288 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

"Yuanghai Zhenren!" Yuanghai Zhenren flicked his brush whisk with an air of calm detachment amid the shocked and questioning gazes of the crowd. His tone was as light as a cloud. "I saw this person being besieged and thus intervened to save him. He insisted on meeting Master Su, so I brought him here." Su Zijun felt puzzled as to why Yuanghai Zhenren decided to help, but given the urgency of the situation, she did not dwell on it. Recognizing the injured person as Jingyang Xianjun, Su Zijun was taken aback. She hurried forward upon seeing him on the brink of death and turned to request Dongfang Cixin to save his life. As a guest elder of the Wanbao Palace, Dongfang Cixin naturally heeded the master's orders. Before the crowd, she retrieved a few silver needles. With precision, she sealed the acupoints to stop the bleeding, then deftly removed the weapon. Single-handedly, she pinched Jingyang Xianjun's jaw. As soon as his mouth opened, she flicked a pill—made from a concoction of poisonous insects and herbs—into his mouth. The pill's intensely bitter, spicy, and foul taste hit Jingyang Xianjun's senses fiercely. It churned his stomach, and he gagged, trying to spit it out. However, Dongfang Cixin, with quick reflexes, struck his nape with a hand chop. Startled, Jingyang Xianjun reflexively swallowed the pill. It went down his esophagus, thwarting his attempt to vomit it. Dongfang Cixin released him, having completed her task. Jingyang Xianjun coughed and retched for quite a while, his face paling, but his spirit seemed improved. Su Zijun asked him, "Why have you descended from the celestial realm? Who attacked you?" Yuanghai Zhenren's eyes flickered; these were almost the exact questions she had previously asked. Jingyang Xianjun, having recovered somewhat, though his stomach still felt uncomfortable, found his back injury had stopped bleeding. Dongfang Cixin’s toxic healing arts were quite formidable. With many people present, all experts in their fields, Jingyang Xianjun caught his breath before speaking, "The Celestial King has rebelled, surrounding and controlling the Imperial Palace. His descent must carry ambitions, coveting the Divine Origin Fruit." The crowd was alarmed by his words, even Yuanghai Zhenren frowned, puzzled. She had heard rumors of chaos in the celestial realm, yet hadn’t expected it to be more turbulent than the human realm. Su Zijun pressed, "Is there any resolution to this situation?" If there wasn't crucial information, Jingyang Xianjun wouldn’t have been so frantic to reach the Wanbao Palace and deliver his message. Over a dozen pairs of eyes stared at Jingyang Xianjun, awaiting his answer. His chest heaved, and with a steady voice, he said, "The Divine Origin Fruit was a sacred artifact designated by the Celestial Emperor for Xian Zun Yuanqing, intended to pass leadership of the celestial realm to her." Yuanghai Zhenren’s expression changed sharply, "Could it be so?!" If what Jingyang Xianjun claimed was true, then the allegations of Yunqing Xian Zun’s theft in the mortal world were deliberately fabricated rumors. Jingyang Xianjun clutched his chest, saying, "Few are aware of this. It’s uncertain whether Xian Zun Yuanqing consented to the Celestial Emperor's wishes, but now, Xian Zun Yuanqing has passed, and the Celestial King holds real power. Should the Celestial Emperor perish, all three realms would face a catastrophe." Yuanqing has died, and the Celestial Emperor is old and besieged, leaving no one to clear her name. Once the Celestial King is in power, he will purge those loyal to the former Celestial Emperor. He has secretly manipulated the Celestial Alliance for millennia, likely harboring ambitions to unite the three realms through war. Yuanghai Zhenren asked icily, "Since only a few know the truth, how did you learn of it?" Jingyang Xianjun remained undisturbed by Yuanghai Zhenren’s demeanor and answered, "I’m merely a minor official in the celestial realm, mostly occupied with organizing documents and ancient texts, thus inconspicuous. The Celestial Emperor, to safeguard celestial authority, entrusted the imperial seal and succession edict to me, asking me to descend and seek Yuanqing." Su Zijun appeared puzzled, "Since Xian Zun Yuanqing has died, what use is there in seeking her?" Jingyang Xianjun proceeded to produce an item, golden light radiating from his palm. "This was left in the Celestial Palace when Xian Zun Yuanqing negotiated with the Celestial Emperor for the Divine Origin Fruit—an immortal soul fragment. As long as the soul endures, there remains hope for a resolution." As Su Zijun was about to reach for the golden light, a majestic pressure akin to immense rivers suddenly swept in from the horizon. In an instant, the ground shook violently, and the mountains quivered. Jingyang Xianjun’s face changed, "It’s the Celestial King!" The crowd, upon hearing this, reacted with shock. Su Zijun had previously estimated a three-day preparation period, but didn’t anticipate the opponent arriving so soon! This indeed validated Jingyang Xianjun’s words, as the Celestial King had undoubtedly learned that the Celestial Emperor's seal was in Jingyang Xianjun’s possession, compelling him to hasten and attempt to obliterate the Wanbao Palace, searching for the succession edict and insignia. Su Zijun pushed Jingyang Xianjun towards Dongfang Cixin, then turned to address Yuanghai Zhenren: "Venerable Yuanghai, the Wanbao Palace stands at the brink of life and death today. Given the potential implications for all three realms, I implore you to put aside grievances and lend us your aid!" Yuanghai Zhenren’s lips tightened, his face stern, "Since I am here, I won’t stand by idly. The truth remains shrouded in mystery. I have no interest in past entanglements." Despite his cold demeanor, he was willing to face this crisis with the Wanbao Palace. Su Zijun felt a profound sense of relief and bowed, "I am immensely grateful for your righteousness, respected one." “No need for pleasantries,” Yuanghai Zhenren replied candidly, unyielding as iron, "Explain your strategem and what you require of me." With the overwhelming pressure drawing closer, there was no time to waste. Su Zijun gestured for Dongfang Cixin to take Jingyang Xianjun to the heart of the guardian formation, meanwhile instructing the elders of Wanbao Palace to activate it, then called Yao Shenzi, Elder Wu, and Yuanghai Zhenren to join her in explaining the formation’s function. "Wanbao Palace faces south, thriving in the sunlight. Should the Celestial King attack, it’s expected he’ll come from the south, leaving the north less pressured." Unfurling the map of Wanbao Palace before them, Su Zijun explained rapidly: "I will guard the south gate; Venerable Yuanghai and Elder Yao cover the east and west gates, respectively; Elder Wu proceeds to the north. How does this sound?" Yao Shenzi nodded first, "This works." Elder Wu, aware of his slightly lesser strength, did not object to Su Zijun's arrangement. Yuanghai Zhenren, maintaining his stoic expression, replied, "Then I shall take the east." With that, it could be considered an agreement to Su Zijun's deployment plan. Su Zijun expressed her gratitude to everyone, saying, "If any unexpected events occur, break the jade talisman as a signal. I entrust each of you." As she finished speaking, Yuanghai Zhenren vanished from the hall. “He must have headed to the east gate. Who would have thought, Yuanghai Zhenren is actually impatient, tough-talking but soft-hearted; of all of us, he seems the most anxious,” Yao Shenzi remarked, stroking his sparse white beard before turning to Elder Wu, "In sum, it’s up to us. If things truly go awry, retreat rather than resist stubbornly. It’s not worth the sacrifice. Be cautious." Elder Wu stood respectfully, his expression unchanging. Hearing Yao Shenzi’s advice, he nodded seriously and agreed, "Certainly." Su Zijun: "..." She was still present; could they perhaps wait until she left before discussing such tactics loudly? Chapter 315 When Su Zijun reached the south gate of Wanbao Palace, she saw a dense mass in the sky—a myriad of celestial soldiers and generals, clad in gleaming silver armor, had already formed an array before the mountain. The celestial soldiers besieged Wanbao Palace, not solely at the south gate. However, what the state of the other gates was, Su Zijun did not know. The Celestial King's presence was vast and endless, continuously pounding against the mountain gate of Wanbao Palace. As a result, fierce winds howled along the path under Su Zijun's feet, while behind her, the jade pillars of the mountain gate began to crack and tremble. Su Zijun channeled her magical power, employing her arts to fend off the impending malevolent force. Concurrently, there came a hum from behind as the mountain gate brightened with golden light from its base. Four golden pillars soared into the sky; shortly thereafter, similar pillars rose from three other directions, interlinking to successfully establish the guardian formation. Above the great formation, an elemental spirit manifested at each of the cardinal directions: southeast, northwest. At the south gate, a Suzaku appeared, its vermilion feathers spreading and fanning a fiery gale, blocking the external malevolent energy with its flames. Searing tides of fire surged forth, overturning all cultivators below the realm of refining void, alleviating the burden on the Wanbao Palace disciples and granting them a much-needed reprieve. "Evil enchantress of the Wanbao Palace, colluding with the demon clan and secretly hoarding the Divine Origin Fruit, your crimes are beyond forgiving! Surrender the Divine Origin Fruit immediately!" An unidentified voice shouted from within the crowd, quickly echoed by a chorus of sect disciples behind him. Su Zijun didn't even bother to look at them, her ears automatically tuned out the noise. Finally, there was a ripple in the air as a man in a purple brocade robe appeared in front of the Wanbao Palace's mountain gate. He had a broad forehead and nose, deep-set eyes with a gaze sharp as an eagle's, an appearance fit for an emperor. His clothing, embellished with golden threads and jade lines, exuded an oppressive nobility. The moment this man appeared, Su Zijun's expression darkened. Xuanji Celestial King, the younger brother of the aging Celestial Emperor. Although born to the same mother, they were separated by seventy thousand years in age. Thus, while the Celestial Emperor has grown old, Xuanji still appeared vigorous and ambitious. With so much youth and unfulfilled ambition, how could he allow celestial power to fall into the hands of an outsider? The Celestial Emperor had always disliked his brother, fearing him throughout his life. Despite inheriting benefits from his predecessors’ establishment of the Celestial Palace, this Celestial Emperor, nearing death, preferred to hand over the celestial realm to Yan Yuanqing rather than allow him to assume power—a notion utterly laughable. After all, he was the rightful heir. Even if Yan Yuanqing could rise again, she had no qualifications to compete with him. As the Celestial King appeared, those elites who charged at the Wanbao Palace with the intent of punishing Su Zijun grew more fervent, emboldened by the endorsement of the celestial realm, believing themselves to come from a place of ultimate justice. The voices of condemnation reached a crescendo. Xuanji Celestial King waved a grand hand, "Su Zijun, do you still not understand the situation? Should you reconsider, turn towards the light, stop resisting, and reveal the whereabouts of the Divine Origin Fruit, I shall forgive the past." Su Zijun straightened her spine, her eyes steady and calm. "Forgive the past?" she sneered lightly, nonchalant. "I stand clear in my actions, need no one's forgiveness for supposed wrongs. But what about you, your majesty? You besiege the celestial palace, seize power deceitfully, flip truth and falsehood, and murder the rightful successor. Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?" The words left everyone—every celestial practitioner's eyes wide in shock. What was Su Zijun implying?! Xuanji Celestial King murdering the palace's rightful successor, twisting the truth? What did this mean?! As Su Zijun's voice trailed off, Xuanji Celestial King's face darkened. The assassins sent to pursue Jingyang Xianjun had returned no word, suggesting he had safely reached Wanbao Palace and conveyed the celestial realm's events to Su Zijun. But even if so, what of it? "The successor? How strange, for this king knows of no such heir. The retrieval of the Divine Origin Fruit can extend the Celestial Emperor's life by another hundred thousand years. Why need a successor?" "The celestial realm's dominion over the three worlds lasts hundreds of thousands of years, and with the Celestial Emperor's lifespan nearing its end, all sorts of creatures have emerged, crafting lies to disrupt celestial peace. Naturally, I must purge these hidden threats." Xuanji Celestial King's gaze glinted coldly, "Wanbao Palace obstructs this king from finding the Divine Origin Fruit and dares make such allegations. Could it be linked to those stirring unrest in the celestial realm?" Su Zijun's heart sank; how skillfully he twisted the truth! Seeing her momentarily speechless, Xuanji Celestial King pressed on, "Let us assume, most absurdly, that the successor to the celestial palace is indeed this king. How could I have a reason to slay myself?"