Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

It was simply incomprehensible.

’A being to liberate us from this nightmare.’ The Fire Bird Queen chuckled.

”What got you in a good mood?” Her partner asked her softly.

”I still can’t believe it.” The Fire Bird Queen shrugged.

”Can’t believe what? That you are free?” He chuckled, shaking his head.

”Not just that, don’t you think what happened is beyond comprehension?” The Fire Bird Queen propped her chin.

”I would, if this was completed without harming your Soul.” He shrugged.

”You are so demanding.” The Fire Bird Queen sighed. ”The ’eyes’ are gone.”

His body stiffened. ”That is impossible.”

”I thought so too.” The Fire Bird Queen nodded her head. ”But not only are the ’eyes’ gone, but the ’heart’ and ’skin’ are gone too.”

”...” He frowned. ”Are you sure you want to associate with her?”

”Why? Are you worried about me?” The Fire Bird Queen laughed.

”If they are gone, there will be others that will ’retrieve’ them.” He narrowed his eyes.

”You think so?” The Fire Bird Queen smiled. Her strange smile made him pause.

”What happened?” He was confused and hesitant to ask.

”What happened... ’they’ happened.” The Fire Bird Queen chuckled. ”Who could refuse the invitation to go to the end of the cultivation world.”

”...” He sighed. ”I don’t like this.”

”Why? I will have a new body, a better body. Sure, I will be weak, and I will have to listen to her, but how much time do I have right now?” The Fire Bird Queen rolled her eyes.

”We can make this work. We still have enough means to extend your life.” He spoke with a trembling voice.

”We both know that even if my body had extended lifespan, this is as far as I can go. There is no way I can improve further without making sacrifices.” The Fire Bird Queen shook her head.

”...” He also knew this, but he was not willing to part with her.

”You are from the Immortal World. I have no idea what you are doing here or why you have fallen in love with me, but shouldn’t you support me? I will be able to Ascend. Well, not right now, but eventually.” The Fire Bird Queen smiled.

”...” He didn’t say anything, his body moving stiffly.

”Dear, you should talk to me.” The Fire Bird Queen pursed her lips. She knew there was something wrong with him, something that he didn’t want to say. He did still support her and wished her the best, but when it came to the Immortal World, he was always silent.

”I do not wish you to Ascend.” He said seriously.

”If you are not going to explain yourself, I will ignore your words.” The Fire Bird Queen crossed her arms.

”... The Immortal World is not safe. I can say too much, but I’m already betrothed.” He said stiffly.

”I knew that.” The Fire Bird Queen smacked her lips. ”You talk really well when you are drunk.” She shrugged like it didn’t matter.

He blushed, coughing awkwardly. ”I have run from home because I didn’t want to take that predetermined marriage, but since I have run from home... others are looking for me.”

”The moment we step into the Immortal World, I will be taken away and you will be killed. Along with that Fox.” He explained himself as much as he could, without attracting attention.

The Fire Bird Queen rolled her eyes. ”You already told me about what she might ’represent’ and now you are telling me she can be killed so easily? Dear, you are not being honest.” She shook her head. There was some friction between them, here and there, but they were still able to communicate their differences.

”They are not invincible. They were sealed over 100,000 years ago, maybe even longer. They are now a weak and forgotten race. No worship. No Treasures. No nothing.” He shook his head. ”If you take your hand, you will end up at the end of the road.” He didn’t wish for that to happen.

However, Fire Bird Queen had a different opinion. She was, after all, the recipient of ’those’ things.

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”I have experienced ’it’. I do not believe you are lying, but I also do not believe you have the correct information.” The Fire Bird Queen seemed adamant.

”You can experience many unfathomable things.” He shook his head.

The Fire Bird Queen paused. They were never in such an impasse before. Neither of them wanted to back down from their position and there was no middle ground.

”Leave.” The Fire Bird Queen’s voice quivered. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she also didn’t want to give up on him. The only thing she could do was to send him away and work on herself.

”...” He didn’t seem surprised. It’s as if he expected it.

Leaving the room, a shadow appeared behind him.

”Prince, I believe you have fooled for long enough. It’s time to go home.”

”That is for me to decide.” He rolled his eyes. This shadow was pestering him every once in a while.

”The Immortal World is currently undergoing Immeasurable Disaster. A Throne appeared out of nowhere. It would be for the best to return and try to claim it.” The shadow shared the information.

”Is it the Sun Throne?” He paused for a brief moment.

”En, the highest grade that we ever recorded.” The shadow spoke without a quiver in its voice.

”I will stay.” He sighed. He couldn’t give up on her.

”I believe it’s unwise to play the ’butler’ any longer.” The shadow shook its metallic head.

”That is for me to decide.”

-----

The Fire Bird Queen sighed. She never expected this outcome, but it was obvious that with their current... ’experiences’ would only drift apart.

’Even if I died during ascension, whose to stop me? I would rot in here only being sustained by miraculous fruits not from this world.’ The Fire Bird Queen was tired. The facade could no longer be maintained.

’Immortal World, eh?’ The Fire Bird Queen smacked her lips. Was she depressed or hopeful, it was hard to say.

’The Fox is a guaranteed path...’ No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand him.

’Them’ being sealed? That sounded like something the Earthen Elephants or Holy Deer would come up with when they couldn’t win against an opponent. They would fabricate something that was not a complete lie, but so far from the truth that it was sickening.

’How about I meet the Fox again...?’ The Fire Bird Queen needed someone to assure her, to help her. She had spent so much time with him that it was painful to part, but she would also hate to hurt him.

’Our thoughts no longer align...’ The Fire Bird Queen found that odd. No matter what kind of difference they had, they would always try to do their best. Yet, when it came to the Fox, he was very adamant about everything.

’Not giving them our whole Clan among other things...’ The Fire Bird Queen always thought she was on the first spot in his mind, or heart for that matter. That her life would amount for everything he possesses.

However, when it came to her actual value...

’A bit of salt, a few metals and Treasures.’ The Fire Bird Queen felt sick. She couldn’t agree with that, the only reason she went along with it was because of the F-, because of Aiko.

’If she didn’t like the reward, we would definitely hurt each other sooner.’ The Fire Bird Queen shook her head, standing up.

Was it better like this, or worse?

...

The Fire Bird Queen was slowly stepping into the meadow. There were no longer any ’eyes’ on her, nor did she feel ’compelled’ to stay within her domain. She could walk around proudly and without feeling suppressed.

If not for her damaged Soul, she would be more active...

”Oh, oh.” Aiko smiled at her companions. ”Look at these cuties~”

”...” The Fire Bird Queen stiffened. She didn’t want to see this sight. Did she hesitate too much?

Everyone knew that it was pointless to get more than one Beast of a certain ’domain’. Those two owls...

’The Nightmare Owl Clan?’ The Fire Bird Queen paused, the tree near her creaked from the force under her fingertips.

She could no longer show her face here. She was not as cute as them and they were already under Contract. There was no longer any room for her.

The Fire Bird Queen turned around, leaving the place.

She found a lonely pond and sat on the edge of it.

”I feel... alone.” Her children were brats that didn’t know what was good for them. Her partner was feeling more distant than ever.

”Why? You have so many people around you.” A voice asked her, confused.

”I broke up with them. I can’t stand them. They are not listening to reason. They either repeat the same words or are trying to line their pockets. My own blood is trying to reap as much as they can before I die.” The Fire Bird Queen spoke to the pond.

”Why not leave?” A voice asked her again.

”I don’t have anywhere to go. The Fox that was my saviour already has a flying mount or Beast. There is no way she has ’room’ for me any more. My partner will probably leave soon too and with my broken Soul I won’t be able to go far.” The Fire Bird Queen spilled everything.

”I’m full, since when?” The voice asked in confusion.

”You don’t know? Any contractor has limited-” The Fire Bird Queen suddenly paused. ”Who am I talking to...?’ She finally realised that she was talking to someone and not to the pond.

Turning her around, she was greeted by a certain Fox.

”Yo, missed me?” The Fox chuckled.

”...?” The Fire Bird Queen felt flabbergasted.

”Can you believe it? Because of those two owls cuteness, I was kicked to the side!” That certain Fox clicked her tongue, as if she was annoyed. Yet her face was far from it.

”Anyway, about the Contract...” Aiko smiled at her, almost blinding her eyes.

”W-well, aren’t you ’full’?” The Fire Bird Queen felt a bit- no, very embarrassed about what just happened.

She was so much older than this Fox, yet she was complaining like a child in front of her.

”I’m still hungry.” Aiko smirked.

”N-no, don’t you already have flying Beasts?” The Fire Bird Queen murmured in her embarrassment.

”Why not collect them all?” Aiko smiled, her eyes sparkling.

Those same eyes burdened her greatly. ”But, everyone has a limit on how many they can contract!” The Fire Bird Queen retorted.

”Yeah.” Aiko nodded her head seriously. Looking blankly at something. She had done that a few times before, but the Fire Bird Queen never questioned it.

”But you are special. I can make a Contract with you~” Aiko hummed. As if it was already a done deal, but her expression didn’t suggest she would be forcing anyone.

”...” The Fire Bird Queen sighed. Not knowing what to say or do. This was such an abnormal situation that she had a hard time processing it.

Was she special? The Fire Bird Queen didn’t believe that. She was ordinary, painfully so. The only reason she made it so far was because her life was extended that much. Without that, she wouldn’t make it to this point.

”I don’t know what to say to that...” The Fire Bird Queen hugged her knees.

Aiko didn’t say anything, but from the reflection of the pond, it was obvious from her eyes...

Say yes. Say yes. Just say yes.