The fox continued deeper into the valley, weaving between thick tree roots and moss-covered stones. The air had grown cooler here, and the spiritual energy flowed steadily through the forest like an invisible river.
Above her, the small white lizard remained curled comfortably between her ears.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
The fox finally sighed.
"You know…" Her tail swayed slowly behind her.
"For someone who just fought a Golden Core cultivator and nearly died, you're surprisingly calm."
The lizard didn't open his eyes.
"Talking wastes less energy than fighting."
The fox clicked her tongue.
"Well, excuse me for trying to maintain a pleasant conversation."
They moved on in silence for a few steps before she added quietly,
"Besides… if you fell asleep up there and rolled off, I'd have to come pick you up."
The lizard didn't move.
"You would not."
The fox smirked.
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Because I won't."
She paused, then huffed.
"…You're not wrong."
They walked on.
The deeper they went, the denser the spiritual energy became. Small glowing insects drifted lazily between the trees, and faint streams of mist gathered near the ground.
Eventually, the fox slowed. Her ears perked slightly.
"We're here."
Ahead, the forest opened into a quiet basin, surrounded by steep stone walls. A narrow stream ran through the center, and several old trees grew along the water's edge. The air here was thick with spiritual energy.
The fox stepped into the clearing and stretched slightly.
"This place should work." She glanced upward. "You can recover here."
The lizard finally opened both eyes, scanning the valley slowly. Dense spiritual energy, natural terrain, and natural defenses—it was a good place to hide. He lifted his head.
"…Acceptable."
The fox rolled her eyes.
"Such high praise."
She padded over to the stream, drinking for a moment before settling down on the soft grass nearby. After a pause, she glanced at him again.
"You said you needed to eat." Her turquoise eyes flicked toward the deeper forest.
"There are spirit beasts farther in the valley." She smirked slightly.
"Preferably ones that are **not me**."
The small white lizard uncoiled slowly from her head, gliding down to the ground beside her. Even in his smaller form, faint arcs of lightning occasionally danced along his scales. He looked toward the deeper forest. His body still felt heavy, energy still below thirty percent—but food would help.
Behind him, the fox stretched lazily, resting her chin on her paws as her turquoise eyes followed him with quiet curiosity.
"Well then, little storm dragon," she said. Her tail flicked once. "Go hunt."
Then, teasingly, she added, "And try not to bring back something that looks like **me**."
The small lizard paused at the edge of the stream, the cool water reflecting faint flashes of lightning along his scales. His golden eyes swept the valley slowly. Dense spiritual energy would help, but it would take time to recover what he had burned fighting the Golden Core cultivator.
Time… and food.
The fox remained stretched on the grass, chin resting on her paws, turquoise eyes following his movements with mild interest.
"So," she said casually, "what are you planning to hunt?"
The lizard didn't answer immediately. He lifted his head slightly, senses spreading outward. Golden eyes scanning. Ears twitching. Wind brushing through the trees. Leaves rustling. Small animals scurrying through undergrowth.
But deeper in the valley… something heavier. A presence. Dense with spiritual energy.
His pupils narrowed.
"Foundation Establishment."
The fox's ears perked instantly.
"Oh?" She lifted her head. "Already?"
The lizard slowly turned toward the deeper forest.
"Mid-stage."
The fox let out a low whistle.
"Well, that's convenient." Her eyes gleamed faintly. "That should help your recovery quite a bit."
The lizard's body lifted slightly from the ground, a faint current of wind gathering beneath him. Even weakened, controlling wind came naturally. Before leaving, he glanced back at the fox.
"You stay here."
The fox blinked.
"…You say that like I was planning to follow." Her ears flicked. "I'm not suicidal enough to hunt in someone else's territory while injured." She stretched lazily. "Bring it back if you can. I'd like to see what kind of prey a storm dragon chooses."
The lizard didn't respond. The wind beneath him strengthened. With a soft **whoosh**, his small white form shot forward between the trees, disappearing deeper into the valley.
The fox watched him go, then slowly rested her chin back on her paws. Her tail flicked once across the grass.
"…Mid-stage Foundation Establishment prey… at thirty percent strength." Her turquoise eyes gleamed thoughtfully. "That little monster really doesn't know how to do things the easy way."
The valley grew quiet again. Wind rustled the trees. The stream continued its gentle flow.
And somewhere deeper in the forest… a predator was already closing in on its next meal.