391: marriage alliance

Months later.

Tianning Peaks, Qiming Peak summit.

Upon a giant rock, a slightly tall figure with proper but not particularly striking facial features sat cross-legged.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast down, and a shadow gradually lengthened.

From the corner of his eye, a blue silhouette slowly ascended to the mountain top.

"Zhiyi."

Zhou Nanfeng softly called out.

She said no more.

Ever since Xu Zhiyi's grandfather's remaining relics were brought back and interred.

Xu Zhiyi had temporarily resided on Qiming Peak.

Accompanying Father Xu and Mother Xu.

The Xu Family had a single line of descent.

Xu Zhiyi feared his parents would be overly sorrowful, so he came to stay for a period.

However, every sunset.

He would come to this mountain top, quietly watching the two great suns, now merged into one, gradually set.

The rays of light in the distant sky seemed to carry his grandfather's shadow.

Zhou Nanfeng came every day but spoke little, only staying quietly for a while.

Hearing Zhou Nanfeng's gentle words.

Xu Zhiyi turned his head.

A rare smile appeared on his face.

"Grandfather left me a message."

Xu Zhiyi looked into Zhou Nanfeng's eyes.

"Grandfather, what did he say?"

The two had known each other since childhood, so Zhou Nanfeng also referred to him as Grandfather.

"He called me a coward, a timid wretch..."

"Anyway, the insults were really harsh."

Despite being insults, Xu Zhiyi's face held a smile.

Zhou Nanfeng was slightly startled.

She was somewhat at a loss whether to cry or laugh.

This was indeed Xu Zhiyi's grandfather's style.

"Grandfather was right."

Zhou Nanfeng nodded earnestly.

"Grandfather woke me up. I think I don't want to be a coward my whole life."

Xu Zhiyi's smile faded. He stood up, stood beside Zhou Nanfeng, and quietly looked at her.

Zhou Nanfeng was stunned.

Her eyes were a little dazed.

A moment later.

"Alright."

"I'll wait for you."

Zhou Nanfeng looked up, meeting Xu Zhiyi's gaze, not evading it.

She nodded solemnly.

At this moment, the last trace of blood-red sunset disappeared.

At the peak.

Two figures stood side by side, a gentle breeze blowing, seemingly dancing.

Zhou Nanfeng left, not lingering there.

Xu Zhiyi sighed in his heart.

According to the Clan's calculations.

If it weren't for that Golden Core Stage Demon King of the Thousand Charms Fox Clan personally making a move.

With just indirect arrangements.

Given his grandfather's ability, there might have been a glimmer of hope.

But in the end, his cultivation was insufficient.

Xu Zhiyi clenched his fists.

He wanted to become stronger... Western Azure Dragon Domain.

Deep within the continuous immortal mountains, rich in Spiritual Qi and shrouded in rosy light.

Exquisite and tall palaces stood.

Thousand Foxes Hall.

At the head of the hall.

A seductive figure reclined on the tall throne.

Behind her.

A huge six-colored tail gently swayed.

"Summon Yuanxiang to see me."

Demon Empress Rujun, seated on the high throne, lightly tapped her fingers, instructing the Fox Clan Cultivator waiting by her side.

"Yes."

A Fox received the order and departed.

Before long.

A young woman with a delicate and charming face, dressed in a flowing glazed dress, entered from outside, stepping into the Thousand Foxes Hall.

"Grand-grandmother."

The young, charming woman bowed to the seductive figure reclining at the head of the hall.

"Yuanxiang, I called you here to ask if you have any Zhou Family Disciples you favor?"

Demon Empress Rujun's fingers lightly tapped the side of her thigh.

Her words, neither light nor heavy, drifted out.

"Grand-grandmother, what... what does this mean?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanxiang's face suddenly turned pale.

Her figure swayed, looking pitiful.

"Don't put on that act."

"The Old Ancestor is angry. To mend the relationship between our two Families, if you have a Zhou Family Disciple you favor, this Empress will personally make a trip to arrange a marriage for you."

Demon Empress Rujun's tone deepened slightly.

The Thousand Charms Fox Clan's talent was unique; upon entering the path of cultivation, they could transform into human form based on their innate talent.

Among the various Yao Race, they were also an extremely unique existence.

In the past.

When the Thousand Charms Fox Clan controlled the Azure Dragon Domain, countless Human Race Cultivators desired to marry a Cultivator from the Thousand Charms Fox Clan as a Dao Companion.

"This!"

"Grand-grandmother, Yuanxiang is unwilling."

"Yuanxiang only wishes to always accompany Grand-grandmother and serve the Clan; she does not wish to marry out to another Clan."

"I hope Grand-grandmother will grant my wish."

Hu Yuanxiang knelt on the ground, crying out.

The great commotion caused by Hu Yi had only recently ended.

Now, the relationship between the two Families was not good; pushing her over there would be like sending a lamb into a tiger's den.

Moreover, the Zhou Family had strict rules, even the punishment for their own Clan members was so severe.

Her nature was inherently unrestrained.

She did not want to spend her life in such a place.

Besides, marrying into the Zhou Family would mean abandoning her many male companions.

She couldn't bear to.

"Enough."

Demon Empress Rujun watched for a moment.

She waved her hand.

Now was not a good time.

"Thank you, Grand-grandmother."

Hu Yuanxiang's sorrow turned to joy.

She playfully coaxed Demon Empress Rujun for a few moments.

Only then did she leave the Thousand Foxes Hall.

After Hu Yuanxiang departed.

A Golden Core Stage Elder entered the great hall.

"Grand Elder, the basic information for that Mei Ling Secret Realm has been fully gathered."

"All the information has been recorded in this Jade Slip."

The Golden Core Stage Elder, appearing as a middle-aged man, presented a Jade Slip with both hands.

Demon Empress Rujun raised her hand, and the Jade Slip was drawn into her grasp.

She glanced at it indifferently.

"Is there anything useful for our Clan?"

Demon Empress Rujun didn't pay much attention.

She asked casually.

"Yes, but not much, only a few first and second-tier Spirit Medicine."

"Oh?"

"Then forget it."

These few gains were better than nothing.

"I heard that the Zhou Family has a grandson of the Tailai generation born. Send this Secret Realm as a congratulatory gift."

Demon Empress Rujun's heart stirred.

Improving relations wasn't just about intermarriage.

Now, there was just such an opportunity.

"Yes, Grand Elder."

The middle-aged Golden Core Stage Elder respectfully agreed.

There was no objection.

The decision made by the Grand Elder.

It wasn't his place to say anything, only to execute it.

"Go."

Demon Empress Rujun waved her hand.

The Golden Core Stage Elder bowed and left the hall.

Not long after.

He led more than ten figures, flying towards the Tianning Peaks... Tianning Peaks.

On Qingyang Peak.

The birth of Zhou Tailai dispersed the faint high pressure that had continuously permeated the hearts of the entire Zhou Family.

Since the incident with Zhou Nangu.

All departments of the Zhou Family underwent a thorough investigation.

Some fell from power, others rose.

Under this solemn atmosphere.

Every Zhou Family Cultivator dared not be careless.

These past few months.

It could be said to be the quietest period for the Zhou Family in many years.

Until this moment.

The birth of the first Clan member of the Tailai generation finally dispersed this atmosphere.

All the Zhou Family Disciples and stewards breathed a sigh of relief.

Even Zhou Tailai's parents, Zhou Nanyun, benefited greatly.

The congratulatory gifts received were far more than expected.

Zhou Nanyun's talent was insufficient, and he did not aspire to go far on the path of longevity.

Therefore, he became engaged to a female Cultivator of the same age whom he had known since childhood.

Until today.

Zhou Nanyun held the infant with wide, dark eyes in his arms and chuckled, scolding him.

"You certainly have good fortune."