For Mokuran, the moment she infiltrated the disciples using the Ten Thousand Forms Technique and was about to be accepted as Jiang Ningzhi's disciple, she knew—
The assassination would succeed.
Everything had gone perfectly.
Her disguise was flawless.
Her aura suppressed.
Her intent buried.
But what she never expected—
Was to be recognized.
Did I reveal a flaw?
Impossible.
She cultivated the Ten Thousand Forms Technique. Unless one had reached the Immortal Realm, no cultivator should be able to see through her true identity.
So how did he know?
And more importantly—
How did he know she intended to assassinate Jiang Ningzhi?
Questions flooded her mind, but she forced them aside.
The priority now was simple:
Strike first.
She had already drawn suspicion. If she were detained for identity verification, everything would be over.
And so—
When Mokuran's dagger was a mere 0.01 centimeters away from Jiang Ningzhi's twin peaks—
Jiang Ningzhi was suddenly shoved aside.
The blade plunged straight into Suri's chest.
Jiang Ningzhi's pupils shrank.
Without hesitation, she struck Mokuran's chest with a palm so fierce it was practically flattening.
Only then did the elders scattered across the plains—despite their "elderly reaction speed"—finally respond, unleashing torrents of techniques toward the black-dressed girl.
Spells roared.
Dust exploded skyward.
Where there is smoke—
There is no injury.
As the dust cleared—
What stood before them was no longer a young girl.
But a black fox clad in flowing dark robes.
The fox-demon woman stood barefoot upon the plain, her snow-white feet pressing lightly against the earth.
Her legs were long and slender, pale skin teasing beneath the slit of her dress.
Six fox tails swayed behind her like ribbons of black silk—smooth as molten chocolate.
Her plush fox ears stood upright atop her head, soft fur trembling in the wind.
Her beauty was exquisite, almost celestial.
A delicate oval face untouched by cosmetics—yet devastatingly enchanting.
"Daring demon!" one elder roared. "You infiltrated Qianling Holy Land and dared attempt murder! Today you shall become nourishment for our cultivation!"
Elders from every peak surrounded her.
There was no escape.
She should have been trapped.
The black fox woman merely laughed softly.
"Heh."
With a light curl of her fingers, the dagger flew back into her hand.
Without hesitation—
She lunged again toward Jiang Ningzhi.
"Seeking death!"
The Sword Hall Elder roared in fury, slashing downward.
Nascent Soul Realm power exploded outward—enough to kill her instantly.
Yet—
The moment the sword qi reached her—
The fox woman's lips curved upward in faint mockery.
The blade severed—
Not her body.
But a single black fox tail.
Her figure vanished.
Or rather—
Her true body had never appeared at all.
That had merely been one tail.
For a fox demon—
One tail equals one life.
She had escaped by sacrificing one.
"Young Master Suri! Please hold on! You'll be fine!"
After the fox demon fled, Suri lay in Jiang Ningzhi's arms.
Held tightly against her chest, Suri could only helplessly nuzzle a little deeper into her embrace.
Fragrant.
Soft.
Generous.
Jiang Ningzhi continuously poured spiritual energy into him to staunch the bleeding.
The dagger had been poisoned.
"It's… alright…"
Suri weakly lifted his hand and gently clasped her pale, delicate fingers.
His old face flushed red as he shamelessly rubbed against her chest a few more times.
"As long… as you're safe… it's worth it…"
Her gaze trembled.
"Why, Young Master Suri…? We met only once. Why would you go so far for me?"
Suri weakly shook his head.
"I… I don't know… When I realized… my body just… moved…"
"Young Master…"
"Shh… let me… finish…"
"Please."
"I think… I can… still be… saved…"
"Young Master Suri! Young Master Suri!"
His head tilted to the side in her arms.
His hand slid down, brushing lightly across her chest before falling limp.
Across the plains—
Only the maiden's cries echoed.
Three Days Later — Hane Peak
Suri lay on his bed like a salted fish.
"Chiyun, I want an apple."
"Yes, Senior Brother. I'll peel one."
"Chiyun, my hands are cold."
"It's normal, the Hall Master of Medicine said it's just the poison leaving your body. I'll warm them."
She gently placed his large hands upon her smooth thighs and rubbed them warmly.
"Chiyun… I've been having nightmares lately. I keep dreaming someone wants to harm me. Don't leave me."
"I won't. I'll stay right here."
Yes.
Suri was not dead.
Not only was he not dead—
He had awakened the very next morning.
By the third day, he could already walk.
But the shameless Suri refused to get out of bed.
He was thoroughly enjoying his junior sister's devoted care.
Three days earlier—
The moment the fox demon erupted in assassination—
Suri had known he wouldn't die.
Because in the future—
Chiyun was destined to ascend while holding his head.
How could he possibly die here?
If he died—
How would she embrace his severed head during her ascension years later?
…Alright.
Truthfully—
Suri later realized he had simply been lucky.
He had nearly died.
After the incident, it dawned on him:
Fate could change.
If he had truly died—
Chiyun's destiny would also shift.
She would never ascend holding his head.
When that thought struck him afterward—
Cold sweat drenched his back.
He had truly been on the brink.
Fortunately—
The outcome was good.
He took a blade to the chest.
But survived.
And—
He gained a massive boost in the Holy Maiden's favor.
She now owed him a life debt.
Exchanging that favor later for cultivation resources?
Not unreasonable.
Those resources could support Chiyun and Second Junior Sister's training.
After all—
Hane Peak was desperately poor.
Still…
He saved Jiang Ningzhi.
He altered her fate.
So why hadn't the system rewarded him?
Suddenly—
[Ding… System undergoing maintenance and upgrade…]
Suri: "..."
Unbelievable.
Just as he was internally cursing the system—
"Senior Brother…"
Chiyun's soft voice interrupted him.
"Mm?" Suri reached out, stroking her silky hair.
She lowered her gaze gently.
"Senior Brother… don't do something like that again… okay?"
Seeing the clear innocence in her eyes, Suri's heart softened.
He gently patted her head.
"Don't worry. I won't block blades for others anymore… unless it's for you."
"Not even for me."
She lifted her eyes and looked straight at him.
"That won't do. To me, Chiyun is the most important."
"But I don't want anything to happen to you…"
"Relax. Nothing will." He lightly flicked her nose. "By the way, has today's Qianling Daily been delivered?"
"It has… but…"
"But what?"
"…Senior Brother shouldn't read it. It's not good for your recovery."
…
…