The Ant-folk’s Tradition and the Demon Venerable’s Secret Visits

By the time she accompanied Su Xiaoxiao back to her dwelling, Yunjie still hadn’t figured out how to answer Xilin. The Little Golden Dragon had been neglected by her dear mother for a while. Her displeasure was evident, her cheeks puffed out, and her already flushed face grew even redder from her earlier exertions. In the Ant-folk, descendants were held in the highest regard. Regardless of gender, the entire clan rejoiced even before a child’s birth. Every six months, a solemn blessing ceremony was performed, filled with beautiful wishes and prayers, during which the name for the ‘little fish pup’ was chosen. After birth, a plaque bearing the child’s name, crafted from the divine tree, would be hung upon the Tree of Life. This ritual sought the Heavenly Dao’s protection, ensuring the healthy and peaceful growth of the young Ant-folk. Xilin, like Jingli and others of the “Jing” generation, should have been a young Ant-folk. However, Yunjie had been in Shanghua Heaven, losing contact with the Ant-folk. Before the child’s birth, Yunjie had mentioned this to Weili. Weili had dismissed her concerns, informing Yunjie that their daughter’s name had already been divined as the most auspicious by forty-nine powerful Immortal clan experts within the Heaven-Seeking Cauldron. Yunjie possessed a gentle nature and rarely argued with Weili, usually deferring to him. Yet, she uncharacteristically insisted on this matter. “I still wish to speak with our clan members,” she said. “According to our Ant-folk tradition, after a child is born, their name must be carved and hung on the divine tree to seek the Heavenly Dao’s protection.” Weili remained unconcerned, finding her words amusing. He told Yunjie, “But she isn’t an ordinary young Ant-folk. She is different; she has no need for such things.” “She is the future leader of Shanghua Heaven. How could she be treated like a common Ant-folk?” Yunjie had forgotten her feelings then, though she must have been saddened. Suddenly, a wave of weariness washed over her. She found herself unwilling to utter another word. Weili embraced her at the opportune moment, his voice gentle. “Our child, yours and mine, is born under the Heavenly Dao’s protection. There’s no need to worry.” **** The memory faded. There were no young Ant-folk of the ‘Xi’ generation. Xilin carried half of Yunjie’s bloodline, yet the Ant-folk could hardly compare to the Dragon Clan. This child had inherited more from Weili. Lost in thoughts of the past, Yunjie noticed her child was still upset and angry. She truly couldn’t bear to see Xilin so aggrieved. Reaching out, she gently stroked her daughter’s head. “Then, Little Liner,” she soothed, “Mother will speak to the Clan Elder tomorrow and see if we can add your name.” “Okay! Thank you, Mother!” Xilin immediately burrowed into Yunjie’s embrace, allowing her mother to stroke her head. Xilin, now happy, began to wag her ‘tail’ at Yunjie, full of vibrant energy. She even chatted and laughed with Su Xiaoxiao for a good while. Xilin and Su Xiaoxiao, surprisingly, got along splendidly. They had wanted to play longer, but Yunjie rose, stating, “It’s getting late. We should go now and not disturb your little older sister’s rest.” “Oh, alright, Mother.” The Little Golden Dragon was most obedient to her dear mother, Yunjie, almost like Yunjie’s own little shadow. “Then, little older sister, we’re leaving now. I’ll come find you to play again in a few days,” Xilin said to Su Xiaoxiao, a touch of melancholy in her voice. Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head to the side, her hair falling to obscure half her face. Then, she nodded slightly. After they departed, silence instantly descended. Su Xiaoxiao had no parents; she hadn’t had them since she could remember. The clan members didn’t know where they had gone. Fortunately, the Mermaid Clan shared a deep sense of community, and the Chieftain and elders diligently cared for every young Mermaid. Su Xiaoxiao never felt lonely. She had the Chieftain, the elders, her friends, and several young Mermaids who were always willing to play with her. Her days were filled with joy and happiness. Su Xiaoxiao had likely been away for too long, constantly plagued by worry and fear, enveloped by dread. Upon returning to the Mermaid Clan, she felt a long-forgotten sense of panic and unease. She remained concerned that Xiyue would come to cause trouble for the Mermaid Clan. Yet, several days had passed, and Xiyue had not appeared. The Mermaid Clan’s territory was rich in spiritual energy, and with the care of the Chieftain and elders, Su Xiaoxiao’s complexion improved significantly within days. She also ate considerably more than before. Perhaps her previous unease had led to restless sleep, but now she seemed determined to make up for it. Su Xiaoxiao was exceptionally sleepy. Out of the twelve hours in a day, she needed at least seven or eight hours of sleep to feel rested. In her courtyard stood a large, luxuriant tree. On sunny days, Su Xiaoxiao loved nothing more than to bask in the sunlight on a lounge chair beneath its branches, feeling the sea breeze and listening to the waves. It was a scene of pure tranquility. Su Xiaoxiao always fell asleep quickly. She had assumed Xiyue couldn’t locate the Mermaid Clan’s territory, or perhaps was too busy to bother her. In truth, this was far from the case. Xiyue had not only arrived but had done so twice within a few days. Her cultivation was too profound; the Mermaid Clan’s barrier posed no challenge to her. Su Xiaoxiao remained unaware only because the Chieftain and elders feared any mishap if she knew, choosing to keep it a secret. Chieftain Yunxiao, however, had personally met with Xiyue. Expecting a fierce battle, Yunxiao was surprised when Xiyue spoke with utter disdain. “I merely came to see Xiaoxiao,” she declared. “I have no desire to fight you. If you insist on striking, and you aren’t afraid of frightening or harming the Mermaids on this island, then by all means, make your move.” Xiyue held no fear of him. As the Mermaid Clan’s Chieftain, Yunxiao couldn’t guarantee a victory against Xiyue; even a thirty percent chance of winning would be extraordinary. Moreover, with so many Mermaids in the clan, what if Xiyue went berserk? Yunxiao’s expression was grave. He had no intention of letting Xiyue pass. This Demon Lord had pursued them all the way to the South Sea, and Su Xiaoxiao’s return was, after all, an escape. As a junior member of his clan, he could not stand idly by and allow Xiyue to bully her. Under such a stalemate, Xiyue grew immensely irritated, her tone laced with hostility. “I told you, I only came to see her. If you insist, then let’s fight.” Yunxiao, naturally, was not afraid. Life and death were matters of fate. However, as Chieftain, protecting his clan members was paramount. “I don’t trust you,” Yunxiao stated, retracting his magical artifact as he addressed Xiyue, “unless you agree to let me accompany you.” Xiyue merely tossed back, “Suit yourself.” Without another moment’s delay, she flew directly towards Su Xiaoxiao’s dwelling. On the first day of Su Xiaoxiao’s return, Yunxiao had told himself that Xiyue had placed a Heart-Linking Spell on her. No matter where Su Xiaoxiao was, Xiyue would be able to sense her. This proved true. Despite it being her first visit to the Mermaid Clan’s territory, Xiyue’s confident flight directly towards Su Xiaoxiao’s residence further confirmed the authenticity of the spell. Yunxiao remained silent, merely following Xiyue, yet he stayed vigilant at all times. Had he not been wary of Xiyue… …he would have fought her to the death. Fortunately, the Demoness hadn’t lied. Not only did she refrain from making a move, but her actions also grew lighter as she neared Su Xiaoxiao’s residence. She didn’t even enter Su Xiaoxiao’s small courtyard. Instead, she stopped on a nearby tree outside, concealing herself among the branches and leaves, watching from a distance for a while. Her actions left Yunxiao quite astonished. The dignified Demon Venerable… Yunxiao stood beneath the tree, looking up at the stealthy Xiyue. His emotions were complex, and he was speechless. Xiyue didn’t feel that her actions were undignified. Her caution stemmed solely from her fear that Su Xiaoxiao would discover her, break down, throw a tantrum, and try to end her life. She saw Su Xiaoxiao lying on the lounge chair, a thin blanket covering her waist and abdomen. Beneath the thin blanket, her belly was noticeably distended from the little fish pup within. The gentle breeze stirred her long hair, and Su Xiaoxiao slept sweetly, undisturbed. The scene was incredibly heartwarming, captivating Xiyue. She found herself unable to tear her gaze away. She was a demon, inherently wicked, with a terrifyingly strong sense of jealousy and possessiveness. She couldn’t help but recall how, when Su Xiaoxiao was with her in the Demon Clan, she would stay awake until dawn. On that last day, Xiyue, fearing Su Xiaoxiao would ruin her health, had used a calming incense just so she could finally sleep. Now, having left the Demon Clan and Xiyue, she could sleep comfortably on a lounge chair in the courtyard… Xiyue gritted her teeth, a surge of madness rising within her. A thought flashed through her mind: to rush over, shake Su Xiaoxiao awake, and demand to know if her suffering while with Xiyue was merely an act or truly genuine. Her hand, resting on the branch, tightened involuntarily with the force of her thoughts. *Snap!* The branch broke in her grasp. Xiyue, a fearsome Demon Lord whose name struck terror into hearts, was startled like a timid rabbit. She hastily withdrew her hand, then anxiously glanced at Su Xiaoxiao. Xiyue was far too nervous. How could such a tiny sound possibly wake Su Xiaoxiao?