Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Sun Aiko lazily woke up from her nap. She liked the fact that she could now sleep anywhere she wanted.

It was a very significant change that would help her in the future when she was playing with others.

A nice-smelling Pill approached Aiko’s mouth.

*Nom*

Aiko enjoyed one Pill after another.

[You have restored 5 Vitality.]

[You have restored 12 Vitality.]

They were quite tasty, unlike lower-grade Pills.

Sun Aiko decided to hoard more high-grade Pills for her food hobbies.

Nodding her head. Aiko plopped her body freely as one tail peacefully lay behind her.

She was currently practising [Moonless Mist Shroud] again, so she reduced how often others would look at her.

This was a necessary step in her grand plan that would help her greatly.

Ah Cy observed the duo and sighed. Her Disciple wished Beasts would like her, but that was difficult. She had no sense when it came to taking care of Beasts and would always do something that angered them.

Most Beasts also had bad tempers, since they were enslaved or captured by the humans, so it was obvious it would always start at the ’prejudice’ phase.

Her clumsy demeanour paired with that caused all the Beasts to hate her.

It felt like she was making up for that through Aiko.

”Are you sure you don’t want her as a pet?” Ah Cy was concerned that her Disciple wouldn’t be able to find another Beast like Aiko.

”No.” Li Xiu felt it would be unfair for Aiko. She was quite happy with their current relationship.

Aiko didn’t panic at all, since her [Intention Perception] didn’t say anything about this.

Moreover, with Li Xiu’s temperament, it would be fun if she tried something like that.

Aiko nodded her head gently.

[Beast Technique, [Moonless Mist Shroud], has advanced!]

[Moonless Mist Shroud 2/?]

The flying boat kept going slowly towards its destination.

Ah Cy and Li Xiu would exchange words here and there, but most of their attention was on Aiko.

Ah Cy wondered how Aiko managed to escape the Sacred Realm, while Li Xiu was just happy that she could cuddle Aiko.

She was nice and warm, making her want to cuddle her for eternity.

...

”She is recovering well, but just in case, don’t leave her alone.” Ah Cy told her Disciple, they were only a day before they would arrive at the Southern Sect.

”I got it.” Li Xiu nodded her head. Her Heavenly Star Sect might be peaceful from the outside, but it was quite turbulent on the inside.

Shaking her head, she patted Aiko’s nice and warm fur.

It was also starting to glisten slightly.

’I will give her more Pills later.’ Li Xiu nodded her head. She had plenty of Contribution Points that she never really used, since her system would always provide her an opportunity where she didn’t need to spend any resources and still gain something in return.

”We will be there shortly, so keep her with you before we arrive at our Peak.” Ah Cy repeated her words just in case.

The flying boat landed, which attracted a lot of attention.

”It’s the Senior Sister.”

”It’s the Junior Sister.”

”She is as pretty as always.”

”I know, right? I would love to have tea with her.”

”Stop daydreaming. Senior Sister would never have tea with you.”

”Tsk.”

It was as busy as always. Li Xiu had already got used to this empty gossip. They would always try to do something new against her, but as she was the only Core Disciple under her Master, it made everything easier on her.

”A Fox?”

”It’s tiny.”

”Her ears are huge...”

”I want to pet her.”

”How about...”

Li Xiu paid quite a lot of attention when the discussion shifted; she especially remembered those who wanted to make her into pets.

Aiko was strong, but it would still be an unsavoury experience for her.

”Senior Sister.” One Elder enthusiastically came over, but the twinkle in his eyes quickly dwindled. ’New bra...’ He cried silently inside his head.

Of course, the female Elders glared at him, but he didn’t care at all. He was always happy if he could see a nice pair.

”Junior Brother.” Ah Cy was unbothered as she was already used to that gaze.

”I’m glad you managed to get back safely.” The Elder chuckled, happily concealing his gaze.

Meanwhile, Li Xiu had already gone to their Peak, as they would be protected over there, and others wouldn’t be able to question them.

After the Sect Leader returned, Ah Cy would explain the situation, which would make it easier on Aiko.

Normally, all Beasts had to be ’stored’ on the Beast Plains. It’s a special housing facility for numerous Beasts, under the Beast Peak.

On top of the Beast Peak, there were training facilities for individual Beasts.

Of course, those beasts would learn from walking to flying, and some even use Treasures to protect their owners.

As Aiko was injured, it was unwise to take her there or even to the Beast Plains as they might be ruined by her.

Li Xiu understood the insanity of Aiko, especially when her status could not be properly read.

She was not your common Beast, and with her high intellect, it was bound to cause trouble.

Ah Cy’s Peak was not the largest, since she didn’t want to maintain it alone, and it would be too bothersome with so few Disciples.

As such, other Peaks would always try to kick them, only to realise they were kicking metal plates.

Shaking her head, she walked through the forest that led to their Peak.

There were a few small rivers running down, since they had a spring next to the peak.

It was not a hot spring, but a Light-Water Spring. The Essence of the spring was isolated inside the spring, so it wouldn’t trickle down the mountain and vanish into nothingness, as it would nurture anything in its path.

They used that spring to cleanse their meridians, but it would greatly reduce the clarity of the Essence. Making it unusable for 10-20 years after a single use.

Li Xiu was the one to use it when she arrived here, and with the help of her fried chicken, she was able to almost completely purify her body.

Of course, there were some leftovers that were exceptionally hard to get rid of, but those resources could only be found on the mainland or the Upper Mortal World.

Now, in front of them was a hanging bridge. This was the only entrance to the main Peak, which was for her Master and herself.

Aiko would be the 5th individual who would live there for the time being.

’I wonder how long Aiko will stay...’ Li Xiu wondered about it every day after she found Aiko.

Li Xiu told her there were some issues in the Fox Village and that it would be unwise for Aiko to return, but she never responded to their words. They could only wonder what she was thinking about.

”I don’t like bridges.” Aiko suddenly said.

”Oh?! You can talk again?!” Li Xiu giggled.

”Barely...” Aiko recovered enough that she could finally voice her needs.

”Well, next time we will approach by flying sword, but until then.” Li Xiu shrugged.

”Why?” Aiko was curious about why they could just waltz in with a sword.

”Because the guardian would munch on you.” Li Xiu laughed. That guardian was quite grumpy, so it was very much possible that it would take Aiko as a snack.

”I could take him on.” Aiko didn’t believe that she couldn’t defeat him.

”Oho?” A strange voice came from the opposite side of the bridge.

Li Xiu walked over and gently bowed. ”Guardian, I have brought a new resident.” Li Xiu said respectfully. ”This arrangement is only temporary until the Sect Leader returns, and then it will be decided by my Master and the Sect Leader.” She explained the situation and waited.

”Hmmmmm...” A huge snake slithered from within the trees, startling Aiko.

”Can you still take me on?” The Guardian didn’t feel repulsed by this Fox for some reason, so he was quite interested in where that emotion came from.

”Never mind... I’m still too tired.” Aiko immediately folded, since she could feel pressure from him.

”My Master gained this guardian from the Upper Mortal World.” Li Xiu explained why Aiko felt like that. ”I believe he is a Sacred Beast without Human Form.”

*Slither*

”En. You still remember how strong I am.” The snake was quite amused. ”I still remember those days when you were still rude and oblivious to the world.”

”Don’t tease me, Guardian.” Li Xiu blushed. ”I was ignorant at that time.”

”And you still are. The world is vast, and you should experience more.” The snake said before slithering away. While he was curious about the Fox, a warm nap was always a priority.

”He is grumpy most of the time, but this time it went well.” Li Xiu was puzzled.

”Right, when you are not subjected to his pressure.” Sun Aiko didn’t like him. He felt cold, which was the opposite of her. She felt that he would rob all her hea-

’Wait! That’s not a bad idea!’ Sun Aiko’s eyes shone.

”Hey! Powerful guy!” Sun Aiko yelled, startling Li Xiu.

”What are you doing?!” Li Xiu was confused and felt like something ridiculous would happen again.

”...” The snake slithered back, but this time, it was annoyed.

”Are you cold, or is that just a feeling?” Sun Aiko asked him while ignoring his expression.

”I’m Glacial Snake.” He replied briefly.

”Cool! Take me with you.” Sun Aiko hummed happily. With this, she should be able to complete that mission.

The snake was startled for a brief moment. ”The only way I will take you with me is through my stomach.” He replied with an annoyed voice.

”Don’t be like that.” Aiko jumped on top of his head, angering him even more, but then he paused.

”Ohhhhhhh, this is niiiiiiiice~” Aiko rolled around on his head as his cool scales cooled her down.

”Why is she burning? Did you cook her like that chicken?” The snake immediately assumed things.

”I didn’t do anything!” Li Xiu was seriously offended that he even suggested that. The only thing she would cook was her birdie, not anything else, since it was not proper!

”Suspicious...” The snake slithered his tongue when he smelled something strange.

”What is- Agh!” He immediately shook Aiko off when he realised his skin was slowly being eroded by her.

He observed the little Fox, but at best, she was a Holy Beast. Far away in terms of strength to hurt him.

The snake couldn’t understand what was happening, so he just turned around and left. It was time for his sunbathing, not critical thinking!