Tao Qian felt a question in his heart, and suddenly he understood.
Grandma Taizhen looked at Yin Xuanmu, who revealed her true situation, and couldn't help but sigh. Then she closed her eyes slightly, as if she received some spiritual response.
After a moment, she spoke:
"Knowing this would happen, why did you do it back then."
"He never set many strict rules for the palace. The year you betrayed the palace and stole treasures, it wasn't considered much. Yet, you went as far as to harm many sisters, which went against His taboos, so this lifetime you won't be allowed to return to the Immortal Palace. However..."
As she spoke, Grandma paused, giving Yin Xuanmu hope.
The next moment, she continued:
"Though you cannot return to the palace, you are allowed to return the dozens of Immortal Treasures you stole from the treasure vault back then, and allowed to leave your inheritance."
"As for whether the True Spirit Heart Soul survives? Whether it can reincarnate and cultivate again? That depends on your fortune and destiny."
As soon as Grandma Taizhen finished speaking, the cat's head that originally had a cold expression suddenly filled with tears.
There was even the sound of gurgling like spring water as blood-stained intestines dangled down from the blood hole on her neck, and the Taiyin Moon Essence Wheel trembled and scattered radiant light. The female fairy with the cat head and human body returned to her original form in an instant.
With an excited expression, she respectfully saluted towards a place in the Source Sea, shouting: "Mother Goddess, merciful, the sin of this life is unforgivable, the path lost. I only hope to return to Mother Goddess in the next life."
After giving thanks, the cold cat face of Yin Xuanmu finally showed a bright smile.
Yet, it seemed she hadn't smiled for many years. Now when she smiled, the expression appeared quite awkward.
Her cat eyes quickly fell upon the little fox slave in Grandma Taizhen's arms, with joy in her expression, she repeatedly praised:
"Yin Yang Birth, the wonderful body without flaw, though not born of God Demon, yet innately a seed for proving the Dao God Demon." The source of this content ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
"I don't dare hope you will primarily cultivate my 'Taiyin Lingsu Moon Mother Scripture' in the future. I only hope the Dao I seek throughout my life can assist you halfway."
No one, including Tao Qian and Grandma Taizhen, expected Yin Xuanmu to show such humility in front of her own good girl.
Although Yin Xuanmu was defeated disgracefully by the Moon God, losing her Dao Foundation.
Still, she is a Daoist Transformation Realm powerhouse, akin to the likes of Sui Chaozi.
Why is she so kind to Tao Qian's daughter?
To offer her life's inheritance, yet never mention "master and disciple", as if giving it for free?
But on second thought, for Yin Xuanmu, Tao Qian's daughter truly is her only path to survival.
If little fox slave refuses her, then even if she can leave behind a shred of True Spirit Heart Soul, it's useless. Her soul, ravaged by the Dao Disaster, is too flawed and the essence will be lost. Upon reincarnation, it's impossible to uncover the mystery of the womb, thereby unable to awaken past life, and will eternally drown in reincarnation with no trace.
Could such a good thing truly exist in this world?
In Tao Qian's mind, the iron rule rose again, causing him to subconsciously ponder the cost of this matter.
It seemed Yin Xuanmu guessed what Tao Qian had in mind. After her praise, she immediately turned to him and candidly said:
"I know something of Tao Master's reputation for caution and wisdom."
"Whether this succeeds depends entirely on Tao Master. I, Yin Xuanmu, a person barely surviving, dare not hide anything."
"The reason I give all my life and inheritance to your esteemed daughter without mentioning 'master and disciple' is precisely to negate the causal cost."
"In my adventures in the Great Abyss, I naturally offended many strong people; the most troubling one is the Three Corpses Demon Lord. If I had a 'master and disciple' relationship with your esteemed daughter, that vile creature would have a reason to make trouble. But without this connection, he dares not act, or else Lingbao Tianzun would have an excuse to destroy his Three Corpses Demon Realm."
"As for other remnants of debts, I have some arrangements, ensuring they are tidied up before my demise, leaving no future trouble."
"I only ask Tao Master for a little convenience."
Yin Xuanmu's words were earnest and did not hide her predicament, nor did she consider the dignity of her Daoist Transformation Realm might.
Tao Qian, hearing this, fell into deep thought.
In theory, with his character, how could he pass up an opportunity for a windfall?
However, this time it involves his newly born precious daughter, and what actively comes forth is a powerhouse once struggling with the Taiyin Moon God. Who knows if there are traps within?
Even though Yin Xuanmu has explained all the reasons and cause, and there is spiritual response from the two super big wigs Lingbao Tianzun and Doumu Yuanjun as back up in the unseen.
Seemingly, there's no risk?
Tao Qian's inner balance gradually tilted, yet for the moment he did not make a decision.
Yin Xuanmu watched this scene with complicated emotions.
This "Tao Master" before her, with a prominent name and outstanding skills, that goes without saying.
But after all, he's not a true Daoist Transformation Realm. In the Longevity Realm his status might be very high, but in the Great Abyss Origin Sea, he could only be said to have just made a bit of a name.
If she hadn't acted wrongly, her status as Doumu Lineage's direct inheritance would actually be above him.
Upon meeting, he would naturally call her Grandma.
Now, her life, whether she can live a second one, is entirely decided by his word.
As the mind flickered to this point, even with Yin Xuanmu's determined will, she couldn't help but lament and sigh.
At this moment, a tender cat's meow suddenly broke the silence.
It was the little fox slave in Grandma Taizhen's arms who unexpectedly stuck out a naive little head, and with eyes seemingly filled with heaven and earth's essence, curiously looked at her and at the Taiyin Moon Essence Wheel hanging behind her head.
This mew, with its childish voice and adorable demeanor, immediately interrupted Tao Qian's thoughts.
At this moment, the old father just wanted to hold the strange girl close, without considering anything about taking advantage.
But who expected, the reactions of the others in the scene were even bigger than his.
Yunrong didn't need to be mentioned, if it weren't for her movements still being inconvenient, she would have already carried back the little kitten.
Grandma Taizhen was accustomed, as if possessed, holding the kitten tighter, calling her "good girl" every moment, wishing to squeeze her into her broad bosom.
What was unexpected was Yin Xuanmu's reaction.
Upon hearing that "kitten's meow," the cat-headed, human-bodied cold female fairy suddenly came alive.
A warm and gentle glow emanated around her body, imbued with a maternal-like brilliance.
Her golden cat eyes, piercingly gazing at the kitten.
Without a moment's hesitation, she intended to take off the celestial treasure behind her head, the "Taiyin Moon Essence Wheel," and give it to the kitten to play with.
Fortunately, she understood boundaries and did not come personally.
Instead, she waved her hand and cast a summoning spell.
In an instant, the sky transformed, revealing countless cat eyes.
Subsequently, hundreds and thousands of black cats, entirely black with eyes shining gold, leapt forth, each carrying different items in their mouths.
Most were peculiar varieties of food, and some were secret books, immortal artifacts, etc.
The cats circled under Yin Xuanmu's skirt!
This scene, quite bizarre.
For each black cat exuded intense demonic energy, with sharp killing intent in their golden eyes.
Tao Qian instantly knew: these black cats were all powerful devils, and the kind that had endured the ravages of war over many years, their seemingly mysterious beauty likely entwined with many resentful souls... any one dropped into the Longevity Realm could stir up trouble, causing calamities like "cat demon chaos," "cat disaster."
Sure enough, next moment Yin Xuanmu introduced:
"These children are my clan underlings, the only Taiyin Cats."
"Years ago, from the Doumu Palace, I stole dozens of immortal treasures, among which was a treasure called the 'Ruyi Miao Sheng Treasure Vase,' inside was a full vase of Daughter Spring Water. Originally I intended to refine a combat-focused divine skill, but with a change of mind, drank it all, and within days, this clan was born."
"Each is a good child, though possessing various divine powers, due to their bloodline, they would never harm any kitten in the world."
"Rest assured, True Monarch, let them come forth, these items have no karmic stains, just foods and toys, consider it a meeting gesture from me, an expelled elder."
After speaking, she let the elegant group of black cats approach Tao Qian.
Surrounding him, each was exceedingly docile, allowing Tao Qian to reach out and pet them.
This change was exactly what Tao Qian desired.
He held a hidden decision in his mind, the last doubt possibly could be resolved by these Taiyin Cats.
With the thought, Tao Qian reached out and touched the foremost black cat, which was not holding the Taiyin Moon Essence Wheel, but a large dried fish the size of a millstone, iridescent in color, with a bulging belly and protruding eyes, staring at Tao Qian with righteous indignation as he touched it.
Upon touch, he first received the annotation of the dried fish:
[Xiu Fish, a life form from the secret place "Mountain and Sea Realm," its meat delicious, consuming it extends life, perfecting the external form. The Taiyin Cats occasionally discovered the existence of this species, highly relishing its meat, considering it a rare delicacy, persistently hunting and drying it into fish snacks. Receiving this dried fish from the Taiyin Cats implies the highest recognition of the clan.]
"Well, little fish snack."
Tao Qian glanced at the thousands of black cats in front of him, at least five hundred were holding the Xiu fish snack in their mouths.
He skipped over the annotation of the fish snack and looked further down.
Sure enough, these cats indeed were direct descendants born from Yin Xuanmu drinking Daughter Spring Water, upon touch revealing more secrets related to them.
[Name Record: Taiyin Cats.]
[Record: This clan is a newly born race, birthed from Yin Xuanmu consuming Daughter Spring Water, all are females, each possesses divine powers, adept at conquest and slaughter... Due to special bloodline, should Yin Xuanmu perish or her path fade, backlash effects might cause the clan's bloodline to collapse, leading to mass extinction. One of the reasons Yin Xuanmu seeks a dao lineage successor is precisely to preserve the lives of all kittens in this clan.]
[Annotation One: Although Yin Xuanmu halfway coerced the Three Corpses Secret Method, her foundational dao skill remains of the Doumu Lineage, thus her perfect successor must also be of the Doumu Lineage, and non-direct lineage is unacceptable.]
[Annotation Two: Yin Xuanmu, Grandma Taizhen, along with hundreds of female immortals under Doumu were originally from 'One Drop of Innate Yin Qi Essence,' enlightened by Doumu Yuanjun, obtaining spiritual wisdom, achieving transformation.]
[Annotation Three: The kitten, born from Spirit Treasure Miao Qi and Innate Yin Qi, not only has a wonderful perfect form naturally, but also possesses a certain degree of blood affinity and suppression over all life birthed from Innate Yin Qi, which is also why Yin Xuanmu chooses her as the sole inheritor.]
Seeing these, the last shred of doubt vanished from Tao Qian's heart.
The confusion arising from his daughter's meow eliciting strange reactions from Grandma Taizhen and Yin Xuanmu also dissipated.
"My good girl's blessing and fortune seem better than her father's."
"No wonder she's my daughter."
Tao Qian boasted inwardly, while outwardly waving his hand to let them pass.
Instantly saw the thousands of Taiyin Cats, carrying various Xiu fish snacks and all kinds of immortal treasures, excitedly calling out, rushing towards the kitten.
Watching their excited demeanor, even without the mother's order from Yin Xuanmu, they would still have acted this way.
ps: I know it's a bit short, but this is the result of live coding, let's continue to work hard.