Chapter Forty-Six: Eradicating the Root

Yaoshan was a treasure land discovered by the Eastern Peak Sect several decades ago, abundant with all manner of rare herbs and precious materials. The sect’s stewards had explored every corner of the mountain, harvesting ninety-nine percent of the mature spiritual herbs. At last, it was abandoned.

By rights, unless one was a seasoned herbalist, it would be difficult to find anything valuable left on the mountain. That was why the Eastern Peak Sect opened it to the outer disciples, allowing them a chance to try their luck.

Under the towering ancient trees, Xiao Bao, exhausted from a long journey, leaned against the trunk and yawned. He raised a small fist to rub his eyes, and sleep overcame him, sweeping him into slumber.

Lin Ze stood quietly nearby, watching. This place was under the sect’s jurisdiction, and spirit beasts dared not approach easily, so there was little danger. After several hours and various unexpected events, the small cloth pouch in Xiao Bao’s hand was now bulging, worth at least sixty merit points—equivalent to six spirit stones. It was likely that all the remaining spiritual herbs on Yaoshan had ended up in his bag.

Suddenly, a massive raptor swept across the sky and crashed straight into the tree trunk. The branches trembled lightly.

A fist-sized crimson fruit dropped with a thud onto Xiao Bao’s head.

He blinked sleepily, smacked his lips, wiped away a bubble of snot with the back of his hand, and absentmindedly tossed the fruit into his pouch, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

A moment later, the faint sound of snoring drifted through the woods.

The raptor took the green-crowned venomous snake it had been watching for so long from the tree, flapped its wings, and flew away.

Lin Ze sighed softly.

He decided to rest against the tree as well—protected by such luck, unless some deranged great demon wandered into this abandoned herb mountain, the little fellow could run about without fear.

He did not know how long he slept.

When he opened his eyes again, Lin Ze’s pupils contracted sharply.

Before him had appeared a lithe figure, inexplicably sudden. Snow-white fur as smooth as silk, two pointed ears standing upright, a huge fluffy tail gently draped over Xiao Bao’s neck, and a pair of blood-red eyes gleaming with chill.

Sweat beaded on Xiao Bao’s forehead, his small face full of helplessness.

Lin Ze had no doubt about the power contained in that tail—a slight tightening would easily crush the child’s throat.

The white fox seemed hesitant, then suddenly spoke in human tongue: “Give me what you have, and I’ll spare your life.”

At this, Lin Ze instantly identified the creature.

Spirit beasts lived in mountains and seas, rooted in their clans. Even when forming bonds with cultivators, they communicated by spiritual sense. Only those who established their own power, competing with humans for territory, would painstakingly learn human speech.

A demon!

A demon fox of profound cultivation!

Hearing this, Xiao Bao bit his lip and clenched his pouch tightly, refusing to let go.

He had no concept of the herbs’ value, only knew that if he brought them back to the sect and handed them to the South Hall, he could ease the burden for his master and fellow disciples.

The white fox’s eyes flickered; its tail suddenly tightened, squeezing the child until he groaned and struggled to breathe. Its voice grew urgent: “Hurry up! Don’t court death!”

This action ignited a surge of murderous intent in Lin Ze’s heart.

He had thought the fox would merely rob the treasure without harming anyone, differing from ordinary demonfolk—but now it seemed there was no distinction. Pity this was within the simulator; he could only watch.

The demon fox had not expected the child to be so greedy, clinging to a few herbs as if his life depended on it. A fierce glint flashed in its blood-red eyes. “You really think I won’t kill you?”

Seeing the tail about to tighten fully—

Suddenly, a broad, heavy sword fell from the sky, its jet-black blade plunging precisely into the ground, sharp enough to slice through tofu.

“Little fox, long time no see.”

A black robe fluttered overhead; from within the hood, a pale face wore a faint smile.

Standing on a cloud, she gently lifted the hood, revealing a cascade of ink-dark hair and a calm countenance, her gaze as sharp as a blade.

The white fox’s tail was cleanly severed, thudding to the ground. Seeing the newcomer, it didn’t hesitate—a shrill cry and it fled a hundred miles in an instant.

“Tsk, a golden core demon, yet such a coward,” Qin Hongxiu sighed, hooking her index finger. The heavy sword whooshed after the fox, then flew back, now bearing a struggling fox impaled on its blade.

Boom!

The sword pierced the ancient tree, skewering the white fox’s abdomen and nailing it firmly to the trunk.

“I had matters to attend last time,” Qin Hongxiu descended from the air, strolling leisurely forward. She lifted the fox’s chin with slender fingers, smiling brightly. “Now I finally have time. Sorry for the wait.”

Blood foamed at the fox’s lips; terror twisted its beautiful face, its mind near collapse, words slurred as it begged for mercy: “I truly haven’t killed anyone… Please spare me… I haven’t…”

Qin Hongxiu glanced indifferently at Xiao Bao.

Her two fingers, straight as swords, plunged easily into the fox’s throat, wiping the blood on its fur as casually as a swordsman cleans her blade.

She pulled out the jet-black sword, and in her palm appeared a shriveled, dim pearl.

“A fine golden core, reduced to this?” She frowned in mild confusion.

“Never mind.”

Qin Hongxiu turned, lightly kicked Xiao Bao’s chin; as he opened his mouth, she flicked the pearl inside, then formed a quick spell.

Two tiny sword marks appeared on his belly, like some sort of seal.

“Your aptitude is excellent, but these hands aren’t suited for swordplay. I’ll give you this—don’t embarrass yourself like your master.”

“Baobao greets Grandmaster Junior… My master is not embarrassing!” Xiao Bao muttered, clutching his chin.

Hmph, since when had Little Green Mountain ever repaid a debt? The whole family worked themselves to exhaustion, barely managing cultivation, and still had nothing to show for it.

Qin Hongxiu shot him a look, then picked him up and tossed him onto the heavy sword.

Riding the sword, they sped off toward Eastern Peak Sect.

[Distance from character too great—please switch perspective immediately]

Lin Ze remained where he was, ignoring the simulator’s prompt, quietly watching the fox.

Just before it breathed its last, the fox glanced toward a certain direction.

Even that look was furtive, as if terrified of attracting Qin Hongxiu’s notice, yet Lin Ze caught it.

He strode toward that direction, estimating the distance in his mind.

He bent down, pried open a small hole made of stacked stones, lifted several broad leaves, and threw aside all dried weeds.

At his feet appeared a tiny baby fox.

Its pointed ears accounted for a third of its body size, soft fur covering its form, and it uttered faint, plaintive cries.

Its body seemed terribly weak, yet each breath carried potent demon energy.

It was said that demonfolk could expend their own cultivation to nurture a fetus, forging an innate demon body—born with remarkable strength.

Such was the case with this baby fox.

The aura of early Foundation Establishment was unmistakable.

Qin Hongxiu hadn’t noticed?

Lin Ze doubted it; she had probably just chosen not to care.

He gazed deeply at the little demon fox.

The baby struggled to rise, staring dazedly at the corpse beneath the distant tree.

A trace of sorrow swept through its exquisite crimson eyes.

Suddenly, the simulator signaled closure.

[Distance from character too great]

[Simulation ended]