Chapter 639 520: How About You Pick a Date and Get Married?

For the next few days, Xiao Mo sat on the deck day and night, immersed in his cultivation.

Whenever Tushan Jing Ci had a spare moment, she would come to the deck and quietly keep him company.

However, aboard this flying ship, the Tushan Clan cultivators weren't just there to protect Tushan Jing Ci. There was also a subtle sense that they were monitoring her.

Yue Shi was worried that once her mistress returned to Tushan, her relationship with Xiao Mo would be used against her by others.

Thus, Yue Shi often pulled her mistress aside, urging her to be a little more restrained.

Although Tushan Jing Ci was quite unhappy about it, she understood.

It was also during this period that Xiang Niang would take every opportunity to make advances on Xiao Mo.

And she always chose times when Tushan Jing Ci wasn't around.

Whenever she got the chance, Xiang Niang would saunter up to Xiao Mo, swaying her slender hips.

Sometimes, she would "accidentally" drop something on the ground, then bend over in front of Xiao Mo to pick it up, purposefully revealing her Zishan Snow Sea.

At other times, she would deliberately get close to him, brushing her soft chest against his arm.

And if that didn't work, she would lift her skirt slightly to reveal a pair of long, shapely legs. Then, right in front of Xiao Mo, her fingers would trail from her pale ankles up to her smooth, full thighs.

Xiao Mo even felt that 'if I didn't deliberately keep my distance from her every time, she'd probably just press up against me and grind on me with her rear.'

At first, Xiao Mo thought this Fox Race woman, Xiang Niang, was throwing herself at him simply because she was wanton and promiscuous.

But one night, Xiang Niang secretly approached Xiao Mo and told him she was still a virgin. It was then that Xiao Mo realized things were far from as simple as they appeared.

If she were simply a "passionate person," Xiao Mo could have understood.

After all, the allure of the Fox Race was legendary, and they were naturally more open to carnal pleasures than other races.

But for her to be an inexperienced virgin made the situation rather suspicious.

'It felt as if she had failed to get a reaction out of me, and was now playing her trump card in a final attempt at seduction.'

'She was trying way too hard.'

'As for falling in love with me at first sight?'

'That was even more absurd.'

In any case, although Xiao Mo couldn't figure out the real reason behind her actions for the time being...

...he knew in his heart that Xiang Niang must have ulterior motives for getting so close to him.

...

「Three days later.」

The sky was just beginning to pale with the first light of dawn.

Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes and saw, in the distance, layers of clouds and mist drifting over majestic mountain ranges.

These clouds and mists were, in fact, a manifestation of materialized Spiritual Power.

A place so rich in Spiritual Power would typically be a Sect's restricted area, accessible for cultivation only to Inner Sect Disciples who had made sufficient contributions to the Sect.

But now, such a Blessed Land Grotto Heaven stretched across hundreds of peaks, serving merely as the home of a single race.

This alone was a testament to the Tushan Race's status and power within the Demon Race's World.

After all, without sufficient strength, the Tushan Race could never have held on to such a territory.

Huang Mingwei produced a Jade Pendant. The light emanating from it enveloped the entire flying ship, which then slowly merged into the Array.

After passing through the Array, the Tushan Clan Land was completely revealed before Xiao Mo's eyes.

Towns and villages were nestled between the peaks, creating a picturesque scene.

Spirit Beasts leaped nimbly through the mountain ravines, while foxes of all colors chased and played. Some remained in their beast forms, while others had already taken human shape, but still retained their fluffy ears and tails.

Because of the Tushan Grand Array, the Spiritual Power and Qi Fortune within this domain were preferentially allocated to the Fox Race.

Thus, any member of the Fox Race born here required no cultivation or fortuitous encounters; they were born with sentience the moment they opened their eyes.

Or perhaps, being born in the Tushan Clan Land was the greatest fortuitous encounter of their lives.

As the flying ship slowly descended, two women came forward and curtsied to Tushan Jing Ci.

"Qing Kong."

"Qing Yu."

"Greetings, Sister Tushan."

The pair of identical twin sisters spoke in unison.

Standing to one side, Xiao Mo could clearly sense that their bloodline aura was identical to Jing Ci's.

In other words, they too were descendants of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox lineage.

"Greetings, sisters."

Tushan Jing Ci returned the gesture with equal grace, her tone gentle and composed.

"I grew up away from here, so this is my first time in the Tushan Clan Land. If I am impolite in any way, I hope you two will forgive me."

"Nonsense, sister. It's your first time back in the clan land, we should be the ones to host you properly." Qing Kong smiled faintly and continued, "But before that, the Grand Elder wishes to see Sister Jing Ci. I wonder if you are free?"

"Of course, that's no problem. I'll have to trouble you both to lead the way, then," Tushan Jing Ci replied with a nod.

"In that case, My Lady, Xiao Mo and I will wait for you here," Yue Shi said tactfully. She never dreamed she would be allowed to accompany her mistress to meet the legendary Grand Elder of the Tushan Race.

"Actually..." Qing Yu turned and smiled at Xiao Mo. "The Grand Elder has ordered that Young Master Xiao should come as well."

As Qing Yu finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned to Xiao Mo in surprise. Only Xiang Niang's lips curled into a cryptic smile.

"It is my honor to meet the Grand Elder," Xiao Mo said with a calm nod. "Please, lead the way."

"This way."

Qing Kong and Qing Yu turned gracefully and led Xiao Mo and Tushan Jing Ci toward the main peak.

An incense stick's time later, Tushan Jing Ci and Xiao Mo arrived before a grand hall.

"The Grand Elder is waiting for you inside. You may go right in," said Qing Kong.

"Thank you, sisters." Tushan Jing Ci nodded in thanks and led Xiao Mo into the grand hall.

The great doors of the hall slowly swung shut on their own.

At the far end of the hall, a woman in a white robe stood waiting quietly.

"Jing Ci."

"Xiao Mo."

"We pay our respects to the Grand Elder."

The two bowed in unison.

The Grand Elder slowly turned. Her gaze landed on Tushan Jing Ci and Xiao Mo, and she smiled faintly. "No need for such ceremony. Rise."

"Yes, Grand Elder."

The pair straightened up and looked at her.

The woman before them looked to be in her forties and exuded a frigid, unapproachable aura.

As for her looks, it went without saying.

The Nine-tailed Celestial Foxes were all great beauties. There were no exceptions.

As for why they were all "beauties"...

...it was because no matter what race a Nine-tailed Celestial Fox paired with, their offspring were always, without fail, girls.

As the Grand Elder looked at Tushan Jing Ci, a strange light flashed in her eyes; she was using her Lifebound Divine Abilities to probe Tushan Jing Ci's Root Bone.

At the same time, Tushan Jing Ci felt her Divine Soul being invaded, bit by bit. It seemed the other woman was attempting to control her.

'She's testing me.'

Tushan Jing Ci circulated her Spiritual Power, and three breaths later, the soul-controlling Technique was quietly undone.

"Not bad, not bad at all."

The Grand Elder gazed at Tushan Jing Ci, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"As expected of our Tushan Race's finest disciple. Both your Root Bone and the strength of your Divine Soul are truly exceptional. It has been a long time since our Nine-tailed Celestial Fox lineage has seen such a satisfactory junior."

"You praise me too highly, Grand Elder," Tushan Jing Ci said humbly. "I still have many shortcomings compared to my other sisters."

"Hahaha, and so humble," Grand Elder Tushan Meng said with a light, kindly smile. "Your mother told me you were lively and mischievous, even a bit headstrong. But today, I see someone well-read and sensible, poised and graceful."

"Alright, alright, I won't praise you anymore, or your mother will chide me for making you complacent and letting you slack off in your cultivation."

"Jing Ci, I know this is your first time in the clan land, so there must be many things you aren't yet accustomed to. It's not a major issue; you'll naturally adapt over time. If you need anything, just come find me at Hanpo Peak."

"Yes, Grand Elder," Tushan Jing Ci replied with a nod.

"Also, there is one more matter, though I'm not sure if you'll agree," the Grand Elder said, looking at Tushan Jing Ci amicably, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Please speak, Grand Elder. I am listening." Though Tushan Jing Ci sounded as if she trusted the Grand Elder completely, in her heart, she was already growing wary.

"In my entire life, I have only accepted two disciples. One of them was your mother. Now, seeing your exceptional talent, I find myself wanting to accept another."

Tushan Meng looked at Tushan Jing Ci with anticipation, her tone full of affection for the younger generation.

"Jing Ci, would you be willing to become my disciple and serve as the Tushan Race's new Saintess?"

"This... Grand Elder, it would be my great fortune to become your disciple. But as for the position of Tushan Saintess, I am neither virtuous nor talented enough. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."

Tushan Jing Ci's eyes darted about, a hint of hesitation on her face.

'There was nothing wrong with becoming the Tushan Saintess. In fact, most disciples of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox lineage dreamed of the position.'

'That was because the Saintess was destined to become the next matriarch of Tushan.'

'But I've only just arrived in the clan land and I know nothing. How could I bear such a heavy responsibility?'

'Besides, she had never even thought about leading the Tushan Race.'

"Hahaha, you don't need to be so quick to refuse. You can think it over. Just tell me when you've decided."

Tushan Meng didn't seem to want to force the issue and nonchalantly changed the subject.

"As for this Attendant of yours, Jing Ci, this old woman has heard about him. Not only did he save your life when you were a child, but his talent is remarkable—he has already entered the Golden Core Realm at such a young age. I, this old woman, also have something to give him."

Hearing the Grand Elder's words, Xiao Mo and Tushan Jing Ci exchanged a glance.

"Xiao Mo, is it?" Tushan Meng's gaze fell on Xiao Mo, sizing him up.

"I see you have yet to take a wife. Among the Tushan disciples who came to greet you, there is a girl named Xiang Niang. She is a fine woman of our Tushan Race."

"Today, I, this old woman, will act as a matchmaker."

"I will betroth Xiang Niang to you. You two can choose an auspicious day to be wed. What do you say?"