Chapter 3407

"Can we still contact Bai Linger?" Wang Ruyan pressed.

"No, we can't," Wang Qingcheng replied truthfully. "She notified our clansmen and asked us for a small favor: to look after the Azure Hills Foxes in the Eastern Barrens."

"Understood," Wang Ruyan instructed. "Pass down the order: all lower realms should look out for any news of Bai Linger. If she's contacted again, report it immediately."

"Understood, Mother. I've already given the order," Wang Qingcheng affirmed.

Putting away her communication disk, Wang Ruyan wore a thoughtful expression, muttering to herself, "It's quite rare for Bai Linger to help Qingshan send word that he's safe."

Wang Changsheng was assisting Master Miaode in refining a high-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure. Master Miaode was providing the materials, and he would stay on Green Lotus Island until the treasure was completed. During this time, Wang Ruyan naturally intended to consult with Master Miaode extensively to improve her talisman-making skills as much as possible.

***

In the Heavenly Demon Realm, on the Heavenly Eagle Continent, at Snow Toad Ridge.

Bai Linger stood at the peak of a mountain, gazing at the thunderclouds high above. Wang Qingshan was undergoing a Grand Heavenly Tribulation, and she was protecting him.

A rumble of thunder echoed as thick, silver lightning bolts struck down one after another, heading straight for a small valley below. The world seemed to turn silver-white, blinding silver lightning engulfing the valley, filling it with smoke and dust.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the thundercloud, still dozens of feet in size, violently churned and transformed into a colossal silver lightning dragon. It plunged down from the sky.

The ground vibrated slightly. A large quantity of shattered rocks and plants flew up, forming into flying swords that surged to meet the silver lightning dragon. The silver arcs on the lightning dragon's body intensified, destroying many of the flying swords. However, there were so many swords that some still pierced through the dragon's body.

Another thunderous roar sounded as a massive silver sun soared into the sky. The ground shook violently, and countless broken stones were flung into the air.

Bai Linger's face tightened at this sight, filled with worry.

A cyan rainbow flew out from the brilliant light and landed in front of Bai Linger. It was Wang Qingshan. His face was slightly pale, but aside from excessive spiritual power consumption, he was largely unharmed. He had slain several Integration cultivators in the Heavenly Demon Realm and acquired multiple defensive treasures, making his third Grand Heavenly Tribulation manageable.

Wang Qingshan had already reached the Integration Consummation stage. With the Seven-Flame Golden Peach in hand, he could now consider attempting to break through to the Mahayana stage. Of course, reaching Mahayana would require a long period of cultivating his spiritual power. Having just passed his tribulation, he also needed time to recuperate.

Seeing Wang Qingshan safe and sound, Bai Linger breathed a sigh of relief.

"I managed to get a World-Breaking Stone," Bai Linger explained. "My separated soul successfully descended to the lower realms and went to the Liuyang Realm to notify your clansmen, letting them know you're safe."

"Thank you, Immortal Bai," Wang Qingshan said, his face beaming with joy.

"Is that all you have to say besides 'thank you'?" Bai Linger asked, a hint of resentment in her tone.

Just as Wang Qingshan was about to reply, a cold female voice rang out: "What do you want him to say to you?"

Bai Linger's expression instantly turned grim upon hearing the voice.

A white rainbow appeared in the distant sky. Shortly after, it halted, revealing a white, shimmering flying boat. On it stood an exquisitely beautiful young woman in a green dress and a slender young woman in a red dress.

The young woman in the red dress had skin like snow, cherry lips, and a delicate nose. She was Hu Meier, an Integration stage cultivator with six tails. The young woman in the green dress had a beauty mark between her eyebrows and enchanting peach blossom eyes. A terrifying aura emanated from her.

"Grandma!" Bai Linger's voice trembled slightly.

The young woman in the green dress was Hu Qing, the matriarch of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan. She was an early Mahayana stage cultivator with seven tails.

The Human Race was not well-regarded by the demon clans in the Heavenly Demon Realm. While the female members of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan were beautiful and often admired by cultivators of other races, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Foxes rarely married outsiders. While it might be permissible for collateral branches, Bai Linger possessed seven tails, and Hu Qing would absolutely not allow her to marry outside the clan.

Wang Qingshan frowned, realizing he had been cornered by a Mahayana cultivator.

"This junior, Wang Qingshan, greets Senior Hu," Wang Qingshan bowed respectfully.

"Hmph, do you think just because Linger protects you, I won't kill you?" Hu Qing's expression turned cold. She slapped her right hand towards the void.

Above Wang Qingshan's head, the void rippled, and a large cyan fox claw materialized, striking towards the crown of his head. Before the cyan fox claw even descended, an invisible force enveloped him, making Wang Qingshan feel unable to move.

"Don't kill him, Grandma!" Bai Linger pleaded, her eyes reddening.

If Hu Qing truly wished to kill Wang Qingshan, he wouldn't be able to escape.

Wang Qingshan formed a sword art, and the shattered rocks and plants on the ground flew up, transforming into flying swords. They surged towards the cyan fox claw, like eggs striking a stone, and were all instantly shattered.

A loud sword hum resonated as the Southern Bright Vermilion Flame Sword flew out from his sleeve, slicing the cyan fox claw in half.

"Myriad Transformation Sword, Myriad Spirit Sword Scripture! Who are you to Myriad Spirit Child?!" Hu Qing's face sank as she recognized the divine ability Wang Qingshan unleashed, her murderous intent growing stronger.

"Myriad Spirit Child? This junior does not know who Senior speaks of," Wang Qingshan was utterly bewildered. Judging by Hu Qing's demeanor, she clearly disliked Myriad Spirit Child and might even harbor a grudge.

"Grandma, don't kill him. I'll go back with you," Bai Linger pleaded again.

"Hmph, so if I don't kill him, you won't come back with me? You requested to be transferred to the Heavenly Fox Mountain Range just for him, didn't you?! All for a human! How can our Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan produce so many lovestruck fools?" Hu Qing expressed her displeasure. From her words, it seemed Bai Linger was not the first 'lovestruck fool' in their clan.

"Wang Daoyou and I are just friends. He saved my life, and I merely wanted to repay him. I have no intention of betraying the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan. Grandma, please spare him! I promise to diligently cultivate upon my return and strive to grow an eighth tail!" Bai Linger desperately begged. Hu Qing herself only had seven tails. The more tails a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clansman possessed, the stronger their bloodline and power.

"Is that truly the case?" Hu Qing asked, suspicious.

"No, we knew each other in the lower realms. I love Linger, and Linger loves me. It was I who asked her to bring me to Mount Tianhu for refuge. It has nothing to do with her," Wang Qingshan stated solemnly.

Bai Linger had sacrificed a lot for Wang Qingshan, and he had seen it all. She had taken a great risk bringing him to Mount Tianhu, helping him find a World-Breaking Stone, protecting him during his tribulation, and now pleading for him. Wang Qingshan could not remain indifferent. Humans are not plants; how can they be without emotion? He had feelings for Bai Linger but had avoided acting on them. However, seeing her repeatedly plead for him had touched the softest chord in his heart.

Bai Linger froze, then turned to look at Wang Qingshan, her face filled with disbelief as tears streamed down her cheeks. She had finally heard those words.

"I'll give you one more chance. Think carefully before you answer. Don't think I'm afraid to kill you. This is the Heavenly Demon Realm, not a realm dominated by humans," Hu Qing said with a dark expression. A gigantic ethereal image of a cyan fox with seven tails appeared above her head. Her summoning of a Dharma Idol indicated her extreme rage.

"I love Linger, and Linger loves me. That's how it is," Wang Qingshan stated firmly.

"Grandma, if you want to kill him, then kill me too! If Daoist Wang perishes, I won't live either!" Bai Linger declared with determination, kneeling on the ground.

"You're threatening me for a man? To think I cultivated you so much!" Hu Qing flew into a furious rage.

"Linger wouldn't dare threaten Grandma. I only beg Grandma to spare him. I will surely cultivate diligently and grow an eighth tail!" Bai Linger pleaded desperately.

"Hmph, there are other clansmen with seven tails, and I can also cultivate diligently to grow an eighth tail," Hu Meier fanned the flames.

Hu Qing took a deep breath and said, "If I spare him, will you truly cultivate diligently and grow an eighth tail?"

"Yes, I promise," Bai Linger quickly agreed.

Hu Qing's expression softened. She turned to Wang Qingshan and said, "Now get out! Don't let me see you again, or I'll have to kill you."

"Daoist Wang, go! Don't come back. What you just said is enough for me," Bai Linger transmitted to Wang Qingshan.

"Wait for me. I'll definitely come back for you," Wang Qingshan promised.

"Hurry up and leave, or I'll change my mind!" Hu Qing said coldly.