Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

The next day was pretty peaceful, Mei was pretty much silent the whole day except when she talked to the Princess.

For some reason, she would avoid Aiko’s gaze as if she was some kind of mean spirit.

This went on for several days until Aiko finally couldn’t bear it any more.

She snuck up on Mei with her superior ’stealth’ and ambushed her.

Mei was flustered like never before, blushing at Aiko like a cherry.

”I have more things that I got.” Aiko pouted at Mei. She knew some things about her Treasures, but it was better to ask Mei about them.

Mei didn’t want to confront Aiko, but she also could not sneak away, as all her Pill Refining tools were inside this abode.

Mei sighed and walked with Aiko back to their place. She just hoped that the incoming gifts wouldn’t be... overburdening.

Aiko sat down with Mei happily. Mei was not so happy, but maintained her neutral expression.

”So, I have this.” Aiko finally found the Primordial Soul Wood, so she placed it in front of Mei.

”This insignificant worm greets Immortal.” The Ghost inside immediately bowed.

Aiko blinked a few times. ”Why did you jump out so quickly?!” She was startled by his gentle speech.

The Ghost turned towards Aiko. She could not see his face, but she could feel that distinctive judgmental look.

Aiko slapped him, but in her Dew Form, the slap went right through him.

Mei watched this with some interest. It’s been a while since she met someone familiar.

”So you fucked up your ascension, you bastard, eh?” Mei smiled with glee and cursed him openly, startling Aiko.

The Ghost sighed. ”Don’t smile, so much or I will try to seduce you again!” He spoke confidently, but he didn’t mean it and only played along with her.

Mei laughed. ”So, how did you end up in such a sorry state?”

”Don’t even ask...” The Ghost groaned, feeling upset at ’that’ event.

”So, what are you planning with my Mate?” Mei narrowed her eyes.

”I will definitely nurture my Soul, so I can take revenge later-” The Ghost was explaining, but then suddenly paused. ”Wait, Mate?!” He was shocked silly and Mei could feel his absurd gaze.

”What happened with your b- Hahaha, nothing, nothing.” The Ghost wanted to ask what happened to Mei’s boy toy, but that glare was so piercing and hurtful that he stopped himself.

”Hmpf.” Mei snorted unhappily. ”So what is this?”

”I stole it from some Immortal. They were bragging about this being the Primordial Soul Wood.” The Ghost said.

”I can attest to that.” Aiko nodded.

[Primordial Soul Wood]

[Last piece of the legendary Soul Wood. It’s the perfect material for creating living dolls and nurturing the Cultivator’s Soul.]

”What name are you going by now?” Mei asked him.

”I don’t have one. I might pick one later.” He shrugged. He didn’t want to use his old name in Ghost form. The Ghost didn’t want to be laughed at by his old friends when they saw him like this...

Mei glanced at Aiko. She was shocked that she could verify the identity of this Soul Wood, but that’s a debate for another time.

”So, you will obediently help my Mate?” Mei narrowed her eyes.

”Of course, he will~! He is Slave 1.” Aiko smiled happily and they both looked at her.

””...”” There was a brief silence. The Ghost and Mei looked at each other and both shook their heads. This is something that Aiko would do...

”You look quite messed up...” Mei noticed that parts of his Soul were scorched.

”Thanks to someone Evolving...” The Ghost sighed, nudging towards Aiko.

”So... it was really that bad?” Mei asked. While she did have some trust in Aiko’s team, it was better to ask more people, or Ghosts in this case, about this.

”Don’t even mention it. The ’Seed’ even died because of it...” The Ghost shook his head.

Mei pursed her lips. It’s true that she could not find that hateful ’Core’ inside Aiko, but seeing the sad expression on her face...

”Anyway. I need rest and please take me away, so that I won’t be around during her Evolutions...” His body shook violently remembering that insane Heavenly Disaster.

Mei’s lips twitched. It seems like the ’rumours’ were not as exaggerated as she thought.

The Ghost vanished into the Primordial Soul Wood and Mei glanced towards Aiko.

Aiko had a proud expression on her face, which caused Mei to giggle.

”So~, what do you plan to do with this?” Mei wanted to tease Aiko a bit.

”I have no idea.” Aiko immediately answered.

Mei laughed. That was the answer she expected, but she would still verify the authenticity of this thing.

”I also have this.” Aiko slammed a Lamp on the table.

Mei’s eyebrows twitched. ”Another Ghost?” She could not believe that Aiko would gather so many Ghosts...

Not to mention... This one was pretty powerful... or so she wanted to say, but this Ghost’s condition was even worse than her friend’s.

Mei shook her head. She would not be able to interrogate this Ghost since the Ghost would perish the moment it left this Lamp.

”But it’s not a bad Lamp. It looks old, but most Inscriptions are still working...” Mei nodded in appreciation. This old Relic was a truly impressive work of art. ”So how many Ghosts can it store?” This was the important part, since Aiko could munch on Souls on a regular basis. This could also get her more familiar with them.

Aiko glanced at the Lamp.

[100 Ghost Parade Lamp (Degraded)]

[Some fat Ghost settled inside and it has no more room in it...]

[Its quality also degraded, not helping much...]

[Ghosts: 1/1]

Aiko coughed awkwardly. ”One.”

Mei stared at Aiko for some time before repeating. ”One...?”

”It appears it degraded too much to be usable...” Aiko’s face flushed.

Mei’s lips twitched. Aiko finally got something precious, yet she couldn’t use it...

”What else?” Mei massaged her head. ”But only one thing.” ’This is too much to pay attention to...

Aiko blinked, a bit saddened, but still told Mei one last thing she was curious about.

”I got Blessed by the Moon Goddess and I also got something called [Dual Yin Cultivation Scripture].” Aiko said quickly.

For a long time, there was no reaction from Mei...

”Huh?” Mei blinked at Aiko. ’Did I misheard something...?’

”You got what?” Mei didn’t believe her ears, so she asked again.

”[Dual Yin Cultivation Scripture]?” Aiko tilted her head.

Mei was left speechless... no matter what Aiko did, Mei did not react...

Waving hand in front of her face? No reaction. Pinching her cheek? Nope. Nuzzling her? Also, a no...

Aiko could only wait until Mei snapped out of her daze... She was also getting sleepy, so she would just...

*Poof*

’Nighty~’ Aiko fell asleep on Mei’s warm lap.

...

It took almost half a day for Mei to snap out of her daze. She immediately wanted to question Aiko, but could not see her in front of her. Moreover, it was also getting dark outside.

’My bad habit...’ Mei ruffled her hair. ’I should check on the Princess...’ She narrowed her eyes and wanted to stand up, but something was on her.

She looked down, only to see Aiko nestled there, sleeping happily. Mei moved her with a swift motion onto her tails.

’The ’Moon’... huh...’ Mei couldn’t believe it. The ’Moon’ was supposed to be sealed and her Husband killed? Or were those things false? Mei did not know.

What mattered most was the Dual Yin Cultivation Scripture. If it was truly ’THAT’ Cultivation Scripture... that would mean Aiko would need to build herself a harem...

Mei... did not like that. Her servant was supposed to serve only her.

’Maybe I should shoo the Blood Fox away...’ Mei narrowed her eyes. She knew that the Blood Fox was very clingy, not to mention Yuxi would become just as clingy when given the chance.

’So much trouble!’ Mei felt irritated by the amount of things she had to watch out for. ’Yuxi can be managed by Wanshu, so there is no problem, but what about the Blood Fox...’

Mei suddenly realised. ’Right. Her brother can take care of that. He gave me most of the Herbs for an experimental Pill for Aiko to cure her-’ Mei paused again.

She looked down, but Aiko’s arm, which was supposed to be coloured sickly green, was nowhere to be seen...

’...’ Mei blinked a few times, but no matter how many times she blinked, that arm still looked normal...

’My money...’ Mei cried in her mind, but fortunately, those Herbs could be used on other things, otherwise, she would absolutely cough up blood!

...

’I should contact the Blood Fox’s Brother... How was he nicknamed again...?’ Mei knew that there was a ceremony a few months ago that exchanged or changed nicknames, but she could not remember his nickname...

’Aikoooooo!’ Mei cursed Aiko in her mind. She was too chaotic and so many plans fell through!

’ Just you wait! I will whip you into shape during Alchemy lessons!’ Mei glared forward, already imagining how Aiko would struggle with the Alchemy and what Mei would be able to do to her... ’Hehe~’

...

The Blood Fox returned to the abode, her brother was pacing outside.

”Zhi.” The Blood Fox smiled, but she found that name a bit odd since she also likes Lady Liu...

”Sis.” Zhi wagged his tail happily. He looked more like a dog rather than a fox.

”What are you doing here?” The Blood Fox asked. ”Don’t tell me you are running errands for Jade Fox?”

Zhi sighed. ”It seems like those Herbs are no longer needed, so I’m here for the payment and to see what she is planning.” He admitted openly.

”Hmmm.” The Blood Fox didn’t really like her brother running errands for Mei, but Aiko needed it, so she let it go.

”Come inside then.” The Blood Fox gestured towards the door, as this place was part of the Grandmaster’s new abode.

Zhi opened the door for his sister, but another Fox jumped at him.

”Blood Fox.” Aiko giggled, hugging the person opening the doors. Now she could escape from the strange gaze Mei was still giving her!

Zhi didn’t know what to do. The pleasant scent assaulted his nostrils and he found himself unwilling to push this strange Fox away...

Aiko rubbed her face, but realised that the Blood Fox became... quite flat?

*Cough*

The Blood Fox coughed.

Aiko stiffened. She looked towards that familiar voice and was shocked.

’Why is the Blood Fox over there...?’ Aiko processed the information. ’Wait from am I hugging?!’

She immediately jumped away and Zhi’s lips twitched.

Aiko awkwardly coughed, but the Blood Fox still opened her arms, so before Aiko could think she was already nuzzling her.

”This is Aiko...” The Blood Fox said with a strange tone.

Zhi was dumbstruck by that. How could the Vicious Cub...?! He couldn’t understand what happened in such a short span of time that would allow the Vicious Cub to change so much...