Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Moon Aiko looked around, but could not find any caves.

”Looking for something?” Yuxi was the first one to approach her.

”Yes, I’m happy to see you too.” Moon Aiko immediately caressed her head. ”By the way, where is Wanshu?”

”Hehe~” Yuxi smiled happily, her tail moving with her. ”Why?”

”She is usually insid-” Moon Aiko awkwardly coughed. ”She usually follows you around, so I was wondering what happened.”

”We are now training separately, since we rely too much on our synergies.” Yuxi explained happily. ”Right now is her turn, so it’s my turn to rest.”

”Then you should rest, you don’t have to guide me.” Moon Aiko smiled brightly at her.

Yuxi shook her head. ”Mistress needs my help, so I’m more than happy to oblige.”

Moon Aiko sighed, petting her a bit more. ”Fine, fine, you win. I’m looking for a cave.”

”For the Demonic Foxes?” Yuxi smiled. ”They are fine. While we can’t completely prevent them from hearing those voices, they are doing better than before.”

”Mei wanted me to visit them, so I was wondering what was up.” Moon Aiko slowly nodded her head.

”Ah, in that case, I’m more than happy to show you around~” Yuxi hummed as she swayed her body, grabbing Aiko’s hand.

”Let’s go~” Yuxi guided Aiko towards a flower field.

’Oh, illusion, I didn’t think of that.’ Moon Aiko didn’t think that they would set up any illusions over here, so this was kind of unexpected.

”We have covered this place in illusions and traps, so that those shitty Elders wouldn’t be able to find them.” Yuxi explained as she guided Aiko into the ground, through the illusions and avoiding those traps.

”This place is quite... dry?” The earth was cracked and dry, so much so that Moon Aiko worried that this place might collapse.

”Yeah, the Demonic Foxes don’t have much to do, since they don’t have to endure those voices as much, so most of them are just learning control over their bodies, and well, this is the result.” Yuxi hummed happily. She was so happy to see those Demonic Foxes in a better mood and condition.

”Won’t this place collapse?” Moon Aiko voiced her worry slowly.

”It won’t, the Grandmaster set up this place, and she can’t really afford to just wing it.” Yuxi giggled.

”Why not?” Moon Aiko tilted her head.

”Mei.” Yuxi smiled sinisterly.

”Valid worry.” Moon Aiko nodded her head vigorously.

”You are really scared of Mei, huh?” Yuxi tilted her head.

”Yeeeah...” Moon Aiko pursed her lips.

”It will work out.” Yuxi patted her knowingly.

”Will it?” Moon Aiko doubted that.

”It will.” Yuxi nodded her head, convinced about what the future holds.

”You are now a fortune-teller, huh?” Moon Aiko rolled her eyes.

”I should definitely open a stall.” Yuxi swayed her body sensually. She was convinced that she would be able to sca- *Cough* attract a lot of customers!

Moon Aiko shook her head, but she kept chatting with Yuxi.

...

”We are almost there.” Yuxi suddenly whispered.

”Why are you whispering?” Moon Aiko couldn’t understand.

”They are quite... sensitive?” Yuxi didn’t know how to explain it properly, so she just gave up and said the first thing that came to her mind.

”Hm...” Moon Aiko nodded her head slowly and let Yuxi lead her again.

...

A large opening was in front of them, and a huge cavern, which housed all the Demonic Foxes, showed in front of them.

”This place is huge...” Moon Aiko blinked her eyes.

There were many houses made into the walls, making it feel like an ant’s nest, but unlike an ant’s nest, there were many hanging bridges and other floating structures, making this feel like a city of its own.

”Some of the Demonic Foxes worked on this.” Yuxi marvelled at that sight every time she came here.

Not only were there houses that lit up this place, but there were many hanging lanterns, making this place even more magical.

Everything was made either out of the rocky walls or with wood that Yuxi delivered here and there.

They had limited resources that they could freely give without attracting attention, but...

”Is that a forest...?” Moon Aiko stared at the forest that was underground, but still thriving.

”...” Yuxi likewise stared at it speechlessly. ”No wonder they were able to build an upside-down pagoda.” She suddenly realised that this place had transformed greatly.

”Umbra~” The Demonic Foxes greeted her warmly, but halted when they noticed the other Fox.

”Hello~” Yuxi waved at them, but the Demonic Foxes started to murmur among themselves.

”?” Yuxi tilted her head, not understanding what they were up to.

”Hello...” A shy Demonic Fox stepped in front. It seemed like everyone chose her as the representative.

”Am I that scary?” Moon Aiko pointed a finger at herself in disbelief.

”No, but I said that the Demonic Foxes are very sensitive.” Yuxi smiled bitterly. ”They went through a lot, so please understand.

”No, no. That is fine. I was just startled.” Moon Aiko smiled gently.

The Demonic Foxes grew ever so curious about the strange Fox that appeared in front of them, but none of them dared to approach.

”Hmmmm...” Moon Aiko saw the shy Demonic Fox hiding behind Yuxi. It didn’t seem like conversation was possible.

”I will just dump some Foxes over here.” Moon Aiko nodded her head. Their food intake lowered greatly since they didn’t move all that much, but the food was still dropping somewhat steadily, so Moon Aiko would have to replenish her reserves.

Moon Aiko pulled out Yu, who was munching on Aiko’s snacks.

”...” Yu was obviously caught red-handed and flustered. ”I can explain.” She spat some crumbs from her mouth, trying to defend herself.

”Is that you?” One Demonic Fox suddenly perked up, but the new Fox was still intimidating.

”Passion Pillow~?” Yu teased the Demonic Fox.

”Please don’t say that nickname, it’s awful.” Passion Pillow shuddered at that nickname as it was filled with unsavoury emotions.

”Hehe~” Yu giggled and immediately ran away from Aiko, who was measuring her.

”Where are you going~?” Moon Aiko rolled her sleeve.

”I’m sorry, Mistress.” Yu immediately prostrated before Aiko could do anything, placing her in an awkward position.

Moon Aiko sighed. ”Seriously, do you have that little food that you need to steal my snacks?”

”...” Yu couldn’t really say that because of those food orgies, the food reserves dropped significantly.

Moon Aiko smelled conspiracy, but before she could say anything, Yuxi interjected.

”Mistress, you should pat them too.” Yuxi smiled happily.

”Uh-huh...” Moon Aiko rolled her eyes. ”And how am I supposed to do that when they are scared of me?”

”Come on, guys. She is nice.” Yuxi immediately picked up one random Demonic Fox by her waist and carried her above her head in front of Aiko.

”You are becoming a bigger rogue by the day.” Moon Aiko was speechless at how Yuxi acted.

”I learned from the best~” Yuxi winked at Aiko.

”And what is that supposed to mean?” Moon Aiko placed her hands on her hips, making Yuxi run away giggling.

Moon Aiko sighed softly again. ”Seriously, it’s enough that I’m a troublemaker, but if you add more...”

*sniffle*

It seemed like the Demonic Fox was really scared of Aiko.

Moon Aiko didn’t think much of it, since they were in an unfamiliar place, so it was natural to have some reservations.

Moon Aiko petted her gently before caressing behind her ears.

The Demonic Fox immediately mellowed down, and even the voices ran away screaming.

The Demonic Fox observed Aiko’s expression.

They were currently in a place where it was dark, so all that they could see was black with silhouettes.

Did it help the situation or worsen it? One could never know, but the Demonic Foxes grew more and more curious.

*giggle*

The Demonic Fox giggled while being caressed, startling Aiko.

”What is it?” Moon Aiko tilted her head.

”Mistress is nice~” The Demonic Cuties giggled again.

”You don’t even know me.” Moon Aiko always found the Demonic Beings odd, but it might be possible that just Foxes were that peculiar.

”I don’t have to~” The Demonic Fox was ecstatic, hearing those voices scream in pain before running away.

It was even more exaggerated than when it came to Yuxi, making her even more curious about this Fox.

”I’m Aiko, and I will be in your care.” Moon Aiko smiled.

”Most of us don’t have names, so we will try to think of one later.” The Demonic Fox happily snipped her ears as her tails finally moved along with her emotions.

”Like a Passion Pillow?” Moon Aiko raised her eyebrow.

The Demonic Fox stiffened. ”Please don’t.”

”Sorry, sorry.” Moon Aiko chuckled. ”It was just such an absurd nickname that it stuck with me.”

”Most of us have absurd nicknames, but it’s mostly all about how well we do in bed...” The Demonic Fox sighed.

”I can understand that.” Moon Aiko nodded. She was also unhappy about her nickname, but at least it improved slightly from what it had been before.

”Guys, let her pat you, something amazing will happen~” The Demonic Fox giggled happily and baited the reluctant Foxes.

”Are you sure?” Passion Pillow narrowed her eyes. ”I will eat your confectionery if you are lying!”

”In that case, if I’m not, you will give me part of yours!” The Demonic Fox smirked.

”Tsk, sure.” Passion Pillow clicked her tongue, but still cautiously approached.

Moon Aiko was puzzled, but still patted both of them.

Passion Pillow flinched. She had never heard such miserable voices in her head before, and the joy from hearing them scream like that made her blush.

The Demonic Foxes were speechless as yet another Demonic Fox became overly obedient in her presence.

”Me next!” One Demonic Fox couldn’t bear it.

”No, me, me!” Another joined, and it soon turned into a complete disaster.

”Stop!” Moon Aiko halted them with her voice. ”Make an orderly line, or no more head pats!” She demanded some kind of order, but the Demonic Foxes just shifted their bodies and surrounded Aiko.

”That didn’t take long.” Yuxi, as always, was impressed by Aiko’s skill in subduing Demonic Foxes.

”What does that supposed to mean?” Moon Aiko was speechless, but at least the Demonic Foxes no longer feared her...