283 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Though Ren Qing Yue's demeanor was far from reassuring, Yan Zhao continued to channel life essence from her own reserves, clearly drawing from within. If the toll of saving someone else would prove too great and affect her own vitality, it would be worthwhile if Feng Jin's life could be preserved. If not, it would be a futile endeavor fraught with risk. Nan Gong Yin pondered briefly before proposing, "A Zhao, since you can draw from your own life essence, can you also extract it from others?" A short distance away, Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang were visibly alarmed. If Nan Gong Yin's speculation proved true, Yan Zhao's existence could change the dynamics dramatically. A mere mention of shamanic healing by the fox ancestor once sparked conflict across the three worlds. Many with impure intentions sought the legendary art. If word spread that Yan Zhao could extract life essence, she would undoubtedly be labeled a heretic, inviting lethal repercussions. Yan Zhao simply replied, "I don't know." As of now, she had only drawn from her own essence and had never attempted to use another's. After all, life essence was energy contained within the Divine Source Fruit, which explained her rapid recovery from injuries. The moment her mentor bonded with her through a contract, Yan Zhao distinctly sensed the life essence's presence, enabling her to utilize it instinctively without formal learning. Nan Gong Yin's gaze swept across the courtyard, finally settling on the unconscious figure in white and Tu Shan Yu, stripped of her powers by Tu Shan Han Zhi. With a swift motion, she launched the Blood Shadow Spear, swiftly piercing the chest of the person in white. Despite intentions to spare his life, hardening her resolve became necessary to prevent any chance of intelligence leaks, regardless of whether he was feigning unconsciousness. As someone from the celestial realm, he likely was the one inciting Tu Shan Yu against the fox queen—Huan Yun Xian Jun. The Blood Shadow Spear fragmented his primordial spirit. Withdrawing her hand, Nan Gong Yin turned to Yan Zhao, "Time is of the essence, Zhao, try drawing my life essence to heal Feng Jin." Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying were aghast, exclaiming, "Master!" Ren Qing Yue froze, while Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang wore expressions of shock. Contrasting the ferocious demon lord from tales, the individual before them showed compassion challenging long-held perceptions. Remarkably, Nan Gong Yin was willing to deplete her own life essence for a subordinate—not even a demon, but a human adept in demonic arts. Her tone steadfast and face solemn, she declared, "She was injured saving me, it’s my responsibility to save her life." The burdens she bore were hers alone, not something her daughter should risk herself for. Whether it would work remained to be seen after trying. She turned kindly towards Yan Zhao, "Zhao, do you understand?" Yan Zhao's long lashes fluttered softly, seemingly compliant, nodding in acknowledgment, "I understand." Ren Qing Yue watched Yan Zhao, her own face etched with concern, "… A Zhao." With her decision firm, Nan Gong Yin nodded, prompting Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying to assist Feng Jin to sit upright. Hesitant, Lei Shuang eventually acquiesced, alongside Jiang Ying, who reluctantly complied under Nan Gong Yin's directive. Nan Gong Yin lowered herself alongside Feng Jin, cross-legged, leaving space at her back for Yan Zhao's spell. Ren Qing Yue's heart clenched with anxiety, as did the somber faces of Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang. Positioned with her back to Yan Zhao, Nan Gong Yin exhaled deeply, relaxing fully. Abruptly, she felt Yan Zhao's gentle hand on her back. A mysterious force drew upon her life essence. In the next instant, it flowed back, restoring her organs and boosting her energy. "!" Startled, Nan Gong Yin quickly composed herself just as Yan Zhao withdrew her hand. A smile met Nan Gong Yin's gaze as Yan Zhao calmly explained, "I have no desire to harm the mother I’ve just found." "Ah Yin, you have to let me handle this." Chapter 309 Nan Gong Yin felt her thoughts scatter, Jiang Ying and Ren Qing Yue staring in synchrony. The first to react, Lei Shuang exclaimed in joyous relief, clutching Yan Zhao's hands, "Young Master! Truly, you’re my Young Master! This life, I pledge unwavering loyalty—you beckon east, I shall never stray west!" Withdrawing her hands, Yan Zhao quipped seriously, "Don’t, Chief, such reverence is strange." Lei Shuang paused, speechless. Yan Zhao then reapplied her touch to Feng Jin's back, but another hand stopped her wrists. She looked up, unexpectedly meeting tender, moist eyes. "Are you sure you're okay? Can your body handle this?" Yan Zhao, having healed Nan Gong Yin, undoubtedly could help Feng Jin, as everyone had witnessed. Nevertheless, Ren Qing Yue was uncertain about the toll the process took on Yan Zhao's life essence. For a cultivator, healing severe injuries required significant expenditure of such vitality. Yan Zhao gestured Ren Qing Yue to lean down. Obeying, Ren Qing Yue listened as Yan Zhao whispered into her ear, "I gauged—helping Ah Yin was akin to shattering and restoring my bones." "…" Ren Qing Yue's face paled. What sort of measure was that? Yan Zhao continued, "Last time at Fu Yun Sect, imagine my bones breaking a thousand times." Ren Qing Yue inhaled sharply. Yan Zhao grinned with a playful display of her small fangs, "No need to worry, saving just two won't be an issue." According to her mother, a single Divine Source Fruit granted an immortal ten thousand years of life. If she could swap life years for life essence evenly, ten thousand translated to an unfathomable volume. Before committing to helping Feng Jin, Yan Zhao had weighed her options. She never planned to live ten thousand years anyway, considering each cultivation step extended her lifespan. Additionally, because of the contract with her mentor, their longevity split equally, and once the fruit's seal lifted, shared energies flowed back. Yan Zhao herself was uncertain of her current lifespan. After hearing her reasoning, Ren Qing Yue felt both reassured and uneasy. Reassured that aiding Feng Jin wouldn’t greatly harm Yan Zhao, yet uneasy realizing her repeated injuries were actually depleting Yan Zhao's life essence. Even at Fu Yun Sect, innumerable bone fractures wracked Yan Zhao's physique, the thought alone made Ren Qing Yue's heart tighten, intensifying the pain to an almost unbearable degree. Yan Zhao recounted these events lightly, but who could fathom the agony of being entirely broken? Ren Qing Yue's eyes glistened under emotion. Blessing and curse intertwine—Yan Zhao's innate mastery of healing appeared beneficial, yet every rescue gnawed at her life's core. Only a year ago, she'd worried Yan Zhao might turn ruthless. Now, whether labeled selfish or unfeeling, she secretly wished Yan Zhao would cease saving anyone. "Sister," Yan Zhao's voice snapped Ren Qing Yue back to her senses, "Feng Jin will die if we delay." Though she disliked Feng Jin, who ever lingered near her mentor, she harbored no malice potent enough to wish her demise, for no deep grudges existed. Moreover, this time Feng Jin was injured saving Nan Gong Yin. Ren Qing Yue tightly compressed her lips, sorrow etching her features as she pulled back her hand. Quietly, the others like Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying looked to her for affirmation. The private exchange between Yan Zhao and Ren Qing Yue remained hidden from them. Having seen how effortlessly Yan Zhao healed Nan Gong Yin, they puzzled over Ren Qing Yue’s sudden distress. While Jiang Ying associated it with something ominous, Lei Shuang, carefree as always, felt optimistic, encouraging Yan Zhao to begin. Complying, Yan Zhao closed her eyes, channeling her life essence carefully into restoring Feng Jin. The potent life essence worked wonders on internal injuries, and Feng Jin's complexion visibly improved. When Yan Zhao finally withdrew her aid, Feng Jin's eyelashes fluttered, and to everyone's astonishment, she miraculously regained consciousness. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the healing had been performed with remarkable skill. Feng Jin blinked groggily, unclear of her surroundings, believing for a moment she might have reached the afterlife. But seeing familiar faces beside her, she hesitantly questioned, "I'm not dead?" "With the Young Master here, you won't die!" Lei Shuang exclaimed jubilantly, giving her a hearty slap. Feng Jin winced in pain, clutching her arm, nearly fractured by Lei Shuang's enthusiasm, her face paling. Jiang Ying swiftly grabbed Lei Shuang by the ear, "Do you want to injure her again just so the Young Master has to heal her once more?!" Lei Shuang cleared her throat, awkwardly composed. She hadn't realized Feng Jin was still so fragile, assuming she was fully recovered. Nan Gong Yin's gaze sliced sharply through her subordinates, her voice stern, "Let today’s events never leave this place, especially anything about Zhao's shamanic skills. Keep it to yourselves." Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying immediately adopted earnest expressions, swearing unanimously to never speak of it. Turning her attention to Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang, Nan Gong Yin respectfully requested, "Please help keep Zhao's secret." Returning from their daze, both Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang solemnly assured her they would comply. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Feng Jin tugged at Lei Shuang's arm as she rose to leave, whispering, "Was it the Young Master who saved me?" "Yes," Lei Shuang nodded, "If not for her presence today, you likely wouldn't have survived." Feng Jin was filled with complex emotions. She recalled the animosity and grievances with Yan Zhao, assuming Yan Zhao harbored nothing but enmity. Yet, here she was, saved by her. As Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying helped Feng Jin stand, Yan Zhao moved to Ren Qing Yue's side, grasping her hand gently. Ren Qing Yue, lost in thought until now, turned to see Yan Zhao's calm and gentle profile. Yan Zhao appeared unfazed by the ordeal of using her healing arts on both Nan Gong Yin and Feng Jin, seemingly unaffected. However, the reassurance did little to settle Ren Qing Yue's unease. Suppressing her anxiety, she softly cautioned Yan Zhao, "A Zhao, try not to use your shamanic skills so readily in the future, alright?" Yan Zhao nodded, "Understood." "Truly listen, don't just say it," Ren Qing Yue emphasized, concern etched on her face. To her dismay, she realized Yan Zhao wasn't as obedient as before, possessing her own thoughts and, crucially, not even deferring to Nan Gong Yin at times. Uncertain whether this change was good or bad, Ren Qing Yue simply wished Yan Zhao could consider her own well-being more. Regretfully contemplating her past teachings of kindness, she now wished for Yan Zhao to embrace a touch of selfishness. Still, Yan Zhao nodded, "I really will listen." With nothing left to say, Ren Qing Yue could only clutch Yan Zhao's hand tightly. Meanwhile, Nan Gong Yin stowed away her harmful arrow and approached Tu Shan Han Zhi and Bai Qing Cang. "Today's events were clear to you—the celestial interference disrupted our relations. With misunderstandings cleared, why not move past old grievances and collaborate?" Tu Shan Han Zhi agreed, "You speak wisely. Our Qingqiu Fox Tribe always distinguishes favors and feuds clearly. Now that the truth is revealed, it's time to set aside animosities between our races."