Torsten Hewson
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v4c69: Away from the Wreckage
🕑 Added 2023-12-06 05:55:43 +0000 UTCChe Han stared blankly ahead into the vast blue horizon as they fled from the Shrouded Mountain atop a giant flying sword that looked to be made out of a cloud. The flying sword technique was typically for a single individual, but the sword they flew on was as large as Shen Yu’s presence.
It effortlessly cut through the air, the man obviously not feeling the weight of them at all. Neither did the wind touch them, their trip still and silent.
Well, they were less fleeing and more just leaving, seeing as nobody tried to stop them.
Or could stop them.
He wished he could be more in awe of the fact that he was currently being transported by an expert above experts, and that he could see the world and the Howling Fang Mountains in all their glory, but his spirit was far too rattled.
His mind was reeling. Half of him demanded he jump off the flying sword and race back to the mountain to support his family. The other half wept at the waste of it all, so many of his family lost to the systemic suppression by the inquisitors over the generations on the Patriarch’s orders. How many had been left like he had with nowhere to turn, only to end up in a first wave assault group with ‘misplaced’ support? What could cleanse such a stain?
He should have stayed… But when Han glanced at his grandfather before they left, the oldman bid him to go.
So he went. It made a twisted amount of sense, after all. In the turmoil of the Fox-Thunder Revelations, it was better to have at least one of their family out of the line of fire until the ashes cooled.
If there was one thing the years had taught the Han family, it was how to survive the worst. A bitter taste filled his mouth at the thought.
And now he didn’t know if his grandfather was alive or dead. He had felt the explosions shake the mountain and watched the mist that had surrounded it for countless years disappear.
Han wasn’t stupid enough to ask why the immensely powerful cultivator, Shen Yu, hadn’t stayed to help. One didn’t ask why a legendary expert like Shen Yu did what he did. One simply accepted it was happening and rode out the aftereffects.
So, Han himself was safe… as were the rest of his friends. He glanced to where Bi De was sitting beside Master Shen Yu at the front of the flying sword, and then turned to the other end of it.
Yushang and Shao Heng were sitting beside Ri Zu, who was back in human form. The woman— Spirit Beast—was fussing over Bire—Yun Ren—who was still unconscious, his body swapping between shimmering like mist or sparking with lightning. From the way his face was locked in a grimace, Han didn’t envy Yun Ren at all.
While at first Han had felt betrayed by the fact that they had apparently been spies… the vision in the mist had dispelled things.
After all, Yun Ren had never forgotten that off-handed rant that Han’s family had maybe been suppressed on purpose. He had always seemed to pause slightly or frown whenever Han had mentioned it later. And while the man hadn’t said anything, likely to keep his cover within the Inquisition, he had found the truth out for him.
Han had been right, and Yun Ren had brought it all to light.
How could Han hate him after that? How could he hate any of them? Their cause had been noble—which was only natural when working in the Emperor’s name, unlike that of the Mountain’s, no, the False Patriarch’s self-serving ambitions.
Han grimaced at the thought, at the reminder of how much blood had been spilled for a place that hadn’t cared all that much about them in the end. Bile rose in the back of his throat.
“… is he going to be alright?” Han asked after a moment. Partially to distract from his nerves.
Ri Zu paused in her work before glancing at Han. Her dark eyes were full of compassion as always… but he could tell she was nervous too. At least she had directly seen Master Lishu and his disciples safely leave the barrier and retreat into the Medical Pavillion before things got… crazy.
“Ri Zu believes so,” she responded. “His Qi is undergoing tribulation, but he appears to be calming it. Though… there will be some changes.”
She pulled up astrand some of Yun Ren’s hair, revealing how it was a lot lighter than his previous pure black hair. Lightning sparked again around it.
Han took a calming breath and looked again at his fellows who were actually from the Mountain.
Shao Heng seemed to be stoic, while Yushang looked contemplative. Neither of their faces revealed their true thoughts… but neither seemed to be outwardly panicking either.
Han swallowed and looked away. A cultivator had to harden one’s heart against tragedy—
He flinched as he felt Yushang’s arms wrap around him and as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Sorry for getting lost in my own head there and not noticing,” Yushang apologized, and Han found great comfort in her arms.
“How are you two…?” he ventured.
“Don’t you worry about me,” Yushang stated. “Your Pretty Sister hasn’t lost anything. I had no family there, and all my friends made it out fine. So! I just gotta keep going, you know?”
Han nodded tentatively. That did make sense. Yushang had been an outsider as well, from a far-flung academy, and she had outright told him she didn’t particularly like the Sect.
Han turned to his other sectmate, and Shao Heng’s calm eyes stared back. “Many years have I given to the Shrouded Mountain Sect in my ambition to be a hero like my mentor,” the older man began, his eyes going far away. “The Sect has stained its honour and is no longer capable of performing the task I originally joined it for. Though my debt to Ri Zu finds me here… I likely would have left to continue my duty alone, was I capable of it.”
Han digested the words. They were correct. They had joined the Sect for their own reasons, while Han had practically been born into it. No wonder they were more okay than him with leaving.
Han looked at the ground.
“So… what now?” he finally asked.
“We shall likely be heading north after Yun Ren recovers,” the deep, smooth voice of Bi De declared as he walked back to sit beside Ri Zu. It was still so strange to hear his voice coming out of the body of a chicken. “Shen Yu wished to examine the work of Elder Shenhe and make sure she properly exterminated the demons. I would be glad if you all joined us in completing this task, my friends.”
Han swallowed thickly. Friends, huh?
“Alright!” Yushang said, agreeing immediately. Sheo Heng nodded too.
Han, however, paused… before tentatively nodding as well. He could not just sit around and mope. He needed to do something, and some action would likely help him get over recent events.
Probably. He was feeling slightly hollow right now. He could feel himself slumping as everything that had happened started to catch up to him again.
And then Yushang opened her mouth.
“So the two of you were disguised, but what about him?” the woman said while pointing to Yun Ren.
Han rolled his eyes. She was still fixated on that?
Ri Zu sighed before turning back to Yun Ren, and with deft movements she wiped at the man’s face, did something to his eyes, and pulled off the large, bushy sideburns that made him look like a monkey.
What was left was a relatively androgynous man with narrow eyes and far sharper facial features than Han was used to seeing. It was rather unfair. Han grouped himself and his friend in the “not so handsome” category, but he had clearly been betrayed.
Han blinked. Yushang squinted. Shao Heng tilted his head to the side.
“Wow, he's kinda hot,” Yushang said bluntly.
Han sighed in despair, looking for another way to distract himself. “So, how did you end up entangled in all this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Bi De and Ri Zu looked at each other. Bi De nodded.
“It began two years ago, when our Master encountered Zang Li in a town he was visiting…” Ri Zu said, her voice soft.
Han took another calming breath. He already had had his entire world upended. Surely this story couldn’t surprise him.
===========================
“And then, our Great Master punched Zang Li into the next province,” Be De finished from his place now on Han’s lap. The weight was oddly comforting, and Bi De was warm. His feathers were also marvelously soft.
And yet despite the comfort the rooster brought, Han still felt like he was drifting further away from reality.
It turned out that no, he wasn’t prepared for things. Bi De’s master was affiliated with the Cloudy Sword Sect! Shen Yu was that Shen Yu! The very one from the stories!
Han was past shocked and panicked, now he just felt numb.
He needed a heavens-damned drink.
Luckily, it seemed that his prayers were answered, for just shortly after the tale was finished the flying sword began to descend from the clouds.
Han spared a glance over the side, wondering what he might see. Some sort of fantastical realm, rich with Qi and floating islands?
What he saw instead was just a relatively normal looking valley manor. The kind of compound the rich and powerful made for themselves. There were even a few watchtowers, and as they approached a gong began to sound out and people poured out of the manor.
The sword touched down just outside the gates, and Han just stared.
Row upon row of stunningly beautiful women—and androgynously handsome men—greeted them, with the most androgynously handsome of all at their head.
A man who looked extremely like Yun Ren.
Of course, Han could not enjoy their faces, nor the lush curves of the ladies, for upon each of their heads were a pair of fox ears; and upon each of their rumps were a number of bushy tails.
The instinctive part, the one that had been forged from the stories Han had been told of the beguiling foxes, suddenly blared in alarm in his mind. For a brief moment that part of him gibbered in terror, that somehow these beasts had managed to arrange everything and beguile Shen Yu and the rest of them into destroying the Sect with honeyed words and poisoned lies.
And then Han remembered the feeling of the mist touching him, the charged lightning that had only honestly within it. He remembered his family being sacrificed again and again.
…no. There was no beguiling here. Foxes could not read minds or so thoroughly find out his fears.
And besides, how could these beasts beguile Shen Yu?
Still, he did feel some apprehension.
As one, the foxes dropped to their knees.
“We pay our respects to Lord Shen Yu,” they all declared.
“Our home is yours, Lord,” the leader of the foxes continued seamlessly. “Please rest and partake of our hospitality.”
“Excellent. We all need a drink, and Yun Ren needs his rest,” Shen Yu said. The fox raised his head slightly, and his eyes widened at seeing Yun Ren still unconscious. Naked concern flashed across his face. “And you might as well make it a party. Rejoice, Nezan. One of your dreams has come true. The Patriarch of the Shrouded Mountain Sect’s karma has finally caught up with him for the sins of his ancestors.”
The fox froze. “You mean…?”
“Yun Ren did a splendid job. Why, I dare say he holds the record for the youngest cultivator to induce a civil war in a Sect!”
The fox, Nezan, stared. And then tears sprung into the corners of his eyes. They dropped to the ground, the fox looking slightly lost.
“Truly?” he asked.
The man began to laugh. “It seems that our guests shall have a wonderful story to tell.” He clapped his hands. “Girls! Get our esteemed guests cleaned up! Break out the vintages! Tonight is a night for celebration!”
There was a great roar and a slight ringing in Han’s ears as eager hands grasped at him. The events of the day were simply too much as he was led into a fox’s den.
It was almost like he was watching himself from behind his own shoulder as he was bathed, given fine silk clothes, and led into the manor’s hall where he was instantly served a cup of wine.
He stared at the liquid that was a pale blue colour. It felt… off and strange that there was such a massive party right now.
He raised his cup to his lips.
He spared a glance for Yushang, who seemed to already be getting along with everybody, the vivacious woman already chatting away with a bunch of foxes. Ri Zu and Bi De watched on in human form.
Shao Heng clapped Han on the shoulder and he jumped.
“Drink, Han,” the man said as he sat down beside him. “It may not be the best way to handle one’s demons… but for now, drink. And perhaps everything will make more sense in the morning.”
Han deferred to his senior’s advice and tipped back his wine. Shao Heng did the same.
… It was delicious.
His entire upbringing had been a lie. His Sect had used and abused his family. He was suddenly alone in the world, with no real reference points.
Han took a deep breath and turned to the pretty lady beside him who was pouring him drinks.
“So… what’s it like being a fox?” he started, his words blunt.
He knew the Shrouded Mountain Sect’s half of the story, and he now knew it to be false. Why not ask the foxes what they were like? Find the truth for himself straight from the fox’s tongue?
The woman serving him blinked and then smiled.
Her teeth weren’t any sharper than a human’s. Bloodlust and madness were absent from her eyes.
“Well, what do you want to know?” she replied.
The conversation started with the woman taking her fake fox ears off.
==================
Yun Ren awoke feeling like shit. His entire body was sore, he was exhausted, and his head felt like it did after Meiling forced him to go through that one “study marathon” after Yun Ren got the bright idea to fake being less literate than he actually was in order to get assigned less work.
It hadn’t been his best moment, and after the twelfth hour the characters had started dancing around the page as his head had been stuffed with knowledge.
To make it worse, there was pounding drums and music coming from downstairs.
He guessed, by the decor, that they were at least somewhere safe, most likely back at the fox compound, so with a groan he rose to investigate… or to at least get whoever was playing that music to stop playing so loudly.
Yun Ren staggered down the stairs and towards the sound of the party, rubbing at his eyes.
“Hey,” he said as he passed one of his fox cousins, whose eyes widened at the sight of him.
“Good evening, Young Master!” the woman said, bowing.
Yun Ren nodded and kept walking. Young Master? He thought he told people he didn’t like being called that.
He reached the hall quite quickly, his head a bit less sore, and his stomach growling. Hopefully there was some food.
He walked through the open door.
The entire room froze at his appearance, all of the foxes and his friends. Yun Ren raised an eyebrow at the sudden attention. Nezan’s already wide smile became somehow even wider from where he was serving Shen Yu drinks.
“That is a fantastic look, dear nephew,” Nezan said.
Yun Ren blinked. “The hells are you talking about?” he demanded.
Nezuhua, the leader of the foxes from the brothel, pulled up a mirror.
At first, Yun Ren suspected something like one of Meimei’s pranks. She was the type who would dye people’s hair while they slept; and the white streak in his black hair was certainly new. But something else caught his attention.
Yun Ren slowly reached up and touched the two fuzzy ears poking out of his head. They were warm, soft, and he could feel them—and then felt something grab a part of his anatomy that wasn’t meant to be grabbed.
Yun Ren yelped and spun—only to find Yushang holding a tail. His tail. The woman was rubbing her face against it, her very flushed face; Yushang was clearly wasted out of her mind.
“Huuu? It's real. An—hic!—soft!” Yushang slurred… and then started rubbing drool in it.
Yun Ren reacted instinctively. There was a snap and a pop; the smell of ozone filled the air, and Yushang was launched off his tail with a spark of electricity.
…That was certainly new.
========================
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Poor Han. And Yun Ren completes his transformation into magical girl
Edited by: Brandon “Philosophysics” Zhang-Leong, Oshi, Massgamer, Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer, Ayje
Comments
N0ct3m
i keep seeing Yushang as Karloth
Victor DoUrden
Now just need more snu snu to improve the story even further
Barry Morgan
No, they definitely distinguish between the current patriarch and Zang Zengsheng, the kin-slaying 2nd patriarch. They aren't the same person. Although the current patriarch has committed crimes of his own: "Shen Yu stared up at the mist, as a final crime played out. The inquisitors, extinguishing an entire family on the current Patriarch’s orders."
Truedragon5374
Behold the Master of the 1000 Li Punch!
Resolved
Yun Ren: I have a girlfriend! How am I going to explain the tail and ears?
Merki
Yun Ren: I'm just a normal guy Nezuhua: Are you sure about that?
Nicholas Grey
*Xianghua. Meihua is the blacksmith’s daughter who married the clerk in town.
Vacivus
@ekwood What exactly is it you wanted them to do?
BlueMage_VT
I wonder if Yun's parents will take the "descended from a spirit fox" more seriously now lol. Even Nezan hadn't convinced them before.
Apeljohn
Nah, he's a Young Master not an MF. Per that one Riser fic on QQ, the difference is that he has loving parents.
Paul Boros
Are you sure? I didn't get that from the chapters. The current Patriarch is the one who killed his brother and started a genocide to cover it up as far as I can tell.
Len
Cringe you are off by a factor of 5. he got punched around ~1000 li or so, which is ~310 miles or ~500 kilometers. but is a Great line.
Len
i think we'll have at least one more here could be up to 3 chapters. depends on how CF wants to treat the elder shenhe encounter with the "Demons" at that last stronghold that has meimei's uncle!? there is that group more powerful than the SMS group? does he get killed, captured, escape?(i am thinking escape) - heck does he BEAT the SMS Group and force them to retreat/escape? how does the SMS Group react the leadership change at the sect.... we also need the "explanation" of what happened to Yun Ren (ok not "us" perse, the explanation to Yun Ren and Co from Nezan- "we" know it is a bloodline awakening, but do THEY) the next "arc" in my opinion will be the resolution of Zang Li' s Dad's "investigation" of the Azure Hill's and the demon prostitute. does he hit the farm, "dueling peaks city" or somewhere else, is it entirely Xuilan and Co or Jin and Co., do Lu Ri and the PBS get Involved? OH and we have the Imperial Auditor Visiting the area to investigate TLM and or Jin on TLM's wife's mother.. but that will be a short probably very enjoyable arc as he gets his butt handed to him by either of the 2 though i'd love for Pippa to do it.
CringeWorthyStudios
To be fair, when Jin punched Zang Li into the next province they were standing somewhat close to the border, relatively speaking. Like, only a hundred kilometres away or so. Line of sight type of deal.
CringeWorthyStudios
The Misty Fang Mountain, I think.
CringeWorthyStudios
Eh, HFM-chan isn’t really like that I think. Tianlan broke quite a few pseudo-rules to help people out like that so I doubt HFM-chan would do it.
CringeWorthyStudios
Tbh she’ll probably just sulk a little and then get over it. She can probably change her human form again soon, she’s getting close to that power level I think?
Marcin
Right, right... discreet judgement like the Patriach and Inquisition did. Good to know your in full support of that. No wonder you wish to protect em...
Leon
Isn’t the whole thing of foxes the androgynous look? With his uncle also shifting to female to seduce him? I think he’s magical girl trope wise, he’s also played as a woman before and Biju had dresses for him. But at the same time identifying gender wise he’s firmly masculine. Personally I like that being secure enough in his masculinity to also show effeminate traits. Like Prince or David Bowie
Randall Brynsvold
For fantastic hospitality?
ItWasIDIO!!
Yup
Randall Brynsvold
Do you mean the cryptic "They with the Stars will forge a new path" in Interlude Yun Ren: Tale of the Fox (7/26/21)?
ItWasIDIO!!
His grandfather talks to an elder & they talk of the one who will "save their way of life" which ends up sending him to nezan
Randall Brynsvold
Patriarch Two killed Patriarch One. I don't believe the current Patriarch's number has been mentioned, but it is larger than two.
Marta Barańska
😂 poor Tigu
Melanie Me
Where is the prophesy? What is it and how did I miss it? Ugh. I need to go back and read the books again
Jonathan Applewhaite
Actually no. That patriarch died of old age a few centuries back. The current patriarch is his direct decent
The Fergun
The Foxfire and lighting handicapped the patriarch, or killed him, as we saw. Besides your other points discrete judgements imply that you want certains things to remain hidden? That just doesn't go for me the sect, and by this I mean all the members of the sect, had the right to know the truth about their past and present and the crimes that were commited against them
ekwood
You are portraying the situation as a false dichotomy. Civil war and letting things stand are not the only options. Some perpetrators clearly deserve very little or no mercy. Certain situations might mandate that they get it anyway for the greater good of all, but this is not even such an occasion. Discrete judgments could be passed and punishment meted out accordingly. Or you could just have chaos reign and let the patriarch and what remains of his support do as much damage as possible on their way out or (heavens forbid) somehow eke out a win. Hopefully getting slapped by Shen Yu handicapped the one who would otherwise be the strongest cultivator on the mountain as soon as Shen Yu leaves.
D J Meigs
🤣 i bet he looks awesome! Can’t wait to see how Gou reacts lol. And I’m glad Nezan will get some closure for his old friend.
Anonymous
Poor Han. He's standing on a whole pile of rugs and people keep pulling them out from under him every time he gets back up from the last time.
The Fergun
Never said anything about Xianxia logic I was speaking about the consequences of this particular situation in which I consider as I expressed that the civil War will be in the long term good as we saw the patriarch was not only an asshole but actively malicious and so was the Inquisition. And about the foxes they literally saw that the foxes were the betrayed even if some prejudice remain I believe eventually it will get better precisely because of this. By the way by your logic you should never trample a tyranny in Xianxia because then some might survive and seek vengeance in the future and thousands might die so you know let it keep going (and about the justice solution that only works if the other party accepts another power to judge him and you know tyrants usually don't do that)
Ally KK
I can’t wait to see art of Yun Ren with the ears and tail! Also, I wonder if next chapter will be back at Fa Ram. This seems like a good point to change POV.
Truedragon5374
"And then, our Great Master punched Zang Li into the next province". OMG LOL, this the best line in the whole series. Even if with the whole story explained to him Han is just having the biggest WTF moment of his life.
Truedragon5374
All Hail the birth of Lightning Fox Yun Ren the Image Master!
ekwood
@The Fergun, Derek Walker --- My question to you then is this: why would this outcome stop them from killing foxes in the future? Think about it. "What is this sperg on the internet going on about?" You all accuse me of not knowing how things go in Xianxia, but I am obliquely referring to one of the core themes to the genre in general and BoC in particular: You CANNOT expect to end a violent cycle with more ruthless violence. It doesn't generally work in real life, but it REALLY doesn't work in xianxia because if even one of these 'kinslayers' or their sympathizers live, they can just fuck off to cultivate with a vengeance until they come back and make their enemies or their descendants feel their wrath. Even if they are eventually put down, their grudge could end up killing thousands. Xianxia exists to drive home the theme that discounting the dignity or justice of even a single humble individual can have dire consequences. And when it comes time to pay the piper, if might makes right, then it won't exactly matter who has the moral high ground. Again, Shen Yu knows and accepts all this. I just find it unlikely that Big D wouldn't even broach the subject with his master.
Echo Sparksong
I need to go back and reread. Could have sworn Nezan chose to give Yun a bigger chunk of himself, but still left a part of himself guarding the tomb.
JonO
Omg i forgot that tigu was all sad about that lol. Yeah she's going to have a fit beyond fits! Lol
Barry Morgan
So,"the sword they flew on was as large as Shen Yu’s presence," eh? I bet you could land planes on that thing, then. 😉
Marcin
I think you never read any xianxia... this outcome is pretty much benevolent on xianxia standards :D Gramps doesnt give a rats ass about justice or morality thats not his. Your ideas would be seen as childish. People should stop judging fictional worlds with the "here and now" morality :D
Modesty Goose
This is like Xuilan's cultivation being burned back to the 3rd stage. It got rid of the impurities, creating a stronger foundation to grow from. Their foundation was corrupt and that corruption was still happening.
Paul Boros
"Rejoice, Nezan. One of your dreams has come true. The Patriarch of the Shrouded Mountain Sect’s karma has finally caught up with him for the sins of his ancestors.”" Shouldn't that be for his sins? He is the MAGAt that backshot his brother and his significant other to take his spot as Patriarch so they are his sins not the people who came before him.
darkmuch
Come read BoC. We have fox boys
Sebastian Osterbrink
The mountain is no longer shrouded. The foxes called it long fang mountain of I remember. Let's see who will win the civil war and how they will call it
Derek Walker
This isn’t just about something that happened long ago. They are still actively hurting people like Hans family, brainwashing people with the inquisitors, and killing foxes. All innocent people. The worst that can be said is that they didn’t stay to end the fight immediately in favor of the good guys. But, none of them besides Shen Yu could do that and he operates differently from Fa Ram.
The Fergun
Once again I feel you are underestimating the bad they did, and keep doing, and trying to justify that an end of corruption is not worth it due to as you describe innocent victims caught in the cross fire. You are even justifying the actions of the Inquisition you know that brainwashed disciples, killed a family for an ancestors slight etc. Change might bring destruction but something better will come out of this and as I said before doing good does not absolve the bad that you have done, and that you keep doing willingly and with glee in some cases
ekwood
Still seems to be a bit tone deaf to me to be so cavalier about inciting a civil war and all that entails then just bouncing. Not for Shen Yu, obviously, this is just the done thing for him. But the disciples of Fa Ram and Jin don't strike me as the type to leave a whole sect of other potential Yushangs, Lishus, Shao Hengs and Fat Hans to be forced to pick sides and kill each other because of something some long gone asshole did. Seems short-sighted and even childish to assume everything will work out; that it's fine for people to get hurt for no greater crime than being loyal to liars; that this doesn't lead to a new cycle of deadly bitterness among the losers. This is one of the reasons why purges to the Nth degree of separation happen: to try and ensure that none who care for the culprits live to hold a grudge. There is a great deal of outrage and reckoning flying around. It will be hard for the most powerful and therefore most culpable to escape unscathed. Unfortunately: the less culpable, the lieutenants, the grunts, the good caught up in bad company? They don't have a prayer. Did TSM strike any of you as employing consideration for restraint with their wrath? Because if not, there is way more rage than wholly deserving targets to spend it on. This outcome also somewhat justifies the most heinous crimes of the inquisition in service of concealing the truth: the sect clearly can't handle the truth without turning on itself.
Echo Sparksong
Awakening from two different bloodlines?
Mistfate
So Gou Ren gets to go full wukong next arc right?
Mistfate
I'm convinced that everyone else's transformations are designed to make Tigu jealous. First Ri Zu and now Yun Ren?
Svein Ove Aas
Magical girl, huh. Well, kitsune do habitually treat gender lines as optional so I suppose it's an option.
Avdrdr
Well he did lay to rest the grievances of the elders. Both elders
William Johnson
Rattacock?
William Johnson
Yushang is blasting off again!
William Johnson
Biyu's already going to go crazy with the ears and the tail, if he has an adorable mascot form as well she might explode.
William Johnson
Mahou shonen Yu Ren desu! -Yu Ren, probably Thanks for the chapter, delightful as always!
Eric Hicks
I seem to recall that before a rewrite the original chapter had Nezan send the sword with Yun Ren and not redo the wards with light illusions and the group sent out after the sword found him and he was killed off?
Aaron Schwartz
He didn’t just get a bloodline awakening. He also got a new affinity for lightning he’s practically become an OP MC
Longhaul
ayup, looks like Jin is gathering his own zodiac whether he wants to or not! lol
Randall Brynsvold
There will be some static buildup from all the fur rubbing, though.
Randall Brynsvold
With respect to Bi De and Ri Zu's potential offspring, we've seen with Yun and Gou that you get mostly one Spirit Beast inheritance or the other, not evenly mixed.
Randall Brynsvold
Now that the SM's earth spirit is fully awake, perhaps she will help.
ItWasIDIO!!
Hey does this mean Yun is finally gonna fulfill that prophecy for his mother's people after all they put him on this path
taukid
Tigu is gonna be jealous; she wanted to keep her tail, ears and claws.
Sean Ulrich
The group picked him up as they left the Hills
Echo Sparksong
Isn't part of him still in the mountains sleeping?
Echo Sparksong
Well, she's obviously got an owl bloodline.
Echo Sparksong
Seriously. The disciples of Shen Yu hand picked him to join them. Chance of a lifetime for both Han and his family.
John D Jones
Biyu is going to like this change since she's a big fan of all things fuzzy and fluffy.
matthew gilley
He's the future patriarch of the shrouded fox mountain is what he is. Uniting the two groups like they were supposed to be under the first patriarch.
Skylar
Yes! I miss Fa Ram!
So, Yun Ren is Pikachu now?
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter.
Mackienze Robinson
If Gou has a tail it will be more like a monkeys and not flufy like a foxes.
Old Dog
Thunder, thunder, thunder foxes ho!
Justus Saucedo
Oh damn you're right. Just more fuel to the fire.
Nicholas Grey
What is his mother going to say…? And his northern tribal cousins!??
Elijah Overland
Yun Ren got a spirit blood upgrade! I hope we get to see him rub it in his brother’s face, like a proper sibling.
Andrew Denton
Heh. Of COURSE Han's grandfather told him to go. How many others will be able to brag that their grandson is off hunting demons with the Unconquered Blade?
Vector
At least Shen Yu isnt entirely abandoning the north with the Shrouded Mountain distracted.
TheBugEater
OK OK so when does go become a monkey
Andrew Denton
I'm sure he won't abuse it at ALL. 😁
Brogatar
Jolteon.
Samuel Terrazas
Please tell me his tail is now super poofy from the electricity!
Monkeytoster
Gou will build the empire state building just to turn into king kong and have something to climb.
Just A Dude
Yun Ren won't be zapping *her* for rubbing her face in his tail, that's for sure.
swishmcfish
WOG: Yun Ren is descended of Da Ji's strongest Daughter, the Fox Matriarch (Su Nezuha)'s sister, Su Nezin, who Yun Ren's mother's tribe is named after. She had left and arrived in the AH before the Azure Hills imploded, and a few hundred years before Zangsheng met Nezuha, so Yun Ren has zero zilch Zang Ancestry. He got the Lightning Qi from Summer's Sky, which was originally Zang Yong's blade, I believe? Now he has more Lightning and Fox in him by becoming the Heir of both Zang Yong and Su Nezuha.
see this https://x.com/isiyumi/status/1730527258568499551?s=46&t=tSXyAGPgpMlqmd-8PhTr9A
Only girl can magical girl? you don’t read enough.
Laura López
i wonder what would happen if Bi De and Rizu had a child, two transformations, only human or the weirdest mix ever.
Kasinki
Time to unlock the Sun Gokong bloodline in the brother 😂
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Runcible Technician
Leveling bloodline abilities always comes with the cosmetics.
Baines
can his illusions do feeling?
Ichypa
Yun Ren is descended from the Fox Matriarch’s sister, and I think the lightning must be from channeling Wen’s qi via Summer’s Sky.
Orims
Meihua started liking him because he looked like depictions of Sun Wu Kong she saw.
Echo Sparksong
He's a Lightening Fox 😍
Market Pamphlet
The art posts of Yun Ren's new appearance are going to get so much attention.
MatrixM
Demon emperor bloodline guy is up north, who's some level of bbeg. But I guess even if they thought the Elder, of Earth Realm power, was dead they'd still no expect anything stronger than Sky, which Shen Yu can handle Let's hope they don't have multiple Imperials up there.
CringeWorthyStudios
^ this. This right here.
WyrdWizard
Biyu is going to be so excited.
El Squidd
I can’t wait for Biyu’s reaction
Michael Fannon
Shen Yu is going. Everyone else could be mortals, and the group would still be overkill and perfectly fine.
Drakenclaw
and then felt something grab a part of his anatomy that wasn’t meant to be grabbed. That is a complete and utter lie!!! If they weren't meant to be grabbed, they wouldn't be as soft and fluffy! :D
Michael Fannon
From what I can tell, he both is and isn't. They never had children together, but Yun Ren is both of their decendent. The bloodlines mixed sometime in northern tribes that his mom came from. How that came to be hasn't been explained yet to my knowledge, but my guess is a cultivator from the SMS got blown to the north by a howl, was picked up by the northern tribes, and left children behind after staying for awhile.
daniel koval
Ok this is hilarious, we all know what’s coming next. Nezu and Summer Sky will be making him learn the full transformation. Eventually no one from outside the Fa Ram Sect will be able to tell which members were originally human and which ones were originally spirit beasts. I wonder how this will affect the Azure hills, with more Cultivaor, Spirit Beast, and Mortal interaction and eventual interbreeding how will this strain of humanity begin to develop away from the baseline?
Valderan
Kind of surprised that his reaction wasn't "oh, ha ha Nezan, now drop the illusion on me."
Michael Fannon
I still think Ayumu Aikawa from is this a zombie? makes the best magic girl. It's his chainsaw.
AKK1990
I know just the place for the fox clan to go to rediscover their foxy heritage: Jins farm. Tianlan would help greatly in helping them recharge their fox bloodlines.
Inirlan
*pokemon evolution sound*
Catherine
I would be so upset if he was. He’s one of my favourite characters 😍
Sardeed
He became a thunder fox.
Randall Brynsvold
Eh, she's drunk, she's a cultivator, and she's just leaving a sect where people electrocute each other when they fight.
Nick
Tftc
Skydda Dragontooth
Tigu’s reaction to them when they get home is going to be big, Ri Zu got the freckles and now Yun Ren has animal Ears, both things she failed to have with her transformation
RJKY
Foxes are from the Canidae Family. Shen Yu is obviously the GOAT.
BelligerentGnu
The utter, sublime silliness. Magical.
Stan Cornett
Love the chapter and agree with all Biyu will never let Yun Ren go now.
Paul S.
Hope he didn't hurt her at the end there. But I doubt it.
frogogre1
The fox clan revival has begun is the world ready ???
fatbo
Man, am I glad Nezan wan't killed off
Melanie Me
I hope Yun Ren can unlock the bloodline for all the foxes on the mountain. That would be nice I think. Gift from the Fox Queen.
Sebastian Rubin
But now it's part of the Azure Hills Zodiac!
WolfKnight22
Magnificent
Just coming here to comment: Nice…
swishmcfish
The fox ears that the other foxes wore were headbands, so- yeah. They would have been 2 sets, if they were fake like theirs, but since his are real, it's likely he only has one.
swishmcfish
Foxes aren't part of the Chinese zodiac. Lol.
CringeWorthyStudios
Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if he was actually one of their descendants.
CringeWorthyStudios
Full blown pitchforks and torches riot…
CringeWorthyStudios
Illusions, obviously.
Lanter
To Elder Shenhe, the only Zang who's actually working on their original mission as demon slayers. Wonder if they'll still be standing by the time the Shen Yu sword express arrives
Bearstronaut
Not sure if "yum" ren is a typo or not but I'm digging it
Joel Magnuson
According to v4c4.1 it's two sets of ears Bi De idly wondered what the use for two sets of ears was.
Awdyr Storm
We riot if there's no coverage of that scene.
Justus Saucedo
Let's just assume he has one set. That are his fox ears. Unless told he has 4 ears
Justus Saucedo
Is our boy a lighting fox now? Oh man He's never gona hear the end of it. HE HAS FOX EARS AND A TAIL. Jin and MeiMei are gonna have a field day. Lets not even forget his brother, or the whole village if they find out. This is great I love it. Thanks for the chapter
Melanie Me
But why is Yun Ren a girl and not a boy?
Chad Hagner
I... Love this!!! He's going to be so popular lmao!!!! And I cackled when Shen Yu said he now holds the record for youngest cultivator to start a civil war. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nicholas Grey
Foxes’ whole schtick is shapeshifting and illusions, he’ll be fine.
BlueJayCash
If it's true, then it will depend on what type of monkey Gou Ren's ancestor is. I just realized the monkies in the story have been related to stone... has that been Wukong symbolism the entire time :0
Keliana Tayler
If Gou ends up with a tail too, that would be perfect.
jeffrey niski
Well there is the fox for the farms zodiac.
Kendra
I loved it!!
Great chapter as always. Oh man, Yun Rens girlfriend is gonna think she's in a dream. Dude became even more, uh, to her tastes.
H
If yum ren is… then gou ren… oh no
MatrixM
Sailor Yun Ren! So they ARE all going north.. Didn't expect that, thought most of them would be deemed too weak. And Han wanted to believe it fake but the qi conveyed honesty, so that clears that up.
Red Viking
Oh Biyu is going to have a field day with this added fluffyness!
Bunny Waffles
Just you wait. Gou's gonna end this story looking like Sun Wukong.
Kipper
Biyu is going to be so happy.
James Faulkner
Holy shit, is Yun Ren basically what would’ve happened if the fox matriarch and the elder brother had a son??
John Grizzly
oof i have a feeling the north isnt doing so well, iirc some elder demon or something woke up or a dark omen played out. also now the three of the students are TECHNICALLY spirit animals XD rizu, bi de and now the newly initiated yun ren keke
CringeWorthyStudios
I swear when Biyu finds out they’ll be able to hear her squeals of joy from the next province over. Also we better see Biyu’s reaction on screen because that’ll be *beautiful.*
Max E Malekzadeh
Oh I think they'll all benefit quite a bit from joining the Fa Ram for a bit
Story Time Compass
Question!!! Does Yun Ren have two sets of ears now, that are both functional? I can never tell how this sort of thing works if they are both part of the anatomy.
Guessed
Kinda funny about Yun Ren but mostly just body horror 😬 I hope he can turn it off
Randall Brynsvold
Yun Ren has awakened Bug Zapper!
Mrdelta
Sounds like he could use some time as a fa ram hand.
CringeWorthyStudios
*pop* Yun Ren turns into fox form. *Biyu’s squeals of joy are heard from the neighbouring province.*
CringeWorthyStudios
Magical Girl Yun Ren is the best magical girl (aside from Magical Girl Gunslinger but let’s be honest, Mai is just too awesome to ever lose). Also Nezan makes the best MG mascot.
Mikey The Wolf
Tytc
Teatime42
Hah, and now he will occasionally be a fox girl XD
Rodney Maestrado
Heck, maybe even assemble all the girls to make a girl band.
Rodney Maestrado
Yun ren for pop-stardom!
Max E Malekzadeh
Your cruel commentary about Yun Ren at the end made me laugh out loud. Loved the whole chapter although I feel seriously bad for Han not knowing how his family is doing.
Artman
Excellent job wordsmith
LenoraeKB
Oh god you're right. I REALLY hope her discovering this happens on screen
jord
Yun ren pulls a pikachu and zaps Yushang like it's one of the origional pokemon episodes. Man I live for this
Thank you
Sigma Team
So Yun Ren can now use the Misaka method against unwanted affection, that will undoubtedly lead to quite a few funny moments
Wyatt
The fluff! Biyu is going to absolutely loose. Her. Shit.
BargleNawdleZouss
So Lu Ri wasn't off base when he expected them to take a flying sword from the Cloudy Sword Sect to the Azure Hills.
Philosophyanon
Yun underwent a full bloodline awakening? Damn, good for him. Gou's going to have to catch up
The Fergun
Thanks for the chapter !
Siphon Rayzar
Oh no. Yun Ren has been turned into a fox. Whatever shall he do.
Sean Ulrich
Lightning, illusions and pictures… could he make a video game? Synapse based?
Hong Zhou
Couldn’t agree more! I shall dream happy :)
Nicholas Grey
Oh *nice*! A Bloodline Awakening! He’s certainly done enough to earn it.
AG
Oh good they are going to go check on the demons in the north, I was worried that the demons might be able to take advantage of the civil war but looks like we don’t need to worry
Thank you! You made my night!
