Chapter 146: Mo Qin's Return

After discussing throughout the night, everyone decided to first rescue Mo Qin. With Mo Qin, Yinyao, and Yinshang—the two sisters—still alive, their chances of survival would be much higher. Besides, the barrier where Mo Qin was held wasn’t far from their current location, which would save them some time. Shui Ling would naturally be dealt with by Mo Qin and Ji Xuanyu; if necessary, Li Su would join them, but they hoped to avoid using force.

They also learned that during the day, Yinshang could only exist in the form of a white fox, while Yinyao would transform into a nine-tailed fox at night. Yinshang explained that if the two of them appeared simultaneously, day and night, it would mean their last day in this world—unless they found all the spiritual creatures.

The next seven days were their countdown to death. Having faced so many life-and-death moments, everyone remained calm and composed, showing no signs of panic or agitation. They knew displaying anxiety or fear would only affect others’ morale. No matter how worried or scared they were, they had to keep it hidden.

“Senior Feng Yi, and Lord Hu Er, I am deeply grateful for your willingness to help. The silver fox will never forget this kindness!” The silver fox bowed deeply to Feng Yi and Lord Hu.

Grandpa Beggar Chicken smiled and shook his head, bending down to help the silver fox up. “No need for such formalities. After all, Mo Qin and I are old friends. Helping you is helping him, so there’s no need to thank me.”

“I came here to help, so there’s no need to be so distant,” Feng Yi nodded in agreement with Grandpa Beggar Chicken’s words.

“Our plan is to rescue Mo Qin within three days, acquire Shui Ling within five, and have Yinshang rebuild her body within seven days. That’s the most conservative estimate. I believe we can rescue Mo Qin in less than three days. Now, let’s all get a good rest tonight,” the silver fox said with a smile, nodding to everyone inside the cave.

“Mother, I won’t stay. I’ll go find Shui Ling first! Since I can move at night, resting then would be a waste. I’ve already rested enough during the day,” Yinshang said, then headed out of the cave. She didn’t invite Li Su to come along; she felt she no longer had the right to do so.

Watching Yinshang brush past him without a word, Li Su felt an inexplicable loneliness.

Yinshang’s solitary figure tugged at people’s hearts. The silver fox wanted to say something but didn’t know how. As someone who had been through it before, she understood the relationship between Yinshang and Li Su, but it was difficult to speak up.

Li Su glanced back at Yinyao, who had transformed into a nine-tailed fox, and decided he must go with Yinshang. “Senior Silver Fox, may I go with Yinshang? Our schedules match, and only I can properly take care of Yinshang in her white fox form.”

When someone spoke up, the silver fox was naturally pleased and nodded in agreement. They would split into two groups to better utilize their time.

“Why are you following me?”

“You’re too dangerous alone. I won’t feel at ease if no one is by your side during the day.”

“Hmm...”

...

Night passed, and day arrived. Yinyao transformed back into her human form.

Led by the silver fox, the seven of them hurried forward at full speed. While everyone else had fallen asleep the previous night, two people—Yin Su and Gu Xinyu—shared a silent understanding. They quietly talked near the cave entrance all night, clearing the emotional knot and recognizing their true feelings.

After a day of travel, the silver fox confirmed they were less than half a day away from Mo Qin’s location and told everyone to get a good night’s rest.

The next day, the silver fox and Yinyao left first, with the others following closely behind. When they were less than ten meters from the barrier, the silver fox raised her hand to signal them to stop. Not everyone was allowed to enter within ten meters.

Inside the barrier sat a man resembling a statue. He sat cross-legged with his eyes closed and head lowered. At the sound of the silver fox’s voice, he suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them that was impossible to look directly at.

This man was handsome and masculine, and the sharpness he displayed upon opening his eyes showed he was no ordinary person. He pressed his lips tightly, as if trying to discern whether the silver fox’s voice was real.

This man was none other than the barrier’s master, the silver fox’s husband, and the father of Yinyao and Yinshang—Mo Qin!

Once a prodigy who dominated the scene, powerful and fearless, Mo Qin had been trapped in this barrier for over twenty years, always waiting for his wife to come and take him away. But at the same time, he feared she would be hunted down once she returned to the Void Continent, that she would face endless dangers.

He was torn between hope and resistance, a deep contradiction. Over the years, he had finally uncovered the truth behind everything, which was why he used a clone to find Yinyao and tell her everything.

Mo Qin opened his eyes and looked at the barrier. It was a barrier he had created, but he couldn’t control it. The time was too short for him to perfect it, so in the end, he had to hide inside like a shrinking turtle, unable to leave.

Outside, the silver fox sensed the barrier’s power and pulled Yinyao within ten meters. This step allowed the Mo Qin inside to truly feel the presence of the silver fox—not just her, but also his daughter Yinyao!

They really had come! He could finally leave this place! He no longer wanted to hide inside!

Reaching out to touch the barrier, energy rippled gently around the silver fox’s right hand. She smiled—sure enough, this barrier posed no harm to her! She wondered what Mo Qin would think upon realizing she had arrived.

Yinyao imitated the silver fox and placed her hand on the barrier. The seemingly formidable energy turned gentle upon contact—this was her father’s power.

The silver fox glanced around and found the array’s core. She called Yinyao over to stand opposite her.

A dagger appeared in her left hand. With a flick, the silver fox’s right hand was cut, fresh blood dripping down. Without hesitation, Yinyao followed suit. Two drops of blood fell one after another onto the core of the array.

As the blood fell, the barrier remained quiet at first, then suddenly trembled violently, as if it would shatter with the next breath.

The silver fox glanced inside the barrier, then pulled Yinyao back beyond the ten-meter safety zone—only beyond this point was safe. That was why she had stopped Ji Xuanyu and the others.

“Boom!”

“Ah!”

The loud explosion of the barrier breaking was accompanied by a man’s roar, charged with intense emotion.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, tears fell from the silver fox’s eyes. She widened them, unwilling to let tears blur her sight. She hoped to see that person as soon as possible.

A flash of white light, the earth shook. Someone was breaking through the barrier.

Inside, the moment Mo Qin felt the blood of the silver fox and Yinyao, his strength erupted. The barrier, already weakening from the blood’s influence, shattered outright due to Mo Qin’s power.

Instinctively shielding his eyes from the dazzling white light, Yinyao felt her heart race with excitement.

“Fox’er, Yao’er!” Whose voice echoed in the air? A voice filled with longing.

The silver fox looked up, tears streaming down her face as she hoarsely whispered, “Mo... Qin.”

“Father.” Yinyao looked at the descending figure clad in dark green, her eyes stinging with the urge to cry.

Whose embrace was so warm and secure, as if the sky could collapse and yet she would still be safe?

Mo Qin held his wife and daughter tightly, afraid that if he loosened his grip, they would vanish.

No one truly understood Mo Qin’s feelings at this moment. He felt as if he had found something lost. He had lost his wife and child once, but now, twenty years later, they appeared before him together, using their power to rescue him from that cursed barrier.

Once, he feared his wife would be hunted or endangered trying to save him, but now he realized how desperately he longed to see them.

There was no need to fear anymore—he was free, armed with the power of a peak Void Emperor.

He had not wasted these twenty years. He trained relentlessly, hoping to break the barrier himself. Though he hadn’t succeeded in breaking it, his strength had surged repeatedly to the peak of the Void Emperor realm.

In this world, he was a formidable force, one of the few true powers—a king among kings.

They embraced for so long that their tears dried.

“Mo Qin, you... you’re out,” Grandpa Beggar Chicken’s voice trembled. He was Mo Qin’s only true friend since going out.

“Lord Er, is your Beggar Chicken still as delicious as before?” Mo Qin smiled as he approached and patted Grandpa Beggar Chicken on the shoulder.

“Haha.” Hearing Mo Qin’s reply, Grandpa Beggar Chicken laughed heartily. After all this time, Mo Qin was still the same.

“Mo Qin, congratulations. I think the Void Continent is about to witness a grand spectacle,” Feng Yi stepped forward and smiled at Mo Qin.

“You’re Senior Feng Yi, right? Yes, this grand show will star us. I wonder if you’d like to join?” Mo Qin recognized Feng Yi and laughed heartily.

“Of course!”

“Haha.”

— End of side story —

Tomorrow: The grand finale. O(∩_∩)O