Chapter 962: Complicated Relationships

Chapter 962: Complicated Relationships

Things are looking grim now, with Ruo’er and the Fox People facing a dire situation.

At this point, we need to take to the skies on our Spirit Swords.

But only some of the Immortal Foxes can ride Spirit Swords; the Demon Foxes, being the majority, can’t, making this a flawed escape plan.

Moreover, the Demon Practitioners have their own methods to counter Spirit Sword flight. They possess aerial Demon Palaces, and there’s a time lag at the takeoff stage of Spirit Sword flight, which presents a flaw. If any Demon Practitioners skilled in aerial magic are present, we’re in danger.

Clearly, the opposing leader has exceptional abilities. With the Demon Star’s fall, the Demon Practitioners have grown even more reckless, so Spirit Sword flight may not be safe either.

“Miss Ruo’er, we’ll cover your escape on the Spirit Sword. If not, we might all end up perishing here.”

“Ah, b-but…?”

This made Ruo’er feel quite distressed. She was meant to save her kin, yet she finds herself being specially treated and escorted away.

The group of Fox People saved by the young master, with him absent, she should shoulder the heavy responsibility, but now…

“Come, let’s go. We must hurry.”

The remaining Immortal Foxes mounted their Spirit Swords, soaring around them, preparing to take flight.

Meanwhile, a leader from another faction of Demon Practitioners rushed over quickly. After all, the Demon Beasts on that side are stronger than Ling Meng’s. They were originally frenzied beasts, and now rejuvenated after purification, they were naturally stronger than usual.

“Master, it’s a group of Fox People. Among them are both Immortal Foxes and Demon Foxes.”

“Mm, I see.”

Liu Shuqin skillfully maneuvered a swift Demon Tiger, circling over to the scene quickly. However, she was moving so fast that she had already strayed from the main team, with only a few subordinates beside her.

The Fox People, witnessing this, gritted their teeth, filled with rage.

“Cover Miss Ruo’er, do not let that group of Demon Practitioners get near.”

The Fox People stood united; their lives were saved by Lin Nuo, so they naturally would do their utmost to protect his maid.

“Mm? What’s that?”

With sharp eyes, Liu Shuqin swept through the crowd of Fox People, spotting a familiar figure among them.

“Could it be? Is that really Ruo’er?”

Liu Shuqin was taken aback. That petite frame and adorable face had to be Ruo’er.

“Ruo’er, is that you!”

Liu Shuqin shouted with all her might, her voice quickly reaching Ruo’er.

“Ah? That voice…”

Ruo’er’s large fluffy ears twitched, and she hurriedly dashed from the back of the Fox crowd to the front.

“Miss Ruo’er, don’t go! Don’t engage with them; we are not their match.”

“No, they shouldn’t be enemies!”

Ruo’er instinctively trusted her feelings and rushed forward to see the leader of the Demon Practitioners, stunned.

The girl riding the Demon Tiger was indeed Liu Shuqin.

But her appearance had noticeably changed; the strong celestial aura she once had was now tinged with a hint of charm.

She seemed like a practitioner of demonic arts now, but not in a way that made her detestable. Liu Shuqin seemed to straddle the line between demonic and righteous paths.

“Sister Shuqin, is, is that really you?!”

“Ruo’er? Wh-what happened to you?”

The two were thrilled to meet again, their hearts a whirl of emotions.

After such a long time apart, on opposing sides, it was as if they stood on the brink of conflict.

Boom!

Another explosion rang out. The flames grew fiercer, and thick black smoke began to replace the dense fog, engulfing the mountains and forests in a sea of fire.

“Sister Shuqin, is it really you? Wh-why…?”

“It’s me, Ruo’er. Don’t be afraid. As you can see, even though I am now a Demon Practitioner, I won’t harm you.”

“Demon Practitioner… no, it can’t be true… how could… Sister Shuqin possibly practice demonic arts? You’re not… mm… the rumors can’t be true… even the young master wouldn’t practice demonic arts…”

“Ruo’er, some things may be hard for you to accept. But regardless, everything your junior brother has done has his reasoning behind it. You know he always accomplishes feats in unexpected ways. Let’s not linger, we need to leave while we still can.”

“B-but what about our kin behind us…?”

“I’ll cover for you. We’ll evacuate as many as we can.”

During Ruo’er and Liu Shuqin’s exchange, the Fox People looked on in confusion. It seemed Ruo’er had some connection with the Demon Practitioner.

“Miss Ruo’er, Demon Practitioners are cunning. Do not trust them lightly. We should stick to the original plan and leave. Who knows what fate awaits us if we follow them.”

“Sister Shuqin shouldn’t mean any harm… mm… she shouldn’t…”

Ruo’er spoke with little conviction; her mind was a mess, and she wasn’t sure who to trust anymore.

With another round of explosions, Ling Meng and her Demon Practitioners had already arrived, venturing into the forest. They moved quickly through the inferno, while Ruo’er and her group had delayed in order to help the wounded kin.

They arrived much faster than anticipated.

“Liu Shuqin, so it’s you. What, are you planning to snatch the resources here away from me?”

Ling Meng said coldly. She hadn’t expected Liu Shuqin to control that previous wild group of Demon Beasts and even find this group of Fox People faster than they did.

“Ling Meng, I have no intention of competing with you for resources. I just hope you’ll spare this group of Fox People.”

“Spare them? I told you, you’re not fit to be a Demon Practitioner. No, you are those they sent as infiltrators. The Fox People are quite valuable to us Demon Practitioners. We are not like those righteous practitioners who preach about saving the world all day. Spare them? Do you find that reasonable? Furthermore, these Fox People just defeated my Demon Beasts. I can’t let that slide. If you interfere, I won’t care about the face of your master. You’re not worthy of it.”

Ling Meng’s gaze zeroed in on Ruo’er, sensing that Ruo’er was different from the other Fox People.

“If I’m not mistaken, that little girl is probably the one who concocted the formation to make us suffer, right? Completely unaware of her own insignificance.”

Ling Meng was furious; she gathered the power of demonic souls in her hand, preparing to hurl a powerful magic projectile toward Ruo’er.

“Ling Meng, I understand the rules and nature of Demon Practitioners. However, regardless, that little girl was once the junior brother’s maid. If you intend to harm her, I can only meet you with blade in hand.”

Liu Shuqin unsheathed her Demon Sword, directing it towards Ling Meng, her eyes ignited with anger.

“Your master’s maid? How could he possibly have a maid who practices immortality?”

“No matter whether you believe it or not, that is the truth. Just as you can’t fathom your junior brother also being a practitioner.”

“Mm?”

Ling Meng felt within that Liu Shuqin was lying to her, trying to prevent her from attacking. Yet, she withdrew her hand.

Better safe than sorry; if it were true, she’d be the one in trouble. If Liu Shuqin were lying, it wouldn’t matter if the Fox People escaped.

She might not harm her, but she couldn’t let her go either; at the very least, she needed to understand what was happening.

Did the master and the Immortals have ties?