Chapter 2394

Perhaps because she had held Yan Xibei before, Zhu Yanyi felt no stranger sensation when holding this child. She simply scooped her up and patted her back. The little one was delighted.

There was a clear difference between Yan Aohan’s embrace and Zhu Yanyi’s. In Yan Aohan’s arms, the child felt a profound sense of security. In Zhu Yanyi’s arms, she felt warmth. The feelings were distinct, yet both were comforting.

Feeling so comfortable, the child fell asleep quickly.

Seeing her asleep, Zhu Yanyi brought out a cradle. Yan Aohan placed the child inside. The four of them then settled in the courtyard, setting out snacks, fruits, and tea sets to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

“Is this the innate spiritual body?” Ouyang Mingyue asked, observing the child.

Zhu Yanyi nodded. “To be honest, the child is very cute. At first, she just slept. After waking up, she immediately took a liking to me. Although she cannot speak yet, she is very considerate. Usually, I let Flame take care of her.”

Ouyang Mingyue looked at the child. “He is indeed cute.”

Chai Yekuang said, “So cute. If I had known an innate spiritual body could be this adorable, I would have wanted to adopt one.”

“Wife, we already have many children,” Ouyang Mingyue said. He did not want another child to distract his wife’s energy.

Chai Yekuang glared at Ouyang Mingyue. “Are you hoping I will revolve around you all day?”

“Yes,” Ouyang Mingyue said, his face thick with shamelessness. “Wife, remember when we first met? You were so shy. Now, you are almost like a tigress.”

“Can’t help it. I have looked at you for so many years, and you are still not as cute as this child. I find you a bit lacking,” Chai Yekuang said with a smile.

“It is fine. If you dislike me, I will not dislike you. Wife, do not be too moved,” Ouyang Mingyue said with a warm smile.

Zhu Yanyi, listening from the side, nearly laughed herself flat. She had never imagined this couple could be so amusing.

Yan Aohan patted Zhu Yanyi’s back and said, “In the next few days, Silver Fox might bring Ling Shu to the Immortal Realm.”

Ouyang Mingyue shrugged slightly. “Although he is the clan leader of the Fox Tribe, he is nothing in our Immortal Realm. Even if he comes, he must ascend. Moreover, even if he ascends to become an immortal, Ling Shu has just woken up and is far from ready to ascend.”

Zhu Yanyi did not quite understand. “Why do you value Silver Fox so much?”

“Silver Fox is one of the candidates for Demon Emperor,” Yan Aohan explained, hiding nothing from Zhu Yanyi. “If he becomes the Demon Emperor, the affairs of the Demon Realm will not require everyone’s constant attention. However, you know Silver Fox’s character. It will be difficult for him to become the Demon Emperor.”

Silver Fox seemed decent, but he was overly suspicious. While he did some things well, his personality often caused him to achieve half the result with twice the effort. This was not what they wanted to see.

Therefore, if Silver Fox wanted to become the Demon Emperor, he had a very long road ahead.

“Moreover, her wife, the one called Ling Shu, may not be able to become an immortal,” Ouyang Mingyue added. She glanced at Zhu Yanyi, clearly aware of her relationship with Ling Shu.

When an Immortal Emperor said someone might not become an immortal, the probability was extremely low.

Zhu Yanyi coughed lightly. “Although I have forgotten everything from my past life, Ling Shu was my sister in that life. I also heard that when I sacrificed myself to heaven, she helped me. Immortal Emperor, saying she cannot become an immortal in front of me—is this intentionally creating a knot in my heart?”

Ouyang Mingyue looked at Zhu Yanyi. “Do not let it bother you. I speak the truth. Although Ling Shu accumulated karmic merit before falling into a coma because of you, that merit can only support her to reach the state of a top-tier demon. To become a Heavenly Being, she must undergo a fundamental transformation.”

“Demon? Ling Shu is not human? How did she become a demon?” Zhu Yanyi did not know this.

“Do you think why Ling Shu could maintain her current state until you refined the Soul-Returning Pill? Because Silver Fox used a secret technique. This technique turned Ling Shu into a demon. Thus, even in a coma, she would not die. A demon’s body is very strong. However, this very strength likely restricts her growth. Among all cultivating beings, humans are undoubtedly the best. Although humans have shorter lifespans in the mortal realm, all beings know that the human body is closest to heaven and earth and best accepts spiritual energy. Therefore, all beings must first become human to continue cultivating.”

Ouyang Mingyue took a sip of tea. “Ling Shu was originally human. Due to various reasons, she became a demon. Although she retains a human shape, her essence is now demonic. Demons strive hard to become human for cultivation. She did the opposite. For a demon to become human is evolution; for a human to become a demon is degeneration. It is not easy to reverse this process.”

Ouyang Mingyue looked at Zhu Yanyi. “Ling Shu is a hurdle for Silver Fox. If he cannot overcome this, he cannot become the Demon Emperor.”

After listening, Zhu Yanyi picked up a piece of pastry. “I do not know what to say about this. Both reason and emotion prevent me from speaking clearly. I do not know Silver Fox or Ling Shu very well. Not to mention Silver Fox, I only had interactions with them in the mortal realm. Of course, those interactions were pleasant, and my impression of him is acceptable.”

“Wife, he is male,” Yan Aohan reminded her, indicating his jealousy.

Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. “I know. Do not interrupt.”

She continued, “Silver Fox is very smart. Every time we interacted, I could feel his intelligence and cunning. For such a person, success is not difficult. However, as you said, he has two problems. One is his suspicion. Of course, foxes are naturally suspicious, but if a Demon Emperor is suspicious, it is bad. To become the Demon Emperor, he must first learn to trust—trust his friends, his family, and his lover. This can be achieved with effort.”

She paused. “The hardest part is the lover. I always feel her feelings for Ling Shu are not that deep.”

Recalling Silver Fox’s daily behavior, Zhu Yanyi said slowly, “I feel that his attitude toward Ling Shu is more of a responsibility. It seems he believes that if he does not save Ling Shu, he is not a loving partner. But his love for Ling Shu always feels strange to me.”