Chapter 964: Once You Miss It, You Miss It

"Mister, who was that young lady?"

Struck by the young man's earnest gaze and dazed question, Chen Changsheng was briefly taken aback.

He smiled. "We were just on the mountain a moment ago. Why didn't you ask her yourself?"

Ning Bufan looked a bit uncomfortable at that. He lowered his eyes, seemingly a little shy, but stubbornly said, "I... I was just curious."

Chen Changsheng gave a warm smile. "If you were curious, you should have asked her yourself. What is the point of asking someone else?"

With that, the Mister walked on.

Ning Bufan paused, Chen Changsheng's words echoing in his mind. He turned his head to look back at the snow-capped mountain towering into the clouds. He opened his mouth to speak.

But on second thought, even if he did ask, that young lady probably wouldn't hear him now anyway. He let out a soft sigh and set off again.

Perhaps this was fate, he thought.

Once you missed it, you missed it. There was no turning back.

A moment later, however, he let it all go.

Chen Changsheng glanced back as Ning Bufan caught up to him. He stroked his chin, musing that Ning Bufan's mindset was extraordinary. Not only did the young man possess outstanding talent, but his temperament was also far from ordinary.

If he focused on cultivation, he would surely achieve great things.

Yet it was a pity.

Ning Bufan's heart was not set on that path.

But it didn't matter. There were thousands of paths in this world. For some people, whether a path was good or bad simply wasn't important.

"I thought you would turn back and ask," Chen Changsheng said.

Ning Bufan pursed his lips. "That young lady was truly peerless in beauty. I won't hide it from you, Mister, I was indeed a bit moved. For a moment I doubted myself, but on second thought, I understood. This is probably what people call love at first sight. The feeling is truly extraordinary. I've experienced it, but I won't turn back. Once you miss it, you miss it. There is nothing to dwell on."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "More like lust at first sight?"

Ning Bufan blushed a little, but answered seriously, "That's not what I meant, Mister. It really is different. I don't even know what lust is. Sigh, how should I explain it... it's just..."

He couldn't put it into words. Sometimes it was just like that.

It was always difficult to describe these things.

"If you find yourself constantly thinking about her in the future, don't regret walking away today," Chen Changsheng said.

Ning Bufan opened his mouth. After a moment of thought, he said, "Mister, I think I will probably think of this young lady again, but I wouldn't call it regret. People often say the path is beneath your feet; how can there be any reason to turn back?"

Chen Changsheng gave a slight nod, feeling that this made perfect sense.

Ning Bufan changed the subject. "Mister, are we in the territory of Yuanshan now?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "This is the Demon Domain. Yuanshan is just a part of it."

Curious, Ning Bufan asked, "Does that mean there are only demons here, and no humans?"

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment before saying, "Perhaps there are."

"Perhaps?"

"Mhm."

Chen Changsheng kept walking. "Let's go."

Ning Bufan scratched his head, his curiosity piqued.

But as he considered this, his mind wandered again.

He had to admit the Mister was incredibly accurate. They hadn't gone far before he thought of Miss Yu Die again.

Ning Bufan let out a helpless sigh and hurriedly shook his head, but her figure lingered in his mind, making it hard for him to let go.

"This is a bit unsettling..."

Ning Bufan muttered, lowering his head with a soft sigh.

He looked up and took in the endless mountain ranges stretching before him. This place felt like a world apart. Unlike Huaixu in the Mortal World, this realm seemed to be in perpetual spring, painted in an expanse of jade green.

The calls of clever birds echoed endlessly through the mountains, streams babbled, and the trees rustled in the wind.

Surrounded by such nature, one's mind naturally grew peaceful.

Compared to the Mortal World, the vital energy of the plants here was much more abundant. This was tied to qi destiny. For a very long time, the qi destiny of the demon race had flourished far beyond that of humans, and with no other qi destiny here to compete for dominance, the vital energy was overflowing.

Ning Bufan looked around, feeling that this place was excellent. It was quiet, like a land beyond the world—and indeed, it truly was one.

As they walked through the forest, a sudden rustling reached their ears.

Ning Bufan frowned slightly and looked over.

On the path ahead, a four-tailed fox had appeared out of nowhere. It bore a scar across its face and pronounced fangs, exuding an aura of chilling killing intent.

"This place is governed by my Yuanshan Fox Clan. Humans, ghost immortals, and Buddhas are forbidden to enter. Retreat at once!"

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng cupped his hands slightly. "I hope you will go and inform the Fox Lord. This Chen, named Changsheng, has come specifically to pay a visit."

Hearing this, the four-tailed spiritual fox frowned. With a shake of its body, it transformed into a fierce-looking man. The scar ran from his brow down to the corner of his mouth, instilling fear in anyone who looked at him.

Hu Jin slightly cupped his hands, returning the greeting. "My name is Hu Jin, one of the guardians of Yuanshan. From your words, you are acquainted with my Lord? Do you happen to have a token?"

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment before shaking his head. "The Fox Lord never left This Chen any token. But speaking of which, your name is Hu Jin? Do you know Hu Yin?"

Hu Jin was taken aback. "You've met my older brother?"

"He is your older brother?" Chen Changsheng asked.

Hu Jin paused, and then heard Chen Changsheng say, "You do not need to worry. Hu Yin is currently managing the Demon Market in the Mortal World, and everything is going well."

Hearing this, Hu Jin beamed with joy. Then he asked curiously, "What is a Demon Market?"

"You can think of it as a market town for demons."

"I see..."

Hu Jin paused, finally remembering the matter at hand. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Wait here for a bit. I will go and report."

Seeing the fox demon hurry away, Ning Bufan breathed a small sigh of relief.

"A four-tailed spiritual fox," he said, smacking his lips. "Killing me would be as easy as slaughtering a chick."

Ning Bufan looked at the Mister and asked, "By the way, what did you come here for, Mister? Us coming here so recklessly, won't it be..."

"There is no need to worry," Chen Changsheng said. "The Yuanshan Fox Sovereign and This Chen share some history."

Ning Bufan was hit with a sudden realization. "I see. You actually even know the Fox Sovereign, Mister..."

Incredible. Truly incredible.

He was quite the backer to have.

A short time later, a streak of azure light shot up from within Yuanshan. In the blink of an eye, it crossed several mountain peaks and landed right where they stood.

The figure was dressed plainly, his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. He slightly cupped his hands and said respectfully, "Su Junhan greets Mister Chen."

Chen Changsheng returned the greeting. "It has been a long time. Has the Fox Sovereign been well?"

Su Junhan gave a warm smile. "Everything is well."

His gaze drifted behind Chen Changsheng, noticing the other person. "Mister Chen, may I ask who this is..."

"Ning Bufan," Chen Changsheng said. "I met him on the road. If not for him, This Chen would not have made it here."

Su Junhan studied Ning Bufan. As he looked, he seemed to notice something.

Ning Bufan felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze.

He cupped his hands. "Ning Bufan greets the Fox Sovereign."