Chapter Eighty-Two: She Is My Sister

Zhou Qi and Xiao Bai followed the group of cultivators in pursuit of Jiu’er. Among the cultivators, some were highly sensitive to demonic energy. Although the Breaking Ground Talisman’s teleportation made her location uncertain, by tracking the traces of demonic power, it was only a matter of time before they caught up.

Zhou Qi’s heart burned with anxiety. He had never expected Jiu’er to act this way. He blamed himself for not considering her feelings. His own hesitation had forced Jiu’er into this decision.

When he was in danger, Jiu’er had stood before him without a second thought. He had always treated Jiu’er as a human, but he realized now that he could never truly empathize with the demon race.

“Boss, would you really stand against everyone for Miss’s sake?” Xiao Bai asked softly.

“I would. She is my sister. I must protect her at all costs. If anyone dares to harm her, they are my enemy,” Zhou Qi replied without hesitation.

“But Miss is trying to save a demon. That puts her at odds with humanity itself. This is not the same as fighting back during a robbery. If you truly take action against everyone, I fear there will be no place for you within the Domain of the Daoist Sects,” Xiao Bai reasoned.

“She is my sister,” Zhou Qi repeated.

What did it matter if he became the enemy of all? He had no intention of betraying his kind, but he could not abandon Jiu’er. The rules set by the great sects and noble houses—were they always right? Should the lives of all be dictated by the whims of a few? Zhou Qi could not agree. Even the smallest creature could shake the heavens.

Jiu’er flew onward with the white fox in her arms. She dared not stop, for if she did, she would be surrounded and attacked. If she did not wish to trouble her brother, she had to leave this place.

She took out a Restoration Pill and fed it to the white fox, whose wounds healed instantly.

Am I dead? Why does nothing hurt anymore? The rush of wind as they flew startled the white fox awake. Am I flying? She opened her eyes and saw she was being held tightly by an ordinary-looking woman whose embrace was warm and comforting. Though her appearance was plain, there was something gentle about her.

Would she skin me for a fur coat? But being made into a coat by her would be far better than by those foul cultivators, the white fox thought.

“You’re awake. Don’t worry, we’re out of immediate danger, but there are pursuers behind us. We must hurry and escape,” Jiu’er said as she saw the white fox stir.

“You saved me? You’re not going to kill me?” the white fox asked in a clear, childlike voice.

“Heh, so you’re just a little girl. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I’m a demon too, just like you. I promise to get you out of here safely,” Jiu’er replied with a smile.

Only now did the white fox truly believe she had been rescued. She quickly said, “My name is Xiaohua. Thank you, sister, for saving my life.”

“My name is Jiu’er.”

“Jiu’er? That’s a strange name. Do you have eight older sisters?” Xiaohua asked.

“No, my brother named me. He’s human,” Jiu’er replied, her thoughts drifting to Zhou Qi, her heart heavy with longing.

“A human? He doesn’t want to kill you?” Xiaohua was curious. Every human cultivator she’d known had wanted her dead, yet Jiu’er’s brother was human?

“No, he’s not like other humans,” Jiu’er replied with a smile.

Maybe he’s taken with her looks, but she doesn’t seem all that attractive, thought Xiaohua. Her taste was a bit different from humans, but she could still tell beauty from plainness. Maybe he has some strange fetish, she mused, but she dared not ask Jiu’er.

Suddenly, a mountain of ice materialized out of thin air, blocking Jiu’er’s path. Her heart sank. They’d been caught up to after all. She glanced back but saw no sign of Zhou Qi; she wasn’t sure if she felt disappointed or relieved.

Zhou Qi was still anxiously making his way in the direction of the cultivators, but his sword flying technique was too low, and the obstacles were many—he couldn’t move as quickly as those who soared high above.

“Hand over the white fox. For your brother’s generosity, we’ll let you go,” one cultivator demanded.

“If I hand her over, you’ll just kill her,” Jiu’er replied, shaking her head.

“Please, sirs, I’ve never harmed anyone. I beg you, spare me,” Xiaohua pleaded with tears in her voice.

“Hmph. Those who are not of our kind must have ulterior motives. If you persist in your folly, don’t blame us for being ruthless,” the cultivator threatened, sword in hand.

“Then come and try,” Jiu’er said, showing not a hint of fear as she removed the hairpin from her head. It transformed into a pale blue sword.

“A mid-grade spirit weapon? You two siblings may look plain, but you certainly are wealthy. Let’s see if your strength matches your bold words,” the cultivator sneered as his own sword began to spin rapidly, radiating powerful spiritual energy that disturbed the very air.

The other cultivators formed a circle, surrounding them. This man was at the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment; the difference in cultivation allowed him to ignore the spirit weapon’s advantage. His sword spun faster and faster, its energy surging, determined to end the fight in one blow, wary as he was of Jiu’er’s mid-grade spirit weapon.

Though Jiu’er was a peak second-tier demon beast, she was not skilled in combat. As she sensed the murderous intent radiating from the spinning sword, she tensed, quietly channeling her demonic power and readying the Thousand Illusions Glass in her hand for defense.

At last, the flying sword had gathered enough force. It sliced through the air, bearing down on Jiu’er in a flash.

There was no evading this strike; the killing intent was locked onto her. Jiu’er no longer cared about revealing her identity—if she could not block this blow, she would die.

She poured all her demonic power into her defense. Her hidden fox tails emerged, and her illusory appearance dissolved, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty.

What? The crowd was stunned. A nine-tailed fox! Only a nine-tailed fox could possess such breathtaking beauty. No wonder she had protected the white fox so fiercely.

With a cry, Jiu’er swung the Thousand Illusions Glass at the oncoming sword. The two blades clashed with a resounding clang. The cultivator’s sword shattered, but the force flung Jiu’er backward, blood on her lips.

Hearing Jiu’er’s scream in the distance, Zhou Qi’s anxiety soared. He no longer cared about his fear of heights and guided his sword higher, speeding toward the sound.

Jiu’er wiped the blood from her mouth, fixing the cultivators with a cold stare. Many were so captivated by her beauty that they seemed to ponder where they’d like to be buried when they died.

The white fox stared in awe. It truly was a goddess who had saved her. But now the goddess looked gravely wounded. She couldn’t bear to see her savior bleed and struggle—she wriggled, trying to leap from Jiu’er’s arms. “Sister, hand me over. Please!”

Jiu’er held her tightly. At this point, surrendering the white fox would solve nothing.

The cultivator whose sword had broken finally recovered his senses and shouted, “It’s the nine-tailed fox! She must die! Everyone, attack together!”

The other cultivators snapped out of their daze and advanced with weapons raised.

Jiu’er felt despair. She had barely withstood the last attack; if they all came at her together, she would surely die. Still, she had no regrets—only sorrow that she had not yet repaid her brother’s kindness.

“Who dares harm my sister?” Suddenly, a figure appeared before Jiu’er.

It was Zhou Qi. Having conquered his fear of heights, he had finally arrived. He swept his gaze over the crowd, his voice cold as ice.