Hu Mei is currently the current patriarch of the Qingqiu Fox Clan and also Hu Xi's aunt.
At this moment, she could no longer maintain her usual dignity. She quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Lin Tian, and said in a choked voice, "It really is you! This junior thought... I thought I would never see the Dao Venerable again!"
This action shocked Hu Xi, who stared wide-eyed. Her aunt was usually so dignified; she never expected her to have this side to her.
Lin Tian gave an awkward smile and coughed lightly, "Get up. How has Qingqiu been these past few years?"
The Hu Mei wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Thanks to the Dao Venerable's blessing, everything in Qingqiu is well. It is all thanks to the barrier you set up back then that our clan has been able to live in peace and prosperity all these years, free from the invasion of foreign enemies."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the group behind Lin Tian. She was particularly taken aback when she saw the incomparably beautiful Chang Xi, and even seemed somewhat ashamed of herself. " Dao Venerable, may I ask who they are?"
"It's nothing, just some friends."
Lin Tian gave a casual explanation.
Only then did Hu Xi timidly approach her mother and whisper, "Auntie, I'm back..."
The Hu Mei regained her usual sternness, glaring at her, but the affection in her eyes was undisguised. "You little rascal, you've been secretly running away for so many years, do you know how worried your aunt was?"
Lin Tian said, "This is a long story, why don't we go inside and talk about it?"
The Hu Mei then realized her mistake and quickly stepped aside to make way. "It was my rudeness, Dao Venerable, please, everyone!"
Led by the Hu Mei, the group passed through the barrier.
The view before me suddenly opened up, completely different from the picturesque mountain peaks I had seen from the outside world.
Inside the barrier was a vast valley, covered in lush greenery, with playful little fox everywhere and a faint fragrance of flowers in the air.
"This is Qingqiu!" Chang Xi looked around curiously. "It's so beautiful!"
Kong Xuan and the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird looked left and right, very curious about everything.
The Hu Mei led everyone to an exquisite pavilion and instructed the maids to serve the spirit fruits that were a specialty of Qingqiu.
Looking at the Dao Venerable before her, Hu Mei was filled with mixed emotions, and couldn't help but recall the moment he saved her back then.
At that time, she was just a little fox with shallow cultivation. If Lin Tian hadn't saved her, she probably would have perished long ago.
It was that encounter that changed her fate, and also the fate of the entire Qingqiu Fox Clan.
Lin Tian took a sip of the spiritual dew, a specialty of Qingqiu, and looked at the Hu Mei with gentle eyes. "Your cultivation is also quite good. You have now reached the mid-stage of the Primordial Origin Golden Immortal. You are no longer the little fox who used to cry easily."
Hearing this, Hu Xi couldn't help but chuckle.
Hu Mei was immediately embarrassed, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
"You jest Dao Venerable." Hu Mei glared at Hu Xi and said softly, "Since I became the clan leader, I have been preparing for battle every day, not daring to slack off in the slightest, and diligently cultivating."
"Fortunately, thanks to the protective formation set up by the Dao Venerable back then, our Qingqiu Fox Clan was spared from war and allowed to survive. Over the years, our strength has only improved slightly."
She paused, a hint of regret in her voice. "It's just a pity that there aren't many people in the tribe; over the years, there have only been a few hundred thousand."
Lin Tian shook his head slightly. "Everything is the result of your own hard work."
As they chatted idly, Chang Xi keenly sensed something unusual.
She noticed that the Hu Mei's gaze towards Lin Tian was exceptionally tender; the affection flowing in her eyes was clearly the admiration and longing of a woman for her beloved.
Hu Xi also noticed her aunt's unusual behavior, but she was sensible enough not to point it out, and just quietly observed the interaction between the two.
Kong Xuan and the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird were completely captivated by the beauty of Qingqiu and had long since run off to the ends of the earth, chasing and playing among the flowers.
Six-Eared Macaque and Wu Zhiqi sat quietly to the side, enjoying the spiritual fruits and dews that were the specialties of Qingqiu, quite content.
Seeing that everything was alright in Qingqiu, Lin Tian decided to take his leave. "Now that we've delivered Hu Xi, we should go too. We still have to head to the Phoenix Clan."
Upon hearing that Lin Tian was leaving, the Hu Mei was at a loss. " Dao Venerable, when will you be able to come to Qingqiu again?"
Lin Tian smiled calmly, "Let fate decide."
Hu Mei knew the gap between the two of them, and her expression was somewhat disappointed.
"Go and fetch Kong Xuan and the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird; we should go."
He had Six-Eared Macaque summon back Kong Xuan and the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird, who were playing, and then led everyone away from the Qingqiu Fox Clan.
Hu Xi approached Hu Mei and, seeing her aunt still gazing absently in the direction Lin Tian had left, playfully teased, "Auntie, do you like Dao Venerable?"
Hu Mei blushed instantly to the roots of her ears, and said angrily, "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting! How dare you tease your aunt! I haven't even settled accounts with you yet! You stole my Spiritual Treasure to open the formation and sneaked out. I'm going to punish you by making you go into seclusion for ten thousand years!"
Hu Xi was terrified and begged for mercy, "No, Auntie! I know I was wrong!"
"Hmph! Begging for mercy is useless! If you hadn't met the Dao Venerable, you would have perished long ago. How many times have I told you, there are many powerful beings in the Primordial Wilderness, and the strong prey on the weak, but you just wouldn't listen..."
Hearing her aunt lecturing her again, Hu Xi quietly backed away and then ran off in a flash.
"Auntie, I'm going to cultivate."
"You brat..."
The Hu Mei murmured to herself, her gaze unconsciously drifting in the direction Lin Tian had left. The deep-seated feelings she held in her heart could not be hidden from those with discerning eyes.
Meanwhile, Lin Tian had already led everyone on their journey to the Immortal Volcano.
Chang Xi secretly observed Lin Tian's expression and, seeing that he remained calm and composed, couldn't help but tease him, " Dao Venerable, it seems that the Fox Clan Chief is quite fond of you?"
"Who? Who likes the Dao Venerable?"
Six-Eared Macaque immediately turned around to look, his expression puzzled.
Kong Xuan smiled; although he was young, he had seen a lot.
The Golden-winged Great Peng Bird was holding two spiritual fruits in its hands, eating them as it walked.
"You monkey, what would you know?"
Chang Xi said irritably.
Lin Tian feigned ignorance and told Chang Xi, "Don't talk nonsense. She's just grateful that I saved her."
"As a woman, my intuition tells me she's definitely interested in you."
Chang Xi couldn't believe that the Dao Venerable hadn't noticed.
"Does the Dao Venerable truly not understand?"
Lin Tian shook his head, indicating he didn't know. Looking at Chang Xi's pretty appearance, a plan formed in his mind. "By the way, Chang Xi, have you ever had feelings for me?"
"I... I didn't..."
Upon hearing this, Chang Xi blushed instantly, feeling inexplicably nervous at Lin Tian's sudden question.
"Haha, Chang Xi is blushing..."
Seeing this strange sight, Six-Eared Macaque couldn't help but laugh.
This enraged Chang Xi, who glared at him and gritted her teeth. "You damn monkey, what's it to you? Shut up!"
"Hehe."
Seeing this, Lin Tian shook his head and turned to continue on his way.
"What's going on... Why am I so nervous... Could it be... that I also like... Dao Venerable...?"
Chang Xi touched her flushed face and murmured to herself.