Volume 1, Chapter 142: Powerful Being from the Sacred Mountain
Even as the white fox lay dying, it bared its teeth at Lin Yu, eyes wary as it let out low growls, feigning fierceness to threaten him from approaching.
"You little thing are quite feisty."
Lin Yu shook his head with a chuckle, gently lifting the fox from the snow. As he sent a wisp of spiritual power into its body, the scorching energy warmed the fox instantly.
Ying-ning!
The fox let out a soft moan of comfort, then its eyes filled with shock and fear. It curled obediently in Lin Yu's palm, no longer bristling at him.
Lin Yu carried the fox to the eaves, placed it on the ground, and took out a healing pill, setting it before the creature.
"This is a healing pill. It should cure your wounds after you eat it."
With that, Lin Yu returned to his lounge chair to continue admiring the snow, simultaneously感悟 (comprehending) the mysteries of Ice Sword Intent amid the falling flakes.
The white fox opened its eyes slightly. Seeing Lin Yu truly return to his chair, it focused on the pill. The medicine emitted an alluring fragrance, undoubtedly a top-grade healing pill. Taking it would surely mend its injuries. Yet the little fox hesitated.
From childhood, its mother had warned never to trust humans—especially men, who never told the truth. Countless clan members had proven with blood that falling in love with human men led to abandonment at best, or death at the hands of their beloved at worst. Thus, it knew never to trust humans, let alone men. It would never take this pill from Lin Yu. Even if it died in the snowstorm, it would not fall for a man's trick!
Days later, the storm subsided, but the white fox under the eaves was in worse shape—listless and miserable. It had sneaked out of the Sacred Land because competing for a chance to enter Spirit Mountain was too hard among its talented peers. It hoped to try its luck on another continent.不料 (Unexpectedly), the treasure it stole from the Sacred Land, worn out with age, fell apart as it crossed the Tempest Sea, exposing it to terrifying storms and raging thunder. Only a Teleportation Talisman saved it, sending it to this strange place.
Still, the Tempest Sea's thunder had gravely wounded it. It had tried healing itself, but the thunder's power was too strong; its injuries only worsened. Finally, the little fox's gaze returned to the pill. Though its potency had faded after days exposed, the fragrance lingered.
"This pill was given by that human. I didn't beg for it. Besides, I'm just taking a pill, not promising to marry him. It should be fine, right?"
Comforting itself, the fox quickly rationalized. It stretched out a furry paw, pulling the pill closer and inhaling deeply.
"Fragrant, so fragrant..."
The rich medicinal aroma instantly brought indescribable relief, even easing its tormenting injuries slightly. At last, the fox's final defenses crumbled. It stuck out its tongue, rolling the pill into its mouth. The medicine melted into a warm current, spreading through its body, healing the wound as it lay comfortably with eyes closed, waiting for full recovery.
Meanwhile, in the northeast sea of the Great Han Dynasty, countless dark clouds piled up, forming a wall reaching the sky. Within, storms raged and thunder flashed like a purgatory on earth. Outside, the sun shone, waves crashed—一幅画卷 (a picturesque scene).
Rumble!
A towering pavilion ship bathed in thunder parted the dark clouds, sailing slowly from the Tempest Sea. Over a dozen mysterious warriors stood on deck, shrouded in black cloaks that hid their faces.
"As expected, this ancient ship crafted by powerful beings can indeed carry us across the Tempest Sea. Heaven is aiding us!"
A gloomy, violent voice sounded from within the ship. A burly middle-aged man in a purple robe emerged, with yellow sideburns like muttonchops and deep wrinkles on his forehead forming a faint "king" character, giving him an odd appearance.
"We welcome the Elder..."
The robed warriors knelt in salute, eyes full of respect for the purple-robed man.
"Rise." The man smiled, gesturing with his hand.
The kneeling warriors stood and掀开 (threw back) their cloaks in unison. All had thick yellow beards, "king"-shaped wrinkles between their brows, and pale yellow irises. Their terrifying auras were barely concealed—clearly, they were not human.
"Elder, where shall we search for the girl next?" The lead robed warrior asked the purple-robed man.
"The girl stole a Sacred Mountain treasure and sneaked to the Divine State Continent. She probably thinks its geniuses pale in comparison to our Manggu Continent, so she seeks a chance to enter Spirit Mountain here." The middle-aged man chuckled. "The Young Master has long coveted her. With her exceptional talent, if he gains her virgin yin, he can lay the foundation to cultivate to Condensed Spirit Realm. If she'd stayed in the Sacred Mountain, we'd have no opportunity, but she's betrayed the Sky Fox Clan's good intentions!"
"Elder Huang, what do you mean?" The others looked at him in confusion.
"The girl thinks the Sacred Mountain denied her a Spirit Mountain spot because her cultivation was too low. In truth, the Sacred Mountain wanted to protect her from danger. Countless covet her talent—entering Spirit Mountain would make her a target. Her escape to the Divine State will still benefit our Young Master!"
Elder Huang laughed, producing an ancient lamp. Channeling spiritual power, he ignited a green ghost flame within it. He took out a white fur, smiling: "This is fur shed when the girl transformed. It holds her aura. Burning it in the Soul-Locking Lamp will bind to her soul. No matter where she flees, I can track her. Returning her to the Sacred Mountain will earn us great rewards from the Young Master!"