Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Mei finished drawing the Array, most Elders could not understand how she was able to perform such an elaborate and difficult Array without paying all that much attention.

They noticed that the Jade Fox was quite attentive towards the little Fox who was currently trying to haggle with them about the prizes.

’’What do we do about them?’’ The Elders wondered. They already were caught in this trap, but saying it out loud would bring backlash from everyone else.

Another thing they have to watch out for is their fame. They never backed out from any Tournament or duel, yet this one was much more destructive than they expected.

They could only hope that their Disciples wouldn’t take this bait, but...

”Let’s go, everyone! Let’s show those filthy Beasts how to make Pills!” One Saint in particular was very upset with the little Fox.

His Saintess was too enamoured by the little Fox. She no longer paid any attention to him, not even a glance.

’Just when I obtained that poison, everything went to shit because of that whore!’ The Saint glared at the little Fox.

He completely ignored the fact that the Vicious Cub already disposed of 2 Saints, and now this would make the 3rd one.

While Aiko would not take a step forward this time, she did orchestrate this thing, allowing Mei to take the reins and finish the scam.

Aiko gave Mei a discreet thumbs-up with a gleeful smile. It seemed like they understood each other’s intention and they both giggled.

”I’m Jade Fox from the Fox Village. If anyone wants to challenge me in Pill Refining...” Everyone expected that the Jade Fox was gentle, but... ”Don’t forget to bring enough resources to match the prize, you are not really worth my time to fight for free.”

While her tongue was not as poisonous as the Vicious Cub’s, it was still enraging when a Beast looked down on them.

That Beast was even a Fox! They were known for being lustful whores.

The Disciples couldn’t take it and they charged forward.

’1, 2, 5, 12, 33...’ Aiko counted inside her head. She was taken aback at how many of them wanted to challenge Mei.

’Oi, oi, oi!’ Aiko’s eyes widened. There were 70 challengers at once trying to go against Mei.

’I did intend to scam them, but doesn’t this look a bit too destructive??’ Aiko was concerned she wouldn’t be able to scam them in the future. It would be bad if her piggyback was broken like this!

Aiko glanced at Mei, but she was just counting the resources and Treasures she would obtain. ’Is this... really alright?’ She glanced towards the Blood Fox, which was known for her quick wit and haggling.

’The ’okay hand’?’ Aiko blinked blankly. ’This was really alright?’ She was confused, but since the Blood Fox didn’t mind this...

’To hell with it!’ Moon Aiko finally couldn’t wrap her head around this, since the piggy would be broken by a firm fist, but what could she do? Since she riled them up already, it would be difficult to dampen their spirit.

Aiko glanced at the Human Elders, but all that she could see were their pained expressions and frowning faces.

’So they do feel the loss of resources.’ Aiko sighed and ruffled her hair. Until now the Elders were quite stoic and dignified, but now they were like any normal ’adult’ concerned about their finances.

’I will just watch.’ Aiko sat down next to the referee. Now there were 5 of them, 1 from Beasts and 4 from major Sects.

”Everything alright?” Aiko asked them with a concerned expression.

”I didn’t think you were sensible.” The first referee who oversaw the duels blinked at the little Fox.

”Sorry...” Aiko groaned. ”I didn’t think they would have such an unstable mind.” She was genuinely sorry since the piggy would be broken.

The Elders misunderstood what she was saying and were touched.

”It’s fine. They have to learn to keep their emotions in check and grow as a Cultivator.” Another referee chuckled. He was in a better mood now that the little Fox apologised.

”This will be a mess.” Aiko groaned again.

”But a quick and clean one. There is a prize and there is a goal.” Another referee joined. ”Since everything is clear if they can’t grow, then they are not suited for Cultivation.

”That’s so easy for you to say, but they are just kids.” Aiko sighed.

”...” The Elders didn’t know what to say to that, so they chose to be quiet and prepare for all the tests...

...

”The first Pill you will be creating is the Warming Pill. Everyone knows their uses from the Secret Realm, so I won’t touch upon it.” One referee said. ”You will gather the Herbs from that pile and create the best possible Pill you can!” He declared the start of the ’duel’.

Aiko observed Mei, who was not really rushing.

’With all the advantages Mei has... those poor guys.’ Aiko shook her head.

”Don’t worry, they are forbidden to harm each other.” One referee thought that the Vicious Cub might be concerned about the Jade Fox, so he was trying to soothe her nerves. He was also one of those who stayed behind and listened to the story.

”Thank god...” Aiko sighed. ’If that wasn’t the case, there would be bloody slaughter.’

’’God? Does she believe in those things?’’ The referee found it peculiar, but the Vicious Cub was quite the odd one, so it was not impossible she believed in such things.

”How long will it take?” Aiko tilted her head, while she was looking forward to everyone refining... She also didn’t want to spend too much time on it.

”The Warming Pill is quite easy, so it should take around 8 hours.” One Elder said, overhearing their conversation.

”8 hours...” Aiko frowned. ’Isn’t that a bit too long?’ She was so used to observing Mei using the new Technique that they came up with that she was unaware that 8 hours was a reasonable time for an average Cultivator.

’Since Mei will be finished in 2 hours... no, maybe sooner. It shouldn’t take that long for others, right?’ Her sense of speed was so distorted by Mei that she didn’t believe it would take that long.

”All we do is to observe?” Aiko asked them.

”Yes, Alchemy is a very precise profession, just breathe less or more and the whole thing could blow up.” One referee nodded.

Aiko nodded. She had her own troubles with that.

”H-Heavenly Light-Water!” One Elder stuttered when he saw the Jade Fox using that precious water to wash the Herbs.

’I suppose Mei kept some for experiments?’ Aiko tilted her head. She probably forgot that Mei kept some, but that was not a bad thing.

’She is attracting attention to her, so even if I show my water, it would not be surprising.’ Moon Aiko clicked her tongue. Mei was burdening herself too much.

Aiko observed the Pill Refining process, each student did it slightly differently, but the basics were the same.

Quite a few failed them since...

”There are Herbs that look the same mixed into the pile, right?” Aiko had already experienced this feeling, so she was aware that such Herbs existed.

”Correct. Only those who can identify the proper Herbs can move onto Pill Refining...” The referee narrowed his eyes. ”Coincidentally, the Jade Fox also didn’t choose the right Herbs.” He smiled with glee. This referee was against the Vicious Cub, since he couldn’t understand why so many people favoured her.

”Hmmmm... It seems like she will make it difficult for you guys.” Aiko kicked her legs inattentively.

The referees were confused, but they noticed that Mei was placing and refining the Herbs in a different order.

’She also chose lower grade Herbs and only one high-grade Herb.’ They were confused and only the Peak Elder of the Alchemy Peak from South understood it.

”She is creating a Superior Warming Pill with different resources. As for its efficacy...” She paused. ”It’s questionable, so we will have to test it.”

Aiko glanced at her. ’At least some can still use their eyes to observe the situation.’ Aiko was happy.

”But I don’t understand how she is counting her breaths. It’s all over the place.” The Peak Elder shook her head. She couldn’t believe that the Jade Fox’s Cauldron hadn’t blown up yet.

”Well, you should probably prepare for grading.” Aiko breathed out gently.

”What are you?” The Peak Elder was confused, but soon a gentle yet powerful medical scent spread throughout the ’stadium’.

”What?!” She was shocked. ”It’s not even 2 hours, how is that possible!?” She could not understand why the Jade Fox already reached the final stage of the Pill Refining process.

”That was quick...” Aiko blinked. She calculated a slightly slower time, but that was probably because Mei used different Herbs.

’Surely she didn’t progress her Alchemy.’ Moon Aiko shivered when she saw Mei’s mischievous smile. ’Good god... I should start running!’ She felt like Mei would bully her again if she didn’t run away now!

The Cauldron lid popped open and the medical scent assaulted everyone’s senses, it was a lot more powerful than anyone could expect.

”WHAT?!” The Peak Elder was shocked. ”11 PILLS AND ALL OF THEM ARE OF PERFECT QUALITY?!” Even from that distance, she could feel the efficacy of the Pills as just the scent made her body warm.

”I have finished.” Mei smiled and glanced at Aiko with a happy expression.

’I should’ve run away sooner.’ Moon Aiko cried out inside her mind.

”Come here, come here.” The Peak Elder was excited, since it seemed the Pill was as effective as the original Warming Pill, but it cost a lot less resources to make!

If she could produce such Pills, they would be able to use their Cold Pond much more often with less risk!

Mei brought them the Pills she made, but this was just the first Pill. Alchemy always had 3 Pills, in order to properly assess one’s skills and abilities in that profession.

This time it was no different, so Mei was not haughty at all!

She presented her Pills to the referee. They were shocked numerous times.

Not only were there 11 of Superior Warming Pills. All of them were of Perfect Quality!

It might be only 3rd Grade Pill, depending on Herbs, but that didn’t mean that this feat was easy to achieve!

The Peak Elder’s hands quivered. ’I thought the theoretical limit was 10 Pills, while making 6 Pills in one batch was already an achievement!’ She could not believe her eyes!