61 She Named Him Snowball!

The volcano became more ferocious by the second. Bai Qingyue shrank back into his cub form in preparation to greet Li Meirong. He distanced himself from the furthest edge possible in order to avoid the boiling liquid specks. He huddled into a ball, trying to hide from the scalding lava as much as possible.

It was uncertain how much power he had left in his meager little body. Unable to wield spiritual powers, reduced to a common animal but powerful enough to shapeshift in size and was able to speak to mortals. Does it not mean that he had become a spirit beast? A very low grade one at that.

This won't do. He can't bear to take back the spiritual powers he had given Li Meirong, but for him to cultivate to godhood now would take far too long! He needed to find someone strong and temporarily…"borrow" their accumulated cultivation.

His little bride had already made powerful enemies, he shouldn't stay a helpless fox and let her battle without him.

After losing his godly strength, Bai Qingyue had become susceptible to natural disasters, but there was simply no way he would descend the mountain on his own. After all, she was still here!

White fluffy ears drooped down as distressing thoughts swam through his mind.

What if something happened to her? She should have already risen out, what could have possibly held her back?!

Bai Qingyue, the most cold-hearted, detached sovereign lord under the heavens had become a furry ball of anxiety.

Instantaneously, his golden eyes were glued to the transpiring changes inside the sizzling volcano.

The liquid fire parted into two!

Between the separated waves of lava, levitated Li Meirong, surrounded by the blue foxfire and a nearly translucent, shimmering barrier emitting a soft light around her.

Thin, round eyebrows knitted in a frown as her eyes were shut tight in concentration, her long, dark hair floated around her jade-like skin and bright coloured robe, framing her feminine shape. Li Meirong's whole appearance glowed vibrantly and groomed spotlessly.

Bai Qingyue was awestruck. In all his life, he had never seen such a beautiful image. As though he witnessed a phoenix reborn from the fiery flames, the impression would be seared into his mind for eternity.

A feeling of relief soon flooded over Bai Qingyue. She was completely unharmed!

Li Meirong might have made a pretty picture, but her nerves were absolutely on edge. Practicing a shield is one thing, but putting your own life on the line made the situation truly unpleasant. When she managed to escape the lava, she decided upon a new rule.

From this moment on, avoid dangerous men and hide from trouble!

Li Meirong opened her eyes the moment her soft leather shoes touched the ground. She had no time to focus before a small round shadow bounced over, straight into her arms.

"Snowball!" Li Meirong cried out. Her vision sharpened and noticed the white-furred baby fox she found in the forest before. Snowball grasped her waist intensely with both of his small, fluffy paws, holding onto her for dear life.

Li Meirong lifted him up and encircled him in a tight embrace. She wasn't certain what had happened to him after she fell into the lava, he was left to deal with Sheng Jing Wu and stayed in this dangerous location. She figured Snowball would have either ran away or had gotten himself killed by the demonic cultivator. Seeing him safe and sound made her feel as though they battled the storm and managed to survive the calamity.

Bai Qingyue snuggled comfortably in her arms.

Feeling her warmth against his, his heart finally felt at peace. He couldn't help but think of how all his choices were totally worth this moment.

But...what is this "Snowball" she's talking about?

As if to emphasize his thoughts, Li Meirong reassured herself verbally, ruffling his fur while walking with the fox in her arms to the edge of the mountain in preparation to climb down, "I'm so glad you're safe, little Snowball."

W-who are you calling little Snowball?! This woman can't be serious!

A sudden fear gripped Bai Qingyue.

Don't tell me she named the sovereign lord, celestial Fox God governing an entire heavenly realm-

"Snowball, be careful now." Bai Qingyue's dreaded thoughts got cut off as Li Meirong's sweet voice called him once again, confirming his suspicions.

She placed him on her back before she bent and climbed down the rocky mountain.

What could Bai Qingyue possibly do? It's not as though he would kill his own wife for her insolence.

Still, she named him Snowball!

He mustn't let anyone else find out!

Pouting the whole way down, Bai Qingyue didn't fail to notice that Li Meirong's aura has grown stronger. She finally took control of the powers he invested in her. Now, he had to simply find a way to care of his own cultivation and bring her back to his palace.

After reaching the bottom, Li Meirong hastily retraced her steps towards the forest. A few hours likely passed, it must have been sometime during the middle of the night by now. She hoped Sheng Jing Wu thought she was dead and would bother her no more.

The further they went from Fire Mountain, the chillier it became. A thick fog made it even harder to see further. It was even darker and more frightening in the forest at night. The only sound made was of Li Meirong's footsteps as she walked. She wished to reach the safety of her wooden cabin already. She felt scared of bringing trouble to herself, but it was impossible to see! Li Meirong concentrated her inner energy on her fingertips and summoned a bright blue flame to light their path.

Meanwhile, knowing now that Snowball was not a simple fox, she felt the need to discuss a few subjects. She grabbed the fox cub from her back and hugged him against her chest. His golden eyes gazed at her adorably.

"Little Snowball, are you a spirit beast?" Li Meirong asked curiously, gently easing into the conversation.

There were a lot of spirit beasts in this forest, she wouldn't be surprised if he was one. It would also explain how he could change his shape at will, like Chou did.

"...A spirit beast." I'm a god, d*mnit.

"The evil cultivator you tackled before, what happened to him?" This was what Li Meirong wanted to know the most, her breathing got quicker, agitated by Snowball's upcoming response.

Snowball's answer grew thick with disdain, "Hm. He scurried away, the vermin." But I'll take care of him soon enough.

Li Meirong giggled lightly at his response. She hadn't expected such a lordly and domineering answer from a baby fox.

"That's good, really good! I'll take you to my place, little Snowball. I don't have much, but I should be able to treat your wounds. Everything that happened was my fault and you got dragged into my mess. I'm really sorry about that." Li Meirong sincerely apologized. By now, she was already used to communicating with animals the same manner she did with humans. It didn't matter if they were spirits or demons, they needed to be treated with the same amount of respect as everyone else.

"Your troubles are my troubles." The fox cub curtly replied.

Bai Qingyue lifted himself higher to reach her cheek before he stuck out his tiny pink tongue and gave her a "reassuring" lick.

Silly woman, there is no need for apologies between husband and wife.

Li Meirong held a hand to her cheek where she just felt Snowball's wet tongue, the sensation made her slightly embarrassed.

Awkwardly, she asked the next question, "W-why did you call yourself my husband?"