Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Sun Aiko stuffed it into her tails. That Foxy was completely out, even shaking her violently didn’t wake her up.

Sun Aiko tilted her head a few times before leaving the place.

It didn’t seem like she would be able to earn anything else, so there was no need to wait for her to wake up.

That Fox also didn’t have any Storage Pouches or any kind of identification, making this situation even more puzzling.

...

Sun Aiko walked towards the Fox Village. She was quite close already.

She was currently in a not-so-lush forest. What she was missing was the plains, one river and rocky terrain before arriving in the Fox Village.

’I shouldn’t take the main road...’ Sun Aiko didn’t want to play with anyone, since there was this uneasy feeling that she felt from somewhere.

She didn’t know where she felt that from, but she didn’t like it.

The best she could do was somehow sneak inside without revealing her identity.

The ’Sect Token’ could be used as long as it’s not tracked by anyone. Moon Aiko never asked how it worked, or if there was some kind of tracking Inscription, so Sun Aiko would just sneak in through that.

The ’Sect Token’ was a special token that allowed one to bypass the Protection Array of the Fox Village.

Other Sects had similar tokens, and they were all activated by blood.

That’s because that activation would bind it to you, making it impossible to be used by others.

Sun Aiko hummed as she trailed the main road. She didn’t want to get lost, just in case something changed while she was not around.

However, she also didn’t walk on the main road, just in case the Fox Village was on high alert.

It would be troublesome if someone caught her and then dragged her away. Not only was it not fun, but it would delay her reunion with Mei!

”Have you heard? They are trying to wed some Foxes.” One patrolling guard said to the other.

”I heard that the Jade Fox was also supposed to get wed, but she crippled anyone who tried to get close to her.” Another shrugged.

”That happened? But why? She was one of the mildest Foxes.” The first guard rubbed his head.

”Apparently, someone tried to sneak into her bedroom after denying too many of them. So from that point, she started to cripple anyone who pursued her with passion.” Another chuckled. Foxes can turn quite violent when you disturb them.

Sun Aiko wondered if everyone was so stupid. Mei, and being the mildest? In your dreams!

Mei would turn into the most savage individual if you bothered her long enough.

Of course, Aiko had the privilege that she would only get her cheeks pinched and scolded at worst, but it was still a scary experience!

’I have to contact Chen Shi later, just in case.’ Sun Aiko shuddered, thinking about Mei punishing her because she forgot to recruit him.

’Let’s not think about it.’ Sun Aiko nodded her head.

The entrance to the Fox Village was quite heavily guarded, which startled Sun Aiko.

She didn’t expect that there would be so many Foxes walking around.

Sun Aiko turned into Witch Aiko, shrouding her body in darkness and sneaking in.

As expected, the ’Sect Token’ worked great. It easily let her in without alerting anyone.

’This place changed...’ Witch Aiko looked around. There were guard patrols everywhere, like they were looking for someone or something.

Witch Aiko was curious about what these events meant, so she sneaked around to listen to their conversations.

”The Old Elders were trying to hide the book before the Delegation escorted them.”

”Do you believe that bullshit? I believe they still have it and are just waiting for the right moment.”

”You think they want to use it against the Delegation?”

”Have you seen the pretty girl from the Delegation team? She is~”

They hummed and talked to each other.

Witch Aiko didn’t see how they looked, but from their voices she assumed they were male.

The main reason for that was that they talked about females, and their voices were quite deep.

Why didn’t she look at them? Because of the warning about senses. If someone were powerful enough, they would be able to feel eyes on them, making them more alert.

And if there was some kind of alarm set off, Witch Aiko might’ve been in trouble!

’Let’s explore a bit more. I know where Mei should be located, so let’s ambush her after this is finished.’ Witch Aiko nodded her head slowly.

Sneaking even further, there was more news, but this time about Demonic Foxes.

There were no Demonic Foxes left under the management of the Fox Village.

Even the Delegation was unable to convince the Demonic Foxes to join them.

The Demonic Foxes were located close to the Grandmaster’s Abode, so it was obvious this was a setup from either Mei or the Grandmaster.

Sneaking around even more, there was even more news.

The first one was about the Massage Chairs, only one was working, making the price skyrocket.

However, there were still willing fools who paid for it, and the queue was so long that if you booked yourself a session today, it would take you 2 years until it was your turn!

That was simply ridiculous!

’How can they be so willing?’ Witch Aiko rolled her eyes.

The next one was about the Sect Leader.

Once the Delegation left this place, she would be quitting her position.

She was apparently sick and tired of the Old Elders and Delegation. The Jade Fox was also not helping since she was causing trouble everywhere with her plans.

The Delegation tried to protect the Jade Fox, while the Old Elders tried to get to her.

Yet Mei didn’t ally herself with the Delegation and stood alone, neutral.

This was interesting news, since Aiko still believed the only way to get to the mainland was the ship from the Delegation.

’Does that mean there is another way?’ Witch Aiko was curious about it.

’Ah, can’t go that way.’ Witch Aiko felt a powerful shadow element that way, on par with hers.

What that meant for her was that her own stealth would be negated, and she would be found out.

’I never knew there was someone on par with me...’ Witch Aiko didn’t like that. Once she had more time, she would definitely strengthen her stealth abilities!

’I gotta buy more things.’ Witch Aiko nodded her head.

There were only 3 more plains between her and Grandmaster’s Abode, yet the news didn’t stop there.

Someone was able to uncover the Old Elders’ misdeeds, making them public enemy number one.

It appears that the Delegation was still trying to shield them, but reading between the lines, Witch Aiko was able to conclude that they were not supporting the Old Elders, but the book that was behind them.

More and more guard Foxes were talking about that book and how it went missing, making Aiko believe that the book she took might be that one.

’Well, they won’t be able to track it as long as it’s within my tails.’ Witch Aiko smirked, feeling mischievous about this situation.

’It also helps me upgrade my other Manuals, so I won’t give it over.’ Witch Aiko nodded her head.

”It’s said that the best Foxes will be allowed to that tree.”

”I heard that too, but I think it’s bullshit. There is no way that they would allow someone under the tree, since it’s too precious.”

”Yeah, probably, but it’s not like anyone would be willing to burn it.”

”Haaaa... I suppose that is also true, but there is still no way that they would allow it.”

”Think what you want, I believe they will open it for some of us.”

Witch Aiko was interested in that tree, but nobody ever said its location, so there were no leads to get to it.

Witch Aiko could only shake her head and keep moving forward.

’I wonder what kind of face Mei will make.’ Witch Aiko almost hummed out loud from how curious she was.

’Let’s keep this up.’ Witch Aiko nodded her head before moving forward.

...

The Grandmaster’s Abode.

’It’s sealed?’ Witch Aiko tilted her head. ’I can feel Mei inside, but this is definitely not Mei’s work...’

Witch Aiko pondered if she should break it, but with this distance, it should be possible to knock on Mei’s dream.

’But it won’t be a surprise...’ Witch Aiko didn’t like this flow of events, but if she broke something she was not supposed to, that would be bothersome.

’The dream.’ Witch Aiko concluded that it was easier to drag Mei into dreams and just ask her.

-----

”...” Mei looked around. ”Aiko must be close.”

This place was quite messy and didn’t make any sense, but it was definitely a dream.

”Booo, you should be more surprised.” Witch Aiko pouted.

”Dark one? Sneaking around?” Mei immediately figured out what was happening.

”I don’t like you.” Witch Aiko didn’t like this kind of Mei. ”Something happened, right?”

”Yeah.” Mei nodded. She was quite cold even in this dream. ”The Elders were able to get the book out of the Fox Village, so we won’t be able to track it.”

”I have it.” Witch Aiko wanted to be praised by Mei and turn her into a sweet puddle instead of a frozen popsicle.

”Yeah, it would be amazing if we had the book, since I believe I would be able to reverse the damage that they cause.” Mei sighed. ”Well, not all of it, since the healing would take a lot of time, but still.”

”I have it...” Witch Aiko felt so weird when she was ignored by even Mei.

”Yeah, yeah, I know.” Mei shooed Aiko away. ”I can’t believe the Fox had the book and escape- A-!”

Witch Aiko was fed up with Mei constantly ignoring her, so she chewed up her heavenly pillow.

”Why?!” Mei cried out, looking at Aiko like she was wronged.

”I should be asking that!” Witch Aiko pointed at Mei angrily. ”You keep ignoring me!”

”There is a lot of work to do!” Mei glared at Aiko like she was interrupting something.

”Exactly!” Witch Aiko showed her fangs again.

”Don’t you dare!” Mei guarded her precious bits from the Vicious Fox.

”I will dare! Until you stop ignoring me!” Witch Aiko growled unhappily.

”But I don’t have time for you!” Mei cried out like she was at her wits’ end.

”Exactly! That’s why you should listen!” Witch Aiko stomped her feet.

Mei sighed. She was tired of this tug of war, and now even Aiko was causing her troubles...

”Yes, yes. What were you saying?” Mei said, somewhat tiredly and dismissively, since she didn’t believe it was all that important...