Guidance and Departure

With Li Xiaoyu's promise secured, the heavy stone in the Three-Tailed Demon Fox's heart finally fell to the ground.

She looked at Li Xiaoyu, her eyes filled with gratitude and trust.

Just then, a weak voice drifted in from the cave entrance.

"Xiao San, help me inside."

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox walked in, supported by the Three-Tailed Demon Fox.

His aura remained weak, but he was far better than before; his fur had regained its luster, and his eyes had become clear.

"Senior, your body..." Li Xiaoyu hurried forward upon seeing him.

"It is of no consequence." The Six-Tailed Demon Fox waved a paw at him, signaling that he was fine.

His gaze fell upon the Mystic Fire Mirror in Li Xiaoyu's hand, his expression complex.

"Many thanks, young friend, for being willing to shoulder the karma of my wife and me." The Six-Tailed Demon Fox looked at Li Xiaoyu and said gently.

"However, the Incense Burning Valley is powerful, and Shangguan Ce is particularly cunning and treacherous. Your journey there will surely be fraught with danger; you must be careful."

"Rest assured, Senior, this junior knows what he is doing," Li Xiaoyu said with a nod.

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox nodded in satisfaction. Having lived for thousands of years and possessing vast experience, he could see at a glance that Li Xiaoyu was extraordinary.

In particular, he sensed an aura from the wine gourd at Li Xiaoyu's waist—a primordial, ancient energy that made his heart tremble.

"Young friend, that magic treasure of yours has an extraordinary origin, does it not?"

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox looked at Li Xiaoyu and asked with deep meaning.

Li Xiaoyu felt a chill in his heart, knowing that his secret likely could not be hidden from this thousand-year-old fox.

He neither admitted nor denied it, choosing instead to remain silent.

Seeing this, the Six-Tailed Demon Fox smiled and did not press the matter.

"I merely wish to offer you a word of advice," he said slowly.

"Your treasure has infinite potential, but its growth will likely require the consumption of vast amounts of rare heavenly treasures."

"Ordinary spiritual energy is but a drop in the bucket for it."

"Your path of cultivation in the future will likely be a hundred times more difficult than that of an ordinary person."

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox's words stirred Li Xiaoyu's heart; they coincided perfectly with his own suspicions.

The Immortal-Slaying Gourd was indeed like a bottomless pit; no matter how much spiritual energy he fed it, it could never be filled.

It seemed that if he wanted it to grow, he would have to find more treasures containing primordial power, like the Red Flame Crystal.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior."

Li Xiaoyu bowed solemnly to the Six-Tailed Demon Fox.

This senior's guidance gave him a much clearer plan for his future cultivation path.

"Think nothing of it," the Six-Tailed Demon Fox smiled.

"You saved my life; it is only right that I offer you some guidance."

He paused, then added, "I see that the Mystic Fire Mirror in your hand is a supreme Yang divine object, but the Green Cloud Sect techniques you practice emphasize tranquility and non-action, which do not perfectly align with its attributes."

"If you wish to unleash its full power, you will likely need a special method."

"I happen to have a rudimentary secret technique of my fox clan for controlling fire. I wonder if you might be interested?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoyu's eyes lit up instantly.

This was truly help in a time of need.

He had been worrying about how to wield the Mystic Fire Mirror, never expecting the Six-Tailed Demon Fox to be willing to teach him the secret arts of the demon clan.

"This junior would be most grateful!" Li Xiaoyu quickly bowed again.

"Good." The Six-Tailed Demon Fox nodded, then extended a paw and tapped lightly on the center of Li Xiaoyu's brow.

Hum!

A stream of information instantly flooded into Li Xiaoyu's mind.

It was a profound method for controlling fire.

Unlike the Daoist techniques of human cultivators, this demon clan secret art focused more on communicating with and controlling the essence of fire, emphasizing the unity of person and flame, allowing one to act as one pleased.

Li Xiaoyu cross-referenced this method with the techniques he had comprehended from the Heavenly Tome's general outline, and he felt a sudden sense of clarity; many of his confusions regarding fire were resolved.

He was confident that, given some time, he would be able to master this secret art and take complete control of the Mystic Fire Mirror in his hand.

"Many thanks for the gift of your teachings, Senior!" Li Xiaoyu bowed deeply to the Six-Tailed Demon Fox once more.

This time, the gratitude was from the bottom of his heart.

This senior had not only gifted him a heavy treasure but also taught him a secret art; the kindness was too great.

"Very well, there is no need for constant thanks."

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox smiled weakly.

"This is all I can do for you."

"The path ahead must be walked by yourself."

After resting for two days in the Black Stone Cave, Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi bid farewell to the two fox demons.

Their journey to the Abyss of the Dead had been delayed for too long, and they had to return to the Green Cloud Sect to report as soon as possible.

At the moment of parting, the Three-Tailed Demon Fox was reluctant to let go.

She held Lu Xueqi's hand, offering many instructions on how to deal with wild spirits and monsters, treating her like a younger sister.

The Six-Tailed Demon Fox pulled Li Xiaoyu aside for a long, private conversation.

He told Li Xiaoyu everything he knew about the Incense Burning Valley and the secrets of the Mystic Fire Altar without reservation.

"Young friend, remember, Shangguan Ce is a cunning and ruthless man. If you ever cross paths with him in the future, you must not lower your guard," he cautioned at the end.

"Rest assured, Senior, I will keep that in mind," Li Xiaoyu nodded solemnly.

"Go now," the Six-Tailed Demon Fox waved his claw.

"Xiao San and I must also find a secluded paradise to focus on our recovery."

"I hope we shall meet again."

"We certainly will," Li Xiaoyu said with a smile as he looked at them.

He and Lu Xueqi bowed deeply to the two fox demons once more.

Without further delay, the two turned and walked toward the cave entrance.

As they stepped out of the Black Stone Cave and bathed in the sunlight again, both felt as if they had returned from another lifetime.

This trial down the mountain had been far too twisted and bizarre.

They had experienced life and death, witnessed love, encountered fortuitous opportunities, and shouldered promises.

Both of their states of mind had matured through this experience.

"Let's head back," Li Xiaoyu turned to look at Lu Xueqi beside him, smiling gently.

"Mm," Lu Xueqi nodded softly, her eyes reflecting his figure.

The two shared a smile, summoned their flying swords, and transformed into two streaks of light, flying side by side toward Green Cloud Mountain.

This return journey was completely different from the one they had taken.

There were no more of Qi Hao's cold taunts, no more of Zhang Xiaofan's awkward unease; between heaven and earth, there were only the two of them.

They did not fly fast, savoring this rare time alone together.

They would fly side by side among the clouds, watching the sunrise and sunset, the clouds rolling and unfurling.

They would land in the mountains to watch the babbling brooks and listen to the birds and flowers.

They would also walk into bustling towns to taste local delicacies and feel the warmth of the mortal world.

Li Xiaoyu would tell Lu Xueqi funny stories from his childhood and describe his state of mind during his six years of hardship.

Lu Xueqi would listen quietly, occasionally speaking of her own cultivation life at Small Bamboo Peak.

Li Xiaoyu listened with particular attentiveness.

Their feelings warmed rapidly through these repeated exchanges and companionship.

From the initial hazy attraction to sharing life and death in the Abyss of the Dead, and now to this mutual understanding and company, everything had fallen into place naturally.

One day, they passed by a great river.

By the riverbank, many commoners were offering sacrifices to the River God, praying for favorable weather.

Lu Xueqi watched the devout people, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes.

"Do you think gods truly exist?" she asked softly.

Li Xiaoyu looked at her and smiled.

"I didn't believe it before, but now, I do."

"Oh?" Lu Xueqi looked at him curiously.

"Because," Li Xiaoyu's gaze turned tender, "my god is right by my side."