Chapter 059: A Lucky Find

Mu Tianhen stayed secluded in the inner chamber for three whole days, causing much anxiety among those outside. Yet, none dared to knock on the door for fear of disturbing his alchemy. Though they were merely martial artists and not alchemists themselves, they all knew well that interrupting an alchemist during the refining process was strictly forbidden—it was exceedingly dangerous. At best, it would result in failure; at worst, the alchemist could suffer backlash and perish on the spot.

So they could do nothing but wait outside, anxious and restless. Even Mu Tianxue, who was burning with worry, dared not disturb her brother. They wondered amongst themselves how Mu Tianhen could possibly endure three days without food or water. Even at the Ninth Layer of the Sky-Seeking Mirror, such deprivation was unbearable.

Take, for example, the patriarch of the Dai family—during his secluded cultivation, he would occasionally emerge for food and water. Mu Tianxue was the same; she could go two days without sustenance, but never more than three, else she would begin to weaken. Moreover, Mu Tianhen was in the midst of refining pills, expending enormous energy, stamina, and meridian force. To go three days and nights without food or drink was most unusual.

But who could have known? In those three days, Mu Tianhen was so wholly absorbed in his alchemy that he felt neither hunger nor exhaustion. Even he himself did not realize that the spiritual energy released from the refinement of the herbs was being absorbed by him, sustaining him better than any meal and even enhancing his cultivation.

Yet there was something else, something utterly unforeseen, that Mu Tianhen could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.

On the dawn of the fourth day, just as he finished the last batch of spirit pills and prepared to emerge, he discovered an astonishing change.

Swish!

Mu Tianhen instinctively dodged backward, his face filled with shock, already bracing for defense. Following his gaze, one saw a massive, snowy-white beast crouched atop the wooden table—a fox, its brow adorned with three flame-shaped tufts of fur. Not only did it bear this mark on its forehead, but it also possessed three long tails trailing behind.

A Three-Tailed Spirit Fox!

Mu Tianhen immediately thought of these words and hurriedly searched for Xiao Bai, but to no avail—he could not find the little fox anywhere.

“Did you…did you eat my Xiao Bai?”

Mu Tianhen stared blankly at the Three-Tailed Spirit Fox, his fighting spirit rising, ready for battle, though his eyes still betrayed caution.

From the records of the Infinite Heart Technique, he knew there were many kinds of foxes, but most rarely grew powerful, seldom reaching the elite grade. Rare breeds, however, such as the Spirit Fox, were different. Born with innate talents unmatched by other beasts, they could absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, growing rapidly to surpass their peers and become leaders.

If a Spirit Fox cultivated three tails, it would reach the level of a commander, equivalent to the True Martial Realm for humans—two entire realms above Mu Tianhen. The fox before him was of that caliber. Even as a body cultivator and sword cultivator, Mu Tianhen had no confidence he could win.

“Does it look good?”

Just then, a familiar voice sounded in Mu Tianhen’s ear—who else could it be but Xiao Bai?

“Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai, where are you?”

Mu Tianhen called out anxiously, searching again, but still found nothing.

At that moment, the Three-Tailed Spirit Fox on the table moved. It stood up slowly, shook its fur, and gazed calmly at Mu Tianhen.

He finally saw its full form and felt the pressure intensify. The fox was over ten feet long, its limbs tucked close just to fit on the tabletop, its back rising more than eight feet high, nearly brushing the roof. Before it, Mu Tianhen seemed but a child.

The Spirit Fox blinked, opened its mouth, and let out a soft cry, speaking words Mu Tianhen understood: “Master, I am Xiao Bai. Don’t you sense the familiar bond between us?”

“Hoo—” Mu Tianhen let out a long breath, finally noticing the link between himself and the creature—a bond of master and beast companion. He had been so startled by the sudden sight that he hadn’t realized it before.

Circling Xiao Bai three times, Mu Tianhen finally stopped and asked, “Xiao Bai, how did you become so large? Is it because you consumed the beast pills?”

Xiao Bai nodded, “More or less, but not entirely. At first, I ate about ten beast pills, which gave me the feeling I could cultivate. Then, I devoured the rest.”

“In the end, I really could cultivate, and the progress was swift. In three days, I used up all the beast pills and finally evolved…”

“Wait, wait!” Mu Tianhen interrupted, incredulous. “Evolved? What is that? Shouldn’t it be an increase in cultivation?”

Xiao Bai smiled, “Master, that’s the case for ordinary beasts. I am different. After evolving, some memories were awakened within me.”

“In truth, my previous parents were not my real parents—only my foster parents. They were ordinary Spirit Foxes. I, however, seem to possess a much higher bloodline.”

“My memories are not fully restored; I cannot recall much. All I know is that I can evolve, and whenever certain conditions are met, another evolution occurs.”

Hearing Xiao Bai’s tale, Mu Tianhen was so excited he nearly jumped for joy. His three-month journey had been worthwhile—not only had he gathered many spiritual herbs, he had discovered Xiao Bai, a treasure beyond measure!

If all was as Xiao Bai said, then in the future, Xiao Bai could become an extraordinarily powerful battle companion.

Still uncertain, Mu Tianhen asked, “Xiao Bai, tell me—how many times can you evolve? What is the highest level you can reach?”

Xiao Bai hopped off the table, looked up at the roof, and shook his head, “I don’t know, but according to my vague memories, I should be able to evolve an unlimited number of times.”

“As for what level I can reach, that too escapes me. It should be impressive, at the very least not inferior to other beasts.”

“Master, have I disappointed you?”

Disappointed?

Mu Tianhen nearly laughed at the very idea—how could he be disappointed? An infinitely evolving treasure—who could be disappointed? If it were true, perhaps one day he could have a battle companion at the Immortal Beast level, or even higher!

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

Yet as good as it was, Mu Tianhen felt a twinge of concern—indeed, a significant dilemma he would have to resolve. Otherwise, it might bring considerable trouble.