Chapter 221 Need you even ask? It's definitely the wife!

Led respectfully by Elders Mo Yuan and Qing Xuan.

Jiang Yun and the Nine-Tailed Fox Su Qingxue walked along a concealed aerial plank road, heading towards the isolated floating peak deep within the Appraisers Guild, used for secret passage.

The night wind whistled through the gaps between the floating peaks.

Bringing a slight chill.

Luminous stones embedded on both sides of the plank road emitted a soft white light, illuminating the path ahead and reflecting upon the two figures leading the way, as well as the young man and woman behind them, whose Auras were vastly different yet strangely harmonious.

As they walked.

The gazes of Elders Mo Yuan and Qing Xuan couldn't help but drift, filled with irrepressible curiosity, towards the silent, White-robed Woman beside Jiang Yun.

She was too extraordinary.

Even without speaking a word.

Just walking quietly, her transcendent, otherworldly Aura, and her peerless elegance that even the light veil couldn't fully conceal, were like a luminous pearl in the dark night, impossible to ignore.

What secretly alarmed them even more was that despite their Falling Star Rank cultivation and years of experience, they couldn't see through this woman's depths at all!

The Qi around her was perfectly restrained, as if she had merged with her surroundings; if not for being visible to the naked eye, she would be almost imperceptible.

Such a highly Advanced concealment technique.

Was definitely not something an ordinary woman could possess.

They realized this woman's extraordinariness.

And were equally curious.

What was the relationship between such an extraordinary woman and Elder Dong Xuan?

Why was she following by his side?

Finally.

Elder Qing Xuan, whose personality was relatively less reserved, could no longer suppress his curiosity. He slightly slowed his pace to walk alongside Jiang Yun, a kind smile on his face, and tentatively asked.

"Elder Dong Xuan, if I may ask... who is this Fairy by your side...?"

"Uh..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's expression stiffened slightly beneath his mask.

This question really stumped him.

How should he answer?

Say this is my contracted beast?

A shape-shifting Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor?

That would probably cause the news to spread throughout the provincial capital the next second, attracting countless unnecessary covetousness, research, and even hostility.

Guild Master Yun Xi had specifically pointed out her contracted beast identity and hinted at secrecy for this very reason.

Then say she's my friend? What kind of friend would follow a newly famous young Grand Elder so closely, inseparable, in the dead of night?

Moreover.

Given Dong Xuan's current, suddenly sky-high status, what kind of friend could walk shoulder-to-shoulder with him as an equal?

That explanation would only invite even more speculation.

Should he say she's my fiancée?

Jiang Yun stole a glance out of the corner of his eye at the Nine-Tailed Fox beside him.

Though her expression was unclear behind the veil, he could feel those violet eyes glancing at him. The gaze was placid, yet it made the back of his neck inexplicably feel a chill.

This Mother Fox was just looking for an excuse to pick a fight. If he dared spout such nonsense, even if the Fox Heart Moon Vow prevented her from killing him, being given a small lesson with her Aura or being 'accidentally' insufficiently protected at a critical moment would be enough to make him suffer.

Just as Jiang Yun's mind raced.

Trying to think of a way to gloss over it.

Elder Mo Yuan, who had been mostly silent with a rigid expression, suddenly spoke up in a tone that suggested the answer was obvious, answering for Jiang Yun.

"Qing Xuan, your question is superfluous. This Fairy's appearance is peerless, her bearing extraordinary. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Elder Dong Xuan, they look like a perfect pair. Naturally, she is Elder Dong Xuan's... well, his wife, without a doubt."

He said it decisively.

As if he had witnessed it himself.

After speaking.

He even gave Su Qingxue an appreciative look and said to Jiang Yun, "Elder Dong Xuan, to have achieved so much at such a young age and to have such a fine companion by your side is also a beautiful tale. The Fairy and the Elder are indeed a perfect match, complementing each other splendidly."

Upon hearing this.

Elder Qing Xuan also nodded repeatedly as if suddenly enlightened.

Echoing:

"Elder Mo Yuan speaks the absolute truth! This old fool was dull, failing to see it. Congratulations, Elder Dong Xuan! The Fairy's elegance is indeed beyond compare to ordinary people, a match made in heaven with the Elder!"

The two of them went back and forth, praising them as if it were a fact, their gazes towards Jiang Yun and Su Qingxue now carrying a sort of Elder-like approval and blessing.

Jiang Yun: "..."

His heart immediately skipped a beat.

He almost choked on his own saliva.

You two living ancestors!

You truly are my dear Elders!

Your ability to jump to conclusions is too strong, isn't it?

I didn't say anything, and you've already firmly established the wife title for me?

His heart pounded wildly as he nervously glanced sideways at the Nine-Tailed Fox, fearing this proud Mother Fox might instantly fly into a rage later.

Given her attitude towards humans—constantly calling them despicable, shameless, and threatening 'This Emperor'—even if she didn't directly attack now, she should at least glare at him fiercely with those icy violet eyes or snort coldly as a warning, right?

However.

Contrary to Jiang Yun's expectations, Su Qingxue just kept walking quietly, as if she hadn't heard the two Elders' words.

Beneath the light veil.

Her specific expression was unclear, only her exposed violet eyes could be seen, still calm and unrippled, even... she didn't even spare Jiang Yun an extra glance.

Only her slender fingers holding the pastry seemed to pause for an almost imperceptible moment.

That's it?

Jiang Yun felt uneasy and suspicious.

This reaction was far too calm!

Was she completely cowed by the contract restraint from before?

Deeming this level of misunderstanding unimportant?

Or perhaps... she wasn't as repulsed inwardly as she appeared?

This thought flashed through his mind.

Jiang Yun quickly extinguished it.

Thinking too much... This Mother Fox's thoughts are as deep as the sea.

Who knows what scheme she's plotting.

The most urgent matter now was to end this topic quickly!

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Jiang Yun coughed forcefully twice.

Successfully attracting the attention of the two Elders.

He hastily changed the subject.

"That... Elders, how much further is the Teleportation Formation?"

Seeing Jiang Yun seemed unwilling to discuss private matters, Mo Yuan and Qing Xuan tactfully asked no more.

Mo Yuan pointed towards a platform at the peak of the floating peak ahead, where faint, flowing light could be seen.

"Elder Dong Xuan, we have arrived. The platform ahead is where the Teleportation Formation is located."

The group quickened their pace.

Soon ascending onto the small platform of this floating peak.

At the center of the platform.

A circular Formation about three zhang in diameter came into view.

The Formation was outlined with a deep purple, unknown metal, its lines intricate and profound, deeply embedded into the platform's ground.

Those lines were not static; a soft, silvery-white light flowed slowly through them, like a living galaxy slowly rotating.

Around the periphery of the Formation, nine grooves were evenly distributed. Three of them were embedded with fist-sized silver crystals emitting dense spatial fluctuations.

The entire Formation exuded a stable yet vast spatial power, making even Jiang Yun feel a slight distortion in the surrounding air.

"This is... the Teleportation Formation?"

Jiang Yun's eyes widened slightly beneath his mask, a sense of novelty and awe rising in his heart.

Although he had been in this world for sixteen years and had heard of such Advanced items as Teleportation Formations, this was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes and stood beside one.

It was far more awe-inspiring than the descriptions in books.

The flowing silver light, the faint spatial fluctuations, all spoke of the profound mysteries of the Formation Dao and the extraordinary wisdom of humanity.

Seeing him captivated, Elder Mo Yuan

Explained:

"This Formation was arranged by the Guild at great expense, employing the Federation's most top-tier Spatial Formation Great Masters. A single activation can teleport up to a hundred miles away, with precise positioning and concealed fluctuations. Activation requires a specific Elder authority Rune Key and consumes a considerable amount of Spatial Crystals."

Elder Qing Xuan added:

"The landing points are all at preset, concealed locations within the various districts of the provincial capital. Simple concealment and warning Formations are set up around them, making them difficult for ordinary people to discover, ensuring high security. May I ask which district Elder Dong Xuan wishes to teleport to?"

Jiang Yun pondered briefly.

"Qingmu District."

The Su Family was in Qingmu District, and it was a relatively Common residential and commercial area, not as attention-grabbing as Starfall District or areas housing major faction headquarters.

"Very well, please wait a moment, Elder Dong Xuan."

Elder Mo Yuan nodded.

Taking out a jade key engraved with complex runes from his robe, he walked to an inconspicuous control node at the edge of the Formation.

He pressed the key into the node's groove.

The jade key glowed faintly.

Echoing the silver light of the Formation on the ground.

Elder Mo Yuan then swiftly retrieved several silver Rune Stones engraved with specific coordinate runes from his storage ring, accurately embedding them into several grooves on the Formation's periphery.

"HUM!!!"

The silver light of the entire Teleportation Formation suddenly became bright and stable. The flowing lines of light accelerated, forming the outline of a perfect silver light shield. The spatial fluctuations also became noticeably stronger.

"Elder Dong Xuan, Fairy, please step into the center of the Formation."

Elder Qing Xuan gestured.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath.

Suppressing a trace of nervousness from using a Teleportation Formation for the first time.

He stepped into the center of the Formation.

Su Qingxue followed silently.

Standing by his side.

Once they were both in position.

Elder Mo Yuan performed a final check of the runes. Confirming everything was correct, he and Elder Qing Xuan stepped back a few paces, once again bowing respectfully to the two within the Formation.

"We respectfully send off Elder Dong Xuan! May your journey be smooth!"

As his words fell.

He activated the Formation core.

In an instant!

The Formation's light surged violently!

Silvery-white radiance, like tangible mercury, instantly engulfed the figures of Jiang Yun and Su Qingxue completely!

The light was intense yet not blinding.

Instead, it gave a strange sensation of space being stretched and distorted.

Jiang Yun only felt his body suddenly become weightless, as if he had lost all mass, then was enveloped and pulled by a gentle yet irresistible force.

Before his eyes was nothing but boundless, ever-flowing silver light. In his ears, he seemed to hear extremely faint sounds of spatial tearing and reconstruction, as if from a distant Void Realm.

The sense of time became blurred at this moment.

The process seemed very long.

Yet also seemed to last only an instant.

The next moment!

His body suddenly felt heavy, the sensation of solid ground beneath his feet returning.

The dazzling silver light before his eyes receded like a tide, the scenery instantly switching.

Fresh air, carrying the scent of earth and vegetation, rushed into his nostrils. The chirping of insects and faint roars of beasts from afar reached his ears.

Jiang Yun steadied himself and looked around.

They were standing in a clearing surrounded by dense forest. Beneath their feet was a Formation similar to the one at the Guild, though smaller in scale, its light rapidly dimming.

Ancient trees towered around them, their branches and leaves blotting out the sky, with only sparse moonlight filtering through the gaps.

In the distance.

The faint outline of towering city walls could be seen, like slumbering giant beasts in the night.

"This is... the outskirts of Qingmu District?"