Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Aiko spent most of her time researching and now it was time to pack up her things.

Everyone arrived in this place without too many hiccups. There were a few kidnappings on the Human side, while the Beast side was enjoying peace for the first time arriving here.

That meant that the road to the peak would open soon and all of them would have to race to the finish.

”I’m not sure if I understand this correctly.” Moon Aiko gazed at Mei. ”Why would I run to the peak when I would have to wait for others to arrive?”

”Every Sect is prideful about arriving at the peak first.” Mei explained briefly as they walked through the cave city.

”Don’t care, I will just walk.” Aiko was not in the mood to chase to the top, since then she would be bored. Right now, she would be able to do more research along the way, which would be a lot more desirable to her.

”I knew you would say that, but there might be some kind of penalty if we don’t do that.” Mei narrowed her eyes.

”Like what? Will they try to take our Spirit Stones, Treasures? And for what? Because we didn’t run up the mountain like a headless chicken?” Aiko rolled her eyes. Their group was attracting quite a lot of attention, especially the small Moon Aiko who was badmouthing them.

”They won’t take those things.” Mei shook her head.

”Unfortunate.” Moon Aiko clicked her tongue. She was working on a new type of pole and needed some test subjects to try them on.

”We might be disqualified if we don’t run?” Mei chuckled.

”I will get disqualified either way.” Aiko rolled her eyes.

”Why do you think that?” Mei blinked with amusement.

”I mean, if there was a Fox that used poles on their enemies’ rears, wouldn’t you try to disqualify her so that she couldn’t scar your disciples?” Aiko shook her head. Humans were stupid when it came to these things, so they would probably put some kind of blame on her to get rid of her.

The whole team paused. What Aiko said made a lot of sense. She might not socialise much, but that didn’t mean that other Foxes didn’t spread the rumours.

”I don’t really care if I take part in this thing or not, nothing will beat the training from you and Grandmaster.” Aiko took a bite from a strangely shaped fruit.

It looked like dragon fruit, but with the petals of a lotus.

”It’s sweet...” Aiko munched slowly.

”Will you seek Grandmaster for more training?” Mei raised her eyebrow.

”No, I like my research more.” Aiko shook her head.

”Then you should take part in this Tournament.” Mei narrowed her eyes.

”I’m telling you, they will disqualify me!” Aiko rolled her eyes again.

...

They kept bickering until they arrived at a huge arc door made out of stone.

The arc door was around 50 metres tall. They were also highly decorated with Runes and Inscriptions. Some were functional, while others weren’t.

’Another story.’ Aiko’s eyes shone.

”Attention!” A powerful voice spread throughout this place. It was the voice of Ming Qian.

Aiko glanced at him before turning back towards the doors. She was curious about the story, the story that it would tell.

Aiko ignored Ming Qian and his talk about the path towards the peak and focused on reading the Runes.

Once upon a time, there was a mountain range with three Heavenly Peaks.

Their Qi density could not be compared to the surroundings and as such every Sect contested between each other to earn the right to occupy those Heavenly Peaks.

This resulted in a long war over a prolonged period of time. There was not much Cultivation, since everyone was chasing the ’greener garden’.

One day a powerful Cultivator visited this place. Basking at the wonder of those Heavenly Peaks that had Qi density comparable to those Heavenly Grottos.

He meditated and divined what would happen to those Heavenly Treasures and to his shock... they would be destroyed by three brothers that would be envious of each other.

Angered by their stupidity-

”I will now be opening the Heavenly Door.” Old Ming proclaimed.

”No.” Aiko cried out. ”I was just getting to the good part you old geezer!” She was angered for the first time in a long time. ”Why does everyone like to cut these stories short!?” She stomped her small feet.

The Humans exchanged looks, like they were staring at some kind of mad Fox.

’’’At least she is hot...’’’ They all agreed on that part, but when the doors opened, everyone switched their attitude and rushed towards the Heavenly Peak.

Aiko stood still. She would not rush anywhere and wait until everyone left this place.

”You are not going at all?” Mei raised her eyebrows in surprise.

”I was just reading a story, when a certain someone had to open the doors.” Aiko clicked her tongue.

Mei chuckled. ”What kind of story does it tell?” She was a bit curious about this, since she was unable to read all the Runes.

”I wish I would know, as I said a certain someone interrupted me.” Moon Aiko glared at Old Ming, who coughed awkwardly.

’It’s just my job, stop staring at me like that.’ He avoided Aiko’s gaze, since he was uncomfortable.

...

Aiko waited until the place cleared up and ignored the strange gazes from Beast Elders.

She walked towards the left side of the door to continue this story...

Angered by their stupidity the powerhouse slashed the two mountains, only leaving one. The Qi density also thinned significantly. It could no longer compare to the Heavenly Grottos, but it was still a lot better than the surrounding Qi.

As such there would still be competition, but it would not be as cut-throat as before.

The Immortal sat down at the Heavenly Peak. Gazing at the vast plains, forests, and rivers.

There were not that many mountains, unlike on the other continents. This place would become the centrepiece of this continent.

After he erased those two mountains. The competition died down and everyone rushed to the last Heavenly Peak, to see what was wrong with it.

There they found Immortal meditating. Strange symbols were floating around him.

Laws!

Every single Sect Leader was shocked and immediately kowtowed.

Honouring the all-powerful Cultivators was a must. A lot of them had bad tempers and would kill for less.

The Immortal opened his-

”Vicious Cub, you should run towards the Peak or-” The Elder said in a somewhat threatening voice, but once Aiko pulled her prototype flag, which was well decorated with spikes and other features that would make it hard to pull out of one’s rear, he immediately shrunk back.

The other Beast Elders wondered what this was about, but seeing her threatening expression they chose to just gaze at her.

They were curious if that little Fox could really read the Runes on the doors.

Aiko didn’t take the pole back and kept going...

The Immortal opened his eyes. ”You have come.”

””We greet the esteemed Taoist.”” They all said in unison.

”Do not dwell on the other Peaks.” The Immortal suddenly said. ”They would be your downfall, as your greed knows no bounds.” He said slowly, focusing on them.

””We thank the esteemed Taoist.”” Yet all of them were angered. Everyone was chasing against the Heavens. Every opportunity was sought after and cherished. If one destroyed such opportunities, not only would they be despised, but also chased and killed.

However, those Cultivators were weak, but also foolish.

Everyone went back to their Sects and this was the beginning of the Golden Age.

An age where everyone Cultivated for one reason and one reason only. To kill the Immortal who dared to rob them of their opportunities.

This was a long period of mostly peace. There were some hiccups with the Foxes, Lesser Dragons and other beings, but everything was solved well, so the powerhouse kept meditating at the Heavenly Peak.

Years passed, but he was unable to make any progress. Comprehending Laws was a lot different from normal Cultivation, where you just had to meditate and wait in order to reach the top.

Comprehending Laws was an arduous journey that might end up fruitless, as your lifespan will most likely expire before you make it to the top.

The Immortal was aware of this, but he didn’t lose hope.

Year after year, decade after decade, he meditated.

Until those Sect Leaders returned.

They came back more powerful, not quite as powerful as the powerhouse, but they had quite large numbers.

All of them looked angry and upset.

”You have come again.” The Immortal looked at them closely. ”But your journey only starts now.” He was undisturbed by their emotions.

”Yes...” One Sect Leader and the most lavish-looking one said. ”We have waited for a long time.”

”We have been weak for a long time, unable to do anything against the scum who destroyed our Natural Treasures.” He kept going and the Immortal sighed.

”Stupid child.” The Immortal shook his head. ”This will only end up with destruction.

”Then so be it. We already lost 95% of the Qi on our continent thanks to your thoughtless and stupid interference.” The Sect Leader said and everyone nodded.

”Now it’s time for us to bless the Earth with your dead body.” He proclaimed as everyone drew their weapons.

The Immortal could only shake his head. There were many stupid beings that wished for Immortality, but these guys were the most stupid.

They stood up slowly. ”Then so be it. Let’s destroy this continent together.” The Immortal no longer concealed his presence, and everyone shivered.

They were all in the same Cultivation Stage, but the Immortal was backed by Laws, which were incomparably more powerful.

”Do not falter! We can defeat him if we work together, and then the Blessed Qi will return to us!” The Sect Leader shouted, but some Sect Leaders still ran away...

...

Aiko was sitting on a small, comfortable chair as she was telling the story.

Not just her team, but even the Elders sat around her, listening to the story.

Mei was surprised that there was a history that she didn’t know about, while certain Beast Elders narrowed their eyes, as if understanding why their lives were so difficult.

Aiko paused for a moment as one Beast Elder was distributing tea.

She took one and sipped to moisten her throat.

There were around 8 Elders around her listening, while the rest had already gone up the mountain before the Vicious Cub started to tell the story...