Advanced Tool

When Black Stone first extended the invitation, Wine Fox Immortal refused.

The mere thought of that woman, Liu Xuanye, made her wish she were dead.

It was more painful than menstrual cramps.

Her menstrual cramps were, in fact, a lingering side effect of the sword intent restriction Liu Xuanye had inflicted upon her.

She loathed menstrual cramps, yet strangely, she did not loathe Liu Xuanye.

That was the most painful part of all.

The most lucrative mission she had ever received to date was to investigate Liu Xuanye.

Yet, despite exhausting every method, her divine sense could not draw a single inch closer to that woman.

She had even been injured multiple times because of it; the most severe injury had directly damaged her Immortal Platform, which remained unhealed to this day.

Her feelings toward Liu Xuanye transcended those of a mortal enemy, a close friend, or a target; they were a mix of rivalry, nostalgia, and the stubborn refusal to accept an unfinished mission.

Her mission was not yet over.

She knew that one day she would reunite with Liu Xuanye, but she was not yet prepared to face her.

She did not want to be Liu Xuanye's enemy.

Suddenly, one day, Black Stone told her that Liu Xuanye was going to take a mortal as her partner to prove her innocence and develop the Immortal City.

Black Stone had pulled strings to ask her to serve as the resident envoy at the Bamboo Spring Sect, intending for her to secretly investigate Liu Xuanye's mortal partner.

She had initially assumed it was merely a marriage of convenience.

But Black Stone, who was always cunning and shrewd, placed such extraordinary importance on this that she realized it might not be as simple as a superficial partnership.

Last night.

Upon seeing Lu Ya, she was astonished to discover—

This youth appeared to be a mortal, yet he possessed an air that surpassed even the immortals.

He was skilled in culinary arts, refined in brewing grain wine, capable of crafting bamboo slips to protect the immortal citizens from Liu Xuanye's harm, and could even restrain her Wine Sound Illusion Array.

In full view of everyone, he had embraced and kissed Liu Xuanye without being harmed, and had even gone straight to the bridal chamber.

At the thought of Liu Xuanye being touched by a filthy man... her Immortal Platform throbbed with agonizing pain.

Although she vaguely sensed that this man was hiding his true strength, she still wanted to beat him up!

Firstly, to vent her frustration; secondly, she wanted to take the opportunity to probe Lu Ya's true capabilities.

After a night of heavy drinking, she did not go to rest.

Instead, she charged straight to the Bamboo Spring Sect, prepared to give Lu Ya a show of force.

The battle scenario she had envisioned was as follows—

Under her relentless pressure, Lu Ya would be forced to reveal his strength step by step, bring out his treasures, unveil his hidden cards, and fight her for three hundred rounds, only to be narrowly defeated by her due to his inferior cultivation.

Her script was already written.

But the battle she imagined never happened.

There wasn't even a fight!

No sooner had she finished shouting her challenge than she was suddenly seized by a terrifying force. Before she could even muster the strength to resist, she had been dropped into Ning Zhongzi's bedroom, rolling onto her bed, right beside that man.

She heard a casual voice beside her ear say:

"Hello, I am Lu Ya. The organization has an important mission to entrust to you."

"..."

Who am I?

Where am I?

What was I supposed to be doing?

Wine Fox Immortal jolted upright, sat cross-legged on the bed, and straightened her posture.

Face-to-face with Lu Ya, her fox-like eyes stared straight at the man before her.

I, a dignified three-star immortal sect expert, haven't even made a move, yet I've been dragged onto a bed?

Wine Fox Immortal pondered the implications and felt a chill; she felt she had been set up by Black Stone.

You're good-looking, I'll tolerate that.

Your cooking is good, I'll tolerate that too.

Your brewing skills are excellent, I can still tolerate that.

But how are you, a mere mortal, so strong?

Is Black Stone not coming himself because he wants me to make a fool of myself for him?

Wine Fox Immortal suddenly sneered.

She was no ordinary person, after all.

As a spy within a spy within a spy, she suddenly found herself taking an interest in Lu Ya that was no less than her interest in Liu Xuanye.

"Where am I?"

Instantly shaking off the awkwardness, Wine Fox Immortal acted as if nothing had happened, slurring her words drunkenly:

"Brother, the wine you brew is quite good; it made me drink all through the night."

Having said that, she feigned a dry heave, vomiting directly onto Ning Zhongzi's bed, and once finished, she turned the tables on Ning Zhongzi to create a perfect excuse for herself.

"Ning Zhongzi, what kind of medicine did you give me? I don't have a shred of strength left in me now."

Ning Zhongzi shook her head indifferently.

"It was just a common hangover cure, Honorable Immortal Envoy. You need to go and rest."

"What, are you chasing me away?"

Wine Fox Immortal's expression shifted suddenly, a cloud of suspicion deliberately cast over her pretty, round face.

"Let me guess... broad daylight, a handsome man and a beautiful woman alone in a room..."

At this point, she suddenly flew into a rage, perfectly diverting the embarrassment of having been soundly thrashed just moments ago.

"You wretch, Lu Ya! Not only did you sleep with my sister Liu Xuanye, but you actually dare to betray her?"

Lu Ya remained calm, sitting with his arms crossed, looking at her with the gaze one might reserve for the mentally challenged.

Ning Zhongzi, however, blushed instantly and hurriedly changed the subject.

"Allow me to introduce her. This is the person I mentioned to my Senior Brother earlier: a high-ranking deacon of the East Floating Immortal Court and the newly appointed resident envoy to the Bamboo Spring Sect, Honorable Wine Fox Immortal."

Only then did Lu Ya cast a glance at Wine Fox Immortal.

She was petite, with an exquisite round face that would normally be considered cute, yet the temperament in her brows and eyes was remarkably bold.

Her skin was fair, her figure particularly proud, and her attire was even more uninhibited; she wore an orange fox-fur robe with missing sleeves and a low-cut front that revealed a snowy expanse of cleavage, enough to make one's heart race.

Half-human, half-fox, with the cultivation of a Three-Star Immortal Sect, she had a wine gourd hanging from her waist. Her face was flushed and she reeked of alcohol, yet her natural scent was light and pleasant—a reminder that no matter how bold her style, she was still a woman.

Lu Ya was no Pu Songling; he had no interest in foxes.

All he saw was a high-end tool.

Uncrossing his arms, Lu Ya feigned respect.

"Greetings, Honorable Immortal Envoy."

"Hmph."

Wine Fox Immortal lifted her round face and snorted coldly, but then mimicked Lu Ya's previous posture, crossing her arms over her chest to display a haughty curve.

Lu Ya did not want to waste his time idling, so he got straight to the point:

"Our city-building project requires a city guard. Considering your cultivation and connections, Honorable Envoy, the organization has decided that you shall lead this force."

"Do you really think I'm drunk?"

Wine Fox Immortal's expression turned slightly cold as she retorted sharply.

"Whether as a resident sect envoy or a city envoy, my role is merely to supervise and guide you immortals and mortals. If I were to personally take the field and lead a team, what face would the Immortal Court have left?"

Ning Zhongzi thought to herself that although Wine Fox Immortal was unreliable, she was an Immortal Sect practitioner after all. Just as Lu Ya had said, she possessed impressive connections and deterrent power; she might be a decent candidate.

She said:

"We can offer you a generous salary."

"The people who offer me a salary usually die before they even get the chance to pay."

Wine Fox Immortal's expression was arrogant as she gave a slight, cold laugh.

"Don't talk to me about how the Bamboo Spring Sect is poor as a church mouse. Even if your Sect Master were wealthy, do you think I'm someone who lacks money?"

Lu Ya nodded, glanced at her snowy peaks, and said:

"This style of dress that saves on fabric suggests otherwise."

Stung by the direct hit, Wine Fox Immortal hurriedly adjusted her collar to make it look like there was more fabric.

As an Immortal Sect-level spy, her salary was not small, but she spent most of it on wine.

She had even sold her official Immortal Court uniform to a rogue immortal...

The reason she refused Lu Ya's invitation was twofold: first, she did not believe in the development of Azure Phoenix City; second, as an informant with a secret mission, she did not want to be bogged down by trivial matters that would keep her away from her two targets of investigation.

She had to keep a constant eye on Liu Xuanye and Lu Ya.

Especially Lu Ya!

"It doesn't matter what you say. Even though I'm not wearing my Immortal Court uniform, I will never forget the fact that I am an Immortal Court deacon. As a high-ranking deacon of the East Floating Immortal Court, I will not lower myself to become a city guard leader."

Ning Zhongzi suddenly asked in a low voice:

"Then what do you intend to do?"

Wine Fox Immortal closed her eyes slightly, looking righteous.

"I will stand firmly on the side of the Immortal Court, representing the Court to supervise and guide your city-building project, ensuring that Azure Phoenix City remains on a safe and healthy track."

Ning Zhongzi tempted her with fine wine once more:

"We have free immortal brew. As long as you agree to be the city defense leader, you can drink as much as you like."

With a lift of her thick brows, the Wine Fox Immortal's firm resolve wavered, yet she gritted her teeth and held her ground.

"Scoundrel! Are you trying to bribe an official appointed by the Immortal Court?"

Lu Ya narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that this woman actually had some backbone, and hatched a plan.

"I heard from my senior sister that you were once classmates with our sect master for many years. Because of the sect master's constitution, her Immortal Platform suffered a severe injury that has yet to heal. I wonder if this is true?"

The Wine Fox Immortal suddenly grew vigilant.

"What does that have to do with you?"

Lu Ya took out a Green Bamboo Slip and tossed it to her casually.

"This is a protective bamboo slip I crafted. Carrying it on your person can effectively suppress the restrictions harming our sect master, and perhaps it might even help with your own old injuries, Immortal Envoy."

"Is that for real?"

The Wine Fox Immortal was full of suspicion, but recalling the events of last night, she decided to give it a try.

She picked up the bamboo slip and, ignoring those around her, tucked it into her loose, coarse-cloth robe.

She channeled a bit of energy.

A moment later.

She felt a refreshing coolness wash over her entire body; her meridians flowed freely, and all congestion dissipated. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, her lower abdomen gradually warmed, and the vortex caused by the injury to her sea of qi actually showed signs of calming.

Even the menstrual pain that had plagued her for so long was cured.

She looked at Lu Ya with a face full of shock.

Could this guy even treat gynecological issues?

If she had a higher-grade bamboo slip for protection, couldn't the old injury to her own Immortal Platform be completely healed?

And if she took the bamboo slip to find Liu Xuanye, wouldn't she be able to study her secrets more intimately and in greater depth?

How wonderful!

This man was truly interesting.

In the thousands of years she had been in the Colored Cloud Immortal Domain, he was the second person she found intriguing, aside from Liu Xuanye.

Now, Liu Xuanye and Lu Ya were both in the Bamboo Spring Sect and were even dao companions.

And she, as it happened, had been sent to serve as the resident envoy for the Bamboo Spring Sect.

It seemed that her mission, which had been sealed away for thousands of years and promised astonishing rewards, was finally about to make progress.

Thinking this, the Wine Fox Immortal felt a surge of excitement, though her face remained composed.

"Do you have any higher-grade bamboo slips?"

"Of course."

"Let me see them."

Lu Ya smiled without a word, just watching her quietly.

The Wine Fox Immortal had no choice but to agree to Lu Ya's request.

"As the resident envoy of the Bamboo Spring Sect and the city envoy of Azure Phoenix City, it is only right that I contribute to the development of the town. With the bamboo slips as payment, this seat can serve as your city defense leader."

Lu Ya nodded with a smile.

"Many thanks, Immortal Envoy."

Ning Zhongzi breathed a sigh of relief, admiring Lu Ya even more.

She hadn't expected these bamboo slips to have healing properties as well.

The Wine Fox Immortal asked casually:

"To build a city defense army, you need at least a few Immortal Lords with combat talent. Aside from those two little tigers with mediocre talent in your Bamboo Spring Sect, who else do you have?"

Lu Ya laughed:

"Since you are the leader, Immortal Envoy, it is only natural that you find the people to build the team—perhaps your subordinates from the Immortal Court, the rogue immortals from the Beast Nest Forest, or your junior brothers and sisters from the White Lotus Sect."

The Wine Fox Immortal's thick brows twitched, but she held back her temper and only asked:

"And you? What will you be doing?"

"Supervising and guiding your work."

"Pfft—"

The Wine Fox Immortal felt she had been swindled, but for the sake of her healing and her dear sister Xuanye, she had no choice but to endure it.

"When will you give me the higher-grade bamboo slips?"

"That depends on your performance."

"I hope you are clear about what you are doing."

"Naturally."

"If you toy with me, you are toying with the Immortal Court. No matter how strong you are, you will suffer divine retribution."

Having said this, Wine Fox Immortal patted her backside, rose from the bed, and walked toward the door with an arrogant air.

Her petite, uninhibited silhouette paused at the threshold, and she turned her head to add—

"But if you toy with Liu Xuanye, you will suffer a calamity far more terrifying than divine retribution."

After Wine Fox Immortal left, Lu Ya felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. To get some rest sooner, he fought back the urge to yawn and spoke earnestly to Ning Zhongzi:

"Regarding Azure Phoenix City, let me go over it with you one more time."

"First, hire some chefs and brewers at high wages to run the tavern; I will be responsible for their techniques."

"Second, you personally organize the farming and animal husbandry, and produce immortal fertilizer. I will give you the formula later."

"Third, have that fox find people to build a city garrison. I will keep an eye on her to ensure she doesn't act recklessly."

Seeing that Lu Ya was clear-headed and sharp-witted—not at all like the mindset of someone focused on longevity—Ning Zhongzi felt he was unfathomable and submitted wholeheartedly.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Lu Ya spread his hands and said:

"Can you let me sleep now, Senior Sister?"

Ning Zhongzi's willow-leaf brows twitched. For some reason, she had a faint feeling that she might have been toyed with as well.

A quarter of an hour later.

On the west side of the mountain peak, at Hot Spring Valley, by a certain pool.

Tossing her coarse cloth robe onto a stone platform, Wine Fox Immortal slipped into the pool, stark naked.

The water surface was veiled in light mist, drifting with fragrant flowers and grasses, appearing like a fairyland under the soft cyan glow.

The water was only waist-deep, warm, smooth, and clear, carrying a refreshing, skin-soothing coolness like melting snow, mixed with a faint scent of sulfur. The pebbles at the bottom were clearly visible, water weeds grew in clusters, and even colorful warm-water fish swam back and forth, nibbling gently at her snow-white skin, making her body ripple with extreme comfort.

She felt a bit envious of Lu Ya.

She took the bamboo slip Lu Ya had given her, punched a small hole in one end, threaded it with a thin string, and hung it around her neck.

The protective power on the bamboo slip permeated her snow-white skin, blending continuously with the crisp medicinal properties of the pool water, slowly healing the old wounds in her Immortal Platform left behind by Liu Xuanye.

Thinking back to the events of that year, Wine Fox Immortal's mind was filled with thoughts, and she couldn't help but ask:

"How many years has it been since we last met?"

Liu Xuanye, her body like a snow-bamboo and her complexion rosy, sat cross-legged in another pool.

She was far from Wine Fox Immortal, separated by thick water mist, making it impossible to see each other.

After a night of dual cultivation with Lu Ya, she had gained much insight and was also quite tired.

At this moment, her eyes were slightly closed, her peerless face shrouded in the clear mist.

Wine Fox Immortal was already extremely beautiful, but compared to Liu Xuanye's face, which seemed drawn by a god, she paled in comparison.

"Over a thousand years."

As for the events of that year, she only remembered the general outline.

But Wine Fox Immortal would never forget.

"Do you remember when we were at the academy? You weren't as cold as you are now. Back then, you loved to smile. So many immortal lords and handsome youths chased after you. Who would have thought that after ascending to Immortal Master, you would become so cold and aloof? It chills my heart."

"I remember your wounds."

"Who would have thought? The wounds you left on me would eventually be healed by your own man. Life is truly full of cycles, with no surprises."

Wine Fox Immortal floated quietly on the water, feeling quite emotional.

"I thought you would be single for life. I didn't expect you to find a partner before me, and a boy three thousand years younger than you at that... Do you really understand him?"

Liu Xuanye was silent for a moment. After a long time, her voice sounded like a hanging moon.

"There is no need to understand. If he wanted to harm me, he would not have saved me. Since he saved me, half of my life is his. If he wants to harm me, I have no objections."

"He is very strong, and young. Even on the Immortal Court Continent, he would be an absolute prodigy. Yet, such a man is willing to settle in this remote little place. Is it possible he truly likes you?"

"I do not know."

Wine Fox Immortal felt her snow-white skin turning green, and she sighed forlornly.

"You have changed. You have become fond of men."

"..."

After a second thought, she added:

"However, if I were to like men, I would probably be attracted to him too. Besides being powerful, he can roast meat, brew wine, build cities, and he even cured the menstrual pain that has plagued me for years..."

"..."

"I'm curious, did you two really consummate your marriage last night?"

"Naturally."

"Why do I find that so hard to believe? Let me check for myself."

Protected by the bamboo slip from Lu Ya, Wine Fox Immortal spoke with newfound boldness.

With a graceful smile, a sharp strand of divine sense drifted slowly toward Liu Xuanye.

In an instant, the Green Bamboo Slip hanging between her snowy cleavage snapped apart.

A terrifying sword intent, carrying the sorrow of the primordial wilderness, pierced into her Immortal Platform.

"Pfft—"