Chapter 97 I have always been yours.

Chu Ji jumped into Li Chang's arms. Li Chang smiled smugly and said, "You died back then, and the Immortal Venerable wasn't at Qingxi Mountain. Rui Xue and Chu Ji were raised in Hua Mo Valley. Although they were taken care of by special people, there were too few senior sisters in the Beast Taming Clan, and they had too many animals to take care of. They definitely couldn't take good care of them. It's better for them to come with me."

“I keep it with me and take very good care of it.”

Li Chang held the cat tightly, refusing to let go, her voice growing increasingly cautious as she spoke: "You...you're back now, are you going to take them back with you?"

Ling Shu reached out to Chu Ji and coaxed, "Come here, let your older sister give you a hug."

Chu Ji stretched out her paw and forcefully slapped Ling Shu's hand away, then nestled comfortably in Li Chang's arms.

Seeing that the cat refused, Li Chang took the cat from under its armpits and lifted it into Ling Shu's arms. The cat belonged to Ling Shu, and she couldn't take it by force. Reluctantly, she said, "She's your cat. I'm giving her back to you. You must take good care of her."

Chu Ji twisted her body, stretched out her long legs to kick Ling Shu away, and then broke free from Li Chang's grasp.

Ling Shu was helpless; the child wouldn't recognize its mother.

Chu Ji walked to Li Chang's side, and in the next instant, the moonlight shone brightly, and a cloud of mist appeared from Chu Ji's body. From the mist emerged fair legs, beautiful hands... Chu Ji transformed into a stunning beauty!

Chu Ji was dressed in a golden Western Region-style robe, with a large, bushy tail swaying behind him.

Li Chang was stunned.

Chu Ji glanced at Ling Shu haughtily, walked behind Li Chang, knelt down behind her, wrapped her two slender arms around Li Chang's neck, and said to Ling Shu, "I don't want you, I want Bunny."

Ling Shu raised an eyebrow. You've transformed into a demon in just three years? Ling Shu adopted the air of a master: "Well, I raised you first. Tsk, whoever feeds you is your mother. Oh dear, I've become a sucker."

Ling Shu said to Li Chang, whose whole body was stiff, "She became a demon in three years. Did you feed her elixirs?"

Li Chang snapped out of her daze and stammered, "I did... once Chu Ji was sick, a minor cold. I was rescuing her in the deep mountains and forests, but I couldn't find a veterinarian, so I... I gave her a Heaven-grade Emergency Rejuvenation Pill. She recovered. I even asked the Pill Immortal Cat if it would be okay to eat this, and she just sighed and said it was fine, even cats could eat it. I didn't know... this pill could make a cat transform into human form..."

Ling Shu sighed, "Sister, this Heaven-grade Emergency Rejuvenation Pill, if given to someone suffering from a chronic illness on the verge of death, can pull them back from the brink of death. Each pill takes ten years to refine. You're feeding such a precious pill to a kitten that just caught a cold? Sigh, it's a bit of a waste, sigh—"

"Even a herbalist would sigh like that!" Li Chang said hesitantly, "I think a cat's life matters too. I have plenty; giving her one wouldn't be a problem, would it..."

Ling Shu became interested: "How many do you have?"

Li Chang spoke as if she were counting cabbages: "Three hundred and fifty bottles, um... about three thousand heads."

As expected, the wealthy have plenty of confidence. Ling Shu had nothing to say: "Give me twenty, how about it?"

Li Chang: "Okay."

Li Chang: "However...I think..."

Ling Shu said nonchalantly, "The cat is yours."

Chu Ji said unhappily, "I clearly chose my own master!"

"The weather has just cleared; do not be rude." Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out, as melodious as a nightingale's song.

The woman jumped up from below and bowed to Ling Shu, saying, "Your Highness, Demon King." Ling Shu paused for a moment, wondering who this was, before hearing Chu Ji call out to her, "Mother!"

The woman was dressed in gray, with an elegant demeanor and beautiful, refined features.

Ling Shu recognized her: "You're Rui Xue?!"

Setting aside her identity as the Demon King, Ruixue smiled gently and called out to her, "Master, it's been a long time."

Ling Shu glanced at Li Chang, who chuckled sheepishly, "When Ruixue was sick, she also took the Emergency Rejuvenation Pill." Ling Shu found her adorable and laughed, "You've taken good care of her; these two cats are a gift to you."

Ruixue said, "No, I want to follow my master. It was my master who gave us a home first."

Ling Shu smiled and said, "Whatever you want, anywhere is fine."

Li Chang wasn't used to the cat turning into a clingy beauty. She leaned against her back, and the soft feeling made Li Chang's face turn as red as a ripe apple.

Chu Ji leaned close to her ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Master, I'll stay with you from now on, okay?"

Li Chang stood there frozen for a long while before finally uttering a single word: "Okay."

Ling Shu mischievously teased from the side, "I heard that."

Li Chang was so embarrassed that she pulled down her rabbit ears to cover her face, yelling, "Ahhh, I'm so embarrassed!!!"

Early the next morning.

Ruixue followed Lingshu and her group to Qinan Mountain.

When Ling Shu saw Wang Lifu again, they were speechless. She didn't know what to say as the first thing. On the way there, Ling Shu had been thinking about what to say to her.

For example: Thank you for saving me. I didn't expect you to still have a conscience. If you hadn't saved me, I might not have had time to use this escape technique. I'm very grateful to you for planning all of this for me...

When they arrived at the small house where Wang Lifu lived, they saw Wang Lifu standing there in a plain purple dress. Ling Shu, who usually chatted with dogs, had her mouth shut as if it had been sewn shut, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Zhuang Jinfu was the most experienced. He took the lead and bowed. Ling Shu followed behind, looking rather awkward. He couldn't speak, but he was quite nimble. He carried two free-range chickens, one in each hand, into the enclosure and put them in the spirit beast pen.

Huh? Why is that fat pig emperor here too?

Ling Shu chuckled twice and continued moving things.

She washed her hands and unloaded the rest of the mountain goods and gifts from the carriage.

As she entered carrying gifts, she came face to face with Wang Lifu, who had gone out to fetch spring water. The two exchanged a glance, and Wang Lifu stepped aside to let her in. She went in carrying the gifts, and Wang Lifu couldn't help but turn back for another look.

Such a diligent and honest Ling Shu is rare.

He didn't even open his mouth before calling her a dog.

Ling Shu and Rui Xue went in and out several times before they finished moving everything. Wang Lifu had already brewed tea and was sitting opposite Zhuang Jinfu. Hai Gu had also gone over. Rui Xue sat obediently next to Hai Gu. Ling Shu finished packing her things and stood aside, unsure whether to go over or not.

Zhuang Jinfu noticed her embarrassment and called to her, "Shu'er, come and have some tea."

Ling Shu replied, "Yes."

She sat down at the tea table; their conversation was already halfway through.

Wang Lifu didn't look up at her. He washed a teacup, poured tea for Ling Shu, and said to Zhuang Jinfu, "With the current strength of the demon race, it's probably difficult for them to cultivate. They can establish their own sect, but they can't be too hasty. If they establish a sect that is the same as the existing sects, it will not be an advantage for the demon race. It would be better to take a long-term view and create a sect that recruits children."

Zhuang Jinfu: "What do you mean?"

Wang Lifu: "Most of the current demon race members escaped the calamity because of their weak magical power. Although there are some outstanding ones, they are still a minority. Newborn demons are different. Every month, new demons are born, naturally transformed by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Protecting the children is protecting the future of the race. If a sect can gather these newborn demons scattered in various places, protect them, and guide them onto the right path, the future of the demon race will be just around the corner."

Ling Shu had no idea how to appreciate tea. She poured her a cup, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp. It was fragrant enough, but not enough to quench her thirst. She still preferred fruit drinks, which were sweet and refreshing.

Seeing that she drank it all in one gulp, Wang Lifu realized she wasn't a connoisseur of tea. He then pointed to the round table behind him, and a glass bottle and a set of glass cups appeared in her hands.

Zhuang Jinfu: "Then what arrangements will be made for those from poor families?"

Wang Lifu took two glass cups, poured two cups of pink drink into them, pushed them in front of Ling Shu and Rui Xue, and answered Zhuang Jinfu's question:

"Although it is said that we are taking advantage of the influence of the poor, it is indeed difficult for the poor to cultivate. Since we have connections, let's help them out."

Adults and children will be divided into two classes, taught separately. This could be further subdivided, for example, one class for children under ten, another for children aged ten to eighteen, and those over eighteen could be further divided. The specifics of this division will be discussed later. However, this would mean recruiting a large number of teachers.

The implication is that a lot of money and spirit stones were spent.

Ling Shu nervously rubbed his hands together, then casually interjected, "It's alright, the demon race is quite good at making a living, we're not short of money."

Wang Lifu nodded.

Ling Shu touched the cup of drink and found it was still iced. It smelled of peaches and tasted of oolong tea; the two flavors were perfectly blended.

It's much better than bland tea.

After Ling Shu finished drinking, her eyes were fixed on the glass bottle.

She reached out and poured two full cups, drank them heartily, and refilled Ruixue's cup as well. Just as she was about to refill it again, a magical force pulled the glass bottle to the other side, instantly placing it next to Wang Lifu. Ling Shu glared at her, but Wang Lifu seemed oblivious, leisurely pouring tea and sipping it.

Ling Shu thought to herself that she was an adult and shouldn't be as petty as a child. She continued what she had just said: "The demon race is rich, but the poor families are not. We can hire teachers from poor families to teach us. The teachers come from poor families, and their students also come from poor families. With everyone of one mind, we can fight against the powerful families together."

Wang Lifu glanced at her: "That's true."

Later, when discussing some specific matters, Hai Gu, who didn't understand these things, looked at the sky and realized it was time to prepare dinner. She got up and went to work in the kitchen, spending two hours preparing the meal.

They were called over, but none of them moved.

Hai Gu, still wearing an apron and wiping her hands, came in and shouted at the former sect leader, the guardian immortal of the Shangqing Realm, and the current demon king Ling Shu, "Eat!"

Hai Gu retorted angrily, "I've been cooking for two hours and you're not doing anything? The food will get cold and we'll have to reheat it. Whatever important matter you have to discuss, finish your meal first!"

Wang Lifu: "Coming right away."

Zhuang Jinfu silently walked towards the dining table.

Ling Shu greeted her with a grin and asked Hai Gu, "Have you made me crystal shrimp dumplings yet?"

Hai Gu said proudly, "Yes! How could I forget you?"

Ruixue walked over with a gentle smile.

The atmosphere at the gathering was harmonious and joyful.

Wang Lifu doesn't drink alcohol, so there was no wine on the table. Hai Gu asked her, "Don't you love drinking the most?"

Wang Lifu: "I don't like drinking it anymore."

Zhuang Jinfu got up and came over to take her pulse. Wang Lifu declined, saying she was fine. Hai Gu came over and supported her. Zhuang Jinfu felt her pulse, and Hai Gu asked, "How is she?"

Zhuang Jinfu and Wang Lifu exchanged a glance but said nothing.

After the meal, Ling Shu secretly went to ask Zhuang Jin Fu, "How...is she feeling?"

Zhuang Jinfu said, "He has been seriously injured, damaging his very bones. It will be difficult for him to make any progress in his cultivation in the future. I'm afraid his path to ascension has been completely cut off."

Ling Shu remained silent for a long time.

Wang Lifu was at the Nascent Soul stage, exceptionally talented, and of noble birth. She was once considered the person with the best chance of ascending to immortality. However, twenty-two years ago, her cultivation was suddenly hindered. She was about to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage, but her cultivation suddenly regressed to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Everyone said that she had developed a mental demon and could not overcome the emotional barrier, which caused her cultivation to regress. As for the specific reason, only she herself probably knows.

After eating and drinking her fill, Ruixue transformed into a cat and went to her cat bed for a long nap.

A cool night breeze blew up, and Wang Lifu drank tea alone in the courtyard, gazing at the night scene.

Ling Shu stood at the door and saw her back. In the night, in the deep mountains, she sat alone, feeling particularly lonely.

The wind made my skin feel cool.

Ling Shu went back into the house to get an outer garment and walked towards her.

Wang Lifu knew someone was coming out of the house. Thinking it was Zhuang Jinfu, he was picking up an overturned teacup when a garment was suddenly draped over his shoulder.

She heard a sweet and charming voice calling to her: "Mother, it's chilly at night."

Wang Lifu's hand trembled slightly as she held the teacup. She steadied it and slowly turned the teacup back upside down. With a flick of her fingertips, the glass bottle and glass cup were in her hand. She murmured an "Mmm" and poured her a cup of fruit drink. In the darkness of the night, tears welled up in Wang Lifu's eyes.

A year later, in the name of the Demon King Ling Shu, he founded a sect and named it the Nine Heavens Sect.

Seeking enlightenment in the Nine Heavens, with celestial maidens as teachers, all paths are open, regardless of race, origin, gender, or age. Anyone who wishes to enter the path of cultivation can participate in the grand examination of the immortal sect.

Ling Shu became the sect leader, and all the demons bowed down to him, responding to his every call.

Wang Lifu was appointed as the chief examiner of the Immortal Sect's Grand Examination, thus fulfilling his lifelong wish.

Zhuang Jinfu, this great Buddha, was moved from the Shangqing Sect under the control of Cang Luo to the Jiuxiao Sect. Ling Shu gave her another mountain, still called Qingxi Mountain. The original palace was shrunk down using immortal magic and moved over in its entirety.

Living here and guarding a region, with local land gods coming to report every month, Li Chang became a frequent visitor to Qingxi Mountain.

Ruixue entered the Nine Heavens Sect to cultivate.

When recruiting elders for the Danmai sect, one person came to apply.

Li Chang happened to be passing by and pulled her inside to see Ling Shu.

Li Chang happily took her hand and said, "Zhao Chi, why are you still applying for jobs? Your Daoist name is known throughout the world. The Nine Heavens Sect is so lucky to have recruited you."

Ling Shu was afraid that Zhuang Jinfu would be unhappy when she saw her, and it would be awkward to meet her. However, Zhao Chi was really a talented person, and recruiting her would be of great benefit to the Nine Heavens Sect.

Zhao Chi saw her hesitation, and secretly hid those thoughts that should have been cut off long ago, and said with feigned composure, "I already have a virtuous wife at home, and I have already let go of them."

Ling Shu finally felt relieved.

Ling Shu said that she could be specially appointed as the Elder of the Pill Cultivation Sect without passing the Immortal Sect's Grand Examination, but Zhao Chi insisted on taking the Grand Examination and passing it based on his own strength.

While they were having a good talk, Zhuang Jinfu received the news and rushed over.

Ling Shu had just seen Zhao Chi off when Zhuang Jinfu pushed the door open and closed it tightly.

"You saw her?"

Ling Shu sat in the main seat and smiled gently: "Immortal Venerable, are you jealous?"

Zhuang Jinfu walked over, sat on her lap, wrapped his arms around Ling Shu's neck, and said resentfully, "You're not allowed to get close to her."

Ling Shu coaxed, "Don't worry, I've never loved her, I only love you, sister."

Zhuang Jinfu tilted his head back and lightly kissed Ling Shu's lips, pointing to her heart with his finger, and said, "You are mine."

Ling Shu hugged Zhuang Jinfu's slender waist tightly, pressed her into his arms, lowered his head to kiss her back, and replied with a smile:

"I have always been yours."

—End of text—