Chapter 31
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Chapter 31
Gong Wu had not turned around when the entire ethereal cave shook, with countless spiritual energies trembling, now summoned by bloodlines, surging like violent waves.
She closed her eyes and sighed, feeling no joy.
Once the old fox woke, she would likely be kept behind to continue serving, with no idea when she could return.
The palace attendants swiftly brought fine satin and silk for cleaning, while a long line of exquisite delicacies extended from this hall all the way to the main courtyard, each served in the finest official pottery.
The fox in the Cauldron waved a paw and comfortably lay back in the Snow Spirit Soup, closing his eyes and resting in the misty atmosphere.
The other foxes quickly retreated to the sides, understanding that the Fox Ancestor needed rest and was in no hurry to emerge from the Cauldron.
The old fox who had come to replace him willingly took on the role of the cave’s supervisor, instructing the younger ones to bring Nourishing Meat Soup while the others retreated.
Beautiful maidens and handsome servants attended on either side, and more foxes brought snow spirit mushrooms from the ends of the world, ready to replenish the spiritual soup at any moment.
Gong Wu silently turned back, looking with the demeanor of the primary creditor.
But before she could catch a glimpse of the Fox Ancestor’s true form, her sleeve was tugged by the old fox.
“My benefactor, let us observe proper decorum and avoid unnecessary exposure.”
Before he finished speaking, a servant promptly set up a Golden Fan Screen to block their view.
Gong Wu pressed her hand to her brow.
She had seen plenty during the healing and needling, but the excessive punishment and harshness had left much unclear.
Now that she could finally take a look, she still had to maintain mutual respect.
The old fox, ever clever, didn’t wait for the Fox Ancestor to speak and gently added, “Your respected master’s letter will arrive tonight; please read it before you leave.”
Gong Wu’s mind worked quickly. “You knew about this and deliberately waited until I was about to leave to stop me with the letter?”
“My benefactor, not at all,” the old fox chuckled bitterly. “I only just learned of it. I heard the message birds have already flown over Silu County, and it will take two more hours to arrive.”
Worried that Gong Wu might grow impatient, he offered, “Shall I arrange some music or dance to entertain you while you wait?”
“If you prefer, I could have some handsome young men accompany you as well!”
“No need,” Gong Wu replied, taking a step back, both amused and exasperated. “I don’t have such interests.”
She allowed the Fox Ancestor to remain resting in her side hall, while she returned to the main hall to meditate.
At a quarter past the hour, there was a gentle knock on the carved wooden door.
Gong Wu did not raise her eyes.
“Is there news?”
“The Celestial Ancestor has awakened and wishes to see you,” the polite voice outside said. “Please step into the side hall.”
Gong Wu lifted her head, recalling the pain of her many deaths.
As if lingering on the memories caused her muscles to spasm and reignite the agony all over again.
She remained silent for a long time, until the little fox outside timidly said, “Did I say something wrong? I apologize, my benefactor.”
The two little foxes who had initially brought her to this fate—one old and one young—had already passed away. Hearing the little fox apologize, Gong Wu finally rose.
“Fine, let’s go.”
The Cauldron resembled a bronze tripod bathtub, comfortably stewing the old ancestor, who seemed quite content.
After awakening, weakened as he was, he soaked for another two hours before slowly regaining full consciousness. After exchanging a few whispers with the other foxes, he summoned Gong Wu.
The young girl strolled over and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the Golden Fan Screen. She spoke in a flat tone, “I’m here.”
From behind the screen, the spiritual soup stirred as the Fox Ancestor raised his arm, resting it on the edge, and gave a slight nod of his head.
Immediately, a servant moved the screen aside, allowing her to finally catch a glimpse of the person she had saved.
Like maple leaves cascading down, his long hair was a striking red, now dispersing like ink in the pool of water.
The most vivid crimson was beautifully contrasted by his skin as white as snow, creating a breathtaking scene.
The bronze cauldron had a simple, rustic hue, its carvings precise and dignified, with deep rust along its edges, rough and unrefined.
Yet, the more rugged it appeared, the more striking the man resting on its edge became, his lips red and eyes deep, exuding an ethereal aura.
His long brows and fine bone structure made him extraordinary; even a casual glance could leave others speechless and entranced.
He was so beautiful that Gong Wu merely frowned and asked, “Haven’t you soaked enough?”
“You’d better put on some clothes.
It wasn’t easy to save you, and if you catch a chill, it’ll all be for nothing.”
The Fox Ancestor allowed his servants to drape soft silk over him and spoke wearily, “What are you thinking now?”
“You seem capable of restoring your energy on your own,” Gong Wu replied calmly. “I plan to return.”
“I won’t stop you,” the Fox Ancestor said, squinting with a smile. “But let me guess—when your master’s letter arrives, it might not be to call you back.”
“Do you know the meaning of the word ‘demon’?”
He let go and lay back in the cauldron, half-closing his eyes as he spoke slowly, “Those who steal wisdom and devour spirits are demons.”
His tone was calm and steady, as if instructing an ignorant junior.
“The Demon Realm particularly enjoys extracting the Golden Cores of Taoists to enhance their powers. They won’t easily let go of someone like you, a little girl with unique roots.”
“Moreover… that one in the south has dreamed of becoming the master of immortals for a thousand years, aiming to unify the world for millennia.”
The Fox Ancestor chuckled mockingly, playing with the magnolia petals floating in the spiritual soup.
“Let him dream.”
Gong Wu said softly, “Do you really have to speak like that?”
“How so?” The Fox Ancestor blinked and exclaimed, “Oh, are you saying my voice is enchanting and captivating?”
He propped himself up and smiled brightly, “You have remarkable composure, my benefactor. You aren’t swayed at all.”
“Do you want to bewitch your benefactor?”
“Just a habitual test,” the Fox Ancestor leaned on the edge of the cauldron and looked at her. “Little benefactor Gong, my name is Hu Fengyu. You may call me Mr. Fengyu.”
Before he could finish, the attending foxes nearby bowed deeply in unison, declaring, “The Celestial Ancestor is precious; his name must not be revealed!”
Gong Wu silently acknowledged, realizing that her background had likely been thoroughly discussed by these dutiful descendants, and she had no desire to explain further.
“Can your legs still move?”
Hu Fengyu lowered his gaze and shook his head slightly.
“They’re useless.”
She was about to offer some advice when a fox rushed in, carrying message birds, and hurriedly bowed.
The old fox took the bamboo tube, and Young Fox tilted his neck back, swallowing the bird whole. After a moment, he spat out a few feathers.
“The spiritual seal remains intact; please examine it, benefactor.”
The bamboo tube was presented with both paws, and indeed, it bore Tu Xuixin’s spiritual seal, unaltered and untouched.
Gong Wu quickly took the bamboo tube, ensuring it was undamaged. Remembering she had more to say, she anxiously glanced at the fox in the cauldron.
The fox smiled gently and wagged his tail.
“Take your time; there’s no need to rush.”
As the bamboo tube was unrolled, a letter fell into her palm, written entirely in Tu Xuixin’s hand, with no signs of tampering or forgery.
—— “Liu Feng, my disciple, may this letter find you well.”
The moment her eyes fell on the first line, tears began to stream down her face. Her longing for her master and senior brother had reached its peak, and she wished she could fly to them at once.
After reading through the pages, her heart was heavy with worry and urgency. Her master’s words confirmed Hu Fengyu’s earlier suspicions.
Her master had learned from the message birds that her senior brother had accidentally entered the Demon Realm. By the time the letter was written, he had returned to the valley and informed a few trusted individuals of Gong Wu’s safety.
Meanwhile, both within and beyond Moonfire Valley, peace was nowhere to be found. The situation had grown darker and more unpredictable.
One pressing issue was the spread of the Eye Serpent Plague.
“…Now even Zhi Bai Guan is overwhelmed; dozens within the clan are scratching and wailing incessantly, and some disciples have perished on the very day they fell ill.”
“The grudges of the past have brought this retribution. Despite the powerful formations set up at Zhi Bai, the plague continues to spread. Clan members now kneel at the valley’s entrance, pleading with the Master Ancestor for mercy and aid.”
The disease seemed to be creeping toward the Central Plains, threatening to destabilize the region and leaving everyone on edge.
The second issue was the peril facing her and Ji Yang, fraught with obstacles.
Moonfire Valley was once again flooded with patients seeking help. It was said that even the roads were lined with the sick, and countless people had lost everything, begging the disciples to save them first. Now, everyone was desperate to trade wealth for their lives.
If Gong Wu were to return, the Demon Realm might seize the chaos to invade, leaving Moonfire Valley unprepared.
Ji Yang’s misadventure in the Demon Realm was equally troubling.
Tu Xuixin had pondered deeply and decided to gather intelligence from various sources first. If that failed, he would personally venture into the Demon Realm to rescue his disciple.
In the letter, he laid out all matters clearly and had also declined the marriage proposal on her behalf, stating that the current instability made it no time for matters of the heart.
When the family was reunited, other concerns could be addressed gradually.
“Disciple, I hope you take care and remain in good health.”
As Gong Wu finished reading the letter, it felt as though her master’s voice was speaking directly to her, word for word.
She sat in a daze for a long while before finally reacting, “You… you ate the message bird?”
Young Fox paused, then explained, “The message birds traveling to and from the Monster Realm are one-way; they cannot survive.”
“The Keys represent the lives of countless families. These birds are destined to make only this single journey in their lifetime.”
“If you wish to send a reply, I can fetch another cage immediately.”
Gong Wu shook her head, feeling as though she had been cast out of the valley, momentarily lost.
She could not return home.
For days, she had yearned to go back, to the place that was most familiar and warm to her.
But the master wrote a letter asking her to stay for now, to cultivate and gather strength for the days to come.
The little girl wiped her tears haphazardly, biting her lip and saying nothing.
Hu Fengyu still lay on the edge of the Cauldron, lazily swishing his tail through the water.
Gong Wu continued to cry, and he casually spoke up.
“Did I guess right?”
Gong Wu glared at him, her voice thick with nasal tones as she replied, “I might as well charge into the Demon Realm; what’s the difference if I die a few more times?!”
“I… I’m practicing the Path of Reincarnation; I’m not afraid of them!”
She was full of youthful spirit, and when she got angry, she charged forward.
Hu Fengyu watched her with a hint of nostalgia, secretly thinking how he had been the same way in his youth.
After all, he was old now; everything moved slowly for him, like a big turtle.
“You’re not afraid of death, which is quite good,” Hu Fengyu tilted his head, his long hair like red ink cascading down his forehead, his eyes shimmering with a deep crimson: “But you’re afraid of one thing.”
“What?” Gong Wu retorted.
She could withstand blades, poison, fire, and spells; one way or another, she could conquer it all!
Even if she couldn’t endure, she could transform and become invincible after facing it four times!
Hu Fengyu gazed steadily at the young girl before him and sighed softly.
“…You’re afraid of cages.”
She suddenly gasped, feeling as if struck awake, involuntarily stepping back.
“Whether it’s rebirth or being tempered by hellfire,” Hu Fengyu said, his gaze filled with compassion, “you’re not much different from a fox.”
“Once the cage snaps shut, you won’t be able to escape.”
“I know better than you what it feels like to be locked away in a near-death predicament.”
Ji Yang couldn’t dare to fall asleep.
He was utterly exhausted, having fled into the desolate, skeletal forest, and at this moment, he didn’t even know where he was.
The compass had completely failed in the Demon Realm, and the Gold Ingots turned scripture were utterly useless.
The only thing he felt relieved about was that he still had ten plum fruits left.
Earlier, he had hurriedly searched for Gong Wu, and when he fell into the Demon Realm, he had fought fiercely, leaving his Spiritual Sea nearly depleted.
Before Gong Wu disappeared, he had been around the seventh rank of Opening Sun.
After a night of exhaustion and no time to rest and heal, he had fallen all the way to the bottom of the ninth rank.
If any demon managed to follow him, they would certainly see the young man kneeling in the shadows of the dark forest.
His brow and clothes were soaked with blood, and his eyes were as dark as ink in water; even though he was at a dead end, he still held a sharp resilience.
In dire situations, people often reveal a more disheveled and desperate side than usual.
But Ji Yang looked even more handsome, like a gem being polished, revealing a magnificent corner of the world.
Half an hour ago, hundreds of demonic soldiers had been chasing him, having pursued him across much of the desert.
Until he disappeared deep into the White Bones Forest, the demonic creatures completely lost his trail, as if wary of something, halting their pursuit on foot.
Had Ji Yang acted impulsively, he would have swallowed all ten spiritual fruits at once to quickly replenish his energy.
But after careful deliberation, he only took out two, chewing them hastily and swallowing them whole, seeds and all.
The nightmare was long, and he still had no idea how long he would be trapped here or what further trials awaited him.
As the juice and flesh slid down his throat, they permeated his body like a top-tier miraculous herb, naturally healing his Spiritual Sea and calming the young man’s breathing.
Ji Yang closed his eyes and meditated for a long while, then leaned against a tree and slowly rose, heading toward lower ground.
Outside the forest, the barren desert occasionally echoed with the sounds of patrols and barking dogs, but here, not a single footprint could be seen, hinting at a far more menacing presence lurking deeper.
Both paths were perilous, leaving him to decide his next move.
“…Strange.”
He paused after just two steps, sensing the shaking in his satchel grow more pronounced.
Ever since he had accidentally entered the Demon Realm, the egg he carried had seemed to awaken.
Earlier, he and Gong Wu had slain the six-eyed Leopard in a treacherous secret realm and discovered two spiritual eggs.
The Rebirth Temple had claimed that the unmarked dead egg was a potent medicinal herb and had taken it that very day.
The other egg, since Gong Wu was raising the Leopard, had always been kept close to Ji Yang.
Gong Hua Ji treated it like a mischievous kitten, chasing the valley’s peacocks into a frenzy.
The two eggs had originally been intended as food for the cub, but no one knew whether they would hatch into a snake or a bird.
After Ji Yang cast the Warming Spell on the egg, he would check on it periodically.
Sometimes, when Gong Wu poked it, the egg would tremble slightly, as if signaling it was still alive.
Months passed in this manner, and even Tu Xuixin grew puzzled.
“Cat and Dog Hatcher—even if it were to hatch a wolf, it should have been enough time by now. What could possibly be inside?”
The more he spoke, the more the egg remained motionless, peacefully asleep.
After Ji Yang accidentally entered the Demon Realm, the spiritual egg seemed to sense its time was running out and had been shaking incessantly.
Now, after the young man took two steps, it shook even more vigorously, causing the satchel to tremble slightly.
Ji Yang cradled the egg in his sleeve, waving his hand to shrink it back to its original size. He noticed its patterns had deepened, with faint cracks beginning to form.
He frowned at the sight.
“This isn’t the right time to hatch,” Ji Yang murmured. “You should be able to sense that it’s not safe here.”
“If you burst out recklessly, I might not be able to protect you.”
The spiritual egg seemed to understand his words; it had been shaking while pecking at its shell, but now it settled down.
Ji Yang shrank the egg again and tucked it away, but after just a few steps, the satchel began to shake once more.
He scanned his surroundings and asked, “Do you really need to hatch today?”
The egg trembled slightly, and faint chirping sounds emerged.
…Still just a bird.
Ji Yang whispered softly, “If you come out and find a safe place, go on your own.”
“If there isn’t one, remember to hide in my sleeve, so the monsters don’t devour you in one bite.”
The egg wobbled slightly, as if it understood.
He stopped paying attention to it and ventured deeper into the fading sunlight.
Deep within the skeletal forest, a ring-shaped cave came into view, its structure bizarre and unsettling.
Oddly, only his footprints marked the area, and the scent lingering in the air was his alone.
No chirping insects, no animal tracks—it was as lifeless as a forsaken valley.
Ji Yang tightened his grip on the sword hilt, remaining vigilant as he pressed forward.
In the silence, the only sound was the rhythmic pecking of the chick against its shell, like someone knocking on the ground, eerie and unsettling.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“Knock, knock.”
His nerves tensed, fearing the noise might draw danger.
Yet, the chick in the satchel pecked even faster, as if desperate to break free.
Ji Yang hugged the rock wall, his palm pressed against the sandy surface, straining to detect any movement beyond the pecking.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Amid the knocking, he suddenly heard a faint hiss.
Before he could react, the rock wall and mountains trembled violently, as if the earth itself was about to split apart!
Ji Yang leaped into the air, soaring upward.
From underground, a bloodthirsty jaw, nearly eight feet long, burst forth, lunging at him from mid-air!
His sword flashed like a dart, narrowly evading the deadly bite. As he turned, he glimpsed the massive mouth lined with six layers of razor-sharp teeth!
The bloated, spiny sandworm, covered in thorns, plunged into the sandy ground before its tail could even be seen, burrowing deep like a monstrous serpent!
Too close!
If he flew any higher, the Demon Guards would spot him.
But if he stayed lower, he’d be unable to dodge the next strike and risk being crushed to the ground, sword and all!
Trapped between two deadly options, the chick continued its relentless pecking.
“Knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!”
Before Ji Yang could process what had just lunged at him, the spiny sandworm surged forward again, its head emerging to reveal its six layers of teeth!
He twisted to avoid it, but the tip of his sword scraped against the hooked teeth, shattering like brittle shell!
The young man gasped, his back drenched in cold sweat. He urgently rang the bell, creating a chaotic clamor to confuse the creature’s hearing.
The spiny sandworm writhed, then turned, following the scent once more, its fangs bared as it lunged again!
Since ancient times, had there ever been a victor in the Crying Cave besides this beast?
Its spiny hide was impervious to blades, unyielding to fire, and even its belly was tightly armored!
Even if the Abyss Master were to come, he would still avoid this place, not daring to disturb the peace of this bloodthirsty worm!
Ji Yang struggled to control the fractured sword, flying and dodging, but was ultimately slapped onto the yellow sandy slope, coughing up a mouthful of foul blood.
His belongings scattered across the ground, reverting to their original size and completely losing the protection of spiritual energy.
The sandworm had fully opened its Spiritual Orifice and had grown three long, scorpion-like tails, making killing as effortless as a flick of the wrist!
As the shadow loomed closer, Ji Yang knew his end was near and smiled bitterly in regret.
Suddenly, a clear chirp cautiously echoed through the air.
The sandworm let out a fierce howl, writhing in panic, and immediately prepared to flee.
But the chick broke free from its eggshell and, with even greater determination, let out a long, clear cry, louder than before.
The giant worm, arched like a bridge, froze in place as if seized at all seven orifices!
Ji Yang wiped the foul blood from his lips; one of his ribs had been broken, yet he forced himself to look toward the source of the bird’s call.
The chick, still coated in egg white, flapped its wings and emerged from the half-leg-high eggshell, stretching out its long tail and wings, shaking itself with joy.
Its delicate feathers shimmered on its forehead, its long tail adorned with deep green eye feathers, its body glimmering with a dark blue light, already bearing the semblance of a phoenix!
The young man reached out in awe, brushing the slime from its slender neck and hoarsely whispered, “You… are a phoenix?”
The little phoenix chirped happily, flapped its wings twice, and flew straight toward the colossal worm!
The sandworm, still paralyzed by ancient terrors, failed to realize it was merely a chick.
Before it could awaken from the nightmare of its ancestors’ slaughter, the young phoenix had already flown to the back of its massive head, pecking through its muscles and veins to extract the precious worm core hidden within.
The sandworm let out a mournful cry and staggered to the ground, sending a cloud of dust into the air like a sudden rain!
The chick initially intended to swallow the worm core itself, but upon seeing Ji Yang covered in blood, it hopped twice on the enormous worm’s head, tilted its head, and awkwardly flew over, placing the worm core into Ji Yang’s hand. It affectionately nuzzled its head against his face.
Ji Yang’s mouth was filled with blood, his mind still reeling from the wonder of encountering the phoenix.
His broken rib caused excruciating pain, and his body was riddled with wounds.
Yet, in that moment, the Path of Emotionless within him seemed to stir, awaiting his passage through this trial.
The young man slowly closed his eyes, casting aside the weight of life and his affection for the phoenix.
The concept of joy, he decided, was unnecessary.
The mark of emotionlessness blazed brightly in his dantian, signaling his success.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was calm and unreadable, yet his spiritual energy surged and replenished rapidly.
Neither sorrow nor joy—this path had been opened.
Seeing the young man silently watching her, the phoenix nuzzled his hand once more and soared back to the sandworm’s round body, beginning to drink its spiritual core for herself.
Though the sandworm was still alive, it seemed utterly paralyzed by instinct, allowing the chick to consume it alive until its death.
Ji Yang slowly sat up, realigning his rib with a grimace, yet feeling no emotion despite the searing pain.
The unique worm core, condensed from this monster’s nearly thousand-year cultivation, now lay in his hand.
If he chose not to consume it, his future would remain uncertain, and life and death would hang in the balance.
But if he consumed this worm core… it would mean embracing its nearly thousand years of bloodthirsty and murderous essence, forever tainted by demonic energy.
From now on, if he wishes to purge himself of the Demonic Energy and seek the path to immortality, even if he were to cleanse every drop of blood in his body, he might not recover even a fraction of what was lost.
The chick eagerly drank the worm’s essence, its blue feathers growing darker and darker, until even its tail feathers turned pitch black.
Ji Yang gazed at it intently, swallowing a bitter smile.
Even a newborn chick knew that in such a cruel place, if one does not kill, one will perish.
