Chapter 136: Discovered

Inside the secret realm.

After Yuan Yao formed a contract with the little fox, she began treating the wound on her calf.

The wound torn by the Crimson Thunder Wolf's fangs had several tooth marks, blood blurred, and it hurt so much Yuan Yao grimaced.

The little fox stood by her side, saying, "What can I do to help you?"

Yuan Yao said, "Go help me dig out these Crimson Thunder Wolf's beast cores."

Upon hearing that, the little fox nodded its little head, then ran to the dead Crimson Thunder Wolves, using its sharp claws to rip open their flesh and dig out their beast cores.

During this process, the little fox showed no panic, as if already accustomed to it.

Each time the little fox dug out a beast core, it would first place it beside Yuan Yao.

Seeing this, Yuan Yao couldn't help but smile.

Yuan Yao applied medicine to her calf, bandaged it, then began to lightly tap these beast cores.

"Little Fox, come here." Yuan Yao called out.

At first the little fox didn't realize she was calling it; after it reacted, it hurried over to Yuan Yao.

"Here." Yuan Yao gave one of the beast cores to the little fox, saying, "After you refine it, come ask me for more."

The little fox blinked, seeming somewhat incredulous.

It hesitated before accepting it.

Seeing it looking dazed, Yuan Yao couldn't help but poke its forehead, asking, "Are you stupid?"

The little fox came to its senses and shook its head.

Yuan Yao gathered the other beast cores, looked around, then decided to leave because the smell of blood was too strong here.

She reached out her hand to the little fox.

"Let's go."

At that moment the little fox was clueless, not understanding what she meant until she helplessly squatted down, picked it up, and held it in her arms.

Her hand stroked its fur, making its whole body go stiff.

It wasn't used to being this close to a person.

Yuan Yao noticed its discomfort and asked, "Are you uncomfortable?"

The little fox stubbornly replied, "... No."

"What abilities do you have?"

"I know charm techniques, I know how to escape, I..." As it spoke, the little fox couldn't continue, its colorful fuzzy ears drooping, seeming somewhat defeated.

It seemed to have no abilities.

Yuan Yao pinched its fox cheeks and said with a smile, "Once we get out, I'll find you some suitable cultivation techniques."

"Really?!" The little fox's ears perked up instantly, its heterochromatic eyes sparkling as they fixed on Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao nodded and smiled, "Naturally it's true."

Immediately after, she asked, "Are you familiar with this environment? Do you know of any places that are relatively hidden and safe?"

"Sure, I'll take you home." The little fox leapt lightly from Little Yao's embrace. After landing, the little fox turned around, looked at Little Yao with its big lively eyes, and slightly wagged its tail, as if signaling her to follow.

Yuan Yao followed, limping.

The little fox noticed that Yuan Yao's injury slowed her walking speed, so it likewise slowed its pace, keeping a certain distance from Yuan Yao, and occasionally looked back to make sure she didn't fall behind.

After about a quarter of an hour, Yuan Yao finally followed the little fox to the entrance of a dark, damp, and extremely narrow cave.

This cave looked very crude; the entrance could barely fit one person, and without bending low, one couldn't even enter.

Yuan Yao cautiously entered the cave, and the sight before her made her slightly startled.

Inside the cave were piled various items from the mountains and forests: disordered heaps of weeds, a dilapidated ancient bronze mirror, the half-remains of a rabbit long dead, and several withered branches……

The little fox lifted the bronze mirror with its claws to show Yuan Yao, its tone slightly proud as it transmitted: "This bronze mirror is something I picked up; they say it was left behind by humans who came here long, long ago. You can even see your reflection in it! With it, I don't have to go far to a stream to see my reflection in the water!"

Upon hearing that, Yuan Yao's lips curled up, and her eyes gained a hint of pity.

"Have you ever seen your relatives?"

Upon hearing that, the little fox's eyes dimmed, and it shook its head.

"The foxes in the valley don't acknowledge me as their kin, so I don't know if I have any relatives."

Yuan Yao reached out and rubbed its little head.

"It's fine; from now on, follow me."

The little fox nodded vigorously.

Yuan Yao decided to spend the night in the fox den, waiting until tomorrow morning when her spiritual power should have mostly recovered, at which point she could continue pursuing her target.

As for the points, she had temporarily topped the rankings, so she needn't worry for now.

Yuan Yao sat cross-legged, gave the little fox a few instructions, then began to meditate and cultivate.

…

The next morning.

Yuan Yao opened her eyes, first glancing at the little fox curled up asleep beside her, then took out her jade tablet to check the latest points.

In just over a day, more than two thousand people had already been eliminated.

Yuan Yao woke the little fox, saying, "We're leaving this place; we probably won't come back, so take whatever you want to bring."

The little fox woke up dazedly; upon seeing Yuan Yao, its eyes widened like bells, it shrank back, pressing its back against the wall.

Yuan Yao: "?"

The little fox finally came to its senses.

The person and fox stared at each other, the narrow cave filled with a hint of awkwardness.

The little fox looked around, then picked up only that bronze mirror.

I just want to take this.

Yuan Yao nodded, "Good."

Since this bronze mirror is so important to it, I'll take it; I can't leave it with regret.

After she leaves, I'll buy it a new one.

As she stepped out of the cave, she secretly pondered her next plan; after careful consideration, she decided to temporarily place the little fox in the beast-pet space.

After all, she will soon be sparring with disciples from other sects, and she cannot guarantee its safety.

Yuan Yao took two steps, and her right calf no longer hurt much.

At that moment, voices came from ahead.

Yuan Yao looked up and saw, to her surprise, four people appearing in the distance ahead.

Yuan Yao's heart stirred.

She quickly went to the left, then set up a formation before the four arrived.

Afterward, she pretended not to know and headed toward them.

The four soon noticed Yuan Yao's presence.

At that moment, Yuan Yao's face changed in alarm, and she turned and ran.

The four were startled and instinctively gave chase.

Although they didn't know Yuan Yao, at this moment she was alone, and they thought it would be easy to snatch her flag and eliminate her!

In a moment, they rushed into the formation Yuan Yao had set for them.

"You! You actually set a trap in advance!" the four exclaimed in shock.

Yuan Yao casually raised her hand, instantly erecting a sound‑blocking barrier, and said with a smile, "Come, repent before me."

"Repent? Repent of what?!"

Just as they were puzzled, Yuan Yao explained the situation to them.

After hearing her, they found it utterly ridiculous.

They were here to take part in the sect grand competition, not some repentance contest!

They mocked Yuan Yao, but the next moment they were punished by the formation's power!

"Ahhh..." cries of anguish rang out.

All four were at the Foundation Establishment Realm and could not break through the formation's barrier.

After half an hour, bruised and bleeding, they submitted.

They deeply reflected on themselves.

After another half hour, Yuan Yao crushed their jade tokens.

They were sent out of the secret realm.

As soon as they emerged, with tears and snot still not wiped away, they noticed everyone staring at them intently, making them feel creepy, chilled, and breathless.

Their hearts sank; could it be that their earlier repentant words were heard by them?!

No way!!!