Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: The National Server Daji

“Qinghan has just established her foundation. Is she feeling unwell in any way?” Su Cheng carefully placed the chicken soup on the table and even brought some immortal pills and supplements for Ye Qinghan, worried that she might overexert herself and harm her body during the breakthrough.

“Yesterday, I saw you sweating profusely, looking as if you were in great pain. It worried me terribly!” Su Cheng said anxiously.

“Yes,” Ye Qinghan replied faintly.

“Ah? Tell me quickly!” Su Cheng sat down beside her and anxiously took off his apron.

“I feel unwell,” Ye Qinghan said, placing her delicate hand over her chest. Her eyes were dull, her alluring neck seemed too weak to support her heavy fox head.

“Where exactly do you feel uncomfortable?” Su Cheng asked.

Ye Qinghan grabbed her master’s hand and pressed it against her chest, leaning lightly on Su Cheng’s shoulder. “Chest tightness, weakness in limbs, dizziness, bleeding from all seven orifices...”

“What? So weak... ah, no! This is serious!” Su Cheng exclaimed.

“Hurry, give Qinghan two quick-acting fox rescue pills!” he ordered.

Ye Qinghan had taken these pills before and knew they had no side effects. If her master dared to give them, she would dare to take them.

Su Cheng hastily pulled his hand away. This national champion fox spirit was not someone to be trifled with.

Though Su Cheng was skilled, he was fragile. Once controlled, the consequences would be irreparable.

Ye Qinghan’s fox-like eyes narrowed slyly, and with a cunning gleam, she leaned into her master’s embrace.

“May Qinghan rest in Master’s arms for a moment?”

Though she asked, she had already done so.

As a first-time master, Su Cheng wondered how to handle such a disciple’s condition. He was anxiously waiting for guidance.

“Master, I’m troubling you...” Ye Qinghan murmured.

“It’s nothing. Qinghan is my disciple. How can that be trouble?” Su Cheng smiled warmly.

[My disciple is so sensible! How could I have had such thoughts? I truly deserve to be damned!] he thought in embarrassment.

Ye Qinghan was momentarily taken aback. What thoughts?

Exactly right, Master. Your thoughts were just like mine! We were thinking along the same lines!

Master shouldn’t be cursed; it’s the disciple who seduced him who should be blamed!

However, knowing one’s fault and not changing is the nature of a fox spirit. That’s just how fox demons are.

Cultivation is nowhere near as interesting as the master. It’s just a means to be with the master.

This time, however, Ye Qinghan’s injury was internal, and Su Cheng, lacking cultivation, could not perceive it.

Ye Qinghan enjoyed resting for a long while, fully recovering her strength before letting go of her master and joining him for a meal.

“By the way, Master, the secret realm is about to open.”

“Yes. I have long prepared for you. The secret realm is extremely perilous. I’ve devised twelve strategic plans for you to navigate it, each with backup and emergency contingencies!”

Ye Qinghan, however, didn’t take it seriously. She even felt capable of going to kill Cheng Liang.

“Master, if I rely solely on you for everything, how will I grow stronger? I just want you to accompany me.”

[My precious Qinghan! So sensible it pains me!] Su Cheng thought.

[If my darling asks, even if it means going to certain death, I won’t hesitate!] he vowed.

“You want Master by your side?”

Ye Qinghan paused. That wasn’t exactly what she meant. She feared for her master’s safety if she wasn’t nearby.

“Yes. With Master here, I fear nothing.”

If Su Cheng intended to go, they needed to depart early.

After choosing two swift horses, Su Cheng packed the Chaos Bell and set off with Ye Qinghan five days ahead of schedule. They traveled leisurely, enjoying food and song until they reached the secret realm’s location.

The secret realm lay in the Eastern Domain, beyond the southern lands ruled by the Human Emperor. Many other races dwelled there: elves with pointed ears, horned demons, and spirit beasts transformed into妖族 (demon clans). There was no law here—only trust, strength, and connections governed interactions.

Despite the lawlessness, the supreme rule of heaven had to be observed.

Near the secret realm, sightings of other races were rare, and those present usually had powerful backgrounds.

Those gathered at the secret realm’s gate appeared genteel, but to Ye Qinghan, they were merely animals dressed in clothes.

Demons at least knew gratitude, but humans? Her mother had died by the hands of a man she once saved, and after death, her skin was flayed, her fangs taken as rare treasures.

Among all people in this world, only her master was good. Although Ye Qinghan didn’t fully understand his identity, it didn’t matter.

Around the secret realm, small groups claimed hills—sects or clans, all led by prominent figures.

Of course, Cheng Liang was among them.

But Qiao Yun was not.

Prominent sect leaders, clan chiefs, and heads gathered, chatting about recent events.

When Ye Qinghan, rumored to be a living hell incarnate, entered with her master, the crowd fell utterly silent.

Ye Qinghan: sixteen years old, fox demon royal blood, born with seductive charm.

Her record: easily repelled the combined forces of the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s top disciple and second elder; a night later, massacred the entire Pingyun Sect—burning, looting, desecrating ancestral graves.

Who wouldn’t fear such a terrifying woman?

Su Cheng led Ye Qinghan directly before the prominent figures. He didn’t know if they were truly influential, but at least they wouldn’t be scavenging in the marketplace.

“Brother Cheng!” Su Cheng cupped his fists and bowed, his manner amiable.

Cheng Liang returned the courtesy, showing respect. “Brother Su!”

Ye Qinghan, naturally unwilling to embarrass her master, adopted the role of the obedient senior disciple. Privately, she would never consider these scoundrels human, but now she played the part well.

Role was important—she must not disgrace her master as senior disciple.

“Junior Qinghan greets the clan leaders and sect masters,” she said, though she had no intention of bowing. They weren’t worthy.

Having spoken, she stood obediently by Su Cheng’s side. He had no patience for their idle chatter.

Cheng Liang was stunned. Wasn’t Ye Qinghan still as obedient as before? No changes visible. Could those rumors truly be about her?

Seeing Ye Qinghan beside Su Cheng, he felt a surge of anger. If not for the crowd, he might have struck Su Cheng down on the spot!

This worthless man had taken his woman!

Otherwise, such a promising talent should have been his, Cheng Liang’s!

“Master Su is truly fortunate. This woman has the makings of an emperor. With proper guidance, her potential is limitless,” said Shi Mingyi, the third elder of the Sacred Mountain, who was rumored to bring the Sacred Maiden to the secret realm.

[Hah, you must be bored out of your mind, spouting nonsense! Does my disciple need your tutelage? You think you’ve trained her?] Su Cheng thought with a smile.

Su Cheng laughed and replied calmly, “Elder Shi, you jest. I never intended to meddle in worldly affairs. If she hadn’t sincerely sought to become my disciple, I would never have accepted her.”

Ye Qinghan thought to herself: Hmph, Master’s mouth is the toughest thing about him!