291 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

The sect's grand formation had a breach, and as the elite cultivators surged through the mountain gates, several streams of arrow-like energy forced them back. Lei Shuang, with agility at its peak, grabbed Elder Wu's arm, pulling him back as Jiang Ying leapt forward to take his place. The formation's glow reignited, and as Lei Shuang entrusted Elder Wu to the disciples of the Wanbao Palace, she was about to turn back to assist Jiang Ying when she inadvertently glanced up. What she saw at a height of hundreds of feet left her in shock. She gasped, "Demonic Lord!" A cloud of blood erupted around Nan Gong Yin as if a floating weed, blown far away by a fierce gale. Xuan Ji Xian Wang's attack had succeeded, but he did not intend to stop there. A divine light enveloped the heavens and earth. Behind Xuan Ji Xian Wang, a six-armed apparition raised a massive golden seal, which was the Pure Seal forged by thousands. Injured, Xuan Ji Xian Wang changed his hand seals, and the apparition aimed the Pure Seal at Nan Gong Yin. If the seal struck, regardless of her cultivation or bloodline, Nan Gong Yin's soul would dissipate. The void next to her was sealed by an invisible force, and her Blood Shadow Spear shattered into several pieces amid the clash of sharp edges. This spear shared her very essence, and its breaking always signaled a calamity. In a daze, she felt transported back three hundred years. When she led an attack on the Fuyun Sect, her vision was likewise narrowed to a scene of blood, with only her hand tightly clutching Yan Yuan Qing's in her view. A golden bead on her left wrist swayed in the wind, cutting into her skin and breaking the red string that held the bead. The Soul Condensing Pearl was flung high, just like that day when her arm was severed, and she could only watch helplessly as Yan Yuan Qing was forcibly taken away. Now, three hundred years later, history seemed to repeat itself. Suddenly, a playful voice, tinged with laughter, broke through, "Is your mind on me even now?" Nan Gong Yin froze. What? Was it a hallucination born from her own troubled mind as death loomed? In an instant, the confinement of her space shattered. She felt an embrace catch her, warm and supportive. The face she yearned for appeared in her gaze, its features bold and heroic. Eighty-one streams of Frost Sword energy formed an array, lifting the monumental Pure Seal. Recognizing Nan Gong Yin's injuries, Yan Yuan Qing's gaze cooled with a hint of deterrence. Gently, she tightened her hold on Nan Gong Yin, her lips barely brushing her ear as she whispered, "I'm back." Nan Gong Yin's heart was in turmoil. "Ah Ying, are you surprised?" Yan Yuan Qing's smile broadened as she formed her fingers into a sword and made a slight twist. Boom— Dust rose from the mountainside of Wanbao Palace. The golden seal, like a mountain with five peaks, reversed its target to suppress Xuan Ji Xian Wang. Chapter 318 Silence reigned. The roar was so intense that everyone at the mountain gate of Wanbao Palace momentarily lost their hearing, only viewing the scene as a mighty brush ink painting where trees collapsed en masse, and the world stood still. Just as the silence enveloped their ears, everyone's eyes were drawn upwards to a suddenly appearing figure in the sky. That person wore garments white as snow that flowed with the breeze; their long hair meticulously tied, yet the way she gently held Nan Gong Yin's waist was far from solemn. Her breathtaking beauty, paired with an almost mischievous smile, exuded an air of carefree elegance, compelling admiration and reverence as though she were a celestial being. Initially, some did not recognize her, but gasps spread through the crowd. To effortlessly counter Xuan Ji Xian Wang, what kind of power was this? The auditory veil lifted; from the east gate of Wanbao Palace, Zuan Hai Zhenren's voice proclaimed, "Yan Yuan Qing!" Simultaneously, waves of astonished cries erupted. "The Immortal Sovereign Yuan Qing!" "It's the Immortal Sovereign Yuan Qing!" Who? At first, confusion reigned, but realization quickly set in, transforming their expressions drastically. This was Yan Yuan Qing! Revered as the Immortal Sovereign Yuan Qing, the foremost sword cultivator of the mortal realm, who seemingly perished three hundred years ago, now resurrected under unknown circumstances! Hovering mid-air, Yan Yuan Qing cradled Nan Gong Yin, alive and graceful. No matter how one looked, she appeared vibrant, a living person! Among countless present, none possessed her unfettered ease. At the east gate, Zuan Hai Zhenren's eyes held a complex emotion. On the west, Yao Shen Zi's mustache bristled with shock, "Yan Yuan Qing lives?!" Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying, seeing this, felt their anxieties lift. Fortunately, right at the brink, when Lei Shuang almost feared the Demonic Lord was lost, Yan Yuan Qing arrived in time. Su Zi Jun clutched her pained chest, her gaze unwavering towards the sky where Yan Yuan Qing stood. This familiar silhouette assured her the day's battle was over. Immortal Sovereign Yuan Qing was indeed an anchor, unshakable by any worldly storm. Despite previous harsh rumors about her, witnessing her true presence silenced and humbled them all. Each sect's masters retreated a step in unison. Yet, the one under the spotlight, her gaze solely met a pair of bright eyes. Yan Yuan Qing, her brow arched in a daring grin, remarked, "I beat him for you. Aren’t I great?" Nan Gong Yin:"......" Interacting with this person barely allowed her any sentimental hold—it was almost infuriating. Her eyes welled up, only for Yan Yuan Qing's words to drive the tears away out of exasperation. Blinking back the moisture, she averted her face, feeling utterly at a loss. Attempting to extricate herself from Yan Yuan Qing's embrace, she found herself still weak from injury, trapped within the arms that circled her, refusing to let go. Yan Yuan Qing seemed unfazed by the observing crowd. "Don’t be complacent," Nan Gong Yin urged, her voice tinged with hoarseness, "He’s not easily defeated." Yan Yuan Qing beamed, "You're concerned for me? Still the worrywart I love. Tell me you missed me, and I'll show him how serious I can be." Nan Gong Yin: "......" Words faltered between them—truly few things could communicate as exasperatingly as with Yan Yuan Qing! Did she grasp the gravity of the moment? Xuan Ji Xian Wang had brought thousands of celestial soldiers surrounding Wanbao Palace; she was nearly vanquished. Yet, Yan Yuan Qing, faced with thousands, remained so casually defiant—who else in the world could match her audacity? Yan Yuan Qing's voice wasn’t muted, and with the majority of experts at the mountain gate proficient in Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation, their acute hearing picked up her conversation, leading to subtle, complex expressions. Was this unconventional, un-Immortal-like woman truly Yan Yuan Qing? Yet, it piqued many's interest—they were curious about what further unexpected things she might say. However, before Nan Gong Yin and Yan Yuan Qing could speak again, the dust finally settled at the mountainside, where the Pure Seal had struck. Xuan Ji Xian Wang, battered and in tattered clothes, crawled from a muddy pit. His previously upright appearance was smeared with blood and dust. A skewed headwear and loosened hair left him looking furious, like a specter emerging from the depths of the underworld. "Yan Yuan Qing!" he accused, brushing his crown as he pointed at her, "Colluding openly with demons!" "Don't make it sound so dirty," Yan Yuan Qing lightly raised her eyebrow. Despite her smile, her gaze turned piercing. To others, her demeanor switched: considerate to Nan Gong Yin, and discerning elsewhere. "Many generations ago, at the genesis of the world, the celestial and demonic realms fought side by side against the spirits from beyond." Yan Yuan Qing's voice held an edge of judgment, "Do your celestial gates still hold the image of the first Demon Lord? It’s barely been a few generations, who told you you're now superior?" Xuan Ji Xian Wang was stunned. While the crowd buzzed, Yan Yuan Qing's words struck with clarity. If no conflict existed between celestial and demonic realms, the premise for crusading against demons was void, making the notion of collusion senseless. Xuan Ji Xian Wang quickly regained his composure and loudly retorted, "You speak of tens of thousands of years ago, yet today's world is fraught with chaos by the demon clans, their shadows causing turmoil all over the human realm. Naturally, I must uphold the way of the heavens!" "You claim demonic chaos abounds—then produce evidence," Yan Yuan Qing's voice was calm, almost leisurely. "How many conflicts in the past millennium weren't first incited by your celestial realm?" When did it begin that the celestial became synonymous with righteousness, and the demonic with evil? If one were to investigate, few have witnessed demons committing atrocities in the human realm; most accounts are hearsay. For instance, the strange annihilation of many small sects earlier blamed on demons turned out to be the doing of the Fuyun Sect. Faces turned towards each other in awkwardness, and the celestial experts who had been about to attack the Wanbao Palace suddenly ceased their aggression, easing the pressure on Su Zi Jun and her comrades. Xuan Ji Xian Wang set his jaw tight, masking his inner weakness with a show of bluster, "You twist truths and distort facts!" "Then there's nothing more to discuss," Yan Yuan Qing waved dismissively, unfazed. "I always offer words before actions. Since peaceful persuasion doesn't work, we may as well settle this with a display of true skill. Surely, by now, you've gathered your strength during the stalling." Xuan Ji Xian Wang: "..." Caught off guard, he realized his stalling had been explicitly noted by Yan Yuan Qing. His right hand moved behind him, discreetly forming a seal. Innumerable strands of righteous energy converged in the void, transforming into a divine sword, its point aimed directly at Yan Yuan Qing. The sharp energy surged forward, and even its mere remnants forced the people before the Wanbao Palace to shut their eyes. Nan Gong Yin gasped, warning Yan Yuan Qing, "Be careful." Yan Yuan Qing glanced at her, "Say you missed me." "..." Nan Gong Yin faltered, pushing her lips together as her ears pinkened. Reluctantly, unable to compromise her dignity, she negotiated, "Finish this seriously first, and I'll tell you whatever you want to hear later." Yan Yuan Qing raised an eyebrow high with excitement, "That's a promise! If you break it, I'll take our daughter and leave!" Nan Gong Yin: "..." Her fists clenched in response. Humph, just you try to walk out. Xuan Ji Xian Wang's fury blazed to his core. In such a dire situation, Yan Yuan Qing still found the leisure to tease, as if he weren't worthy of attention. Enraged, he bellowed, "Yan Yuan Qing! Humiliate me today, and you'll pay dearly!" With that, the Righteous Sword of Judgment descended abruptly. Instantly, the void crumbled, and the sun and moon dimmed. The sky seemed to collapse towards Yan Yuan Qing, casting darkness over everyone. Boom— A deafening explosion shook the earth and mountains. The world almost flipped on itself, filling everyone's hearts with a dread that the heavens would fall and everything vanish into silence. When clarity returned, they saw high above, Yan Yuan Qing's whipping white robe floating gently with the breeze. She held Nan Gong Yin casually, unharmed. Across from her, Xuan Ji Xian Wang stood in shock, the landscape behind him riddled with fissures. Luckily, the area was vacant of any Wanbao Palace disciples, who had all been sent away. The tremor spread for miles, causing the creatures of the forest to scatter in a frenzy. --- The expectation was not the moon, but the moment of meeting you.