Chapter 240 The Secret Palace of the Heavenly Pit! The Mother Fox's Thank You?

Inside the Beast Taming Space, deep within the sinkhole.

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense was like an invisible spirit snake, rapidly diving down along the steep walls of the pit.

One hundred feet, two hundred feet, three hundred feet... the further down he went,

the clearer that oppressive aura became!

But it also became... weirder!

Because Jiang Yun could feel it.

This pressure wasn't being emitted naturally.

Instead, it felt as if it were being imprisoned and suppressed by something, with only a tiny sliver leaking out through the cracks!

"What on earth is it..."

The doubt in Jiang Yun's heart grew heavier.

"How could something like this be hidden in the Su Family's back mountain?"

Finally,

his Divine Sense touched the bottom!

When Jiang Yun's perception clearly saw the scene at the bottom of the sinkhole, his Divine Sense phantom nearly dissipated on the spot from extreme shock!

What was that?!

It wasn't the jagged rocks he had imagined.

Nor was it the deep pool or cave he had expected.

Instead, it was a!

Palace!

An extremely primitive palace that exuded a vast, ancient aura!

The palace wasn't large.

It occupied an area about a hundred feet square.

Its entire structure was built from some kind of massive bluish-black stones.

The surfaces of the giant stones were covered with the marks of time's erosion, mottled with moss and Entwined with vines.

But what shocked Jiang Yun the most wasn't the palace itself,

but the... aura it emitted!

Heavy!

Vicissitudinous!

Majestic!

It was as if this palace had stood here for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, witnessing the rise and fall of countless eras!

And right in the center of the palace,

there was a tightly closed stone door!

The stone door was thirty feet high and ten feet wide, pitch-black like ink, and carved with complex patterns.

Jiang Yun had never seen those patterns before.

They weren't runes or formation lines; they looked more like... some kind of ancient totem?

A Dragon?

A Phoenix?

A Qilin?

Or some other ancient Divine Beast?

Jiang Yun couldn't see clearly.

Because those patterns were heavily worn down.

Only a vague outline could be discerned.

But even so,

the aura emitted by this stone door

still made Jiang Yun's heart leap in fear!

Seal!

Suppression!

Isolation!

Behind this door,

something must be hidden!

"What is this place?"

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense phantom hovered above the palace,

muttering to himself.

"Why would it appear in the Su Family's back mountain?"

Suddenly,

a flash of insight struck his mind!

He remembered something!

The day he first entered the Su Family,

the sound of an explosion coming from the Su Family's back mountain!

That night.

At the time, he hadn't paid much attention to it.

But looking at it now... "Could it be... that day's explosion was related to this place?"

A suspicion rose in Jiang Yun's heart.

"Could this place... be the Su Family's ancestral land?"

This guess

made his heart race!

The Su Family ancestral land!

Every Family with a long-standing Legacy

would have an ancestral land.

There, the ancestral spirit tablets are enshrined, the Family's legacies are stored, and the Family's ultimate secrets might even be hidden!

If this really was the Su Family ancestral land... then what lay behind this stone door

was even more worth investigating!

"I'll see for myself..."

A flash of determination crossed Jiang Yun's eyes.

"Exactly what is hidden behind this door!"

With a thought,

he was about to activate his Innate Talent Skill

to check the data entries of this place!

However,

just as his intention arose,

in the instant before it could fully coalesce,

BOOM!!!!

An ancient, majestic voice that seemed to come from primeval times exploded like a clap of thunder on his Divine Sense level!

"Who is it? Who dares to pry into my Su Family's ancestral land?!!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer,

smashing ruthlessly against Jiang Yun's Divine Sense!

Pfft!

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense phantom

blurred for an instant on the spot!

"What?!"

Jiang Yun was horrified!

With his Amethyst Rank Peak Divine Sense,

he actually couldn't detect the other party's position?!

He pushed his Divine Sense to the limit,

perceiving in all directions,

trying to lock onto the source of the voice.

However,

there was no trace to be found!

That voice

seemed to be everywhere, yet it also seemed not to exist at all!

It was as if it rang directly from the Void Realm,

or exploded from the depths of his own Soul!

What was even more terrifying

was that this voice

carried the effect of a Divine Sense attack!

Every syllable

contained terrifying Divine Soul power,

battering Jiang Yun's consciousness!

"Ugh..."

Jiang Yun let out a muffled groan!

His Divine Sense,

under this impact, began to vibrate violently!

Like a small boat in a violent storm,

it could capsize at any moment!

The next second!

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense,

like glass smashed by a heavy hammer,

instantly shattered and dissipated!

He was forced back into his body!

In the master bedroom of Yunqi Courtyard,

Jiang Yun snapped his eyes open!

His face was pale, and fine beads of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

He gasped for air,

horror still lingering in his eyes.

"Such... such a terrifying aura..."

He muttered to himself,

his voice carrying a hint of a tremble.

"I actually... couldn't perceive his existence at all... I couldn't even lock onto his location..."

One must know,

he currently possessed an Amethyst Rank Peak Divine Sense!

Within a hundred-mile radius,

even an ant crawling couldn't escape his perception!

But now... the other party was in the Su Family's back mountain, no more than a few miles away from him, yet he couldn't catch even a trace of them!

"The strength of that elder..."

Jiang Yun took a deep breath,

suppressing the shock in his heart.

"Must be at least... high-stage Falling Star Rank!"

"Or even... Peak!"

This assessment made his heart sink.

High-stage Falling Star Rank, or even Peak... that was already an existence standing at the top tier of the provincial capital!

In the entire Qingmu District,

those who could reach this level

could probably be counted on one hand!

"Could it be..."

A person flashed through Jiang Yun's mind.

"That... Old Ancestor of the Su Family who guards the Family?"

Although the Su Family was only a second-rate power in the provincial capital, it had been passed down for centuries and had a deep foundation.

The Family had an Old Ancestor figure who resided in the back mountain year-round, Cultivating in seclusion and ignoring worldly affairs.

This Old Ancestor's

strength was unfathomable.

Looking at it now... "Truly lives up to the reputation..."

Jiang Yun gave a bitter laugh.

"I didn't expect... that not long after coming to the Su Family, I would meet this Old Ancestor in such a way."

Although it was a one-sided meeting,

Jiang Yun could feel that

the other party hadn't used a killing blow.

That Divine Sense attack just now,

though terrifying, was more of a warning.

A warning not to meddle in things that weren't his business.

"He's stopping me from prying into the secrets of the sinkhole..."

A sharp light flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.

"This actually... makes me even more curious."

In a Su Family that was only a second-rate power in the provincial capital... within their ancestral land,

what on earth was hidden?

What exactly was behind that stone door?

Why did even the Family's Old Ancestor have to personally guard it and keep it strictly defended?

"A pity..."

Jiang Yun shook his head.

"Now is not the time."

His strength was insufficient,

and the timing wasn't right.

Rashly investigating would only bring trouble upon himself.

"When the time is ripe..."

A look of determination flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.

"I will definitely... find out the truth!"

He looked at the sky outside the window.

It was already turning slightly white.

Before dawn,

there were still one or two hours left.

"Just as well..."

Jiang Yun sat back down cross-legged.

"I'll use this time to recover from the consumption just now."

After being hit by the Old Ancestor's Divine Sense attack, although his Divine Soul wasn't injured, the consumption was not small.

He needed to regulate his breath and recover.

Time slowly passed.

The white of the fish's belly on the horizon gradually spread,

dyeing half the sky red.

Jiang Yun opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid Qi.

His consumption had mostly recovered.

And right at that moment,

Knock, knock, knock.

Outside the courtyard gate,

there came a soft knocking sound.

Immediately after,

a respectful voice rang out.

"Son-in-Law Jiang Yun, are you there?"

Jiang Yun recognized it.

It was Steward Li's voice.

The middle-aged steward who had received him earlier and shown him around the Su Family compound.

"Steward Li, what is it?"

Jiang Yun didn't get up, only responding from across the room.

"In reply to the Son-in-Law, today is the day for the Su Family disciples to report to Sky Dome Academy."

Steward Li's voice was still respectful,

but it held a bit more formality.

"The Family Head specifically sent me to inform you that in one hour, everyone will gather at the front courtyard square. There will be specialized flying mounts to take the young masters and young misses to the academy."

"Understood."

Jiang Yun replied calmly.

"Thank you, Steward Li."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. This is only my duty,"

Steward Li quickly said.

Then the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Jiang Yun got up from the bed and walked to the window.

Looking at the sky outside that was gradually brightening,

a sense of anticipation welled up in his heart.

Sky Dome Academy... the highest institution of learning in the provincial capital... an academy directly managed by the powerful Human Alliance organization.

He was finally going.

With a thought,

his Divine Sense sank into his Beast Taming Space.

Inside the Beast Taming Space,

the Nine-Tailed Fox was still sitting cross-legged in mid-air, with five-colored light flowing around her body.

She was absorbing the dense Spiritual Qi within the Beast Taming Space, while holding a crystal shimmering with five-colored brilliance in her hand—that was a treasure from her storage ring, containing Five Elements spiritual power, which had miraculous effects on recovering and stabilizing one's cultivation.

Her aura had already mostly recovered.

Her face was no longer pale,

and those five-colored pupils had become brilliant once again.

And below,

Little Fire and Little Skylark were still immersed in a state of comprehension!

Faint Law fluctuations were emanating from around both beasts!

Around Little Fire's body, the flames were no longer a simple crimson, but faintly revealed a hint of... golden-purple?

That was the fire attribute characteristic contained within the flames.

Melting gold and iron, burning everything in its path!

Meanwhile, around Little Skylark's body...

As the azure wind blades circulated...

There was actually a faint... progression.

That was the wind containing both supreme softness and supreme rigidity, pervasive and all-penetrating!

"These two little fellows..."

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense phantom watched this scene.

A small surge of surprise welled up in his heart.

"Could they really... awaken attribute Laws at the Gold Rank?"

The moment this thought appeared...

Even he felt it was somewhat absurd!

Comprehending Law power at the Gold Rank?

Opening a Law Secret Realm at the Gold Rank?

In the history of beast taming...

This was almost unheard of!

The cultivation system for beast taming...

Had very strict boundaries.

Black Iron and Bronze Rank were just for laying a good foundation.

They could be built up with resources.

Silver Rank—accumulation of spiritual power, opening of intelligence.

Naturally, there were many Vicious Beasts with monstrous Aptitude that possessed Innate intelligence.

Gold Rank—solidification of spiritual power, skill evolution.

At this stage, power would significantly increase, and every skill would be evolved and enhanced.

Amethyst Rank—qualitative change of spiritual power, the first appearance of the Divine Soul.

Amethyst Rank Vicious Beasts possess Divine Soul power and can perceive Laws; naturally, it's not ruled out that some Vicious Beasts possess Innate Divine Soul power.

Clearly, the Nine-Tailed Fox was such a Vicious Beast.

Diamond Rank—opening a Secret Realm, comprehending Laws.

By opening a Law Secret Realm at the Diamond Rank, one can comprehend the conversion of attribute spiritual energy into attribute Laws, and combat power will become even stronger!

Falling Star Rank—Fusion of Laws, breaking through boundaries.

This is a test of Law comprehension and also paves the way for higher Realms; the Law Secret Realm expands or evolves, using one's own Law power to construct a different Law Secret Realm.

The more perfect the Law Secret Realm becomes...

The more powerful the Vicious Beast's strength becomes.

This has been the case for thousands of years...

The iron rule summarized by countless Beast Tamers!

It had never been heard of...

That any Vicious Beast could comprehend Law power at the Gold Rank!

"If they really comprehended Laws at the Gold Rank..."

Jiang Yun muttered to himself.

"Wouldn't that mean... they opened up the prototype of a Law Secret Realm in advance while at the Gold Rank?"

"Then breaking through to the Diamond Rank in the future would become... extremely easy?"

"Even... a natural progression?"

This possibility...

Made Jiang Yun's heart skip a beat!

Too Heaven-Defying!

If it really happened...

Then the future of Little Fire and Little Skylark...

Would be simply limitless!

But soon...

Jiang Yun calmed down again.

"However... something like comprehending Laws at the Gold Rank can be said to be extremely Rare, or even never happened before."

"Most Vicious Beasts at this stage who come into contact with Law power will only gain some insights, making it slightly less difficult to open a Law Secret Realm when breaking through to the Diamond Rank later."

"Opening a Law Secret Realm at the Gold Rank..."

Jiang Yun shook his head.

"This is simply... unheard of."

He sighed.

"Let's wait and see."

"Maybe... these two little guys will really give me a surprise?"

Withdrawing his thoughts...

Jiang Yun looked at the Nine-Tailed Fox in the air.

"Now that the reporting for Sky Dome Academy is approaching..."

"I must wake up Mother Fox."

With a thought...

Through the contract connection...

He transmitted his voice into the depths of the Nine-Tailed Fox's consciousness.

"Time to wake up. The reporting for Sky Dome Academy is imminent; it's time to set out."

This method...

Would not forcibly interrupt the Nine-Tailed Fox's Cultivation; it only passed the information to her, leaving it to her to decide when to wake up.

In mid-air...

The Nine-Tailed Fox's long eyelashes...

Trembled slightly.

Those tightly closed five-colored pupils slowly opened.

Shua!!!

Five-colored light circulated, as brilliant as stars.

She was awake.

"Phew..."

The Nine-Tailed Fox exhaled softly.

With her Awakening...

The five types of Laws around her body began to slowly converge.

The five-colored light retracted into her body like a receding tide.

The phantoms of the nine tails gradually faded.

The rotation speed of the five wheels of divine light slowed down and finally vanished.

She stood up and slowly descended from mid-air.

And with her movements...

Her appearance and figure also began to change.

Those earth-shattering, demonic, and peerless features rippled and changed like water waves.

The nine tails retracted into her body, becoming invisible.

The flowing light in her five-colored pupils gradually faded away...

Returning to a normal black color.

In just a few breaths...

That stunningly exquisite Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox form...

Disappeared.

In its place was the appearance of Su Qingxue!

The Eldest Miss of the Su Family.

That clear, elegant, and world-toppling countenance re-emerged.

But... looking at the current Su Qingxue, an extremely strange feeling welled up in Jiang Yun's heart.

Dim!

Yes, dim!

After witnessing the breathtaking, Soul-striking beauty of the Nine-Tailed Fox's true form... Su Qingxue's originally world-toppling face now seemed somewhat... ordinary in Jiang Yun's eyes?

No, it wasn't ordinary.

The gap was just too large!

If the beauty of the Nine-Tailed Fox's true form was a celestial posture from above the Nine Heavens, a perfect Incarnation condensed from the Five Elements Laws...

Then Su Qingxue's beauty was a peerless beauty of the mortal world, a clear and elegant lady in the misty rain of Jiangnan.

Between the two...

There was a gap of at least three dimensions!

While Jiang Yun was observing her...

The Nine-Tailed Fox, or rather, the current Su Qingxue, also glanced at Jiang Yun.

And then... she looked away!

Her gaze was evasive.

She actually didn't dare to make eye contact with Jiang Yun!

On those clear and elegant cheeks...

A faint, barely perceptible... blush appeared?

Her entire state seemed extremely awkward!

Fidgety and hesitant to speak.

Like she had done something wrong...

Or like... she was shy?

"This Mother Fox..."

Jiang Yun's brow slowly furrowed.

"What does she want to do now?"

Alarm bells rang in his heart!

Based on his understanding of the Nine-Tailed Fox, when this Mother Fox showed such an expression, it certainly meant nothing good!

She either wanted to torment him or play a prank on him!

"Could it be... that having just broken through and had her strength greatly increased, she wants to use me for practice?"

Jiang Yun cursed inwardly.

"This hateful Mother Fox! Can't she just settle down for a while?"

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed!

The Nine-Tailed Fox was now at the Peak of the ninth stage of the Diamond Rank!

Her combat power was comparable to a mid-stage Falling Star Rank expert!

As for him, although he was also at the Diamond Rank, he had only just entered it, and the gap between him and the Nine-Tailed Fox was huge!

If the Nine-Tailed Fox really wanted to use him for practice... then he would probably... have no power to fight back!

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun steeled his heart!

Strike first!

He couldn't let her speak first!

He had to get ahead of her and state his stance!

"Mother Fox!"

Jiang Yun spoke directly.

His voice carried a hint of vigilance and questioning.

"What are you trying to..."

However!

Before he could finish his sentence!

The moment the words 'Mother Fox' left his mouth...

The Nine-Tailed Fox snapped her head around!

It wasn't that previous evasive fidgeting!

It was... an extremely tsundere turn of the head, filled with three parts shame and annoyance and seven parts awkwardness!

Her cheeks turned even redder!

Like a ripe apple!

Her lips were slightly pursed.

In those black eyes...

A complex light flashed.

There was shame, embarrassment, hesitation, and even a hint of... a struggle that was hard to put into words?

And then...

Under Jiang Yun's stunned gaze...

She used an extremely awkward, extremely quiet, and extremely... reluctant tone to quickly say two words.

"Tha... Thank you..."

"?"

Jiang Yun was instantly petrified!

His mouth...

Still held the shape of 'what are you trying to...'

But his brain had completely crashed!

Thank you?

Mother Fox... is saying... thank you to me?

I didn't hear that wrong, did I???

That Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox royalty, who was arrogant to the bone, viewed humans as ants, and wouldn't even look at me properly... is saying... thank you to me???

Is there... something wrong with this world?

Or rather... am I having auditory hallucinations?

And just as Jiang Yun was petrified...

The Nine-Tailed Fox also suddenly reacted!

She had heard what Jiang Yun said just now!

"Mother Fox?!"

Her eyes instantly widened!

Those cheeks that had just been blushing turned from red to white, and then from white to green at a speed visible to the naked eye!

Shame and annoyance!

Anger!

And a hint of... grievance from the ruined atmosphere?

"You... what did you just call me?!"

The Nine-Tailed Fox's voice suddenly pitched higher!

That fidgety shyness from just now...

Instantly vanished!

In its place was the familiar coldness!

Arrogance!

And an irrepressible rage!

She stared fixedly at Jiang Yun.

In those black eyes...

It was as if flames were burning.

"Jiang! Yun!"

"What did you just call this Empress?!"

Gulp.

Jiang Yun swallowed hard.

He looked at the Nine-Tailed Fox in front of him, who had instantly changed from a shy girl back into a cold queen, and had only one thought in his heart.

It's over.

Such a good atmosphere... completely ruined by one sentence from me.

Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut???

I'm definitely going to suffer in a moment!!!