Yin Xu also sensed something was amiss. Shi Chun commented that it was unsuitable for the Golden-haired Rat Clan to head to Qingqiu, and asked if she could find a way to stop them. Naturally, she immediately had someone contact Tian Shen again.

However, by the time Tian Shen received the message, he tried following the Golden-haired Rat Clan but had already lost sight of them.

He had previously seen the Golden-haired Rat Clan enter the Qingqiu region but didn't follow them further since they had already departed after being unable to settle in Qingqiu. After receiving the message and retracing his steps to pursue them, they were long gone. By the time he received the message again, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang had already arrived in the Qing Province...

Qingqiu, a hilly area within the Marsh Country region, although without any towering mountains, still boasts numerous unique peaks and stunning scenery. The woodlands adorned in various colors create a vivid contrast, with rainbows spanning the mountain ranges during the day—a rare spectacle.

In the mountains, pink mist drifts at dawn and dusk, while at night, swarms of multicolored fireflies flit about, resembling a ballet of luminous lights that mirror the sky full of stars, akin to a dream-like time.

Additionally, rich spiritual energy permeates this space.

It's a place as dreamlike as it is mystical and is said to be where an ancient deity is buried, perpetually occupied by a Fox Clan.

To enter this area, one must first cross a vast swamp.

This swamp emits poisonous gases, with toxins that can be fatal, some that are hallucinogenic, and hidden guardian beasts within.

Passing overhead is one way to traverse.

The Golden-haired Rat Clan must thank Bai Qiru; otherwise, with their cultivation, they couldn't have crossed the swamp encircling Qingqiu.

Yet upon landing in Qingqiu, they were immediately intercepted by the Fox Clan guards.

"Who dares to trespass in Qingqiu?"

Following this shout, several Green-clothed Men halted Bai Qiru and the others.

Bai Qiru stepped forward and responded, "The Golden-haired Rat Clan, guided by a friend of the Qingqiu Ancestor, seeks temporary refuge here. Please report to your esteemed leader."

Among a pile of words, the mention of 'Qingqiu Ancestor' startled the Green-clothed Men into silence.

After all, the Qingqiu Ancestor is the greatest authority among the Qingqiu Fox Clan, and who would dare to take such a figure's name in vain here? Hence, they immediately withdrew their hostility, and the leader promptly clasped his hands and said, "Please wait, I shall report immediately."

He stepped back, turned around, and swiftly flew away.

Atop Qingqiu, amidst the ancient airy palatial structures, handwritten banners fluttered gently in the breeze. A beautiful woman dressed in white with jet-black hair styled into a fan shape at the back of her head, whose face was as delicate as a hibiscus and eyes as clear as autumn water, gracefully wrote characters on fabric.

An elderly woman was beside her serving.

In the nearby pavilion, someone was playing the zither to enhance the ambiance; the music was slow and soulful.

The woman practicing calligraphy was none other than Yin Luo, the contemporary leader of the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

The Qingqiu Fox Clan is a matriarchal community, with females as the revered figures, hence the rulers throughout history have always been female.

The elderly woman serving the calligraphy master suddenly raised her head, seeing someone waiting outside the pavilion. She immediately departed, communicated briefly with the visitor, confirmed it was something significant enough to disturb the clan leader, and then brought the visitor over.

The visitor bowed and reported, "Clan Leader, outside there is a group of little demons, claiming to be from the Golden-haired Rat Clan, guided by a friend of the Ancestor, seeking refuge."

Clan Leader Yin Luo paused her pen, looked up, and asked with surprise, "The Ancestor's friend? Which friend of the Ancestor?"

The visitor replied, "I don't know; we dare not inquire much about the Ancestor's matters."

"The Golden-haired Rat Clan?" Yin Luo turned to look at the elderly woman beside her and asked, puzzled, "Could it be the Golden-haired Rat Clan from the Phoenix Clan?"

The elderly woman, named Yin Ning, was also puzzled, saying, "It should be, right? I've never heard of any branches of the Golden-haired Rat Clan. Haven't they always been enslaved by the Phoenix Clan? Seeking refuge implies they are fleeing from there?"

After some hesitation, Yin Luo said, "Bring them over."

"Yes." The person who reported quickly left.

It wasn't until someone reported again that the guests had been brought over that Yin Luo set down her pen and left the pavilion, proceeding directly to the rear hall of an ancient-style palace and then arriving at the main hall in front.

Within the hall, there were many neatly arranged cushions for kneeling, and the walls and carvings displayed exquisite fox demon cloud and swamp paintings.

Bai Qiru and the Golden-haired Rat Clan had already arrived.

Bai Qiru appeared fine, with a composed demeanor. As for the Golden-haired Rat Clan, they were indeed cowering, their appearance like furtive rats was not far off the mark.

Fortunately, they were no longer in shabby clothing. Upon leaving Juku State through the Xun Gate, Bai Qiru had bought them clothes in the city. Most of them were not accustomed to wearing clothes and didn't know how to choose, so the clothes hardly fit.

Wearing clothes could hardly change their shabby demeanor.

Those little mice unable to transform clung nervously to the feet of those who could transform.

The appearing Fox Clan leader Yin Luo paused instinctively upon seeing this scene before continuing to the main position, asserting her identity with her standing position.

"Greetings to the Qingqiu Clan Leader." Bai Qiru was the first to salute.

"Greetings to the Qingqiu Clan Leader."

The others followed suit, giving jumbled and uneven salutations, some speaking softly, others loudly, forming a chaotic scene.

Yin Luo raised her hand to signal them to dispense with formalities and stared at Bai Qiru, saying, "You're not from the Golden-haired Rat Clan, are you?"

Bai Qiru replied, "I'm from the Bai Family of the Phoenix and Qilin Continent, expelled from the clan." As he spoke, he gestured to Huang Yingying beside him. "This is my husband."

Huang Yingying instantly nodded and bowed to Yin Luo.

Yin Luo and Yin Ning exchanged a glance.

Turning back, Yin Luo asked again, "Is it the Golden-haired Rat Clan from the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain?"

Bai Qiru replied, "Exactly."

Yin Luo stared at her and asked, "The Golden-haired Rat Clan, are you in charge?"

Bai Qiru hastily bowed to Clan Leader Jinfu to show respect.

Only then did Jinfu speak, "I am the Clan Leader."

Without being disrespectful due to the other's downtrodden appearance, Yin Luo slightly nodded from above to show courtesy, then released her hands, smoothing her robe, and knelt down on the meditation cushion at the upper position before starting in earnest, "A report came from the clansmen below, saying you came here on the advice of a friend of our Qingqiu Ancestor. Is that true?"

Jinfu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes."

Yin Luo naturally pursued, "May I know which friend of the Ancestor you were advised by?"

Jinfu hesitated again, looking towards Bai Qiru. He was a bit unsure about this matter. After all, Shi Chun really didn't say such things, but Bai Qiru seemed convinced that the lady boss could speak for Shi Chun.

Faced with the situation, as the clan leader, he had to be cautious for the safety and well-being of the entire clan.

His reaction immediately made Yin Luo realize something was amiss.

Bai Qiru quickly responded on behalf of, "Shi Chun."

"Shi Chun?" Yin Luo questioned with some doubt. She had indeed heard of someone by that name, but how could he be a friend of the Ancestor? Could it be a namesake? She immediately pursued, "Which Shi Chun?"

Bai Qiru replied, "The same Shi Chun who helped Mingshan Sect with the Divine Fire Covenant to win the championship."

Huang Yingying, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. In his eyes, someone like Shi Chun was a significant figure.

"…" Yin Luo was speechless, thinking, isn't this nonsense? How could the Ancestor be friends with someone like him, someone not even worthy to carry the Ancestor's shoes?

Her gaze, slightly cold, swept over the disheartened group of demons present.

Below the chief seat, the elderly woman Yin Ning contemplated slightly, then transmitted a reminder, "Clan Leader, it might not be impossible."

Upon hearing this, Yin Luo's gaze fell upon her, also communicating, "What do you mean?"

Old woman Yin Ning said, "It is said that this Shi Chun hails from the Land of Exile, and you're aware of the Ancestor's relationship with that Prison Chief. It's normal for them to visit the Land of Exile. Moreover, this Shi Chun does stand out compared to the usual people from there."

With this explanation, the negativity in Yin Luo's eyes gradually subsided. She confirmed with the group of demons below, "Shi Chun said he's a friend of our Qingqiu Ancestor and guided you here?"

Bai Qiru dared not say Shi Chun said it. Speaking carelessly requires accountability. So she spoke truthfully, "It was said by a friend of Shi Chun, who conveyed the message on his behalf. This person is also part of your Qingqiu Fox Clan."

Yin Luo exchanged another glance with Yin Ning. Is there something about the Ancestor that the people below know, but the two of them do not?

She immediately asked, "Shi Chun's friend, who is also one of our Fox Clan members, who is it?"

Yin Luo said, "The lady boss of Zhu Lang Pavilion in Yao Mountain City, Juku State, Yin Xu."

Yin Luo pondered for a while in confusion, unable to recall this person, and then looked again at Yin Ning.

Seeing Yin Luo's slight frown, Yin Ning immediately communicated, "I've heard of her. She is indeed a member of our Qingqiu extended family, a branch that split away long ago. The reason I've heard of her is due to the Han State Domain Master's mistress being one of our members, which drew attention. Even if they have split, it's unlikely to speak irresponsibly about the Ancestor. Why she knows about the Ancestor, I'm unaware. To discern truth from falsehood, asking the Ancestor might clarify things for the Clan Leader."

To disturb the Ancestor, though? Yin Luo was a bit hesitant, but the matter needed confirmation. She eventually stood up, politely nodded, and said, "Please wait a moment."

Bai Qiru and company bowed as she departed.

It was clear to anyone that they seemed a bit suspicious.

Just then, Bai Qiru appeared slightly startled, sensing a message from Wu Jinliang, feeling secretly pleased, estimating that Shi Chun and his team might have also come to Qingqiu, confirming that Yin Xu's message was accurate.

With Shi Chun personally communicating with Qingqiu, it would alleviate pressure and troubles here.

She promptly fished out the Mother-child Talisman to check, and saw the message content: Where are you?

She immediately replied: Already at the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

On the other side, holding the Mother-child Talisman, Wu Jinliang wore a pained expression, while the face of the observing Shi Chun turned dark, quickly snatching the talisman and asked again: You didn't say anything reckless, did you?

Seeing this, Bai Qiru's heart skipped a beat, rushing to reply: We have met the Fox Clan Leader and acted as per Yin Xu's instructions.

Shi and Wu both showed expressions of dismay, realizing their worst fears had come true, still a step too late.

Wu Jinliang suddenly said, "Chun Tian, we must completely dissociate ourselves from this. What Yin Xu said has nothing to do with us. That vixen should either be silenced or thrown into the Netherworld. There are no other options. The Qingqiu Ancestor is a very bloodthirsty old demon, one we definitely can't afford to provoke."

With slight weighing of options, Shi Chun's eyes showed resoluteness, and he immediately responded to the message: Where's your brain? You just believe everything Yin Xu says? You've been tricked, leave quickly.

Indeed, he was quick to dissociate himself immediately.

Handing the Mother-child Talisman back to Wu Jinliang, the two turned around right away, heading towards the Xun Gate exit, rushing to deal with Yin Xu.

As long as Yin Xu disappeared, the matter couldn't be blamed on the two of them, nor on the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

Staring blankly at the message on the Mother-child Talisman, Bai Qiru felt bewildered. She wanted to question, weren't you with Yin Xu?

But she had no evidence, and even if she did, she couldn't say.

Leave quickly? The situation turned so suddenly, she glanced at the present Fox Clan members, truly unsure of what to do for a moment.

In the Qingqiu Forbidden Land, in a valley behind the main peak perpetually shrouded in mist, the stream gurgled through the fog. The Qingqiu Clan Leader in white resembling snow dared not wander, each step landing precisely on the stones in the stream. The further she ventured, the dimmer the light became.

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