Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 326 - 191 White Fox Cave Mansion

Chapter 326: Chapter 191 White Fox Cave Mansion

The thunder tribulation had passed, yet subsequent events did not unfold as initially anticipated.

Zhou Yan experienced only a moment’s astonishment before he came to terms with it.

He observed the profound sadness of White Fox Bai Ying and knew she grieved for "him."

Despite limited understanding, the fragments of information from her had informed Zhou Yan in the Soul Sea Land that "he" held significant importance in the fox’s heart.

"The deceased are gone, and the living should live happily so that the deceased may find consolation."

There was nothing Zhou Yan could do about such matters, except offer a few words of comfort.

Hearing Zhou Yan’s words, White Fox Bai Ying visibly restrained some of her emotions and gently thanked, "Thank you, Young Master—"

"My name is ’Zhou Yan.’ You can just call me Zhou Yan."

Zhou Yan knew White Fox Bai Ying disliked basing interactions on seniority, so he simply revealed his name.

White Fox Bai Ying paused, then nodded and responded, "My name is ’Bai Ying.’"

"Hmm, you saved me before, and now I’ve saved you; we’re even. You shouldn’t feel any burden. Now that you have regained sixty percent of your strength, what do you plan to do?"

Zhou Yan inquired.

White Fox Bai Ying seemed surprised by Zhou Yan’s liberated attitude, looking somewhat baffled. However, she quickly regained her composure and thoughtfully said, "The Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain is temporarily in a calm state, which is quite favorable.

Thus, I’ll take you to my dwelling, which is also somewhat safer for now.

Additionally, you carry a Heavenly Dao Soul Stone, presenting a chance to initiate a ’Secret Land Inheritance.’ If you obtain the inheritance, you will henceforth be my master, Bai Ying. But if the endeavor fails, you will be immediately transported out of my dwelling."

Bai Ying explained.

Zhou Yan, already aware of these matters from his time in the Soul Sea Land, didn’t even bother to feign ignorance and asked, "I know about this, but I also know there’s a human female cultivator in a residual soul state with you. Who is she?"

"You... you even know about that?"

White Fox Bai Ying was startled, her large, beautiful eyes incredulously fixed on Zhou Yan, until her gaze met his forehead, triggering a sudden, unexplained fear mixed with familiarity.

The sensation was very familiar, from long ago, but now resurfaced.

It was "his" essence, "his" feeling.

A surge of joy briefly trembled through White Fox Bai Ying’s heart, yet she restrained herself, keeping her emotions internal.

"He" bore the surname "Li," while Zhou Yan was surnamed "Zhou," thus he couldn’t be "him," nor a descendant of "him."

Moreover, "he" was of Heavenly Dao Body, and Zhou Yan possessed the Emperor Qi Sword Body; these two could not be the same individual.

This notion bore a hint of familiarity for Bai Ying as if she had pondered it before but could now recall none of it.

"I know far more than you might imagine. However, this is simply because I have grasped a bit of the Power of Time. Without such understanding, we couldn’t have withstood that immense heavenly tribulation."

Zhou Yan spoke earnestly while gazing at Bai Ying.

At that moment, Zhou Yan’s gaze was serene, wrapped in a profound aura that even Bai Ying found unfathomable. Zhou Yan still held the status of Sword Soul First Layer Heaven.

Zhou Yan still appeared frail.

Yet the depth he exhibited profoundly filled Bai Ying’s heart, making her feel as if no secrets could be hidden from him.

"Alas... My dwelling indeed shelters a human female cultivator, whom I consider a sister. Her realm is not strong, merely at the Sword Soul Three Heavens level.

Yet she is indeed in a residual soul state, and her time is limited.

However, she is probably not the woman you seek."

Bai Ying clarified.

"Are you certain?"

Zhou Yan asked.

"Yes, like you, she hails from the exterior Southern Wilderness, but she belongs to the Chaotic Domain with distinctive traits of that place, her eyes laden with a purple hue, not corresponding to the one you seek."

Bai Ying explained further.

Zhou Yan paused, then resignedly said, "That’s true. The Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain is vast; it would be too coincidental to encounter her just like that. However, my friend Gu Xi might have entered not long ago through this path; Bai Ying, have you seen her?"

As Zhou Yan spoke, with the help of Sword Illusion Realm, he portrayed Gu Xi’s appearance in the Void for Bai Ying to see.

"I have not. I haven’t seen this person. I’ve stayed in this area for many years, and had she passed through here, I would definitely know. She did not enter through here."

White Fox Bai Ying affirmed decisively.

Zhou Yan frowned upon hearing this.

This world was vast.

Even without any hindrance, and with Zhou Yan’s speed, it would still take countless years to fully explore this Secret Realm.

Even at the speed of light, navigating the entirety would likely take about a month, an instinctive estimate based on the momentum of heaven and earth, with minimal possible deviation. With such distances, Zhou Yan had no way to methodically search for Gu Xi.

He must think of a way; gaining the inheritance and earning White Fox Bai Ying’s utmost assistance might be a viable option.

"Let’s first go to your dwelling; we can discuss the rest later."

Displaying scant enthusiasm, Zhou Yan chose not to ponder further.

"Alright, I’ll take you there. It will be quicker and safer that way."

White Fox suggested.

Zhou Yan did not refuse, allowing White Fox to wrap him up and fly toward the cave dwelling direction.

...

In the mountains shrouded in purple mists, there lay a natural hazardous area.

Here, purple fog lingered and miasma filled the air.

It was hard to imagine, in the environment of Thunderflame, such poisonous miasma could exist.

But the miasma that could survive in the Thunderflame environment was absolutely deadly, and contact would surely be fatal.

White Fox brought Zhou Yan, speeding to this place, then released its breath, immediately opening up a channel through the dense purple fog and dark black miasma.

A glowing green environment then appeared before them.

It felt as if within the space, there was another distinct space, quite extraordinary.

Entering the cave dwelling, the environment was fresh like spring, a stark contrast to the outside’s oppressive and chilly air.

"The environment here is really nice."

Zhou Yan exclaimed.

"Yes, a good environment is more conducive to meditative cultivation."

White Fox responded. As it spoke, it carried Zhou Yan and in an instant movement, they directly appeared atop a cliff.

On the cliff, there was a cave that was very well-lit and bright, just like a palace built inside the cliff.

It was here that White Fox introduced, "This is where I usually cultivate, and it’s also the obligatory path through the Secret Land. That human woman named ’Wan Zichen’ is also resting here."

White Fox said.

"Sister Bai Ying, you’re back, and it looks like you’ve successfully transcended the tribulation, congratulations."

A pleasing voice suddenly came from inside.

Zhou Yan was indeed not familiar with this voice, which belonged to none of the people he knew like Gu Xi or Feng Lingqing although this voice was also exceedingly pleasant to hear.

"Yes, I’m back, and I’ve indeed transcended the tribulation."

At long last, White Fox Bai Ying reverted to her pleasant female voice.

After speaking, she apologized somewhat, "Zhou Yan, sorry, earlier I was worried your realm wasn’t sufficient, and feared you might be enchanted by the natural Charming Power of my voice, so I deliberately changed it."

"It’s okay, I understand."

Zhou Yan smiled, not minding in the least.

This reaction also improved White Fox’s impression of Zhou Yan, feeling that he was different from others and quite easy-going.

And unlike other humans, it preferred interacting with those who were untroubled.

After White Fox finished speaking, inside the cave dwelling’s hall stood a charmingly beautiful and frail purple-clothed woman.

This woman, despite being physically weak, had extremely powerful blood essence.

This strong blood essence quietly gave Zhou Yan a kind of inexplicable impact.

"This is a formidable woman, with strength comparable to Ji Tianxu!"

Zhou Yan inwardly shivered but kept a composed exterior as he made his deduction.

"Sister Bai Ying, why have you brought a man back? Be careful, men are mostly cunning and ruthless; they’re no good!"

This seemingly frail and beautiful woman spoke with powerful air, immediately putting Zhou Yan in an awkward position.

"Little sister Zi Chen, he is different from those people, he’s really good. Moreover, if it weren’t for his help in bearing the Heavenly Tribulation for me, I’m afraid I would’ve perished by now."

White Fox Bai Ying quickly explained.

"Him? Help you bear the Heavenly Tribulation? Sister Bai Ying, you are too naive; you must have been deceived. How could such an insignificant figure at the Sword Soul First Layer Heaven possibly help you bear the Heavenly Tribulation?"

Zi Chen, the purple-clothed woman, glanced at Zhou Yan with surprise, dismissing him immediately upon realizing he was merely at the Sword Soul First Layer Heaven.

She even directly assumed Zhou Yan had deceived Bai Ying.

"It’s true, little sister Zi Chen, you know, although I’m not smart, I’m not stupid either. With my realm, I would definitely know if someone were deceiving me, so don’t worry."

Bai Ying apologized with a smile toward Zhou Yan, then continued explaining.

The purple-clothed woman’s expression softened slightly, and she coldly said to Zhou Yan, "Since Sister Bai Ying vouches for you, I won’t say more. Even though I’m not well, don’t think you can play any tricks in front of me.

If I find you harboring any bad intentions toward Sister Bai Ying, I’ll make your life a living hell!"

The woman’s gaze was cold and carried a clear warning.

But Zhou Yan didn’t bother to listen any further, directly ignoring the woman, and asked Bai Ying, "Where is the Secret Land Inheritance? Let’s see if the inheritance is feasible first, then settle this matter. I need to find my ’Xi’er’ afterward; her situation is not looking good."

"I’m talking to you, didn’t you hear?"

Seeing Zhou Yan ignore her and directly bring up the inheritance, the woman’s expression changed, and a tremendously fierce momentum suddenly surged towards Zhou Yan.

"Stop—"

White Fox immediately swept its tail, blocking the surge of momentum, then somewhat helplessly transformed into a beam of white light.

This beam of white light took on a humanoid form, perfectly curvaceous and exquisitely shaped.