The Aloof Immortal Venerable is Pregnant with My Fox Cub - Chapter 95
Chapter 95
After a night of intimacy, Cang Ran woke up to find herself nestled in Tan Qingxuan’s arms, where she had slept all night.
She was pressed extremely close, her legs possessively clamped around Tan Qingxuan’s legs. Tan Qingxuan felt very warm because of her, her cool demeanor tinged with a faint blush. Her dark, beautiful hair was spread over her exquisite collarbone, adding a touch of serene allure compared to usual.
Cang Ran’s nose caught a fragrant scent. She rubbed her tender white cheek against Tan Qingxuan’s jawline.
Tan Qingxuan woke up from the rubbing, her thick eyelashes trembling slightly. Her long fingers sank into Cang Ran’s red hair, pulling her tighter into her embrace.
Cang Ran couldn’t help but look up, kissed her lips, and whispered, “Are you awake?”
Tan Qingxuan opened her eyes, her voice still a little hoarse, “Mm.”
Through the soft fabric, Cang Ran suddenly felt a nudge on her lower abdomen. She reached for Tan Qingxuan’s belly. The little cub was quite rambunctious this morning, its tiny hands and feet constantly kicking inside Tan Qingxuan’s stomach.
Cang Ran’s eyes were misty. Yawning, she untied Tan Qingxuan’s sash. Through the skin of the belly, she gently stroked the baby’s little fist and said, “Good baby, go to sleep. You shouldn’t disturb your mother’s rest, okay? Mother will tell you a story, how about that?”
Cang Ran told a story for a while and stroked the baby many times before the wiggling little one finally quieted down.
After soothing the little one in the belly, her morning drowsiness had mostly dispersed. She looked up and found Tan Qingxuan smiling faintly, watching her.
Cang Ran suddenly felt a little shy. She sat up straight and kissed Tan Qingxuan’s forehead, “What is it? Did I comfort the child wrongly?”
Tan Qingxuan pinched Cang Ran’s cheek, “How will you take care of the cub in the future?”
Cang Ran thought she had done quite well, “Didn’t I soothe the cub?”
Tan Qingxuan smiled gently and pinched Cang Ran’s cheek again, “You are not allowed to do this after the cub is born. The cub wanted you to spend time with her, but you only wanted the cub to sleep.”
Cang Ran nodded slightly, “Alright, I was afraid the baby would disturb your rest, though. I will take good care of her after the baby is born.”
Winter was cold. Tan Qingxuan hugged Cang Ran close. Cang Ran had a Fire Spirit Root, so holding her was like holding a small stove.
Cang Ran remembered yesterday’s events and asked curiously, “Qingqing, why did we choose to become Dao Companions on the first day of snow?”
Tan Qingxuan felt ticklish from Cang Ran’s constantly twitching fox ears. She parted her red lips, lowered her eyes, and kissed Cang Ran, “There’s a rumor in the Grand Profound Sect that when the first snow falls each year, the patriarchs can hear the incense offered to them. I wanted to tell Master about this.”
Cang Ran’s head spun from the kiss. Her fox ears felt hot and turned red. So, Tan Qingxuan hadn’t acted on a whim, but had planned this all along. Their act was equivalent to meeting the elders.
She was deeply moved. She wrapped her arms around Tan Qingxuan’s neck, rubbing against her cheek, “Qingqing, you are so good. I knew you cared about me and wouldn’t be like what others said. You are the person who loves her fox the most!”
Tan Qingxuan’s expression darkened and her tone turned cold when Cang Ran mentioned others, “What did others say?”
Cang Ran’s body felt that familiar chill. She realized she had let something slip. Huazhao was already on the verge of death from Song Zhen’s torment. If Tan Qingxuan took note of this, Huazhao would surely have no chance of survival.
She quickly kissed Tan Qingxuan’s lips haphazardly, making loud smacking sounds, trying to gloss over the matter, “They didn’t say anything. I won’t believe anything others say. No one can break our rock-solid relationship.”
Tan Qingxuan pinched her chin, preventing her from kissing, her cool eyes radiating strong pressure, “Mm?”
Cang Ran’s heart tightened under her gaze. Knowing she couldn’t evade the question, she had to confess everything honestly, “Huazhao told me that I was just being kept as a spiritual pet by you, and you wouldn’t become Dao Companions with me. But I heard what you said to Song Zhen that day. I knew you planned to become Dao Companions with me from the start.”
Tan Qingxuan didn’t initially plan to become Dao Companions with Cang Ran. At first, she merely found the fox thoughtful and wanted to bring her back as a sect-guardian spiritual beast. Little did she know the fox intended to cultivate with her, and she gradually stepped into the confines of mortal love.
Her Dao Heart was disturbed by this fox. Fortunately, the fox was devoted, preventing her from worrying too much about it. It now seemed that Huazhao was indeed attempting to sow discord. However, since Huazhao was deeply entangled with her Junior Sister, it was indeed inconvenient for her to act directly.
Cang Ran glanced at Tan Qingxuan’s profile and saw that the chill in her eyes had not receded, making her feel uneasy, “Qingqing, let’s ignore Huazhao for now. She is already in the dungeon. Let’s discuss everything after the child is born.”
Tan Qingxuan nodded slightly and pulled Cang Ran into her embrace, “Alright. You must also stay by my side and the child’s side always.”
After winter set in, the Lunar New Year approached. Cultivators in the cultivation world did not pay much attention to these festivals, and the Grand Profound Sect lacked a festive atmosphere. Cang Ran bought some fireworks to set off, as well as couplets and firecrackers from elsewhere.
After the couplets were pasted, the entire Rising Phoenix Palace took on a strong festive flavor. Cang Ran gave “lucky money” to the little hedgehog, the little yellow dog, the capybaras, and Yun Muyu.
She and Tan Qingxuan watched many fireworks displays. They experienced the splendor of the four seasons of the mortal world, and this winter passed quietly and peacefully.
Not only the cultivation world, but the demon and devil realms also experienced a rare period of tranquility. It wasn’t until after the Lunar New Year, when the ice and snow melted, ushering in the new spring, that trouble finally arose, less than a month before the little fox cub’s due date.
It started with Grand Profound Sect disciples outside the sect being attacked. Tan Qingxuan ordered all disciples to be recalled, only to learn that rumors had been spreading like wildfire during this time.
It was widely rumored that a nine-tailed fox demon had stolen the demon world’s supreme treasure, the Demon Emperor Seal, and was involved in an illicit affair with Venerable Qingxuan. Venerable Qingxuan, as the foremost person in the cultivation world, was accused of shielding the fox demon in plain sight and was deemed unworthy of the title of Venerable.
Although there was no concrete evidence, many people had begun to speculate that the fox demon and Venerable Qingxuan had already had a conjugal relationship, and perhaps even conceived an “evil seed.”
Besides the Myriad Medicine Sect, the other three major cultivation sects formed an alliance. Thousands of people agreed to come to the Grand Profound Sect to investigate, asking if the rumors about the fox demon were true, but they were blocked outside the Sect Protection Array.
Letters requesting action, numerous as snowflakes, poured in, demanding that the Grand Profound Sect immediately hand over the fox demon and saying that the fox demon’s heart and demon core should be extracted to prove the righteousness of the orthodox way.
Suddenly, the situation became irreversible—too urgent, too fast. Even without seeing the fox demon’s true form, the mere fact that a demon dared to contaminate a Venerable was enough to make all cultivators eager to kill the fox demon with their swords.
Tan Qingxuan saw the messages on the jade slips, a layer of frost forming on her face. The spiritual energy erupting from her fingertips instantly crushed all the jade slips into dust.
Cang Ran sat beside Tan Qingxuan and also saw the content of these letters. The orthodox cultivators claimed they could not tolerate a fox demon, but in reality, every demand was aimed at the most valuable parts of her: the nine-tailed fox’s heart, demon core, and the Demon Emperor Seal. Each was a rare and priceless opportunity for others.
After leaving the Ancient Demon Emperor’s Relic, she had been hiding inside the Grand Profound Sect. Apart from those close to her and Tan Qingxuan, no one knew she was here, and no one knew she and Tan Qingxuan were expecting a child.
This matter occurred just before Tan Qingxuan’s labor was about to begin, making it a threat not only to her life but also to Tan Qingxuan’s.
Cang Ran squeezed Tan Qingxuan’s hand, her eyes filled with determination, “Qingqing, don’t worry. If they want my life, they’ll have to see if they are capable enough to take it. I already have the Void Refining Stage ($Lianxu Qi$) cultivation, and with the help of the techniques on the Demon Emperor Seal, I won’t let them succeed so easily.”
Tan Qingxuan held Cang Ran’s hand, not letting go, “Don’t be rash. With the Sect Protection Array in place, the Grand Profound Sect is sealed off. Those people won’t be able to enter immediately. You stay by my side. I will protect you. Even if it means going against the entire world of cultivation, I will never abandon you.”
Cang Ran saw the love in Tan Qingxuan’s eyes. How could she bear to let her beloved fight alone? She absolutely could not let Tan Qingxuan shoulder all the pressure. She had to find a way to break the current crisis.
Cang Ran nodded, saying seriously, “I know. You and the child are here. I won’t leave. Don’t worry. I’ll go find Huazhao first. Perhaps I can hear some news from her about this matter.”
Tan Qingxuan saw that she had become much more mature and composed, which reassured her, “Go. Come back soon.”
Cang Ran headed straight for the dungeon. Huazhao was still tightly bound by iron chains. Cang Ran didn’t waste any time with pleasantries and got straight to the point.
“Did you spread the news? How do those human cultivators know that Tan Qingxuan and I have a child? And how do they know where I’m hiding now?”
Huazhao hung her head, every one of her feathers was broken. She rattled her increasingly thin arms, which were covered in layers of iron locks, making a loud clanking sound.
Her lips were dry. She smiled lightly, “I’m tied up like this, and Song Zhen is still afraid I’ll run away, giving me medicine every day to boost the efficacy. I am now just a mortal bird who has lost all demonic power. How could I go and spread the news for you?”
Cang Ran’s gaze was fixed on Huazhao, sharp as a sword, “If it wasn’t you, why does everyone else know? If anything happens to Qingqing and the child, I will definitely kill you, a life for a life!”
After cultivating the unparalleled technique on the Demon Emperor Seal, Cang Ran’s aura became stronger by the day. Even without the Demon Emperor Seal on her, her pressure was intensifying, pressing down like a collapsing mountain, chilling the heart.
Huazhao felt her internal organs bleeding slightly under the heavy pressure. Her legs trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing Cang Ran’s bloodshot eyes, and realizing her fierce protectiveness over her cub had truly driven her to murderous intent, she hurriedly said, “Ran Ran, it truly wasn’t me. My clan has the ability to divine heavenly destiny. I noticed some abnormalities about you, which is why I wanted to approach you. Later, I only wanted to use you to get the Demon Emperor Seal, that’s all.”
“I have no old grudges or new enmity with you. Why would I harm you and Tan Qingxuan? Don’t you know better than me that Tan Qingxuan is the foremost person in the cultivation world? Such a person is not just a genius. Her fate and opportunities have been acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao!
Even if I wanted to seize territory, wouldn’t I pick the softest target? The Myriad Medicine Sect is full of useless medical cultivators and easy to defeat. I can rob them of medicine to sell for money and raise troops. Why would I be crazy enough to attack the Grand Profound Sect?”
She spoke quickly and urgently, clearly not lying like before. Cang Ran still didn’t retract her pressure, her eyes darkening further, “Then who did it? You better tell me honestly, or I will act now!”
Huazhao knew the fox would do anything for Tan Qingxuan and that her life might be forfeit if she didn’t confess properly. She sighed deeply several times, “Aren’t we good friends? Don’t be rash and kill a bird first. Tell me what the situation is outside, and then I can help you think of a solution.”
Cang Ran tightened her lips, “People from the other three major sects, excluding the Myriad Medicine Sect, have gathered over a thousand people. They want Qingqing to hand me over and kill me, claiming I am the nine-tailed fox demon who stole the Demon Emperor Seal.”
Huazhao analyzed, “They aren’t entirely wrong. The Demon Emperor Seal is indeed in your hands. That day in the Demon God Hall, Tan Qingxuan, alone, blocked more than ten Great Demons above the Void Refining Stage. Powerful cultivators with such skill are rare in this world, making her easier to locate.
Do you really think those demons would be wholeheartedly obedient just because you killed a few disobedient Great Demons with your sword? The demon race is naturally capable of bearing offspring. Speculating that two women have a child is what allows them to stand on the side of righteousness.”
Cang Ran was furious, “So this matter was actually done by those demons, right?”
Huazhao immediately countered, “Cang Ran, you think too badly of demons. Could it not be human cultivators who did it? In your current predicament, the people threatening Tan Qingxuan are all humans!
The Demon God placed a curse on the demon race long ago. If demons kill each other and consume demon cores, it won’t increase their cultivation; instead, they will suffer the consequences. The demons only want the Demon Emperor Seal.”
Cang Ran saw that her words were logical and finally slightly lowered her anger, “Then who is it exactly?”
Huazhao’s throat was dry. She coughed twice, “I originally didn’t want to tell you this early and make you face such a powerful opponent, but there’s no other way now. It’s those old fogeys behind the Heaven Sword Sect and the Azure Cloud Sect. They covet the Grand Profound Sect’s cultivation resources and have been scheming against the Grand Profound Sect for a long time. Once the Heaven Ascending Ladder descends, they will face the ascension thunder tribulation. Their lifespans are at an end, and they don’t have the ability to overcome it. Unwilling to wait for death, they have to find ways to live. They’ve done so many dirty and vicious things over the years.”
“They desperately searched for countless medicinal formulas. Zhen Zhen’s family formula was only one of them. They used demons to test drugs. I was weak back then and could only protect Zhen Zhen alone. That formula was indeed effective, but after taking that medicine, the demonic energy cannot be removed, but the power will increase greatly. Relying on the centuries of research I conducted, I was able to kill those who harmed Zhen Zhen’s entire family. However, the others are too powerful, and I haven’t been able to kill them all.”
Cang Ran understood the sequence of events but was still somewhat confused, “What about the previous attack on the cultivation world involving the cooperation between demons and devils?”
Huazhao explained, “The Devil Venerable sought cooperation with me before, and I only did it to take a swipe at the Heaven Sword Sect and steal some medicinal materials from the Myriad Medicine Sect to raise troops. But the demons who later attacked you and Tan Qingxuan were not sent by me. I only occasionally heard about it from the old fogeys by sending out small bird demons to eavesdrop.”
Cang Ran realized that eight out of ten of Huazhao’s previous sentences were false, a mix of truth and falsehood. She couldn’t immediately determine if Huazhao’s final words were true or false, so she decided to return and discuss it with Tan Qingxuan.
She took out a bottle of spiritual healing liquid from her robe, handed it to Huazhao, and immediately returned to the Rising Phoenix Palace.
When Cang Ran entered, Tan Qingxuan was sitting at her desk. She was close to giving birth. The little fox cub might also sense that it was about to leave its mother’s belly and had been restless more frequently lately. She had been examined by Song Zhen, who said it wasn’t time for birth yet and told her not to be too nervous, as the child and mother were both doing well.
However, given the current external turmoil, Cang Ran was worried it would affect Tan Qingxuan and the child, so her brow was deeply furrowed.
The moment Tan Qingxuan looked over, Cang Ran forced a smile, walked over, and sat down beside Tan Qingxuan, “Qingqing, I got some news from Huazhao.”
She repeated what Huazhao had said to Tan Qingxuan. Tan Qingxuan nodded slightly and handed the letter on the desk to her, “I have a letter here from the Azure Wave Mountain Range. It came from the demon’s city and should be for you. Take a look first.”
Cang Ran saw the words on the envelope—For Cang Ran’s eyes only—it must be from the Mountain Suppressing Leopard. She opened the letter in front of Tan Qingxuan, and they read it together.
The Mountain Suppressing Leopard wrote that she knew about Cang Ran and Tan Qingxuan’s relationship. Because of the Demon Emperor Seal, many demons were disobedient, and some Great Demons even came to the Mountain Suppressing Leopard to discuss uniting to attack her at the Grand Profound Sect.
The Mountain Suppressing Leopard, remembering their past friendship, refused and suppressed the demons of the Azure Wave Mountain Range. She also asked if Cang Ran needed help and offered to lend her demon soldiers to help her escape the predicament.
This was excellent news for Cang Ran. The Mountain Suppressing Leopard’s action was equivalent to offering allegiance and goodwill. Instead of kicking her when she was down, she was offering help in a time of need.
Cang Ran’s tense nerves slightly relaxed, her heart filled with warmth, a look of joy on her face, “Qingqing, this is good news. Sister Leopard is offering a helping hand. Now, even if the demon race comes to attack, it will only be from two mountain ranges, making it easier to handle.”
Tan Qingxuan saw her joyful expression and said softly, “Sect Master Zuo also sent a letter, stating her position. If anyone attacks the Grand Profound Sect, they will also come to help.”
Cang Ran smiled brightly, “Good. I will deal with these demons. I can’t let both the demon and human races attack the Grand Profound Sect at the same time. I’ll go back and ask Huazhao about the weaknesses of those demons.”
Tan Qingxuan found Cang Ran’s demeanor calm and organized, which further eased her mind. This little fox had grown into someone who could weather storms alone.
She couldn’t help but hug Cang Ran, “If you have any doubts, come back and discuss them with me.”
Cang Ran kissed Tan Qingxuan’s forehead and said softly, “Don’t worry.”
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