Chapter Thirty-Two: The Silver Fox Maiden

  Just as Ling Xiao turned around, a faint laugh suddenly came from behind. Ling Xiao turned his head back and saw that in the withered vines, a thin figure like a beggar suddenly emerged, his face was pitch black and couldn't see its original color, only a pair of bright and clear eyes were rolling around, full of spirit.

  Then he felt a flash in front of his eyes, and that beggar's back was gone.

  Only one silver fox suddenly appeared, and after a few flashes, it caught up from behind and jumped into the beggar's arms. It raised its head and let out a "squeak" cry.

  "Haha, can't tell from looking at you, but you're actually quite fierce, why are you so timid?"

  The sound was like a valley stream, dripping down on the mountain rocks, striking a gentle melody that was pleasing to the ear. Moreover, this sound seemed very familiar...

  As expected, she suddenly stuck out her tongue playfully and said, "Oh, I forgot that you wouldn't recognize me like this!"

  She then rubbed her face with her hands, and the dirt fell off, revealing a beautiful face; next, she pulled at her body, and that dirty robe had already been taken off by her, revealing a light yellow skirt, the hem fluttering in the wind, indescribably elegant and lovely.

  It was the girl I had just seen in the town.

  She had a triumphant smile on her face, holding the hem of her skirt and spinning slightly, smiling and saying: "How's that? Recognize me now?"

  Ling Xiao connected the dots, and with a turn of his mind, he had already roughly guessed the cause and effect of the situation. It seemed that this girl, after saying she was going to teach Sima Shi a lesson, actually went...and even more incredibly, she really succeeded. And then, after being chased by Sima Shi to this place, she used such magical powers to deceive him again.

  Thus it can be inferred that this girl's extraordinary and mysterious abilities are by no means ordinary.

  Logically speaking, he and Sima Zhi should belong to the same clan, so it's only right that he should be at odds with this young girl.

  But this young girl's appearance is so delicate and lovely, it's really hard to have any bad feelings towards her, let alone the fact that everything started because of Sima Fei. Thinking about it again, Sima Fei's arrogant attitude just now, he was actually taught a lesson by this young girl, Ling Xiao couldn't help but feel delighted in his heart.

  He smiled and said to the girl: "You're quite skilled."

  That girl's nose wrinkled slightly, and she let out a soft hum, "You're the one with good tactics! Hiding very deeply, your cultivation is clearly not bad, why are you so timid and afraid of trouble?"

  Ling Xiao was so angry and amused at the same time that he couldn't help but cry and laugh.

  It's clear that this young girl has a remarkable background, and behind her is likely at least one Consolidation Period cultivator. With such a status, how can she understand the thoughts and concerns of someone like him, who is just a low-ranking cultivator and an outer sect disciple?

  But of course he wouldn't hold it against her because of this; instead, he just smiled and said: "How can I compare to Miss's family background, straightforward and effective?"

  His words both flattered the girl and subtly revealed his own concerns.

  That girl was lifted by him, and indeed smiled with joy, but obviously didn't hear Ling Xiao's underlying meaning, only happily said: "Hehe, your cultivation isn't bad! Hmm, it seems like you've only practiced Qi Refining for three layers... really not great... then, how did you detect my tracks?"

  She said halfway through and went to see that Ling Xiao only had a cultivation of three layers of Qi. Obviously, there was no heart, and it was directly said.

  The girl's cultivation is far superior to Ling Xiao, so Ling Xiao can't see her specific cultivation. However, since she can't defeat Sima Fei, it's estimated that she's only around the fifth or sixth layer of Qi Refining. Although not as stunning as Fu Ling, considering her age, her talent is probably quite good too.

  And though she spoke directly, there was no hint of disdain for Ling Xiao, nor would it make anyone feel uncomfortable.

  She smiled slightly and explained: "I was here earlier."

  "Oh..."

  The girl suddenly realized, stretched out her hand and patted the silver fox's head in her bosom, pinched its ear and scolded: "It's all your fault! Why did you have to pick this guy's side? Now we've been discovered!"

  That silver fox raised its head, making a few discontented "tsk" sounds, and stretched out a pair of front paws, gesturing as if to say something.

  "You're saying that this guy's body——" The girl looked at the silver fox, slowly understanding its meaning, "has a nice smell?" She raised her head and looked at Ling Xiao with an odd gaze. Her expression was as if she couldn't wait to pounce over and sniff out what this "nice smell" was. Fortunately, she still remembered the difference between men and women and reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

  Ling Xiao thought she looked quite interesting.

  Ever since his parents passed away, he became more and more taciturn; after coming to the outer sect of Qiyun Zong, he was even more cautious. It's been a long time since I've seen such a lively and cheerful girl.

  Being with this lovely girl, I just feel happy and don't notice the passage of time at all.

  Although he quite liked her temperament, Ling Xiao still kindly asked, "I don't know where the young lady lives? It's so late and you're not going back?"

  The girl wrinkled her small nose and hummed: "Just living in a broken house, it's both stuffy and boring, I don't want to go back!"

  Ling Xiao was secretly worried.

  Just as he was at a loss for words, the girl's eyes sparkled and she smiled sweetly at Ling Xiao: "You're a disciple of the Qi Yun Sect, right? Why don't I go back with you?"

  It's really thrilling to hear such a lovely and charming girl say "go back with you" in this way... but actually, Ling Xiao didn't have any evil thoughts at all. The girl's tone and appearance were just like she was going to play with a fun toy.

  Can't help but smile wryly, "You're joking, miss..."

  "I wasn't joking! I've long heard that the Qi Yun Sect is the largest sect in the Qi Yun mountain range, and the Qi Yun Peak is majestic and beautiful. I've always wanted to take a look!" The girl explained herself with a serious face.

  Ling Xiao's smile was not genuine, and he said with a bitter smile: "The rules of the Qi Yun Sect are strict, I'm afraid they won't allow you to enter, miss."

  In fact, it's not just the Qi Yun Sect. After all, it's a sacred place for the sect, and the vast majority of sects in the cultivation world probably wouldn't easily allow outsiders to enter casually. This girl doesn't know whether she's joking or really doesn't know about these taboos.

  "Hmph, what strict rules? Are you precious or something? Wait and see, one day I'll go there myself, no need for you to bring me!" The girl said discontentedly.

  But Ling Xiao just thought she was joking and smiled slightly.

  He finally saw that the girl's backing force was not small, but she was inexperienced and reckless, daring to think, say and do whatever she wanted.

  "Look at the sky, it's getting late. If you have no other business, I'll take my leave."

  At this time, the girl's interest greatly decreased. "Let's go, let's go." She waved her hand and no longer paid attention to Ling Xiao, hugging the silver fox and dashing in another direction, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

  Ling Xiao watched as her figure disappeared from view, and he couldn't help but feel a bit worried in his heart. After nightfall, in this kind of mountain forest, the appearance of ferocious beasts began to become more frequent, and it would be best if she didn't encounter any danger alone.

  But as soon as the thought turned, it was suddenly clear. Not to mention others, just this silver fox's spiritual nature and that magical transformation, it is known that it is not an ordinary spiritual beast. At such a young age, having such a spiritual beast protecting her, naturally has a very deep background. With this identity, where does she still need to worry about herself?

  He couldn't help but laugh at himself for being overly cautious. However, the girl's temperament really suited his taste, and he also had a good impression of her.

  After a brief pause to collect his thoughts, he set off in the direction of Mount Qi Yun.

  When he returned to the Qi Yun Sect, the sky had already darkened. It was too late to go disturb Fuling Shifu, so Ling Xiao went straight to his own residence.

  But unexpectedly, when I returned home, Fengyi was there.

  Wearing the most common outer disciple robe of Qiyun Sect, her wide and simple sleeves covered her figure; her face showed a few points of worry and distraction, with her back to Ling Xiao, facing his residence, lost in thought.

  "Feng Yi——" Ling Xiao called out to her strangely.

  "Ah!"

  Feng Yi was startled and hastily turned around, seeing that the person who came was Ling Xiao, she let out a sigh of relief, but her face suddenly flushed red as if she had thought of something.

  Her behavior was indeed strange, but Ling Xiao didn't think much of it and just smiled: "Waiting for me to come back again? Don't worry, if I'm not here, it's probably because Fuling Elder has summoned me over. Where would there be any danger? It's so late, you should go back and focus on your cultivation."

  It is...

  Actually, Ling Xiao said that just to comfort her. But when Fengyi heard him mention being summoned by Fuling Elder, his face couldn't help but darken.

  However, it was already very dark, and Ling Xiao didn't notice anything unusual about her.

  Push open the bamboo door of her residence and invite her to come in together.

  When the two of them entered the house and calmed down, Ling Xiao habitually went to see Fengyi's cultivation. He had long been accustomed to treating Fengyi as if she were his younger sister.

  Now his cultivation has surpassed Fengyi's, and with a careful sense, he can naturally easily discover Fengyi's cultivation.

  However, he furrowed his brow slightly and said, "Fengyi, your recent progress seems to be somewhat slow?"

  Ling Xiao felt a twinge of guilt in his heart. He had been busy lately, on the one hand rushing to cultivate, and on the other hand listening to Master Fuling's lectures on alchemy, so he couldn't help but neglect Fengyi. From four months ago, the opportunities to meet with Fengyi became fewer and farther between. Calculating carefully, it was probably more than twenty days since they last met. And the last time he gave Fengyi medicine was over a month ago...

  My heart cannot help but feel guilty, and I repeatedly asked: "Have you encountered some difficulties? Why didn't you come to find me? Let me give you some more Pei Yuan Dan..."

  He got up and went to look for Pei Yuan Dan.

  But just as he got up, he suddenly remembered that in order to buy those materials, he had already spent all the Pei Yuan Dan on his body. At this moment, there was not a single one left on him.

  Her face suddenly felt hot, "Fortunately, I don't have any on hand... Otherwise, I'll go refine some Pei Yuan Dan tomorrow and give you some."

  "No, no—" Fengyi shook her head repeatedly, "I don't need it, I still have a few grains in my hand—"

  Ling Xiao smiled, "Why be polite with me? We're like siblings, of course we should take care of each other." But hearing him say this, Feng Yi not only didn't feel happy, but instead had a subtle urge to argue, yet hesitated.

  Ling Xiao couldn't help but ask strangely: "Feng Yi, what's wrong with you?"

  Feng Yi's face turned bright red, her lips murmured a few times, but ultimately didn't dare to say it out loud. Suddenly standing up, she threw down a sentence, "I... I'll go back first..."

  He quickly turned around and rushed out of the door.

  Ling Xiao was inexplicably strange, but he was ignorant of the girl's thoughts and only regarded Fengyi as a younger sister, so he didn't think much of it. He just thought that Fengyi was being weird because she was tired.

  After Fengyi left, she sat cross-legged on the bamboo bed and began to regulate her breath and cultivate.

  Cultivation is the foundation.

  He didn't know that Fengyi ran out and didn't go far. She just stood in a secluded corner, looking towards the direction of the bamboo door, her eyes full of worry and unease.

  Ever since Fuling Elder began to guide Ling Xiao in refining the elixir, she felt that she and Ling Xiao were getting farther and farther apart... The last time she saw Ling Xiao was even 23 days ago. This is still the longest time they have been apart since she had memories.

  And now, Ling Xiao had broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining.

  Suddenly, there's an inexplicable and indescribable worry deep down. It feels like the distance between us is growing further and further apart.

  *****

  There are two more chapters tonight, please recommend and collect them!