Therefore, regarding the matter of the Human Emperor, who had been alone for nearly a thousand years, suddenly deciding to get married, they were all considering whether to express their stance and attend.
Originally, in the past, they wouldn't even have deigned to cast a glance at such an event. However, times were different. Their cultivation world was currently in turmoil, unstable, and a single misstep could lead to total annihilation.
Thus, the cultivation world was eager to know Fengdu's attitude.
If they could turn enemies into friends at this juncture, it would be ideal. If not, peaceful coexistence would suffice.
Considering they had been personally invited, attending his wedding would surely be an opportunity to ease the relationship between their sides.
Given that their greatest enemy, the Demon Clan, had returned to the mortal realm, the Immortal Alliance naturally harbored considerable fear. They did not wish for Fengdu to collude with the Demon Clan again. Although the four great Ghost Kings who had led the rebellion were now gone, this "rebel" faction of wicked ghost cultivators still had remnants.
If they felt there was no room for reconciliation with the righteous path, and incited the Human Emperor to defect to the Demon Clan, wouldn't that strengthen the demons and weaken them?
After deliberation, the Immortal Alliance finally decided – they would go!
They had to unite all forces they could to prevent the Demon Realm's catastrophe of overthrowing the mortal world, and for this, they were willing to set aside past grievances.
Wushang Mansion informed the sect leaders and hidden immortal elders about the matter of the Heavenly Demon behind the scenes. Upon learning of this thousand-year-old conspiracy lurking within, the entire immortal cultivation world felt as if the sky itself was hanging over them.
Gloomy, agitated, hazy, and muddled.
Tens of thousands of disciples from various cultivation sects were already on the front lines resisting the Demon Realm's offensive. Their strength, bolstered by resentful spirits, had become like wings. Conversely, the Immortal True Sect's power had greatly diminished.
Looking up, one could see the accumulated cirrus clouds forming black vortices, a state of extreme instability, as if the sky could collapse at any moment.
This state had persisted for days, affecting everyone's mood, casting a heavy pall.
However, one day, without anyone noticing, the Twenty-Fourth Heaven inexplicably cleared up.
While other places were shrouded in gloom, it quietly radiated light, its brilliance stunning all the heavens.
Was this preposterous?
Did it achieve this on its own? This was utterly impossible. So, who had done it? No, the question was, who possessed the ability to accomplish such a feat?
Dispelling resentment and negative energy was within the capabilities of great Buddhist cultivators. However, to instantly dissipate all the resentment in an entire sky was something they could not do.
Upon hearing the Immortal Sect discussing this matter, Buddhist cultivators quickly came forward to clarify, fearing that everyone might assume they were capable and impose upon them the task of sweeping away the miasma and ushering in the clear sky, which would lead to awkwardness and difficulty.
"It's it, the Netherworld is emitting its aura..." the First Heavenly Dao detected it immediately. But by the time it pinpointed the location and rushed there, it could sense nothing more. "Where exactly is it?"
—
While the entire cultivation world was in an uproar, the instigator, Gu Junshi, arrived before a temple not far from the dilapidated City of Compassion, and was now squatting before a newly dug mound.
"Come out."
The simple two words carried immense authority. The figure buried within the earth could not withstand it, trembling slightly.
Seeing its timid state, so frightened it buried itself to escape reality, Gu Junshi reached out and nudged the fresh soil.
"What are you afraid of?"
She asked again.
"Wuwu..."
The person in the mound, no, it should be a small, fluffy creature, clutched its head with its front paws, its rear end sticking out stubbornly, refusing to come out.
"Wei Li, your tail is showing. You went from nine tails to seven. Where are the other two?"
Hearing her languid, teasing tone, Wei Li, who was feigning death, felt its pride wounded. It abruptly flung away the thick soil and lunged at Gu Junshi, baring its fangs and claws.
It was no longer as large and majestic as its original form. Its small body was slender, but it swayed seven plump, round tails. It resembled a dirty white puppy, looking pitiably fierce.
Gu Junshi smiled.
With just a slender finger, she touched its forehead, pinning its figure in mid-air. No matter how much it bared its fangs and clawed, it could not move.
"Your tails, why are there only seven left?"
Her question was more serious this time than before. Upon hearing this, the little fox Wei Li trembled minutely. Then, its beautiful, crystalline beastly eyes turned red, and large tears, like fallen pearls, began to pour down.
It cried silently and sadly, as if it had suffered immense injustice but could not vent it freely.
She watched it silently for a moment, sighed, and eased her grip.
Its previously fierce claws curled into a ball, and it immediately rushed into her arms, rubbing against her with all its might.
A soft, warm, fluffy ball, curled into a sphere. Gu Junshi felt a slight aversion to it messing up her clothes, but she worried that if she truly showed it, this miserable fox might fight her.
Finally, it spoke, its voice clearly choked with tears.
"I can't become a fox immortal anymore, I can't transform into a human, I can't marry you anymore, wu wah wah—"
Because two of its tails had been severed, not only had its cultivation greatly diminished, but the intelligence it had developed while striving to become human seemed to have regressed with its return to beast form.
After all, according to the standards of the demon race in Qingqiu, it was still an immature beast.
Seeing it cry harder, Gu Junshi completely ignored its "childish babble" and focused on the important points, replying, "You were born with nine tails. The severed tails were not harmed by divine or immortal artifacts. With slow cultivation, they can still grow back."
"How long will that take? It's no use. You're about to get married. I originally wanted to wait until I could turn into a human to find you, but... but you won't wait for me at all. You're getting married again, wu wu..."
Gu Junshi thought to herself, what does her getting married have to do with a mere beast like it? Even if she were utterly driven by self-interest, she wouldn't consider marrying a fox.
She might have no principles, but she still had some bottom lines.
"While I cannot reattach your severed tails, I can still help you transform into human form earlier."
With that said, Gu Junshi reached out and stroked its head, then traced from the soft cartilage of its ear to its small, pearl-like tailbone. Her palm emitted a mixture of ethereal and golden light, which she transferred entirely to Wei Li.
"So comfortable... Pet me more..."
Wei Li narrowed its eyes, enjoying the feeling of her fingers combing and her palm stroking, letting out pleased whimpers.
Seeing its fully revealed beastly demeanor, Gu Junshi couldn't help but let out another low laugh. "Wei Li, you are more likable like this."
When it transformed into a human, it was proud and foul-mouthed, saying one thing and meaning another.
But Wei Li refused, "No, no, I want to become human. I don't want you to marry someone else..."
It seemed to be fixated on this matter now, stubbornly and tearfully reiterating it.