Chapter 104: Surge

Palace.

“Your Majesty, how can you become an immortal if you do not focus on your cultivation? To attain the Way and become an immortal, you must dedicate yourself,” Hu Yuji said without opening her eyes, sensing Zhao Qixin’s distracted mind.

“I don’t want to be some immortal. I just want to be your divine companion,” Zhao Qixin sighed. Even he now knew that without innate talent, and after searching for days, he couldn’t find Li Xintian.

“Your Majesty, what we are practicing is immortality, not just for this lifetime but to be together forever. Don’t you think we should concentrate on it?” Yao Shuang opened her eyes, smiling.

“Well… I don’t know. I’ve been practicing your method over and over, but there’s no progress,” Zhao Qixin sighed again.

“Even though you are the supreme emperor, you are still mortal. Ascending to immortality is no easy feat,” Yao Shuang thought to herself that she should take care of Hu Yuji first.

“Then, Consort Ai, are you saying my hope of becoming an immortal is lost?” Zhao Qixin clenched his fist.

“Not necessarily,” Yao Shuang shook her head.

“Then, do you have a faster method to help me become immortal?” Zhao Qixin relaxed his fist and smiled.

“Well, there is one,” Yao Shuang stood and sat on Zhao Qixin’s lap.

“What method? Please tell me quickly,” Zhao Qixin embraced Yao Shuang.

“If Your Majesty consumes the meat of a thousand-year spiritual fox, it will increase your cultivation. Also, the thousand-year spiritual fox’s demon pill, after proper refinement, can be ingested to maintain your youthful appearance and vitality, making immortality attainable,” Yao Shuang placed her hand on Zhao Qixin’s shoulder.

“A thousand-year spiritual fox? Where would one find such a creature?” Zhao Qixin felt a thrill.

“I’ve heard that in the Emerald Bamboo Cave on Mount Langya lives a thousand-year spiritual fox. Your Majesty can eat its meat to increase your cultivation,” Yao Shuang said slowly.

“Since it’s a thousand-year spiritual fox, and Left Thousand Household guards me, no one else can go after it,” Zhao Qixin said. He wouldn’t let the guard leave.

“Your Majesty recently appointed the top martial scholar, who is said to be highly skilled. You can send him to Mount Langya to hunt down the spiritual fox,” Yao Shuang smiled, already plotting to seize the Pure Spirit Pearl.

“That makes sense. I’ll send him to Mount Langya to find that thousand-year spiritual fox,” Zhao Qixin said, kissing Yao Shuang’s cheek.

Yao Shuang leaned into Zhao Qixin’s embrace and sneered.

Mount Langya, Emerald Bamboo Cave.

“So that’s why. Why not hand it over instead of suffering this punishment? If you give it to me now, I can plead for mercy,” Li Xintian said after learning the situation.

“Not now. I need the Pure Spirit Pearl to recover,” Hu Yuji shook her head.

“Are you refusing to see reason? You want to use the Pure Spirit Pearl to heal? Why don’t you just use your own demon power in the cave? Relying on external objects while the Thunder God is watching you so closely—aren’t you afraid you’ll be harmed again while recovering?” Li Xintian couldn’t understand these immortals. They were taken in by the Queen Mother, yet they stole the Pure Spirit Pearl and came to the mortal realm to practice, hiding from the Thunder God for decades.

“Sir, I beg you, please let my mother borrow the Pure Spirit Pearl,” Hu Xiaocui said, about to kneel.

“What are you doing? I never said you can’t use it, but if you attract the Thunder God, you’re on your own. I won’t help you; your mother’s at fault,” Li Xintian helped Hu Xiaocui to her feet.

Hu Yuji then channeled her demon power, borrowing the Pure Spirit Pearl to begin healing.

The Thunder God in the sky saw the pearl’s flickering light.

“That light must be the Pure Spirit Pearl, shimmering unsteadily,” the Thunder God said, flying straight toward it.

In the bamboo forest, Wang Yuanfeng led a squad of elite soldiers.

“Set fire to the mountain!” Wang Yuanfeng shouted as he surveyed the area.

The soldiers threw their torches into the underbrush.

“Stop healing! Someone’s setting the mountain ablaze,” Li Xintian said upon smelling the smoke.

“Don’t spare any foxes. Capture them all alive!” Wang Yuanfeng ordered.

The soldiers swiftly captured the foxes.

Li Xintian mounted Zou Wu and dashed outside the cave. Hu Xiaocui supported Hu Yuji, who transformed into a streak of rainbow light and rushed out.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” Wang Yuanfeng blocked their way.

The soldiers saw Zou Wu and trembled in fear, swallowing hard. Only Wang Yuanfeng showed no fear.

“Yuanfeng!” Hu Xiaocui saw that Wang Yuanfeng had turned cold-hearted.

“This man was a fool before. How did his personality change so much?” Li Xintian jumped off Zou Wu, stroked his chin, and pondered.

“That man must be a transformed spiritual fox. Capture them all!” Wang Yuanfeng shouted.

“Yes, sir!” The soldiers obeyed despite their fear.

Zou Wu leapt, crushing several soldiers and biting one, tossing him into the woods where he spat blood and died. His combat prowess was overwhelming.

Seeing the slaughter one-sided, Wang Yuanfeng drew his sword and charged Zou Wu, fearless of death.

Li Xintian wanted to stop him, but Hu Xiaocui was faster.

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed as the Thunder God appeared.

Hu Yuji manifested a divine image and with one palm struck down several soldiers.

But Hu Xiaocui was no match for Wang Yuanfeng. As Wang Yuanfeng was about to kill her, Li Xintian kicked a stone at Wang Yuanfeng’s wrist. Wang Yuanfeng screamed, dropping his sword, but retaliated with his left palm, striking Hu Xiaocui’s left shoulder.

Hu Xiaocui spat blood and fell backward.

Yao Shuang, dressed in black, appeared and witnessed the scene.

Boom!

The Thunder God’s lightning struck the ground, blackening the earth and scattering stones that hit several soldiers, causing them to tremble.

“Demon fox, surrender the Pure Spirit Pearl!” the Thunder God demanded of Hu Yuji.

Hu Yuji’s divine image snarled at the Thunder God.

“Hmph, stubborn,” the Thunder God said, striking Hu Yuji with lightning. Hu Yuji fell, trembling violently.

From the shadows, a cold arrow flew toward Li Xintian.

He dodged slightly.

The Third Elder of the Qingqiu Fox Clan and Minister Jiang also joined the fray.

“Why such a commotion today? Everyone’s here. Who are you?” Li Xintian asked upon seeing Minister Jiang and looking at the Qingqiu Foxes.

Zou Wu snarled at the Qingqiu Foxes beside Li Xintian.

“I am Hu Xin’s grandfather, Hu Qingzheng, the Third Elder of the Qingqiu Fox Clan,” Hu Qingzheng said, burning with hatred to avenge his grandson and his pain from loss.

“And the snake demon, stop hiding and come out,” Li Xintian nodded and raised his hand to seize Yao Shuang. His righteous energy formed a palm that grasped her neck before she could react.

Yao Shuang cried out in pain as the burning sensation from his righteous energy sizzled. The dragon’s aura protected her.

“So, you’ve killed quite a few recently and carry some dragon aura. Looks like you’ve been hiding near the emperor,” Li Xintian said in surprise.

The release of his righteous energy unnerved Hu Xiaocui and Hu Yuji. Even the Thunder God turned to look at Li Xintian and Hu Qingzheng, feeling fear for the first time as they finally understood the cause of Hu Xin’s death.

“Hey, hey, hey,” the Black Emperor appeared, stopping time. Only Li Xintian could move.

“It’s you,” Li Xintian immediately struck with a pale blue lightning bolt.

The Black Emperor, seeing the righteous energy, lifted his hand and redirected the blue lightning toward the Thunder God. The lightning turned black and shattered the Thunder God’s final spirit.

Li Xintian glared angrily at the Black Emperor. He had questions for the Thunder God.

“You’re quite unfriendly. I only came out to make the Thunder God disappear,” the Black Emperor said.

“Oh, and the Pure Spirit Pearl,” he added. As he left, he raised his hand and drew the Pure Spirit Pearl from Hu Yuji’s mouth.

Li Xintian would not let the Black Emperor succeed. His righteous energy formed a palm, capturing the Pure Spirit Pearl in his hand.

“If you wanted it, you should have said so earlier. I’ll keep it safe for now, and you’ll get it back,” the Black Emperor said indifferently, snapped his fingers, and left. Time resumed, and everyone regained consciousness.

“I gave you a chance last time. There won’t be another,” Li Xintian said, hiding the questions he wanted to ask and looking at Yao Shuang.

“No, no, please give me a chance to repent. I will change,” Yao Shuang said fearfully.

“Because of one moment of weakness, you committed countless crimes. I have no reason to spare you,” Li Xintian raised his other hand, and a streak of rainbow light shot through the center of Yao Shuang’s forehead. Her eyes widened, transforming into a giant snake, terrifying the soldiers.

Wang Yuanfeng fainted at that moment.

Yao Shuang’s serpentine form suddenly burst into blue flames and turned to ashes.

Minister Jiang, seeing that Yao Shuang was a snake demon, narrowed his eyes and began to lose confidence. Such a great snake demon was no match for Li Xintian. He raised his hand to strike but admitted he could not defeat her.

“Third Elder of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, if you intend to seek vengeance for your grandson, then come at me,” Li Xintian said, looking at Hu Qingzheng.

“I’m just here to confirm. It seems my grandson died a deserved death,” Hu Qingzheng met Li Xintian’s gaze, tensed, and forced a smile.