The Undying Mountain had only one exit, the very fissure through which Ye Qiu and the others had entered.
They now headed towards that crack.
They did not move quickly.
Mostly because they were about to part ways, and none of them could bear to separate just yet. They all wanted to spend a little more time together.
Besides, once they left, nobody knew what kind of situation awaited them outside.
Although Ye Qiu kept a relaxed smile on his face the whole time, his heart was anything but calm. He had a strong premonition that the moment he stepped out of the mountain, a life-or-death crisis would be waiting.
“Old man, keep an eye on her for me.”
With that, Ye Qiu grabbed the little white fox by the ear and tossed her to Real Person Longbrow.
“So cute, little foxie~” Real Person Longbrow reached out to pat the little white fox’s head, only to have his hand swatted away by a furious paw.
“Get lost, you stinking Taoist. You make me sick just looking at you.”
The little white fox leapt down from his shoulder and glared at Ye Qiu. “Ye Changsheng, what is the meaning of this?”
“What exactly are you planning?”
“Are you going to abandon me?”
Ye Qiu smiled. “I just want some alone time with Xi’er. Stop bothering me.”
The little white fox said, “Take me with you. I won’t say a word.”
“It’s inconvenient to have you along,” Ye Qiu replied.
“How is it inconvenient? I won’t disturb you two.” The little white fox started walking towards him.
“Stay right there!” Ye Qiu stared at her coldly and warned, “Don’t push me, or I won’t be polite.”
“You—” The little white fox puffed up with anger. “Ye Changsheng, aren’t you afraid I’ll just run away?”
“I’m a human cultivator. Carrying a demon around is already troublesome enough. You want to run? Go ahead. That would save me a lot of hassle. You’re the one who would be hunted down by human cultivators.”
At that moment, something occurred to Ye Qiu. He asked the little white fox, “I forgot to ask. How did you get in here? Why didn’t the human cultivators notice a demon like you?”
“I’m not telling you. Hmph!” The little white fox snorted coldly and ignored him.
“A stinking fox demon dares to throw such a tantrum. Changsheng, let me kill her,” Yun Xi said.
Ye Qiu quickly pulled Yun Xi back and laughed. “No need to stoop to her level.”
Yun Xi lowered her voice. “Changsheng, I keep feeling there’s something strange about this nine-tailed celestial fox. I’m worried she’ll harm you if you keep her around.”
Ye Qiu brushed it off. “Don’t worry. Even if she wanted to, with her cultivation she couldn’t hurt me.”
“Still, be careful,” Yun Xi urged.
Ye Qiu nodded with a smile, then said, “Old man, you lot go on ahead. I’ll catch up later.”
“Alright.” Real Person Longbrow acknowledged, turned, and left.
“Second brother, what are big brother and Fairy Yun Xi going to do?” Lin Bigbird whispered.
“What else? Naturally, they’re going to say goodb—” Real Person Longbrow swallowed the last word and said instead, “You little toothpick, stop asking so many questions.”
“Hurry up and move.”
With that, Real Person Longbrow led Mo Tianji and Lin Bigbird towards the exit.
The little white fox followed behind them, looking back every few steps.
“Hmph. Ye Changsheng, abandoning me for some painted, powdered woman. The day you see this princess’s true heavenly beauty, you’ll regret it.”
The little white fox fumed silently.
Once they were far away, Ye Qiu took out a large pile of spiritual herbs from his Cosmos Pouch and handed them to Yun Xi. “Take these.”
“I don’t need them,” Yun Xi laughed. “Have you forgotten who I am? My father is the sect master of Azure Cloud Sword Sect. Whatever spiritual herbs they have, I can get.”
Ye Qiu explained, “You misunderstand. I want you to deliver these to Yue’er.”
Instantly, Yun Xi pouted, her tone resentful. “You really are deeply devoted to Fairy Hundred Flowers!”
“What, jealous?” Ye Qiu wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’m pretty good to you too. I’ve already given you my whole body.”
“Villain~” Yun Xi shot him a flirtatious glance, brimming with charm.
Ye Qiu pulled her closer and said softly, “After we part this time, who knows when we’ll meet again. Xi’er, I can’t bear to leave you.”
Yun Xi replied, “Changsheng, I can’t bear to leave you either. I want to be with you every single moment until the end of time.”
That’s how women in love are. Once they give themselves to a man, they want to stay with him forever.
“Xi’er, since we’re about to part, shouldn’t we do something meaningful?”
As Ye Qiu spoke, his other hand began to misbehave. Yun Xi, still new to such things, could not withstand the teasing.
In no time, her face was flushed, her breathing rapid.
“Ye-lang, stop fooling around.”
“Stop fooling around…”
“Come here!”
Suddenly, Yun Xi turned, threw her arms around his neck, and took the initiative with a passionate kiss.
Ye Qiu responded with equal fervour.
At that moment, it felt as though the entire world contained only the two of them.
Soon, the temperature soared, skin burning.
When feelings reached their peak,
just as Ye Qiu was about to take things further, Yun Xi stopped him.
“Changsheng, wait a moment.” She hurriedly took out a jade pendant.
The next second, the formation on the pendant activated, enveloping them both.
Then the great battle erupted.
This battle was unprecedented in its intensity.
Drums of war thundered.
They charged forward without retreat.
Stripped for combat.
Clouds and rain overturned.
…
They traded blow for blow, neither willing to yield an inch, each trying not only to overwhelm the other but to merge the other into their very blood and bones.
Ye Qiu had experienced Yun Xi’s combat prowess before, but now, perhaps because separation was imminent, her fighting strength had risen to a terrifying level. Even after taking a Ten-Complete Great Restoration Pill, Ye Qiu still struggled to keep up.
Left with no choice, he resorted to his ultimate hidden techniques.
“Swallows Fly Together!”
“Fish with Joined Eyes!”
“Dragons Twine!”
“Seagulls Soar!”
“Wild Horses Leap!”
“Mysterious Cicada Clings!”
“…”
Finally, Yun Xi’s forces collapsed. Amid her pleas for mercy, the great battle gradually drew to a close.
Afterwards,
Yun Xi lay in Ye Qiu’s arms and said, “Ye-lang, why don’t I just follow you after we leave the mountain?”
Ye Qiu hurriedly replied, “Absolutely not. If you came with me, your father would chase me down with a blade.”
Yun Xi’s expression dimmed. “But I want to be with you every single second.”
Ye Qiu said, “If love lasts long, why must we be together day and night? Xi’er, rest assured. Once I’ve settled everything, I’ll come to Azure Cloud Sword Sect to find you.”
“But what if I miss you?” Yun Xi asked.
“That’s easy. I’ll teach you a supreme secret art.” Ye Qiu grinned and extended a finger.
Instantly, Yun Xi collapsed back into his arms, panting as she asked, “Ye-lang, what is this secret art called?”
Ye Qiu gave a wicked smile. “Golden Finger!”
