Chapter 45: Accompanying You for a Lifetime

Dong Yanlie remained silent, naturally aware of what the outcome would be should he press the matter further. Not only would it offend the Snow Emperor, but he also knew deep down that the little fox would never choose him anyway. That was why he had brought up the word "trade." Yet, he did not dare truly provoke Xuanyuan Yu either; doing so would cause him to fall out of favor, stripping him of his eligibility to contend for the imperial throne. Thus, his hands were tied.

With a subdued breath, he said, "As for the Snow Emperor’s beloved pet, Dong Yanlie would never dare to snatch what another holds dear. Let us consider my earlier actions as merely the foolishness of youth. To make amends to the Snow Emperor, I present this White Radiance Herb as a token of my apology, in the hope that it may cure Xuanyuan Chen's peculiar poison."

The little fox gazed at Dong Yanlie in utter confusion, failing to understand why he had suddenly changed his mind. Could it be that his conscience had pricked him, making him realize how despicable his behavior truly was, and prompting him to use this gesture to win her over and make her go with him?

Yet, the moment she recalled how abominably Dong Yanlie had bullied her just a moment ago, that notion vanished into thin air.

Her tiny paw, stained with oil, pointed straight at Dong Yanlie as she squeaked, "Squeak, squeak, squeak!" Do not think you can win me over with such tricks, for that is utterly impossible! Your wicked image is deeply engraved in my mind. I would sooner follow a pig for the rest of my life than ever follow you, so abandon all hope!

*Sigh*, following a pig... as if there weren't already enough pigs following her. Honestly, her recent internal monologues had been growing increasingly erratic. The little fox felt a profound sense of melancholy over this.

Xuanyuan Yu scooped up the little fox into his arms. Those phoenix-like eyes flickered with a brilliance the little fox had never witnessed before, and the gentle curve of his lips was suffused with warmth. He understood the little fox's intent quite clearly just now; she had said she would not leave him. In truth, Xuanyuan Yu labored under a slight misconception—the little fox had merely been rejecting Dong Yanlie with a heavy dose of narcissism.

Therefore, a language barrier is truly a formidable obstacle!

Hidden in the shadows, Han Bing looked at the little fox, and the lingering resentment in his heart diminished considerably. After all, the little fox had berated Dong Yanlie and chosen his master instead. She possessed decent taste after all, recognizing who truly had her best interests at heart.

"Little fox, I want you to stay by my side for a lifetime. Are you willing?" Xuanyuan Yu asked, suddenly yearning for her promise.

Yet the little fox hesitated, her eyes filled with bewilderment as she looked at him. For she was destined to cultivate and eventually become a celestial fox immortal, wandering freely among all living things in the universe, whereas her master was merely a mortal bound to die. How could she possibly accompany him for a lifetime, and how could such a pledge ever be fulfilled?

On these matters, the little fox possessed a surprisingly clear perspective. Mortals and immortals walked different paths, even if she was currently nothing more than a little fox. She had indeed dreamed of staying with Xuanyuan Yu forever, but a mortal's lifespan was ultimately far too brief.

Her lifetime would be too long, while his would be too short. That was why she hesitated.

Moreover, her master had once filled her head with the Legend of the White Snake, recounting how the tragic Bai Suzhen was ultimately trapped beneath the Leifeng Pagoda—how pitiful that was! She had no desire to lose her freedom.

And yet, she could not bear to witness the disappointment in Xuanyuan Yu's eyes. In the end, she nodded softly. *I shall accompany you for a single lifetime.* Pressing her small paw against Xuanyuan Yu's hand, she squeaked, "Squeak, squeak, squeak!" In this lifetime, Master, I shall protect you—even though, for now, I am the one who still needs your protection.

It was a pity that the little fox had yet to fully comprehend this vast world, which actually consisted of numerous realms, with the Aoshuang Continent being merely a tiny speck among them. Furthermore, the mortals of this realm practiced an art known as profound energy; provided one's cultivation reached a sufficiently high realm, one could indeed achieve longevity on par with the heavens.

Having received the little fox's affirmative reply, Xuanyuan Yu felt a wave of profound joy wash over him, to the extent that even Dong Yanlie suddenly appeared much more pleasing to the eye. Consequently, he chose not to make things difficult for him—meaning Dong Yanlie was merely basking in the reflected glow of the little fox's favor.

First chapter completed; Nuomi is still hard at work on the second! Send me your cheers...