The moon climbed high, its light whispering over the water.
A Treasure Hall stood erect in the dense woods of Qingqiu Mountain, its luminous treasure glow illuminating hundreds of meters around it as if it were daylight.
Inside the Treasure Hall, steam rose in swirls.
Yu Yuan's sturdy and proportionate body soaked in the Spiritual Spring, leaning back against the pool's edge with his eyes slightly closed, enjoying a pair of slender and graceful hands moving over his shoulders, back, neck, and head—stroking, kneading, snapping fingers in succession, twisting and pressing as if playing a certain musical instrument.
"It is all thanks to the young master's assistance this time; otherwise, those clan members might have become furnace tripods. We of the Bai Family of Qingqiu will forever remember this act of kindness in our hearts."
Yu Yuan didn't open his eyes, smiling as he said, "Words of gratitude alone are not enough; there must be some concrete actions... Just as you have been gathering information for me for hundreds of years, have I ever delayed your payment?"
The pair of jade hands on his back stopped.
"To us, the young master's protection is the most important. But this time, the young master might offend the Long-eared Ding Guang Immortal. I fear he might stab you in the back."
"There are indeed such sayings about the Long-eared Ding Guang Immortal."
Yu Yuan nodded in agreement but did not continue on this topic. Instead, he asked, "Have you obtained any information about the person I asked you to investigate?"
"I have inquired among the elder members of the clan and finally managed to get some news."
The jade maiden behind him lifted her brow, her eyes showing a hint of pride and expectation for commendation as she spoke softly, "The Nine-tailed Fox who once followed the Human Emperor Xuanyuan does not belong to our Bai lineage, but rather to the Su lineage."
"The Su lineage?"
Yu Yuan searched through his memory for this name but had no recollection of it.
He nodded slightly, "Go on."
"The clan member who followed Human Emperor Xuanyuan was once a genius of our clan. Just like me, she stepped into the Heavenly Immortal Realm before she was over three thousand years old and assumed the position of the Clan Leader of the Su lineage.
Afterward, she met Human Emperor Xuanyuan during her travels in the Primordial world and from then on, devotedly led the entire clan to follow him, risking her life in battles across thousands of miles.
But for some unexplained reason, when Human Emperor Xuanyuan's merit was complete and he ascended to heaven on a dragon, he did not take Clan Leader Su with him.
After that, she stepped down from the position of Clan Leader and disappeared without a trace."
Yu Yuan nodded and said seriously, "Then it seems she is the one I am looking for. Arrange for some young members of the clan to search for her in places like Xuanyuan Hill and Xuanyuan Tomb. If they find her, they must not startle her but try to stay close to her. Since you are of the same clan, it should not be too difficult."
"Rest assured, young master. As long as Clan Leader Su is still alive, I will surely find her. But... may I ask one more question, what is the young master's interest in her?"
Because that Nine-tailed Fox will stir up the winds and clouds in the not-too-distant future, affecting the fate of the entire Human Race and even the entire Primordial world!
Yu Yuan thought to himself.
But of course, he couldn't say this out loud.
Even to the person he trusted the most behind him.
Thus, his expression remained as calm as an ancient well, and he smiled and said, "Didn't I hear she was unparalleled in beauty? I wish to see for myself."
The jade maiden behind him pursed her lips, obviously disbelieving, but she did not probe further and instead said, "Today, there was another piece of news that came from the Heavenly Court."
"Oh?"
Yu Yuan's spirit lifted as he sat up, "What is the news? Let's hear it."
"The Emperor of Heaven will personally visit Daluo Mountain to see the Human Sect Saint."
"His Majesty is going in person?"
Yu Yuan's heart stirred slightly, falling into contemplation.
"It's not just Daluo Mountain, I heard he will next visit Kunlun and Penglai."
The jade-like person behind him sighed and said: "Speaking of which, the Emperor of Heaven is quite pitiable... When the Demon Clan Heavenly Court was still around, the Demon Emperor was so imposing. But now, it's the Emperor of Heaven's turn, and it's just some fierce beasts causing trouble, but it has led to His Majesty personally seeking help, showing just how much the Heavenly Court has weakened."
Yu Yuan burst out laughing: "The Heavenly Court has weakened, unable to even handle a bit of trouble from fierce beasts... Is that what you think? Then you're being pretty naive."
"Is something wrong?"
"You also said it's just a bit of trouble from fierce beasts... Use your little brain and think about it, would the Emperor of Heaven truly be unable to handle such a trivial matter?
Even if he truly had no one to use, he himself is an Innate Great God, merely needing to manifest an avatar, or bestow a treasure, and wouldn't that resolve the issue?
Does he need to repeatedly seek help from the saints of the Three Sects, and now even personally soliciting aid?
Between the two, which is more embarrassing, which damages the majesty of the Heavenly Court more?"
Hearing this, the expression on the jade-like person behind him also grew solemn.
"If the Emperor of Heaven were to personally handle the trouble caused by fierce beasts, it would seem that the Heavenly Court has no one else to rely on, but if managed properly, it could also showcase the Emperor's authority over the Three Realms, which would actually be beneficial for attracting Immortal Gods to the Heavenly Court.
And now, His Majesty neglects the fierce beasts and solely seeks help from disciples of the Three Sects, which could lead to others underestimating him. Even if there were Immortal Gods who initially wanted to join the Heavenly Court, they likely wouldn't want to now..."
At this point, her forehead furrowed as if suddenly realizing something. Her watery peach-blossom eyes widened in surprise: "The Emperor of Heaven has such grand ambitions!"
Yu Yuan turned his head to look at her, "What have you thought of, tell me."
"The Emperor of Heaven isn't looking to recruit ordinary Immortal Gods, but rather the most powerful group among the primordial immortals—the disciples of the saints, just like you!"
Yu Yuan exclaimed "Huh" in surprise, "You've gotten smarter than before."
The woman gave him a dissatisfied look, "Nowadays I am the ruler of Qingqiu, after all. Compared to when I first met you a thousand years ago, I surely have grown."
Yu Yuan glanced at her and nodded in acknowledgment, "Mm, you've indeed grown quite a lot."
The ruler of Qingqiu's gaze flowed, "Then would you like to measure it yourself?"
"Cough cough... Let's talk business first, I will return to Penglai tomorrow."
"So soon?"
The ruler of Qingqiu drew closer, wrapping around Yu Yuan like a water snake, "The last time you left, it was over a hundred years before you came to Qingqiu. This time, I'm afraid that I will have to wait a thousand years for you."
Yu Yuan spread his hands, "You know, my master is always afraid I'll run off. This time, I could only come out on the pretext of collecting herbs in the Northern Continent, otherwise she would definitely follow."
"Your master..."
The ruler of Qingqiu pursed her lips and ended up not commenting further, but softly said: "You conceal too many things in your heart and shoulder responsibilities that I cannot see.
But don't forget, your shoulders are not only capable of carrying responsibilities...
You should relax properly, and stay with me for a few more days."
"If that's the case..."
Yu Yuan glanced at the ruler of Qingqiu's long and straight jade legs, and with a smile, said: "Then there was something you said before that wasn't quite right... Not only knives can stab someone in the back."
...