The thought of Lizarius's power made the fox's fur stand on end.
An hour later, the fox stood on the edge of a cliff, Lizarius still lying invisible on its head. Both remained unseen, their forms hidden from the world. Below, spread across the landscape, lay a small city.
"Finally!" the fox exclaimed, its voice filled with relief.
"There it is — White Hollow City. That's where the humans are."
Lizarius looked at the city without a word, his golden eyes quietly observing the distant structures.
Hmm... the fox thought, sensing Lizarius's continued presence. Still here. Why isn't it going? Does it want me to take it there? Does it really want me to go into a city full of humans?
It sighed internally. Guess I can do that, since we're invisible.
"No time to waste," it muttered.
"I just have to get it there — and maybe I'll get to keep my life."
With that, the fox leapt from the cliff, descending gracefully toward the city below.
---
White Hollow City – Streets
Later, the invisible fox moved quietly through the bustling streets of White Hollow City. People passed all around them, unaware of the hidden duo.
It's been a while since I entered a city, the fox thought as a strange sensation washed over it. But to think... they really can't see us.
Lizarius, golden eyes glowing from his perch atop the fox's head, silently studied the crowd.
There are lots of humans, he thought. But they're all wack. I can't sense any spiritual energy at all.
"What are their levels?" he asked the system.
> System Report:
Human Cultivation Level: None
Bloodline: Human
Spiritual Root: None
"Hmm," Lizarius rumbled. "They're just ordinary humans."
> System Confirmation:
Affirmative. They are ordinary humans with no spiritual roots — unable to cultivate.
The fox kept walking, still invisible, when a chill suddenly ran down its spine.
Hmm? I felt cold all of a sudden...
"Fox, these humans are wack," Lizarius stated casually.
"Hmm? Yeah... they're all just ordinary humans," the fox replied, still uneasy.
So there are no Foundation Stage humans? Lizarius thought, turning his head to observe the masses.
There's a lot of them. Might get a lot of points eating all of them... but it would take too long.
What a waste of time.
A darker thought flickered through his mind. I should just eat the fox. It's at the Foundation Stage...
Lizarius looked down at the fox beneath him. Just then, the fox suddenly jumped over a tall fence, landing silently inside a large compound.
"We're here," it said, relief in its voice.
"Hmm?" Lizarius hummed.
They now stood — still invisible — beside a tranquil pond filled with lotus flowers.
"This is the estate of the Li family," the fox explained.
"They're the only family of cultivators in this city. They've got at least six Foundation Establishment cultivators."
Lizarius turned his gaze toward the fox. Is that true? Are there Foundation Stage humans here?
He prompted the system.
> System Scan:
Affirmative. There are approximately 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators in the area.
The fox looked up hesitantly.
"Since I've brought you to the humans as promised… can I leave now?"
It's still on my head. Is it not going to let me go after all...?
Suddenly, Lizarius leapt off.
The fox blinked, and its body became visible once more.
Hmm, it thought, feeling the weight gone. "is it really letting me go…