Chapter 86: Transformation
The words Lou Yunxiao was speaking now inexplicably overlapped with the words spoken by the Lou Yunxiao of ten thousand years later in Beiyou Cheng.
Ning Ke stared blankly at the tall, upright man.
Something in his heart was stirred.
Gritting his teeth, he suddenly leaped out of Jiu Yuanâs arms.
He ran to Lou Yunxiao, turned around, and barked defiantly at Jiu Yuan.
The stance made it clear to anyone that he was siding with Lou Yunxiao.
“You little brat. Now that you have this kid, youâve forgotten your own brother? Youâre already favoring outsiders.” Jiu Yuan couldn’t maintain his stern facade. He stood up with a laugh, walked over to Lou Yunxiao, and tapped the manâs shoulder with his pipe. “Follow me.”
He then glanced at Ning Ke. “You too.”
Ning Ke bared his teeth at him.
Then, he turned and rubbed against Lou Yunxiaoâs leg, asking for a hug.
The difference in treatment was stark.
Jiu Yuan rolled his eyes. He really couldn’t understand why the Heavenly Dao old man had chosen such a foolish foxâone who loved clinging to a man’s pant legâto be the next Nine-Tailed Fox!
And it wasn’t even his pant leg!
Lou Yunxiao picked up Ning Ke. The fox rubbed against his face, earning a smile from the man.
“I said I wouldn’t leave you,” he said, pinching Ning Keâs cheek. “I won’t break my word.”
Jiu Yuan waved a hand, and the palace doors swung open. A-You, A-Li, and a crowd of eavesdropping foxes all fell forward with a splat, piling on top of each other in a tangled mess of “ouch” and “ow.”
“…”
Jiu Yuan coughed, and the foxes scrambled to their feet, scattering instantly.
Jiu Yuan sighed.
Clearly, the Fox Clanâs trait of being nosy was consistent across all ages.
…
He led the two of them to a hot spring in the back mountains.
The spring water was dense with demonic power, and layers of demonic clouds drifted around the area.
“Weâre here.”
Jiu Yuan turned and tapped a finger against the space between Ning Keâs eyes. A flame sigil appeared on the fox’s fur.
“This is the seal placed on every Nine-Tailed Fox by the Heavenly Dao. It will gradually undo as he ages.”
“If itâs undone too quickly, it will cause internal damage and leave incurable injuries.”
“However, undoing it just enough for him to speak and transform is possible.” Jiu Yuan grabbed the scruff of Ning Keâs neck and lifted him up.
Ning the Fox immediately reached out his paws to scratch him.
Jiu Yuan laughed and leaned back. “Haha, can’t reach! Can’t reach, you little dummy!”
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the unsuspecting, scratching Ning Ke into the hot spring.
Splash!
The white fox became a “drowned rat” in an instant, coughing up several mouthfuls of water.
Jiu Yuan laughed heartily from the shore.
“Little dummy, thatâs called a surprise attack!”
As he spoke, he waved his pipe, setting up a barrier around the spring. “Stay in there properly. By evening, youâll be able to transform. And then…”
He turned to Lou Yunxiao, arching an eyebrow. “Kid, are you interested in a little spar with me?”
Ning Ke, floating in the pool, frowned at the suggestion.
He figured Jiu Yuan was at least a thousand years old. Fighting Lou Yunxiao was a bit like bullying.
This was Lou Yunxiaoâs first visit to Qingqiu, and he didn’t know Jiu Yuanâs temperament. But thinking a guest should follow the host’s lead, he nodded and agreed.
Jiu Yuan scrutinized Lou Yunxiao.
The man had just boasted about protecting Ning Ke; this was a perfect time to test his strength.
Furthermore, the old man from the Heavenly Dao had told him in the dream to help Lou Yunxiao eliminate the Mo. If this test proved the man was weak, he wouldn’t bother helping him.
With that in mind, he gripped his pipe, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“Letâs begin.”
In an instant, he appeared before Lou Yunxiao.
Pipe clashed with long sword.
The spar officially commenced.
Within a breath, they had exchanged dozens of moves.
Jiu Yuanâs frown deepened.
He discovered that no matter how he attacked, he couldn’t land a single blow on Lou Yunxiao.
Though Lou Yunxiao couldn’t land one on him either.
But this was enough to show their strengths were evenly matched.
A human barely a hundred years old was actually standing on equal footing with a dignified Fox Lord.
Just how terrifying was this manâs talent?!
They fought from noon until evening.
Finally, Jiu Yuan privately acknowledged that the Heavenly Dao old man had a good eye. He raised a hand in a “stop” gesture.
“Enough, enough. Weâll stop here. Itâs a draw.”
Lou Yunxiao sheathed his sword and bowed. “Fox Lord, I am honored by your guidance.”
Jiu Yuan looked at his impeccable manners and couldn’t find a single fault.
He let out a huff and turned toward the front hall.
“You passed the test. Once A-Ke transforms, I will allow him to stay with you.”
Lou Yunxiaoâs pupils trembled slightly. He bowed again. “Thank you, Fox Lord.”
Once Jiu Yuan had disappeared, Lou Yunxiao retracted his Lingli and landed.
From a distance, he could see a silhouette emerging through the steam of the spring.
It was slender, yet not overly fragile.
Silver hair, much like Jiu Yuanâs, cascaded down, covering a large expanse of delicate skin. As Ning Ke stood up, the curves of his waist and lower body were revealed.
Round and firm.
What was most striking were the fox ears that hadn’t yet been retracted and the tail swaying gently from his tailbone.
With every flick, water droplets scattered.
Seeming uncomfortable, Ning Ke raised a hand to fiddle with his ears.
As he did, he turned and locked eyes with Lou Yunxiao.
That stunningly beautiful face and his bare torso crashed into Lou Yunxiaoâs vision.
Almost instantly, Lou Yunxiao spun around, turning his back to Ning Ke. “The Fox Lord has agreed to let me take you with me.”
After saying this, he hurriedly pulled some clothes from his Qiankun bag and placed them nearby. “Here are some clothes for you.”
His voice was slightly hoarse, thick with emotions he didn’t quite understand.
He was about to walk away when he heard Ning Ke call his name.
“Lou Yunxiao!”
Lou Yunxiaoâs breath hitched.
This was the first time the little fox had called him by name in a human voice.
Clear and melodious.
Recalling the image of the person behind him, Lou Yunxiaoâs feet felt nailed to the ground.
He didn’t know what was happening to him.
Even though his back was turned, he couldn’t stop picturing Ning Keâs breathtaking face, his naked body, that faint pink hue, those furry ears, and that swaying tail…
He really wanted to look again, to touch them…
Lou Yunxiao took a deep breath to suppress his “perverted” thoughts and asked, “What is it?”
“You put the clothes too far away,” Ning Ke said, sighing. “Besides, the Fox Lord set a barrier around the spring. You have to undo it before I can get out.”
“Oh, right.” Lou Yunxiaoâs reaction was delayed.
He picked up the clothes and, without turning around, fumbled his way backward.
Ning Ke found it hilarious.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he decided to tease him.
“Back up… further… keep going… Now undo the barrier… right… back up a little more… right there, put the clothes down…”
As Lou Yunxiao bent over to set the clothes down, Ning Ke lunged out of the water, grabbed the manâs pant leg, and yanked him into the hot spring.
Splash!
Lou Yunxiao felt a moment of weightlessness. The next thing he knew, he was being pushed against the pool wall.
His chest felt warm.
Ning Ke had pressed himself into his arms.
A jade-like finger tilted Lou Yunxiaoâs chin up.
Ning Ke smiled, showing his little sharp teeth.
“Lou Yunxiao, my appearance after transformation…”
“Do you like it?”
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