The Fox Spirit Raised by the Villain Wants to Defect - Chapter 59

Looking at the towering palace, Xiao Yu was shocked.

Yan Qing pulled her inside. The demon beasts they encountered all bowed to Yan Qing.

“Surprised?” Yan Qing ignored them and led Xiao Yu straight to her residence, which was a very large courtyard. Compared to the uniformly drab yellow walls of the Sand Demon Territory, this place was almost indistinguishable from a human palace, though it was adorned with many luminous objects.

Xiao Yu was greatly astonished.

“Who exactly are you?”

She had met Yan Qing in the Sand Demon Territory, and then twice later at the Yuehui Sect. Yan Qing had claimed that the Demon Lord sent her to urge Xiao Yu to complete the original body’s mission, yet now she appeared in the Demon Territory and knew Wen Yu.

What exactly had happened in between?

Yan Qing released her hand, then winked at Xiao Yu, smiling, “Curious about my identity?”

Seeing Xiao Yu nod, Yan Qing suddenly moved closer, her fingers tracing Xiao Yu’s brow.

Xiao Yu felt uncomfortable with her action, her eyebrows twitched, and she stepped backward.

“What are you afraid of? I won’t eat you.” Yan Qing’s laughter always carried a hint of carelessness. She smiled beautifully, but it seemed to have become a habit, like wearing a shell, using a smile to conceal the reality within.

Xiao Yu thought, You really might eat me. In novels, fox demons also dig out people’s hearts.

“Oh dear, I won’t tease you anymore.” Yan Qing twirled her red skirt and took Xiao Yu to another location.

As soon as they landed, Xiao Yu found herself in what appeared to be a forest.

“Several pairs of eyes were watching us in that place, making it inconvenient to talk.” Seeing Xiao Yu looking around, Yan Qing’s demonic eyes shifted, and she reached out, pulling her to walk.

Xiao Yu was led through the woods to an open area.

There was a small wooden cabin, with a peach tree—already bearing fruit—planted beside it.

“Here, come inside.”

Yan Qing pushed the door open. The interior was fully furnished, and all the decorations were red, making it look like a bridal chamber.

“No one but me can enter here.” Yan Qing released Xiao Yu’s hand, sat down, and finally revealed her identity.

“Well, I am considered one of the more powerful demons in this part of the Demon Territory,” Yan Qing propped her chin on her hand, looking at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu sat across from her, listening to her speak.

“The Lord of the Demon Territory, Chunhu Qin (純狐欽), is my brother.”

Xiao Yu didn’t know Chunhu Qin but recalled that when she first arrived in this world, that annoying bird mentioned some ‘Pure Fox Lord.’ Could that be the Chunhu Qin whom Yan Qing referred to?

“Weren’t you helping the Demon Lord before? Do you all pledge allegiance to the Demon Lord?”

Xiao Yu wanted to run away. If this entire Demon Territory was in league with the Demon Lord, wouldn’t she have stumbled into a den of wolves?

Yan Qing crooked her finger at her, motioning for her to come closer.

Xiao Yu did not move.

She still remembered being suddenly threatened by Yan Qing that night, and how Yan Qing made her get closer to Wen Yu. She was afraid Yan Qing would trick her again.

“If you won’t come over, then I’ll have to come to you.” Yan Qing stood up, instantly sitting next to Xiao Yu, wrapping her arm around Xiao Yu’s side and pulling her closer.

Xiao Yu raised her hand to brace herself against the edge of the table, steadying her body so she wouldn’t be pulled to Yan Qing.

Yan Qing withdrew her hand, seeming displeased.

“Why are you so wary of me?” She simply leaned toward Xiao Yu herself.

This caused Xiao Yu to retreat, finally standing up and moving to sit on the opposite side.

“Just talk properly. Don’t touch me.” Xiao Yu truly didn’t understand why Yan Qing always liked to touch her.

Yan Qing sighed theatrically and said, “Alright then, I really won’t tease you this time.”

Seeing Xiao Yu visibly relax, she smiled inwardly.

The little fox is quite fun to play with.

“My clan does have some connection with the Demon Lord, but we don’t constantly obey him.” She didn’t say more, instead asking Xiao Yu, “Aren’t you curious why the Immortal Master asked me to come here?”

She suddenly displayed an expression that, to Xiao Yu, seemed designed to mislead her into overthinking things.

“I am curious. Will you tell me?” Xiao Yu was genuinely curious.

After all, Yan Qing and Wen Yu were in an adversarial relationship. Meeting Yan Qing here so suddenly surprised her greatly.

“Hmm…” Yan Qing drew out the end of her sentence, staring intently at Xiao Yu, unable to detect any sign of jealousy or suspicion on her face.

She made a deduction in her heart.

“He and I reached an agreement, and the terms of the agreement concern you.”

This sentence successfully piqued Xiao Yu’s curiosity.

She leaned forward and immediately asked, “What is it?”

Yan Qing stood up and suddenly unleashed her innate divine ability: the Charm Technique that the Pure Fox Clan is born with.

A strange fragrance instantly filled the room, rushing into Xiao Yu’s nose.

She only caught a whiff, and her head began to spin, her vision blurring.

Then, her body’s instinct began to resist, bursting forth with her own scent against the incoming aroma.

The two forces contended in the room.

Xiao Yu gradually clenched her hands, sweat beaded on her forehead, and her back was damp.

She didn’t know why Yan Qing suddenly attacked, but her previous encounters, where Yan Qing evoked her desire for reproduction, had left her with experience. Upon encountering the same scent, her instinct immediately counterattacked.

“Not bad. You’re making fast progress.” Yan Qing withdrew her innate divine ability and took out a handkerchief to wipe Xiao Yu’s sweat.

Xiao Yu avoided her, raising her own hand to wipe it.

“Were you testing me just now?”

Yan Qing put away the handkerchief and smiled, “Since I’m going to teach you cultivation, I naturally need to know your current strength.”

She sat back down, praising her, “After being apart for just over ten days, your cultivation has advanced significantly. You know to use your innate divine ability for attack now.”

Then, changing the subject, she asked Xiao Yu, “How many innate divine abilities do you have?”

Xiao Yu was embarrassed to say that she hadn’t gained any new insights yet.

Seeing her silence and shy expression, Yan Qing understood.

“When it comes to gaining insight into innate divine abilities, the more anxious you are, the less likely you are to succeed.” She began to explain the conditions for insight: “The special abilities granted to you by this world certainly require a corresponding price. Our Demon Clan often gains insight into innate divine abilities during moments of crisis, or after enduring hardships, leading to great enlightenment.”

“If you can gain insight during ordinary, peaceful days, your talent must be truly exceptional.”

Xiao Yu began to worry upon hearing this. If she wanted to gain insight into a new innate divine ability, she would have to go through something dangerous?

“However, I have a method that can simulate a life-threatening state. Most of our clan members do it this way.” Yan Qing winked at Xiao Yu, inviting her to ask what the method was.

It was only after Yan Qing threw Xiao Yu down into the bottomless abyss that she realized this was not a good method at all; it was tantamount to suicide.

Yan Qing stood on the edge of the cliff, looking down.

The airflow lifted the hem of her clothes. She stood there, her expression indifferent, her eyes gazing into the abyss without a trace of a smile.

“If you can come out alive, you should have already gained insight into an innate divine ability.”

She turned and left without any hesitation.

This place was a perilous area within the Qiongyue Realm. It had once been a battleground where the Pure Fox Clan fought for the position of Demon Territory Lord. It was said that the body of the demon who lost the competition was thrown in here.

The speed of the descent was accompanied by howling wind, which sounded like ghostly wails, chilling Xiao Yu to the bone.

She controlled the demonic energy within her body to cushion her fall, but she had no time to ponder why Yan Qing had suddenly thrown her down.

Demonic energy poured out. Xiao Yu forcefully flipped her body, trying her best to ensure she wouldn’t be torn apart upon landing.

The gap in the sky grew smaller and smaller. It was dim all around, making it almost impossible to see.

Suddenly, with a splash, something exploded on the ground. Immediately after, Xiao Yu felt herself hit something soft.

Her whole body was jolted, and her heart and lungs felt displaced.

Then, with a heavy crash, she hit the ground. The moment she landed, an alarm blared continuously in her mind.

“Wuwuwu, you owe me. To save you, my demonic energy is nearly all dispersed.”

In the pitch-black, sightless space, hearing a sudden cry made Xiao Yu’s hairs stand on end.

She only calmed down when she realized it was Coal Ball’s (Meiqiu’s) voice.

“Are you alright?” She reached out, feeling around, but didn’t touch Coal Ball. Instead, she felt a chill, making her whole body shiver.

“I’m here!” Coal Ball, supported by his remaining demonic energy, floated onto Xiao Yu’s hand.

Upon the sudden contact with the cool object, Xiao Yu shivered, nearly crushing Coal Ball with one palm.

“Don’t squeeze me! I’m going to disappear!” Coal Ball gathered his remaining demonic energy, hugged himself, and floated to the top of Xiao Yu’s head, trembling.

Xiao Yu withdrew her hand, stood up, and apologized sheepishly, “It’s too dark. I didn’t see you there.”

Her whole body ached. When she spoke, she felt like her body was about to fall apart.

Xiao Yu exhaled, pressing her palm lightly against her chest, immediately wincing in pain.

“What is Yan Qing up to…”

She looked around. It was pitch black; she couldn’t even see the crack of the cliff above her.

Afraid of attracting something, she only produced a small cluster of light, reaching out to examine her surroundings with the faint glow.

“Where is this place…”

Xiao Yu squinted, afraid to open her eyes too wide. She touched her waist, and the fragments condensed into the Sword Flute, which she held in her hand.

Coal Ball squatted on top of her head, also looking around. He could see more clearly than Xiao Yu but still saw nothing.

“Can you fly up?”

Xiao Yu looked up, and Coal Ball followed suit.

He said, however, “No, there’s a barrier above. I can’t get out. Otherwise, I would have taken you out halfway through.”

Xiao Yu had no choice but to look for an exit below.

Yan Qing throwing her down must be related to gaining insight into her innate divine ability.

On the verge of death, encountering danger…

This meant that this place was not safe at all.

“Can you sense the surroundings?” Xiao Yu couldn’t see clearly, and although she had tried releasing her demonic energy to explore the area, she had found nothing.

Coal Ball was starting to get scared himself; how could he know what was around?

“I was hoping you’d take me out,” he floated down, landing on Xiao Yu’s shoulder.

The slight coolness brushed against her cheek, making Xiao Yu shiver again.

Uncertain of what she might encounter, Xiao Yu stopped walking and stood still, beginning to organize her thoughts.

Since the goal was to help someone gain insight into their innate divine ability during a crisis, it meant there was a chance for survival here.

Whether she could seize that opportunity depended on herself.

Xiao Yu extinguished the light on her fingertip, took a deep breath, opened her eyes wide, revealing her demonic pupils.

Her red eyes trembled slightly, gradually adjusting to the darkness.

She held the Sword Flute in her right hand, then suddenly paused, looking down at her right hand.

The Spiritual Artifact belonging to Wen Yu was in her hand. Xiao Yu suddenly had the illusion that Wen Yu was right beside her.

She steadied herself and started walking forward.

A bone-chilling cold permeated her body. The demon beast’s instinct told her that something was approaching.

She couldn’t determine the opponent’s location. She could only clench the sword in her hand, preparing to counterattack before the danger arrived.

Soon, several bright spots appeared in the darkness, accompanied by a slight tremor.

Immediately after, Coal Ball cried out in fear in her ear, his voice so faint it was almost swallowed by the increasingly loud sound of footsteps.

“Something’s coming. Be careful!”

Then, Xiao Yu felt the coolness on her shoulder disappear—Coal Ball had run away.

Xiao Yu ignored him, focusing all her attention forward.

The footsteps grew louder and louder, then suddenly vanished as they reached a certain point.

The bright spots instantly vanished into the darkness, turning pitch black again.

However, Xiao Yu keenly noticed that those things were still getting closer.

Panic flashed through her mind for an instant, but she knew she could only rely on herself now.

She could do it. She must be able to do it!

In that split second, her ear twitched, and she distinctly heard a sound approaching from her right side.

She swept the sword in her hand towards the source of the sound, but it struck nothing.

The position is wrong—

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the attack arrived.

In her haste, she only had time to draw back the sword. The creature’s breath was already hitting Xiao Yu’s face.

She quickly raised her sword and slashed at it, finally hitting a solid object. Then, using demonic energy to illuminate, she had just lit a cluster of light with her left hand when her wrist was fiercely struck. The light was extinguished, and a paw hit her shoulder, nearly making her drop the sword.

She retreated repeatedly, temporarily escaping the demon beast’s attack.

In the brief moment of light, Xiao Yu could only make out that the attacker was a demon beast, but she couldn’t tell which species.

There should be more fox demons here.

Before she could rest, more demon beasts rushed out from all directions, surrounding her.

Xiao Yu gritted her teeth, stopped testing, and directly unleashed her innate divine ability. At the same time, she diverted demonic energy to illuminate her surroundings.

The moment she saw the shape of the demon beasts, Xiao Yu felt a wave of nausea.

Not a single demon beast attacking her was physically whole. They were all missing limbs, with flesh turned inside out, looking as if they had been halfway burned after being injured.

However, the Charm Technique couldn’t cover the entire area. The space at the bottom of the cliff was too vast, and the scent quickly dispersed, losing its effect.

Xiao Yu was about to dismiss her innate divine ability and fight the demon beasts directly with her sword when she noticed that all the demon beasts were standing sideways, their movements slowing down.

This was not caused by the innate divine ability.

Xiao Yu looked at the light she had created, and an incredible thought crossed her mind.

These demon beasts are afraid of light.

To verify this idea, she created another ball of light directly in front of the eyes of the nearest demon beast.

As soon as the light ball appeared, the demon beast reacted violently, charging recklessly into the crowd of demon beasts and running towards the darkness.

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up. She used the same method to create light clusters near the remaining demon beasts, successfully driving them away.

But her joy didn’t last long.

If she stayed here for a long time, her demonic energy wouldn’t be replenished. If she couldn’t find an exit before her demonic energy ran out, she would only be waiting for death.

Furthermore, she didn’t know how large this area was. Besides these light-fearing demon beasts, there might be stronger ones that weren’t afraid of light. If she encountered them, it would be difficult to escape.

What should she do to leave this place?

Is gaining insight into a new innate divine ability the key to passing?

Xiao Yu looked up. The endless darkness above gave her a sense of despair that she couldn’t escape.

Yan Qing, why didn’t you explain things clearly when you pushed me down!

She had no choice but to conserve her demonic energy and create small light clusters to walk forward.

No one told her how to gain insight, and no one told her what lay hidden beneath. Everything had to be explored by herself.

“How can anyone gain insight into a divine ability like this…”

Just as she finished speaking, she felt a murderous intent again—a killing intent completely different from that of the previous demon beast group. It almost locked onto her entirely. The feeling of being completely inescapable suddenly overwhelmed her, paralyzing her body.

Xiao Yu clenched her jaw, forcing herself to raise the Sword Flute and instinctively block in front of her.

The next second, with a clang, a huge force struck, leaving Xiao Yu’s arm numb. Her hand loosened, the Sword Flute dropped, and she stumbled backward several steps before barely steadying herself.

A gust of sharp wind struck her face. There was no time to retrieve the sword. Xiao Yu could only block with both hands. Demonic energy condensed into a shield, which held for a few seconds before suddenly shattering.

Xiao Yu was startled, her mind rapidly searching for a way to survive.

Another blow struck, this time aiming directly for where her heart was located.

Xiao Yu’s heart suddenly stopped. Her body instinctively knew that being hit this time would be fatal.

She condensed another light cluster, which served no purpose other than allowing her to see the appearance of the demon beast in front of her.

Xiao Yu’s heart sank instantly.

This demon is not afraid of light.

She didn’t hesitate, directly using her arm to block the attack.

The demonic energy attached to her arm was easily crushed. Her arm was seized and bent to the side. With a snapping sound, Xiao Yu’s face contorted in pain.

She couldn’t tend to her broken arm. This brief block bought her time to react. With a surge of demonic energy, the Sword Flute returned to Xiao Yu’s hand.

At that moment, she held nothing back. All her demonic energy burst forth, and her innate divine ability was directed only at the demon beast in front of her.

The demon beast’s movement paused. Xiao Yu seized the opportunity and plunged the blade of the sword into the demon beast’s neck.

Using her left hand to wield the sword was awkward; she couldn’t exert her full strength.

Seeing that the demon beast was about to break free from the control of the Charm Technique, Xiao Yu reversed her grip on the sword, gripping the hilt with her tiger’s mouth facing up, and forced all the remaining demonic energy out of her body, channeling it into the weapon.

With a tearing sound, the Sword Flute pierced through the demon beast’s neck.

Her arm was released. Xiao Yu trembled, breathing rapidly, and staggered backward.

Coal Ball ran to stand in front of her, his tiny eyes watching the demon beast clutching its neck. Only when the demon beast fell motionless did he turn to tell Xiao Yu.

“That demon beast is dead!”

Coal Ball turned his head and saw Xiao Yu collapsed on the ground, stiffly avoiding her right side, whimpering in pain.

“What’s wrong? Where are you hurt?”

Coal Ball quickly floated over to examine her body, discovering that her right arm was bent into a twisted position behind her side. He was terrified.

“Is your arm broken?”

Xiao Yu couldn’t answer him.

The intense physical pain disrupted her nervous system. Every part of her body ached, and she couldn’t find any relief.

She was in great pain, but she couldn’t make a sound.

She didn’t know what other demon beasts might be here. If she attracted more, how would she save her own life?

Coal Ball circled around her anxiously, completely clueless about how to treat her.

“I don’t have arms either, I…”

Coal Ball looked at Xiao Yu, then suddenly shot upwards, but was repelled by the barrier. More of his demonic energy dissipated.

“I can’t get out…” Coal Ball was miserable. Seeing Xiao Yu in such agony, he felt utterly helpless.

“Hang in there! Don’t die!” He floated around Xiao Yu, simultaneously monitoring her condition and paying attention to their surroundings.

Xiao Yu had no strength to talk to him. With her right arm fractured, keeping consciousness was already an achievement.

“You’re not going to die, are you?” Coal Ball worriedly rubbed against her eye, seeing her constantly trembling eyelashes and the beads of sweat on her face. He reached out with his tiny hands to wipe it away.

Xiao Yu only felt a chill on her forehead, which was particularly icy, giving her a moment of clarity.

She should thank Coal Ball. If it weren’t for this icy touch, she might have passed out.

“You absolutely must not die. The Demon Lord told me to protect you. If you die, how can I report back?”

Xiao Yu wanted to laugh, but her body instantly convulsed in pain, preventing her from laughing.

If you hadn’t said that, I would be happier.

She wanted to lie here and stop moving. This was the most pain she had ever felt in her life.

Staying in one place in such an unpredictable environment was clearly not a good idea.

Soon, Coal Ball sensed killing intent.

“Hurry up, get up, something is coming.”

Xiao Yu’s blurry consciousness was roused again. She struggled to support herself with her relatively intact left arm. Even without touching her right arm, the injured area still throbbed with pain.

She reddened her eyes, gritted her teeth hard, and forced herself up in one go, but couldn’t balance and fell down again.

Coal Ball instantly swelled his body, supporting Xiao Yu from behind, helping her stand up.

“Run! Run!” Coal Ball had used up most of his demonic energy. He couldn’t carry Xiao Yu like before; he could only act as a point of balance for her.

“The sword…”

Xiao Yu managed to utter one word. Coal Ball cried out and ignored it.

“There’s no time! No time!”

He mumbled internally that if this were Xiao Yu’s Spiritual Artifact, he could retrieve it.

Coal Ball pushed against Xiao Yu, moving forward very slowly. At this speed, there was no way to escape.

He gritted his teeth, giving up on pushing Xiao Yu.

“I’m going all out!”

He took a sharp breath, and his body grew larger again, enveloping Xiao Yu.

His body, originally pitch black like ink, had faded to a pale greyish-white color.

“This is the only way I have. If we can’t escape, let’s die together.”

Coal Ball wanted to cry. He missed his brother. He should have just practiced hard. If he couldn’t win, at least he could run.

The demon beasts quickly approached. Some stopped by the slain demon beast, while others continued to follow the scent.

As they drew near, Xiao Yu could only hear the chaotic sound of footsteps.

Her heart pounded violently, uncontrollably.

In this life-or-death moment, her brain went blank, and all her thoughts dissipated.

The demon beasts suddenly stopped and scattered to search. A few walked to within two meters of Xiao Yu. Their glowing eyes darted up and down in the darkness, much like Xiao Yu’s heart, which was leaping up and down, threatening to burst out of her chest.

She struggled to suppress the trembling of her painful body, lowering her breathing frequency.

She held it in until her temples bulged, tightly locking her lips, not making a sound.

She gradually started to feel suffocated.

Sweat dripped into her eyes, stinging them and making it impossible to keep them open.

The demon beasts were getting closer, and Coal Ball’s form was nearly dissolving.

As the demon beasts came closer, Xiao Yu’s heart rate gradually steadied.

I cannot die here. I’ve come this far. I absolutely cannot die here.

Perhaps Heaven heard her heartfelt wish, or perhaps Coal Ball’s power took effect, but the demon beasts suddenly rushed back towards the dead demon beast.

A nauseating chewing sound began. Xiao Yu instantly understood what the demon beasts were doing.

They were devouring their own kind.

After the demon beasts finished eating, they scattered.

Coal Ball held out for a long time before shrinking back. The remaining demonic energy was only enough to maintain his size at the size of a thumb.

“Finally safe. I’m so tired.” He sprawled on top of Xiao Yu’s head, too exhausted to speak.

After a brief rest, Xiao Yu’s spirits recovered somewhat, though her body still throbbed intermittently.

She needed to retrieve her sword.

“Help me find the way.”

Coal Ball’s voice was nearly fading: “Go straight ahead.”

Guided by Coal Ball, Xiao Yu retrieved her sword and found something inside the corpse of the demon beast, which was now nothing but bones.