The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox gazed at Shen Shu’s legs, misty clear light spilling from her left eye, making it impossible to discern the emotions within.

She maintained her contemplative pose, motionless for a long while.

After some time, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s characteristically tender voice laughed coyly:

“I was young back then, and though I never fought with Asura, I knew well of his strength. To be honest, I had less than fifty percent confidence in your ability to bring back Shen Shu’s dismembered parts.”

“That’s because I’m not purely a warrior,”

Xu Qi An said calmly.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox giggled “gege” and stroked her right cheek with her left hand, saying charmingly:

“I’m growing increasingly fond of this boy. Night Concubine, what do you think about me rewarding him with all your sisters?”

Night Concubine’s heart sank. The Queen’s words meant:

I’m growing increasingly fond of him and want to make him a consort of the Beast Realm.

With Young Master Xu’s strength, he already belongs among the peak figures of the Nine Provinces. If the Queen wants to restore her nation, she needs to recruit talent, so it’s not surprising she’s interested in him—he certainly has the ability and standing… Night Concubine’s heart resisted because now, Xu Qi An was her man. If the Queen truly set her sights on him, her status would likely become that of a mere dowry maid.

Though the beast clans didn’t care about status, love was genuine. Even if it was the Queen, openly taking away her beloved man would still cause resentment and dissatisfaction.

Especially since, apart from White Concubine, those seven seductive hussies each had their unique charm and would certainly try their hardest to seduce Young Master Xu.

Floating Fragrance’s sisters, each as delicate as spring rain on the imperial street? Xu Qi An’s thoughts stirred, and he couldn’t help glancing at the little white fox, shaking his head in disappointment—this little one didn’t count.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox walked to Shen Shu’s legs and gently pressed her hand against the calf:

“For five hundred years, I’ve been constantly exhausting myself in planning how to break his seal, planning how to lead the Southern Beasts to reclaim our ancestral lands.”

“That day is finally near.”

Queen, don’t just talk without action—if you don’t have their pictures, at least give me their contact information… Xu Qi An seized the opportunity to ask:

“When does the Queen plan to rise and lead the beast elite troops to reclaim the Ten Thousand Mountains?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox pondered briefly before saying softly:

“Once I return to the Nine Provinces, I’ll awaken Shen Shu and send troops to attack the Western Regions people, capture Asura alive, and have him remove your final seal. We’ll gather all of Shen Shu’s body parts except the head, then attack Alanda.”

Attack Alanda too? To reclaim Shen Shu’s head? If so, can Bodhisattva Garuda Tree still cooperate with Cloud Province in attacking the Central Plains?… Xu Qi An’s thoughts turned as he grew secretly excited.

“When will the Queen return to the Nine Provinces?” he asked.

“It will take some time. During this period, I’ll have Night Concubine and others secretly recall the beast clans scattered throughout the Nine Provinces. Gathering troops requires time.”

Xu Qi An nodded slightly—preparing for war wasn’t child’s play.

“Queen, do you know that Shen Shu is the Asura King?”

Xu Qi An dropped news as explosive as gunpowder.

Sun Xuanji and Night Concubine’s expressions changed dramatically.

… The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox said slowly:

“I only learned he was the Asura King at the end of the Buddhist-Beast War.”

Not even knowing her own father’s identity—it seems Shen Shu and the Beast Realm Sovereign deliberately concealed it back then. Xu Qi An asked further:

“Then do you have Asura blood? But why did Guardian Green Wood say you’re a pure-blooded Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox?”

The Nine-Tailed Fox whirled around, her clear-light eyes staring intently at him. After a while, she laughed lightly and said:

“Detective Xu’s reputation for solving cases like a deity is well-deserved. With just a slight oversight, you’ve nearly uncovered everything.”

She paused, then sighed:

“I’m not a pure-blooded Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. I was born with eight tails. Back then, Mother used illusions to deceive the beast masses, making them believe I was a pure-blooded Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.”

“At the end of the Buddhist-Beast War, Mother knew she couldn’t escape her fate. She split off part of her spiritual essence and infused it into my body.”

“It was only after receiving her spiritual essence that I expelled the Asura blood and transformed into a pure-blooded Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. That was also when I learned Shen Shu’s true identity.”

Xu Qi An suddenly understood: “So the Queen’s ocean journey to find kindred was to ensure the next generation’s blood purity?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox nodded, then shook her head, smiling:

“If I find any worthy ones, I’ll take them as mates and bring them back to the Nine Provinces to help me restore the Beast Realm. If they’re not worthy, I’ll kill them and take their spiritual essence to prepare for my future offspring.”

“Now though, I’m more inclined toward the latter. But the ocean is endless, with countless islands. I’m not even sure if there are still Nine-Tailed Celestial Foxes overseas.”

However, Xu Qi An extracted two core elements from her words:

First, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox wasn’t very confident about the rebellion, so she sought kindred overseas to recruit them under her banner.

Second, because searching the vast ocean was like finding a needle in a haystack, this plan had too many uncertainties, and she seemed to have changed her mind and made new plans.

Seeing the conversation was nearly done, the Night Concubine hurriedly asked:

“Queen, is this portion of Master Shen Shu’s body good or evil?”

She remained concerned about whether the awakened parts would cooperate with Xu Qi An in removing the Demon-Sealing Nails.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox pondered briefly, then said:

“It’s quite predictable. The right arm sealed beneath Lake Sang was gentle and compassionate; the left arm in the Pagoda Treasure was cruel and bloodthirsty; the torso was forthright and straightforward. So these legs’ personality must exclude all of the above.”

“They might not be easy to deal with, but they won’t be evil. You can decide for yourselves.”

With that, the misty clear light in Night Concubine’s left eye dispersed—she had left.

Xu Qi An and Sun Xuanji exchanged glances. The former took out the Pagoda Treasure, Taiping Blade, and other magical tools, while the latter instinctively began drawing formations.

Any formation that required a third-rank artificer to draw stroke by stroke was world-shaking.

After Sun Xuanji finished drawing the formation, at Xu Qi An’s signal, Night Concubine stepped forward, pinched her thumb against her little finger, and squeezed out two drops of essence blood onto the legs.

The blood was instantly absorbed by Shen Shu’s dismembered parts. Shortly after, the legs came alive.

They suddenly jumped from the table, the left leg flying toward Night Concubine’s bewitchingly beautiful face while the right leg attacked her abdomen.

Night Concubine’s expression changed slightly as she gracefully retreated.

Buzz buzz… The two legs were blocked by a rising barrier of clear light—Sun Xuanji’s formation: Drawing Ground as Prison.

Shen Shu’s legs ran wildly around the stone cave, left leg going left, right leg going right. Upon discovering their separation, the left leg hurriedly ran right while the right leg hurriedly approached left.

Then with a “bang,” they collided and fell together.

They struggled to maintain coordination and synchronization but failed each time due to their different ideas.

Is this Shen Shu’s performer personality? A circus enthusiast? Xu Qi An’s mouth hung slightly open, dumbfounded.

Sun Xuanji and Night Concubine wore similar expressions, surprised while trying to hold back their laughter.

“Master Shen Shu…”

Xu Qi An coughed once, interrupting the legs’ performance.

Shen Shu’s legs stopped, drawn to Xu Qi An. The next moment, they erupted with vigorous fighting spirit, like indomitable warriors charging at him.

The right leg soared up, kicking straight at Xu Qi An’s face, while the left leg dishonorably attacked his groin.

Expressionless, Xu Qi An extended both hands to grip the left and right ankles.

Shen Shu’s legs were instantly restrained, unable to break free despite their struggles.

After a moment’s deadlock, Shen Shu’s remnant soul conveyed its thoughts:

“Young man, your strength has earned my recognition.”

“Senior has been sealed for five hundred years and is merely in a weakened state.” Xu Qi An released the ankles and cupped his hands: “Junior Xu Qi An has a great connection with you.”

“I can sense it—you have parts of my body within you.”

Shen Shu said proudly: “But this won’t be a reason for me to show mercy. Once I recover my condition, I’ll seek you out for a death duel. You’re a worthy opponent, and your essence blood is quite tempting.”

The combative personality—yes, Shen Shu was the Asura King, and the Asura race was born combative. These legs inherited that part of Shen Shu’s combative will… Xu Qi An instantly understood.

“I can help Senior recover your condition. In exchange, you must help me remove the Demon-Sealing Nails within me.”

Shen Shu’s legs “examined” him and sneered:

“Very well. The stronger the opponent, the more excited I become.”

Once I remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, I’ll throw out the torso and let you two fight it out… Xu Qi An looked toward Sun Xuanji:

“Let’s seal Senior again for now.”

In their current state, Shen Shu’s legs had no power to help him remove the Demon-Sealing Nails.

After Sun Xuanji sealed Shen Shu’s legs and placed them in a wooden box, Xu Qi An asked:

“Senior Brother Sun, what are your thoughts on what’s next?”

Sun Xuanji wrote: “Go to Qing Province to support the defenders.”

He glanced at Night Concubine and wrote again: “There’s something I want to ask of you, Miss.”

Night Concubine quickly said: “Please speak freely, Senior Brother Sun.”

Sun Xuanji wrote: “I want to take the ape spirit with me. No special reason—I just see he has good potential and want to take him as a disciple.”

Night Concubine looked at Xu Qi An, who asked:

“Does Guardian Yuan have any special uses?”

Night Concubine shook her head and smiled: “This is a good thing.”

…

In the valley, the bonfire blazed.

Sun Xuanji stood with his hands behind his back, Guardian Yuan standing reluctantly beside him.

Night Concubine led the valley’s beast crowd to bid farewell—Guardian Yuan wasn’t a minor spirit but one of significant status.

Learning that Guardian Yuan would follow the Bureau of Astronomy’s artificer to the distant Central Plains, the beast crowd was extremely reluctant, bidding tearful farewells.

Guardian Red Ribbon’s eyes were red:

“Guardian Yuan, I’ve heard most humans are narrow-minded and petty. After you go to the Central Plains, remember to be careful with your words and actions. Though you have Senior Brother Sun’s protection, you can’t let yourself go wild.”

White Ape Guardian remained expressionless.

Guardian Green Wood stepped forward with his cane, patting Guardian Yuan’s shoulder:

“Young people should venture out. The Ten Thousand Mountains are too small to contain you. The Central Plains are rich in talent and civilization. Going out to experience the world will benefit you, but you must return—fallen leaves return to their roots, and the Southern Borderlands is your home.”

White Ape Guardian remained expressionless.

Miao Youfang also came forward, patting Guardian Yuan’s shoulder:

“See you in the Central Plains!”

The beast crowd offered their parting words one after another, tears in their eyes, reluctant to part.

Seeing it was about time, Sun Xuanji nodded to Xu Qi An, placed his palm on Guardian Yuan’s shoulder, and a beam of clear light rose to envelop the two, vanishing from the valley.

…

High in the sky, the artillery platform continuously teleported and jumped. Sun Xuanji stood with his hands behind his back, full of dignity, staring at Guardian Yuan.

Guardian Yuan’s crystal-clear blue gaze met his, saying:

“Senior Brother Sun’s heart is asking why I was so cold just now, not bidding farewell to my kindred.”

Sun Xuanji nodded with satisfaction, indicating this was indeed what he wanted to ask.

Guardian Yuan was silent for a moment, then said:

“Red Ribbon’s heart told me: ‘That damn monkey is finally gone, praise her mother’s joy, tonight we’ll drink until dawn to celebrate.'”

Before Sun Xuanji could react, he continued:

“Guardian Green Wood’s heart told me: ‘The damn monkey is finally gone. If he didn’t leave, this old man’s reputation would have been ruined.'”

“The other minor spirits’ hearts told me: ‘Go quickly, go quickly…'”

Sun Xuanji was dumbfounded, suddenly realizing that taking Guardian Yuan with him might not have been a good thing.

…

Qing Province, White Sand Prefecture.

Commander Qi Guangbo climbed the city wall, looking down at the smoke-filled city.

The Cloud Province army had just taken this largest border city. With this, the defensive line formed by nine counties and prefectures on Qing Province’s border had been completely removed and brought under Cloud Province army control.

The Cloud Province army’s morale soared, but as commander-in-chief, Qi Guangbo felt no joy.

“Gather all unit commanders for a meeting in the barbican,”

Qi Guangbo said gravely.

“Yes!”

The deputy commander strode away, military sword at his waist.