Chapter 146
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Chapter 146: Title
Di Yun remained silent. The elders’ cultivation level reached at least tier six. Judging by the silver fox’s tone, the spirit cultivators possessed numerous such elders.
Was this the disparity between human cultivators and spirit cultivators? Comparatively, humanity’s foundation appeared far weaker.
The silver fox darted off to notify the fox tribe elders, leaving only the crimson fox before them.
The red fox studied the group. "Should you require anything, please inform me. I shall ensure all matters are properly arranged."
Yun Han abruptly inquired, "When the Golden Crow Demon Lord mentioned the other demon lords awaiting the nine demon lords alongside Taotie and Qiongqi Demon Lords, did that imply the Dragon Lord’s presence among them?" His gaze pinned the red fox. "Might we request an audience with the Dragon Lord?"
Di Yun nodded in agreement. "Yun Han speaks my thoughts precisely."
The red fox’s expression turned uneasy. "Such decisions exceed my authority. If you insist, it would be wiser to petition the demon lords directly upon their arrival."
"Very well. We appreciate your guidance," Di Yun conceded after exchanging glances with his companions.
Their observations since entering the Mountain and Sea Realm, particularly yesterday’s experiences in Qingqiu, revealed the spirit cultivators’ seemingly casual lifestyle concealed a rigid hierarchical structure. Their request visibly troubled this low-tier cultivator – the red fox could scarcely conceal his discomfort.
"Your consideration honors me," the creature murmured.
Three streaks of light soon pierced Qingqiu’s skies, materializing as the Golden Crow Demon Lord, Qiongqi in beast form, and Taotie. Di Yun’s group – comprising Yun Han, Mr. Bai, Xiao Chen, and those not occupied with other duties – stood waiting.
No sooner had the Golden Crow Demon Lord assumed human form than Qiongqi’s rumbling voice shattered the silence. "Di Yan! Your avian visage suits you better than this pitiful human disguise."
Taotie’s raspy chuckle followed. "Truth! When did you last adopt this form? Not since avoiding human cultivators, I’ll wager."
A vein pulsed at Di Yan’s temple. "Silence!" he hissed through clenched teeth.
"Silence?" Qiongqi’s leathery wings snapped open, stirring dust devils. "Shall we settle this through combat, little sunbird?"
"Enough!" Taotie interjected. "Must we entertain our guests with this buffoonery? State your business, Di Yan."
The two primordial brothers presented stark contrasts – where Qiongqi embodied untamed fury, Taotie’s calculating gaze missed nothing. Though both numbered among the Four Great Ferocious Beasts of the Ancient Era, only Taotie’s words could bridle his brother’s wrath.
Qiongqi snorted but yielded, muttering, "Where skulks the nine-tailed fox? Shall we await her leisure?"
Taotie’s eye twitched as he glanced at Mr. Bai. The white snake demon stood frozen, desperately feigning deafness while thanking providence that human ears couldn’t decipher spirit tongue. Better they remain ignorant of how these ancient beings toyed with reputations like kittens with yarn.
Yun Han, standing nearby, noticed several Demonic Beasts engaged in heated debate. Curious, he turned to Mr. Bai and asked, "What are they discussing? Why have you stopped translating?"
Mr. Bai shot him a withering glare, hissing through clenched teeth, "Ask no questions if you value your life."
—Hahaha this guy’s clueless! Obviously Xiao Bai can’t reveal this!
—Why do spirit cultivators act so ridiculous?
—The Golden Crow Demon Lord’s named Di Yan? Fancy name~ Human or avian form, both work for me *drools*
—Taotie’s glare screams "these idiots ruined our dignity" LOL
—Nah, they’re scared Xiao Bai’s translations might expose secrets to human cultivators!
—Xiao Tianji: Oops already live-streamed it… what now? _
—To the joker mocking our prophet: Check Weibo for Xiao Tianji’s personal warning!
—You fools keep joking while I’m DYING to know about their "major event"!!
—50-cent bet it’s Battleground-related.
—Cucumber wager says it’s world-shattering secrets – when has Tianji’s stream ever been simple?
—Xiao Tianji’s OP! Fortune-tellers shouldn’t leak destiny, but this livestream’s worse!
—Like you plebs understand the big shot’s Weibo riddles. Latest post’s meaning – any ideas?
—Must relate to Battleground’s Ancient Stone Tablet. Heavenly Dao inscriptions theory?
—Did y’all forget the actual topic??
—OMG MY QUEEN’S HERE!! LOOKLOOKLOOK!!!
—Your "queen" is a giant walking fox? Weebs have weird tastes…
—What’s that white fluffball in her paw? Our future child??
—Daydreaming at noon? That kitty looks familiar though…
—NINE-TAILED FOX!! Heaven’s grace made flesh!!
—Confirmed count – nine glorious tails!
……
The nine-tailed fox materialized in a swirl of snow-white fur, fixing Di Yan with jade-green eyes. "What emergency drags me from bloodline purification rituals?"
"Blame Kirin’s orders, not me," Di Yan retorted, flames flickering through his human guise. "Since when does basic purification require closed-door cultivation? Your powers must be waning."
"Silence, featherbrain!" Her tails lashed like angry serpents. "Ten millennia unchanged – still spouting venom instead of courting mates. No wonder you’re the last three-legged golden crow."
Mr. Bai studied his claws with sudden intensity, determinedly ignoring the demon lords’ spat. Repeating their bickering before human cultivators? Excellent way to earn a painful demise.
Di Yan’s aura flared crimson. "Mock my standards? Those simpering hens lack proper cultivation strength and noble bloodlines. Unworthy of sharing my perch!"
"With such impossible demands," the fox scoffed, "the Mountain and Sea Realm holds no match. Your lineage dies with you, firebird."
Di Yan scoffed with undisguised contempt. "You’re too feeble to inherit the Golden Crow bloodline through cultivation partnership. My affairs require no counsel from the likes of you."
"Your fox tribe multiplies endlessly, yet not a single five-tailed descendant has emerged from Qingqiu in centuries. At this rate, your Nine-tailed Fox Clan might as well be declared extinct."
"Otherwise, why would you dote on this half-demon mongrel? Half-human blood from foreign lands, yet you personally purify its lineage. I wonder what schemes brew beneath that furry facade."
The verbal strike pierced like poisoned needles. The nine-tailed fox’s coat bristled with electric fury, claws unsheathed against an adversary who merely arched an eyebrow in mocking composure.
Taotie massaged his temples. Of their ten encounters, eight dissolved into such squabbles between fire and fur. "Cease this childishness! Kirin awaits our arrival. Must we dawdle over petty jabs?"
【——This demon lord’s tongue could flay hide from bone! No wonder he’s courted solitude for millennia.】
【——Beyond mere bluntness – this is spiritual castration by rhetoric!】
【——Can’t fault his standards though. Who wouldn’t seek a mate of equal prowess?】
【——The white vixen’s human form must rival moon goddesses! Since when do foxes birth anything but beauties? Yet he spurns her – eternal bachelorhood explained!】
【——Are all spirit cultivator bloodlines this precarious?】
Unbeknownst to the quarreling lords, their spat unfolded before unseen audiences through mystical broadcasts.
Di Yan waved dismissively at Taotie’s intervention. "Your point stands. We shouldn’t keep Kirin waiting." His smoldering gaze shifted to the seething vixen. "Had she not provoked me first…"
"For Kirin’s honor alone, I’ll sheath my claws today." The nine-tailed fox’s tails lashed like storm-whipped banners, though her words conceded truce.
Qiongqi snorted. "Must we endure this tiresome dance every meeting?"
Mr. Bai cleared his throat meaningfully. "They prepare to depart. Speak now or forever hold silence."
Seizing the moment, Di Yun stepped forward with ceremonial precision. "Honored demon lords," he proclaimed in Mandarin, bowing deeply. "I humbly beg audience."
The nine-tailed fox’s ear twitched. "Interpret his prattle, Bai."
As translations flowed, comprehension dawned. Di Yan’s lips curled wolfishly. "Seek the Dragon Lord? Know this – Xuanfeng already nests at his side. Your presence matters not, but carry them if you will. I shan’t lift a claw."
The forest sanctuary lay mere moments away for winged lords, but mortal legs would falter over hundreds of li.
Taotie and Qiongqi exchanged silent glances, their indifference palpable.
The nine-tailed fox studied the half-blood youth at her side. "They came under the Dragon Lord’s auspices. To deny them would insult his majesty."
Di Yan turned away with a derisive flick of sleeves. "Do as you please."
"Come then," the vixen commanded. "We’ll settle this before the Dragon Lord’s tribunal."
"Gratitude, Princess Baihu." Di Yun bowed again, relief softening his stance.
Mr. Bai inclined his head. "The honor is ours."
