Chapter 103: The Universally Acknowledged Enemy (Two Updates Today)

Having dealt with the sixth child from the Desolate Continent, the Guardian of the Spatial Talisman felt a sudden chill—this last child was truly unexpected! What fate awaited her on the Void Continent? Whatever it was, she must live well.

Children, good fortune!

The old man parted his lips, speaking silently.

…

The moment her feet touched solid ground, Yinyao opened her eyes. She found herself in a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees. Scanning her surroundings, she decided to first find a concealed spot to hide. Encountering anyone here could spell trouble.

Among the bushes, Yinyao lowered her head in thought: it seemed the five of them had been scattered. The first priority was to understand where exactly she was.

Suddenly, sparse voices came from behind. Yinyao immediately heightened her alertness, refraining from any movement. She hadn’t forgotten that every person born on the Void Continent possessed Void Realm strength from birth. And for some inexplicable reason, she herself had not broken through to that realm as the old man had predicted. Hence, she dared not act rashly.

“Who’s there?! Come out quickly, or don’t blame us for taking action!” a coarse male voice sounded to Yinyao’s left.

“Heh, so it’s a little brother from the White Fox Clan. What are you doing in the territory of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan? What’s this supposed to mean? Hehe!” came a soft, alluring male voice, punctuated with light laughter—not habitual, but mocking.

From their conversation, Yinyao realized that this forest marked the boundary between the White Fox Clan and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. And, as fate would have it, she had just stepped on the very line dividing their territories.

Currently, it appeared these two patrol teams had crossed paths. A war of words seemed inevitable. She only hoped they wouldn’t discover her, for their strength surpassed hers—especially the two speaking, who likely were the captains, each at least at the peak of the Void Sect.

As the two captains continued their verbal sparring, Yinyao understood she must escape swiftly before being found, lest she face dire consequences.

Slowly turning, she tried to vanish.

“Who?!” both the White Fox and Nine-Tailed Fox captains spoke simultaneously, their sharp gazes sweeping over the bushes where Yinyao hid. Though enemies, they united against any outsider who didn’t belong to either clan.

Yinyao’s heart raced; she hadn’t expected their perception to be so keen. She had barely moved a step when they spotted her. Drawing a deep breath, she stood calmly and met the eyes of those to her left and right.

Distinguishing them was easy: the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan members exuded a seductive charm, while the White Fox Clan bore a faint aura of holiness. A single glance sufficed to tell them apart.

“A beauty, huh~” the Nine-Tailed Fox captain spoke with a playful tone, smiling at Yinyao.

At this moment, Yinyao wore a sea-blue dress, her hair gently pinned up, her face exquisitely beautiful—a rare visage of grace.

Upon hearing the captain’s words, the White Fox Clan members revealed looks of disdain. Their clan was sanctified—they could not tolerate such a tone.

“Miss, what brings you here? Don’t you know this isn’t a place anyone can enter casually?” the White Fox captain asked politely.

Watching the expressions around her, Yinyao recalled her father’s advice: “Child, once you reach the Void Continent, seek the White Fox Clan’s leader. She is your mother’s elder sister, your kin. Find her first, and you will learn of me and your mother.”

“I... I got lost! Somehow ended up here,” Yinyao replied softly, voice trembling with tears, evoking pity.

The White Fox captain frowned, troubled—so this was just a lost girl? He kept his composure and continued, “Then, young lady, what is your name? Where do you come from?”

Lifting her head, tears welled in Yinyao’s eyes, conveying helplessness and sorrow as she whispered, “My name is Yinyao.”

“What?! Impossible!” The White Fox captain exclaimed before she could say more.

Meanwhile, the Nine-Tailed Fox clan fell silent, as if deep in thought.

Yinyao was puzzled—she had only given her name, yet their reactions were so extreme.

The White Fox clan members’ eyes held conflicting emotions as they stared at her, making Yinyao uneasy. But she dared not act rashly, still unclear about the situation.

“Are you really surnamed Yin?” the White Fox captain asked uncertainly.

Yinyao realized the surname Yin was taboo among these clans. Why, she did not know. Still, she refused to deny it, speaking with slight annoyance, “If not Yin, what else? It’s true!”

With that, she glared fiercely at the White Fox captain, hoping to provoke a reason why she was forbidden to bear that name.

Yet, just after she spoke, the Nine-Tailed Fox captain chuckled lowly, “Brother, forget protecting this innocent little girl now! Attack!”

His voice emphasized “innocent,” then shifted tone sharply—shedding his earlier charm for ruthless authority.

Seeing the sudden ferocity, Yinyao leapt from the bushes, her right hand gathering power, ready to unleash the Ice Spirit.

The White Fox captain hesitated, then resolutely stepped forward to shield Yinyao from the impending strike.

“Don’t forget, this is a no-combat zone! Are you all willing to break a long-standing rule?” he calmly warned.

“Then don’t forget, anyone surnamed Yin is our foremost enemy!” the Nine-Tailed Fox captain shot back fiercely.

Yinyao raised an eyebrow at the White Fox captain’s unexpected protection. Judging by the Nine-Tailed Fox captain’s reaction, it seemed someone surnamed Yin bore a deep grudge against them, causing all with that surname to be treated as enemies.

“If you want to harm this girl, you’ll have to get past me first,” the White Fox captain declared firmly.

Though the Yin surname was universally despised by the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, and not warmly received by the White Fox Clan either, he knew their leader secretly yearned to find someone with that surname. Yet, due to clan politics, she hid this desire.

It had been long since anyone with the Yin name appeared. He hoped to protect this one and bring her before the leader—fulfilling her lifelong wish.

Seeing the White Fox captain’s stubbornness, the Nine-Tailed Fox captain frowned, “Don’t forget, those surnamed Yin are also your enemies! When did they become your responsibility to protect? Or, Captain, are you harboring selfish motives? Hmm?”

Unmoved, the White Fox captain’s own team members grew restless and shouted, “Captain! She is our enemy!” “Captain, how can you protect her? Sparing her is already too generous!” “Yeah, Captain, don’t be foolish!”

“Silence! What do you know?” the captain bellowed, glaring fiercely.

Yinyao was more confused than ever. Not only did the Nine-Tailed Fox clan tell him to stop meddling, but his own men opposed him as well. What was going on? Why was the Yin surname so hated by both clans?

A fleeting image flashed through her mind, and suddenly she felt she knew who this despised Yin was.

According to her father’s words, it must be her mother, Silver Fox. This guess was almost certainly correct. Her father had said that if not for her mother and him leaving, the Spirit Fox Clan wouldn’t have split. Surely, the division occurred after a great war.

Steeling herself, Yinyao hadn’t expected that on her first day on the Void Continent she’d face such trials because of her mother’s past mistakes. But it was destiny—only a matter of time.

“Since you want to protect her, don’t blame me for being ruthless! Attack!” The Nine-Tailed Fox captain brandished a long sword and charged toward Yinyao’s position.

Without hesitation, the White Fox captain drew his weapon—a heavy blade fitting his rugged nature—and met the charge.

The Nine-Tailed Fox clan surrounded them. Yinyao remained calm, but faced with so many Void Sect warriors, she felt overwhelmed.

The White Fox clan members hesitated to join the battle. Seeing their captain fearless ahead, they wanted to help but recoiled at the thought of aiding someone surnamed Yin.

Yinyao unleashed the Ice Spirit, catching the Nine-Tailed Fox clan off guard. Yet, this revealed too much.

Their eyes gleamed greedily. They recognized the Ice Spirit—a legendary spiritual weapon of the Spirit Fox Clan, long unseen since the disappearance of anyone surnamed Yin on the Void Continent.

Its appearance only fueled their fury, confirming that Yinyao was indeed a descendant of Silver Fox—their greatest enemy.

“Boss, look! The Ice Spirit!” a shout drew the attention of the two captains mid-air.

The Nine-Tailed Fox captain’s eyes turned fierce, while the White Fox captain’s resolve to protect Yinyao only strengthened. She was a descendant of the revered Silver Fox—a lifelong obsession for their leader.

Sensing danger, Yinyao realized she had no retreat.

Among the White Fox clan members, conflicting emotions raged. Though they disliked those surnamed Yin, the bearer of the Ice Spirit was their eternal symbol of faith.

No longer hesitating, the White Fox clan joined the fray, granting Yinyao a much-needed respite. She still couldn’t face so many foes alone.

With a feint, the White Fox captain deceived his rival and broke through the encirclement, pulling the weary Yinyao to safety. He hadn’t expected such tenacity from a girl seemingly only at the peak of the Void Realm. Perhaps, though not yet powerful, she could become a top expert with effort.

“Yinyao, I’ll take you away. Once safe, follow the main road; it leads to the heart of our White Fox Clan’s town. Remember, don’t reveal your surname or display the Ice Spirit carelessly. It will save you much trouble. If you seek our leader, just say a distant friend has come to visit. She will send someone to guide you,” the captain instructed as he arranged everything.

Yinyao tilted her head, “Why help me?”

“No, I’m only fulfilling the leader’s wish,” he replied softly, shaking his head.

She nodded, not pressing further—she knew he wouldn’t reveal more.

After one last careful glance around and ensuring no one pursued, the White Fox captain repeated his warnings before departing to rejoin his men.

“What’s your name?” Yinyao called after him.

“Bai Yong,” he answered.

－－－－－－Side Note－－－－－－

Apologies for yesterday—Mili wasn’t feeling well, weak all day and bedridden T^T

To make up for it, today Mili will deliver a double update! ^O^

Please look forward to the second installment~ （≧▽≦）/~