Chapter 505: A Deal

Qin Ming walked over to the silver fox and asked coolly, "Was it you who stole my spirit herbs?"

Upon hearing this, the silver fox beast shrank back, trembling in fear.

The Devouring Sky Rat, seeing this, hurried forward and explained the whole story to Qin Ming.

"Eh hehe, Master, let me tell you how it happened."

Moments later.

After listening to the Devouring Sky Rat's account, Qin Ming's expression grew unusually grave.

"The Beast Roar Mountains have changed again."

"The Wind Ripper clan of the Four Great Royal Families is suspected of birthing another fourth-rank transformed beast—the Great Black Heaven Demon Saint—full of ambition."

"The leader of the Silver Moon Tianhu clan lies severely wounded."

After absorbing this information, Qin Ming's gaze returned to the silver fox, his eyes flickering as if lost in thought.

Seeing his expression, the Devouring Sky Rat mustered courage and pleaded on behalf of the silver fox on the ground:

"Master, I think she has no choice—her actions are truly understandable."

"Maybe… maybe we should spare her life. Hehe."

The silver fox, surprised that the Devouring Sky Rat—who had just pawed at her—was now pleading for her, cast him a grateful glance.

"Hmph. Did you two conspire while I wasn't here?"

"You want me to spare her life?"

Qin Ming couldn't help but smile inwardly, so he deliberately scowled at the Devouring Sky Rat and asked, "What? Do you want her to be your concubine?"

"If that's the case, I can arrange it."

The Devouring Sky Rat quickly explained, "Hehehe! Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! I have no such intentions—just that the Silver Moon Tianhu clan has always had a good reputation. When many beast clans launched the Beast Tide, they were among the few who opposed participation."

"This clan dislikes fighting, has a gentle nature, and, like you, Master, values peace. I believe her actions were unintentional."

"She doesn't deserve death."

Qin Ming pondered briefly, then looked at the silver fox on the ground and declared, "Alright then. Death is spared, but punishment remains."

"Give me two drops of your essence blood, and I'll let you go."

Hearing this, the silver fox turned pale—she feared pain most of all, especially having essence blood taken.

But to save her life, she had no choice but to comply.

Yet suddenly, she remembered something.

After a fierce internal struggle, the silver fox gritted her teeth and pleaded pitifully to Qin Ming:

"Esteemed Elder, please help save my mother—she can't hold on much longer."

"I'll agree to any condition, and I'll make a deal with you."

"I'm certain you'll find it interesting."

Qin Ming, hearing this, asked, "Oh? Then tell me what kind of deal."

"I know the location of a fourth-rank spirit fruit, deep within the Beast Roar Mountains. As part of the deal, I'll tell you where it is."

"And if you can heal my mother, I'll accompany you to retrieve it."

"Fourth-rank spirit fruit?"

"Do you know what kind it is?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming and the Devouring Sky Rat both perked up—they had planned to let her go, but now this twist emerged.

The fox maiden shook her head awkwardly, whispering softly, "I only heard it from my mother—I don't even know what kind of fruit it is."

"You don't even know what it is, and you still want to trade?"

"That's a legendary fourth-rank spirit fruit—if you knew, why didn't you go get it yourself?"

"It's probably not easy to obtain, is it?"

The Devouring Sky Rat couldn't help but ask.

The silver fox nodded slightly, offering no denial.

Since ancient times, rare treasures were always guarded by powerful beasts or separated by impassable chasms teeming with peril—never easily acquired.

Qin Ming paused, then asked, "Then why are you so certain I can heal your mother?"

"B-because my mother's wound can't wait any longer—I can see your abilities. You can cultivate third-rank spirit plants, and you command such a powerful beast king—so I'm just trying my luck." The silver fox finished, then fell into quiet sobs.

Hearing himself praised, the Devouring Sky Rat instinctively puffed out his chest, stepped forward, and declared proudly, "I must say, you've got good judgment. Not to mention my strength—my Master is a Celestial Chosen!"

"Healing you? A trivial matter."

Qin Ming, hearing his bluster, tapped his head. "Enough. Can you just shut up?"

"Eh hehe! Yes yes! All decisions rest with Master!" the Devouring Sky Rat hurriedly said.

Qin Ming turned back to the silver fox on the ground. "If you're offering a fourth-rank spirit fruit, that's acceptable."

"But… I must first plant a soul-binding seal on you. Only after the fruit is delivered will I remove the pact. Agreed?"

At these words, the silver fox fell into agonizing indecision—but then remembered her life now hung in his hands, and her mother's desperate state. She nodded in acceptance.

"I agree."

"Esteemed Elder must keep your word."

Qin Ming nodded, speaking coolly, "Naturally. Rest assured—I, Qin Mou, live by my word. I always deliver."

Hearing this, the silver fox felt slightly reassured, and opened her spiritual sea.

Qin Ming, seeing this, formed a mysterious gray rune in his hand, pointed at the silver fox, and the rune sank into her spiritual sea.

In her mind, a dizzying whirl swept through her—she unknowingly forged a soul pact with Qin Ming.

Now, her life and death rested entirely in his will.

Qin Ming signaled the Devouring Sky Rat to release the silver fox.

The Devouring Sky Rat hurried forward, carefully untying her bonds while murmuring, "Er—apologies earlier. My manners were poor."

"N-no problem," the silver fox whispered, gently licking her swollen wrists and ankles.

Then, eagerly, she turned to Qin Ming and said, "Esteemed Elder, let's depart at once."

Qin Ming nodded. "Alright. Lead the way."

It seemed the fox clan's leader was on the brink of death.

Otherwise, this silver fox wouldn't have resorted to such desperation—even sacrificing herself.

"Eh hehe! I'm coming too!" the Devouring Sky Rat called out.

Soon after, Qin Ming left the cave, and under the silver fox's guidance, flew toward the Beast Roar Mountains.

An hour passed.

The white figure ahead moved with astonishing speed, flashing like silver light—comparable to a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, thanks to her royal bloodline's innate talent.

Qin Ming and the Devouring Sky Rat followed closely behind.

The Devouring Sky Rat sat on Qin Ming's shoulder, and after so long without arrival, grumbled, "This is way too far. Is this little girl playing tricks?"

"No. She signed the soul pact—she won't dare scheme." Qin Ming replied coolly.

Gradually, a cliff came into Qin Ming's view.

The silver fox then cast a rune onto a rock face, revealing a hidden cave entrance.

Even Qin Ming's powerful spiritual sense detected nothing.

He followed her inside, and the entrance sealed shut instantly, restoring its original appearance.

Then,

They traveled deep into the cave, and Qin Ming discovered it opened into a vast cavern, its ceiling hung with countless white stalactites.

At the very end appeared a dark, icy pool exhaling chilling mist.

Above the pool rested a massive white jade cold bed.

On it lay a beautiful woman in palace robes, her skin like congealed fat, delicate as if it could burst, her robes hinting at alluring curves, her bare feet visible beneath the hem, along with a pure white fox tail.

The Devouring Sky Rat stared, dumbfounded. "Geez! This is the legendary half-transformed fox clan's sacred maiden—she's stunning!"

…

(End of Chapter)