The Aloof Immortal Venerable is Pregnant with My Fox Cub - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

The pomelo tree was planted quickly. It looked lush with leaves, and the roots of the previous pine tree had been removed. The surrounding ground was swept clean.

The morning sun shone upon the entire Fuyao Hall. Every white jade brick on the ground radiated a moist luster. The clouds and mist from the surrounding immortal mountains drifted around Fuyao Hall, making it look like a celestial realm.

Cang Ran asked Tan Qingxuan to sit in a reclining chair in the pavilion. She moved two stools to sit beside her and started peeling out the lotus seed cores. The little hedgehog was responsible for poking the lotus seeds out of the pods and putting them into a small bamboo basket for the Great King.

While peeling the lotus seed cores, Cang Ran asked Tan Qingxuan: “Qingqing, the little hedgehog wants to learn carpentry. Can we send her to Elder Qu to study?”

Tan Qingxuan looked at the little hedgehog upon hearing this. The little hedgehog immediately sat up straight. She was still quite intimidated by the Immortal Venerable’s cool and peerless aura. However, thinking that the little fox cub was in the Immortal Venerable’s belly, she also wanted to be a good aunt.

The little hedgehog’s black bean eyes were bright. She plucked up her courage and looked at the Immortal Venerable: “Immortal Venerable, I want to make a crib for the little fox cub.”

Tan Qingxuan looked at Cang Ran. Cang Ran quickly explained: “It’s a bed for babies to sleep in. If the baby is fussy, the adult only needs to rock the bed, not get up to hold them, and the baby will fall asleep.”

Tan Qingxuan gave Cang Ran a knowing look. The big fox would jump down even when being held. Would the little fox cub be the kind of obedient cub that would let people rock them in a crib?

However, the little hedgehog did need to cultivate diligently. Tan Qingxuan nodded: “Although Elder Qu is a Grandmaster of artifact refining, she also has to teach sword techniques to inner and outer disciples. The current person in charge of the Artifact Refining Hall is Elder Qu’s head disciple, True Person Biyi. Both master and disciple are forthright and unconstrained in nature. After breakfast, I will take the little hedgehog to True Person Biyi to see what her aptitude is like.”

Cang Ran and the little hedgehog both nodded. A gentle smile surfaced on Tan Qingxuan’s face. She patted her lower abdomen. If the little cub were born and nodded along with the big fox, how adorable would that be?

Cang Ran removed all the lotus seed cores. She set up a small clay stove in the pavilion and began simmering lotus seed porridge, adding some red beans for nourishing qi and blood.

She also had the little hedgehog go to the Spiritual Beast Hall to buy some fresh spiritual chicken eggs and made a large bowl of steamed egg custard. When she opened the lid, the golden egg custard was fragrant, topped with a spoonful of sesame oil and sprinkled with a layer of finely chopped green onions.

The little hedgehog held the pot lid beside her, drooling with craving. Cang Ran and the little hedgehog served the porridge onto the table. Yun Muyu happened to come to see Tan Qingxuan to ask about cultivation techniques.

It was a fortunate coincidence. Cang Ran urged Yun Muyu to sit down: “Since you’re here, eat with us.”

Yun Muyu clearly hadn’t experienced this kind of gracious invitation from her Mistress. She quickly looked at Tan Qingxuan: “Master?”

Tan Qingxuan glanced at Cang Ran’s swinging big fox tail. She had been angry with her before for taking an apprentice, but since taking an apprentice, Cang Ran seemed to enjoy being a senior even more than she did.

Tan Qingxuan smiled and nodded: “Listen to your Mistress. Eat with us.”

Yun Muyu’s heart warmed. She bowed to both of them, moved a small chair, and sat opposite the little hedgehog.

Her posture was straight, and she was very beautiful. After a few months in the Taixuan Sect, the delicate feeling she had before was gone. Her temperament increasingly resembled a young bamboo shoot about to fully grow, as reserved as Tan Qingxuan.

From Cang Ran’s perspective, Yun Muyu and the little hedgehog sitting together, despite the difference in size, looked quite like two elementary school students.

After serving Tan Qingxuan the porridge and egg custard, Cang Ran handed the serving spoon to the little hedgehog and Yun Muyu, letting them serve themselves.

The little hedgehog actively reached for the serving spoon to help Yun Muyu. Seeing her short arms and paws, Yun Muyu quickly thanked her and offered to serve the little hedgehog instead. The person and the demon started politely deferring to each other.

Cang Ran blew on the hot egg custard and fed it to Tan Qingxuan’s lips. After Tan Qingxuan ate it, she turned and said: “If you two don’t eat now, it will get cold. Serve yourselves.”

The little hedgehog gave up trying to grab the serving spoon: “Great King, I just wanted to let her know that we demons are hospitable.”

Yun Muyu was holding the serving spoon, her face flushed all the way to her neck. She suddenly felt ashamed for fighting the little hedgehog over the spoon: “I’m sorry, Sister Hedgehog. I didn’t mean to snatch the spoon from you just now. I just wanted to help you serve.”

It was the first time the little hedgehog had been called “Sister Hedgehog.” Her eyes widened: “Great King, she called me Sister Hedgehog!”

Her little hedgehog self, before becoming Aunt Hedgehog, had become Sister Hedgehog! If word got out among the demon community, it would be so prestigious!

Yun Muyu didn’t understand why the little hedgehog had that reaction. Her face got even hotter. She clutched the corner of her robe, nervously lowering her head.

Cang Ran found the scene slightly amusing and said: “You are too enthusiastic. She can serve herself. Muyu, why don’t you come here for all your meals from now on? You are the Immortal Venerable’s disciple. You should eat with us. It’s just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks anyway.”

Yun Muyu suddenly looked up at Cang Ran, then glanced at her Master. Seeing her Master nod, her eyes immediately became a little moist.

She had endured many years of wandering and had never felt this kind of warmth of a home again. Yet, her Mistress was asking her to come for every meal and eat with her Master. This was an unimaginable favor for other inner disciples.

She didn’t know what she had done to deserve this and immediately stood up, ready to bow in gratitude again.

Cang Ran didn’t let her bow again, smiling as she said: “Eating with more people is livelier. Hurry and eat, or it will get cold.”

Yun Muyu’s eyes were red. She quickly said: “Thank you, Mistress!”

Cang Ran quite liked Yun Muyu calling her “Mistress.” The 16-year-old girl’s voice was clear and melodious. Although she was only 18 herself before transmigrating, the repeated calls of “Mistress” boosted her vanity immensely.

After Cang Ran and Tan Qingxuan finished breakfast, Tan Qingxuan gave Yun Muyu some guidance on her cultivation techniques and then let Yun Muyu stay at Fuyao Hall to cultivate. She herself took the little hedgehog to find True Person Biyi. Cang Ran needed to find Elder Qu to repair Ba Shi, so they decided to go together.

True Person Biyi, Elder Qu’s head disciple, was originally the Hall Master of Xianning Hall. Since Elder Qu returned, she proactively gave the main hall of Xianning Hall to her Master to live in and moved into the side hall of Xianning Hall. The sect could have opened up a new immortal dwelling for True Person Biyi, but True Person Biyi said she was used to living in Xianning Hall, so the matter was dropped.

When they arrived at Xianning Hall, Elder Qu was drunk, hugging her wine gourd, and cooling herself on a rocking chair outside the hall. True Person Biyi, dressed in black and white robes, with a clear spirit and handsome bones, rolled up her sleeves, fanned her Master, and frowned as she studied an unfinished game of Go.

As soon as True Person Biyi saw Immortal Venerable Qingxuan approach, she immediately tidied her robes and bowed: “Senior Sister Qingxuan, it’s been a long time since you came to my Xianning Hall. Are you here to play Go with me?”

During the period when Elder Qu was expelled from the sect, True Person Biyi was entrusted by the then-Sect Master to be cared for by various Elders in rotation. Master Fu Qing also guided True Person Biyi for several decades. Tan Qingxuan and True Person Biyi had also cultivated and discussed the Dao together, making her half a Junior Sister. Her tone was quite familiar.

Tan Qingxuan said warmly: “True Person Biyi, there’s no need for such formalities between us fellow disciples in private. I came because I wanted you to take a look at this little demon. Can she study in your Artifact Refining Hall?”

True Person Biyi smiled: “Rituals cannot be abandoned. Senior Sister is the Sect Master now. I haven’t taken a demon as a disciple before. Since Senior Sister has come all this way, why don’t we play a game of Go first?”

Cang Ran and the little hedgehog both looked at the crisscrossing chessboard. They couldn’t understand it at all. True Person Biyi had been sitting there for a long time, hesitant to make a move, which showed that the game was not easy to solve.

Tan Qingxuan walked over, lowered her eyes, and looked at the game. Her fair fingers picked up an exquisite white jade Go stone and placed it on the board.

The sound of the stone falling was crisp. True Person Biyi looked at the game, and her frown eased slightly. Tan Qingxuan then picked up a black stone.

As the black stone landed, bursts of crisp sounds were heard. A portion of the white stones on the board were completely crushed and shattered. The entire chessboard instantly came back to life.

True Person Biyi’s eyes and eyebrows relaxed. She clapped her hands and praised: “Wonderful! Senior Sister’s Go skills are still superb!”

True Person Biyi immersed herself in the game, picked up a stone, and played a little longer with Tan Qingxuan.

Satisfied with the game, she finally stopped and said: “Senior Sister, which little demon wants to come and study artifact refining with me?”

Tan Qingxuan gestured to the person behind her. True Person Biyi’s gaze fell on Cang Ran. Her cultivation seemed much higher than her own. She didn’t look like a little demon at all.

Cang Ran held the little hedgehog on the ground and handed her to True Person Biyi: “It’s this little hedgehog. She wants to learn carpentry.”

The little hedgehog’s black bean eyes met True Person Biyi’s beautiful eyes. She tried hard to show a pleasing smile. Her four little paws immediately started trembling.

True Person Biyi took the little hedgehog. The little hedgehog demon was quite big. True Person Biyi clearly hadn’t expected her to be quite heavy, and her arm suddenly dipped down.

She raised the little hedgehog a bit higher, gently stroked her soft, pointed quills, then looked at the little hedgehog’s paws, and probed the little hedgehog’s body with spiritual energy.

After a long while, True Person Biyi said: “She has a bit of artifact refining aptitude. She’s a little demon who can focus on tasks. What a pity, her aptitude wasn’t focused on cultivation talent. It might be difficult for her to fully transform later.”

The little hedgehog was shaking uncontrollably from True Person Biyi’s touch. She quickly looked at Cang Ran. Cang Ran took her back.

The little hedgehog felt secure again in the Great King’s arms. After a while, she plucked up the courage to say: “I am already the most amazing little hedgehog in our hedgehog clan! I can speak many words! I can also read storybooks! If you accept me, I will definitely work hard! I will bring you tea, pour water, massage your shoulders, and pound your back! I will also serve you well and give you a proper burial!”

True Person Biyi poured a cup of tea for Tan Qingxuan and Cang Ran, then took a cup for herself. She had just taken a sip and nearly spat it out: “I’m almost a thousand years old, and I have thousands of years of lifespan left. Do I need a little hedgehog to give me a proper burial? If you can’t reach the transformation stage, I might be the one giving you a proper burial!”

The little hedgehog thought that was how it was written in the storybooks! Once you become someone’s disciple and learn a great skill, you must serve your Master well.

The little hedgehog’s black bean eyes looked wronged: “If you really want to give me a proper burial, it’s not impossible. Please, accept me as your disciple! I really want to learn to be a carpenter!”

True Person Biyi had never encountered such a little demon. She was immediately angered to the point of laughter, finding it utterly hilarious. She looked at Tan Qingxuan and said: “Senior Sister, where did you find this little treasure? She’s too amusing.”

A slight smile rippled in Tan Qingxuan’s eyes. She glanced at Cang Ran and said: “Cang Ran brought her. See if you can accept her. Demon cultivators have good physiques. It’s fine for her to start with odd jobs. With so many spiritual medicines in the sect, she can cultivate slowly. She will reach the transformation stage one day.”

Cang Ran also added: “Yes, True Person Biyi. The little hedgehog is very capable and obedient. As long as you are willing to teach her, she can learn slowly.”

True Person Biyi played with the jade Go stone between her fingers, looked at the little hedgehog, and was still considering.

The little hedgehog looked blankly at the Great King. Cang Ran secretly kicked her fat bottom and transmitted: “What are you looking at me for? Hurry up and kowtow to your future Master!”

A light of wisdom suddenly appeared in the little hedgehog’s cloudy eyes. She started kowtowing repeatedly to True Person Biyi: “Master, I will definitely let you give me a proper burial!”

True Person Biyi was about to say that she shouldn’t. Hearing this, she immediately laughed and scolded: “You cheeky little hedgehog! Who is the Master and who is the disciple? And you want me to give you a proper burial! This is truly unheard of!”

Elder Qu, who was drunk, was also awakened by the sound of the little hedgehog’s passionate kowtows. It was the first time she had seen her Go-obsessed disciple laugh so heartily. She couldn’t help but look over. It had been a long time since she had seen a demon. Even a little hedgehog looked pretty and charming.

She looked at Cang Ran, who was standing beside Tan Qingxuan. Tan Qingxuan was already a rare, high-mountain flower in the world, yet someone standing beside her complemented her so well, beautiful like a demon. Upon closer look, the yingluo on her was familiar. It was the little fox she had enjoyed drinking with those days.

Elder Qu rose up very gracefully and said cheerfully: “So lively! Qingxuan is here. Why is the little fox here too? Are you all here to drink with me?”

Tan Qingxuan slightly nodded. Cang Ran knew that Elder Qu was True Person Biyi’s Master and quickly said: “I have a sword that I would like you to help me repair. The Immortal Venerable brought the little hedgehog to ask True Person Biyi to take her as an apprentice.”

True Person Biyi, who had been teasing the little hedgehog, quickly walked to Elder Qu’s side and supported her: “Master, you’ve drunk a lot of wine today. You shouldn’t drink any more. Drinking too much is bad for your health.”

“Go away, go away. Why are you getting more long-winded as you grow up? You’re not half as cute as you were when you were little.”

Elder Qu pushed True Person Biyi away and asked Cang Ran: “What sword? Let me see.”

Cang Ran took Ba Shi out of her storage artifact and handed it to Elder Qu.

While examining the sword, Elder Qu said to True Person Biyi: “It’s just taking a little hedgehog as a disciple. You have so many disciples. One more little apprentice won’t matter. If you’re too lazy to teach her, she can stay by my side. Then the little hedgehog can be your Junior Sister.”

True Person Biyi was initially hesitant. Hearing this, she immediately complained: “I never said I wouldn’t take her! I was already considering it! Master, how can you be like this? You’re so old, and you still want to steal a disciple from me!”

Elder Qu was furious at her disobedient disciple’s words. She immediately raised her hand and smacked True Person Biyi on the head: “You little rascal! Your Master is old, but she hasn’t been buried yet!”

True Person Biyi was hit on the head by Elder Qu and felt pain. Fearing that her Master would impulsively take the little hedgehog, she immediately said sternly: “Little Hedgehog, if you enter my lineage, you must be diligent. You cannot be lazy every day and must report to my Artifact Refining Hall on time. Can you do that?”

The little hedgehog quickly nodded, not forgetting her original intention: “Okay, I will definitely work hard to do that. Master, can you teach me how to make a crib later?”

Amidst True Person Biyi’s puzzled gaze, Cang Ran immediately covered the little hedgehog’s mouth: “It’s nothing. That’s just a small goal of hers. She’ll start with the simplest things first. Hurry up and kowtow and offer tea to your Master.”

She’s so hopeless! Which Grandmaster of artifact refining wouldn’t be furious to hear that their disciple’s ultimate goal was an infant crib!

The little hedgehog quickly followed the Great King’s instructions, performed the apprenticeship ritual for True Person Biyi, and offered a cup of tea. True Person Biyi accepted both and stroked the little hedgehog’s forehead.

A faint golden ribbon connected True Person Biyi and the little hedgehog, then disappeared, signifying that the person and the demon were now Master and disciple recognized by the Heavenly Dao.

True Person Biyi said: “You are now my ninth disciple. You have eight Senior Sisters above you. When you see your Senior Sisters, you must also bow to them and pay your respects. Remember that?”

The little hedgehog was shocked: “Eight?”

A faint smile surfaced in True Person Biyi’s eyes: “Yes, Little Nine. When you see your Senior Sisters in the future, you must treat them as you treat your Master and listen to them.”

The little hedgehog was very confused: “Understood, Master.”

The apprenticeship was finally complete. True Person Biyi casually gave the little hedgehog a storage ring: “This is a spiritual artifact I recently refined. Take it and play with it. Your Senior Sisters will also give you meeting gifts later.”

When the little hedgehog heard there were gifts to receive, she immediately didn’t think eight Senior Sisters were too many. The more, the better! The little hedgehog could get many meeting gifts, and she would give them all to the Great King!

Elder Qu thoroughly examined the sword Cang Ran had handed her and said to Cang Ran: “This sword has an extraordinary origin. It needs to be reforged in our Artifact Refining Hall’s Heaven-Grade refining furnace. It requires not only top-grade Profound Crystal but also three of the top ten Strange Fires. Our Taixuan Sect currently only has one Strange Fire ranked second. If you have the other two Strange Fires, I can try to help you.”

Cang Ran took out the Divine Fire Profound Crystal and simultaneously took out two different colored Strange Fires with her left and right hands: “Is this enough?”

Even the well-informed Elder Qu and True Person Biyi became excited. Elder Qu was even more thrilled: “These are extremely difficult to obtain! How did a little fox like you manage to do it? With the Divine Fire Profound Crystal, this sword not only has the potential to become a Divine Sword but also to gain brand new abilities!”

Cang Ran smiled slightly. She still had another Divine Sword, but she had given it to Tan Qingxuan.

Support