I spoke my thoughts aloud.
I wasn't pretending to be a delicate, innocent girl.
Anyway, it was the Rootless Old Mother herself who said she owed me a favor.
It would be foolish not to accept it.
After listening to me, the Rootless Old Mother's expression didn't change much; she simply nodded calmly.
She didn't inquire about the curse on my body or anything else.
She muttered to herself, "Three days, Blackwater Mountain?
That's acceptable!
The Old Demon will handle this."
Hearing this, my heart leaped with joy.
What kind of existence was the Rootless Old Mother?
She was a supreme great demon who ruled over a region's rat tribe, her power unfathomably profound.
With her promise, my chances of obtaining the Soul Stone had increased.
I clasped my fists in surprise and gratitude, speaking to the Rootless Old Mother, "Thank you, Old Mother."
"Heh heh heh, it's my pleasure. You helped the Old Demon retrieve her tail, so the Old Demon will help you get the Soul Stone.
Alright, the Old Demon is leaving.
Young man, we'll meet again."
The Old Mother's voice was very gentle, carrying the steady tone of a middle-aged woman.
I didn't say anything further, but instead bowed to Auntie Shu Gui Fang.
Auntie Shu closed her eyes, and her body trembled.
Immediately after, a ball of energy dispersed from Auntie Shu Gui Fang's body.
When Auntie Shu opened her eyes again, they were no longer green.
They had returned to their original color.
"Auntie!"
I called out.
Auntie Shu suddenly smiled, "Little Qin! You managed to invite the Old Mother; your fortune is truly deep!"
I chuckled twice, "I had no choice!"
Auntie Shu also sighed, "The first time I saw you, I knew you were borrowing lifespan to extend your life.
Now, you're still struggling to survive.
Little Qin! Your life is indeed fraught with trials and tribulations."
I smiled, remaining silent.
I vaguely recalled the time I first went to Rose Supermarket to buy eggs.
It had been a year already.
A year wasn't a long time, but it wasn't short either.
A year ago, I struggled to survive; a year later, I was still struggling to survive.
Seeing my silence, Auntie Shu once again picked up her large rat "child" and spoke to me, "Little Qin, I'll be going back now.
Regarding the Soul Stone, the Old Mother has agreed.
My Rootless Cave Grey Clan will naturally assist with all our might."
"Thank you, Auntie Shu!"
I cupped my fists.
Auntie Shu hummed in acknowledgment, nodded slightly, and then turned to leave.
I didn't linger.
Turning around, I walked out of the mist.
Rose Supermarket, where Auntie Shu resided, was likely a place similar to a spiritual phantom realm.
Either it was protected by a formation or it was a separate dimension.
This allowed Rose Supermarket to exist in its own secluded corner.
Only ghosts and people in our line of work could find it.
Even the cemetery staff were unaware of Rose Supermarket's existence.
I followed the mist outwards and soon emerged.
Looking back, the mist had vanished.
It was just an ordinary cemetery path.
I didn't linger and headed directly towards my master's tombstone.
Upon arrival, my junior uncle, Aunt Yunxia, Old Mo, Xia Qiu Xi, and Xiao Mei were all there.
Aunt Yunxia's emotions had also stabilized.
Seeing me return, Old Mo waved, "How was it? Did you repay the favor?"
"I did, and I also asked the Rootless Old Mother for a favor."
I spoke as I walked.
"Hmm, you asked that old demon for a favor? What favor?"
My junior uncle, having had some wine, asked.
Aunt Yunxia and the others also looked at me.
Without hesitation, I recounted the process of returning the Nine-Section Whip.
And how the Rootless Old Mother said she owed me a favor.
I then proposed that she help me obtain the Soul Gem.
Upon hearing this, my junior uncle slapped my shoulder heartily, "That's fantastic! It's the Rootless Cave Old Mother.
When your master and I were studying under your grand-master, we had already heard of this old demon's fearsome reputation.
If she's willing to act, our chances of success have increased significantly!"
As soon as my junior uncle finished speaking, Aunt Yunxia, standing beside him, her eyes red, added, "That's right. The Rootless Cave faction is considered quite powerful among the demon tribes.
With the Rootless Old Mother's promise, obtaining the Soul Stone this time should be much easier."
Hearing both my junior uncle and Aunt Yunxia speak, I also let out a sigh of relief.
My confidence grew.
However, at this moment, Xiao Mei spoke up, "Qin Ze, such a significant matter.
Why didn't you tell me? Why did you have to ask that big rat for help?
My grandmother is Hu San Tai Nai.
Our fox clan is no weaker than the Rootless Cave.
If I had asked, my grandmother would have certainly helped you."
Everyone at this heard this turned to look at Xiao Mei.
Indeed.
Xiao Mei was the granddaughter of Hu San Tai Nai.
The fox clan, under Hu San Tai Nai's command, was also a very powerful force.
Before I could speak, my junior uncle interjected, "Xiao Mei, if Hu San Tai Nai could help save Little Qin, that would be wonderful.
If Hu San Tai Nai or the fox clan is willing to act, for the next ten years, our two shops will pay tribute to the fox clan annually."
My junior uncle had made the decision for me.
After all, it was the fox clan, Hu San Tai Nai.
What was Hu San Tai Nai's cultivation?
A thousand-year-old great demon, her power likely on par with the Rootless Old Mother.
Xiao Mei nodded, "Okay! Then I'll go back and tell Grandmother now."
Xiao Mei was also a person of action.
As soon as she finished speaking, she transformed into a white fox.
With a flash, she darted towards the back mountain of Southern Mountain Cemetery...