Yun Sheng is forced to agree to Elder Liu's terms to save Bo Bo and Little Yingying from the Witch Gu Talismans. She agrees to participate in the Holy Daughter selection for Fengdu in exchange for the antidote. After obtaining a portion of the antidote and leaving the devastated Liu Residence, Yun Sheng is approached by Lu Yunshuang, who claims she can help Yun Sheng become the Heavenly Fox Saintess.
"You are acquainted with the former Heavenly Fox Saintess?" Yun Sheng couldn't help but examine Lu Yunshuang more closely after her explanation.
Lu Yunshuang, hailing from the Ice Fox Clan, lived up to her name, maintaining a perpetually cold and distant demeanor towards everyone.
"I do not know her personally, only having heard tales. Were she not the Heavenly Fox Saintess, her life might have been far more joyful," she replied.
"Indeed, if she were of the Human Clan or born on another continent, matters would surely be different," Yun Sheng mused with a sigh.
Her thoughts drifted to herself and Hu Sheng's mother, both hatched from a Beast Blood Cloud. She wondered if their mothers had switched places back then, would her and Hu Sheng's destinies have also taken a different course?
However, in this world, such 'what ifs' were never truly helpful.
"I have no desire to be any Saintess. My sole condition for assisting you is that, once everything is concluded, you must help me transform my Ice Fox constitution," Lu Yunshuang stated, casting a curious glance at Yun Sheng, who had suddenly become so introspective.
The matter of Elder Liu and his grandson capturing Bo Bo and Little Yingying was not unknown to Lu Yunshuang.
She had initially expected Yun Sheng to yield to Elder Liu's coercion, but to her surprise, Yun Sheng, in a surge of fury, obliterated the Liu Residence.
This act caused Lu Yunshuang to reassess Yun Sheng entirely. Within the entirety of the Sky Fox Tribe Country, few possessed the sheer audacity that Yun Sheng displayed.
This revelation solidified Lu Yunshuang's existing suspicions.
The day she witnessed Yun Sheng effortlessly dissipate Qin Yue's freezing affliction with mere needles, Lu Yunshuang had resolved to seek an opportunity to inquire about Yun Sheng's ability to assist her.
Should Yun Sheng be able to help her, Lu Yunshuang, in turn, could aid Yun Sheng in overcoming any rivals during the upcoming selection for the Heavenly Fox Candidate Saintess, ensuring her victory.
As for Fengdu or not, it held no significance for Lu Yunshuang.
The Ice Fox Clan had always resided on the periphery of the Sky Fox Tribe Country, and for countless years, the wider nation had shown little regard for their existence.
Lu Yunshuang's agreement to represent Fengdu in this competition stemmed from a past favor owed to Elder Liu.
Yet, no amount of wealth could outweigh the importance of improving her Ice Fox constitution.
"Improve your constitution? You mean altering the very nature that causes you to freeze anyone you touch?" Yun Sheng questioned, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes. Despite treating numerous patients, she had never encountered the concept of altering inherent constitutions. Furthermore, the Ice Fox constitution was a formidable innate advantage for Lu Yunshuang; why would she seek to change it?
"I... I have a childhood sweetheart; he is from the Human Clan," Lu Yunshuang confessed, a rare blush painting her cheeks.
This subtle shyness lent an unexpected allure to her typically icy visage.
The Ice Fox Tribe's encampment, where Lu Yunshuang resided, shared a border with the Human Clan's territory.
She had spent much of her formative years amongst the humans.
It was there she met a human martial artist. Mutual admiration blossomed between them, but Lu Yunshuang's unique constitution presented an insurmountable barrier to their union.
On several occasions, the man had suffered frostbite due to accidental contact with Lu Yunshuang.
Consequently, his family and friends vehemently opposed his relationship with her.
"We can't even share the simplest of intimate gestures...
Though he professes indifference, I cannot bear it. I've heard that the Great Witch Doctor of the Sky Fox Tribe possesses unparalleled medical expertise, and I wish for her to aid me in altering my constitution," Lu Yunshuang sighed.
She yearned to spare her beloved further suffering.
Initially, she had accepted Elder Liu's offer to represent Fengdu because Elder Liu maintained connections with the Great Witch Doctor.
Through Elder Liu's introduction, she had indeed met the renowned healer.
However, after a thorough examination of Lu Yunshuang's condition, the Great Witch Doctor had regretfully informed her that even her profound skills were insufficient to alter the intrinsic nature of the Ice Fox Clan's constitution.
Upon hearing this devastating news, Lu Yunshuang was plunged into despair. Her plan had been to return to the Ice Fox Tribe and end her relationship with her lover following the Heavenly Fox Saintess selection.
But then, Yun Sheng had emerged.
Despite remaining unaware of Yun Sheng's origins, the astonishing proficiency displayed in her acupuncture techniques offered Lu Yunshuang a glimmer of hope amidst her profound sadness.
"I understand. My acupuncture can resolve many complex ailments, but I have never attempted to alter a constitution before," Yun Sheng admitted, unable to offer a definitive promise of success. However, the depth of Lu Yunshuang's devotion to the human man resonated deeply with Yun Sheng, evoking memories of her own feelings for Ye Huli.
When considered closely, their predicaments bore a striking resemblance. Ye Huli and she were kept apart by the ancient curse of the Kirin Clan, while Lu Yunshuang faced the obstacle of her unique constitution.
"Just give it a try. If you can't succeed, I won't hold it against you." A flicker of joy graced Lu Yunshuang's features upon seeing Yun Sheng nod in agreement.
"Also, you mentioned the Great Witch Doctor. Are you absolutely certain that those dark talisman papers adorning Bo Bo and Yingying were crafted by the Great Witch Doctor herself?" Ever since Yun Sheng set foot on the Bahuang Continent, whispers and rumors had been a constant presence.
On this continent, physicians were confined to treating merely the most rudimentary of ailments, with the populace divided into ordinary doctors and the more revered witch doctors.
The standing of witch doctors far surpassed that of regular physicians.
Particularly within the Sky Fox Tribe Country, witch doctors commanded a prestige comparable to that of the Clan Leader and the Saintess.
Indeed, historical accounts once referred to the Heavenly Fox Clan Leader, the Great Witch Doctor, the Elder Council, and the Heavenly Fox Saintess as the four pillars of the Sky Fox Tribe.
It was only due to the previous Heavenly Fox Saintess, Hu Sheng, being unable to grasp Magic that the position of the Heavenly Fox Saintess saw a precipitous decline in influence within the Sky Fox Tribe Country.
Currently, a tripartite power structure comprised of the Clan Leader, the Great Witch Doctor, and the Elder Council forms the true governing body of the Sky Fox Tribe.
Lu Yunshuang herself had, during a consultation with the Great Witch Doctor, chanced upon seeing that particular type of dark talisman once, which enabled her to recognize it instantly.
"I am positive; that dark talisman is the Great Witch Doctor’s signature witchcraft. As for these potent potions, they were likely concocted by the Great Witch Doctor as well. However, you should probably abandon any notion of acquiring the antidote from the Great Witch Doctor. She is recognized as one of the most formidable and enigmatic figures in the entirety of the Sky Fox Tribe. Rumor even suggests her power is on par with that of the First Priest of the Beast God Altar," Lu Yunshuang, known for her keen perception, cast a cautionary glance toward Yun Sheng.
Despite having met Yun Sheng only once, Lu Yunshuang discerned a person who held deep affections for her companions, hence her apprehension that Yun Sheng might disregard the warning.
It is precisely due to the Great Witch Doctor’s formidable presence that the comparatively weaker Sky Fox Tribe Country has managed to preserve its standing amongst the Eight Desolate Beast Clans.
It is said the former Heavenly Fox Saintess earned her appointment through the Great Witch Doctor’s endorsement, a testament to the immense status the Great Witch Doctor enjoys within the Sky Fox Tribe Country.
"Regardless of the obstacles, I am determined to seize this opportunity presented by the Heavenly Fox Candidate Saintess selection to meet the Great Witch Doctor," Yun Sheng declared, her gaze fixed on Bo Bo and Little Yingying, her brows furrowed in concentration.
