang Ying’s recovery from her injuries would also need resources. Yan Zhao turned her gaze towards Ren Qing Yue, seeking her senior sister's opinion. Ren Qing Yue nodded, "Let’s set out." Having committed to the decision, there was no reason to hesitate further. They should head straight toward their goal and strive to achieve it. With her senior sister by her side, Yan Zhao entirely embraced her role as the hands-free manager. She entrusted the Celestial Roll to Ren Qing Yue, only needing to notify her senior sister wherever she went. Without needing Yan Zhao to say much, Ren Qing Yue unfurled the Celestial Roll and skillfully wrote “Mist Demon Ravine” on a blank space. A golden light flashed, illuminating and then extinguishing. Once their vision cleared, they found themselves at the outermost edge of the Mist Demon Ravine. In the misty forest, dead trees abounded, and the surroundings were deathly silent. Apart from the spirits wandering the barren wasteland, there were no other living creatures. Yan Zhao wasn't unfamiliar with the misty scenery of the Mist Demon Ravine, having been here before. However, she hadn't yet mastered navigating it, so she entrusted the task of guiding the way to the more familiar Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying. Lei Shuang performed a spell, leaving a mark on Yan Zhao, Ren Qing Yue, and Feng Jin. When the mark activated, it created a resonance, and Yan Zhao immediately felt the presence of those within its range intensify. This mark could enhance their perception of each other within a hundred zhang, making it easier to regroup even if they got lost in the mist. Though Lei Shuang often appeared carefree, she was incredibly focused when attending to serious matters. With Jiang Ying leading the way in front, Feng Jin took position at the rear with her bow, while Yan Zhao and Ren Qing Yue remained in the middle of the group, keeping watch on the surroundings and quickly responding to any changes. As they moved deeper into the Mist Demon Ravine, a cold wind suddenly blew, causing Lei Shuang to shiver. Rubbing her arms to smooth down the raised hair, she frowned, puzzled, "Have you noticed it's getting colder?" Jiang Ying, still recovering from her injuries, felt it even more acutely than Lei Shuang. She pressed her lips together and forced herself through it, rapidly circulating magic within her to resist the dropping temperature. When Lei Shuang mentioned it, Jiang Ying nodded in confirmation, "It has become colder." "That's what I thought." Lei Shuang was puzzled and turned to ask the three behind her, "How about you?" Ren Qing Yue and Feng Jin both answered affirmatively, but Yan Zhao tilted her head, showing a thoughtful expression. Seeing this, Jiang Ying asked her, "Young master, have you noticed anything?" "Hmm." Yan Zhao pondered, "I'm wondering if the temperature drop is related to them." Jiang Ying and Feng Jin froze at this, and Lei Shuang took a moment to react, "Who?" Ren Qing Yue, recalling their previous journey through the Mist Demon Ravine, speculated and asked Yan Zhao for confirmation, "The demon spirits?" Yan Zhao nodded, "Yes." "There are quite a number of them." Yan Zhao glanced around, roughly estimating, "It feels like there are about a hundred and eighty." Glancing over, they seemed to form two high walls flanking the party, loyally escorting them. As they traveled, more demon spirits continued joining them. Finally understanding what Yan Zhao meant, Lei Shuang was taken aback, exclaiming, "A hundred and eighty!" She was so shocked that her voice cracked. Jiang Ying and Feng Jin were equally surprised. With Yan Zhao's seal recently lifted and her bloodline's power only beginning to awaken, it was astonishing that it wielded such influence. For the demon spirits to gather by her side and clear a path was extraordinary. What was a perilous Mist Demon Ravine for others felt like a second homeland for Yan Zhao. Initially, Lei Shuang was shocked and feared, but gradually she got used to it. After all, no matter how many demon spirits there were, they remained unseen, merely requiring them to exert more magic to fend off the plummeting temperature. With the demon spirits escorting them, Yan Zhao and the others traveled unimpeded. Even when encountering difficult paths, the spirits would alert Yan Zhao to detour. Thus, the originally three to five-month journey was nearly halved. Just over two months later, the group reached the entrance to the Demon Realm. Upon reaching the border between the Mist Demon Ravine and the Demon Realm, Yan Zhao suddenly asked, "Do I need to change my appearance?" She held the Thousand Changes Mask gifted by Nangong Yin, making disguise effortless. Hearing this, Lei Shuang replied, "In the Demon Realm, no one cares about your Human Realm identity, so there's no need to disguise yourself either."