Chapter 263: 迷剑之狐

Red Xiu finished speaking and offered a stiff smile to Ji Yuan, but she saw no particular expression on his face, nor could she discern anything from his unchanging, pale eyes.

"Since you neither harm people nor wander aimlessly, and surely this pleasure boat isn't a good place for cultivation, what brings you to Da Zhen?"

Ji Yuan certainly didn't believe the woman was merely seeking entertainment. Although the white fox's aura was suppressed, there was still some malevolent energy about her; she was clearly no gentle lamb.

"Sir, I've heard rumors that in Da Zhen, there's a mysterious hidden immortal, immensely powerful and boundless in magic. Very few outsiders have seen him, but it's said he's also a sword immortal with incredible abilities..." Red Xiu's eyes flickered as she spoke these words, then paused before looking at Ji Yuan again. "Is that you, sir?"

"Hmph, Mr. Ji is asking you a question. It's not your place to ask him one!" The God of Susui Water let out a cold snort, directing his imposing aura towards the woman beside them. He was determined to be the first to act if Mr. Ji decided to apprehend the demon, not only because she had previously slandered him but also because this was an excellent opportunity.

Among the prominent aquatic beings in Da Zhen, all under the Dragon Lord, it was a well-known fact that while Mr. Ji's divine abilities were formidable, his greatest strength lay in his profound understanding of the 'Dao.' If one could form a good connection with Mr. Ji, there was a slight chance of receiving 'guidance from an immortal.' While a leap as significant as the Dragon Girl's was unthinkable, it would certainly bring immense benefits to one's future cultivation.

However, the imposing aura seemed to have little effect on the woman, who appeared to be solely focused on Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan, unusually, smiled and looked at the girl, Red Xiu. "Immensely powerful and boundless in magic? Are there such cultivators in this world? At least, I, Ji, have never met anyone like that!" For her to say that was, in essence, a partial admission. And while his words carried a hint of sarcasm, from another perspective, it implied that all cultivators he had encountered so far were "nothing special," their "limits" easily discernible.

Red Xiu took a deep breath to quell a slight feeling of apprehension. "Mr. Ji, I came to Da Zhen merely hoping to escape misfortune; I have no intention of causing any trouble... Would you allow this humble one to gaze upon your immortal sword?"

The Water God Du Guangtong looked at the female demon with astonishment, as if she were an idiot. He felt she was utterly oblivious, asking to see an immortal sword with such disjointed talk. Was she not afraid of being cut down by a single stroke?

Ji Yuan frowned, then nodded after half a breath of thought.

The Green Vine Sword, previously on Ji Yuan's back, floated gracefully to stand upright before him, gradually revealing its form. Its scabbard was simple, adorned with vibrant green vines, exuding a serene and elegant spirit without any trace of sword intent or energy. It appeared less like a weapon of war and more like a vibrant, spiritual work of art.

"Spirit-borne Green Vine, sheathing boundless keenness..." Red Xiu unconsciously read the inscription on the scabbard, seemingly sensing the boundless sword intent sealed within. As the saying goes, 'things turn when they reach their extreme.' This was, after all, an immortal sword. The complete absence of any sharp edge or intimidating presence at that moment only amplified the imagination of the unparalleled sharpness it would unleash once drawn.

The God of Susui also gazed at the immortal sword, slightly lost in thought. 'This is Mr. Ji's Green Vine Sword!'

Red Xiu stared at the Green Vine Sword, utterly mesmerized, her eyes appearing somewhat vacant. "What a beautiful sword..." She instinctively reached out to touch the Green Vine Sword. At that very moment, the immortal sword trembled slightly. A faint white light, barely visible to the naked eye, emanated from the sword. Though dim to sight, it shone as brightly as the Milky Way in one's spiritual perception.

"Ah..." Red Xiu screamed, flung several yards away, and crashed directly into the cabin door of the private room. She then began coughing incessantly. Her limbs trembled, and she coughed incessantly. A feeling of oppression in her chest only slightly eased with the continuous coughing.

The Green Vine Sword remained suspended above the table, never leaving its scabbard.

That had been a spontaneous spiritual strike from the Green Vine Sword. Ji Yuan hadn't expected this fox demon to court disaster to such an extent, foolishly attempting to touch the sword. The Green Vine Sword was a sentient immortal blade, not a mere object; it had its own temperament, which could sometimes be quite volatile. For the fox demon, in her completely unguarded spiritual state, to take such a blow from the Green Vine Sword was quite severe.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk... serves her right!" Zhang Rui muttered with a cold chuckle, then looked at Wang Li's pained expression beside her, feeling both annoyed and amused. The God of Susui also cast a cold glance at the fox demon, whose limbs were trembling. Seeing her coughing fits and inability to stand, he concluded that the blow must have been significant, though likely an automatic warning from the immortal sword. Had Mr. Ji wielded it, the demon would surely have lost her life.

At this point, Du Guangtong increasingly suspected the fox demon was truly addled in the head. What normal demon would attempt to touch an immortal sword with an owner? No matter how amiable or approachable the sword's master seemed, it didn't mean the immortal sword itself was easygoing. Could a weapon of war truly have a gentle disposition?

Wang Li, on one hand, felt a pang of pity for Red Xiu, and on the other, finally began to wonder why no one else had entered. The commotion in this private room, from moments ago until now, had not been small, yet everyone else on the grand pleasure boat seemed completely oblivious. He instantly realized that a master must have cast a spell.

Red Xiu, injured by the immortal sword, wore an expression of pain. She could feel no wounds on her limbs, realizing the injury was to her spiritual mind. Now, she found it difficult to concentrate, and her hands and feet were slightly spasming. It took her a while to recover. This "heart-wrenching sensation" was extremely rare, leaving her with lingering trepidation.

Seeing the fox demon get back on her feet so quickly, Ji Yuan's expression subtly hardened. Though it wasn't outwardly visible, he was astonished inwardly. A moment ago, seeing the fox demon in that state, he had almost intervened, so he was surprised by her swift recovery. To take such a solid hit and recover so quickly indicated genuine power.

"What a beautiful sword..." Red Xiu cautiously approached the table, her attention still fixed on the Green Vine Sword, which had returned to Ji Yuan's back. Although the immortal sword had faded from view, she could still perceive its faint outline due to the spiritual connection. "If only I had an immortal sword too..."

Hearing Red Xiu's sigh, even Ji Yuan now thought the fox demon might truly be a little unhinged.

Under Ji Yuan's steady, frowning gaze, Red Xiu finally came back to her senses, remembering the current situation. She spoke with a mix of nervousness and embarrassment. "Mr. Ji, my name is Tu Siyan. I come from the Jade Fox Cavern of Qiancang Mountain in Lanzhou, Western Regions. I have also dealt with immortals, and I truly, truly haven't committed many acts against the Dao... at least not since coming to Da Zhen!"

"Lanzhou, Western Regions? Tu Siyan? Not Tu Shan Siyan?" She was a fox demon and her surname was Tu, so Ji Yuan instinctively asked this.

"Huh?" Tu Siyan was startled, not understanding why the person before her asked this.

Ji Yuan didn't respond further. He put the book from the table into his sleeve, thought for a moment, and then looked at Tu Siyan. "Miss Red Xiu, the reason I've spoken with you calmly for so long is twofold: first, I had doubts, and second, I didn't want to alarm the people on the boat. However, you should no longer be a courtesan on this pleasure boat. Find a reason to buy your freedom and leave Da Zhen."

"Oh, huh!?" Tu Siyan first responded, then suddenly realized something and quickly shook her head. "No, no, no, I can't leave! Unless you, sir, lend me your immortal sword. I'll return it to you after I go back to Lanzhou in the Western Regions!"

Before Ji Yuan could speak, Zhang Rui and the Water God Du Guangtong were already furious. Du Guangtong immediately stood up. "Demon! Do you truly seek death? Mr. Ji, if this is the case, grant her wish! You needn't lift a finger; I, Du, will apprehend her for you!"

Tu Siyan had moved a bit farther from Du Guangtong, clasping her hands together and looking at Ji Yuan — or rather, the immortal sword behind him — with a troubled expression. She figured the Water God wouldn't dare to act, but then she heard Ji Yuan calmly say: "Then I shall trouble the Water God to act."

Both Du Guangtong and Tu Siyan froze for a moment. Then the former was immediately overjoyed, while the latter's face turned pale with shock.

"Roar..." The Water God let out a low roar, his body suddenly glowing with divine light. The hand emerging from his sleeve was covered in black scales, and he struck like lightning, seizing the fox demon by the neck.

Tu Siyan had intended to leap away and dodge, but the moment Ji Yuan spoke, she suddenly found her body unresponsive, or rather, completely unable to move. "Uh..." Tu Siyan, whose neck was locked, struggled for a moment before feeling her body's control slowly return. However, the divine light, malevolent energy, and demonic qi in the black hand gripping her neck were extremely dangerous, deterring her from further resistance.

Du Guangtong was also very surprised that the demon was so easy to catch. Both then seemed to realize something. One leaned forward, the other laboriously turned her neck, looking at Ji Yuan. They saw a puddle of water on the table, forming a small character: "Ding" (定), meaning 'fix' or 'still.'

Ji Yuan had not been very confident in using a paralysis spell on this fox demon, but it was different now that her spiritual mind was injured. Indeed, it had held her captive for a moment.