31: Chapter 31 Qin Mu met Hu Ling'er and invited me to explore the Yongjiang Dragon Palace.

"You scoundrel, don't you dare say a word after we get back to the village, do you hear me?"

Si Youyou repeatedly warned him as she adjusted her slightly disheveled red gauze dress.

Although she had already set her heart on Ye Xiu.

Getting pregnant before marriage was still a bit of a blow to her Face in front of those old fogies in Canlao Village.

Especially that old rascal Apothecary; if he found out, there was no telling how he would gossip about her.

"As you command, my Sect Leader's Wife."

Ye Xiu grinned and stole a kiss from Si Youyou's cheek, feeling exceptionally refreshed.

Although he couldn't fully enjoy himself last night due to "special circumstances," the excitement of "becoming a father" was enough to make up for everything.

He looked at Si Youyou's abdomen—which showed no visible change, yet felt incredibly precious to him—and wished he could announce it to the whole world right now.

The two bid farewell to the deeply grateful villagers of Zhangzhuang Village and returned to Canlao Village, acting as inseparable as glue.

Just as they reached the village entrance, they saw Qin Mu squatting on the ground, staring intently at a small, snow-white fox with two lively, large ears.

That little fox was extremely intelligent; it was actually holding a tattered book and reading it with great solemnity.

The fluffy big tail behind it swayed back and forth, looking quite adorable.

"Brother Ye! Granny! You're back!"

Qin Mu's eyes lit up when he saw them return. He immediately held up the little fox as if showing off a treasure.

"Look! I found this in the woods!"

It's called Hu Linger. She's very smart and can even talk!"

"Squeak! I wasn't just 'found'! I have an official position!"

The little fox named Hu Linger yipped twice in dissatisfaction.

She actually spoke in human tongue, her voice crisp and pleasant, like a seven or eight-year-old girl.

She broke free from Qin Mu's clutches, jumped in front of Ye Xiu, stood up on her hind legs, and cupped her front paws in a formal greeting.

"This handsome, elegant, and dashing big brother clearly looks like someone with a great Opportunity."

This humble girl, Hu Linger, offers her greetings."

"Oh, this little fox has quite the silver tongue."

Ye Xiu was amused and took out a candied hawthorn he had bought along the way, handing it to her.

"Speak up then. Excessive politeness often hides an ulterior motive. What do you want from me?"

Hu Linger's eyes lit up as she took the candied hawthorn and gave it a blissful lick. Only then did she lean close to Ye Xiu's ear and whisper mysteriously.

"Big brother, I know a great place! It's the legendary Yong River Dragon Palace!"

There are so many, many treasures inside!"

Night-Luminescent Pearls, eggs of the Water-Repelling Golden-Eyed Beast, and even the Dragon King's private stash..."

"Dragon Palace?"

Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow.

The existence of a Dragon Palace beneath the Yong River was indeed mentioned in the original novel.

That was a genuine ancient ruin; it contained not only a Treasure Trove but also deep-seated secrets about this world.

"Exactly, exactly! It's the Dragon Palace!"

Hu Linger waved her little paws excitedly while munching on the candied hawthorn.

"But there's a Seal there, and this blockhead (pointing at Qin Mu) and I can't get in."

But I see that you have a particularly powerful Sword Qi on you, big brother. You can definitely slash through that Seal!"

"How about it? We'll split the loot seventy-thirty! You get seventy, I get thirty..."

Uh, if that doesn't work, eighty-twenty is also negotiable!"

Ye Xiu rubbed his chin and looked at the eager Qin Mu beside him.

This kid was at the age where he loved adventure. Hearing about a Treasure Trove made his eyes shine like lightbulbs.

Furthermore, although Ye Xiu now had the cultivation of the Second Level of Dao Palace.

He still needed more trump cards to hold his ground at the upcoming Heavenly Demon Sect Succession Ceremony.

The treasures in the Dragon Palace might be a good choice.

"Granny..."

Ye Xiu turned to look at Granny Si (who had already reverted to her old woman form).

Although Granny Si was a bit worried, she knew that young eagles must eventually fly and men must venture out.

She gave Ye Xiu a glare and said irritably, "Go on, go on!"

Lest you hang around here and annoy me."

But remember, if you lose even a single hair, I'll skin you alive!"

"Understood!"

Ye Xiu laughed, grabbed the dazed Qin Mu, and tossed the little fox onto Qin Mu's shoulder.

"Let's go! We're going to the Dragon King's house... to 'borrow' some milk money!"

...

At the whirlpool in the center of the Yong River.

The current here was turbulent, the black river water rolling and roaring as if it were boiling.

An ordinary person would feel dizzy just looking at it, let alone going down.

But with this little fox leading the way.

Everything was much more convenient.

"Follow me, Young Masters!"

With a few hops and jumps, the little fox.

Led the two of them to a massive stele, beside which sat a large stone-carved turtle.

This thing was likely one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon.

"Watch me!"

The little fox used its paw to press down on the stone turtle's tongue.

Just like that, a large door opened.

It turned out there was a passage here.

However, as they stepped inside, they felt it was extremely dark and damp.

Not far away, there was a faint, looming haze.

This was no ordinary mist.

It seemed to possess a life of its own.

Because you could see various monsters appearing and disappearing under the cover of the thick fog.

"Stay close to me, Young Masters. If you get lost, it will be hard to handle!"

The little fox had entered once before.

She had obtained a cultivation scripture.

It was precisely because of this scripture that Qin Mu thought of coming in to search for treasure together.

Of course, bringing Ye Xiu along was for extra security!

"Hmph. Muer, little fox, step back!"

Facing such a situation, Ye Xiu did not blindly charge forward.

He slowly untied the gourd at his waist.

He opened the lid toward the thick fog.

"Collect!"

"Whoosh—"

Fierce winds rose, and a clap of thunder sounded on level ground!

That eerie thick fog, which seemed terrifying and capable of swallowing people whole.

In front of Ye Xiu's bottomless wine gourd, it was as if it had met its natural enemy.

The monsters that were originally baring their fangs and hiding in the mist finally revealed their true forms.

They were "Water Fiends" condensed from resentment and water essence!

They let out shrill screeches, desperately trying to grab onto the surrounding rocks and walls.

But in the Face of the terrifying suction enhanced by the Dao Palace Secret Realm, all struggle was futile.

"Gulp... gulp..."

The wine gourd was like an insatiable drunkard, drinking greedily.

Hundreds and thousands of Water Fiends were forcibly torn apart, turning into the purest streams of energy and spiraling into the gourd.

"Good stuff, this is top-grade 'brew'!"

Ye Xiu shook the gourd, which was gradually becoming heavier, a flash of joy in his eyes.

Evil Qi, which ordinary Cultivators would avoid at all costs, was a great supplement for him.

This was the overbearing nature of the Wine Sword Immortal Legacy—all things can be turned into wine, and all things can aid in cultivation!

In just a dozen breaths.

The originally gloomy and terrifying passage instantly became clear and refreshing, even the air felt much fresher.

"This... it's just gone?"

Hu Linger's eyes widened, and the half-eaten candied hawthorn in her mouth almost fell to the ground.

When she came last time, it was a narrow escape where she almost left her tail behind. Yet this man just pulled a cork?

"Just a small trick."

Ye Xiu casually hung the gourd back up, but this seemingly casual action instantly became profound and mysterious in the eyes of Qin Mu and the little fox.

"Let's go, the path ahead is clear."

But something even more bizarre was yet to come.

After the two humans and one fox had walked for about a few hundred steps.

The sound of a woman's crying suddenly reached their ears.

It sounded as if she was right beside them, yet no trace of her could be seen.

Vaguely, not far ahead, there was a large block of ice.

Inside, there seemed to be a person embedded.

This was...