Chapter 257: Saintess Ruyu, Watch Your Back

As the Saintess of the White Dragon Clan (白龙族) and the trusted confidante of the Dragon Dynasty’s Empress, Yan Ruyu (颜如玉) had a firm stance on the matter.

For Ye Qingchuan (叶青川), the last shred of her mercy was to retrieve him from the hands of the demonic cultivator and drag him back to the Dragon Dynasty to face the Empress’s judgment.

As for He Yuan (何渊), Yan Ruyu’s position was equally clear—since he technically had the moral high ground this time, she didn’t want to escalate things to mutual destruction. If He Yuan would just hand Ye Qingchuan over, they could call it even, and she’d turn a blind eye to his presence in the Fox Clan Secret Realm.

Yan Ruyu knew that in a few hours, Chen Sheng (辰笙) would personally arrive in the Fox Clan territory. If she really wanted revenge on He Yuan, she could just keep him trapped here. Once Chen Sheng showed up, escaping would be nearly impossible.

After all, Chen Sheng was far less merciful than Yan Ruyu.

Deep down, Yan Ruyu understood—if He Yuan didn’t leave now, he might not get another chance!

“You seem to misunderstand something, Saintess Ruyu.”

Facing the slightly arrogant White Dragon Saintess, He Ange’s tone was calm, his posture upright. “I haven’t done anything wrong. Why should I flee from the Fox Clan?”

He spoke with absolute righteousness—an outright villain, yet exuding the demeanor of a righteous saint.

Yan Ruyu was taken aback.

Was He Yuan actually this stubborn… or was he just playing dumb?

“The entire Fox Clan Secret Realm is swarming with Dragon Dynasty Immortal Attendants! And soon, more of Her Majesty’s confidants will arrive!”

Yan Ruyu was growing impatient. She had a feeling He Yuan was doing this deliberately—pride making him refuse her offer just to spite her.

She knew full well that He Yuan, the Spirit Phoenix Sect’s Saint Son, had likely come here for the same reason as Ye Qingchuan—to exploit the weakened Fox Clan and claim the Nine-Tailed Bloodline  for himself.

But now, she saw it clearly: both Nine-Tailed sisters stood beside him, and he’d even captured Ye Qingchuan in the Cherry Sea Secret Realm. What did that mean?

It meant He Yuan had already accomplished his goal.

He’d obtained the Crimson and White Fox sisters. Why cling to Ye Qingchuan?

To him, Ye Qingchuan was just a bargaining chip.

If He Yuan simply handed him over, Yan Ruyu would let him leave peacefully—avoiding the Empress’s wrath entirely.

To her, this was a flawless deal.

And yet, He Yuan refused?

Either he was utterly reckless… or he was deliberately provoking her.

“Why should I run like a rat just because the Dragon Dynasty showed up?”

“Is the Fox Clan Secret Realm part of your territory now? Are Dragon Dynasty attendants so lawless that after claiming all of Huaxia’s Nine Provinces, you think you can enforce your will across the world?”

“Or maybe—since the demonic sects haven’t even conquered the Fox Clan yet—you’ve already brazenly declared yourselves its rulers?”

“Cross-border enforcement? Did you even ask the Fox Clan for permission? The Fox Saintess herself is standing right here.”

At this, He Ange gestured towards Xia Zhiyue.

Instantly, all eyes turned to the Nine-Tailed Fox Immortal. Caught off guard, Xia Zhiyue tensed—she’d somehow become He Ange’s shield.

Logically, the Dragon Dynasty’s power was absolute. If their generals truly wished to enter Fox Clan territory to hunt someone down, a small clan like theirs had no right to refuse.

But as a righteous faction, they still had to at least pretend to follow principles.

If the Fox Clan openly objected, the Dragon Dynasty barging in to kill would be a blatant violation of justice—hardly befitting the “righteous immortals” they claimed to be.

“The Fox Saintess, she’s already—”

Yan Ruyu had been about to argue that the Fox Saintess was crippled, stripped of authority…

But halfway through, she froze.

Because the mesmerizing Nine-Tailed White Fox before her radiated the power of the Seventh Heaven Void Refining Realm!

Just half a month ago, Xia Zhiyue had only been at the peak of the Deity Transformation Realm!

Meanwhile, the Fox Saintess spoke softly:

“My Master saved me. As the Fox Clan’s Saintess, I naturally welcome my savior as a guest.”

Her words were ambiguous… but her tone dripped with unmistakable loyalty. Yan Ruyu could even detect hints of submission in her voice.

“Thank you, Saintess Zhiyue.”

He Ange chuckled politely.

As soon as he spoke, several snow-white tails extended towards him. Without hesitation, He Ange reached out and gently stroked them, rewarding her.

Xia Zhiyue bit her lower lip lightly, cheeks faintly pink—but otherwise, she showed no reaction. Behind her, her nine fluffy tails swayed happily.

“You— You two—!”

Yan Ruyu was speechless.

Perhaps she had been too arrogant. She’d instinctively assumed the Fox Clan was already a vassal state of the Dragon Dynasty, as if cross-border enforcement was her right.

Now, she had no retort.

But she couldn’t just leave Ye Qingchuan in the hands of a demonic cultivator.

With no other choice, Yan Ruyu summoned a True Dragon Pagoda—

“He Yuan, let me be clear—don’t push your luck. If you insist on keeping Ye Qingchuan despite all I’ve offered, I’ll open a spatial tunnel and summon Her Majesty the Empress to arrest you personally!”

She hated resorting to the Empress’s name as a threat.

But He Yuan left her no choice.

For herself, for the Dragon Dynasty—Ye Qingchuan had to be recovered today.

“Saintess Ruyu… are you threatening me?”

Seeing the imperial artifact in her hands, He Ange’s expression darkened, his eyes glinting with barely restrained killing intent.

Yan Ruyu shuddered.

Had she gone too far? If He Yuan actually dug his heels in… she wasn’t sure she could handle the consequences.

The air was thick with tension.

Even An Luo Yi and Xia Zhiyue were on edge.

Then—

He Ange raised his hand.

Yan Ruyu flinched, instinctively stepping back—

But instead of attacking, He Ange merely smirked.

“Fine. I’ll return Ye Qingchuan to you.”

With a flick of his finger, he sent Ye Qingchuan tumbling forward—

THUD!

The bound man faceplanted at Yan Ruyu’s feet.

The contrast was striking:

– Ye Qingchuan—groveling, disgraced, tied up in spiritual chains.
– Yan Ruyu—tall, pristine, standing with saintly elegance.

“…Haaah.”

Yan Ruyu finally relaxed.

She glanced down at Ye Qingchuan with utter disdain, then severed his bindings with a sharp gesture.

“R-Ruyu! I knew you’d—”

Ye Qingchuan scrambled up, overjoyed—

But before he could finish, Yan Ruyu shot him a glare.

This wasn’t just annoyance.

It was pure disgust. The look one gives a criminal.

“Enough. You disgrace the Dragon Clan.”

Her voice was ice.

If not for their childhood ties, if not for the Azure Dragon Clan Leader’s face (青龙族族长), she would’ve left him to die.

At least this way, she wouldn’t feel guilty for abandoning him.

“Y-Yes…”

Ye Qingchuan cowered, quickly stepping behind her.

Meanwhile, Yan Ruyu met He Ange’s gaze, still wary.

“Saintess Ruyu, I’ve returned Ye Qingchuan. Now, will you step aside?”

He Ange stood with his hands behind his back, calm as ever.

Yan Ruyu studied him, conflicted. He had cooperated… so she couldn’t push further.

She folded her arms, lifting her chin slightly.

“I know.”

Then, grudgingly, she added:

“Since we’ve settled this, I suggest you leave immediately. Soon, one of Her Majesty’s envoys will arrive—if you’re still here by then, none of you will survive.”

At first glance, it sounded like a threat.

But really?

It was a warning.

(She just couldn’t say it nicely.)

“Oh? Then I thank Saintess Ruyu for her… kind reminder.”

He Ange smiled warmly, the picture of grace.

Yan Ruyu’s cheeks flushed.

“W-Who said I was being kind?! I just— You demonic cultivators are an eyesore! I want you gone so the Fox Clan can have peace!”

“Of course, of course. Your ‘concern’ is appreciated.” He Ange grinned, as if humoring a child.

“You—! I told you, I’m not concerned! The Dragon and Phoenix Clans are mortal enemies! Don’t flatter yourself!”

Her tsundere act was strong.

But then she noticed it—

He Ange was looking at her with… pity?

“…What a shame.”

He sighed, murmuring to himself.

“Such a fine girl… stuck with a failure like Ye Qingchuan.”

“Wh-What are you—?”

Yan Ruyu frowned, confused.

But He Ange just shook his head. Then, with a meaningful glance, he said:

“Since Saintess Ruyu was kind enough to warn me… let me offer you some advice.”

“Advice…?”

A chill ran down her spine.

Why was a villain looking at her like she was pitiful?

“Watch your back.”

He Ange smiled softly.

A second later—

A blade of cold malice pierced through Yan Ruyu’s back.

[Meanwhile…]

Fox Clan Border – Ghost Controlling Sect Camp

At dawn, countless elite corpse puppets gathered on the plains. At the forefront, atop a stone platform, stood a masked man in a Taoist robe, holding a black-and-white horsetail whisk.

He was Li Xuan, Holy Son of the Ghost Controlling Sect.

After weeks of war profiteering—harvesting corpses to expand his army—Li Xuan now commanded ten thousand elite ghouls, each at least Core Formation Realm, with some even reaching Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation.

Some wielded weapons (vanguards).
Some carried bows (archers).
Some were giant, hulking monstrosities —perfect for sieges.

Under Li Xuan’s demonic arts, they moved as one—mindless, fearless, utterly obedient.

The perfect army.

And he’d built it in just half a month.

“Endless war… truly the Ghost Sect’s most profitable business.”

Surveying his creations, Li Xuan smirked beneath his mask.

But he was no longer content with drawn-out skirmishes.

Too slow.

His army needed more.

Today, he would betray his ‘alliance’ with the Dragon Dynasty—sending his forces in a blitzkrieg assault while the Dragon attendants feasted and drank, oblivious.

Three days. That’s all he needed to conquer the Fox Clan.

And when the bodies piled up?

His army would grow exponentially.

Soon, no force in the southern border could stop him.

And then—

He would finally claim his prize.

The Fox Saintess.

[Corpse Bride Ritual]—a desire he’d harbored for so long.

His partnership with the Blood Refining Sect’s Saintess had been meant to kill Xia Zhiyue, turning her into the ultimate undead bride…

But at the last moment, she’d escaped.

“Heh. Today… everything changes.”

Li Xuan turned, glancing at the white-haired Saintess leaning against a cherry blossom tree—

“Care to join me in slaughtering the Fox Clan, Saintess Mu?”

“Killing defenseless little foxes? How boring.”

Her voice was as cold as her blood-red eyes.

Li Xuan chuckled awkwardly.

“How noble of you, Saintess. Who knew a demonic sect member could be so… merciful?”

It sounded like praise.

It wasn’t.

The Saintess’s gaze sharpened—

And Li Xuan flinched, nearly buckling under her killing intent.

“Fine, fine. But if the Dragon Dynasty sends real forces, don’t forget our deal.”

She smirked behind her veil.

“Oh, don’t worry.”

“If you’re ever in real danger… I’ll absolutely save you.”

Her smile was dazzling.

[Elsewhere…]

“Lady Sheng, the Fox Clan seems unstable.”

“Perhaps you should wait outside while this old man retrieves Ye Qingchuan’s head for you…”

Atop a mountain overlooking the Fox Clan border stood two figures.

An elderly steward in black-and-gold dragon robes.

And beside him—

Chen Sheng .

The Second Princess of the Supreme Dragon Dynasty1.

The only living contender for the throne besides her elder sister, Chen Long.

(The rest had died in the succession wars.)

“Do I look that fragile?”

“But Lady Sheng—the Fox Clan is besieged by two demonic sects! We must proceed cautiously… Moreover, I sense a great battle brewing. Her Majesty’s task can wait.”

Chen Sheng tapped her chin, considering.

Though prideful, she trusted her steward’s judgment.

His counsel had saved her life more than once.

“True. Let’s observe first.”

A dark smirk curled her lips.

“Maybe Ye Qingchuan will lead the Dragon attendants out to fight the demonic sects…”

“And once they’ve weakened each other—we’ll swoop in and finish him off!”

Her eyes gleamed with vicious amusement.

She loved a good show.

—