Chu Yunlan frowned slightly. Fine! Since the Fox Venerable had already said so much, he had no choice but to step aside and let her pass.
Su Xuanxuan walked past him without looking back, crossing the moon gate. The morning light spilled over her, turning her golden hair into a dazzling, flowing river of gold.
Watching her gradually disappear into the distance, Chu Yunlan sighed. ‘Fine! The Crown Prince has already been in that room with the waste for some time now. No matter what they’re doing inside, I can use this to spin a story.’
‘Rumors never need truth—just a beginning and a crowd willing to believe.’
Chu Yunlan’s smile turned cold. He flicked his sleeves, spun around, and strode off in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, Su Xuanxuan had already reached the East Courtyard where the Crown Prince resided.
Sunlight poured through the lattice windows of the courtyard wall, scattering patches of dappled light on the ground.
Yin Shiniang, clad in bronze-red armor, wore a sword at her waist and stood with her hands behind her back inside the courtyard gate. Her eyes swept the surroundings like a hawk’s. Behind her, twelve golden-armored guards stood in two rows, their armor gleaming coldly in the sun, silent and alert.
Protecting the Crown Prince allowed no room for error. Even though Yin Shiniang was several months pregnant, she knew her duty.
Before long, she heard footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard gate. The guards’ hands instinctively rested on their sword hilts, their gazes locked on the alluring figure leisurely entering through the moon gate.
Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, her purple robes shimmered like sunset clouds, and her nine tails gleamed under the sun, resembling blooming sunflowers. The newcomer walked with ease, her posture enchanting, like a noblewoman strolling through her garden in the afternoon—not an outsider trespassing into a forbidden area.
Yin Shiniang’s pupils contracted slightly. She recognized the visitor—Supreme Guardian of the Taixu Sacred Domain, the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox, Su Xuanxuan.
Any one of those titles alone would make a cultivator in the Realm of True Emotions gasp in awe. Even in her youth during training, Yin Shiniang had heard countless rumors about this Fox Venerable. Some said she had lived for a thousand years with unfathomable cultivation. Others said she was temperamental, capable of shifting clouds with a flick of her hand. Some even claimed she had single-handedly slaughtered three top-tier sects that had disrespected the Sacred Domain, leaving not even a chicken or dog alive.
The truth of these rumors was hard to discern, but one thing was certain—this Fox Venerable was not someone she could afford to offend.
Taking a deep breath, Yin Shiniang released her sword hilt, clasped her fists, and bowed. Her voice was steady and respectful, filled with caution toward the newcomer: “Are you the Supreme Guardian of the Taixu Sacred Domain, the Fox Venerable?”
At that, Su Xuanxuan smiled charmingly. “Indeed. I heard the Crown Prince had arrived. As a Guardian of the Taixu Sacred Domain, it’s only right that I come to pay my respects.”
She took half a step forward, her smile deepening. “I’m sure the Crown Prince won’t refuse me this courtesy, will he?”
Her tone was consultative, but her posture clearly said, ‘Tell that red-haired bitch to come out and see me now!!!’
Yin Shiniang’s face showed difficulty. The Crown Prince had not summoned anyone, and as the Guard Captain, she should not let anyone in. But the person before her was a powerhouse at the Hedao Realm. Weighing her options quickly, she chose the safest course. She bowed with clasped fists. “Fox Venerable, please allow me to inform the Crown Prince first.”
Su Xuanxuan nodded slightly, her smile still lingering at the corners of her mouth. She neither urged nor backed down, standing there quietly. The invisible pressure made all the surrounding guards tremble in fear. They knew that no matter how elite they were, they would not last a single exchange against a Hedao Realm expert.
Yin Shiniang quickly turned, walked to the door, and raised her hand to knock.
Thump, thump, thump!
She reported hurriedly: “Your Highness, the Nine-tailed Fox Venerable of the Taixu Sacred Domain requests an audience. What are your orders?”
Inside the room.
The light of the formation rippled gently like water.
Ji Xuanyuan sat on her [Divine Treasure Cushion], racking her brains over how to continue extracting spiritual power from her junior brother. Before Su Xuanxuan’s arrival, she had tried many methods but to no avail.
Now, learning that the Fox Venerable had come? Ji Xuanyuan’s eyes snapped open. She looked at the closed door, frowning slightly. ‘Why did this woman come so suddenly? Could she have sensed that junior brother is with me? That makes sense—this is the Chu Clan, so she must have eyes on it. It’s reasonable she received the news. But this speed is way too fast, isn’t it?’
Ji Xuanyuan’s phoenix eyes narrowed. ‘Has the Fox Venerable been in Xuanji City for days already? No! If so, she would have stepped in when I was taking junior brother away. To come only now? That doesn’t add up. Unless she rushed here directly from the distant Sacred Domain the moment she got the news?’
‘Is that… possible?’
She recalled the Fox Venerable’s almost obsessive possessiveness over her junior brother in the previous life. It gradually became clear—it was never care, but a pathological need to own. Whatever this fox set her sights on, no one could touch. From the Sacred Domain to Xuanji City was over a hundred thousand miles. But if it involved junior brother, given Su Xuanxuan’s nature, not even a hundred thousand miles would stop her; she would come even if it meant crossing the ends of the earth.
Ji Xuanyuan sighed inwardly. At this moment, she really did not want to see Su Xuanxuan. That woman had been her rival in the past life, and this life would likely be no different. But Ji Xuanyuan was currently in the Chu Clan, and Su Xuanxuan was a Hedao Realm giant—a rare existence even in the entire [Realm of True Emotions]. This was not someone she, as the Crown Prince of the Immortal Dynasty, could afford to snub. At least for now, Ji Xuanyuan could not afford to offend her.
Helpless, she stood up and put on her outer robe. “I understand. Tell the Fox Venerable to wait a moment; I’ll be right out.”
Hearing this, Yin Shiniang outside replied and her footsteps gradually faded away.
Ji Xuanyuan walked to the bronze mirror and glanced at herself. Black court robes, golden phoenix hairpin, flawless makeup. Facing the rival outside the courtyard, she had to ensure her appearance was impeccable.
Satisfied, she turned to look at her junior brother on the bed. “Junior Brother, come out with me.”
At that, Chu Yuan frowned and opened his eyes, showing no joy at being rescued. Thanks to the Sleeping Art, he had been able to extract oil from the Crown Prince to rapidly boost his cultivation. He had been squeezing nicely when the Fox Venerable showed up. If he had his way, he would have kept extracting all night. By tomorrow, he might have fully recovered and even started cultivating.
The young dragon curled up on his chest, its tail wrapped around his wrist. But since the Fox Venerable had come, Chu Yuan could only sit up reluctantly. Wiping the tears from the little creature’s eyes, his expression was full of frustration.
Seeing that her junior brother hadn’t gotten his fill yet, Ji Xuanyuan felt bitter. She had no trouble deducing that the Sleeping Art was responsible for his spiritual energy diversion and retention. But since things had come to this, Ji Xuanyuan had to admit that if she wanted to drain him dry later, she would need to put in real effort.
For now, though, she had to deal with the Fox Venerable first. Ji Xuanyuan deactivated the formation in the room and walked to the door.
The door opened.
The noonday sun flooded in, illuminating her troubled jade-like face. She looked up.
Su Xuanxuan stood in the courtyard, her nine golden tails swaying gently in the wind.
Stepping out, Ji Xuanyuan’s black court robes gleamed coldly under the warm sun, and the golden phoenix hairpin sparkled in her hair. Right behind her, Chu Yuan emerged from the room, holding the sleeping young dragon.
Facing the two, Su Xuanxuan performed a curtsey with elegant composure. “Supreme Guardian of the Taixu Sacred Domain pays respects to the Crown Prince.”
Meeting the Fox Venerable again after a life apart, Ji Xuanyuan stood on the steps with a surge of emotions. In this life, Su Xuanxuan might not know who she was, but Ji Xuanyuan remembered that face all too clearly. She remembered how pathologically the woman had kept her junior brother under her thumb, and how she had wailed heart-wrenchingly after he died. But those things could not be shared with outsiders—at least not yet.
Ji Xuanyuan smiled faintly. “No need for formality. Fox Venerable, I heard you’ve been guarding the Sacred Domain for years. What brings you here so suddenly?”
Su Xuanxuan replied, “I apologize for not welcoming you earlier. That was my oversight. I have long heard of Your Highness’s reputation. As it happens, I was invited to preside over this year’s selection for the Chu Clan’s Divine Hunt Ceremony.”
Ji Xuanyuan’s expression was cool as spring water, neither servile nor arrogant. “You flatter me, Fox Venerable. It should be I who has long admired you.”
The two women stood facing each other, exchanging pleasantries—words like “I’ve heard so much about you” and “What an honor.” When the timing seemed right, Su Xuanxuan finally turned her gaze to Chu Yuan.
“Oh?” Her tone rose slightly, carrying just the right amount of surprise. “This child should be Chu Yuan, right?”
She looked him up and down, her smile deepening. “Not bad, not bad. Good bone structure. Speaking of which, I have a connection with your parents. It’s a pity they passed away unexpectedly years ago. The Sacred Domain happens to be short on guards. Child, if you’re interested, how about coming under my command?”
‘Seeing that the Fox Venerable is following the plan, Chu Yuan, holding the young dragon, breathed a sigh of relief. Now I can escape the Crown Prince’s clutches. I just need to follow the script and leave legitimately. Even if I can’t squeeze any more oil, at least I’ll be free!’
Steadying himself, Chu Yuan pretended to be flattered and quickly bowed with clasped fists. “Thank you for your kindness, Fox Venerable. To receive your favor is this disciple’s fortune.”
His eyes were sincere and earnest, and his voice carried a barely suppressed excitement.
Watching the two put on this act, Ji Xuanyuan felt an inexplicable irritation surge within her. ‘This damn fox really came for junior brother. “Guard,” “connection”—just nicer words for the same thing. She just wants to keep him by her side, watching him every moment, every second, like in the past life.’
‘But what can I do?’
After thinking it over, Ji Xuanyuan feigned indifference. “Fox Venerable, I find this disciple of yours quite impressive. Could you let him serve as my guard until the Divine Hunt Grand Ceremony ends? I’ll pay generously, and he can go with you afterward.”
Hearing that, Su Xuanxuan’s eye twitched. ‘Does she really think I don’t know her little scheme? If I let her keep my Yuan’er until the Divine Hunt Ceremony ends, he’ll be completely played out by then!’
Looking at Ji Xuanyuan’s cold, beautiful face, Su Xuanxuan clenched her back molars. She wished she could just slap this bitch to pieces. But since the other party was the Crown Prince of the Immortal Dynasty, the Fox Venerable had to maintain surface courtesy.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. The upcoming Divine Hunt involves assessment of the disciples; I need to step up his training. Besides, the guards you’ve brought are quite capable. There’s no need for my disciple to embarrass himself by your side. Or is there something else you want from him?”
At the end, Su Xuanxuan emphasized “something else” heavily.
Ji Xuanyuan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Staring at the Fox Venerable’s smiling fox eyes, a wave of helplessness washed over her.
In the past life, Ji Xuanyuan had always thought the Fox Venerable’s way of raising him was wrong. Bound by her cultivation of the Ruthless Path and the principle of not interfering in others’ karma, she had never said much. But in this reincarnated life, she could have done something—yet was powerless due to her status and strength.
Watching her junior brother about to fall into that fox’s arms again, Ji Xuanyuan was unwilling.
When Ji Xuanyuan seemed reluctant to let him go, Chu Yuan transmitted a message:
– Your Highness, you should let me go with the Fox Venerable.
– Our Soul Covenant clearly states you cannot expose me as a cultivator of the Demonic Path Alliance.
– I’ve heard the Fox Venerable is naturally suspicious. If she becomes suspicious, our Soul Covenant might be invalidated.
Ji Xuanyuan’s heart tightened.
She had always known. From the very beginning, she had known. Between them, it was never “mutual affection”—just a Soul Covenant, a transaction. He helped her cultivate, she kept his secret. Each took what they needed, a fair exchange. It was precisely this Soul Covenant that allowed Ji Xuanyuan to control her junior brother’s actions.
If that agreement were gone, she would have no reason to intervene in where he went or what he did.
Unable to imagine a life without him, Ji Xuanyuan had no choice but to compromise. “Then I won’t insist.”
Su Xuanxuan raised an eyebrow and bowed. “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.”
Then she looked at her Yuan’er. “Come, child. When we get back, I’ll train you well~”
The Fox Venerable’s tone turned playful, sounding to Ji Xuanyuan like nothing more than a territorial provocation.
Ji Xuanyuan clenched her jade fists inside her sleeves, forcing calm. Before her rival, she would never show even a crack of weakness.
Chu Yuan acknowledged with a sound and stepped out of the room’s shadow, following the Fox Venerable out of the courtyard.
Under the bright sky, his back wasn’t exactly straight, yet Ji Xuanyuan couldn’t pull her gaze away.
Watching him grow distant, likely not to be seen for a while, she opened her mouth. ‘Don’t go’? She knew she had no standing to say that. ‘Be careful of the Fox Venerable’? Too deliberate. ‘I’ll wait for you’? Too ridiculous.
At the end of the courtyard gate, Ji Xuanyuan could only stand there, watching that figure vanish completely into the wind.
An ancient tree stretched across the corridor, carrying the bitter scent of spiritual plants. As the breeze brushed past her, she tasted bitterness in the wind. Ji Xuanyuan lowered her head, silent. Her feigned indifference gradually darkened.
Seeing the Crown Prince growing increasingly dejected, Yin Shiniang was puzzled. “Your Highness… are you all right?”
Ji Xuanyuan forced a smile to her lips. “I’m fine. Do I look like something’s wrong?”
Watching the Crown Prince hang his head in defeat, Yin Shiniang opened her mouth but said nothing, afraid to press further.
Ji Xuanyuan ignored her response, turned, and walked back into the room. The door closed slowly behind her.
The formation’s light flared back to life, sealing everything outside.
The room was empty, leaving only her alone.
Ji Xuanyuan walked to the bedside and sat down.
The bed still held the warmth of that person. The bedding was slightly indented, as if bearing the traces of someone lying there. She reached out and gently brushed her hand over the depression, as though her junior brother were still there helping her cultivate.
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