Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

The Handsome Youth walked towards the Vicious Cub.

”Ah!” Aiko suddenly realised who it was. ”It’s that peeping pervert!”

The Handsome Youth staggered and the peanut gallery was left speechless. They just heard that he was an Inscription Saint. It’s one of the most revered Ranks you could have. Yet this little girl would insult him in front of the crowd. They waited for her to be killed…

The Handsome Youth staggered. He softly glared at the smiling, mischievous little Fox. ”Who taught you that?”

Aiko smiled. ”You, weren’t you peeping at us when we were in our courtyard?” Aiko narrowed her eyes. Mei told her there was someone who was spying on them, but she was unable to figure out who. Aiko believed there was only one person that could possibly do that.

The peanut gallery gulped and slowly dispersed.

He coughed awkwardly. ”You were imagining things.”

”Was I?” Aiko tilted her head. ”You can just swear on Heaven and Earth that you didn’t.” Aiko giggled like a mischievous little Fox.

The peanut gallery had started running away, as even though they liked to watch a show, it was completely different when their lives were on the line!

He choked. ”So, how do you like that Inscription Carving Pen?” He elegantly changed the topic so he wouldn’t get embarrassed by this Fox.

Aiko smirked. ”Will you give me the Inscription Carving Pen if I tell you?” She was not done with her games.

”Sure, but only if you let me check your pulse.” He narrowed his eyes.

Now Aiko was the one who was completely stunned. Her mind blanked as she couldn’t comprehend what he just said.

”You will just give it to me?” She had so many question marks above her head.

He narrowed his eyes. Even though her Assassination Uniform concealed her arms well, it couldn’t completely hide the abnormalities. He wanted to know if he was right or not, since if he was right, it would complicate everything he was working towards.

”Yes.” He smiled suspiciously. The duo didn’t like him, especially the Blood Fox, since she knew him from the time they were visiting the Inscription Association.

”Hmmmm...” Aiko thought about it. This guy was a closet pervert, for sure. She would be in danger if he continued to spy on her, so maybe if she satisfied his interest... he would leave her alone?

”The handling is-” Aiko narrated her experience in great detail and praised the design.

He extended his hand. Aiko didn’t really want to give him her hand, but she really wanted this Inscription Carving Pen.

She extended her hand and his fingers slithered under her gloves.

Aiko shivered and frowned at him, but he was deep in thought.

He had an extremely unsightly expression the moment he saw her green skin. Injecting a bit of his Divine Sense with Qi into Aiko’s veins, he was able to find the sorry state her whole arm was in. What was even more concerning was the poison used, as he was familiar with this type of poison. He was currently hunting down the people who created and distributed this vile poison.

This poison was not simple. It would hinder the motor functions of the arm, crippling the Inscription Cultivators. They wouldn’t die from it, but their arm would never be able to wield an Inscription Pen again, which was as good as death for them.

The poison was very diluted, which surprised him. ’What did she do to cause this...?’ He didn’t understand, but what he understood was that because of this dilution, she was able to keep some sense in her arm. There was also a faint energy suppressing that poison, but he knew he shouldn’t ask about that.

”Let’s talk somewhere else.” He smiled gently at the team, but his eyes told them that it was not an invitation they could refuse.

”I want roasted meat.” Aiko immediately demanded food. She thought that since this guy was so wealthy, he wouldn’t mind giving her some high-quality food.

His lips twitched, but he didn’t refuse. ”Sure. Manager Du, please prepare a room for us.”

The Manager Du didn’t say anything and immediately ran away to prepare the room. He could not delay this and had to do his utmost to serve his master so he would excuse his rude behaviour and his employee’s conduct.

...

Aiko stared at him. ”How old are you?” She was really curious.

He staggered again and glared at the Vicious Cub.

Aiko shrugged and looked away.

He shook his head and led the way for the group.

”Please have a seat.” He pointed in front of him at the comfortable half-couch.

Aiko sat down, staring at him.

”What did you do to cause the poison to end up like that?” He turned serious and asked the Vicious Cub. This information was extremely important for his research in saving his people from this vicious poison.

”I took a Pill from my Mate.” Aiko shifted her body, she didn’t want to tell him the fact that she didn’t circulate the Pill inside her body.

He supported his chin with the top of his hands. He was deep in thought.

”What kind of Pill was it and was it created by Jade Fox?” He asked another question.

”I believe that was enough.” The Blood Fox stepped in, she didn’t like him.

The Handsome Youth stared at the Fox, but realised she was actually a Demonic Fox! His eyes widened as he didn’t believe what he just saw.

”I need that information.” He suppressed his curiosity and said flatly.

”We will naturally sell you that information.” The Blood Fox smiled like a fox.

He sighed. He was relieved that they would tell him and he had a lot of money, so there was no need to be stingy.

”You can state your price.” The Handsome Youth said readily.

”We need these Herbs.” The Blood Fox placed a small Jade Slip in front of him.

He browsed them and narrowed his eyes. He then glanced at the Vicious Cub.

”It is as you have guessed.” The Blood Fox said without a change in expression.

His body visibly stiffened. If he thought what the Passion Fox thought... that would mean these Herbs are necessary for the cure for the Poison.

”Can I get the prescription?” He asked.

”No.” The Blood Fox shook her head. ”You will have to negotiate with Jade Fox.” She dumped all those responsibilities on her.

Somewhere far away, a beautiful Fox sneezed and cursed silently.

”No problem. We don’t have all the Herbs, but we do have most of them. We will discuss the handover later.” He pushed the Jade Slip back towards the Passion Fox. ”We will also negotiate about the missing Herbs since I need the information.”

The Blood Fox nodded with a fox’s smile. ”It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

He scoffed at this cunning Fox. ”So, how did it turn into that?”

”I used this Pill.” Aiko said and placed a small Jade Bottle.

He touched those Pills. ”Pinnacle of Perfect Quality!” His eyes widened into lightbulbs. ’No wonder she was able to dilute that poison!’ He understood that the Jade Fox was very resourceful and doting.

”She also didn’t circulate the Pill.” The Blood Fox suddenly said.

”Hey!” Aiko yelled at her. ”You promised it was our secret!” Aiko felt wronged.

”She also slept right after taking it.” The Umbra Fox added.

”hey...” Aiko sobbed, her ears dropped low. ”you promised you wouldn’t tell...” She sniffled.

The Blood Fox felt bad looking at the completely crestfallen Aiko, meanwhile, the Umbra Fox was left dumbfounded. ’So she can also make those expressions...’ She was less and less terrified of this little cutie.

The Blood Fox soothed Aiko and played with her hair.

The Handsome Youth’s lips twitched and his inner thoughts almost leaked and caused disaster. ’It’s a good thing I didn’t say that even a child knows the basics and what to do with Pills...’ He wiped the non-existent sweat on his forehead.

The Food arrived. Aiko’s ears were still low, but they did twitch when she smelled the food.

Aiko picked up the nearby chopstick, but she used it as a spear and stabbed the roasted and well-cut meat.

*Munch*

She munched on it, still in her sorry state. The Handsome Youth suppressed a chuckle, seeing that comical display.

He coughed gently. ”Did anything else happen?” He already observed that energy, but that energy didn’t do anything to the poison other than stop it from spreading.

Aiko shook her head, since those rats had already told on her, she had nothing else to hide.

He chuckled at the Vicious Cub’s wronged expression and said. ”There is more meat, so eat well.” He glanced at the Passion Fox and she nodded at him.

They both left the room, leaving the Umbra Fox with Aiko.

The Umbra Fox didn’t know what to do, seeing the dejected Aiko. She was happy that the Passion Fox joined the team, since she was extremely caring about Aiko and did most things for her. The Umbra Fox was pretty much excluded from the group if it was not for her hunting skills.

The Umbra Fox sighed gently. She stared at the little Vicious Cub munching on food and wondered. ’Why was I so scared of her, to begin with...?’ She didn’t understand when she got so scared.

She found her cute and lovable at first, but once she heard the rumours, everything turned upside down. ’Why did I believe those rumours...?’ The Umbra Fox was not like that before, but suddenly she was? She couldn’t understand herself.

The Umbra Fox sneaked behind the Vicious Cub. Aiko was far from vicious and The Umbra Fox couldn’t wrap her head around that nickname.

’Just because she skewered a few assholes, she got that nickname...?’ She tilted her head, now that her mind was clear, something was not adding up.

’I will have to investigate more.’ She thought.

She didn’t realise that she was already playing with Aiko’s hair. Aiko’s hair was truly addicting when it came to the smoothness.

...

They returned. The Blood Fox was smiling happily, while the Handsome Youth looked like he lost his Soul.

”All Foxes are Demons in disguise...” He murmured quietly, but the team picked it up.

Aiko looked at the smiling Blood Fox and tilted her head. She wondered what the Blood Fox did to make that guy suffer so much.

The Blood Fox wanted to return to caressing Aiko’s head, but found an intruder on her turf.

The Umbra Fox could feel a piercing gaze on her and turned to the right. The Blood Fox was glaring at her hands that were caressing that smooth hair.

The Umbra Fox coughed awkwardly and stepped away. She was unaware of what her hands were doing till now.

The Blood Fox smiled happily as she was able to return to her rightful place and play with Aiko’s hair.

Aiko finished the food and stared at the duo. It was strange to see them go hand in hand, since the Umbra Fox was very reclusive when it came to interactions. Yet now it seemed that the Umbra Fox and Blood Fox got along well.

This was a relief for Aiko as she was worried they might fight like Mei with the Blood Fox, but it didn’t seem like that was the case. Less work for her was good and she was happy she got such a competent team... Although she would appreciate it if they didn’t caress her hair so much!

Aiko picked up a piece of bread and chomped on it.

She looked like a cute hamster to others.

”Anyway. How long will you be staying?” The Handsome Youth suddenly asked.

”I don’t know.” Aiko said.

”We will engrave your name on the Inscription Carving Pen so you can unite with it.” The Handsome Youth said.

”Aiko.” Aiko said.

The Handsome Youth smiled. ”Of course.” He wanted to use her nickname to tease her, but it would be bad if the Inscription Carving Pen was unwilling to pair with her because of that.

That thing cost him a whole fortune to obtain, so he had to handle it carefully.