Chapter 76: Ancient God Qing Nü
The warm, wet sensation on her fingertip made Li Yu freeze.
She stared at the small, gray ball of fluff at her feet,
Watching as it gently nibbled her finger, its mouth moving playfully.
Watching as it tilted its head, its round eyes staring at her, its tail wagging.
This little puppy…was a wolf?
And it had light brown eyes…
Li Yu felt a sudden surge of disorientation.
Thoughts and memories collided in her mind, too fast to grasp, a chaotic jumble without direction.
The bitterness in her mouth intensified the confusion.
The little wolf, seeing her unresponsive, released her finger and nuzzled her hand with its fluffy head.
“It found you in the snow half a month ago,” Weisheng Xuanzhu said.
“Half a month ago…” Li Yu frowned. She had been unconscious for that long?
“You were badly injured, your protective aura dissipated, but thankfully, your wounds were frozen, minimizing blood loss.”
“…So she was quite resilient.
“But the cold seeped into your heart meridian; it will take time to heal.”
Cold seeping into her heart meridian?
When Mu Tao was injured, kneeling in the snow for three days and three nights, she had also suffered from this.
Now she had experienced it herself, even receiving medicine from the same person.
How ironic.
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “It…likes you very much. Ever since I brought you back, it comes every day to…see you.”
That slight pause was telling.
Li Yu suspected this little wolf had been licking her for half a month.
Li Yu: “Does it…like to lick people…?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “It likes to lick you.”
Li Yu: “…”
She suddenly felt like a giant lollipop, being licked by this little wolf.
Strangely, she didn’t find it repulsive.
A strange, almost impossible thought crossed her mind.
She blurted out, “What’s its name?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Little Wolf.”
Li Yu: “Just Little Wolf? No name?”
“It can’t even talk yet; we can name it after it matures and transforms.” He said. “There’s no other wolf here anyway; any name will do.”
His tone was calm, his voice the same as she remembered, yet the overall impression was different.
He seemed…more human, less like the cold, distant iceberg she knew, every word laced with a chilling aura.
This was the first time she felt…comfortable talking to him.
No, wait, she was getting distracted, back to the little wolf…
“How old is this Little Wolf?” she asked.
“I don’t remember exactly,” he said, “Perhaps…over three hundred years old.”
Over three hundred years old…
That didn’t seem right. Mu Tao had transformed at just over two hundred; how could this little wolf, over three hundred years old, still be unable to speak?
Wait!
He had said it wasn’t mature yet…
System, in the world of Demon Bone, at what age do demons usually mature? Are there differences between races? And within the same race, could there be variations?
【In the world of Demon Bone, demons are considered adults at five hundred years old, counting from the year they awaken their spiritual awareness. Most demons can only transform after reaching adulthood.】
Five hundred years old?
So, Mu Tao being on Mount Chao Yao for over two hundred years didn’t necessarily mean she was only that old?
She almost forgot the question the system asked her at the entrance to the Demon Realm.
—The Heavenly Demon died over four thousand years ago. Why did its Demon Bone appear four thousand years later, and why was it brought to Mount Chao Yao by Si Qinglan?
The original story didn’t answer this.
And having no clues, she had never considered it seriously.
But now, she felt like she had found a piece of the puzzle.
The system said demons matured at five hundred, so when Mu Tao was brought to Mount Chao Yao, she was probably around three hundred years old.
This little wolf’s age matched Mu Tao’s.
And four thousand years ago, the Heavenly Demon died in the North Sea, and this little wolf also lived in the North Sea.
Could it be…Mu Tao?
Li Yu’s gaze unfocused slightly.
She remembered Mu Tao, who had never left the mountain before, saying she liked the sea.
And she remembered Mu Tao’s regret at never having met Weisheng Xuanzhu…
Were these subtle hints related to the North Sea four thousand years ago?
If this little wolf truly was Mu Tao, why did she have the Demon Bone, and how did she appear four thousand years later?
What happened during that time?
Li Yu now wanted the answer to this question even more than Weisheng Xuanzhu.
She suddenly felt dizzy.
The physical exhaustion interrupted her thoughts.
It felt like trying to see clearly through a thick fog, everything hazy and indistinct.
The more she tried to grasp something, the more elusive it became.
The flow of time within the Jinxu Gui must be different from the outside world, or perhaps there was no time within it at all, otherwise the system would have declared her mission a failure.
If she was indeed in the correct time period, then perhaps she just needed to wait patiently, let events unfold, and she would have the answers she needed to stop Weisheng Xuanzhu.
If so, she could allow herself to rest.
Thinking this, she sat down, her mind foggy, and absently started petting the little wolf, trying to clear her thoughts.
As she pushed those puzzling questions aside, the dizziness subsided.
The bitter smell of medicine still lingered in the air, and Weisheng Xuanzhu seemed to be saying something to the little wolf.
Li Yu returned to reality and, seeing the little wolf about to leave with Weisheng Xuanzhu, instinctively grabbed the scruff of its neck.
“Yelp?” The little wolf froze, as if held by a spell.
Wolves, like dogs, became docile when their scruff was grabbed, unable to move.
It made you want to pick them up and cuddle them.
“Wei…” Li Yu wanted to ask Weisheng Xuanzhu if the little wolf could stay with her, then she realized—she shouldn’t know his name.
She tried to act casual, but Weisheng Xuanzhu, who had already reached the door, turned around and looked at her.
After a brief awkward silence, Li Yu released the little wolf and asked softly, “Um…could it…stay with me for a bit?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu paused, looked at the little wolf, and said, “If it wants to stay, then…”
Before he could finish, the little wolf had already settled comfortably at Li Yu’s feet.
—So easily swayed.
He sighed and said, “Let it be.”
“Thank you!” Li Yu said, happily petting the little wolf’s ears, then asked casually, “By the way, what should I call you?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Xuanzhu.”
Li Yu blinked. “Xuanzhu?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Mm.”
Wasn’t that a bit too informal, just his given name?
Li Yu: “Xuanzhu…sounds like a given name. What’s your family name?”
He frowned, confused. “What family name? My name is Xuanzhu.”
Was that so?
So, the Weisheng Xuanzhu from before…was just called Xuanzhu?
Li Yu was momentarily stunned.
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “What’s wrong?”
Li Yu quickly shook her head. “Nothing, my name is Li Yu.”
She smiled and waved at him, as if dismissing him.
He didn’t linger, just said, “Rest well,” and then disappeared into the wind and snow.
As Li Yu stared at the doorway, lost in thought, a furry little head nuzzled against her ankle.
Her ankle was injured, and even through the bandages and her robes, the touch made her skin itch.
The sensation was uncomfortable, but she couldn’t scold the little creature, so she just bent down, picked it up by the scruff of its neck, and placed it in her lap.
The little wolf curled up into a ball of gray fluff, its light brown eyes staring at her, incredibly docile.
It was quite warm; holding it made her hands feel less cold.
Li Yu couldn’t resist petting the little wolf.
Its fluffy head, its pointy ears, its soft neck and back, its fluffy tail.
As she petted it, it stretched languidly in her lap.
Then, before she could react, it stretched its neck and licked her chin.
The momentary warmth, quickly turning cold, startled her. The little wolf was now licking her neck.
Li Yu instinctively tried to pull away, but the little tongue followed persistently.
—Like that little glutton, once it started, it wouldn’t stop.
“Why do you like licking me so much…?”
The little wolf didn’t answer, just continued licking.
Li Yu chuckled, pulled it away, and held it up in the air.
The little gray wolf struggled, its paws and tail flailing, then, seeing it couldn’t escape, it drooped its ears, its tail still, and whimpered softly.
Those soft whimpers melted Li Yu’s heart, and she pulled it back into her arms.
“I wasn’t trying to scold you, just…don’t lick me so much…”
The little wolf turned away, its pointy ears flattened against its head.
Li Yu gently patted its head.
Soon, it seemed to have calmed down and snuggled into her arms, its body warm like a little furnace.
Was it you, Mu Tao…?
It was just as clingy as Mu Tao, and just as easily appeased.
She wanted to be certain, yet she didn’t dare.
The wind and snow howled outside, making her heart even more restless.
After a long moment, Li Yu stood up, carefully carrying the little wolf, and walked towards the door.
She couldn’t keep overthinking like this.
Perhaps she should go outside, get some fresh air, and clear her mind.
Or perhaps she should explore and familiarize herself with this place, this North Sea, to better prepare for the unknown.
Thinking this, she opened the door—a biting wind and swirling snow assaulted her, threatening to bury her small frame.
The sudden cold almost stole her breath.
She hastily conjured her protective aura, gasping for air.
This place was much colder than Chaoxi Pond in winter…
She suddenly didn’t feel like exploring anymore. Her legs and feet ached; wouldn’t it be better to just stay inside?
Li Yu squinted slightly, peering outside.
Then she froze.
The North Sea was said to be a sea of eternal night, untouched by light.
But she saw a moon.
A full moon, high in the night sky.
She had never seen such a large moon, much larger than any she could remember, yet it wasn’t oppressive.
It wasn’t just larger; it was also brighter,
A gentle brightness that didn’t hurt her eyes, just a soft, pure moonlight that illuminated the falling snow, bathing the world in a gentle, silvery glow.
Li Yu stared at the moon, mesmerized.
She seemed to hear Mu Tao’s voice.
She had said that she quickly adapted to the Demon Realm.
She had said that she liked the cold, the darkness, the quiet solitude, the feeling of a clean, untainted world.
And she had said that the only thing missing in the Demon Realm was the moon.
Cold, dark, quiet, pure, and a moon…
So, Mu Tao…
…was she truly from this place, four thousand years ago?
The little wolf suddenly jumped down and ran off in a certain direction.
Li Yu snapped out of her daze and tried to follow, but her legs ached, every step a struggle.
The little wolf stopped, looked back at her, tilting its head.
After a moment, it ran back, circled Li Yu twice, then, slowing down, started walking in the same direction again.
It would take a few steps, look back to make sure Li Yu was following, then continue.
Its small paw prints in the deep snow, like plum blossoms scattered on the ground.
“Where are you taking me?” Li Yu asked, her voice weary.
The little wolf barked twice, seemingly answering seriously, but she didn’t understand, so it was like receiving no answer at all.
But even without an answer, she followed the little wolf for a long time.
In the North Sea, there was only night, no day, and the moon seemed to hang eternally in the sky. She couldn’t tell the time, nor how far they had walked.
Perhaps they hadn’t gone far, just…the journey felt long and arduous because of her slow pace and her injuries.
Li Yu continued following the little wolf.
She saw a faint light in the distance.
As they approached, she saw, through the swirling snow, a small courtyard.
Why was this little wolf cub taking her to someone else’s house?
Was this Weisheng Xuanzhu’s residence…?
Was it just taking her home?
Having hobbled so far in the middle of the night, if it was just to knock on Weisheng Xuanzhu’s door, wouldn’t that be strange?
Although it was always night in the North Sea, and one could only visit at night—it still felt odd!
Li Yu hesitated, not wanting to approach, and the little wolf, seeing this, stopped as well, circling her feet.
Then it lay down in the snow and rolled around playfully,
As if saying it wouldn’t move until she followed.
“Alright, alright, get up!” Li Yu relented. “I’ll go with you!”
The little wolf jumped up, wagging its fluffy tail, and ran towards the courtyard.
Li Yu followed slowly, her steps unsteady, her footprints uneven in the snow.
The little wolf reached the gate, looked back at Li Yu, then barked twice at the closed door.
Its barks, although soft, were clear in the otherwise silent world.
The door opened.
It wasn’t Weisheng Xuanzhu who emerged, but a woman with delicate features.
She was dressed in black, her silver hair, like snow, adorned with simple, moon-shaped ornaments.
Her eyes, a deep, night sky blue, gentle and warm, as if only the moonlight could match their brilliance.
The little wolf sat at her feet, its tail wagging.
She stroked its fur, looked up at Li Yu, smiled faintly, and said softly, “You’re finally awake.”
Her voice was cool, yet welcoming.
A pure white light, like snow, enveloped Li Yu.
The pain and fatigue in her body eased slightly.
She looked at the silver-haired woman, and although she hadn’t asked, a name appeared in her mind.
“Little Wolf said you wanted to see me,” the woman said, petting the little wolf’s head, then glanced at the house behind her. “It’s cold and windy outside, would you like to come in?”
“Huh?” Li Yu was stunned, unsure why she would want to see this woman.
But confused as she was, she followed the woman inside.
The room was warm and brightly lit.
The silver-haired woman sat down and poured Li Yu a cup of hot tea.
Li Yu quickly took the cup, carefully placed it on the table, sat down, and sighed in relief.
—Her legs ached terribly.
The silver-haired woman smiled. “Where did this little fish come from? So careless with your own body, so badly injured, yet you traveled all the way here instead of resting.”
“I didn’t intend to come here; it brought me,” Li Yu said, pointing at the little wolf.
The little wolf tilted its head, stared at her with wide, innocent eyes, and barked softly, as if protesting—How could you slander me like that?
Its aggrieved expression seemed genuine.
Li Yu explained again, “I didn’t even know who you were; how could I have told it I wanted to see you?”
“Awoo!” The little wolf barked and hid under the table, then peeked out and nuzzled Li Yu’s leg.
“…?”
It barked again, as if wanting to be petted.
Li Yu instinctively patted its head, and it quickly retreated under the table again, growling softly, seemingly sulking.
The silver-haired woman chuckled. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see its master?”
The little wolf under the table whined in response.
Li Yu froze, then realized. “You…you’re its master? I thought…I thought its master was…that…”
“Xuanzhu?”
“Yes!”
“He’s too…straightforward. This little creature, finally awakened its spiritual awareness, can’t be left in his care.” The woman said calmly. “It would be raised into a blockhead.”
Li Yu couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
Too accurate; anyone raised by that guy would become a blockhead.
The woman: “What’s your name?”
Li Yu replied softly, “Li Yu.”
The woman: “Li Yu?”
Li Yu: “Mm.”
The woman: “A god from the West Sea, what brings you to this desolate North Sea?”
Li Yu: “I…”
The woman: “And those injuries, how did you get them?”
Li Yu: “…”
Seeing that she couldn’t answer, the woman smiled faintly. “It’s fine, everyone has their secrets. If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t force you.”
Li Yu was relieved.
She lowered her gaze, thought for a moment, then looked up at the woman and asked softly, “May I ask…are you…the ancient god, Qing Nü?”
The silver-haired woman looked at the tea in her cup and replied calmly, “Mm.”
She had been right!
Qing Nü, who became the Heavenly Demon, had been living in the North Sea all along!
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