The Aloof Immortal Venerable is Pregnant with My Fox Cub - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the three furry fox tails were fiery red, like blazing flames.

Cang Ran returned to her human form. Tan Qingxuan looked at her quietly, not asking about the jade thumb ring, but gently stroking her fox head.

Cang Ran’s lips slowly regained color. Tan Qingxuan then boiled spring water for her, poured it into a teacup, cooled it to the perfect temperature with a spell, and placed it in Cang Ran’s hands.

Tan Qingxuan touched her slightly cool fingertips and said warmly, “Drink some water.”

Cang Ran held the cup. The temperature was just right for warming her hands, and the warmth melted from her fingers all the way to her heart.

Cang Ran took a sip of water, wetting her lips, before deciding to speak to Tan Qingxuan: “I was scared just now because I saw an old man on that jade thumb ring. You didn’t see him, nor could you hear what he said.”

Tan Qingxuan couldn’t help but secretly wonder, Could he have concealed his form using a rare cultivation technique?

Cang Ran was so terrified just now that she thought she had encountered a natural enemy. But what natural enemy could a shape-shifting stage fox encounter?

In this world, only the descent of a high-ranking deity could take Cang Ran away from her.

Cang Ran knew it might be difficult for Qingqing to accept this, so she decided to reveal a part of it first, so Qingqing would have some idea: “The enemy we encountered together today was conspiring with the old man on his jade thumb ring to steal the thousand-year spiritual fungus.”

“That old man said he would definitely succeed, as if he had calculated it precisely. He even helped him find a suitable artifact and called him a person of destiny.”

Tan Qingxuan lightly smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear and asked faintly, “Is that all?”

Cang Ran thought Tan Qingxuan was incredibly calm, so calm that she wanted to ask if Tan Qingxuan was also a transmigrator.

But Tan Qingxuan’s demeanor was like a goddess descending to the mortal world. Her speech and actions carried an ancient charm; she looked entirely like a person from antiquity.

Cang Ran rested her chin on her hand and nodded at Tan Qingxuan: “I’m thinking, who in this world can claim to always predict things like a god? It must require great mystical power to achieve this level, that’s why I felt so afraid.”

It was embarrassing to say she was afraid of death in front of Qingqing, but she had been so cowardly that she reverted to her original form just now. Any sense of dignity is probably already shattered.

Tan Qingxuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. She shook her head: “It doesn’t necessarily require great mystical power; it might just be some ability to foresee. Cang Ran, you already possess a high-level Shape-Shifting stage cultivation, having stepped onto the path of cultivation for over two hundred years. Take the sword in your hand and break it with a single strike.”

The little fox possessed a passionate, solitary courage but lacked boldness. She observed that the little fox had been unable to break through the barrier of the Soul Condensation stage, which should also be related to her inner block.

Cang Ran didn’t know why Tan Qingxuan trusted her so much. The little figure was the one who was strengthened during sword practice; she had never been strengthened.

Seeing her blank expression, Tan Qingxuan rubbed her furry fox ear: “You have already mastered the first layer of the sword technique very well. You are diligent and insightful. It is time for some real experience. A Golden Core stage cultivator is not qualified to be considered your enemy.”

The number of cultivators within the sect who could withstand ten of her sword strikes was few. Cang Ran had inherited her swordsmanship and could be considered her half-disciple. She should not be so modest.

Cang Ran’s cultivation was currently at the high-level Shape-Shifting stage. She ought to have the courage to press forward fearlessly. Only by cutting open the sky before her could she glimpse a wider world.

Her ear was rubbed, and she was suddenly praised. Cang Ran’s head was almost turning into mush.

That is the male protagonist of the original book! I’m just a mere wicked female supporting character. Can I really do it?

Tan Qingxuan didn’t know the plot, but she did. The original male protagonist was like a cheat code; whatever he lacked would be patched up. Spiritual elixirs, precious heavenly materials, and earthly treasures all rushed to his side.

She had just decided to deal with the male protagonist, entrusting her hope to fate to help her win once. But Tan Qingxuan’s words were now telling her that the one she truly needed to believe in was herself.

However, she was indeed quite strong. The Shape-Shifting stage was equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage for human cultivators. Facing a Golden Core stage, even a high-level one, why should she be afraid before even fighting?

The confusion in Cang Ran’s eyes gradually hardened into determination. Suddenly, a demon rushed up the mountain anxiously to find her.

“Aunt Ran, something has happened at Cold Moon Mountain again. My mother wants you to go over immediately.” It was Dong Ming, the little girl, who also brought the token they had agreed upon when they left that day. It seemed like something important had truly happened.

Cang Ran quickly got up and took out her spiritual sword: “Alright, I’ll go with you. Qingqing, you stay here and cultivate well. I can handle this myself.”

The light shining on the storage ring reflected a sharp light into Tan Qingxuan’s eyes. Her ink-black eyes, like a shallow stream, turned into a deep, cold glacier.

She glanced at Cang Ran standing side-by-side with Dong Ming, then moved her gaze away: “Mmm, go. Come back early.”

The spiritual sword Cang Ran carried had the little fox artifact she left on it, which could defend against a fatal blow. She should be safe.

Dong Ming was also looking at Tan Qingxuan. She thought this woman would try to stop them, but she didn’t expect her to be quite sensible.

She thought Tan Qingxuan would cling to Cang Ran or insist on following her. She had been so possessive before, but now she seemed unafraid of her snatching Cang Ran away.

Hmph. Cang Ran must have told Tan Qingxuan about her refusal to accept the Jade Bone Fan. Tan Qingxuan must be feeling smug now.

Tan Qingxuan watched as Cang Ran and Dong Ming walked further and further away, then looked at the tea that had long gone cold. Once this matter is concluded, I will take the little fox back to the sect.

Cang Ran arrived at Town Mountain Leopard’s East Ming Mountain. On the way, Dong Ming had already explained everything. It turned out the Icy Wolf had somehow managed to win over another important ally, forming an absolute advantage with the previous Split Gold Jackal.

They had counted their demon soldiers and decided to launch an attack on Town Mountain Leopard ahead of schedule.

Town Mountain Leopard’s cultivation made her the strongest fighter after the One-Armed Ape. If she invited allies like the Icy Wolf did, it would be easy to invite them but difficult to send them away. Afterward, the spoils would have to be divided.

Likewise, if the Icy Wolf won, she would also divide the spoils into three parts for her allies. At that time, the entire Canglan Mountain Range might become fragmented, just like the Lei You Mountain Range.

The reason these little Demon Kings followed Town Mountain Leopard was nothing more than the hope of gaining more territory and cultivation resources in the future, thus raising their own status.

This was different from the Great Demon who originally held power. One was to follow and drink soup when the boss ate meat; the other was to directly seize meat from the boss’s mouth. If she had Town Mountain Leopard’s strength, she wouldn’t let such a thing happen.

It’s not like I can’t fight, so why should I share the easily obtainable spoils? One only rushes to drag more people down when their own strength is vastly inferior.

Therefore, when she arrived at East Ming Mountain, the foothills were dotted with lights in the deep night. Pairs of dark-green eyes flickered in the darkness, more numerous than the densest leaves in the forest. A bone-chilling cold wind blew fiercely. Under the firelight, well-equipped demon soldiers were ready for battle.

These demon soldiers came from the subordinates of various Demon Kings. The situation was tense and ready to explode.

Town Mountain Leopard, standing in front of her, was wearing battle armor and wielding a massive axe. She stood like a mountain. She raised her hand and gave orders, directing Yellow Weasel, Azure Steel Dog, Seven Treasures Rat, Bloodthirsty Spider, and Cang Ran to each lead a column of demon soldiers to intercept the Icy Wolf’s allied demon soldiers. She herself would lead her Leopard Demon soldiers to formally engage the Icy Wolf’s Cold Iron Guard.

She looked down from the mountain and noticed Town Mountain Leopard’s experienced tactics. She divided her demon soldiers’ fighting force into one large blade and several swift blades, aiming to strike and assassinate various core positions, bleeding the Icy Wolf’s allied forces until they were riddled with holes.

However, this had a clear drawback: the prey would not die quickly and would scatter and run. With mountains everywhere in the Canglan Mountain Range, if the enemy scattered too much, it would be difficult for their demons to pursue, turning it into a war of attrition.

The longer the battle dragged on, the easier it was for the fighting to become frenzied. Only a lightning-fast battle with a short-term absolute advantage would reduce the sacrifice of more demons.

Cang Ran then offered a plan to Town Mountain Leopard: let the Yellow Weasel and the other demons form a pocket, driving the Icy Wolf’s demon soldiers together. The column of demon soldiers she led would act as a surprise attack, cutting off the Icy Wolf’s retreat from the rear and sealing the pocket. This would form a pincer attack with Town Mountain Leopard.

At that time, Town Mountain Leopard would be the indiscriminate slaughtering blade inside the pocket, directly taking the Icy Wolf’s head. From then on, the Canglan Mountain Range would also fall into her hands.

However, Town Mountain Leopard should try to minimize the killing. Apart from the major demons involved, any minor demons that could be subdued should not be killed to prevent more bloodshed.

Town Mountain Leopard had gained a degree of trust in Cang Ran after the banquet incident. Furthermore, Cang Ran’s strategy was indeed superior to hers, so she agreed to Cang Ran’s tactics with a wave of her hand and rearranged the battle plan.

“The Icy Wolf and her allies are here!” A small demon suddenly reported from the front.

As the voice fell, a sound like rolling thunder came from a distance. The empty ground began to shake. It was the sound of tens of thousands of demon soldiers attacking together.

Cang Ran stood on the ridge, feeling the ground tremble beneath her feet. Her nerves instantly tightened.

This was the first time she had witnessed such a shocking spectacle, like the legendary Beast Tide. These demon soldiers began to let out earth-shattering roars. Swords and spears clashed against shields, like surging waves rising and falling.

The nearby mountains trembled from the sound. A chilling wind resonated through the deep valley, letting out wails of sorrow.

The war drums seemed to beat in the hearts of the demons. The rhythm gradually intensified. The demon soldiers drew closer. The ground they passed over was completely crushed into dust. The demon soldiers running at the front had already engaged with their own forces.

“Kill!” Accompanied by Town Mountain Leopard’s wave of her arm, all the demons charged down together.

Cang Ran, carrying the token and leading her column of demon soldiers, fought fiercely with the Icy Wolf’s forces. These demon soldiers were mostly at the Body Tempering and Bone Refining stages. They were all physically strong. Some demon soldiers also possessed inherited demon arts from their bloodline—snowballs, fireballs, and gales. The flames of war instantly erupted.

A small demon not far from her was hit by a snowball, froze, and was unable to dodge in time. A cleaver struck its hind leg. Blood splattered, and the beast’s paw flew dozens of meters away, instantly being trampled into meat paste.

The small demon turned its blade to defend itself, but a flying chain appeared and locked around its throat. Large amounts of fresh blood gushed out of its neck. A red light flashed, and the Ember fire, which had just grown beast teeth, bit into the flying chain, rescuing the small demon.

Cang Ran didn’t have time to look closer and recalled her Ember fire. A Shape-Shifting stage Great Demon could take on a hundred, but there were so many demon soldiers, a dense, black mass. As one pile fell, another one stood up again. She had never fought such a heart-stirring battle.

After a fierce battle, they gradually circumvented to the enemy’s rear, finally implementing her strategy, forcing the Icy Wolf and her allied demon soldiers into a dead end after fighting for three days and three nights.

During this time, the Yellow Weasel, who was most likely to betray them, had been assisting Town Mountain Leopard all along. However, the Seven Treasures Rat, who had been completely loyal to Town Mountain Leopard from the beginning, unexpectedly plunged a dagger into Town Mountain Leopard’s heart when she was caught off guard.

Cang Ran intercepted in time, and Town Mountain Leopard, having fought for many years, had a protective mirror on her armor, which saved her from death. A massive axe split the Seven Treasures Rat directly in half. The calamity of war in the Canglan Mountain Range finally came to an end.

When Town Mountain Leopard mentioned going to Cold Moon Mountain for a final cleanup and to visit the Great Demon King One-Armed Ape, Cang Ran suddenly remembered something. She had been too caught up in the killing. Could the male protagonist have already gotten the spiritual fungus? Not good. I must rush over to check.

Cang Ran quickly found an excuse and went to the Cold Moon Mountain cave dwelling first. She wasn’t the male protagonist, so she didn’t have destiny protecting her. She fumbled around the secret chamber for a long time but couldn’t find where it was. She suddenly heard a beast roar. It was the voice of the One-Armed Ape.

It turned out the One-Armed Ape highly valued the spiritual fungus she had gone through great trouble to acquire. She not only set up a secret chamber but also placed a trace of her divine consciousness from her peak Void Refinement stage cultivation within it. That was why the Icy Wolf had only dared to keep it for herself but never dared to swallow it easily.

After the secret chamber was forcibly breached by Ye Ze with the Giant Spirit Hammer, the moment he touched the half of the thousand-year spiritual fungus in the treasure box, the dying One-Armed Ape on the sickbed was immediately alerted.

That trace of divine consciousness first stabbed Ye Ze’s sea of consciousness. But because he was a person of destiny with great luck, he didn’t die even after having his mind stirred by the divine consciousness of a Great Perfection Void Refinement stage cultivator. The One-Armed Ape knew her treasure was about to be stolen. Her fighting strength was restored by several tenths due to anger. She dragged her severely injured body and fought with Ye Ze.

When Cang Ran arrived, the One-Armed Ape had entered a berserk state, madly attacking everything around her indiscriminately. Ye Ze was using some unknown cultivation technique, managing to avoid the One-Armed Ape’s attacks by the skin of his teeth every time.

The man and the demon fought fiercely. A strong gust of wind swept over. The glazed treasure box containing the half of the spiritual fungus was knocked flying to the ground, rolling into a corner not far from Cang Ran.

This is a good opportunity. Cang Ran’s heart moved. She immediately put the half of the thousand-year spiritual fungus into her storage ring and quickly retreated with it.

The One-Armed Ape was at the Great Perfection Void Refinement stage. A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. She wasn’t an unkillable cockroach. Only Ye Ze and that old man were willing to do this strenuous work. What’s wrong with me, a little fox, picking up a bargain?

Cang Ran was running as fast as she could after getting the good stuff, deciding to head back to the Fox Fox cave.

Meanwhile, Ye Ze was fighting fiercely. He heard the old man say that the half of the spiritual fungus was gone, taken by the fox spirit who suddenly appeared. After a cold sweat, he was filled with extraordinary rage.

Veins bulged all over his body. In that instant, he actually broke through his cultivation stage, and his cultivation technique also advanced by a large level. With one sword strike, he actually killed the severely injured One-Armed Ape.

Ye Ze quickly chased out of Cold Moon Mountain, constantly throwing talismans behind Cang Ran. Cang Ran was almost at Fox Fox Mountain. Seeing that Ye Ze could actually catch up and even kill the One-Armed Ape, she had to admit that his cheat was getting too ridiculous.

She remembered what Tan Qingxuan had told her. Even if Ye Ze broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, she was equivalent to the ninth stage of the Nascent Soul stage, with a Heavenly Grade spiritual sword by her side, and a demon beast body with astonishing physique.

Can’t this still defeat the male protagonist? She really didn’t believe it. She could even exhaust the male protagonist to death through attrition, right? Can a human cultivator fight for three days and three nights like her without getting tired?

The ice arrows condensed from talismans scraped past Cang Ran’s ears, freezing strands of her fox fur with ice. Cang Ran’s body was burning with fire spells, immediately melting away all the frost that had spread around her.

She turned around and raised her spiritual sword. Red spiritual energy and demon arts circulated on the blade, fiercely thrusting towards Ye Ze.

Ye Ze also took out his spiritual sword, blocking and striking back in anger: “Demon fox, return my spiritual fungus!”

Who are you calling a demon fox? That spiritual fungus isn’t yours either. Why are you shouting?

The long swords clashed, making a ringing sound. Dazzling sparks splashed on the blades. Red and blue lights intersected as their swords met.

As Cang Ran traded blows with Ye Ze, she found that Ye Ze’s swordsmanship was surprisingly good. With such a difference between the ninth stage and the first stage, they were actually fighting to a draw.

If Ye Ze hadn’t been accustomed to showing off and constantly creating flashy sword movements, she wouldn’t even be able to find a flaw.

She couldn’t help but urge Eighty: Eighty, are you capable? Stop mocking me every day. If you have the guts, cut Ye Ze’s sword in half, and I’ll let you be Eight Hundred then.

Eighty was actually enraged at this moment, telling her that the opponent’s sword was also a Heavenly Grade spiritual sword. It was already trying its best not to be cut in half.

Looks like I can’t rely on Eighty. As long as it doesn’t hold me back.

Cang Ran used all the skills she had learned during this time in the fight against the male protagonist.

She raised her sword and accumulated power. With an all-out strike, the power of a demon beast was surging and powerful. Ye Ze, gripping his spiritual sword tightly, couldn’t withstand her strength and was struck so hard that the bones in his hand were shattered.

A crunching sound came from his hand. The grinding of the blades made a grating noise. Ye Ze’s head was pressed lower and lower. It seemed he couldn’t handle her astonishing physique, which was tempered as a born demon cultivator.

Strike while the iron is hot. Cang Ran decided to kill. She added all her strength, along with her demon arts, and pressed down on Ye Ze again.

Ye Ze’s hand was almost unable to hold the sword. His finger bones pierced through his skin. A large amount of blood flowed from the gaps between his fingers. Seeing that he couldn’t wield his sword, he suddenly threw out a formation plate.

The formation plate was made of some unknown special material. It flashed with sharp, cold light. As it continuously circled in mid-air, it suddenly fired more than ten streaks of red light, carrying countless sparks, attacking Cang Ran.

Cang Ran easily dodged them. She thought, He has run out of tricks. When the red lights were about to fall, fire shot up into the sky, and smoke billowed.

Her face instantly changed drastically. That was the direction of her cave dwelling! Qingqing is there!

The other places where the fireballs fell were also in the direction of Fox Fox Mountain. Little hedgehog demon, little squirrel demon. Fox Fox Mountain is full of insignificant little demons!

She had played with fire for so long—a fox with a fire spiritual root—and someone was actually going to burn down her home!

Cang Ran was so angry that she felt she might explode. She was also worried about Tan Qingxuan, so she quickly put away her sword and rushed over, intending to save Tan Qingxuan from the cave dwelling.

The expected sound of explosions did not occur. Instead, the attacks were blocked by a faint golden barrier. The water-like spiritual energy seemed capable of nourishing all things. It was gently manipulated by a delicate hand forming a spell, causing even the surrounding majestic mountains to slightly shake.

The red lights and fireballs were all bounced back before touching the ground, exploding around Ye Ze, creating deep, flaming craters.

Tan Qingxuan teleported from the Fox Fox Mountain cave dwelling and pulled Cang Ran into her embrace. Ye Ze’s body was already covered in injuries, and now he was even more bloody and mangled.

The jade thumb ring he carried fell out of his clothes. Cang Ran knew there was an old man inside the jade thumb ring, and she was hesitating about how to deal with it.

The white-bearded old man looked fearful when he saw Tan Qingxuan. He manifested from the jade thumb ring in panic, trying to climb onto Ye Ze’s body.

Cang Ran’s expression tightened. She quickly and anxiously said to Tan Qingxuan, “Qingqing, the old man on that jade thumb ring is out! He’s trying to climb back onto Ye Ze!”

Tan Qingxuan’s ink-black hair gently swayed. She formed hand seals. The seals appeared extremely precise and practiced, as if the Dao was naturally formed. A sharp golden divine sword condensed from her body. She aimed at a spot above the thumb ring and pierced the white-bearded old man with a single strike.

Two more strikes passed through him, crippling the old man’s ability to flee.

Cang Ran watched with her own eyes as the white-bearded old man was scorched by the golden spiritual energy, burning into inches of flying ash. His expression was terrifyingly distorted. He vanished without even letting out a scream.

Ye Ze saw this scene. His lips trembled non-stop. Before he could run, his legs gave out in fear: “Spare… spare my life! Immortal, spare my life!”

He was only an outer disciple previously. How could he have met the high and mighty Venerable Immortal Qingxuan? He had only vaguely seen her back from afar and felt she looked somewhat familiar.

But the power she just displayed was so immense that even that senior couldn’t withstand a single breath in her hands. How could he possibly be her opponent?

His plea for mercy came a little too late. Tan Qingxuan’s other hand seal had already struck Ye Ze.

Ye Ze only felt his entire body sealed by waves of cold ice. He had no room to resist. His Immortal Bones were crippled. The sharp golden long sword was already aimed at his heart.

Cang Ran saw that Ye Ze was certainly going to die this time. She picked up the jade thumb ring from the ground, just about to examine her spoils, when she suddenly felt everything go black before her eyes.

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