Chapter 55: Selling Fox Tribe Maidens—Shouldn't You Pay for Us?

"I want to join your faction!"

Back then, Chu Xuan had hesitated for this very reason—her inner demons and the fact that she had yet to reveal her true strength. That was why she hadn't accepted Ling Tian's invitation. But now, after defeating Zhao Jinying, she had not only vanquished her inner demons but also proved her capabilities. Was this not the perfect opportunity to join Ling Tian’s power?

"Welcome!"

A look of delight appeared on Ling Tian’s face. It hadn’t been easy to persuade Chu Xuan to join his ranks.

[Heavenly Court Members: 4/100]
[Quest Reward: Great Dao Origin +1]

A familiar voice echoed in Ling Tian’s mind, and he finally felt at ease.

"Fellow Daoist Tianling..."

Chu Xuan parted her lips, wanting to say something, but the words failed her.

"What’s the matter?" Ling Tian asked, noticing her hesitation. Then he smiled and shook his head. "Now that you’re a member of my faction, there’s no need to be so reserved."

"I’ve gained many insights and must go into seclusion for a while."

Chu Xuan pressed her lips together. She didn't wish to leave Ling Tian, but this was something she could not postpone. They were headed to the demon realm next, and the journey would hardly be peaceful—another reason she had to step away from Ling Tian’s side for now. She wasn’t worried about getting hurt, but rather feared dragging Ling Tian into trouble. He already had so many to look after; if she stayed, he might well be stretched too thin.

"That’s a good thing! Go ahead, would you like me to see you off?"

Ling Tian’s lips curled into a gentle smile. As for Chu Xuan, the current stage’s task was complete. The tribulation of love—such things required patience and could not be rushed.

"No need. When I emerge from seclusion, I’ll come find you."

With those words, Chu Xuan turned and quickly departed.

Ling Tian simply shook his head, saying nothing more. Chu Xuan’s talent was undeniable, and Ling Tian valued such potential. If his faction could be managed well, then...

At the thought, his eyes grew particularly bright. This was no small addition to his strength!

The youth are the hope of the cultivation world!

Upon Ling Tian’s return to their quarters, he found Hu Yuning and Xiao Ling’er waiting for him.

"Where's Chu Xuan? Why did you return alone?" Hu Yuning stepped forward to ask.

When they’d awoken and checked the rooms, only the two of them remained—they could only surmise Ling Tian and Chu Xuan had gone off together, leaving them behind.

Now, seeing Ling Tian return without Chu Xuan, they couldn’t help but ask.

"Her? She’s gone," Ling Tian replied with a raised brow.

"Sister Chu Xuan was so young, why did she have to go? I’ve been saving this snack for years—guess it’s for you now." Xiao Ling’er wrinkled her brows, sniffled, and took out a little handkerchief, putting on a show of crying as she offered her cherished treats.

Ling Tian twitched his lips, simply watching Xiao Ling’er quietly.

Only after she placed the snacks on the ground did he finally explain, "What I meant was, she had some insights and left to go into seclusion."

"Ah, you—" Xiao Ling’er exclaimed. Looking at her precious snacks now soiled on the ground, her little face scrunched up in frustration. This was too much—he’d clearly done it on purpose!

Unable to bear it, Xiao Ling’er lunged, intent on biting Ling Tian. He, of course, gave her no opportunity; after a few turns, Xiao Ling’er stood there, vexed, unable to succeed.

"That’s why you should always look on the bright side—otherwise, you’ll only suffer yourself."

As Ling Tian spoke, he gave Xiao Ling’er a meaningful look. Though she said nothing, her expression spoke volumes.

"Everyone’s here. Let’s set out," Ling Tian said as Luo Changsheng returned.

"Alright!" Hu Yuning was the first to agree, her mood especially excited. After all, they were off to see her grandfather—how could she not be thrilled?

No one objected.

"Come see, come see! Freshly caught fox spirits, stunningly beautiful—imagine taking one home..."

"Look here, a Royal-Seal Spirit Rhinoceros Horn—immense benefits for cultivation!"

Cries and haggling echoed one after another, dazzling the senses.

This scene unfolded at the border between the Arcane Dao Domain and the Demon Domain—the frontier, where conflict was constant, and thus, such dealings arose. Fox spirits were the most coveted commodity here.

The Fox Clan was a special race: upon reaching the Spirit Void realm, they could take human form, the men handsome, the women breathtaking. If caught by humans, they were sold as playthings.

With such beauty, they became rare and precious goods.

A few fox spirits were trapped in cages, bound with demon-binding ropes that sealed their spiritual power. Though their faces were smudged with dust and injury, their beauty was undiminished.

A single glance, and countless hearts were ensnared. Some, standing with their wives, still could not tear their eyes away from the fox spirits.

Graceful and alluring, every man longed for a closer look.

There was, undeniably, a reason for their high price.

"What is it? You’ve taken a fancy to a fox spirit too? That’s easy enough—our White Tiger Clan can command the Fox Clan. We could have some fox spirits sent over," Hu Yuning surmised, noting Ling Tian’s fixed gaze in one direction.

She wasn’t wrong. In their lands, the Fox Clan held little power. Their beauty made them targets for both human oppression and demon beast bullying.

The most common tribute demanded from them? Their lovely young maidens.

"I have, but I only want that one," Ling Tian replied, pointing to a particular fox spirit in a cage.

Why? Because above that fox spirit’s head were the words: "Childhood Friend."

Ling Tian frowned in confusion. Since when did he have a childhood friend among the Fox Clan? Was it a pet, perhaps?

He shook his head. Overthinking was pointless. If he could persuade her to join his faction, that would make five members. Who knew if this would trigger some new reward?

"Her?" Hu Yuning followed his finger. Dressed in blue, her face and figure needed no further comment—she exuded that signature foxish charm.

"Boss, this fox spirit—one hundred high-grade spirit stones, I’ll take her!"

A handsome young man in white, holding a folding fan with the air of a rich wastrel, pointed to the same fox spirit and tossed out his storage ring.

A gasp swept the crowd. Such extravagance!

This fox spirit was worth, at most, a thousand middle-grade spirit stones, yet he offered a hundred high-grade stones. The spiritual energy contained in a high-grade stone was a hundred times that of a middle-grade one!

What did this mean? His offer was far above market price, and the crowd, stunned, abandoned all competition.

After all, the buyer seemed to have no particular reason for choosing this fox spirit over the others. If he wanted her so badly, they could pick another.

"Interesting," Ling Tian remarked, a playful expression crossing his face as he watched the young man in white.

"Young master, the fox spirit is yours!"

The shopkeeper, delighted by such generosity, accepted the storage ring.

"You wanted that fox spirit—why didn’t you stop him?" Hu Yuning asked, puzzled as the man in white took away the blue-clad fox spirit.

Even Xiao Ling’er, chewing on a candied hawthorn, looked up at Ling Tian in confusion.

"Heh. Just because someone gets something first doesn’t mean they’ll keep it. Someone else paid for you—shouldn’t you be happy?" Ling Tian said, giving Hu Yuning a mocking glance, as if to say her beauty was wasted on a dull mind.

Hu Yuning nearly burst with anger. If Ling Tian weren’t so important to her, she would have...

Ling Tian exchanged a glance with Luo Changsheng, who caught his meaning. The three slipped away.

"Little sister, you were too reckless," the man in white admonished the blue-clad fox maiden, dropping his playboy facade and frowning seriously.

"Brother, you don’t understand! The humans treat our people as goods—those who can’t take human form have their pelts stripped. I wanted to save them!" Fox Xian’er clenched her small fists, her eyes moist as she looked at her brother.

"And so? You ended up getting caught yourself? Little sister, that’s not how you save anyone. Mother is already trying to help. This was foolish—prepare to be grounded when we get home."

He raised his hand, finally only giving Fox Xian’er a gentle pat on the head. If there were a way, who among them wouldn’t want to save their kin?

Fox Xian’er fell silent, following her brother quietly. Their mother was the head of the Fox Clan.

"Go home? I fear it won’t be so easy," Ling Tian’s voice rang out.

Fox Baiyi placed Fox Xian’er behind him, watching Ling Tian warily.

"If we’ve offended you somehow, please accept this as an apology," Fox Baiyi said, sizing Ling Tian up. He looked formidable, and Fox Baiyi hoped to avoid trouble with money.

"Quite tactful. But I intend to take your sister with me—would you say that counts as offending me?" Ling Tian smiled, his tone calm.

"You jest, sir. In that case, I’m not afraid to accompany you," Fox Baiyi replied, frowning, preparing himself for a fight.

"I've heard much of the Fox Clan’s young master, Fox Baiyi—wise and brave, bold and resourceful. It seems your reputation is well deserved," Hu Yuning interjected, her tone proud but her words barbed.

"You are... the Third Saintess of the White Tiger Clan!"

Hu Yuning had not bothered to hide her aura. Fox Baiyi, familiar with the White Tiger Clan’s talents, recognized her at once.

His frown deepened—why would she be consorting with humans? And they seemed to be on good terms.

"Since you know who I am, we’ll be taking your little sister now," Hu Yuning declared, her tone brooking no argument.

Seeing Fox Baiyi about to protest, Ling Tian spoke first, "No need to worry. I heard her say just now that she loathes humans, and I happen to have a different perspective. I merely wish to discuss it with her. She’ll be returned to the Fox Clan before long..."