Chapter 263: Time to Settle Things with Ye Cong Xin
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A few days later, Jiu Wei summoned Yu Zhao.
“In ten days, it will be the Demonic Race’s Small Gathering. Do you dare to lead my Fox Clan to attend?”
Yu Zhao asked, “What do I need to do?”
“It’s simple. Just ensure the safe return of the nine-tailed foxes attending the gathering,” Jiu Wei said lightly.
“Alright.”
Yu Zhao agreed readily, which unexpectedly made Jiu Wei uneasy.
“The Small Gathering is held every six months, with numerous demonic beasts participating. Given the hostility between humans and demons, if your identity is exposed, you may not return alive. Aren’t you afraid?”
Yu Zhao shook her head.
If Jiu Wei dared to entrust her with this task, she had nothing to fear.
Being a Small Gathering, the strongest participants would likely only match her cultivation level. With her Illusion Technique for concealment, she was confident she wouldn’t be exposed.
“You are indeed bold.”
Despite her words, Jiu Wei tossed a small furball toward Yu Zhao.
Even before catching it, Yu Zhao felt the intense Fox King Aura emanating from it.
“Thank you, Clan Leader Jiu Wei.”
After attaching the furball to her belt, Yu Zhao had barely returned to her quarters when a group of fluffy little foxes knocked on her door.
Opening it, she was met with a dozen pairs of bright, sparkling eyes.
A gray little fox hopped skillfully onto her shoulder. “Yu Zhao! The clan leader said you’re leading us this time. Let’s get going!”
“Yu Zhao, I want to ride on your shoulder too!”
“Do you have any more dried fish? I’m hungry!”
“…”
The chatter of the dozen small foxes was overwhelming, and Yu Zhao suddenly felt like this wasn’t leading a team to a gathering but rather taking a group of furballs on a picnic.
Yu Zhao asked, “Do you all know where the gathering is?”
“Yes, yes, I’ve been there!”
“I’ve been there too!”
“You only went once. I’ve been twice. Yu Zhao, let me lead the way!”
“Liar! You’ve only been once too!”
“You’re the liar!”
“…”
Seeing a fight about to break out, Yu Zhao quickly took out some dried fish from her Storage Pouch to calm them down.
Instantly, the foxes quieted down.
“Little You, you’ll guide me,” Yu Zhao said.
“Okay!” The gray fox answered loudly before burying its head back into its snack.
Yu Zhao patted its head and headed down the mountain. The other foxes followed obediently, not one falling behind.
Before long, the once-lively wooden house fell silent, with only faint cries occasionally heard from next door.
…
The demonic beasts’ habits varied greatly, and they lived in vastly different terrains. Over time, the Dragon Pool Mountain Range, located south of the Central Region, became a hub for their interactions. Many beasts would bring their unneeded items there to trade with others.
This informal trading location eventually became a widely recognized marketplace.
The Green Hill Mountain, where the nine-tailed foxes resided, wasn’t far from the Dragon Pool Mountain Range. Coupled with the foxes’ lively nature, they would attend the Small Gathering without fail, whether or not they had anything to trade.
Yu Zhao’s task was straightforward: ensure the foxes’ safe return, just as Jiu Wei had instructed.
Though playful, the foxes were clever and agile, avoiding danger on their own. Tempted by dried fish, they didn’t trouble Yu Zhao too much.
What annoyed her were the cultivators they encountered along the way.
Some recognized the rare nine-tailed foxes and grew greedy, but Yu Zhao’s imposing aura deterred them. Instead of attacking outright, they attempted to befriend her, mistaking her for a fox who had taken human form. Their malicious intent was evident in their eyes.
Yu Zhao didn’t give them a chance to approach. A flash of spiritual energy drove them away.
Most, realizing Yu Zhao wasn’t easy prey, quickly retreated. However, a few stubborn ones tried to capture the foxes to threaten her. Yu Zhao dealt with them decisively, leaving them to rot like fallen leaves in the mud.
That day, they came across a river.
In high spirits, Yu Zhao organized a fishing session for the foxes. She even pulled out a long-unused fishing rod, determined to redeem herself.
In the end, amidst the foxes’ triumphant laughter, she admitted defeat and became their fish-grilling assistant.
Under the vast night sky, the flames burned brightly.
The satiated foxes sprawled out, forming a fluffy, warm carpet over the ground.
Yu Zhao sat by the fire.
The flames reflected in her eyes.
She looked up at the night sky, feeling an unusual tranquility.
She couldn’t remember the last time she sat quietly on the grass, lost in thought, with no pressing matters. For once, she could enjoy this rare peace.
From the moment she was reborn, she hadn’t stopped moving forward.
She dared not stop.
Ye Cong Xin, like a shadow, loomed over her heart, constantly reminding her.
Her past experiences and inadequate strength had made her afraid to share the matter of Ye Cong Xin with anyone.
But now, she had reached Nascent Soul stage.
She was a formidable cultivator capable of establishing her own peak and accepting disciples.
Her trusted partner was Zhou Jin Yue, the Grand Senior Sister of the Five Elements Dao Sect. Sect Master Ji Yuan favored her as a senior figure.
She had many friends.
Her standing in the sect was no longer insignificant.
Her words now carried weight.
It was time to settle her grudge with Ye Cong Xin.
Once this matter was resolved, she could fully focus on finding a way to repair the Heavenly Ladder.
Having made up her mind, Yu Zhao felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart. She was filled with a sense of immense relief.
Discarding all distractions, she silently gazed at the sky. Her spiritual energy flowed freely, nourishing her body until dawn.
…
“Master! Look, Magma Stone! Isn’t that Magma Stone?”
Su Ming, his hair in disarray, stared at the faintly visible dark red stones in the lava ahead, nearly crying with joy.
He had almost thought the Fox Clan Leader’s mention of Magma Stone was just a rumor. Today, he finally found it.
Master Qing Yan, looking thoughtful, glanced at Su Ming and, after observing his disheveled appearance, shifted his gaze away with a frown.
Su Ming’s cultivation journey was still short, leaving him unfamiliar with ancient artifact materials.
But Master Qing Yan knew plenty.
Magma Stone was an extremely rare fire-element material. Even among a hundred volcanoes, finding one piece was uncertain.
Yet they had found it at only their third volcano.
Su Ming’s luck was extraordinary.
However, Qing Yan pondered his memories and found no particular brilliance in Su Ming’s past. He only recalled that Su Ming came from a noble background and was especially picky about his living conditions.
When Su Ming first joined the Lone Moon Peak, he caused quite a fuss over the simplicity of his quarters. It was unclear how Fang Cheng Lang managed to pacify him.
In cultivation, Su Ming had no remarkable achievements and was unexceptional among his peers.
Why, then, was he so uniquely favored by destiny?
Master Qing Yan was baffled.