Chapter 305: Why the Sage

Ning Xiaoling was softly sprawled on Siming's shoulder. Her upright, triangular ears twitched with each breath, looking soft and pink.

Her nine tails were large, soft, and fluffy, floating gently like wisps of clouds. Her four snow-white paws rested delicately on Siming's fragrant shoulders. Her round pupils were filled with a weak, pleading look, as if hoping this demon lord, who was caressing her body, would let her go.

However, the demoness showed no intention of letting Ning Xiaoling go.

She gently stroked the soft fur on her neck, smiling. "Xiaoling, are you satisfied with this body?"

Ning Xiaoling thought to herself, if she had known there was such a significant weakness in her tail, she would never have entered this form. Whether *I'm* satisfied is one thing, but it seems you all are quite pleased…

Ning Xiaoling was on the verge of tears, wondering how she had become her benefactor's plaything.

Was this the way she spoke of repaying her?

"Why aren't you speaking, Xiaoling?" Siming asked.

"I'm satisfied… Thank you, Benefactor Sister," Ning Xiaoling replied weakly.

"Such a good girl," Siming said, reaching out to stroke her fur, her hand coming to rest on the central tail.

That was the last tail the demon fox had grown.

It was formed from her authority, the very foundation of her enlightenment. But because seizing the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart had defied the Heavenly Dao, she suffered a backlash, and this tail became her most fatal weakness.

Many years ago, when Siming was a divine official, she had pursued this female demon fox to Tongjie Peak, forced her back to her original form, and pinned her beneath the peak with a soul-piercing sword through her tail.

Siming had never imagined that when she touched this form again, her mood would be as it was now.

Her smile was faint and shallow, her fingers circling on that tail.

Ning Xiaoling trembled, looking at her pleadingly, afraid she would pinch it again…

In the end, it was her Senior Brother who cared for her the most.

"Alright, stop teasing Junior Sister Xiaoling," Ning Changjiu finally interjected, reaching out and gently scooping Ning Xiaoling by the arm into his embrace.

"Senior Brother is so kind…" Ning Xiaoling said, looking up at him.

Ning Changjiu gently stroked her body, his gaze fixed on the somewhat conspicuous fox tail, seemingly hesitating and struggling with something.

Ning Xiaoling immediately tucked her tail in, exclaiming in shock, "Senior Brother, what are you trying to do?"

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly. "Alright, stop teasing Xiaoling. Let's first figure out how to collect the authority of the Underworld Lord. If we're late, Xiaoling might not be able to change back."

Ning Xiaoling nodded vigorously, thinking that Master was still the most rational.

Ning Changjiu stroked the fox's soft body, muttering to himself, "After she changes back, I wonder if she'll ever be able to transform again."

Ning Xiaoling shivered, clutching her tail, feeling that Senior Brother's embrace was no longer warm at all.

She shot out in a flash, leaping into Lu Jiajia's arms.

Lu Jiajia caught her. Xiaoling felt her Master's embrace, finally finding warmth amidst the chilling presence of villains surrounding her… and the benefits of being small. She curled up, burying herself in the center, as if burrowing into a mountain valley made of cotton.

"Master, I missed you so much," Ning Xiaoling said, resting her tiny paws on her.

Lu Jiajia smiled helplessly. "From now on, Master will protect Xiaoling well."

Ning Changjiu chimed in, "Yes, Master is the strongest among us."

Lu Jiajia couldn't shake the feeling he was mocking her. She frowned and glared at him.

Ning Xiaoling asked, "Oh, by the way, how did Benefactor Sister end up with you all? How did you meet her?"

Lu Jiajia gently stroked the fox's fur, then slowly looked at Ning Changjiu, her voice cool. "The origins of this green-faced, fanged Sister Siming must be explained by your Senior Brother."

Green-faced and fanged? Sister Siming?

So, Benefactor Sister's name is Siming. Is her surname Si? What a majestic name! But what about the "green-faced and fanged" part? Could it be that Sister's devastatingly beautiful appearance is actually that of a demon…

At this thought, Ning Xiaoling couldn't help but shiver, and the way she looked at Sister Siming changed.

Siming, with a beaming smile, looked over and said, "Jiajia, if you hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten that the 'green-faced and fanged' account hasn't been settled yet, has it?"

Ning Changjiu rubbed his forehead. "I'm not feeling well. Miss Siming… maybe talk to Di Ting first."

"???" The Fish King lay motionless on the ground. It had been secretly delighted to see their attention shift to Xiaoling, hoping to slip away unnoticed. It never expected the big villain, Ning, to bring the distant war eight hundred *li* away to its own doorstep.

It looked at Ning Changjiu with indignation and sorrow.

Siming slowly shifted her gaze.

"I… I'm useful!" The Fish King, cowering in Siming's shadow, looked at the woman who resembled a demon, and trembled as it spoke, trying to secure its survival.

Siming glanced at it indifferently, saying nothing.

The Fish King thought it had gotten away with it, until the next day, when Ning Xiaoling walked over, holding a basin of green vegetables in her mouth.

It looked at Ning Xiaoling, and Ning Xiaoling looked back at it.

The Fish King shed tears of regret… It wished it had stayed in the Underworld Palace to teach Jiuyou how to read…

The news of Senior Disciple Sister's return spread throughout the sect.

Everyone already knew the story of how Senior Disciple Sister had single-handedly gone to the Underworld to suppress the netherworld, marveling at how much she had borne alone during that tranquil dusk.

In the blink of an eye, Senior Disciple Sister Ning's reputation had spread widely among the ten peaks. The feat of Ning Xiaoling single-handedly slaying the Black Feather Serpent during the Spiritual Valley Grand Competition also truly became known, embellished with incredible details.

This had the greatest impact on the disciples of the Spirit Control lineage. In the past, Ning Xiaoling was merely a beautiful junior sister who diligently sat by the window every day, reading, writing, and studying hard. They never imagined that she was so low-key. It was only at this moment that they realized, feeling a profound sense of "so the master was among us all along."

The news of Ning Xiaoling's return to the sect caused a huge stir, an even greater commotion than when the Sect Master was suddenly replaced half a month prior.

However, after several days of rumors, no one had actually seen Ning Xiaoling. Disciples of the Spirit Control lineage often gathered by the cliff to look, but they only ever saw a four-hooved, snow-stepping fox being chased around by a woman in black.

That black-robed woman was said to be the new Sect Master.

Morning.

In the quiet room of the Ancient Spirit Sect, incense burned. A beam of light fell from the skylight, neatly carving a square of brightness onto the table.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia sat opposite each other.

Ning Changjiu was dressed in white with a sash, his features refined and handsome. Lu Jiajia sat gracefully, her clothes and hair impeccable, exuding an elegant aura.

Ning Xiaoling lay between them, staring at the smoke rising from the incense burner, her nine tails swaying along with the smoke's path, captivating and adorable.

Siming knelt on the other side, her dark gown serene, her world-shaking beauty appearing gentle in the light. Unlike Lu Jiajia's elegance, hers was a pure, unadulterated beauty.

Since the imperial city wedding banquet, a heavy snow had fallen across the land. Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia had traveled far across the Sea of No Fortune, heading for the Central Lands. During their journey, shipwrecks occurred, the Sea Kingdom fell into chaos, the Immortal-Suppressing Sword flew a thousand miles to kill, the Luoshu formation was shrouded in mist, until the Wood Spirit Eye truly appeared, and the Myriad Demon City entered the fray. It seemed as if the truth was revealed, yet the Divine Kingdom of Baizang revealed its massive, incomparable shadow from behind the scenes.

Finally, they rushed to the Ancient Spirit Sect, delving deep into the Underworld Palace, and at last, retrieved their junior sister's soul from within the ancient netherworld kingdom.

They had been traveling tirelessly, almost without a moment's rest, until this point.

Only now did Ning Changjiu's tense nerves slightly relax, as he savored the long-lost tranquility within the quiet room.

*If Xiang'er were here, it would be perfect.*

Ning Changjiu had this thought, but quickly dismissed it… *If Xiang'er were here, how could there be such peace?*

Yet, thinking of Xiang'er's beautiful and proud face, he couldn't help but smile.

Siming looked at him, seemingly seeing through his thoughts, and smiled. "Sister Jiajia is right in front of you, and you're still daydreaming about other women? Young Master Ning truly doesn't know when he's well off."

Ning Changjiu denied, "No, I was just thinking how cute Xiaoling's tails are."

Ning Xiaoling thought, *Senior Brother, how come you can't even fool me anymore?*

Lu Jiajia gently tapped the table with her knuckles. "Alright, Xiaoling's return was not easy. Let's put past conflicts and grudges behind us. It's time to properly plan for saving the Underworld Kingdom and finding the 'Evil'."

Lu Jiajia spoke slowly.

Siming chuckled faintly. "Little Sister Jiajia certainly has the demeanor of a mistress."

Little Sister Jiajia? Ning Xiaoling was a bit confused. Just now, she was called "Sister," and now "Little Sister." And… what was this "mistress" all about?

The fox girl re-examined her beautiful Benefactor Sister, thinking, *In just a few years, has Senior Brother's private life become this chaotic?*

Being addressed this way in front of Ning Xiaoling, Lu Jiajia shot Siming a light glare.

Siming smiled, sitting with her hips on her heels, pressing her sleeves as she poured tea.

She poured a cup of tea and offered it to Lu Jiajia with a respectful gesture, saying, "Sister Jiajia is right, past conflicts and grudges should be put behind us. So, please don't take to heart the punishment I inflicted out of annoyance a few days ago while teaching Little Sister Jiajia sword techniques."

"You…" Lu Jiajia's elegant brows furrowed slightly, her eyelashes fluttering.

*How dare she say such a thing in front of Xiaoling…* She pursed her soft lips, looking at Siming with a hint of severity.

Ning Xiaoling was also startled. Punishment… What punishment?

Lu Jiajia's image in Xiaoling's mind was one of stern inviolability, but at this moment… *Why isn't Master refuting her? Could it be…*

She couldn't imagine such a scene.

Lu Jiajia took a deep breath, avoiding Xiaoling's gaze, and reluctantly accepted the teacup. Then she looked up at Ning Changjiu and said, "This tea is a bit hot. I don't like hot drinks. You drink it for me."

"Why let your husband do it for you? Do you dislike the tea your little sister poured?" Siming asked, blinking and with a slight curve to her lips as she looked at Lu Jiajia.

Husband… Ning Xiaoling was startled again.

Although she knew Senior Brother and Master should like each other, "husband"… isn't that too fast? Could it be that Master was so immodest, and had already been… by Senior Brother?

Ning Xiaoling's face flushed crimson.

Lu Jiajia silently watched Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu took the tea, smiling. "Don't worry, whatever grievances Jiajia has, your disciple will help you with them."

As he spoke, he looked at Siming.

Siming, however, said, "This cup of tea isn't for you."

"Did you drug the tea? Why can't I drink it?" Ning Changjiu retorted.

Siming said, "Oh, that's right. You're not just Lu Jiajia's disciple and husband, but also her Master… Ah!"

Siming let out a soft cry, her body suddenly tensed, her fair feet taut like a bow.

"Little Sister Xueci, what's wrong?" Lu Jiajia feigned concern, supporting her back and patting it gently, asking worriedly.

Siming, her body trembling, looked up at Lu Jiajia, shaking her head slightly. "Nothing."

"That's good," Lu Jiajia said coolly.

In the past, when they were alone, Lu Jiajia was too suppressed by Siming's cultivation level, and her spiritual power wasn't strong enough to cast slave marks. But now, with Ning Changjiu as her support, she was fearless.

Siming became much more obedient.

Lu Jiajia looked at Ning Changjiu and said, "Little Sister Xueci poured you tea, why aren't you drinking it?"

Ning Changjiu keenly caught a hint of murderous intent in Lu Jiajia's eyes.

Regarding the concealment of Siming's identity, Lu Jiajia hadn't had time to pursue it due to pressing matters. Now that they finally had some leisure, Ning Changjiu felt a chill down his spine, as if he was about to face a reckoning.

Ning Changjiu looked at the cup of tea.

Lu Jiajia and Siming both watched him.

Xiaoling also watched him.

He looked at Xiaoling.

"Junior Sister…" Ning Changjiu began with a smile.

Ning Xiaoling sensed something was amiss.

What was wrong with this world…? It was supposed to be a harmonious, joyful reunion, yet why could she always sense murderous intent?

Ning Changjiu said, "Junior Sister's return was not easy, and she has experienced so many hardships. This first cup of tea should rightfully be offered to Junior Sister."

Ning Xiaoling looked at the tea, then at Senior Brother's smile.

This should be a good thing, so why wasn't she happy at all? How could this be… So confusing!

The teacup was pushed in front of her.

"Benefactor Sister, I…" Ning Xiaoling's paw touched the rim of the porcelain cup, intending to push it back.

Siming looked at her and asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"No!" Ning Xiaoling flinched, snatching the teacup back.

Feeling the pressure from all directions, she stuck out her tongue and touched the surface of the tea like a bird pecking at water.

Above her, Ning Changjiu, Lu Jiajia, and Siming looked at each other, seemingly communicating through their eyes.

Ning Xiaoling couldn't stand this "warm" atmosphere. After taking a sip of tea, she was the first to speak. "Senior Brother, what exactly happened while I was gone? When you fell into that abyss, I was so worried… How did you get out? And what's the relationship between Benefactor Sister and you?"

Ning Changjiu recounted the story of Broken Realm City again.

This time was different from when he told it to Lu Jiajia. Back then, as long as he didn't fabricate too wildly, Lu Jiajia couldn't detect the flaws in his words. But now, Siming was leisurely sipping tea nearby, watching intently. If he slightly misspoke or blurred the facts, Siming would correct him and fill in any omissions.

"Oh, so that's what happened," Lu Jiajia said casually, sipping her tea, occasionally speaking and looking up at him.

Ning Changjiu was helpless. Facing Lu Jiajia's questioning gaze, he could only tap his own head and feign "misremembering," a truly unconvincing excuse.

Ning Xiaoling listened most intently, as the picture of Broken Realm City slowly unfolded before her, building a magnificent yet desolate blueprint.

Of course, what intrigued her most was the little girl named Shao Xiaoli.

*This little girl… I always feel like she's a rival.*

Ning Changjiu pushed through the story, even being forced to mention the details of whipping and disciplining Siming on the torture rack, and how they were hunted by the Sin Lord, relying on each other for survival…

Siming's eyes held a smile.

Lu Jiajia's expression grew increasingly grim.

When he spoke of the kiss at the end of the world, Lu Jiajia could no longer restrain herself. Her body moved with her thoughts, and a clear sword hum suddenly rang out from her sword-spirit-integrated body, startling Ning Changjiu into sitting bolt upright.

Ning Xiaoling was listening with a flushed face, silently condemning Shao Xiaoli in her heart. At the moment the sword hum sounded, she too was startled, feeling as if Master behind her had drawn her sword. *How scary…* Ning Changjiu, with his head down, recounted these events emotionlessly. However, when he reached their reunion with Lu Jiajia, he immediately became vivid and expressive, showing his inner joy.

Lu Jiajia let out a cold snort, then sat with her eyes lowered, her demeanor icy.

Ning Changjiu then briefly recounted the remaining events.

However, he deliberately concealed much about his true identity, only saying that he came from a mysterious sect with several powerful senior brothers and sisters. As for the astounding matter of the world rewinding twelve years, he did not directly mention it.

Ning Xiaoling listened, her eyes welling up with tears, thinking about how much hardship Senior Brother had endured…

"Xiaoling, is there anything else you'd like to know?" Ning Changjiu asked gently.

Ning Xiaoling thought for a moment, then asked, "So, what exactly is the relationship between Benefactor Sister and Senior Brother?"

Three pairs of eyes stared at him simultaneously.

Ning Changjiu's blood surged, and his Dao heart felt unstable.

"Is there anything else Junior Sister would like to know?" Ning Changjiu reached out and gently stroked Ning Xiaoling's fluffy body.

Ning Xiaoling had originally intended to insist on that question, but she sensed Senior Brother's hand seemed to be moving along her body, heading towards her central tail. A chill ran down her spine, and she immediately changed her words: "Junior Sister… Junior Sister wants to know… well, Junior Sister doesn't want to know anything at all."

Ning Changjiu released his hand, which had been hovering near her tail root.

Ning Xiaoling quietly took a sip of tea.

Lu Jiajia sat silently in her snow-white robes, eyes lowered, like a sword imbued with intent, ready to be unsheathed at any moment.

Siming, too, had a hidden dagger in her smile. If not for the slave marks binding her, she thought she would have dealt with the two people and one fox already.

"Sister Lu, what's wrong? Could it be that Ning Changjiu's account today differs from what he said before?" Siming asked, feigning ignorance.

Lu Jiajia thought to herself, *If only my cultivation weren't so low, I would deal with both Sister Xueci and my husband right now.*

With Xiaoling present, it wasn't appropriate for her to lash out. She decided to settle scores with Ning Changjiu, that heartless man, privately later.

"More or less the same. Nothing major," Lu Jiajia said.

"Is that so?" Siming asked faintly.

Ning Changjiu dared not speak, silently adding to Siming's account in his mind.

Ning Xiaoling, being the most vulnerable at the moment, could only lower her head and silently drink her tea.

The tea was soon drained.

Ning Changjiu said, "Xiaoling, Di Ting said you learned a set of sword techniques?"

Ning Xiaoling nodded. "Yes, that sword technique is the Sword of Calamity's Restraint, which I learned from a combination of the Ancient Spirit Sect's spiritual arts and the Sword Heaven Sect's sword arts."

Siming said, "I see. No wonder Jiajia's sword techniques each have obvious weaknesses. So the sword art wasn't complete."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. "Then, in the future, we might have to trouble Xiaoling to teach Jiajia sword techniques."

Although Lu Jiajia wanted to learn the complete sword technique, if that were the case, wouldn't Xiaoling indirectly become her master? And if Xiaoling then learned bad habits from her Senior Brother and disciplined her, where would her dignity be?

Lu Jiajia spoke calmly, "No need. Just give me the sword techniques and spiritual arts, and I can comprehend them myself."

Ning Xiaoling nodded seriously, thinking, *Master is truly worthy of being Master, so impressive!*

Ning Changjiu seized this opportunity to change the subject immediately. "Let's plan for the future first. Restoring the Underworld Kingdom is paramount as it concerns Xiaoling's safety, so it should be prioritized. Finding the 'Evil' isn't urgent. I always feel that even if I don't actively seek him, I will encounter him when the time is right."

He just wondered if everything happening now was still within his Master's predictions.

Lu Jiajia nodded. "Xiaoling's safety is naturally the most important. But the authority of the Underworld Lord is scattered across the world. If the pieces are too far apart, or if they are already held by others, can they still gather on their own?"

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming. Siming knew the most about matters of authority.

Siming leisurely began, "Don't worry. As long as no one contends for them, unowned fragments of authority, no matter how far apart, will converge. The latter situation is more troublesome; we can only use the authority to find approximate locations, then retrieve them one by one. It will be time-consuming and arduous, especially if there are some powerful figures involved, fighting to the death… I don't know if three hundred days will be enough."

Ning Changjiu nodded, considering the difficulties involved, and stated firmly, "Yes, I will do my best."

Ning Xiaoling, on the other hand, wasn't too worried.

With Senior Brother, Master, and Benefactor Sister all by her side, what couldn't be accomplished?

She finally didn't have to be alone again, as she was back in the Spirit Valley Serpent Hall.

Siming looked at Ning Changjiu and asked, "The 'Evil' you mentioned, is he supposedly omniscient?"

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment. "My Senior Sister told me that."

Siming said, "It seems your mysterious sect has a significant background. Perhaps it's a reclusive organization in the Central Lands."

Ning Changjiu nodded. "My Master is extremely formidable."

Siming was not convinced. *If he's truly that powerful, cultivating both Dao and sword, why does he only dare to live in seclusion and not appear in the world? Ultimately, he must be suppressed by the Sword Pavilion.*

*Hmm, when I recover my peak strength, I can go meet his mysterious Master.*

*I hope he isn't just someone seeking fame and prestige.*

"Omniscient?" Siming gently shook her head. "Your Senior Sister is just exaggerating. There's no such thing as an omniscient being in this world."

Ning Changjiu had no objection to this statement.

He also didn't believe in the existence of so-called omniscient beings.

Siming said, "Only the Lord of the Divine Kingdom each year can truly be called omniscient and omnipotent. Unless the 'Evil' you speak of is a fallen Lord who once ruled."

"A fallen Lord who once ruled?" Ning Changjiu gently shook his head. His intuition told him that the one named "Evil" was not such an existence.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiajia recalled something.

"Little Sister Xueci, do you remember the question you asked me when my husband first entered the Underworld Kingdom?"

"Hmm? Which one?"

"You said that the year the Saint fell was precisely the Year of the Thunder Prison. But then you also said the Thunder Prison is still alive. So, who was the Lord who fell five hundred years ago? If not killed by the Saint, then what caused their death?" Lu Jiajia asked.

Ning Changjiu also shared this confusion.

He had always thought that the Saint had exchanged lives with a certain Lord.

But now it seemed the Thunder Prison was still alive. So, by whom could a supreme Lord be killed? This was almost an unsolvable riddle.

Ning Xiaoling didn't quite understand, but to avoid seeming out of place, she feigned curiosity and looked towards Siming along with the others.

Siming raised her sleeve.

Her authority unfurled, and a barrier separating heaven and earth enveloped them.

"Actually… you've already said the answer," Siming said, looking at Lu Jiajia.

"What?" Lu Jiajia was confused.

"The Saint died, and the Lord fell…" Siming spoke calmly, revealing this simple yet earth-shattering secret: "Then have you ever considered that the fallen Lord might just be the Saint who, five hundred years ago, burned mountains, boiled seas, and nearly overturned heaven and earth?"