147. Let Her Go, and Come With Me?

Ling Qingzhu could clearly feel the changes happening in her body. It was entirely different from what she had experienced in the ancient tombs of the Tianyan Mountain Range.

Back then, she had felt an uncontrollable desire to release the energy surging within her.

But now?

Her entire body felt as though thousands of ants were crawling all over her, an unbearable itch spreading throughout.

This was the Heart-Devouring Gu taking effect.

Once the parasite started reproducing inside her, its offspring would gradually devour her internal organs.

Even those with exceptional cultivation would be powerless to stop it.

The ultimate result? A painful death.

Clutching her abdomen, Ling Qingzhu broke into a cold sweat. “Chen Xuan! What did you make me swallow?”

“Speak, or not?”

“Never!” Ling Qingzhu gritted her teeth.

The anticipation that once filled her gaze when she looked at Chen Xuan had vanished entirely, replaced by endless hatred.

“Fine. Take your time to endure it. Let’s see how long you can last.”

With that, Chen Xuan turned to the Chaos Master, said a few words, and disappeared in a flash.

The Chaos Master glanced at the tormented Ling Qingzhu before following him.


---

Meanwhile, at Dao Sect

In the Sky Hall, Ying Huanhuan turned to the red-haired man beside her. “Can you stop following me already?”

The red-haired man, none other than the Flame Master, chuckled. “Little Junior Sister, from now on, I’ll stay here to ensure your safety.”

“That’s unnecessary.”

“I’m afraid not. The chaos caused by the alien fiends is spreading. You haven’t fully recovered, and if I’m not around, you might be in danger.”

The Flame Master spoke with a serious tone, shaking his head firmly.

Ying Huanhuan sighed helplessly. Ever since the Flame Master had appeared, he had followed her everywhere like an unshakable shadow.

Even her elder sister, Ying Xiaoxiao, noticed the Flame Master's unusual feelings for her younger sister.

“Senior, this place is safe enough. You really don’t need to keep following Huanhuan,” Ying Xiaoxiao suggested.

“Haha, I’m just looking out for her safety.”

“Wouldn’t it be fine to stay in Dao Sect? With your strength, you could respond to anything instantly,” Ying Xiaoxiao tried to reason.

“Of course!” the Flame Master replied confidently.

“Then why not find a place to rest and come if anything happens?”

The Flame Master shook his head. “That won’t do. The alien fiends are cunning, and I can’t afford to stay too far from her.”

Ying Xiaoxiao gave up, exchanging a helpless look with her sister.

Ying Huanhuan grabbed her sister’s hand and walked off, her ponytail swaying. The Flame Master trailed behind with a sheepish grin.

At that moment, the air in front of them twisted.

Chen Xuan stepped out, followed by the Chaos Master, whose massive presence shook the Sky Hall.

Seeing Chen Xuan, Ying Huanhuan beamed and ran to him.

“Chen Xuan, did you find Yun Yun?”

Chen Xuan shook his head. “No.”

“That wretched Ling Qingzhu! Where could she have hidden Yun Yun?” Ying Huanhuan fumed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find her eventually,” Chen Xuan reassured her.

Once he advanced to the Ancestor Realm and connected with the world’s essence, nothing in the Tianxuan Continent could escape his perception—not even a needle in the ocean.

Ying Huanhuan nodded before asking, “What about Ling Qingzhu?”

“I’ve trapped her in the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace with the power of the Space Ancestral Symbol.”

“Ugh, I really want to slap her!” Ying Huanhuan swung her arms angrily.

Chen Xuan chuckled. “I came to say goodbye.”

“What? Where are you going?” Ying Huanhuan’s expression grew anxious.

“The Chaos Demon Sea. I made a promise to Senior Mo Luo.”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

Before she could finish her sentence, the Flame Master interjected. “Absolutely not! It’s too dangerous for you, Little Junior Sister.”

Ying Huanhuan glared at him, making the Flame Master shrink back.

Chen Xuan intervened. “Flame Master, many forces in the Western Xuan Region have fallen to the alien fiends. Why don’t you see if the Thunder Master needs help?”

“But what about Little Junior Sister?”

“Isn’t the Chaos Master here?”

“Why can’t he go instead?” the Flame Master grumbled, reluctant to leave.

Chen Xuan explained, “Chaos Master hasn’t fully recovered yet. He needs to rest at Dao Sect.”

The Chaos Master, catching Chen Xuan’s glance, nodded. “That’s right. I need some time to heal.”

Left with no choice, the Flame Master reluctantly agreed after a lengthy farewell and finally departed.

“Finally, he’s gone,” Ying Huanhuan sighed in relief.

“Haha, he only meant well,” Chen Xuan teased.

Ying Huanhuan nodded, her expression turning serious. “But ever since he appeared, I’ve been remembering things that feel strangely familiar. And…”

“And what?”

“And it feels like my power is growing stronger!”

This was the Ice Master’s power and memories awakening.

After settling Chaos Master in Chen Xuan’s former residence at Dao Sect to prepare for the upcoming battle, Chen Xuan stepped into a spatial rift under the reluctant gazes of the Ying sisters and headed to the Chaos Demon Sea.


---

Chaos Demon Sea, Flame Divine Palace

“Master, do you think Chen Xuan will come back?” Tang Xinlian gazed distractedly at the distant sky.

“He will,” Mo Luo replied with certainty.

“But…”

Before Tang Xinlian could finish, the hall’s space distorted, and Chen Xuan stepped out.

“Senior Mo Luo, I’m here as promised.”

“Chen Xuan, my young friend, you’re here!” Mo Luo greeted him warmly.

Tang Xinlian’s cheeks reddened as she smiled at Chen Xuan.

Once they were seated, Chen Xuan asked, “What is this matter you mentioned, Senior?”

“It’s about a disciple from the Flame Divine Palace who hails from the Monster Region. Her family is in trouble, and we need your help.”

“Oh? What kind of trouble?”

"Only you can handle this matter."

Only I can do it?

Chen Xuan's curiosity deepened.
What kind of matter could it be?

Moro gestured to the guards at the door and whispered something to them.
The guard left, and shortly after, returned with a petite figure.

It was a young girl.

Her slender frame and delicate features were striking, but she seemed timid, hiding behind the guard. Her large, watery eyes peeked at Chen Xuan, filled with apprehension.

Moro smiled. "Xinqing, you know this best. Why don’t you explain?"

"Chen Xuan, I... my name is Xinqing. I’m from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan of the Beast Realm. Our ancestral shrine... it seems... it seems to have some issues."

Xinqing’s hands were clasped tightly together, her head lowered, and her words stumbled out.

Moro stepped in, seeing her hesitation. "I’ve checked it out. There’s a demonic aura present. Even with my ancestral symbol, I didn’t dare act recklessly."

"Understood."

Chen Xuan agreed without hesitation.

"Chen Xuan, Xinqing is one of us at the Flame Divine Hall. You better not take advantage of her just because she’s pretty!"
Tang Xinlian teased with a sly grin in her long, almond-shaped eyes.

"..."
Chen Xuan sighed silently, not bothering to explain.

He activated the power of the Spatial Ancestral Symbol and left for the Beast Realm with Xinqing.


---

At the Nine-Tails Village in the Beast Realm.

Under Xinqing’s guidance, they journeyed to the Nine-Tails Village.
The trip was smooth, with no dangers along the way.

The village was perched atop a floating mountain in the Beast War Domain, shielded by an ancient formation—a massive light barrier surrounding the mountain.

This formation, passed down since ancient times, had allowed the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan to survive to this day.

Though Chen Xuan could have used his Spatial Ancestral Symbol to bypass the barrier, he refrained from doing so.

"Chen Xuan, we’re here!"
Xinqing said excitedly, pulling out a peculiar-looking whistle and blowing into it.

Soon, graceful figures appeared atop the mountain.
At the forefront was a dignified and elegant woman.

"Mother!"
Xinqing leaped into her embrace.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xinqing informed her people that she had brought Chen Xuan to help solve their problem.

Upon hearing this, many clansmen voiced skepticism.

"What? Him?"
"You must be joking!"
"Yeah, this human doesn’t even look twenty!"
"Xinqing, you weren’t tricked by his pretty face and smooth talk, were you?"
"Exactly, he looks like a useless pretty boy!"
"Kid, our Nine-Tailed Clan might be down on its luck, but we’re not gullible enough to fall for a scam like you. Get lost!"

...

The clan’s attitude was far from welcoming.
Some were outright hostile.

This wasn’t surprising. Over the years, Chen Xuan was only the second human to set foot in their village—the first being Mo Luo, who had failed to solve their problem.

So why would a young man who looked no older than twenty succeed?

As the clan’s comments grew harsher, the elegant woman sternly rebuked, "Silence! Whether or not Chen Xuan can help is not for you to judge. He comes recommended by the Flame Divine Palace's leader, and you owe him respect!"

With her words, the crowd reluctantly fell silent.

Chen Xuan had almost turned to leave but stopped, acknowledging the woman’s apology.

"My apologies for their behavior. Please don’t take it to heart, Chen Xuan." She smiled warmly.

"It’s fine," Chen Xuan replied casually.

The woman sighed in relief and invited him into the village.

Before they could proceed, a loud rumble echoed through the valley.
The ground trembled as dust clouds surged in the distance, accompanied by the sound of thunderous hooves.

Chen Xuan turned to see a vast horde approaching. At its head was a brawny, shirtless man radiating a fierce aura, mounted on a massive blood-red bat.

As they stopped before the village, the man’s gaze swept over the crowd. "So, you all knew I was coming and decided to wait for me here?"

"Lord Qin Gang, here are 10 million profound yuan pills."
The woman sighed and reluctantly handed over a spatial pouch.

Qin Gang snatched the pouch but didn’t leave. Instead, his gaze fell on Xinqing, who was hiding behind Chen Xuan.

"Since Xinqing has returned, let her come with me this time!"

"My lord, Xinqing has just returned from training and hasn’t rested yet," the woman pleaded.

"Rest? She looks fine to me."
Qin Gang’s tone grew colder as he pointed at Xinqing, his gaze turning sinister.

"Please, my lord, spare her. She’s still young," the woman begged.

Qin Gang’s lecherous eyes scanned the woman’s figure before he sneered, "Fine, I’ll let her go. But only if you come with me instead."

...