Before heading out, Su Su pondered for a moment, still feeling uneasy. She took out the Yellow Talisman and stared at it for a while. That little freak had a strange temper and was overly suspicious—she couldn’t afford to underestimate him.
The Teleportation Talisman was her trump card, and she had to protect it at all costs.
After lingering inside for a long time, Su Su stepped out and was immediately stopped.
A maid said coldly, "Stay where you are, miss. Allow us to inspect you first."
She made no attempt to seek Su Su’s consent. Su Su blocked her wrist and asked, "Did Tantai Jin order this inspection?"
The maid replied expressionlessly, "His Highness said you are full of tricks and must have your claws clipped before being sent over."
She inspected Su Su thoroughly, retrieving a pouch of powder from her waist.
The maid sniffed it, glanced at Su Su in surprise, and said, "This is my tribe’s Bewitching Incense."
Su Su gave her an awkward smile.
The maid continued her search downward, picking up various small trinkets. Finally, she even checked Su Su’s hair, removing her hairpin and saying, "These are all sharp objects. For dancing, a ribbon will suffice."
With that, she waved her hand, and another maid tied a simple white ribbon in Su Su’s hair.
When the maid noticed the curved jade bracelet on Su Su’s wrist, she tried to remove it.
But the curved jade had Shapeshifted, fitting snugly around Su Su’s wrist.
Su Su said, "I’ve worn this since I was a child—it can’t be removed. You wouldn’t make me cut off my hand, would you? How could I dance without hands?"
The maid tried for a while and, finding it truly immovable as Su Su claimed, noted the bracelet’s smooth surface and assumed it had no hidden mechanisms, so she gave up.
Rubbing her sore wrist, Su Su couldn’t help but say, "If your prince is so afraid of dying, he shouldn’t have let me out!"
The maid remained unmoved and said, "Follow me to the front courtyard."
Su Su lifted her white water sleeves and followed her.
While the maid wasn’t paying attention, Su Su made a subtle grab near her waist, and a Talisman Paper silently slipped into Su Su’s sleeve.
Su Su curved her lips and hid the talisman securely.
Long ago, her father had traveled the world and witnessed mortal magic tricks.
During boring days in the mountains, he would entertain Su Su with these novelties.
Su Su had watched with great interest, marveling at how clever mortals were—without Spiritual Power, they relied on their intelligent minds.
The maid would never have imagined that Su Su’s earlier block was a deliberate move to hide something on her.
As they approached the courtyard, the maid asked Su Su, "What kind of music would you like?"
Su Su replied indifferently, "Anything."
The maid frowned, thinking to herself how arrogant this girl was—could she really keep up with any tune?
They arrived at a courtyard, and the maid announced, "Your Highness, she is here."
Yang Ji poured wine for Tantai Jin.
He was a shrewd man and, noticing Tantai Jin’s interest in hearing about the Yiyue tribe’s Gu Poison, selectively shared such stories.
Yang Ji knew that Tantai Jin wouldn’t stay at the border for long—once his arrangements were in place, he would return to the Zhou Kingdom.
War had already broken out beyond the borders, and Tantai Jin, ambitious and determined, was set on contending for the world.
There were benefits to currying favor with him: if Tantai Jin won, Yang Ji would become a trusted confidant of the emperor; if he lost, the Yiyue tribe could hide and seek another path.
The Yiyue tribe had always been adept at concealment. Over the centuries, through dynastic changes and shifting landscapes, only the Yiyue tribe had tenaciously survived.
Once Tantai Jin left with his army, Yang Ji would transform into an ordinary, cunning merchant.
Tantai Jin picked up his wine cup and paused when he heard the maid’s announcement. He looked toward the entrance.
Yang Ji also turned to look at the door.The Yiyue dancers possessed both grace and beauty of the highest caliber, so why was His Highness so insistent on having a prisoner perform a dance?
Soon, Yang Ji saw this "prisoner."
The young girl was dressed in a white Yiyue tribal dance costume—someone had found her clothes that were slightly too large.
The sash accentuated her slender waist, while the collar hung loosely.
Compared to those mature, enchanting dancers with captivating figures, she was just a slightly unripe young girl.
A white silk ribbon trailed behind her head, adorned with a few simple pearls.
Yang Ji's first impression was that this girl was pure—so pure she carried a hint of cool, pristine innocence.
He didn't see anything particularly special about Su Su. If one spoke of beauties, Tantai Jin's own appearance was second to none, truly stunning.
Although the girl's face was quite lovely and her skin fairer than others', she wasn't breathtakingly beautiful.
Yet Yang Ji noticed the moment she entered, Tantai Jin's body stiffened slightly, his pitch-black eyes fixed unblinkingly on her.
His Highness clenched his fingers into a fist, unconsciously pressing it to his lips as he watched the girl.
It was a gesture denoting disgust and mockery, but Yang Ji inexplicably detected a thread of anticipation.
Influenced by him, Yang Ji couldn't help but grow expectant, thinking, Could it be that this girl dances exceptionally well?
Besides them, several servants in the courtyard also stole glances at Su Su.
Everyone was anticipating a "dance that would astonish the world."
As Su Su walked in, she nearly tripped over her own long water sleeves.
Having no skill in dancing, she barely managed to keep a straight face, adopting a haughty and cold expression. Her gaze met Tantai Jin's, who had his hand pressed against his lips.
Their eyes locked. Tantai Jin stared intently at her, pointing to the dancers nearby and saying, "If you don't dance better than them, you'll be dragged out and beheaded."
"Is there no room for negotiation?" Su Su asked.
Tantai Jin curled his lips. "Those who are utterly useless don't deserve to live."
Su Su felt he might as well have worn a sneer on his face.
By deliberately comparing her to the dancers, his intentions were clear. Fine, then she wouldn't hold back either.
The musicians began to play a lively tune. Having occasionally heard zither music on the Immortal Mountain, Su Su was familiar with musical rhythm.
Drawing on the original host's memories, she shook out her water sleeves.
Tantai Jin leaned back in his chair, watching her dance with a mocking gaze.
Her figure was nimble, the layers of white gauze spreading around her like a dazzling, sacred beauty.
For a short while, no one realized she couldn't dance.
Yang Ji's mustache twitched as he found the dance quite novel, unlike anything he'd seen before.
Su Su reasoned that dancing was probably similar to sword dancing.
She lightly tapped her toes, spinning softly to the rhythm.
Stealthily, she moved closer to Tantai Jin.
Soon, a trace of doubt appeared on Yang Ji's face. Why did this seem less like dancing and more like fooling around?
But since His Highness remained silent, he didn't dare speak up.
Yang Ji glanced at Tantai Jin—His Highness was still watching the girl.
Su Su's dance skirt flared like a blooming flower. Distractedly, she thought, In a moment, I'll use my water sleeves to scoop up the warmed wine on the table and splash it right in this pervert's face.
However, man proposes, God disposes.
When she tried to coil her sleeves around the wine pot, she realized something was wrong.
Dancing and cultivation were entirely different matters.
She had spun countless times and was still feverish. Once she stopped, her head spun dizzily, unable to distinguish directions.
Her sleeve brushed past the wine pot but failed to lift it. Instead, she lost her balance and fell backward.When Yang Ji saw her lunging forward, he thought she was attempting an assassination and quickly exclaimed, "Your Highness, be careful!"
Not only Yang Ji, but even the mockery at the corner of Tantai Jin's lips froze.
He watched as the white veil fluttered, the girl's cheeks flushed crimson, stumbling unsteadily as if about to collapse weakly.
Under Yang Ji's panicked gaze, Tantai Jin's pupils contracted slightly, his mind deaf to Yang Ji's words.
Only one thought remained in his heart: What happened to her? His movements bypassed conscious thought as he grabbed her sleeve, catching the girl just as she fell into his embrace.
They tumbled together, the ribbon from her hair tangling around his fingers. The fragrance from her body unexpectedly permeated the surrounding air.
Her white skirt draped over his black cloak, the girl resembling a disoriented butterfly, dizzy and lost as she landed in his arms.
Yang Ji was dumbfounded, the words "Protect His Highness" stuck in his throat.
Tantai Jin was knocked to the ground by her, meeting her startled eyes. He stared blankly at her approaching face.
Su Su hadn't expected this either.
She lay atop him, the youth beneath her with ink-black hair and crimson lips, his expression gloomy and pale, yet his eyes held a trace of bewilderment.
Before he could react, Su Su flashed him a smile.
"Sorry about this."
Since you delivered yourself to me, I won't hold back.
She tightened her water sleeves around Tantai Jin's neck. Sure enough, the confusion on his face vanished instantly, replaced by fury.
Su Su pulled the sleeves tighter, her grip steady, precise, and ruthless, turning his pale complexion into a flushed peach-blossom hue.
The corners of Tantai Jin's eyes took on a vivid red, but his gaze seemed to carry shards of ice, his expression beyond mere rage. Su Su felt that if she released him now, he would undoubtedly draw the sword beside him and slice her into a thousand pieces.
Su Su grinned at him and declared loudly, "You ungrateful wretch, this is for using me!"
Tantai Jin's expression turned sinister. Without a word, he gripped her wrist tightly, unwilling to let her strangle him to death.
No one had anticipated this turn of events. Yang Ji hurriedly said, "You demoness, release His Highness!"
Su Su stood up, pulling Tantai Jin with her. Knowing her hostage was a reckless madman, she tightened the water sleeves, deliberately preventing him from speaking.
Su Su said to Yang Ji, "You're the real demon! Where is the Seven-tailed Fox imprisoned? If you don't tell me, I'll kill him."
Yang Ji glanced at Tantai Jin's face, seeing he was too choked to utter a word, and knew Su Su had acted ruthlessly.
Yang Ji quickly said, "Bring the Demon Fox here."
Soon, someone carried over a Black Iron Cage containing a curled-up yellow fox.
Su Su asked it, "Where is the Desolate Abyss?"
She didn't hold much hope, as the Demon Fox was also her enemy. But only a great demon would know the way to the Desolate Abyss, and every time she encountered one, they fought before she could speak. Su Su didn't want to search for other demons.
The Demon Fox exuded a heavy aura of death.
Hearing the words "Desolate Abyss," its ears twitched, and it lifted its head. Among all demonic creatures, fox demons were likely the most intelligent. It glanced at Su Su, then at Tantai Jin, and suddenly said in a hoarse voice, "Take me with you, and I'll lead you to the Desolate Abyss."
Su Su hesitated. Though she wanted to go to the Desolate Abyss, the fox demon had killed so many people. She couldn't make a pact with a tiger and let it escape.
The fox demon seemed to read her thoughts. "I won't run. I only wish to die now. You can take me with you and kill me."In Tantai Jin's grasp, she couldn't even seek death.
Su Su said, "Fine."
Holding Tantai Jin hostage, she ordered the cage to be opened.
Yang Ji hardly dared to look at His Highness's expression—it was too terrifying. But with Tantai Jin in Su Su's control, they had to comply with her demands.
The fox demon, covered in blood, walked over to Su Su.
Su Su asked her, "Can you conceal your demonic aura?"
The fox demon replied, "Yes."
Su Su nodded. "Hold onto me."
The fox demon grabbed Su Su's skirt. She had no idea what Tantai Jin had forced her to consume, but now she couldn't even shapeshift.
Su Su released Tantai Jin, shoving him toward Yang Ji.
In an instant, the young man turned and desperately clutched her clothes.
Su Su looked up and saw his crimson-tinged eyes and the hatred burning in his gaze. His throat had been injured by her chokehold, rendering him unable to utter a single word.
Su Su curved her eyes and moved her lips: "Goodbye." You little freak, who wants to play with you?
The Teleportation Talisman activated. Su Su grabbed the fox demon and vanished into a flash of white light. Tantai Jin tightly gripped her sleeve, tearing off a piece of gauze, but could only watch helplessly as she disappeared before his eyes, her expression cheerful.
He was thrown out of the formation. The surrounding maids, seeing his terrifying expression, had long knelt in fear.
Yang Ji awkwardly approached with an ingratiating smile. "Heh heh, it's good that Your Highness is unharmed."
Tantai Jin viciously kicked him.
Idiot! How could you let her escape? How could you let her go!
He drew his sword and swung it at Yang Ji on the spot.
Yang Ji had never seen him in such a frenzied state. He knelt and cried out, "Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"
A Night Shadow Guard in black robes stepped forward, kneeling before Tantai Jin with a fist salute.
Tantai Jin took a deep breath, regained his composure, and threw down his sword.
He forced a kind and apologetic smile, helping Yang Ji up.
Yang Ji trembled uncontrollably. Staring at Tantai Jin's harmless, apologetic smile, he realized for the first time how naive he had been to think the Yiyue tribe could escape unscathed.
Tantai Jin gazed in the direction where Su Su had disappeared, his fingers tracing the marks on his neck.
If he ever encountered her again in this lifetime—otherwise!
As winter gave way to summer, spring soon arrived in the Central Plains.
Yet the far north remained a land of towering ice mountains.
A young woman in purple tightened her cloak and looked down from above, holding a fox in her arms.
A Snow Swan spread its wings and descended. It shook its feathers, allowing Su Su and the fox demon to dismount.
Su Su patted its head. "Thank you."
The Snow Swan nuzzled her hand, shrank in size, and flew into the sky.
Su Su watched it fly away. She hadn't expected to encounter this Snow Swan after her escape that day.
She remembered it—one of the naive creatures lured by the Divine Artifact and the Peach Tree Demon.
She had released it earlier and even fed it Talisman Water. When the Snow Swan met her again, it accompanied her on her journey.
Pian Ran in her arms remarked sarcastically, "You certainly have a way with others."
Su Su ignored her. "Where is the entrance to the Desolate Abyss?"
"There is no entrance, but ten years ago, a breach appeared in the seal."
The demonic beasts that had been sealed away escaped through that breach.
Pian Ran said, "I'll tell you how to enter through the breach, but then you must kill me."
Su Su looked at her with mixed emotions. "You..."Pian Ran's eyes held self-mockery: "Jiang Rao is dead. What use is absorbing human essence to me? When Qingqiu still existed, my grandmother said that those who walk the path of Demonic Cultivators and feed on essence will eventually perish under the Lightning Tribulation."
"You knew it was a path of no return, yet you still walked it. Did you know that even if Jiang Rao became Hanba, you couldn't be together?"
Pian Ran remained silent.
Of course she knew. But when you love someone, even if it's just for a day—born at dawn, dead by dusk—you charge forward without hesitation.
Su Su thought of Ye Chu Feng: "My second brother is still waiting for you."
Pian Ran said: "He killed Jiang Rao. I hate him." She lowered her head, and Su Su couldn't read emotions from a fox's face.
Su Su didn't know if Pian Ran had ever loved her second brother, nor what Ye Chu Feng would feel when he learned of Pian Ran's death.
Pian Ran gazed at the snowy mountains: "Little girl, can you summon Karmic Fire?"
Su Su hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Pian Ran said: "After you enter the Desolate Abyss, send me Karmic Fire. If you see Ye Chu Feng again, tell him for me that I never loved him, and he never loved me. Everything that happened was only because he fell under my Charm Spell."
Su Su was stunned.
Pian Ran was lying. Even a nine-tailed fox could only bewitch minds, not create feelings of "love."
Love and lust were two different things—magic wasn't omnipotent. Second brother loved Pian Ran, foolishly, stupidly, recklessly, and genuinely loved Pian Ran.
Understanding something, Su Su patted Pian Ran's head: "Alright."
Pian Ran laughed and cried: "After the Karmic Fire burns everything away, I can go to Jiang Rao pure and clean. Come closer..."
Following Pian Ran's method, at the foot of the iceberg, a black crack slowly opened in the air.
Su Su felt somewhat emotional—she had finally found the Desolate Abyss.
Before entering the Desolate Abyss, Su Su looked back at the fox in the snow.
Pian Ran walked in the opposite direction from Su Su, toward a small cluster of Karmic Fire burning there. Yet one cluster was enough—enough to scatter Pian Ran's soul.
Engulfed in Karmic Fire, she walked forward without looking back.
On the ice, the fox's tears fell drop by drop.
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