Chapter 50: “I Don’t Know Her.”

With a series of muffled thuds, several experts from the Great Saber Sect fell to the ground one after another.

Qin Yuzhen had a clear bloody hole in the back of his head. Fresh blood gurgled from the wound, staining the earth beneath him red.

In the deep night, a Black Swift Hawk descended from the sky and landed on Feng Jin’s shoulder.

Feng Jin reached out and tapped the Swift Hawk’s head. The hawk opened its beak and spat out a wax pill.

The wax pill fell into Feng Jin’s palm, and the Swift Hawk flapped its wings and flew away.

She crushed the wax pill with her fingertips. From the cracks of the broken wax seeped a thick, murky black mist, which coalesced in the air, taking the shape of a human figure.

Feng Jin cupped her fist: “Devil Lord.”

The black mist shrouded the figure’s face. Qi currents swirled continuously, forming tiny, almost imperceptible vortices around the black shadow.

Nangong Yin’s voice emerged from the vortex: “How have things been lately?”

Feng Jin answered truthfully: “All threats approaching Miss Yan have been eliminated, thirteen people in total. Half of them were from the Great Saber Sect.”

“Great Saber Sect?”

A coldness seeped into Nangong Yin’s voice.

Feng Jin nodded: “Indeed. The Great Saber Sect’s Sect Master cannot swallow this humiliation. He has already written to his senior brother who is traveling abroad, entrusting him to take action—to reclaim the Immortal Profound Token and, simultaneously, kill Yan Zhao.”

“Hmph!”

A cold snort pierced through the Devil Fog. The sound was laced with dense energy, shaking Feng Jin so that her body swayed.

Her eardrums throbbed painfully, like a thousand needles pricking her.

Just as Feng Jin felt terrible, a wisp of black qi drifted over. Her Spirit Platform cleared, and the unpleasant sensation in her ears vanished.

“You did very well,” Nangong Yin suddenly praised her. “You will need to continue putting in effort in the future. If there are any unforeseen changes, use the Sound Transmission Jade to notify This Seat.”

It was rare to hear such a tone from the Devil Lord. Feng Jin was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, both surprised and at a loss, feeling somewhat unused to it.

“Yes, this is all what this subordinate ought to do.”

Having unexpectedly gained the Devil Lord’s appreciation, Feng Jin felt deeply worried that Nangong Yin would ask if her identity had been exposed in front of Yan Zhao.

Unfortunately, what she feared came to pass.

“Was your whereabouts discovered by anyone?”

Feng Jin was embarrassed, but didn’t dare lie. She confessed honestly: “I was discovered by Senior Sister Ren, but Miss Yan did not become suspicious.”

The black shadow fell silent. Feng Jin immediately felt as if needles were pricking her back.

Was the Devil Lord angry?

Unexpectedly, Nangong Yin asked again: “You met that child?”

Feng Jin understood who Nangong Yin was referring to and lowered her head even further: “I met her once.”

Nangong Yin then said: “Tell This Seat, how has she been lately? How is she getting along?”

Feng Jin gave a concise summary: “Miss Yan passed through the Great Saber Sect and seized their Immortal Profound Token. Afterwards, she traveled with Miss Bi to the Taiyan Immortal Domain and is currently lodging at the Medicine God Sect’s Relay Station.”

Nangong Yin remained silent for a moment, saying nothing.

The excessively heavy and silent atmosphere made Feng Jin feel uncomfortable.

“Be more detailed.” Nangong Yin’s tone was helpless. “As detailed as possible. Tell This Seat everything you know about her.”

Yan Yuanqing flipped her hand and flicked a finger right on Yan Zhao’s forehead.

Yan Zhao’s head wobbled, and she winced in pain.

“Cultivators must strictly avoid the craving for rapid gains!” Yan Yuanqing was uncharacteristically stern. Frowning, she warned Yan Zhao, “You absolutely must not seek quick success and instant benefits. You must cultivate diligently and step-by-step.”

Yan Zhao pouted.

Yan Yuanqing suddenly reached out and twisted her ear.

“Ow!”

Yan Zhao’s features scrunched together, tilting her head in the direction Yan Yuanqing was applying force.

Yan Yuanqing asked her: “Are you listening properly?”

Yan Zhao had no choice but to submit, wrinkling her nose and grunting: “Mm.”

Only then did Yan Yuanqing let go. Seeing her ear was red, she rubbed it with a pained heart, softening her tone: “No one taught you before. That won’t happen again.”

Yan Zhao lowered her head, feeling the touch of Yan Yuanqing’s fingertip brushing across her ear.

There was no normal warmth.

She pursed her lips, thinking to herself: Is that true?

She didn’t voice this question.

Yan Yuanqing let go of her: “Our little Zhaozhao has finally established her foundation. Naturally, Mama has a gift for you!”

Her expression relaxed, the earlier sternness vanishing in an instant.

With a flick of her wrist, an object appeared in her palm, and she held it before Yan Zhao’s eyes: “Look, do you like it?”

Yan Zhao’s brooding thoughts were interrupted, her attention drawn away.

She looked at the object in Yan Yuanqing’s hand.

Its shape looked like a bracer.

Yan Zhao blinked. It wasn’t food; her interest quickly waned.

“You don’t like it?” Yan Yuanqing was surprised. “Mama even specially picked this out for you, it’s super practical! How about you try it on first?”

Yan Zhao didn’t speak, her expression looking reluctant at best.

Yan Yuanqing grabbed Yan Zhao’s right hand and put the bracer on her. Then, with a flick of her fingertip, a click sounded. The bow limbs hidden on either side of the bracer unfolded on their own, turning into a delicate, exquisite bow.

“Eh?” Yan Zhao was amazed.

Yan Yuanqing held Yan Zhao’s hand: “Come, Mama will teach you how to use this thing!”

The bow was only the size of a palm. By plucking the bowstring, one could draw out dharma power and transform it into a Sleeve Arrow.

The bracer was engraved with a talisman array. Once activated, the bowstring would naturally follow the movement of Yan Zhao’s five fingers, without needing to take it off. It could be operated with just one hand.

When she didn’t need to use it, the object was also quite dexterous and pleasing to the eye when worn on the wrist.

Yan Yuanqing raised Yan Zhao’s arm, aiming at the sky.

Swoosh—

A bolt of Arrow Qi shot out, striking a waterbird flying across the lake’s surface.

With a splash, the waterbird fell into the lake and floated on the water.

Yan Yuanqing boasted about her own gift: “Well, isn’t it very useful?”

Yan Zhao lowered her head, fiddling with the Sleeve Arrow.

“Ah.”

She accidentally let it loose.

A bolt of Arrow Qi shot out and hit Yan Yuanqing.

The Arrow Qi embedded itself in the center of Yan Yuanqing’s brow, unable to advance any further, spinning slowly before dissipating.

Yan Yuanqing forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “It seems it’s not quite suitable. Dear little Ah Zhao, Mama will swap it for you.”

Yan Zhao swiftly hid her hand behind her back.

What was given to her was now hers. How could it possibly be taken back?

To prevent Yan Yuanqing from snatching her gift, Yan Zhao willed it, instantly leaving the Immortal Abode.

Seeing Yan Zhao vanish, Yan Yuanqing clicked her tongue in amusement: “Never seen you so clever usually, but now you’ve learned to be smart.”

Yan Zhao opened her eyes, her consciousness returning to the guest room.

She was still lying on the large bed. She raised her right hand and pulled up her sleeve. Indeed, a brand new little object was tied around her wrist.

It was the gift Mother gave her.

She couldn’t quite describe her current emotions.

Yan Zhao touched the bracer, somewhat unable to put it down.

The Little Fox was curled up in a ball, sleeping beside her, looking very lethargic.

Normally, whenever Yan Zhao opened her eyes, the Little Fox would wake up. Today, for some reason, she seemed listless.

Bi Lan was sprawled awkwardly, slumped sideways on the soft couch. Yan Zhao sat up and, seeing this, tilted her head in puzzlement.

Wouldn’t sleeping like that be uncomfortable?

Sunlight flooded in through the window. Yan Zhao flipped off the bed, walked over to Bi Lan, and pushed her shoulder.

Bi Lan woke with a push, but when she opened her eyes, her gaze was still somewhat muddled.

Seeing Yan Zhao clearly, she quickly regained full clarity. Looking down at her own posture, she finally reacted: “I fell asleep?”

Yan Zhao nodded.

Bi Lan rubbed her eyes. Just a slight movement made her entire body ache.

“Tss.”

How could she have fallen asleep?

Bi Lan was puzzled in her heart. She got up to loosen her muscles and bones, cracking her neck. Suddenly, she noticed something and turned her head to look at Yan Zhao.

Yan Zhao was scooping the Little Fox up from the bed.

She was just standing quietly by the bedside, looking no different from usual, but Bi Lan felt that her temperament had undergone an earth-shattering change.

What exactly had changed?

Yan Zhao’s clothes were neat and clean; even after sleeping all night, her hair hadn’t gotten messy. Even more important…

Her breathing.

Bi Lan noticed that Yan Zhao’s breathing had become lighter.

This was a change that only manifested when one’s cultivation had progressed.

“Junior Sister Yan,” Bi Lan was surprised, calling out softly, “Did you break through?”

Yan Zhao tucked the Little Fox into her embrace. Hearing the question, she didn’t hide it, nodding and answering: “Foundation Establishment.”

“!”

Senior Brother from Tianzhu Peak had previously clearly stated that Yan Zhao couldn’t cultivate! Moreover, why couldn’t one see it from the outside at all?

Was Yan Zhao wearing a Magic Treasure that concealed her aura? And that movement technique she had used when fleeing the Great Saber Sect a few days ago… Bi Lan thought to herself, Junior Sister Yan held countless secrets.

Yet, on second thought, if she truly could not cultivate, how could Yan Zhao have unleashed such power?

Bi Lan convinced herself.

Yan Zhao could now cultivate. She was genuinely happy for her.

“That’s wonderful!” Bi Lan clasped her hands in praise. “In the future, if anyone says Junior Sister Yan can’t cultivate, I’ll slap their faces swollen for you!”

Yan Zhao had broken through, but Bi Lan seemed even happier than she was.

She tugged Yan Zhao’s sleeve, her smiling eyes curved: “Let’s go, Junior Sister, I’ll treat you to a feast!”

The disciples of the Medicine God Sect were masters at cooking medicinal cuisine. Within this manor was the Spirit Dining Hall, which catered to passing cultivators.

At the mention of food, Yan Zhao’s eyes lit up. She immediately followed Bi Lan out of the room.

There were always reception disciples stationed below the Medicine God Pagoda. Bi Lan explained their intention, and this person led the two of them to the Spirit Dining Hall.

It was early, so there weren’t many people in the hall yet. Bi Lan generously ordered every single signature dish, covering an entire table.

Yan Zhao reached out to grab something from a plate.

The Little Fox, who should have been stopping her, was, for some reason today, lying motionless in her arms. Her hand was almost touching the food on the plate, yet the Little Fox still didn’t get up to stop her.

Halfway through the motion, Yan Zhao pulled her hand back. She scooped the Little Fox out of her embrace, cupping her tiny face to ask: “Snowball, what’s wrong with you?”

The Little Fox was so sleepy her eyes were squinting, not paying her any attention.

Because she had acted as Yan Zhao’s Protector the previous night, her dharma power consumption had been significant, and she hadn’t replenished in time. She was so exhausted that the whole little fox was soft and lazy.

“Lazy thing,” Yan Zhao assessed the Little Fox. Picking up her chopsticks, she skewered a piece of meat and delivered it to the fox’s mouth. “Wanna eat?”

The Little Fox’s nose twitched, identifying it as a type of Spirit Beast meat with extremely high medicinal value.

Still with her eyes closed, her pointy little mouth opened a crack.

Yan Zhao stuffed the meat into her mouth.

The Little Fox smacked her lips. A tiny pink tongue licked the tip of her nose.

Afterwards, not wanting to be disturbed further, she burrowed her head forward, squeezing into the crook of Yan Zhao’s arm.

Yan Zhao was tickled by her stirring. She used a little force to push her head away.

The Little Fox, unhappy at being pushed, threw a tantrum, letting out little huffs from her throat to express her displeasure.

Yan Zhao stopped moving.

She immediately snuggled into Yan Zhao’s embrace, using Yan Zhao’s arm to block the light.

Yan Zhao looked down at her, her smiling eyes curved like crescent moons.

Bi Lan poured a bowl of tea for Yan Zhao and placed it by her hand. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, “Junior Sister Yan, are you close with the Eldest Senior Sister?”

The Little Fox’s ear twitched. A bit of her drowsiness dissipated.

Yan Zhao looked up: “Which Eldest Senior Sister?”

The Little Fox’s eyes opened.

Bi Lan added: “The Eldest Senior Sister of our Tianzhu Peak, Ren Qingyue.”

Yan Zhao lowered her head again, poking the Little Fox’s nose, and answered casually: “I don’t know her.”

Bi Lan’s expression showed that this was exactly what she had expected. She nodded: “Ah, I see.”

Before her words could fade, the Little Fox suddenly opened her mouth.

And bit Yan Zhao’s hand fiercely.

Forget sleeping!