Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Waking up she skimmed through the Jade Slip. She was bothered by the incomplete story every time and wanted to destroy the Jade, but the Runes inside were too precious and she soon calmed down.

It was easy to see her being engrossed and the Blood Fox glanced at Jade Fox.

”Don’t ask.” Mei didn’t have any expression as she was preparing Herbs for Refining.

”I didn’t say anything.” The Blood Fox frowned. ’Can she read minds?’ She was curious, but not curious enough that she would abandon her pride.

The Blood Fox tried to battle with some Human Cultivators on the other side of this place, but...

’They are pitifully weak...’ That was the first impression, of the Blood Fox.

She couldn’t match the might of the Elders, but as long as it was not an Elder, she pretty much crushed them.

”Take care of her, when I’m Refining or not around.” Mei said towards the Blood Fox.

Blood Fox narrowed her eyes. ”Why should I?”

”Don’t pretend, I know that you are using her to suppress your own Bloodline.” Mei snorted towards that thing. ’You are thousands of years too early to play with me.’

Blood Fox pursed her lips. She didn’t think others would notice her dependence on the little Cub and that was the case. The only person who realized that was Mei, others thought that Jade Fox threatened Blood Fox and that was why she was staying in their courtyard.

It was also one of the reasons why male Foxes didn’t storm this courtyard. They still believed that there was nothing between them and that they could obtain the Blood Fox with a little bit of effort.

Aiko left her room, wanting to go out, but was stopped by Jade Fox.

”What is it?” Aiko asked.

”Did you forget that today is the day you are taking the test?” Mei asked with narrowed eyes.

”Oh... oh?” Aiko blinked and then blinked at Mei. ”What?”

”You have slept for 2 days, you must’ve been exhausted.” Mei smirked.

Aiko’s cute face distorted, but that didn’t lessen her cuteness. She was upset that she wasn’t allowed to leave and explore the Human side.

She was under the impression that if she went there she would be able to find more treasures.

”I can’t go?” Aiko asked gently.

”You can’t go.” Mei was firm.

”Why can’t I go.” Aiko asked again pouting.

”Because you need to take the test.” Mei answered gently while hiding her smile.

”Do I have to?” Aiko suddenly felt like she didn’t want to take the test.

”You have to.” Mei smiled widely. ”If you want to sell your Inscription for a higher price you need the card you will get after the test.”

”Card?” Aiko tilted her head.

”When it comes to Alchemy there are internal tests, but since Humans came with the idea of Runes, they are the only ones that can issue Runic Cards. They tell the buyers your skill, which makes them feel safer and more inclined to spend their money.” Mei gently explained.

”Oh...” Aiko was deep in thought. ”Do I have to take all the tests?” She remembered their faces when they spoke about Runes and how many she was able to connect.

”No. I already solved that for you, you will be going for the [Inscription Master]!” Mei said proudly.

”Is that good?” Aiko didn’t know about the Ranks of Inscription Cultivators, so she asked Curiously.

”It’s a 3rd Grade.” Mei smiled.

”You start with [Inscription Apprentice], [Inscription Adept], [Inscription Master], [Inscription King], [Inscription Emperor], [Inscription Ancestor], [Inscription Venerate], [Inscription Saint] and lastly [Inscription Sovereign]” Mei said in one breath.

Aiko was startled at the different names but listened carefully.

”Where are you?” Aiko asked curiously.

”[Inscription Ancestor]” Mei said lightly. ”I have never been all that keen about advancing, I liked Arrays much more. It was bothersome to spend days carving into tough metal, my hands hurt and my fingers were numb, it was bad for my soft skin.” Mei laughed seeing the disapproving expression from Aiko.

”So~” Mei touched Aiko’s nose. ”You should wait and get that card and earn a lot of benefits~”

Aiko pouted. ”Fine! But we will be having a duel!” Aiko didn’t believe there would be that much difference since this mean Fox didn’t practise it properly.

”That is fine.” Mei smiled licking her lips. She wondered what kind of excitement Aiko could bring her.

”My Beast Core is almost empty.” Aiko said gently.

Mei’s brows twitched a few times. ”You really are insatiable...” She lamented.

Aiko snorted but didn’t say anything.

”Do you want my help?” Mei smiled softly.

Aiko paused. She had now 2 Beast Cores and she didn’t know what to do with them if the extraction of the Spiritual Energy would be the same or not.

Aiko glanced left and right. Not feeling anyone else than Mei and Blood Fox she tiptoed closer.

Mei was puzzled, but brewed near Aiko.

”How do I extract Energy from Beast Cores if I have 2 Beast Cores?” Aiko asked gently.

Mei smiled. ”That is very simple-” Her brain then processed what she just heard.

*”WHAT?!”*

The entire Wing shook and the Elders were startled. She looked towards the Inner Courtyard, but there still was that stinky barrier that didn’t let them inside so they went back to meditate.

Mei was grabbing Aiko staring at her in disbelief.

Aiko was startled and fearful, she didn’t want to experience that pain again.

Mei spotted those anxious emotions and forcibly calmed herself down.

Mei massaged her temples and set up Obstruction Formation and Silence Formation.

She then took her time to calm down. The Formations were within Array so there was no need to worry about their stability.

Once she calmed down she looked at Aiko.

”2 Beast Cores?” Mei asked again, but this time with noticeable worry in her voice.

Aiko nodded, she was concerned if that was bad or not and didn’t know if she should say it. She did already say it, but it still should be possible to make up a lie.

She chose not to and answered truthfully. ”During my Evolution, I needed a counterbalance for my dark affinity. I didn’t have good Evolution options so I chose the Moon Fox and things happened...” Aiko shyly looked away.

Mei had a tired expression. She felt like she had lived too long and should go rest somewhere peaceful.

Mei stared at Aiko tiredly. ”You have 2 Beast Cores?”

Aiko nodded.

”You have 2 Bloodlines?”

Aiko shook her head.

”You have more?!” Mei was shocked, but this time she recovered much more quickly. ”Of course, you have more... what are those? So I know what I should give you.” Mei sighed resigned her fate.

Aiko nodded. ”[Shadow Fiend Fox], [Dream Beast Kitsune], [Moon Goddess Kitsune]” Aiko shared her Bloodlines.

*Crash*

They looked behind them. There was Blood Fox sprawled on the floor looking at Aiko speechlessly.

Mei frowned. ”If you tell anyone what you just heard I will torture your Soul for all Eternity!” Mei threatened.

The Blood Fox wasn’t scared. ”No way will I rat out my calming-pack.” The Blood Fox stuck out her tongue.

Mei wanted to slap this shameless thing to death but held herself back as there was something more important to cover.

”[Moon Goddess Kitsune]?” Mei asked if she heard correctly.

Aiko nodded.

”[Dream Beast Kitsune]?” Mei asked feeling her headache worsening and future troubles/problems increasing.

Aiko nodded. Mei felt like she was being crushed by a mountain with the name ’responsibilities’.

”Moon Goddess Kitsune is the element of Light, Earth and Stars. So you will be consuming those Cores the most. Moon Beast Cores are incredibly rare and difficult to obtain, so you will have to do.”

”For Dream Beast Kitsune you have more options. Soul, Dream, Illusion and Neutral.” Mei counted. ”Illusions are the easiest to get as we are the Foxes, so I will go after those for you,” Mei said gently. ”Neutral is fine, but I’m not sure how your Beast Cores will cope with it, so we will first go for the elemental ones.” Mei explained.

”Your Second Beast Core isn’t a dump Core, right?” Mei asked concerned. From the moment she saw Aiko’s fear about having her Beast Core probed she didn’t do anything, but it was important for her to make sure that her Second Beast Core wasn’t just collecting all the filth.

”Dump Core?” Aiko asked.

”Core that is used to gather all impurities.” Mei responded simply.

Aiko shook her head. ”They are in harmony.”

Mei was processing those words and stared blankly at Aiko. ”They are in harmony?” She didn’t believe her ears.

Aiko took a step back and nodded. ”Yeah.” She mumbled.

Mei was aware of Aiko’s concern and fear and didn’t try to drag her back.

She wouldn’t allow her to leave until they solved everything about her Beast Cores, as those things are important for growth.

’If that old geezer refuses to admit her to the tests for being late, then I will just beat him until he is black and blue.’ Mei snorted and one Elder somewhere far away shivered in fright.

Mei waited until Aiko was a bit more comfortable and less fearful.

”Will you let me have a look at your body?” Mei spoke gently, but she noticed that Aiko’s hair was standing upright.

Aiko was stiff and her voice wouldn’t come out. She didn’t want to experience that pain again.

Mei wrapped her hands around Aiko and felt that she twitched, the feeling of fear was oozing from her.

”I won’t hurt you.” Mei said gently.

Aiko didn’t believe that. The last time she passed out from the pain, she didn’t believe that this time it would be any different.

”It was a mistake last time, now I’m more powerful and you won’t even notice it.” Mei said gently trying to soothe Aiko.

Aiko snorted not believing this stinky Fox.

”If it hurts you even a little bit I will cater to your needs until we part our ways.” Mei compromised, she really needed to know the conditions and how her Beast Cores worked.

”Personal servant?” Aiko narrowed her eyes and Mei stiffened.

Her lips twitched. ’Who would dare to make me into a servant!’

”Okay.” Aiko agreed, that if this stinky Fox served her until they part that meant she would be able to sleep on her and eat plenty of yummy things.

’Can I take it back?’ Mei was questioning her choices and why she was so nice to this little one. Sure her Beast Core was a mess because of her, but she couldn’t understand why she wanted to tie herself to this little fluffball.

Aiko stared at her with her eyes observing and Mei felt a tinge of fear.

Aiko’s eyes didn’t hold any emotions and something flickered inside them, but before it could come to life, Mei flicked Aiko’s forehead.

”Don’t use your Divine Abilities willy nilly.” Mei had sweaty paws. That feeling of being watched and getting stripped naked... she felt that only once and that being was extremely oppressive, it was a good thing she was on its good side, otherwise she would have ended up in his belly.