Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The bluestone path on the back hill, which is usually so deserted that even birds don't bother to poop, was bustling with activity today, like a market.

Dozens of outer disciples squatted in the roadside bushes and hung on tree branches, craning their necks to look in the direction of the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Zhao Tiezhu, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, nudged his junior brother beside him: "Hey, Senior Brother Chen's been soaking in there for three hours now, why hasn't he made a move yet?"

"That's the Dragon Transformation Pool, isn't it normal to soak there for a long time?" The junior brother said with envy. "If it were me, I would soak until my skin was wrinkled before I came out."

"You know nothing." Zhao Tiezhu spat out the grass root, his face full of profound mystery. "A powerhouse like Junior Brother Chen Xuan is definitely absorbing the essence of the Dragon Transformation Pool to temper himself. You lot should just follow suit."

As they were talking, the clouds and mist in front of them suddenly dissipated.

The barrier of light flickered twice and then slowly dissipated.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the exit.

Footsteps sounded.

Unhurried and steady, with composure and strength.

Chen Xuan came out.

He changed into a clean blue robe, his hair still damp, casually draped over his shoulders. His face, usually so cold and aloof, now exuded an indescribable languor and contentment.

It's like... a tiger that has just eaten and drunk its fill.

But it is not important.

What matters is what's behind him.

A girl wearing a black cloak was following behind him, her head down, dawdling.

The cloak was clearly ill-fitting, so large it resembled a sack, with sleeves that were far too long and the hem dragging on the ground.

The girl was barefoot, her ankles dazzlingly white, and every step she took on the bluestone slabs felt like stepping on the hearts of everyone present.

The entire room fell silent.

Zhao Tiezhu's mouth was agape enough to fit an egg, and the sunflower seeds in his hand scattered all over the ground.

"Am I...am I seeing things?" He rubbed his eyes. "When Senior Brother Chen went in, he was carrying a fox, wasn't he?"

"R-right?" The junior brother next to him was also dumbfounded. "Then who is this woman? Did she grow out of the Dragon Transformation Pool?"

Su Chang'an just wanted to disappear into a crack in the ground.

She buried her head low, as if she wanted to shrink into her neck.

The cloak she was wearing belonged to Chen Xuan, and it was covered in his scent, giving her a headache.

The worst part is that there's nothing inside these clothes...

The unfilial son tore off his inner garment to wipe her hair, and his outer robe was soaked with water, so in the end he could only wrap this spare cloak around her.

"Hurry up."

Chen Xuan stopped and glanced back at her, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Legs weak?"

Su Chang'an stumbled and almost fell to his knees.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Just give me a hug, why would my legs go weak?"

She suddenly looked up and glared fiercely at Chen Xuan.

As soon as he looked up, a collective gasp filled the air around him.

nice.

So beautiful.

Her silver hair cascaded down her back, her skin was as white as snow, and her long, narrow fox eyes had upturned corners, giving her a natural allure, yet her gaze was also fierce, like a wildcat with its fur standing on end.

This contrast between innocence and desire completely stunned the group of country bumpkins who had never seen the world.

"What are you looking at! Haven't you ever seen a beautiful woman before?"

Su Chang'an gave a loud, bluffing shout, trying to regain the aura he had when he was a "father" back in the day.

But the voice was soft and sweet, sounding more like a coquettish tantrum than an insult.

A faint smile appeared on Chen Xuan's lips.

He reached out and very naturally helped her gather the collar of her slipped cloak, covering her dazzling collarbone.

"Ignore them."

This action.

That tone.

It's almost as if they've had the words "This is my man" engraved on their foreheads.

The disciples on the roadside exchanged glances, their eyes instantly becoming meaningful.

"Got it." Zhao Tiezhu slapped his thigh and lowered his voice, "I knew Senior Brother Chen insisted on booking the whole place! Turns out he was keeping a mistress!"

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" another disciple gave a thumbs up. "Going in with a fox and coming out with a wife. This Dragon Transformation Pool can even turn people into real beings? I want to try it too!"

"Give me a break, do you even have the strength of a fox? Do you have Senior Brother Chen's waist strength?"

"Yeah, three hours...tsk tsk tsk."

Although the whispers were kept low, Su Chang'an, now possessing the physique of a nine-tailed celestial fox, had exceptionally good hearing.

The foul language swarmed into her ears like flies.

What "waist strength", what "three hours", what "those who know, know"?

You're so clueless!

I'm in there rebuilding my body! I'm being tortured! Not doing *that* kind of thing!

Su Chang'an's face turned red with anger, a mixture of embarrassment and rage.

She reached out and pinched the soft flesh on Chen Xuan's lower back, twisting it hard.

"It's all your fault!" she transmitted through gritted teeth. "You insisted on booking the whole place! And you had to come out at this time! Now look what's happened, you can't clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River!"

Chen Xuan remained expressionless, without even frowning.

He grabbed Su Chang'an's mischievous hand and held it in his palm.

"Those who are pure will themselves be cleansed."

He replied casually, then took her hand and continued walking forward.

Su Chang'an struggled twice, but couldn't break free.

The hand was large and dry, and the heat radiated from its palm, making her feel uneasy.

Just then, the crowd in front suddenly parted to make way.

Luo Qingxue, dressed in pristine white, stepped out.

But the moment she saw Su Chang'an, her eyes were filled with amazement.

Looking at the silver-haired girl in front of her, Luo Qingxue had to admit that there really were such stunning beauties in this world.

No wonder Chen Xuan didn't like her.

No wonder Chen Xuan said that was his fate.

Luo Qingxue took a deep breath and forced a polite smile.

"Junior Brother Chen."

She gave Chen Xuan a slight bow, but her gaze fell on Su Chang'an. "This... must be the spirit fox?"

Chen Xuan nodded without saying anything.

Su Chang'an felt somewhat embarrassed.

Is this considered a meeting between love rivals?

Although she never intended to steal this girl's man, she felt a little guilty being stared at like that.

"Um... hello." Su Chang'an chuckled dryly, trying to pull his hand out of Chen Xuan's grasp.

No twitching.

Chen Xuan gripped his hand even tighter.

Luo Qingxue looked at their clasped hands and gave a bitter smile.

"Junior brother is so lucky."

She looked at Chen Xuan, her tone sincere, "Junior brother and this young lady are a perfect match, very much like a married couple. Qingxue wishes you both a long and happy marriage, and many children..."

After saying this, Luo Qingxue seemed to have exhausted all her strength, turned around and left, her back view appearing particularly desolate.

Su Chang'an was dumbfounded.

May you have a long and happy marriage? And may you have a son soon?

What does this even mean?!

"No! You've misunderstood!" Su Chang'an shouted anxiously at Luo Qingxue's retreating figure, "I'm his father! Not his wife! I raised this boy!"

Unfortunately, Luo Qingxue walked very fast and didn't hear her at all.

Even if they heard it, they'd probably just think it was a joke.

The disciples around them heard this and laughed even harder.

"Wow, Senior Brother Chen has quite a unique taste."

"Dad? Hahaha, that's a cool title!"

"It seems our Senior Brother Chen gets bullied quite a bit; his status at home is precarious."

Su Chang'an felt like he was suffocating.

She turned to look at Chen Xuan, hoping that this unfilial son could offer some explanation.

As a result, Chen Xuan stood there, accepting everyone's attention with a calm expression.

He even nodded slightly when he heard the words "couples look alike".

Thank you.

He cupped his hands in greeting to those around him, saying, "Thank you all for your kind words."

boom--

The string in Su Chang'an's mind snapped completely.

Is this auspicious advice?

What kind of auspicious words are you borrowing?

Do you think this misunderstanding isn't deep enough? Are you afraid this rumor won't spread fast enough?

"Chen Xuan!"

Su Chang'an trembled with rage, pointing her finger at his nose, "Have you no shame? Who looks like you? Who wants to be with you forever?"

Chen Xuan looked down at her.

The girl's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were darting around, and her chest heaved violently with anger.

The way he looked didn't seem like he was angry; it was more like they were flirting.

"Doesn't it look like it?"

Chen Xuan suddenly leaned closer and pinched her earlobe. "I think it looks quite similar."

"Like you, my foot!"

Su Chang'an slapped his hand away.

She couldn't take it anymore.

I really can't take it anymore.

This place is unbearable! And this unfilial son is no longer acceptable!

"I am a lion! I am a beast! I won't stoop to the level of these fools!"

Su Chang'an frantically tried to hypnotize himself in his mind, attempting to suppress the burning heat on his face.

But the ambiguous gazes around her felt like needles, pricking her all over.

Especially Chen Xuan's smiling eyes, which made her feel uneasy.

run!

Must run!

If we stay any longer, who knows what other shocking things this rebellious son might say!

"I...I'm hungry! Let's go back and eat!"

Su Chang'an left with these weak words, pulled his cloak up to cover his head, and turned to run away.

That silhouette looked exactly like someone fleeing in panic.

"Hey! Slow down, sister-in-law!"

"Sister-in-law, watch out for the steps!"

The sound of disciples making a fuss came from behind.

Su Chang'an slipped and almost fell flat on his face.

sister in law?

Who is your sister-in-law!

Is there something wrong with the feng shui of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect? Why are all the members of it acting so strangely?

As Chen Xuan watched the stumbling figure run away, he could no longer hide the smile on his lips.

He did not chase after them immediately.

Instead, he turned around and coldly surveyed the disciples who were still making a ruckus around him.

The crowd, which had been laughing and joking, instantly fell silent.

That familiar, suffocating sense of oppression has returned.

"Have you seen enough?"

Chen Xuan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling undertone.

Everyone shook their heads in unison, shrinking their necks and backing away.

"From now on, whoever dares to gossip again..."

Chen Xuan tapped the hilt of the broken sword twice with his fingers. "I'll shut him up forever."

Done.

He withdrew his gaze, took a step, and chased after Su Chang'an in the direction he had run.

His steps were light and quick, even a little hurried.

The fierce and menacing demon king from just a moment ago has transformed into a sly little wolf chasing after his wife.

Leaving behind a crowd of dumbfounded onlookers.

"This...this is protecting her already?" Zhao Tiezhu swallowed hard. "Looks like we'll have to treat that...sister-in-law like a servant from now on."

"Nonsense! That's Senior Brother Chen's lifeline! Who dares to mess with him?"

The wind blew through the treetops, swirling up a few fallen leaves.

This morning at the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect was destined to be spent amidst the torrent of gossip.

The one who started this storm is currently hiding in the quilt of Duanqingju, wrapped up like a silkworm, refusing to come out no matter what.

"The traitor! The traitor!"

From under the covers came Su Chang'an's muffled curses, "My lifelong reputation is ruined!"