"You agreed?"
The six-tailed fox blinked, stunned, unable to believe Ji Changfeng had consented so readily.
"Naturally," Ji Changfeng said softly. "However… rescuing your mother might take a few years."
With his current cultivation, storming Incense Valley would be tantamount to suicide.
But in a few years? That was another matter entirely.
"Of course, of course! As long as you agree, any time is fine…" the six-tailed fox said, its voice trembling with excitement. It glanced at the three-tailed fox, hesitating before continuing, "My lord, we have little to offer in return. The only thing of value we possess is this treasure. Please, don't disdain it…"
It signaled to the three-tailed fox with a look.
Without hesitation, she removed the Mysterious Fire Mirror from her wrist and respectfully presented it to Ji Changfeng.
Ji Changfeng nodded slightly, accepting the artifact.
He turned to the six-tailed fox. "Can you shrink your demonic form?"
"I can," the six-tailed fox replied with a nod.
Whoosh—
With some effort, it channeled a trace of spiritual energy, shrinking its massive form to the size of a cat.
"Carry him and follow me," Ji Changfeng instructed the three-tailed fox, handing her a bottle of pills. "These are healing pills. Feed him one every so often to alleviate the chilling poison in his body…"
"Once we return to the Qingyun Sect, I'll remove the poison completely."
"Yes, my lord!" The three-tailed fox took the pills, cradling the six-tailed fox and bowing respectfully to Ji Changfeng.
"Good. Let's go." Ji Changfeng nodded.
He glanced back, only to see Bi Yao and You Ji standing there, utterly dumbfounded.
"You…" You Ji's expression was complex as she looked at Ji Changfeng. "Are you really a Qingyun Sect disciple?"
His actions didn't resemble those of a righteous cultivator in the slightest…
Consorting with demons? Plotting against Incense Valley?
Either act, if exposed, would send shockwaves through the cultivation world.
But did Ji Changfeng care?
Of course not.
He wasn't some ordinary Jade Purity disciple.
He was the Upper Purity Saint Son of the Qingyun Sect, destined for Supreme Purity and perhaps even immortality!
Cangsong: Don't ask—whatever Nephew Changfeng does is right!
Besides, did anyone really think Incense Valley was full of saints?
They were no better than anyone else.
Ji Changfeng shook his head lightly, his tone calm. "A sword cultivator follows their heart's clarity, doing as they please. What is there to fear?"
"But you two…" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you still following me?"
Bi Yao froze, stammering, "W-What do you mean? Who's following you?"
Right, I know. You're following Zhang Xiaofan, aren't you?
Ji Changfeng waved dismissively, still under the impression there was something between Bi Yao and Zhang Xiaofan.
But in truth…
Fate had already shifted.
This green-clad maiden had changed in that moment of salvation. She might still be the devoted girl she always was, but…
The object of her devotion had shifted with those two acts of rescue.
The three-tailed fox, holding the six-tailed fox, stood to the side, her eyes darting between Ji Changfeng and Bi Yao. She seemed to sense something.
With a soft smile, she thought, The flower has feelings, but the stream flows without care.
She didn't dare comment on Ji Changfeng's affairs, choosing instead to stand quietly as an observer.
"Let's go," Ji Changfeng said, turning to leave.
The three-tailed fox quickly followed, carrying the six-tailed fox.
Bi Yao opened her mouth, watching Ji Changfeng's departing figure. She wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
You Ji said softly, "Yao'er, we should go too. The sect leader has already summoned people to capture the kui dragon at Liubo Mountain…"
"Alright," Bi Yao nodded silently.
The Next Morning
After a full day of practice, Lu Xueqi had mostly mastered the sword-flight technique.
Click—
She pushed open her door.
Her eyes instinctively searched for a certain figure, but her expression darkened.
She saw… a woman sitting beside Ji Changfeng! A beautiful woman in white!
Whoosh—
The Tian Ya Divine Sword trembled faintly.
Lu Xueqi's face clouded as she strode over.
"Xueqi? How's the sword-flight technique coming along?" Ji Changfeng noticed her arrival and greeted her warmly.
But Lu Xueqi ignored him, her gaze fixed coldly on the three-tailed fox.
"…" The three-tailed fox blinked, startled.
Looking at the stunning, cool-headed girl before her, she glanced at Ji Changfeng and saw the trace of tenderness in his eyes.
She understood everything.
Rising with the six-tailed fox in her arms, she bowed gracefully to Lu Xueqi. "Xiao San pays her respects to the mistress."
"???" Lu Xueqi's face stiffened.
Mistress?! What in the world?!
Flustered, she looked at Ji Changfeng.
She had thought another "demonic sect temptress" was trying to seduce him, but now…
Did I overthink this?
"J-Junior Brother Ji, what's going on?" Lu Xueqi's voice was soft, almost a whisper.
She instinctively leaned closer to him.
Ji Changfeng didn't answer immediately, instead giving her a teasing smile, his eyes full of mischief.
Only when Lu Xueqi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment did he explain the origins of the three-tailed and six-tailed foxes.
Of course, he omitted anything about Incense Valley, simply stating that the two were local demons he had taken in as spirit beasts.
And he emphasized—they were a pair.
"Oh~" Lu Xueqi pursed her lips.
She glanced at the three-tailed fox, feeling a bit embarrassed.
She wanted to apologize but didn't know how.
Surely I can't say… I was jealous just now, right?
The three-tailed fox smiled playfully at Lu Xueqi. "The mistress is truly adorable~"
"I…" Lu Xueqi's face reddened further.
The repeated calls of "mistress" left her at a loss for how to face anyone!
Thankfully, Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan were still in seclusion.
Otherwise…
She'd die of embarrassment!
Though Ji Changfeng had recently declared in front of Qi Hao and the others that he'd propose to Xiaozhu Peak soon, this…
This was entirely different!
Being called "mistress" was just too mortifying!
Click—
At that moment, Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan's doors opened simultaneously.
Their arrival broke Lu Xueqi's awkwardness.
Huff— She hid behind Ji Changfeng, lightly patting her cheeks to ensure her flush wasn't too obvious.
"Senior Brother Qi, Xiaofan, have you both mastered the sword-flight technique? If there's no issue, we'll head to Jieshi Mountain now!" Ji Changfeng asked.
"Alright…" Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan nodded, but their gazes were immediately drawn to the three-tailed fox.
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