Chapter 584 477: But Why Can't I See It?

Hearing the Grand Elder's words, Tushan Xinhua frowned, her lips pursed tightly.

"Xinhua..."

Grand Elder Tushan Meng sighed heavily, her tone grave.

"I know Gui Ning performed a divination for his granddaughter, and I also know that the Human Race child named Xiao Mo has met Jing Ci. It's very likely he will become a great love trial for you in the future."

"But fate... how can it be decided entirely by a single divination? The so-called Immortal Path, after all, is one you must walk on your own."

Tushan Xinhua raised her head to speak, but Tushan Meng waved her hand, cutting her off.

"I know what you're going to say. This *Great Dream of Yellow Millet* was passed down to our Tushan Fox Race during the Ancient Times by that benefactor. Without him, I'm afraid our Nine-tailed Celestial Fox lineage would have vanished, just like those other ancient beast clans."

"Our ancestor once said that if any person or Demon were to learn the *Great Dream of Yellow Millet*, they would become an honored guest of our Tushan Fox Race. Furthermore, we would betroth our clan's most outstanding maiden to them."

"However, you, Xinhua, are far too special to our Tushan Fox Race. The hopes of our Nine-tailed Celestial Fox lineage, and indeed the hopes of all the Fox Races in the Demon Race's World, rest upon your shoulders."

"If that Xiao Mo were a member of the Demon Race, it would be one thing. But he is of the Human Race."

"Don't forget, after our defeat in the second great war against the World of Ten Thousand Laws, the humans in the Demon Race's World have started to grow restless. Our Tushan line must suppress the Human Race! We must even seize the position of Common Ruler over the Demon Race's World in one fell swoop!"

"Everything the Grand Elder says is correct. The Grand Elder has worked tirelessly for the Fox Races of our world, and I am in no position to object, but..."

Tushan Xinhua raised her head and met the other's gaze.

"Xiao Mo is Jing Ci's friend. He even disregarded his own safety to save her! I cannot commit such an act of ingratitude, nor can I tolerate others harming Xiao Mo!"

"Cannot tolerate? Hahaha..."

Tushan Meng said with a laugh.

"Oh, Xinhua. I raised you since you were a child. You are my disciple, but you are also like a daughter to me. Do you think I don't know your temperament?"

"Are you truly satisfied with this human? Are you trying to avoid harming him, or are you just worried that if Jing Ci finds out you harmed him, she will resent you for the rest of her life?"

Tushan Xinhua: "..."

"After all these years, you're still so indecisive."

Tushan Meng turned and waved her hand dismissively.

"Enough, enough. You may go. I will handle this matter."

"Rest assured, that Xiao Mo won't die for now. He still has his uses."

"When Jing Ci is older, if she truly falls for this human..."

"Then I will make sure that before Xiao Mo dies, he becomes the highest stepping stone for Jing Ci's ascent!"

...

「On the first day of school after the Cold Mountain Academy's break ended.」

Tushan Jing Ci sulked on her way to the Elementary Book Hall for class.

It was the first time she'd ever felt time pass so quickly.

She couldn't believe five days had passed in the blink of an eye.

'This happy time was far too short.'

But no matter how reluctant Tushan Jing Ci was, she still had to attend her classes properly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mo stood outside the Book Hall, listening in as usual.

However, Wang Zhong and the other three Scholar's Attendants were no longer there.

After the incident outside the alchemy room, Wang Zhong and the others had all been expelled from Cold Mountain Academy, replaced by four new faces.

During the break between classes, Lou Huo and the others also apologized to Tushan Jing Ci.

Just as she had with Chen Jue before, Tushan Jing Ci told them, "As long as Xiao Mo accepts your apology, I will forgive you."

Lou Huo and the other two glanced at the human outside the Book Hall, feeling utterly miserable.

Like Chen Jue, they felt that apologizing to a human was a great humiliation!

But the messages from their elders left them no choice. They had to find a moment when no one was around to apologize to Xiao Mo in private.

Xiao Mo accepted their apologies.

Although he didn't have a good impression of these young masters from the Demon Race's Noble Families, he knew that in the previous incident, they had indeed been caught in an undeserved disaster.

They probably never imagined their own Scholar's Attendants would be tricked into ganging up on him.

As for the treasures they offered as apology gifts, Xiao Mo didn't keep a single one.

He planned to exchange them all for Spirit Stones and give them to the girl named Liu Shui.

After all, Liu Shui was the truly innocent one; she had been put in danger because of him.

Thankfully, it had been a close call with no real harm done.

'That's why,' Xiao Mo thought, 'the person they should really be apologizing to isn't me, but Liu Shui.'

'But how could something like that ever happen?'

'The only reason they apologized to me is because of the Tushan Clan's power, because of Jing Ci's status, and because they see me as Jing Ci's confidant.'

'If they were asked to apologize to an ordinary human, not only would these young Demons refuse, their fathers probably would as well.'

When Tushan Jing Ci heard that Xiao Mo planned to sell the apology gifts and give the money to Liu Shui, she had no objections.

And as it happened, there was a town near Cold Mountain Academy where one could sell all sorts of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

This town was called Cold Mountain City and was a territory affiliated with Cold Mountain Academy.

Cold Mountain City had mortal taverns and markets, but also many places where Cultivators gathered.

For example, the "Myriad Treasures Pavilion" in Cold Mountain City was the largest trading post for Cultivators in the vicinity.

Ordinary Cultivators could buy the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures they needed inside.

Other Cultivators also went there to sell treasures, Magical Beast Demon Cores, and other such things they had obtained through "lucky encounters."