Chapter 838: Great Villain Chu Huoyou

"You praise me so much, I'm almost embarrassed," Chu Feng sighed, looking calm.

"Am I praising you?!" The yellow-furred fox tilted its head, looking at him. Clearly, it didn't want to get involved in troublesome matters or help him collect divine medicine.

"Senior, please put more thought into it and consider how we can dig up a divine medicine," Chu Feng humbly requested.

The yellow-furred fox rolled its eyes. Had its words been for nothing? Had it bothered the young man in vain? His mental fortitude and thick skin were truly unparalleled!

In the end, the yellow-furred fox was reluctantly dragged along by Chu Feng.

"Senior, have you come up with a solution? How about this: I'll wait for you here," Chu Feng said very seriously, intending to stay and wait for the yellow-furred fox to gather the medicine.

"What do you mean?!" The petrified lower half of the yellow-furred fox's body trembled slightly at that moment, shaking with anger. Was it going to be the one gathering the medicine, while this thick-skinned young man sat back and enjoyed the results, waiting for its return?

"I'm afraid I'll hold you back and become a burden," Chu Feng replied.

"It's fine, let's go together," the yellow-furred fox insisted, demanding that Chu Feng follow it as they approached the abyss.

As it pondered, it felt increasingly uneasy. What kind of situation was this? Was it truly going to gather medicine with this young man?

Along the way, Chu Feng was worried, thinking about the gray substance. Once contaminated, it would entangle one for life. How could he overcome it?

Especially since the Big Black Ox, Qin Luoyin, Ying Zhexian, and many others had been contaminated with the gray substance. Even if it wasn't much, it could still have very negative effects.

However, he only had one black talisman paper, snatched from his son, the little Daoist priest, and it was far from enough.

With a sigh, Chu Feng looked up at the sky.

"Why are you sighing? What are you thinking about?" the yellow-furred fox asked him.

"I'm thinking about my experience at the end of the reincarnation path. I clearly saw ten people, all holding talismans—some silver, some crimson... but I was too thin-skinned to take action against all of them."

Chu Feng sighed deeply, filled with regret. If he had known how useful those talismans were, he wouldn't have cared who those people were—twin sisters, a winged blonde man—he would have ambushed them all, knocked them out from behind, and stolen every single talisman. That would have been more valuable than anything!

Listening to him ramble on with regret, the yellow-furred fox no longer wanted to bother with him. After all he had done, how could he still claim to be "thin-skinned"?

"Senior, is there some pattern to the appearance of those talismans, or do people who travel the reincarnation path all arrive at specific time points? Otherwise, how could those people have arrived successively within a certain timeframe last time?"

Chu Feng humbly inquired, appearing very modest.

However, the yellow-furred fox didn't believe he was a gentleman and couldn't help but ask what he intended to do.

Chu Feng was direct. "Last time, I was too thin-skinned and didn't have the nerve to act. If Heaven gives me another chance, I'll definitely seize it and beat them all unconscious!"

Seeing his righteous and serious demeanor, the yellow-furred fox secretly sighed, "This guy... is truly something. He speaks of mugging and robbing on the reincarnation path with such solemnity, as if it's sacred. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone else like him."

"The waters of the reincarnation path run too deep, and the levels involved are too high. Even my master doesn't fully understand it, let alone me."

The yellow-furred fox didn't want to discuss the reincarnation path further with this serious-faced bandit. Firstly, it was wary, and secondly, it found robbery too shameful.

Suddenly, it really wanted to understand Chu Feng. What kind of person was he? With his thick-skinned nature, he must have done quite well in the Netherworld, right?

So, it asked.

Chu Feng briefly mentioned some old stories, trying to portray himself in the best light.

What kind of being was the yellow-furred fox? It had weathered all sorts of storms. Since ancient times, it had fallen from the heavens into hell, endured endless wandering, and experienced all the bitterness of the human world.

It was incredibly perceptive. Through Chu Feng's words, it immediately sensed something amiss. "You're just a general store owner?"

How could it believe that a small shop owner had the ability to reach this universe?

Chu Feng nodded. "I value integrity. Everything I sell is genuine and fairly priced, honest with everyone, young or old. That's why I've gained some renown."

He boasted that everyone who bought from him praised his goods. At every auction, many people from across the universe actively bid and competed to purchase his items, ultimately making his business famous.

The yellow-furred fox looked utterly bewildered. Finally, unable to comprehend, it asked, "Forgive my intrusion, but what exactly do you sell?"

"Well..." Chu Feng looked a bit shy. "It's a small business, just some local specialties I hunt myself. It's nothing much, just enough to make ends meet."

"Don't be modest. Tell me about it. I'm evaluating whether you'll be able to thrive in the Yang Realm later and assessing your potential," the yellow-furred fox said very seriously.

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng's expression immediately became solemn. "I only sell divine sons, holy maidens, and the like."

The yellow-furred fox stumbled, then stared at Chu Feng with a look of utter astonishment. Its lips trembled slightly, and it couldn't utter a single word.

It had a certain moral bottom line, but it never expected this young man to push beyond it. This wasn't a good person; this was a human trafficker!

On the spot, it wanted to turn around and leave. Even though it needed ruthless individuals, there was a limit to what it could tolerate.

"Senior, I only did it for self-preservation. Everything was forced upon me," Chu Feng said with an earnest expression, explaining the circumstances in detail.

The yellow-furred fox's expression wavered. "It's understandable, but even if you praise yourself like a blooming flower, you're still a human trafficker."

The yellow-furred fox mused for a moment. "However, I think someone like you might live better and be more suited for the Yang Realm. So, this time, I choose you."

What did that mean? Chu Feng was suspicious. Why did it feel like the yellow-furred fox wasn't choosing someone for the first time?

"Yes, I've chosen a few people before. Some were renowned as 'Nine-Generation Philanthropists,' others were considered 'Sons of Destiny' of this realm, noble in character—all good people. But in the end, after entering the Yang Realm, they all met terrible fates, quickly killed or devoured by others. Even the opportunities I gave them only benefited others, truly..."

The yellow-furred fox sighed, lamenting that all the people it had favored had met miserable ends.

"So, you think I'm more suitable?" Chu Feng felt a strange sensation.

"Yes, your innate talent is rare. I truly look forward to the day I hear news of you selling divine sons and holy maidens in the Yang Realm, even from this fallen land."

"Isn't that just asking for death?" Chu Feng squinted at him.

"Don't be angry. What I mean is, with your talent—having even been a human trafficker—you definitely won't be a pushover in the Yang Realm. You'll live well and won't disappoint my expectations."

Chu Feng finally understood: this old fox believed he wasn't a good person and thought he might actually achieve great things because of it. This displeased him; he was being categorized as a villain.

"I'm telling you, you absolutely must remember the address I gave you. It's the last and most precious thing I can give you. If my master knew, he might even be incredibly excited."

"Senior, if I return to the Netherworld from here, my memories might be wiped clean, and I won't remember anything. Do you have any solution?" Chu Feng asked.

The yellow-furred fox immediately frowned. This problem was too difficult, involving the rules of an entire universe. It was currently crippled; how could it have so many methods?

"I'll think about it later and try to come up with something," it finally said.

"You really can?" Chu Feng was pleasantly surprised. Then he added, "Well then, let's finish what we started. I have a companion named Yao Yao; please let her keep her memories too."

"Boundless Heavenly Venerate! Damn it, kid, are you ever going to stop? Your cheek is boundless! You're asking for too much! I'm still just considering one person; two is out of the question!"

The yellow-furred fox became agitated and completely gave up on him.

"Aren't we just discussing? Don't be angry, Senior. Come, let's talk slowly," Chu Feng quickly said, his face plastered with a placating smile.

"Why do I find you so irritating? You're naturally like a villain. Tell me, if someone like you enters the Yang Realm, won't they be instantly killed?"

The yellow-furred fox stared at him, observing him closely.

"How could that be? Everyone who was my enemy I just sold off at a discount. In my opinion, the Yang Realm is just another place. Later, I'll definitely dig into a few restricted areas to see what treasures they hold. The prerequisite is: will the things you're preparing for me allow me to rise? Will they really work? Or perhaps, Senior, you could tell me a few more locations so I can dig up more good stuff. Failing that, you could write down your breathing techniques and divine arts backward; I doubt your master, no matter how powerful, would detect it. Then I could just practice them forward."

"Go stand over there!"

And so, the two continued their journey towards the abyss, nearing their destination.

"Huh, isn't this the way to Vermilion Bird Abyss?" Chu Feng was surprised, then his eyes widened in realization. "Senior, you can tell fortunes, right? Did you foresee that the old Vermilion Bird wouldn't last much longer? Is that why you brought me here to collect Vermilion Bird divine medicine?"

The yellow-furred fox gave him a deep look. "This Vermilion Bird didn't cultivate forbidden arts, which is why it has lived exceptionally long. I believe it can live for at least another fifty years."

"Then what are we doing here? Let's get out of here!" Chu Feng turned to leave.

"You're too slippery, come back!" the yellow-furred fox called out. Then it told Chu Feng that it knew the old Vermilion Bird and considered it one of its few friends in this world.

Back when the old Vermilion Bird was young, it had almost chosen it to send to the Yang Realm.

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng immediately perked up. "Something like that... You should have said so earlier, Senior! You can dig up two, no, even five divine medicines in a bit, right?"

"You talk too much. What are you thinking? Vermilion Bird divine medicine is crucial for young Vermilion Birds. If I give it all to you, what will happen to them?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng immediately said, "Didn't the old Vermilion Bird destroy the Teng Snake Abyss? Giving me some Teng Snake divine medicine would also work."

"You talk too much!" The more the yellow-furred fox looked at him, the more he seemed like a villain.

"Oh, right, Senior, we're going into Vermilion Bird Abyss. You said the old Vermilion Bird won't live much longer, so what about the little Vermilion Birds?"

"You're truly concerned, what exactly are you trying to say?!" the yellow-furred fox glared at him.

"The remaining little Vermilion Birds are all alone, with no parents to care for them. How pitiful! How about this: I'll take them, raise them well, and if there's a chance, even bring them into the Yang Realm, giving them vast skies to soar through and fight across countless miles of the Yang Realm when they grow up. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I sympathize with the weak the most; I'll definitely protect them well!"

As Chu Feng spoke, his expression became serious, and by the end, he was speaking with passionate fervor.

"That makes some sense. Wait, no! You, a human trafficker, are truly good at deceiving. You're trying to get your hands on young Vermilion Birds and you have to talk with such passion. You're not trying to abduct and sell them, are you?!"

The yellow-furred fox looked suspicious, staring at him endlessly.

"How could that be? I'm serious. I just feel sorry for them and want to take them, raise them until they're grown. Please believe in the heart of a passionate young man; it's burning hot right now. Don't let this pure and kind heart turn cold," Chu Feng said, patting his chest.

"Say no more. Let's enter Vermilion Bird Abyss first."

They arrived. Before them lay a gigantic abyss, as dark as a cosmic black hole, stretching across the landscape.