Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Aiko sat in a well-decorated carriage with Lady Liu and others.

On Lady Liu's side were Chen Shi and Great Roc Mother.

On Aiko's side was her team, the Blood Fox and the Umbra Fox.

But for some reason, there was tension in the air.

Lady Liu had very simple clothing, but her noble air could easily rival that of a Monarch. Her clothing was of light-green colour, with a lot of white.

Chen Shi had simple Cultivator clothing, long and large sleeves, so he could store many things and pinch Runes without others actually seeing them. His clothing was white, with hints of green.

The Great Roc Mother was dressed modestly, she was only interested in showing off in front of Lady Liu and Chen Shi. Otherwise, she couldn't be bothered to dress properly for those lazy Human Monarchs... Same as the Inscription saint, Her colour was white with hints of green.

Aiko and her team all had black clothes. They all looked like they were the guards here, but unfortunately, they were actually the weakest Cultivators in here...

Aiko mostly ignored the tension since she was looking outside the carriage. The streets were passing by somewhat slowly, so she was able to admire the scenery.

She had to admit that this place was well-decorated. Everything had a smooth transition and nothing was exceptionally glaring or out of place.

Of course, there were some questionable buildings, but Aiko ignored those since it was obvious that they were built like that on purpose.

Someone just didn't like the harmony and had to cause trouble, but this was not Aiko's place, so she wouldn't do anything about it. She, however, thought about building her own little city, but there were some glaring issues she would have to address first, not to mention, that she couldn't take the city with her...

...

They soon arrived in front of the palace gates. They opened almost immediately and they were allowed to pass without any kind of disturbance or inspection.

This puzzled Aiko, but when she thought about it again... this was just a natural course.

The Inscription Saint would just blast through it, not to mention other Beasts were also supposed to come in here, which meant that if they were stopped... they would just create their own doors and enter this place.

'It's sort of a protection.' They allowed anyone in without inspection, but at the same time, they were under the protection of the Beasts and the Human Cultivators.

Aiko thought that this was quite a genius idea and she would also apply it.

All residents were drafted if someone attacked their city.

Aiko nodded slowly, not realising that most looked at her and her funny expression.

She wasn't ignoring them, but she was so engrossed in her own thoughts that it was obvious she was not aware of her surroundings.

That was fine here, but it would be dangerous inside the palace, so they would have to make sure that Aiko doesn't get lost...

...

They got off the carriage and Aiko was already looking around. She was curious about their decoration and building sense, since now that she had decided to build her own little town, it would be beneficial to study it.

She will need some inspiration on how to build certain buildings.

They were welcomed by the palace maids.

All of them were incredibly respectful and careful about their conduct.

Aiko stared at them unblinking, some of them twitched, but none recoiled or shivered.

'Impressive...' Aiko thought that they would be at least a bit scared since this big bird might be a bit silly with her conduct, but she is a real powerhouse...

They were guided into the side palace for rest, until the other council members arrived.

The side palace was large and glorious, naturally it couldn't compare to the main Palace, but it also was not built cheaply, so it still had that noble and lavish air.

Aiko wanted to immediately run around, but restrained herself. There were too many eyes on them and it would not be good for them.

But that didn't mean Aiko's eyes didn't shine brightly like she wanted to disassemble this whole place down!

*Twitch Twitch*

Aiko's ears twitched, she didn't have the Recognition Inhibition Bracelets since they were banned inside the Palace and her overly large and cute ears twitched cutely.

The palace maids almost fainted at the sight, but fortunately, they were well-trained and somehow persevered.

Aiko looked around, but her ears kept twitching. There was a strange sound in the air.

The others were unable to hear it as Aiko had the most sensitive ears a Fox could possibly have.

Chen Shi and others noticed Aiko's abnormality and stopped.

"What's wrong?" Lady Liu asked, gently petting her head where her ears kept twitching.

'Enemies, enemies~!'
'It's those bastards again...'

Aiko heard the Darkness once more, naturally, Chen Shi and Great Roc Mother could also hear them and the Great Roc Mother was concerned that she was falling into the Demonic Path...

Aiko's ears twitched again. She was finally able to distinguish the direction.

Chen Shi immediately formed a barrier around Lady Liu, since she would be the one that would suffer the most from the Cultivators fight.

As for the palace maids... too bad.

Aiko subconsciously activated her stealth and sneaked around. Her team silently followed her.

She moved away from Lady Liu's har- group.

The Great Roc Mother was concerned about this whole situation and wanted to follow, but Chen Shi stopped her. It was better to not go after her, lest they see something they shouldn't...

And he was right, oh so very right...

"GAH!""ARGH""AAAAAA-"

Strange noises kept coming from the direction where Aiko went. The palace maids shivered and they didn't dare to lift their heads.

Aiko soon returned with a bundle of Human bodies.

"It's them again." Aiko said expressionlessly.

The Great Roc Mother tilted her head. She heard those voices and thought that Aiko was losing her mind, but those voices proved to be unexpectedly helpful...

'Is that why some Beasts like the Demonic Path?' She thought about it, but she still couldn't understand it.

"Them, huh..." Chen Shi was completely unfazed. It seems like he got used to Aiko's way of work and wouldn't question it. He also appreciated the Human pretzel made out of those assassins.

"Weapons?" He asked cautiously, he was worried that Lady Liu would be poisoned.

"Stored away, that includes their hidden weapons and teeth." Aiko said with a neutral voice, but the palace maids were now shivering in fear.

"Good, we can exchange them later." He nodded slowly. Chen Shi was happy that he would have more poison to work with and thus a higher likelihood of finding a cure for it.

He lifted those bodies with his Divine Sense and carried them inside.

The palace maids followed, well, they had to follow since it was part of the etiquette. If these guests didn't drive them away, they were forced to follow and stay with them through heaven and hell!

"You can wait outside, but one of you will bring tea over." Chen Shi said softly and most of the maids blushed, like they completely forgot about the fact they were just scared shitless.

"Tsk, being an Ikemen is bad." Aiko clicked her tongue, but she then tilted her head. 'What does that word even mean?' She was unaware that she used slang for a 'perfect' guy.

Chen Shi glared at Aiko, but she just shrugged and smoothly hugged Lady Liu's hand.

Both Chen Shi and the Great Roc Mother were jealous of Aiko, they wished they were younger, so Lady Liu would indulge them as well...

Aiko rolled her tongue outside her mouth and taunted at them. A few veins popped on Chen Shi's forehead, but fortunately, the palace maids were no longer in here, otherwise, they would be frightened by his expression or aroused... Depends on the kind of maid they are.

The Great Roc Mother didn't share the same sentiment. She liked this type of Fox, a mischievous brat who liked to play others. Not the other type that 'plays' with others.

She gently caressed Aiko's head.

"You are weird..." Aiko murmured. She was somewhat confused, why did this bird not glare at her? She couldn't wrap her head around it.

Soon, one palace maid entered with fragrant tea.

Aiko smelled the tea, but there was something strange about it.

*Sip*

Aiko stole a cup and took a sip, sure enough...

[You have been poisoned!]
[Your [Greater Poison Resistance] suppresses the poison.]
[Your treasure nullifies the poison.]

Aiko nodded slowly.

"It's poisoned." She said flatly and the palace maid paled.

Chen Shi drove her away before she caused a ruckus. He already had a headache and didn't need to have another one...

He tilted his head, but he just couldn't understand why someone would try to poison the tea.

"What kind of poison is it?" He asked Aiko.

"How am I supposed to know?!" Aiko glared at him. She knew it was poisoned because of her System! How was she supposed to know what kind of poison it was if she didn't even detect it without the System!?

"Then how did you know it was poisoned?" He narrowed his eyes.

"How can you say food is delicious without actually knowing the ingredients?" Aiko shot back. "Idiot." And added insult to injury.

His face twitched, he was enraged. The insult… he was somewhat used to it already, but he was angry that he couldn't refute that statement!

He ruffled his hair in annoyance and Lady Liu with the Great Roc Mother giggled. They rarely saw him be at a disadvantage, but this little Fox truly demonstrated her wonders!

They gently applauded Aiko, not too much since it would hurt Chen Shi, but enough to make Aiko shyly smile.

"It's so fun to tease her..." The Great Roc Mother murmured and Lady Liu nodded gently.

Aiko coughed. "What do we do now?" She asked Chen Shi.

"What?" He was annoyed and he glared at her.

"What, what?" Aiko snorted at this idiot. "There were assassins and even the tea was poisoned. We are fine, but Lady Liu needs those necessities." Aiko glared at him back like he was some kind of idiotic child.

Chen Shi choked up, he completely dismissed the situation since for the most part they were always on their own turf, so things like assassination or poisoning pretty much never happened.

He was suddenly enlightened, but he would never praise this brat!

"I will arrange something..." He sighed.

Aiko sipped more of that tea.

"Hey! It's poisoned, why are you still drinking it?!" Chen Shi scolded Aiko.

"It tingles on the tongue." Aiko said and smiled.

Chen Shi had a headache, a terrible one. He took a sip from the tea and glared at Aiko.

"This is an aphrodisiac!" He shouted.

Most of the girls blushed, but Aiko continued to sip.

"Stop drinking it!" He scolded Aiko again.

"No! It's neutralised by my artefact, so I don't need to listen to you!" Aiko scoffed at him and took another sip. The strange tingling sensation on her tongue was quite addicting...

"You..!" Chen Shi was completely speechless and he didn't know what to say. He confiscated the main pot so Aiko couldn't pour more tea, but Aiko already confiscated all the small Gaiwan cups.

"Mine!" Aiko stuck out her tongue.

Chen Shi really wanted to pummel her into the ground, but he had to calm down, Lady Liu was still watching...