The Little Fox who Stole the Roast Chicken

In the tenth chapter, after Qin Yudie's joyful moment subsided, Xu Yan asked, "Miss Qin, are there people with stronger constitutions, naturally suited for cultivation?"

He was still thinking about Jiang Li's performance from the day before. If Jiang Li could become a cultivator, it would be something to be happy about.

Qin Yudie, surprised by the question, initially wondered if she had done something wrong. Mentioning cultivation sometimes upset Xu Yan. However, seeing that Xu Yan didn't seem angry, she relaxed. She answered based on her knowledge, "Yes, there are such people. Some have special physiques, while others naturally resonate with the Tao. They progress much faster in cultivation."

Xu Yan nodded without saying anything. He didn't know if Jiang Li had a special physique or an innate affinity for the Tao. Whether Jiang Li would cultivate or not depended on Jiang Li himself, so he didn't intend to interfere too much.

"Senior Xu, is there something wrong?" Qin Yudie grew increasingly anxious seeing Xu Yan remain silent. If she unknowingly offended him, not only would her grandfather scold her, but she wouldn't spare herself either.

Xu Yan waved his hand and said, "It's nothing."

Then, he put away the chessboard. It was his rule to play a maximum of five rounds with Qin Yudie each day; otherwise, Qin Yudie would bother him endlessly.

Seeing Xu Yan putting away the chessboard, Qin Yudie's cheeks turned slightly red. She said, "Senior Xu, in a few days, it's my twentieth birthday. I would like to invite you to my birthday banquet."

She really wanted Xu Yan to attend, but she understood that as a hidden expert, Xu Yan might not enjoy such events. Nevertheless, she asked with a hint of hope.

Xu Yan replied, "If I have no other plans that day, I will attend."

While not particularly interested in birthday banquets, he thought that if the young lady sincerely invited him, it wouldn't hurt to go.

Qin Yudie was overjoyed and said, "Great! Then I'll come to pick you up. I’m leaving now, Senior Xu."

In a hurry, she left the small shop, as if afraid that Xu Yan might change his mind.

"This girl is a bit peculiar," Xu Yan smiled and shook his head, letting go of the matter.

He thought for a moment and realized that it had been a while since he had eaten something good. Therefore, he decided to buy a roasted chicken to treat himself.

...

Xu Yan arrived at a small shop specializing in roasted chicken and said, "Mr. Wang, give me a roasted chicken."

The roasted chicken from this place had the best taste among several nearby streets. Xu Yan used to come here every few days.

Because Qin Yudie had been visiting him daily for chess, he hadn't been here for over a week.

Mr. Wang knew that Xu Yan always took his order to go. So, he packed the roasted chicken without asking and smiled, "Doctor Xu, it's been a while since you last came."

Taking the roasted chicken, Xu Yan placed twenty copper coins on the table, saying, "I've been a bit busy lately, dealing with some peculiar people."

After that, he took a glance at the chicken, his mouth already watering.

Mr. Wang didn't bother counting the coins. While he was collecting them, Mr. Wang told Xu Yan, "Recently, there have been many strange people in Tianren City. Some are even rumored to be dangerous outsiders. Doctor Xu, be careful at night. Make sure to lock your doors and windows."

Xu Yan nodded, lifted the roasted chicken, and headed back home.

Before reaching home, he discovered a little fox lying in a corner of the street. Xu Yan walked closer and found that the little fox had no external injuries. He squatted down to examine its condition. If there was a chance to save it, he didn't mind giving a helpful hand.

At that moment, the little fox suddenly opened its eyes and bit into the roasted chicken Xu Yan was holding. Its sharp teeth pierced the paper bag outside, digging into the meat inside.

Startled by the unexpected move of the little fox, Xu Yan shook the roasted chicken and said, "Oh my, loosen your grip quickly. This is the roasted chicken I bought, not for you to eat."

After a moment, he stopped his movements because the little fox had already torn off one chicken leg along with the bag.

The little fox devoured the chicken leg quickly. Then, it stared at the remaining roasted chicken in Xu Yan's hand and licked its lips.

"Haven't you had enough?" Xu Yan was surprised at the huge appetite of this small fox. He helplessly said, "Well, since I can't eat the part you bit into, I'll give you the other half."

He tore the roasted chicken in half, placing the half with the bitten-off leg in the bag in front of the little fox. Then, he started eating the other half himself.

The little fox glanced at Xu Yan, then at the half-roasted chicken in front of it, before beginning to eat as well.

Thus, an unusual scene unfolded on the street. In a secluded corner, a man, as handsome as snow, adorned in white, was sharing a roasted chicken with a little fox, each enjoying their respective halves.

After finishing the chicken, Xu Yan took steps towards the direction of the shop.

Not long after, he halted in his tracks, for the little fox was following him.

Turning to face the fox, regardless of whether it understood or not, he spoke, "Why are you following me? I don't have any roasted chicken left."

The fox's large eyes blinked intermittently, and it thought, "I have nowhere to stay, so I'm following you. Besides, I'm full now, no need for roasted chicken."

She wasn't an ordinary fox; she was a fox spirit. Hunted by other spirits, she fled here, exhausted her spiritual power. Combined with extreme hunger, she was unable to maintain her humanoid form, thus revealing her true appearance.

Now, she couldn't transform back into her humanoid form; otherwise, it might frighten people who saw her. The spirits chasing her had also arrived in Tianren City. It was better to remain in her current form, such as pretending to be an ordinary fox and slowly recovering her spiritual power by becoming a pet in a human's home.

Xu Yan and the little fox locked eyes for a moment, then he sighed resignedly, "Forget it, talking to you is like talking to the wind. If you really want to follow me, go ahead. I've already got a green-haired turtle as a companion, so I don't mind having a little fox as well."

With that, he retraced his steps to his shop, and the little fox, Su Jiu'er, followed him inside.

Before entering the shop, Su Jiu'er still perceived Xu Yan as a mere mortal. However, upon stepping into the small store, she realized how grossly mistaken she had been.

The rules of the endless great Tao manifested in the outer hall, ancient and wild sword intentions emerging and assailing her.

And then... she fainted.

"What's going on? Fainted as soon as she came in," Xu Yan said, finding it strange that the little fox collapsed upon entering.

Could it be from overeating?

Well, serves you right for letting a little fox eat so much. Now you're reaping what you sowed!