The Aloof Immortal Venerable is Pregnant with My Fox Cub - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Cang Ran lingered in front of the Sect Protection Array for a long time. Just as she was at a loss, footsteps appeared behind her.

The little hedgehog turned her face and foolishly called out: “Immortal Venerable is here.”

Cang Ran’s face instantly flushed from her neck up. She didn’t dare to turn around and look at Tan Qingxuan, dropping her head guiltily.

Tan Qingxuan’s eyes were gentle. She just beckoned to her: “Come here.”

Cang Ran slowly walked to her, too embarrassed to look at her, and apologized in a low voice: “I’m sorry, I took your token and wanted to leave the Taixuan Sect.”

Tan Qingxuan pulled her into her arms and said gently: “The token, I promised to give it to you long ago. You have always wanted to leave, and I forced you to stay until now. I know you haven’t been as free and happy here as before. It’s okay if you want to go.”

Cang Ran’s heart ached. She wrapped her arms tightly around Tan Qingxuan’s waist, tears instantly welling up: “Qingqing, am I a particularly bad fox? I got what I always wanted and was very happy by your side, but I still want to leave you.”

Since the male protagonist, Ye Ze, was killed, she had lost the motivation that had kept her constantly on the run since coming to this world. She didn’t know where to go. Although she was free from constraints, she felt very unreal.

Especially after hearing Song Zhen and Tan Qingxuan’s conversation, Tan Qingxuan could have ascended at the age of three hundred, but now, at eight hundred, she was still unable to ascend.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have let Tan Qingxuan kill Ye Ze. If Ye Ze hadn’t died, this world could have continued to operate. When the male protagonist ascended, everyone else could ascend too.

Tan Qingxuan’s path to ascension was practically cut off by her own hands. She didn’t dare to take action against the female protagonist anymore, didn’t dare to interfere with the plot, and was even worried that this world would suddenly collapse.

She was originally a character who shouldn’t have been here. According to the plot, she should have quickly embraced the script of causing trouble after getting together with the male protagonist. Tan Qingxuan and the female protagonist would become her sworn enemies. But she didn’t want to become the male protagonist’s nourishment, so she moved to evade.

It was only with Tan Qingxuan’s encouragement that she gained the courage to confront the male protagonist and fight him.

She couldn’t see the path ahead, nor could she go back. From the moment she knew that the white-bearded old man the male protagonist saw was only visible to her, she knew she was different from this world. Some paths she had to walk alone.

Tan Qingxuan stroked her back, feeling Cang Ran’s sobs that made her chest tremble. She knew her little fox was feeling insecure again.

Tan Qingxuan herself had felt lost before. She didn’t understand why she had attained enlightenment at the age of three hundred and could use the laws of the Dao. This realm also acknowledged her as the foremost person, yet it would not permit her to ascend to the Upper Realm.

She had traveled thousands of mountains and underwent training to temper her mind. If she couldn’t ascend, she would uphold the vow she made in her youth: to protect the people of this world and guard the Taixuan Sect, where she had always lived.

Perhaps this was the necessary path for every cultivator. Cang Ran cultivated for two hundred years to reach the Transformation stage. Due to accidentally obtaining heavenly materials and earthly treasures, she instantly advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. Her cultivation breakthrough was too fast and was not the result of many years of personal cultivation.

Even if the little fox tried hard to accept it, Tan Qingxuan could occasionally feel her confusion. After all, two hundred years old was still too young in the cultivation world.

What Junior Sister said also agitated the little fox. The little fox didn’t want to be constantly protected by her and become her burden. However, Tan Qingxuan couldn’t bear to let the little fox leave her side either.

Going out for training was inherently risky. Throughout history, many talented cultivators met with accidents and perished midway. Even she had narrowly escaped death several times. But she couldn’t always protect Cang Ran. Cang Ran also needed the ability to protect herself.

Since she couldn’t keep Cang Ran, she could only give Cang Ran the confidence to go out and train. When Cang Ran returned from her training, by then she should have cleared all the obstacles.

Letting the fox return to the mountain. Tan Qingxuan didn’t know if she would regret it, but she couldn’t keep Cang Ran locked up forever. Otherwise, resentment would eventually arise. Though they were separating now, they would surely reunite one day.

Tan Qingxuan held Cang Ran in her arms, wiping her tears: “It’s alright. We are cultivators, and our lifespans are naturally thousands of years longer than ordinary people. The mountains are high and the waters are long. If you want to see the outside world, I won’t stop you. Just remember to come back. Don’t get lost out there.”

Cang Ran’s eyes were tearful: “I’ll be back soon, Qingqing. Will you always like me?”

It was the will of heaven for Tan Qingxuan to take the female protagonist as a disciple. She couldn’t bear to watch the female protagonist move in and live with Tan Qingxuan. That would be more painful than having her heart gouged out.

If, during her absence, the plot proceeded according to the original trajectory, and Tan Qingxuan eventually turned against her, she wouldn’t blame Tan Qingxuan. She would find a way to help Tan Qingxuan find another path to ascension.

Tan Qingxuan rubbed her head: “Silly girl, I will wait for you to come back.”

Cang Ran rubbed against Tan Qingxuan’s neck: “Qingqing, you are so good. I like you so much.”

Tan Qingxuan knew she was a clumsy fox. She had noticed as soon as the little fox left. She had even put a locating talisman on her earlier. She could see the little fox circling around one spot. Even if she gave the clumsy little fox a chance to escape, she wouldn’t be able to run away.

She was truly afraid she would be tricked if she went out. Fortunately, the little fox was wearing her jeweled garland, so even if she went to the ends of the earth, Tan Qingxuan would know where she went. The fox ornament on the spiritual sword also contained a defensive formation and a wisp of her divine sense. It should be foolproof.

Tan Qingxuan took out a jade bracelet and handed it to Cang Ran: “You were extremely enthusiastic about intimacy these past few days. I initially thought you were just indulging in desire, but then I realized you were diligently trying to remove the poison for me, and I knew you were going to leave. I refined this pair of communication artifacts using our strands of hair. This way, even if you go to the ends of the earth, if you miss me, just press the mechanism on the lotus and use your divine sense to write a message on it. I will receive it the next day and reply to you.”

The center of the bracelet was a pink jade lotus, the same as the jeweled garland on her neck. It was strung with green jade beads shaped like lotus seeds. The jade bracelet Tan Qingxuan wore was a small red fox curled into a ring.

Cang Ran put the bracelet on her wrist and asked with concern: “Do you feel better now? I checked again when we dual-cultivated today. It should have been completely removed.”

Tan Qingxuan nodded slightly, then thought for a moment and explained: “My body is much better, A’Ran. I told you about the aphrodisiac poison not because I wanted you to think I was only moved because of the poison, but because even after I knew about the poison, I still couldn’t deceive my heart and was willing to do those things with you.”

Cang Ran’s cheeks felt warm: “Qingqing, I know. More than the poison, I care about your body. I didn’t think too much about it. I was also willing to do that with you.”

Tan Qingxuan gently cupped Cang Ran’s cheeks and lightly kissed her forehead: “I have prepared some things for you. You will need them on your journey. When you are away from home, you must be careful about everything. Since I won’t be by your side, you must take good care of yourself.”

Tan Qingxuan handed the prepared package to Cang Ran and helped her adjust her clothes. She saw the little hedgehog next to them, took out a smaller package, handed it to the little hedgehog, and likewise instructed: “Take good care of your Great King.”

The little hedgehog hugged the package and immediately nodded: “I will definitely take good care of the Great King. Thank you for the gifts, Immortal Venerable.”

The little hedgehog glanced at the Great Fox King, then at the Immortal Venerable. Although the Immortal Venerable was usually very cold and quite intimidating to demons, she was very kind to the Great King and her.

If only the Great King didn’t have to leave. The Great King and the Immortal Venerable were indeed a very well-matched pair. But the Great King hadn’t said she wanted to stay, so she couldn’t say such things for the Great King.

Cang Ran’s heart felt warm and soft from Tan Qingxuan’s kiss. She had been quite resentful of Tan Qingxuan for constantly deceiving her before, but now she could feel Tan Qingxuan’s love for her. Such a wonderful person, she would definitely help Tan Qingxuan ascend to the heavens.

She couldn’t help but tightly wrap her arms around Tan Qingxuan, deeply inhaling the quiet, reserved sandalwood scent on Tan Qingxuan’s body, burying herself in her embrace: “I will write to you every day. I will always miss you, and I will only ever love you.”

Tan Qingxuan quietly clenched the hand hidden in her sleeve. She already regretted it and wanted to immediately take the little fox back to Fuyuan Palace, placing the most unbreakable restriction on her. Under no circumstances could she let the little fox escape.

Her little fox was beautiful and captivating. There were many people in this world who coveted beauty. Even though the little fox told her such ardent words of love repeatedly, she still couldn’t fully trust the little fox. Only having her by her side would truly give her peace of mind.

Now that she was letting the little fox go, would the little fox go looking for the mountain-suppressing leopard, that little leopard? Or perhaps drink and make merry with that weasel spirit? Or maybe she would meet some new people.

She would only give Cang Ran this one chance. If she found out that the little fox acted improperly after leaving the sect, she would immediately bring her back.

Tan Qingxuan lowered her eyes, her heart continuously surging. She said with restraint: “Alright, give me the Sect Master’s token. I will take you out.”

Cang Ran handed the token to Tan Qingxuan. Tan Qingxuan led them to the core of the Sect Protection Array, placed the token in a specific groove, and cast several complicated magic seals. A golden light rose, and a door in the outermost Sect Protection Array slowly opened.

Tan Qingxuan retrieved the Sect Master’s token, concealing the sadness in her eyes. She led the two demons to the door and said softly to Cang Ran and the little hedgehog: “The sect array is open. You can go down the mountain now, A’Ran. Practice your swordsmanship diligently every day. Remember to return early, and you must write to me every day.”

Cang Ran hugged the package, looking at Tan Qingxuan’s cold and exquisitely beautiful face. She felt very sad and reluctant: “Mm, I will write. You also take good care of yourself and don’t overwork.”

She finished speaking, then hesitated, suddenly feeling that her words were unnecessary. Tan Qingxuan would probably accept the female protagonist as a disciple at the succession ceremony tomorrow and would live with the female protagonist in Fuyuan Palace. Her daily life would be looked after by her disciples.

Such a good person as Tan Qingxuan would probably be very kind to her disciple too, becoming a good master. After this, without her interfering with the plot, everything would get back on track.

Tan Qingxuan heard Cang Ran’s concern. She looked at Cang Ran’s tear-filled eyes and smiled brightly: “Of course. I will wait for you to come back. Don’t make me wait too long.”

Cang Ran took a deep breath, feeling the continuous dull ache in her heart: “Okay.”

She took one last look at Tan Qingxuan, finally making up her mind to turn around.

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