Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

”So... I have to fight?” Aiko munched on the food Mei had prepared.

”Yes, Master said that it’s fine as long as you finish within the top 20.” The Umbra Fox nodded.

”Can we still do that while I’m developing Divine Sense?” Aiko stared at Mei, she hoped she would say she couldn’t so that she could skip this bothersome thing.

”It should be fine.” Mei said gently, but then asked. ”Is there any time limit?”

”Master didn’t say anything about a time limit.” The Umbra Fox shook her head.

”Good, then she will join you after she completely unlocks her Divine Sense.” Mei nodded.

Aiko was happy, but she would not ask why Mei said it like that.

She did not know that undeveloped Divine Sense can be deadly.

When one doesn’t develop Divine Sense once they awaken it, it stays in the crude form. That crude form behaves like an animal, when danger strikes it, it would retaliate. So if someone used some kind of mind-based attack Abilities it would trigger Aiko’s Divine Sense and counterattack the attacker, which would 100% be lethal considering the vast difference in power.

And if that person was the disciple of someone stronger than Mei? It was better she nip this in the bud now than let it become a problem later.

Mei then said. ”If the Grandmaster has an issue with this, we can talk it out, but if she dares to drag Aiko away, then tell her the deal is off the table” Mei said passively, but the Umbra Fox was now more sensitive to emotions and knew that the Jade Fox was not joking.

”I will deliver that message.” The Umbra Fox nodded.

Mei nodded back and went to Aiko. ”Once you finish eating, we will return to training.” She caressed Aiko’s hair.

Aiko munched at her normal pace, she could not slow down since the food was too delicious, but she also didn’t want to hurry. Food was made to be savoured and not devoured.

...

”Is that what she said?” The Grandmaster looked surprised.

”Yes, Master.” The Umbra Fox confirmed the message.

”I see...” The Grandmaster nodded, she had some thoughts of dragging Aiko away if she didn’t join the fights within a week, but now she would have to change her plans.

”You will train against the Passion Fox for the time being.” The Grandmaster stood up and vanished.

The Umbra Fox sobbed quietly, she had to deal with the terrific Passion Fox.

”Please be gentle, Junior Sister.” The Umbra Fox had a pitiful expression.

”I will hold back.” The Blood Fox didn’t really dislike this little Fox, so she would hold back and not pound her too badly.

...

”Grandmaster.” Mei chuckled. ”It seems like you did intend to kidnap Aiko.”

The Grandmaster chuckled back. ”Yeah, she needs some experience, but I suppose I should first ask you?” There was a dangerous glint in Grandmaster’s eyes.

”What do you think?” Mei didn’t answer and glanced at Aiko.

The Grandmaster looked towards Aiko and was taken aback. ”Divine Sense?” She paused. ”It seems crude?”

”She just awakened it.” Mei nodded.

”Aha, that explains everything.” The Grandmaster nodded, she had her fair share of fights against those with an undeveloped Divine Sense. Needless to say, those fights were bothersome at best and deadly at worst. ”Do you need any help?”

”I’m not sure how to guide her since her mind is too powerful, while her Divine Sense is tough.” Mei sighed.

”Hmmm...” The Grandmaster probed Aiko’s Divine Sense and frowned. ”Indeed, that is one hell of a Divine Sense.” The Grandmaster felt danger from it.

”Do you know how to proceed?” Mei asked curiously, seeing the Grandmaster to be so taken aback.

”I’m not entirely sure...” The Grandmaster shook her head. This type of Divine Sense was very potent and dangerous to her, so she didn’t really want to stay here longer than necessary.

Mei noticed those movements and she didn’t stop the Grandmaster from leaving.

’So it seems we will have to play the slow and steady game.’ Mei sighed, watching over Aiko.

...

A dozen days passed with little progress, but that was not important.

[Happy Birthday!]

[You are now 7 years old!]

[Please choose a gift:]

[1. Meat - 700]

[2. How to obtain Bloodline 101*]

[3. Stat and Skill Points - 700]

[4. Surprise - Surprise]

Aiko stared at the notification, there was currently no one around her, so it was fine to pull out both [Introduction to the Mortal Realm] and [Bloodline Book].

She browsed them, trying to find Bloodlines and their requirements. The [Introduction to the Mortal Realm] was more of a general book when it came to Bloodlines and didn’t have their exact requirements, just passing sentences about what was needed. Meanwhile, the [Bloodline Book] was very in-depth and gave requirements except for the secret/hidden ones.

She then looked over her gifts again. She did not really need the second option since she already had a few Bloodlines. Perhaps if it was more in-depth when it came to evolutions and their dangers, she would be able to take it, but the name implied something else.

She did not need the measly Stat and Skill Points, nor was she curious enough about the fourth option.

[How to obtain Bloodline 101]

’That’s almost 2 Evolutions worth of System Meat- Wait! I clicked the first option!’ Aiko was shocked.

[It’s better for you to have this.] The system said gently.

Aiko remembered that gentle voice, but she was still upset.

’I need Levels!’ Aiko protested.

[I know, little one, but you are too short-sighted. This is the better option for the long run.]

’Hmpf.’ Aiko snorted, she was clearly upset.

[You will know once you have servants...] The system sighed gently and that gentle yet weak voice faded away.

’Servants...?’ Aiko paused for a moment and then it clicked. ’Right! Just because I have plenty of Bloodlines doesn’t mean my servants will have...’

’I wonder what kind of Bloodline Mei has...’ Aiko tilted her head, but she was not curious enough to look into the system... it felt like she was doing something wrong to Mei if she did that.

’I also want to Evolve, but there are not enough resources...’ Aiko sighed. She required more Spirit Stones, but she was not really in the mood to build more Massage Chairs.

’So much stuff to do.’ She shook her head.

...

Aiko returned to Mei and ate another Meal. The coming days would be rough on her since she was so easily exhausted.

”We will develop your Divine Sense for 4 months and then you will have your first fight against an opponent that I will choose for you.” Mei said slowly.

Aiko nodded without protesting, 4 months was her limit when it came to the grind after building the Massage Chair. It felt like she should improve her control over her poisoned arm before she attempted another build.

Mei gently combed Aiko’s silky hair, this was a truly soothing experience as Aiko’s hair flew freely without any tangles.

’This will change.’ Mei knew that this silky smooth hair would get messy once she got into a fight.

’We can’t cut it.’ Mei sighed. Aiko’s hair had already grown halfway down her back. It would take quite a long time to take care of when it grows even longer, and humans loved to cut the hair of Foxes since there were so many bastards that liked to collect it. But at the same time, long hair was a sign of prestige...

’I don’t want her to experience that... it was enough that I had to go through that.’ Mei sighed melancholically.

Aiko didn’t say anything and just hugged Mei. She believed if she buttered Mei up enough, Mei would be nicer to her overall.

Mei hugged Aiko, a bit painfully, but not enough that Aiko would mind it.

They stayed like this for a bit before they went to the deserted place for training.

...

16 weeks passed, and Aiko had developed her Divine Sense to about 50%.

[Divine Sense: 18,800 -> 94,000]

This was good progress, but later it would slow down.

’Now she needs experience to make that progress faster.’ Mei nodded.

Normally you would develop Divine Sense when facing an adversary since everything grew faster in the face of death. Your body would release the limiters, causing it to learn faster and become stronger to protect itself.

’But that is dangerous since Aiko is out of the norm, most fights would end before she could learn anything, but harder fights would be deadlier since the enemies would be using their Abilities more proficiently.’ This was a great dilemma for her, but one that she couldn’t solve.

’That duo needs to grow fast so they can be her sparing partners.’ Mei nodded slowly.

’For that, I should prepare some Pills so they can grow well...’

”Am I going to fight now?” Aiko asked.

”Not yet.” Mei shook her head. ”Your opponent is currently outside the Fox Village, so we will have to wait.”

”I see...” Aiko was a bit sad since that meant she would have to wait.

”Want to build our Massage Chair?” Mei narrowed her eyes.

”I suppose I could start it.” Aiko didn’t refuse, since she had too much time on her hands.

”Okay.” Mei smiled happily. ”Is it still hard to move your Divine Sense?” Mei suddenly asked.

”Yeah, it feels heavier each time I try to push it.” Aiko frowned.

’She is still growing her Divine Sense.’ Mei had a slight headache since this current situation where Aiko looked exhausted and listless would continue, but Mei didn’t like that.

’There are some mind-nurturing Pills that I theoretically could use on Aiko, but...’ Mei sighed. It was not a good idea to rely on Pills for everything, your own hard work was the most precious one.

...

The Umbra Fox barely parried the Passion Fox’s fists. Fortunately for her, the Passion Fox shaped her blood like blades, instead of the normal fist. If she used her bloody fist her daggers would already be dulled beyond recognition.

The Passion Fox didn’t have as many problems since her enhancement worked in every environment, unlike the Umbra Fox’s that needed shade.

She was training the Umbra Fox instead of sparring, since the Umbra Fox without her enhancements... was just too weak.

The Blood Fox pounded the ground, making it quiver.

The Umbra Fox didn’t stumble, as she was already used to unstable footing from the training she had done in the Shadows Peak. She would not lose her footing just because of the slight quiver.

The Blood Fox frowned. She wanted to shatter the ground, but that would mean using her Blood Fists, which she didn’t want to. It would feel too unfair to do that...

The training continued until evening. Both of them were panting since they depleted their Stamina at a similar rate, but Blood Fox still had more Stamina, so she helped the Umbra Fox with walking.

”You are too strong, Junior Sister.” The Umbra Fox sighed.

”That is only because I’m allowed to keep my sanity.” The Blood Fox shook her head.

”... She is amazing, isn’t she?” The Umbra Fox smiled bittersweetly. She trained so hard, but she was still so much weaker compared to both Passion Fox and Vicious Cub.

”You have a steady mind and you know what you lack.” The Blood Fox said slowly, she was not sure how to comfort someone. ”While it is indeed impossible to catch up to us, when it comes to your Peers... you are very strong.” The Blood Fox commented on her prowess.

”Am I?” The Umbra Fox doubted those words.

”You will see.” The Blood Fox had firm eyes as if she was saying ’You are strong’.

The Umbra Fox felt slightly better, but only time would tell what she would become.