Thinking this, Li Yunxian turned her head and followed Yin Ke’s gaze toward Su Wenjing.
Immediately, she could not help but laugh.
In his human form, Su Wenjing was very accustomed to putting on airs, always maintaining a cold, aloof, and arrogant demeanor.
However, perhaps because he had spent too much time acting as a human, his control over his expressions seemed only to apply to that form.
In his current state as a small fox, his bared teeth and bristling fur did nothing to hide his emotions.
Li Yunxian reached out and grabbed the little fox by the scruff of his neck. She picked him up and pulled him into her arms without encountering any resistance. “I don’t know where he came from, but he looks quite cute.”
Yin Ke’s brow furrowed slightly. “But this is a beast at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, just like you.”
He clearly did not approve.
Hearing those words, Su Wenjing’s heart stirred, and he suddenly realized what was happening. When they entered this place, his divine soul had synchronized with Li Yunxian’s.
Because the Li Yunxian of this period was only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, he was forced into the same level.
As a nine-tailed fox, he was born with a Golden Core and had never actually experienced a middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Consequently, his state had regressed, turning him into a small fox cub.
Li Yunxian had a way to resolve his form, and Su Wenjing had one as well. To change back, he only needed to disconnect his link with her.
But for now…
Su Wenjing remained silent, snuggling quietly in Li Yunxian’s arms.
Feeling his submissiveness, Li Yunxian let out a muffled laugh. When it was just the two of them, Su Wenjing had been wild and feisty, but as soon as Yin Ke arrived, he knew how to act.
Li Yunxian took the opportunity to pat the fox’s head a few more times, her voice light. “He follows the path of righteousness; he certainly won’t hurt people for no reason.”
Seeing how much she liked the creature, Yin Ke did not say much more. “Then keep him.” He reached out and took Li Yunxian’s hand, his voice equally cheerful. “I want to take you somewhere.”
Li Yunxian blinked. Looking at Yin Ke’s joyful expression, she finally realized exactly which point in time she had returned to.
She obediently let Yin Ke lead her away. Only the little fox stared with a dark gaze at their intertwined hands.
He was debating whether or not to bite down. In the eyes of this Yin Ke, who only existed in the past, he was nothing more than a spirit beast.
However, before Su Wenjing could make a decision, Li Yunxian let go of his hand and set him down.
The little fox landed lightly on the ground.
*Poof.*
His fur bristled again; he was clearly furious. He had come here to hear about Li Yunxian and Fu Ling’s past and to help her, not to watch her flirt with someone else right in front of him!
When Li Yunxian was holding and coaxing him, Su Wenjing could justify it by thinking that Yin Ke belonged to another world and was as dead as could be. But now…
What did she mean by just putting him down like that!
For a moment, Su Wenjing wanted to transform back into his original form just to see how Li Yunxian would handle the situation.
But considering how important his divine soul was to her, he simply bared his teeth for a long while. Eventually, his front paws scratched the ground uncontrollably in his anger, and he indignantly dug a hole in the dirt.
Li Yunxian could not help but laugh at his reaction, though she felt a bit bad about it. However, at this moment, it really wasn’t appropriate for her to be holding him.
Li Yunxian looked up at Yin Ke.
Yin Ke let go of her hand and walked forward a few steps. They were currently in a courtyard—the one where Li Yunxian had been arranged to stay temporarily upon arriving at the Yin mansion.
It was a bit remote and desolate, but at this moment, that desolation seemed to be an advantage.
For example…
“Look what I found!”
With a flick of his wrist, Yin Ke produced a tree from his storage artifact. It was a small ginkgo tree, only about as tall as a person.
“The ginkgo you like! I asked someone to find it for me!” Yin Ke said to Li Yunxian, as if presenting a treasure. “Let’s plant it here.”
“We’ll fix up this courtyard bit by bit.”
“You said it yourself—you like how the ginkgo is the only genus of its kind in the whole world, yet it can still survive strongly. We will be just like it!”
Yin Ke looked at Li Yunxian earnestly. “Even if everyone opposes us, it won’t matter! You have to believe me!”
Seeing Yin Ke’s sincere expression, Li Yunxian’s gaze softened. “Mm, I believe you.”
Receiving her response, Yin Ke became overjoyed and excited. He impulsively opened his arms and stepped forward, wanting to embrace her.
But what met him was…
A fox flying kick!
A heavy blow landed right on his face. Yin Ke let out a muffled groan and clutched his nose. He glared gloomily at the fox that had ruined his moment, but then Li Yunxian’s happy laughter rang in his ears.
Yin Ke’s face flushed a deep red. Part of it was due to his own excitement; as a Golden Core cultivator, he had been so unguarded that a Foundation Establishment fox had managed to kick him in the face.
Part of it was embarrassment over his impulsive and rude attempt to hug her.
He coughed awkwardly, not daring to look at her. But since Li Yunxian was happy, he couldn’t find any anger in his heart. His voice couldn’t hide his joy as he said, “Let’s plant it together.”
“Alright,” Li Yunxian answered softly.
Even though both were cultivators, neither of them used any fashu this time. They chose a spot in the courtyard together, dug a hole by hand, and planted the ginkgo tree.
After they finished, Yin Ke produced a pot from somewhere and poured water from a spiritual pool over the roots.
“Ginkgo, little ginkgo, grow tall and big.”
“Later, we’ll put a lounge chair under it, and maybe a small stove.”
“I’ll build a swing, too.”
“It will last a long, long time.”
Yin Ke’s voice was light and full of longing. He spoke of forever as Li Yunxian hummed in agreement.
However, it wasn’t long before someone called him away.
As soon as Yin Ke vanished, Su Wenjing spoke up unhappily, “You actually like someone who is full of such sweet talk?”
Li Yunxian raised her hand to touch the ginkgo tree in front of her. “What’s wrong with sweet talk? It’s only wrong if someone says things they have no intention of doing. He said those things, and he acted on them. What’s bad about that?”
Su Wenjing recalled what Li Yunxian had told him before—that the Yin family had eventually agreed to the marriage, but she was the one who refused later on.
He was suddenly speechless. His paws continued to scratch at the ground irritably until he noticed Li Yunxian watching him with interest.
Su Wenjing froze. He slowly lowered his head and saw the ground covered in his claw marks.
His fur bristled again, and he jumped back several steps, baring his teeth.
Seeing that Su Wenjing had finally realized what he was doing, Li Yunxian did not hold back and laughed out loud.
In his shame and anger, Su Wenjing wanted to ignore her forever, but for him, his mind was one thing and his actions were another.
After snarling for a while, he eventually let out a cold snort and leaped lightly onto Li Yunxian’s shoulder.
“So, in the end, he convinced his family?” Su Wenjing asked.
Despite his unhappiness, he understood how it felt to experience this fleeting, doomed reunion with someone from the past. He wouldn’t actually run away and leave Li Yunxian here alone.
“No,” Li Yunxian replied. She found a place to sit down and shook her head, her gaze distant. “He fought for a long time, but no one agreed. Yin Ke was the most talented legitimate son of the Yin family, one of the three most likely to take over the family position.”
“The Yin family would never agree to him marrying a scattered cultivator with a low background, mediocre innate talent, and a cultivation level only at the Foundation Establishment stage. So, later…”
“He abandoned his identity in the Yin family and ran away with me.”
Li Yunxian omitted a few things. She didn’t tell Su Wenjing about the cold shoulders, the exclusion, or even the assassination attempts she had faced in the Yin mansion.
Yin Ke had persisted in this relationship, and Li Yunxian had persisted as well.
She wouldn’t talk about her own deep devotion, but Su Wenjing could guess it without her saying a word.
“Hmph.” He gave a cold snort and muttered something under his breath. Li Yunxian couldn’t quite catch the words; it was likely the language of the nine-tailed fox clan, but she sensed it was quite vulgar.
Being a bit mischievous, Li Yunxian poked Su Wenjing. “What are you saying?”
Su Wenjing glanced at her and snorted again. Such an expression on a human face would be very annoying, but on a small fox, it was adorable.
Li Yunxian poked him again. “Can’t you tell me?”
“I can.” Su Wenjing snorted once more, then looked at Li Yunxian and said through gritted teeth, “I said, I can do that too!”
He leaped from her shoulder and transformed into his human form in mid-air. Su Wenjing leaned down slightly, his golden, yao eyes staring directly at her. Their faces were extremely close, their breaths seemingly intertwining.
“I said, I can do that too!” Su Wenjing repeated.
Li Yunxian blinked, and her hand uncontrollably reached out to touch the face that was so close to her. He was truly too handsome.
As if bewitched, Li Yunxian tilted her head up slightly. Their lips met.
Su Wenjing froze. He had imagined many outcomes after saying those words. For instance, being rejected by Li Yunxian. Or perhaps… being rejected by Li Yunxian.
The only thing he hadn’t expected was this.
His mind went completely blank. It wasn’t until the warmth on his lips receded that he regained a bit of his senses. He heard Li Yunxian’s voice, full of complaints and accusations.
“How can you use your beauty to commit a crime!” she condemned.
Su Wenjing was at a loss. He wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. His entire body felt stiff, like a puppet. It took him several seconds to fully process what had happened in those few moments.
Su Wenjing’s ears turned bright red. He was completely unable to maintain his cold, aloof image as he said exasperatedly, “You’re the one who did it, yet it’s my fault?”
Li Yunxian laughed and leaned back against the chair, putting a bit of distance between them. She tilted her head with a mix of defiance and mischief. “Is it not allowed?”
The angry Su Wenjing stood stunned. He finally realized something.