If Tails Aren’t Grown, Then What Are They?

This way, there would be no barrier between Fairy Qin and me.

Lu Qianyun smiled and said, “With a heavenly oath, you and I are bound to die without burial if we betray it.

In other words, this is the strongest bond under heaven, far deeper than Dao-companions or master and disciple, isn’t it?”

Qin Ximo’s cold face revealed no joy, anger, or emotion at all, as if she hadn’t taken the heavenly oath seriously.

“Since both of us have obtained what we sought, if we don’t leave now, then when?”

Lu Qianyun giggled softly and said, “Fairy, why the rush?

The spiritual energy here is dense, and you have just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Your realm must still be unstable.

Why not take this opportunity to stabilize your cultivation?

Once we leave this place, we may never encounter such a blessed cave again.”

Qin Ximo’s gaze sharpened. “You want to stall for time?”

“How could I?” Lu Qianyun immediately made a pitiful expression.

“What good would delaying do for me?

I’m only afraid that for the next two hundred years, Fairy Qin, you’ll be watching over me… and with all those restless demons outside—surely they’re not only coming for me, right?”

“That… I wouldn’t know.” Lu Qianyun covered her lips with a smile.

“Ever since I started cultivating, I’ve only ever listened to Fairy Qin’s stories to motivate myself.

This time, I volunteered specifically to come for you.

As for what the other demonic cultivators mistrusting me may have prepared… I have no idea.”

“Hmph.” Qin Ximo snorted coldly.

“I won’t touch your Hehuan Sect for these two hundred years, but once I leave here, the other demon sects will all be dealt with one by one.

By then, your so-called ‘peers’ won’t be around to shield you anymore.”

Lu Qianyun said lightly, “As you wish, Fairy Qin. I have no complaints.”

“Then… enough talking. Take me to the teleportation array.”

“Yes~”

Lu Qianyun’s voice was soft and sticky sweet, like syrup dripping from her eyes.

Qin Ximo ignored her entirely and turned toward Cao Xueyan.

“Does your body still feel unwell?” Qin Ximo held Cao Xueyan’s hand, her eyes filled with guilt and worry.

“Thank you for your concern.” Cao Xueyan felt uncomfortable under that scorching gaze that seemed able to burn her skin.

She instinctively lowered her head to avoid it.

“We’ve only been apart a few days—how did you become so distant from me?”

Qin Ximo’s tone carried reproach; that face which had been icy cold just moments ago suddenly melted into a bright smile.

A beauty’s smile was like a warm spring breeze.

Cao Xueyan didn’t want to see that.

She was afraid her heart would stir again, afraid she’d be unable to overcome her inner barrier.

Hearing her voice now even softer than usual made Qin Ximo’s heart loosen—perhaps no big problems would arise in the near future.

Besides, Qin Ximo, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, could protect the sect for over a thousand years.

This meant Cao Xueyan could cultivate in peace for a while, without worrying about demonic cultivators stabbing her, nor about being seized as a furnace for dual cultivation and dying tragically.

Since that was so, everything should return to normal.

She and Xiao Menglan… that relationship was long decided, and already tens of thousands of miles away.

But Qin Ximo—Cao Xueyan had never thought of provoking her.

In her eyes, Qin Ximo was a reliable, responsible sect master—an elder she would respect for life.

She wasn’t like that enchantress Lu Qianyun, whose cultivation was practically all in her lower half!

But now this elder wanted to spend a lifetime with her.

Cao Xueyan only felt exhausted.

This kind of relationship, unacceptable to the world… one is enough.

“This is your illusion, Fairy.”

Her voice was weak due to her injuries, soft like a kitten scratching.

What is wrong with me?

I just cut off my heart-devil, so why am I craving this child even more now?

Qin Ximo quietly scolded herself. She was a Nascent Soul cultivator—why couldn’t she restrain these shameful impulses?

Damn it. Was she influenced by that Hehuan Sect demonic technique?

Never again! Qin Ximo made up her mind—if she practiced that spell again, she was a dog.

Without showing any change in expression, she shifted the topic. “What’s with your tail?”

“I don’t know.” Cao Xueyan pretended ignorance.

After all, she couldn’t mention the simulator.

“I fainted from the pain after my leg injury. When I woke up… I somehow had two extra tails.”

“Any discomfort?”

“No, just…”

Her face reddened slightly.

“With more tails, when I lie down, I sometimes press on them. It’s annoying, but nothing serious.”

Qin Ximo’s expression darkened. “You know that’s not what I was asking.”

“Then what does Fairy Qin want to ask?” Cao Xueyan said pitifully.

“It’s my own body—can’t I talk about it?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Seeing Cao Xueyan on the verge of tears, Qin Ximo completely dropped her pride and gently pulled the little fox into her arms.

Softly, she said:

“I unintentionally took your auspicious qi and used it to safely pass my tribulation.

That was fortunate—but when I returned and saw you injured—though the wounds weren’t deep—it was still a bad omen.

Who knows what will trouble you next?

So after we leave this cave, do you truly not want to return to Qingyun Sword Sect with me?

If I can’t stay by your side to protect you, my heart won’t rest.”

Hearing this, Cao Xueyan suddenly felt a familiar dread.

Why did these words sound exactly like Xiao Menglan’s?

Always under the guise of “compensation”… then slowly eating her whole.

No—who taught the two of you this!?

Cao Xueyan felt exhausted and glanced at her simulator panel. All energy gone.

Meaning after today, even if she didn’t exit, the simulation would end.

“Even if I wanted to go with you, I don’t have the ability.”

“You don’t need to blame yourself.”

Cao Xueyan hardened her heart. She already planned to stop provoking Qin Ximo after the simulation.

She was her elder—she shouldn’t cross that line.

Right now, she needed Qin Ximo to give up the idea of taking her back.

“How do you expect me not to blame myself?” Qin Ximo looked heartbroken.

“These legs… what about next time?

I’ve cultivated hundreds of years without guilt—but toward you…”

Suddenly, she couldn’t continue—not because she hesitated, but because the little fox in her arms gently slipped away.

Cao Xueyan didn’t dodge.

She didn’t escape.

Instead… she leaned forward and kissed her.

Perhaps due to her bloodline purification, Cao Xueyan now carried some innate allure.

When Qin Ximo’s lips were sealed, she caught a faint fragrance—indescribable, but intoxicating—sending heat rushing through her.

The girl in her arms filled her entire world.

“Fairy Qin,” Cao Xueyan whispered after that practiced, heartbreaking kiss.

“You need not blame yourself anymore.

And don’t worry for me.

Since the two new tails grew, I feel the Qingqiu bloodline has strengthened.

Some of the auspicious qi you took seems to have returned.”

Qin Ximo had only just recovered from that kiss, and hearing this, she was again stunned.

“Heaven-sent auspicious qi—how could it be so trivial?”

“How is it trivial?” Cao Xueyan said resentfully.

She was struck by heavenly tribulation out of nowhere!

“True…” Qin Ximo muttered, unable to explain it.

“To call it trivial is indeed inappropriate.

So… you no longer fear misfortune?”

Cao Xueyan nodded. “So Fairy Qin may rest easy.”

“You didn’t make this up to comfort me, did you?”

“Fairy Qin doubts me?”

Cao Xueyan turned slightly and shook her fluffy tails at her.

The three soft, puffy bundles immediately drew Qin Ximo’s gaze.

Even the hand meant to wield a sword seemed eager to move.

“Look—these two new tails. They grew, didn’t they? Could I fake that?

Among the Qingqiu foxes, the more tails, the stronger the bloodline and auspicious qi.

If I reach nine tails and dual-cultivate with you a few times… maybe you’ll ascend in broad daylight like the ancient Human Emperor.”

Qin Ximo swallowed unconsciously and nodded, fully accepting it.

Cao Xueyan had intended to return to her original posture, but—

The next moment, the base of her tail tightened.

Qin Ximo, unable to resist, held it in the same grip she used for her sword.

The cold sword fairy grasping a “long sword,” looking awe-inspiring—

while the fox girl trembled softly, eyes hazy with soundless whimpers.

Off to the side, the demoness pulled over a chair, crossing her long white legs.

From the amusement in her eyes, she had clearly imagined something very entertaining.