On the hilltop of the prairie, which offered a view of Yao Mountain City, Qiu Ben stood amidst the grass, rising and falling with the wind, staring at Yao Mountain City with furrowed brows.

Disciple Zhu Xin suddenly leaped out of the woods, adjusted with two bounds, and landed alongside, cupping his hands to report: "Master, I found them. The two returned to Zhu Lang Pavilion."

"Returned to Zhu Lang Pavilion?" Qiu Ben was taken aback, recalling what he had heard. Could it be that the so-called departure only meant leaving the Divine Mountain, not this region?

Based on the signs of checking out of Zhu Lang Pavilion, they should have been headed for the Divine Mountain. What's the situation with them returning to Zhu Lang Pavilion now?

The problem is, he had already exposed his identity to the Divine Mountain. Going back to reside at Zhu Lang Pavilion is not appropriate, especially after personally securing the Divine Mountain's energy with a letter from the Sect Master. How can the sect's major decisions be changed on a whim, saying they wouldn't go, and then not going? Easily backing down would arouse suspicion, and if it indeed involved the Divine Mountain, it might complicate matters.

He raised a hand to touch his short hair, feeling a bit puzzled. Why is it so troublesome to catch just two little ghosts of the High Martial Realm?

After thinking it over multiple times, he said, "I can't go back to Zhu Lang Pavilion. You go and set up, keep an eye on them. They have to come out eventually."

"Yes..." Zhu Xin agreed but hesitated a bit, asking: "Master, since they returned to Zhu Lang Pavilion, could they be planning to use its means to sneak them out?"

Qiu Ben: "The people behind Zhu Lang Pavilion have already issued a ban, they won't meddle in our affairs. Their return doesn't necessarily mean they intend to flee unless they've realized we're after them. If they had known, they would have fled long ago, not leisurely sightseeing at the Divine Mountain."

At this moment, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang had already appeared on the top floor of Zhu Lang Pavilion, meeting with the proprietress Yin Xu under a flying eave.

Inevitably, there was playful banter about their return. After sitting down, Yin Xu personally poured tea for the two with her delicate hand.

Shi Chun, however, reached out to block the teacup, speaking bluntly: "No tea, we came to ask Sister Hong for some assistance."

Yin Xu didn't insist, put down the teapot, and smiled: "Feel free to speak."

Shi Chun: "I've long heard that Sister Hong is an expert at getting people out. I came back this time to learn, but I wonder about the price."

Upon hearing this, the smile faded from Yin Xu's face, and she fell silent.

Tian Shen, who was standing outside the pavilion, glanced inside, knowing that the proprietress had just ordered to stop that business not long ago.

Yin Xu thought about it and said, "To be honest, I've already paused that business."

Shi Chun said with amusement: "Such a coincidence? Not even for money?"

Yin Xu shook her head, "It's inconvenient at the moment."

Shi Chun: "Sister Hong's inconvenience isn't specifically because of us, is it?"

Yin Xu waved her hand, "Honestly, the timing is a bit coincidental, and I don't know if it's specifically against you two, but indeed someone ordered me to pause this business, and I can't disobey."

Hearing this, Shi Chun felt reassured. If the other party had agreed immediately, he would have suspected a trap.

No way, it's an old habit. Whenever things reach a critical point, he's just that suspicious.

Feeling reassured, he directly asked, "I have a question. Why did you help us before? Why tell us someone is watching us?"

If not for that, which in some way proved the other side couldn't possibly be in league with those watching them, he wouldn't necessarily have come to seek cooperation this time.

Faced with this question, Yin Xu paused to consider before countering: "Don't you know my origin?"

Shi Chun was stunned, unable to make the connection, and asked suspiciously: "What's that got to do with your origin?"

Yin Xu thought about it and decided to clarify, "I smelled the scent of my Fox Clan ancestors on you, so I guessed there might be some connection with my clan, hence the appropriate warning."

She couldn't help it, wanting to clarify the matter as well.

Is that so? Wu Jinliang immediately looked at Shi Chun, musing to himself, wondering when Shi Chun had gotten involved with another fox spirit.

He didn't think Yin Xu had any reason to lie about this.

Shi Chun froze, unable to recall any past interactions with a Fox Clan; perhaps it was from killing one? Among the demon cultivators he had slain, there were definitely foxes, but he couldn't mention that.

Rack his brain as he might, he did suddenly recall a memorable big fox.

Unforgettable indeed; when leaving the Land of Exile, he encountered a calamity and was almost devoured by a fox tearing through space in Zhixu City. The memory still filled him with lingering fear.

Seeing him seem to remember something, a hint of urgency flashed in Yin Xu's eyes as she continued, "If you truly had ties with my clan's predecessors, I'd take some risks on their behalf. Helping you wouldn't be a problem."

She was even willing to lay bait to get the truth.

Since the other party put it this way, whether or not it bore fruit, Shi Chun didn't mind testing the waters, as it cost him nothing. He hesitantly said, "I indeed have a close friendship with a mighty fox spirit, but she's very mysterious, never revealing her identity or allowing mention of her outside, so I don't know if she's from your clan."

Upon hearing this, both Yin Xu and Tian Shen's eyes lit up.

Yin Xu eagerly asked, "What does she look like?"

Observing subtly, Shi Chun took a moment to consider, then slowly said, "She's a vixen as well. Whenever we met, she appeared by tearing open a spatial rift with her claws, always accompanied by a fragrant scent. Just her demon body's head was as big as my entire body, with blood-red eyes glowing, and her glossy green fur waved like rippling water. Every time she appeared, her imposing demon aura seemed to sweep the earth. Although we interacted occasionally and had a good relationship, I truly don't know if she's from your clan, or even her name."

As soon as he mentioned the fragrance, eyes like blood, and fur like ripples, Yin Xu's chest visibly heaved, indicating her excitement.

For her, they matched; they really matched the scent. This was a match!

The reaction of Tian Shen outside the pavilion was much the same.

For them, there was no need for further verification.

Wu Jinliang was gaping, occasionally glancing at the other two onlookers' excited reactions, feeling endless sighs in his heart. Making it up, how impressively he can spin a tale! I don't even know where Chun Tian dug up such a vivid description, maybe it's from some book in the library. That's why he's the Master; even deception requires skill, and I have much to learn.

Seeing Yin Xu even stand up in excitement, Shi Chun tried asking, "Do you know who that powerful Fox Clan member is?"

Yin Xu tried to calm down, slowly sat down gripping the stone platform, and shook his head, "She should be from the same clan as me. Since that senior didn't want to reveal her identity to you, I shouldn't speak on it either. Don't ask too much; even if you do, I won't tell."

Not saying was fine; Shi Chun actually breathed a sigh of relief. If he really dug deeper, he was afraid he'd make a mistake.

He had no idea how the Fox Clan's aura attached to him; he merely picked the most powerful fox demon to mention. He didn't think the fox demon scent he picked up in the Land of Exile could linger until now. He reckoned it was most likely acquired unknowingly in Dazhi City, maybe from some fox demon he encountered there.

Of course, it's also possible the other side was just acting, and perhaps the whole Fox Clan aura thing never existed.

However, he felt the other side had no need for such a roundabout act, so he decided to watch and see for now.

But the question remained, would randomly fabricating a fox demon even work?

Unexpectedly, Yin Xu's attitude at this time was firm, "When do you plan to leave?"

Shi Chun: "The exact time hasn't been decided yet. How about you help us leave the city first?"

"Leave the city?" Yin Xu was taken aback, "You can leave the city yourself, no need for an escort, right?"

Shi Chun: "There's a chance they'll be checking for us at the city gate; we don't want anyone tracing our movements."

"I see..." Yin Xu hesitated for a moment, then turned to Tian Shen, "Arrange it, remember, this time there can't be any leaks."

She also feared the Domain Master would find out she was disobeying orders.

"Okay." Tian Shen agreed and then left.

Yin Xu then turned to the two brothers, "To be safe, preparing might take some time, you two rest first."

Shi Chun asked, "Sister Hong, we haven't discussed the price yet."

Yin Xu smiled, "No charge."

No charge? The two brothers exchanged glances, things were going too smoothly, making them wary and uneasy instead.

Yin Xu then added, "I don't lack money for this kind of deal, just do me a favor in return."

Shi Chun cautiously asked, "What kind of favor?"

Yin Xu unexpectedly stuck her tongue out to lick her lips, then bit her lip, her eyes showing nervous anticipation, "Brother Wang, when you see my Fox Clan senior again, could you speak kindly of me?"

And then? Shi Chun didn't get a then, only the eager eyes of the other party. He suspiciously asked, "Is that all?"

The response seemed overly simplistic; Yin Xu's eyes lit up, her head nodding eagerly like a little chick pecking at rice, saying, "That's it, saying a few good words for me is enough. Just let that senior know I'm part of the Qingqiu Fox Clan."

Shi Chun's suspicion deepened, "Sister Hong, is this senior of yours very high up in the Fox Clan?"

Yin Xu smiled, "Not exceptionally high, but very significant for me. Don't ask further. When she's willing to tell you, you'll naturally know."

Shi Chun: "Alright, Sister Hong, since you're helping me today, I'll make sure to sing your praises in front of that senior in the future. Who can't say good things?"

Whatever, he just planned to deal with his own matters first; who knew if there'd ever be a chance to meet that great fox demon in this life. Regardless, he would finish his business and leave; he probably wouldn't return to Zhu Lang Pavilion of Yao Mountain City anyway. There wasn't any timing specified by the other party.

Yin Xu, meanwhile, was like she had drunk a love potion, her face beaming uncontrollably, genuinely delighted. She quickly got up to pour tea for them, "Drink some tea, drink."

The tea was nothing special; sipping a bit just for gesture's sake was fine.

Yet Yin Xu remained jubilantly eager, arranging for them to stay in the finest guest room of Zhu Lang Pavilion for free, truly treating them like the most honored guests.

Shi Chun vaguely realized that the Fox Clan powerhouse he used as a shield might mean extremely significant things for Yin Xu, intending to investigate more later on.

Still immersed in a mystery, a knock on the door interrupted. Tian Shen arrived, stating Lou Xiu had come by asking if they wanted to meet.

Clearly, Tian Shen's demeanor toward them had taken on a deep-rooted respect, even eager to ingratiate them.

With their whereabouts already exposed, Shi Chun knew he couldn't refuse the meeting.

Before long, Lou Xiu hurriedly arrived, surprised at the luxury of their guest room, then turned astonished towards Wu Jinliang, "Mr. Gao, didn't you have urgent matters to return home for?"

Wu Jinliang inwardly sneered, wasn't this a pointless question? He nonchalantly responded, "I was indeed in a hurry, but then news came from home that the matter was settled."

He shrugged as if to say no need to rush anymore.

Lou Xiu oh'd knowingly, "As long as it's fine, as long as it's fine. I thought something happened in Yao Mountain City. Would you still want to continue exploring Divine Mountain? I heard you haven't had enough of it yet. If you like, don't hesitate; it's just a short distance, and I can arrange it again."

Wu Jinliang chuckled, his mind already envisioning the scenario of sneaking into Divine Mountain, yet outwardly he replied politely, "Forget it, we just got a whim; seen it, tasted the flavor, been there, done that. Now we're just staying here a few days to rest."

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