The Fox God looked pale, an involuntary twitch appearing at the corner of her eye as she stared steadfastly at the two before her.
One was a graceful young man in white, the other a child, delicate and exquisite; both seemed completely harmless.
However, contrary to their appearance, their hearts were too dark, too filthy!
"Encountering you two must also be the tribulation I deserve," the Fox God said after a long silence, smiling mournfully with a heartbreakingly sorrowful voice, "A Spirit Hidden Willow of the Golden Core Level!"
Sun Lingtong's eyes widened.
Even Ning Zhuo could not hide his astonished expression.
A Spirit Hidden Willow!
And a Golden Core Level Spirit Hidden Willow?
"Did I hear that wrong?!" Sun Ning and his companion exchanged baffled looks.
The Spirit Willow conceals its form to evade disasters and grasps the profound mysteries between its leaves.
The Spirit Hidden Willow thrives in places full of spiritual energy like the Furui Land and possesses the ability to conceal itself. This ability was even stronger than that of the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon could only become invisible; it couldn't hide its form. Even if one couldn't see it, it was still possible to touch it.
But the Spirit Hidden Willow could not only become invisible; it could also hide its form. Even if one walked right to where it took root and lingered back and forth, it remained untouched.
The hidden ability of the Spirit Hidden Willow was merely a means for survival. Its truly precious qualities lay in two aspects.
One was disaster avoidance.
It was said that it could alter one's Qi Fortune and evade calamities.
The other was enlightenment.
Under the Spirit Hidden Willow, a cultivator's understanding during cultivation could markedly increase, making it easier to comprehend cultivation techniques and study the myriad skills of cultivation.
Even a Qi Refining Level Spirit Hidden Willow was highly sought after by Golden Core Cultivators.
Yet the Fox God had directly brought out a Golden Core Level one!
This was too shocking.
Even though Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong intended, not to extort or blackmail, but out of a kind heart to help the Fox God redeem herself and seek survival, they never imagined they would receive a Golden Core Level Spirit Hidden Willow!
It was an unimaginable fortune.
Unexpectedly, it really happened, right there, right now, happening to them.
"We've struck it rich! We've struck it rich!" Sun Lingtong shouted jubilantly in his heart.
Meanwhile, the Fox God stood straight, choosing to remain silent.
By bringing out a Golden Core Level Spirit Hidden Willow, she was sure they would agree.
The price was too great, too heavy!
The Fox God, with a stern face, asked, "With so much offered, how can you assure me that you can redeem me?"
Ning Zhuo reached into his robe and, in front of the Fox God, took out a sacred decree.
He unfolded the Magic Decree and recited, "By the authority of the Earth Role, the Southern Bean King decrees: 'Today at Mist Hidden Mountain, the Fox God demonstrates loyalty and bravery, endures humiliation, and embeds herself among demons and malicious fiends, collecting intelligence and uncovering conspiracies.'"
"Given your contributions here, you are hereby granted the title 'True Mountain God of Mist Hidden Mountain'. You are commanded to actively cooperate with members of the Royal Family, jointly annihilate bandits, and protect the peace of the populace, forever enjoying the honor of veneration."
"This is decreed!"
The Fox God bowed deeply with a solemn face, "Your servant, receives the decree, thanks to the great grace of the sovereign!"
As she finished speaking, the Magic Decree burst into a glow, descending upon the Fox God and binding her by contract.
The Fox God, with her eyes slightly closed, felt the authenticity of the contract, and then turned her gaze to Ning Zhuo with amazement.
Ning Zhuo's producing the sacred decree was utterly beyond her expectations.
She had truly not expected that this young man before her could reach such lofty heights of influence, achieving so much in such a short time. Not only did he uncover major cases, but he also secured a sacred decree!
Little did she know that this decree came from Zhu Xuanji.
Zhu Xuanji was a prominent Golden Core member of the Zhu Family, possessing several Divine Skills and immense potential in his Nascent Soul, deeply trusted by the Monarch.
He often investigated cases carrying a blank sacred decree, ready to fill in the content himself when necessary.
With the Southern Bean King's Seal on that blank decree, as long as the content was filled correctly, it could be effective!
With the contract established, the swap was completed.
The Fox God accepted the Magic Decree from Ning Zhuo, while Ning Zhuo received numerous cultivation treasures.
He was eager to study them closely, particularly the Golden Core Level Spirit Hidden Willow, but the timing was not right, and he had to store everything within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
Seeing the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon materialize, the Fox God sighed softly, "Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon?"
She immediately recognized this classic Nascent Soul Level mechanical artifact.
Two Foundation Establishment Cultivators possessing so many treasures assured her even more that Sun Ning and his companion had extremely profound backgrounds, not to be trifled with in the slightest.
Even the painful feeling from just having revealed her deepest reserves was somewhat relieved by this thought.
The Fox God respectfully inquired about the next steps and how she needed to cooperate.
Ning Zhuo told her to just stay here and wait for the right moment, to act upon his command when ordered.
The Fox God suppressed her doubts and obediently complied.
Ning Zhuo, having settled this task, couldn't help but recall his earlier conversation with Zhu Xuanji.
Ning Zhuo directly asked Zhu Xuanji, "What should be done with the Fox God?"
Zhu Xuanji thought for a moment, then sighed, "It's easier to use her than to condemn her."
Ning Zhuo immediately understood his meaning.
The True Mountain God of Mist Hidden Mountain was already in a precarious position; if they were to kill the Deputy Mountain God as well, who would govern and manage Mist Hidden Mountain?
By relying on those villagers?
It would be better to depend on the Gods than on the Human Clan Cultivators.
Though the Fox God had aligned with demons, she had ultimately unveiled the veil of darkness, proving herself useful and meritorious.
Moreover, Gods were far more adept at managing mountains, lakes, and the like than Human Clan Cultivators.
Zhu Family members in the Southern Bean Royal Family were dwindling, and ruling the Southern Bean Kingdom was becoming increasingly difficult. This was evident even in the actions of Prefect Xuanci.
Southern Bean King had to especially cherish even such an outsider, which showed that the Royal Family's influence in the region was quite shallow.
The Fox God had some leverage fall into the hands of the Zhu Family, which was what the Royal Family was most pleased to see.
Zhu Xuanji's reaction was within Ning Zhuo's expectation.
Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, Ning Zhuo had already known little about Zhu Xuanji, knowing that the latter was worried about his family and country, with the interests of the Royal Family as the primary concern.
Ning Zhuo then said, "Lord Zhu, Lord Prefect shouldn't act rashly to avoid startling the snake. Let us two go out and force the Fox God into compliance."
Zhu Xuanji looked deeply at Ning Zhuo, "If you take the initiative to accept this order, then your share of the spoils will be reduced later."
He was clear about Ning Zhuo's intentions.
After all, he had seen too much during the investigations.
Ning Zhuo thought for a while and immediately agreed, also asking for a proof.
Zhu Xuanji pondered for a moment, then handed over the Magic Decree, personally writing its content under their astonished gaze.
At the foot of the mountain, a radiant teleportation light suddenly appeared, dazzling to the eyes.
Soon, a large number of cultivators appeared out of thin air.
This scene immediately caught the attention of the Fox God.
"He actually summoned an army to deal with the Black Wind Tiger Demon?"
"Wait, the grade of this army isn't high."
The Fox God looked from afar and gradually realized that this was a local garrison.
"The Black Wind Tiger Demon practices the Meat Shield Blood Swallowing Technique; no matter how much cannon fodder it is surrounded with, it merely serves as its sustenance or as movable elixir pills," the Fox God couldn't help but say.
Sun Lingtong giggled, "Fox God, just watch."
The teleportation light continued to surge.
The cultivators who appeared next were obviously more elite. A few Foundation Establishment level leaders emitted a fierce and valiant aura.
The Fox God remarked, "If this army is adept at battle formations, they might still possess the strength to fight. But a large battle formation is cumbersome; the more people, the more difficult the coordination. If their weak points are found and the formation broken, the Tiger Demon will kill wildly, slaughtering countless."
Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo remained silent.
The final wave of teleportation!
As the light faded, Meng Zizhong, holding a long-handle war hammer, appeared within the Fox God's field of vision.
The Fox God was shocked: "Meng Zizhong?!"
He gasped, initially thinking that Meng Zizhong had led the cultivator army to demolish the mountain temple and eradicate him.
The Fox God's mind was quick, and upon reflection, he suddenly understood.
At the foot of the mountain, the cultivator army began quickly forming their battle formation.
The Black Wind Tiger Demon, getting the battle report, knew it couldn't allow the Human Clan cultivators to successfully form their battle formation; it immediately led all its troops down the mountain.
It aimed to rout them while their formation was unstable, then withdraw triumphantly!
"It's starting now!" Sun Lingtong giggled excitedly, watching the battle intently.
The Fox God suddenly turned to Ning Zhuo: "Did you specifically deploy Meng Zizhong to exterminate the Black Wind Tiger Demon?"
Ning Zhuo glanced at him then turned back to the battlefield, his tone indifferent: "It was just some rumors I spread."
The Fox God's eyes narrowed—Ning Zhuo's flat tone sent a chill through him.
"What a ruthless strategy!" exclaimed the Fox God internally, his wariness and vigilance toward Ning Zhuo skyrocketing.
The demons rushed down the mountain!
Black Wind Tiger Demon led the charge, its eyes blood-red, its murderous intent frigid, its roar thunderous: "Meng Zizhong, I'm going to chew you up alive!"
Meng Zizhong snorted coldly, gripping the long-handle war hammer, and strode forward.
He ran out of the battle formation, directly confronting the Black Wind Tiger Demon.
Bang!
The two fiercely collided.
Meng Zizhong took four steps back, while the Black Wind Tiger Demon took only one step back.
But Meng Zizhong had achieved his goal—he had intercepted the Black Wind Tiger Demon.
The Black Wind Tiger Demon shook its paws, dissipating the numbness.
Meng Zizhong gripped his war hammer even tighter.
He thought, "This evil tiger is quite strong; I'm no match for its strength. I should attack with spells from a distance to weaken it!"
Thinking this, Meng Zizhong shouted, "Cover its eyes with sand."
As the words were spoken, Earth Element Power surged forth, transforming into countless grains of sand, flying towards the Black Wind Tiger Demon.
The Black Wind Tiger Demon's vision was obscured, its hearing disrupted.
Meng Zizhong shouted again, "Hit its waist with stones!"
Stone balls formed from Earth Element Power began to roll rapidly, emitting a thunderous rumble, and hit the Black Wind Tiger Demon.
The Black Wind Tiger Demon, closing its eyes and blocking its ears, was hit by the stone balls repeatedly, retreating continuously, its body swaying, its spine in pain.
It roared and cast the Blood and Flesh Demon Technique—
Fierce Wind!
A fierce wind arose, the stench of blood rapidly filling the battlefield.
Cloud follows the dragon, wind follows the tiger. A tiger naturally excels in wind techniques, and the inclusion of "wind" in the nickname of the Black Wind Tiger Demon indirectly highlighted its prowess in wind techniques.
The fierce wind swept all about, blowing the sand back and slowing the stones, many of which nearly halted in place, unable to roll.
Meng Zizhong sneered once more, "It's not over yet. Witness my Flying Sand and Rolling Stones!"
The sand and stones were originally two separate spells, but now under Meng Zizhong's control, they merged into one, mutually reinforcing each other, greatly increasing in power.
Instantly, the sand whirled wildly in the sky, the stones rushing swiftly, breaking through the barrier of the fierce wind, and striking the Tiger Demon.
Bang, bang, bang...
The Tiger Demon was knocked down.
The stones immediately rolled over it, one after another piling up, pinning it to the ground.