Walking out of the stream area, only a dim light remained as they waded through a knee-high meadow.

The meadow was dotted with tiny flowers, and at its end stood an enormous dark red stone monument, as lustrous as blood jade. Behind it loomed a towering green hill.

Enveloped by the swirling mist before all this, there was a strange flowing presence, sometimes with a sense of void twisting, sometimes like someone exhaling, and at times seemed to transform into numerous fox shadows chasing in play.

Yin Luo cast a spell and transmitted to the blood-red stone monument, "Yin Luo greets Ancestor."

After speaking, he knelt on the grass to pay his respects.

A moment later, in the surrounding mist, a woman's giggling voice suddenly arose, then a joyful voice like silver bells rang out, "I told you if there's something, handle it yourselves. I don't have the leisure; no need to ask me."

Yin Luo replied respectfully, "Ancestor, if it weren't necessary, I wouldn't disturb you."

The silver bell laughter chuckled, "What's the matter?"

Yin Luo said, "Yin Luo specifically came to inquire, does the Ancestor have a friend named Shi Chun?"

The frequent giggles in the mist abruptly ceased. After a slight silence, the silver bell laughter resumed, "Why do you ask that?"

What else could Yin Luo do? Naturally, he recounted everything that had happened.

After hearing the story, the silver bell laughter said, "I don't know any Shi Chun. There's no such person among my friends. I'm disliked and have no friends. Why did that fox clan youngster spread such a falsehood? It surely isn't for no reason. Quickly find out and report back to me."

Yin Luo's expression darkened. It made sense, after all. The ancestor resided in the Divine Tomb; how could she know such a minor figure? She didn't expect someone would dare to invoke the Qingqiu Ancestor so boldly and immediately bowed in response, "Yes."

After speaking, the giggling sound at his ears retreated like a tide, and in an instant, the place returned to dead silence.

Yin Luo paid his respects again before rising to leave…

Within the hall, Bai Qiru suddenly made an excuse, saying something about an unintentional disturbance, and wanted to leave, but Yin Ning stopped him.

Having gone so far as to disturb the ancestor, how could they let anyone leave without a reply?

With no ability to resist, Bai Qiru could only sit obediently, feeling his mind in a mess, heart churning. His grandmother couldn't possibly deceive him, and Yin Xu and Shi Chun should be in cahoots; why would Yin Xu tell such a lie?

She couldn't explain to the Golden-haired Rat Clan what had happened.

They didn't have to wait long. The snow-like figure of the Qingqiu Clan Leader, Yin Luo, returned. After resuming his position, his demeanor changed, lacking the previous courtesy towards guests. He asked indifferently, "Was it some Pavilion Master who told you that Shi Chun was a friend of our ancestor?"

Bai Qiru tried to maintain his calm and said, "The proprietress of Zhu Lang Pavilion in Juku State, Yin Xu, said so, directing us here to seek refuge."

Yin Luo replied coldly, "Now that you're here, you are all guests. Let's settle you down first." and she gave Yin Ning a look.

Yin Ning immediately waved some people over to lead them away for accommodation.

"Thank you, Clan Leader."

"Thanks, Clan Leader."

"Many thanks to the Clan Leader for taking us in."

Upon hearing this, the Golden-haired Rat Clan beamed with relief, their consistent chatter subsiding.

But Bai Qiru, who departed with them, couldn't bring himself to smile.

Without these meddlesome creatures around, Yin Luo slowly descended from the platform. Noticing something was off, Yin Ning approached and asked, "Clan Leader, what did the Ancestor say?"

Yin Luo glanced at her, "What else could she say? Considering the Ancestor's status, it's impossible she would know such a minor character."

Yin Ning frowned, "How could this be? Who would be foolish enough to get into such trouble? Or is there someone with ill intentions stirring things up?"

Yin Luo said, "The Ancestor is also curious as to why Yin Xu would do such a thing. Go quickly to find Yin Xu and clarify the situation. Before confirming the truth, watch over those who just arrived."

"Understood." Yin Ning accepted the task and left.

The Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain had already fallen into the vast night.

Yu Xuanbing had also sneaked into the great formation's boundary, found a hidden spot to hide, and initiated the 'Divine Splitting Skill'. An invisible red misty fish led a red line to begin investigating the situation within the Divine Mountain…

At the entrance of the void, two figures appeared. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were also returning to Juku State in the vast night. As they descended from the sky, they could see the sparkling lights of Yao Mountain City.

The two landed and first glanced towards the Divine Mountain, unaware of Yu Xuanbing's situation, unable to communicate or understand. Although there was a Mother-child Talisman given to Yu Xuanbing, he refused to accept it, saying he didn't like being disturbed during an operation, thus making it impossible to get information in time.

The two turned back to look at Yao Mountain City again; what was more pressing for them now was the situation at Zhu Lang Pavilion.

Shi Chun took out the Mother-child Talisman, starting to send a message to contact Yin Xu, but eerily enough, Yin Xu did not respond at all. He tried sending messages again and again, waiting repeatedly, but there was no response, something that had never happened before.

This was truly bizarre; contact couldn't be made with Yu Xuanbing, nor with Yin Xu.

Shi Chun's gaze towards Yao Mountain City was heavy; he really wanted to go and inquire about Zhu Lang Pavilion, but he was very hesitant.

It was for no other reason than the fact that so many people connected to him had been captured to pressure him, yet nothing happened on Yin Xu's side. He worried that someone was intentionally leaving a gap, waiting for him to walk into a trap.

The fact that Chao Yue Hall was okay could be explained by the protection from the Demon Queen; does the mistress of a Domain Master really have that much influence?

Wu Jinliang was extremely worried, saying, "Could something have already happened to her?"

At such a time, it was quite possible; it was one of the reasons Shi Chun didn't dare to go over easily.

Wu Jinliang saw his concern and suggested, "Xiao Sheng happens to be over here. Should we let him take a look?"

"I'd better go myself. You're too conspicuous with your height. Stay here and wait," Shi Chun said, getting up and flying away.

In his view, the people around him had all been investigated; anyone going to sensitive locations would be easily exposed. But he, with the predictive power of his Right Eye Superpower, along with the protection of his Magical Treasures, could have some leeway in emergencies.

At a window in Zhu Lang Pavilion, Chief Steward Hu Gongxian was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, feeling uneasy.

His anxiety was due to the important guest who had come to Zhu Lang Pavilion, brought here by the message he sent out. He was worried this guest did not come with good intentions.

The guest he worried about was none other than the West Emperor, Domain Master of Han State.

Previously, in searching for the whereabouts of the Golden-haired Rat Clan, Yin Xu had mobilized many people from Zhu Lang Pavilion. Such a commotion naturally could not be hidden from Hu Gongxian, who, upon learning about it, immediately reported the matter confidentially to the West Emperor.

He did not expect that upon hearing the news, the West Emperor would come rushing over from afar.

At this time, the West Emperor was in Yin Xu's room, neither wearing a stitch of clothing, and so was Yin Xu. The two were intertwined like usual whenever the West Emperor visited, this scene was nearly inevitable.

This was also the reason why Yin Xu hadn't received Shi Chun's transmissions; having no clothes on, her hair disheveled, the Qiankun Bag with the Mother-child Talisman had long been tossed aside, and without the item at hand, she hadn't sensed the transmissions.

After a long time, as things calmed down, the two got into an ornately carved bath filled with petal-infused water, becoming intimate once more.

The West Emperor, stripped of any airs, began to scoop water to wash Yin Xu's back, laughing lightly as he served her, "The commotion at Zhu Lang Pavilion is quite significant today, huh?"

Yin Xu, enjoying with her chin resting on her hands, opened her eyes in surprise, feigning ignorance, "What commotion?"

A cold flash appeared in the West Emperor's eyes, but he lightly patted her fair back and said, "Stop pretending to be ignorant; you sent so many men to find the Golden-haired Rat Clan with such a big movement. Do you think I'm blind?"

Yin Xu was shocked upon hearing this, quickly turning to look, her surprise evident, "Is there a mole near me?"

The West Emperor raised his hand to push her head back and pressed her to lie flat again, scolding, "Stay put."

Then he continued to scoop water, gently scrubbing her back, eventually calming the tense Yin Xu.

The West Emperor continued, "Isn't it normal for me to place spies around you? Did you think I truly ignore you all the time? Do you think you're able to hold your ground here purely by your own skills? I've been discreetly solving some troubles for you without telling you. Yet, it seems like you've been always guarding against me?"

"It's not what you think..." Yin Xu grew anxious, wanting to sit up and explain, but was pressed flat again by the hand behind her.

"Alright, no need to explain. I trust you." The West Emperor's hands were gentle, but his tone turned heavier, "The Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain just released the Golden-haired Rat Clan, and you hurried to find them, even setting eyes on the Extreme Fire Sect. Whether it's the Phoenix Clan or the Extreme Fire Sect, they're not beings we can provoke. Although I don't know what you are up to, it does worry me and make me restless, which is why I had to rush over. Yin Xu, don't you think we ought to have an open and honest talk? You can't keep making me anxious, can you?"

Yin Xu lay there in silence, unsure of how to explain the matter just yet.

The West Emperor sighed, "Alright, I'm here to solve problems, not to force you. I heard it's connected to Shi Chun, is that true?"

In the end, Yin Xu hesitated but gently affirmed.

The West Emperor's hand paused on her back, contemplating for a while before saying, "I respect your thoughts as always. Since you don't want to explain, I won't ask anymore. If you intend to help Shi Chun leave Juku State, although the guards at Xun Gate are strict, it just so happens that those on duty this time are our own people. Getting him out shouldn't be a big problem. If he wishes to leave, this might be a chance."

Yin Xu had also heard that Shi Chun was trapped and couldn't escape Juku State. Hearing this, she suddenly turned around, revealing a scenery of spring, asking, "Really?"

The West Emperor's expression darkened, "Helping has its limits, but you must understand; I can only help you once in such matters, there won't be a second time, and you mustn't let anyone know I'm involved. Also, Shi Chun is entangled in troubles; after getting rid of him, until everything concerning him is resolved, you must promise not to have contact with him. Agree to these terms, and I'll help; fail to agree, and don't blame me for not giving you face."

Yin Xu thought for a moment, then threw herself into his arms, kissing as she agreed, "Alright, I promise you."

Entwined with her, the West Emperor's eyes turned cold, gently caressing her back, "It's not just about you agreeing, right? You should ask for his opinion, better contact him and ask."

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