Chapter 138

Chapter 138

After a deep and restful sleep, Luo Ci awoke feeling warm and secure, as if he had returned to his days as a cub.

When he was first brought to the divine palace, he was terrified of thunder. Lu Yun would let him rest on his lap, cover him with a thin blanket, and gently soothe him until he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Upon waking, Luo Ci stretched languidly under the covers before even opening his eyes. He lifted a tiny paw to rub his eyelids, then slowly blinked them open, his small face instantly clouding with confusion—why was Lu Yun here?

"Chirp...?"

Lu Yun?

No, no, he must still be dreaming.

Luo Ci pressed his little paws to his face, closed his eyes for a moment, then moved them away. Huh? It seemed he wasn't dreaming after all.

Lu Yun watched the foolish little fox, who still believed he was experiencing a drunken hallucination. He extended his palm. "Touch it. See if it's real."

Luo Ci tilted his head in a daze, then tentatively placed his small, soft paw onto the broad hand. Feeling the familiar warmth, his fluffy ear tips instantly perked up. "Chirp-chirp!" It's real!

He immediately flung himself into Lu Yun’s arms, rubbing his head against Lu Yun’s shoulder. "Chirp-yee..." Lu Yun, Lu Yun, is it really you?

Lu Yun gently tapped his little nose. "What do you think?"

Luo Ci tugged at his sleeve. "Chirp-ya..." Then, do you remember what I said last night?

Lu Yun held the little fox’s paw in his palm. "Was it you saying you missed me, or you clamoring to become my Dao companion?"

"Chirp!" So he remembered everything!

Though he often spoke such words normally, having whimpered and fussed like that while drunk felt inexplicably embarrassing.

With a huff, Luo Ci squirmed his cotton-ball-like body, burying his head under the covers, leaving only his snow-white tail exposed.

Lu Yun: "Then, do you remember what I said yesterday?"

After a moment, a small ear poked out from the blankets. "...Yee?"

...What was it?

"I missed you too."

A few breaths later, the small lump under the covers slowly shifted. The little fox dragged the blanket along as he burrowed into Lu Yun’s arms, peeking out just his face from the folds. He placed a paw on Lu Yun’s palm, his ear tips pink and warm.

Lu Yun chuckled softly, gathering the fox, blanket and all, into his embrace.

The little fox pressed his warm face against Lu Yun’s chest and nuzzled against him. Lu Yun gently stroked his soft, silky fur.

While seeing the little fox shy was a rare sight, Lu Yun now wished for him to emerge from the covers to get a proper look at him. He subtly changed the subject. "How was your time in the immortal realm? Did you enjoy it?"

"Chirp-chirp..." His tail naturally coiled around Lu Yun’s arm as Luo Ci tugged at his sleeve and chattered excitedly about his adventures in the immortal realm.

Apparently, the immortal realm had merged with other worlds. When I was in the demon realm, I even joined them...

Luo Ci continued to babble, blinking in amazement. "Chirp-ya..."

How marvelous.

Lu Yun: "It’s not strange."

Luo Ci tilted his head in confusion. "Chirp?" Little Fluffball said the same thing. Why?

Lu Yun: "Beyond one world lies another. The merging and transformation of worlds are natural laws. The same applies to the three thousand mortal realms. Since the division of primordial chaos, they have undergone dozens of cycles of evolution and fusion. This is the law of the world."

Luo Ci seemed to grasp it somewhat—so the merging of small worlds wasn't an uncommon occurrence.

Lu Yun: "Ordinary beings cannot control the Heavenly Dao, nor can they defy the laws of the world. Following fate and doing what is right—this is the Dao cultivated by immortals."

Luo Ci transformed into his human form, resting his chin in his hand. "But can't one defy heaven?"

"Of course, some do," Lu Yun’s gaze grew distant as he spoke slowly. "To protect what is important, going against fate requires immense effort and a long passage of time..."

"When you cultivate your ninth tail, I will take you to a certain place."

At this, Luo Ci’s ears instantly perked up.

Where was Lu Yun taking him?

And why did he have to wait until he cultivated nine tails? Was it in the divine palace, or the ancient streets?

But he had clearly explored everywhere. Was there truly somewhere he hadn't been?

He wrapped his large tail around Lu Yun’s waist, hugging his arm and swaying playfully. "Take me now~"

Lu Yun: "Not yet."

Luo Ci puffed out his cheeks. "Why?"

"Your cultivation isn’t sufficient."

Luo Ci’s puffed cheeks deflated, and he drooped his ears, looking at Lu Yun pitifully.

Then, as if struck by a thought, his eyes brightened. He climbed into Lu Yun’s lap. "Then tell me what’s inside?"

Lu Yun shook his head. "It cannot be spoken of."

Luo Ci’s curiosity was fully ignited. He blinked his big eyes and held up one tiny finger. "Just a little, a tiny bit?"

Lu Yun: "Only you can enter that place."

Luo Ci stared at him, and seeing that Lu Yun truly wouldn't reveal more, his curiosity soared.

It was like someone tickling him with a feather—Luo Ci was consumed by curiosity. He couldn't help but try to use telepathy to listen to Lu Yun’s thoughts, but he heard nothing.

He sat up abruptly, huffing. "Are you blocking me again?"

Lu Yun tapped his little head. "You shouldn't eavesdrop on hearts casually."

"..." Luo Ci pouted, his tail lashing unhappily. "But you’re going to be my Dao companion."

Lu Yun didn’t refute this. "Mm."

Luo Ci froze for a moment, then looked up. "You agreed?"

"I agreed."

Lu Yun: "But do you know what a Dao companion is?"

Luo Ci pondered for a moment. "A relationship where we can kiss?"

He lay on Lu Yun's chest, tugging at his sleeve, lifting his head with effort, the tips of his ears tinged with a faint blush: "Can I kiss you now?"

Lu Yun hadn’t expected the little one’s thoughts to be so uninhibited, nor had he anticipated how much his own emotions would fluctuate at the little one’s words. After calming himself slightly, he responded with a low hum.

Luo Ci looped his arms around Lu Yun’s neck and leaned in close.

The scent of flowers mingled with the little one’s own fragrance, and his warm breath tickled Lu Yun’s neck, making him stand slightly stiffly in place.

Luo Ci planted a loud kiss on his cheek, then ran off with a grin: "I’m going to tell Little Fluffball we’re Dao companions now!"

Watching the little fox dart away, Lu Yun was uncharacteristically stunned.

The little fox always managed to do the unexpected.

All the mental preparation he had done seemed wasted. Now he felt both amused and a little melancholic.

The little fox hadn’t changed much from his cub days—his understanding of kissing was no different than before.

It seemed that getting this little fox to truly comprehend such matters would indeed be a long and arduous journey.

As for becoming Dao companions… that truly couldn't be rushed.

Lu Yun let out a deep sigh.

……

The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, a wave of sounds instantly flooded his ears.

Only then did Luo Ci realize how quiet the room had been—it was due to the barrier that had been set up.

In just a few days, the Blessed Grotto had regained its vibrant atmosphere, filled with melons, fruits, and wild potatoes planted by the Nanshan Sect members.

Vines, lush and vibrant, thrived under the nourishing spiritual energy, bearing plump, delightful fruits beneath them.

Though these fruits weren’t high-grade spiritual plants, growing in such an energy-rich environment had imbued them with enough spiritual essence to make one's mouth water.

The Nanshan Sect members gathered around the Snow-Robed Immortal, whose billowing sleeves and silver hair framed a pale, delicate face. With sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing elegantly sculpted wrists, the immortal looked down with what seemed like pity for all creatures. Never having seen such a celestial being before, the sect members frequently surrounded him, asking about immortal techniques and cultivation.

"Last night, divine light suddenly filled the skies," Qing Yue said, noticing Luo Ci emerge from the courtyard, and stepped toward him. "Everyone’s been asking about the cause… Could it be that the Ancient God has descended upon the immortal realm?"

Luo Ci nodded, surprised that news had traveled so fast in just a day.

But Lu Yun had never liked the immortal realm, nor did he enjoy being disturbed. Even in the divine palace, the Divine Attendants maintained silence as much as possible.

If the Nanshan Sect members came to kneel and worship, it might displease him.

As Luo Ci pondered this, Qing Yue gave a faint smile. "The Little Fox Lord once said the Ancient God dislikes noise, so I advised them not to disturb him. Was that the right call, Little Fox Lord?"

Luo Ci immediately praised him: "Yes, you did well."

Qing Yue’s pale eyes brightened almost imperceptibly. "Actually… I’ve been waiting here for you."

Luo Ci blinked in confusion. "Waiting for me?"

Qing Yue drew a lotus bracelet from his sleeve and gently slipped it onto Luo Ci’s wrist, smiling faintly. "This is the Nine-Heart Lotus Bracelet, handcrafted by me. It can dispel miasma and fire poison, serving as both a protective talisman and a vessel for lotus seeds. Each seed is an incarnation of me. Even if the Little Fox Lord returns to the divine realm, I can remain by your side. Please accept it."

Little Fluffball, basking in the sun on a nearby camphor tree branch, snorted at this.

"One resentful lotus seed isn’t enough—now you’re making a dozen clones? What, planning to take turns lecturing the little fox every day?"

To Little Fluffball, this lotus was like a spirit brimming with resentment. One wasn't enough; he had to create a dozen clones.

Besides, those lotus seeds were probably all his tears. Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps.

He had seen through it: this immortal lotus might appear compassionate, but in reality, he was full of resentment and ill intentions. They had been in the Blessed Grotto for so long, yet the clay figure hadn't come to check on them. No doubt this dark lotus had something to do with it.

Qing Yue gave him a sidelong glance, seemingly unwilling to argue.

Sensing Luo Ci’s presence, the tiny winged fish leaped from the spirit stream and fluttered over.

Luo Ci found its flight adorable, its tail swishing as it moved. He fished out some dried fruit from his sleeve and fed it to the fish.

Watching the little fox feed the winged fish, Little Fluffball, still perched on the branch, suddenly recalled his first meeting with the little fox—almost identical to the scene before him now. Jealousy burned in his gut, a fire that made his stomach ache.

He jumped down from the tree and tugged at Luo Ci’s sleeve: "...Roar."

Luo Ci blinked. "You want some too?"

He tilted his head. "But you don’t like dried fruit, do you?"

Even so, he handed over a couple of pieces.

"Grrr..."

Little Fluffball let out a low growl, noisily chewing the tasteless fruit, pretending to enjoy it immensely.

Qing Yue’s third eye on his forehead subtly opened and closed, seeing through everything, deep in thought.

Luo Ci curled up beneath the camphor tree, hugging his knees and resting his chin on his hands. "Oh, right—Lu Yun agreed to be my Dao companion. It seems even the divine realm struggles to bear Lu Yun’s divine power, so the immortal realm would fare even worse. Lu Yun won’t come here, and once I return to the divine palace, it will be difficult for me to visit the immortal realm again."

He had discussed this with Qing Yue before—the immortal realm would struggle to bear Lu Yun’s divine energy, and one wrong move could lead to its collapse. So Lu Yun couldn't stay long in the immortal realm.

He had already used up all the Prosperity Stones. The only way back would be through the Ancient Stele, which opened only once every 360 years.

For immortals, time was fluid. Secluded cultivation could last centuries or millennia. After finally emerging to spend time with his partner, how could he leave him behind to wander the lower realms?

Leaving Lu Yun alone in the divine palace for six jiazi cycles? He couldn’t bear that thought.

Luo Ci swished his tail proudly—he was a very considerate partner, after all.

The news of the little fox and the Ancient God becoming Dao companions was completely unexpected.

Little Fluffball’s jaw dropped, and the dried fruit "plinked" from his mouth. If his stomach hurt before, now his heart felt a similar pang of injury.

Then, the azure sky was suddenly veiled by a heavy divine light, like enormous hands slowly tearing the sky apart. The entire sky seemed to tremble as the gap widened into a black hole, growing larger and larger. Every being in the immortal realm looked up in unison.

Luo Ci’s jaw dropped as he watched the sky turn ink-black. A magnificent, majestic palace emerged from the void, its eaves adorned with colossal, fierce ancient birds.

By the time the divine light dissipated, the torn sky gradually stitched itself back together, restoring the endless blue expanse.

The newly appeared towers and halls reflected across the vast, mirror-like lake below.