Chapter 80: The Celestial Fox Strikes Again (Part One)

Upon hearing these words, Huo Tianqing grew even more furious. The murderous and deathly aura around him stirred the dark clouds above, setting them rolling as they gathered overhead. Bai Shengyun, however, showed no fear. He stood his ground, and layers of frost began to form around him. Before the dense clouds, a faint white mist gathered, blocking the stormy sky entirely.

Just as he repelled this attack, Jing Ling appeared beside him like a wraith, her presence radiating killing intent. Shadows flickered as she moved, so swift that in an instant she was at Bai Shengyun’s side. Bai Shengyun didn't even turn his head, his gaze fixed on Huo Tianqing before him.

But then, the purple-gold bell on Xie Yingying’s ankle flashed with violet light, and in the blink of an eye, iron thorns sprang up, hurtling toward Jing Ling in a deadly barrage, seeking to pierce her through. Jing Ling, however, was a practitioner of the path of slaughter, hardened by countless life-and-death duels. She was even swifter than Huo Tianqing; she leapt up and landed five feet away in the blink of an eye.

She looked at the formidable iron thorns in astonishment, then turned her gaze to Xie Yingying and asked, “Yingying, what kind of artifact is that?”

Xie Yingying had long been seeking a solution and knew Jing Ling was versed in many arts. She replied immediately, “It’s the Purple-Gold Bell!”

At the mention of the “Purple-Gold Bell,” everyone was taken aback. Jing Ling, intent on advancing further, halted at once upon hearing its name. For the Purple-Gold Bell had been lost for countless years, unseen for ages, but the stories of its power were well known to them.

From the shadows, the ancient monsters who had been watching without revealing themselves narrowed their eyes, gazing at the tiny bell wreathed in violet lightning, a trace of nostalgia in their eyes.

While everyone was still in shock, Bai Shengyun suddenly spoke, “Is it appropriate for you all to treat Yingying’s future husband like this?”

Xie Yingying’s cheeks had grown ever redder since Bai Shengyun mentioned “intimate contact” and “taking responsibility.” Now, upon hearing “future husband,” and recalling the fate hinted at by the prophecy, she was seized by dread. Instinctively, she raised her hand, intending to strike at him from behind.

Absurd! If she truly went back to Gu Feng Mountain with Bai Shengyun, wouldn’t that mean certain death? She’d fought so hard to survive!

But Bai Shengyun’s cultivation far surpassed hers. He sensed her intent the moment she moved and easily caught her hand, pretending intimacy as he gently kneaded her finger.

Her face flushed scarlet, and she struggled to break free, but no matter what she did, his grip was unyielding. She was as helpless as a kitten lifted by the scruff.

“Didn’t you say you missed Gu Feng Mountain? That’s why I want to take you back there openly and honorably,” Bai Shengyun said with a wicked, captivating smile, arching a brow. “But now that I’m doing just that, why does it make you unhappy, my dear?”

Huo Tianqing grew even angrier at this, his eyes narrowing as the spiritual power with which he contended against Bai Shengyun became all the more fierce.

Unable to hold back her fury, Xie Yingying cursed, “You lunatic!”

The confrontation between Huo Tianqing and Bai Shengyun intensified. But as it dragged on, Bai Shengyun’s strength gradually waned. After all, he was fighting Huo Tianqing in a battle that seemed destined to end in death, while Xie Yingying’s constant struggles kept distracting him.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance and tightened his grip on her hand.

She winced from the pain; without even looking, she knew her hand must be red already. Realizing she couldn’t break free, she simply lowered her head and bit down on Bai Shengyun’s hand.

He turned his head, looking at the blood welling from the base of his thumb, his gaze cold and sharp.

Xie Yingying saw the look in his eyes and gulped, tasting the metallic tang of blood. She let go and blinked innocently.

Bai Shengyun’s eyes darkened further.

She forced a laugh and tried to say something to appease him, but her face went pale. The primordial celestial fox power within her, roused by the demonic energy in her blood, began to surge uncontrollably, rampaging through her abdomen and meridians.

“Ugh…”

Upon hearing her soft moan, Bai Shengyun let out a derisive, chilly laugh. “This time, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. Don’t look at me.”

“You—” Xie Yingying tried to curse him, but the primordial power raging inside her became more and more overpowering, cutting her words short.

Seeing her in such pain, Bai Shengyun frowned. He had previously suppressed the celestial fox’s primordial power within her and thought even if it flared up, it wouldn’t be so severe. But now, seeing the agony on her face, he realized something was wrong.

He quickly seized her wrist, lightly feeling her pulse, and sent his spiritual sense into her dantian.

Reaching the depths of her core, he saw the searing celestial fox power churning violently. Wisps of white mist rose from Xie Yingying’s golden core as if it were being roasted; the crack he had just sealed now split open a hairline again.

Her pulse, too, was worsening with every beat.

Huo Tianqing also sensed her distress. Withdrawing his spiritual power, he instinctively tried to investigate, but the Purple-Gold Bell lashed out at his mind and body in a frenzy. Even standing three feet away, he was helpless.

Meanwhile, Bai Shengyun’s spiritual sense had not yet fully withdrawn from Xie Yingying’s dantian. As he was about to leave, he saw her chilly spiritual power instinctively resisting the celestial fox’s primordial force, only making the turmoil worse.

“Are you insane?” he demanded, his face icy.

Xie Yingying was bewildered by the question. “What?”

“Why are you using your own spiritual power to fight the celestial fox’s core?” There was anger in his voice.

“I…” She looked utterly lost, her pain clouding her senses. Only after a moment did she grasp his meaning and mumbled, “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

“What do you think?!” He was truly at the end of his patience. “Has your brain been eaten by dogs?”

She pouted in protest but withdrew her spiritual power nonetheless.

Bai Shengyun prepared to carry her back to her room to suppress the raging force within her. But Xie Yingying instinctively resisted and dodged away from his outstretched hand.

He hadn’t expected her to avoid him even in such a state, so he simply raised his hand and chopped down.

A sharp pain shot through her neck, and she fainted at once.

As she collapsed, Bai Shengyun caught her in his arms, lifting her up. He strode toward her quarters, the very picture of brazen composure.

Huo Tianqing tried to follow, but the iron thorns multiplied suddenly, encircling the palace for dozens of meters and barring his way.

Meanwhile, the female disciples of the demonic sect, who had been watching from afar, whispered to each other as Bai Shengyun carried Xie Yingying away.

“My goodness, Bai Shengyun really is as handsome as the rumors say!”

“I know, right? Look at how he treats our senior sister—he’s just perfect!”

The male disciples, on the other hand, scoffed in disdain.

Huo Tianqing, hearing all this, rubbed his temples in frustration.