Chapter 18: The Little Greenwood Fox
The late autumn wind carried a hint of chill, causing the dead leaves clinging to the branches to sway—like one final dance before death.
Standing beneath a withered tree, Yao Yan gazed at the large city in the distance. He lowered his head in contemplation. He was weighing whether or not to enter—and whether he should start thinking about breaking free from Hun Xuzi's control. No one, after all, didn't yearn for freedom. Compared to living like a servant under Hun Xuzi's shadow, he much preferred exploring the world alone.
Alright, maybe he was getting a little full of himself now that he had some power.
He couldn't deny it. But he longed for the outside world—he wanted to see it with his own eyes… to see the people from the original story… well, not the likes of Hun Xuzi.
Unfortunately, while the idea was beautiful, reality was cruel.
With Hun Xuzi's strength and status, Yao Yan had no qualifications to escape his control. Worse yet, if he pushed too far, even his very identity might be erased. He had no doubts about how ruthless Hun Xuzi could be. Someone who once killed his own master—could such a person ever truly care about a disciple, especially one that was nothing more than a lab rat?
Ying ying ying~
Just then, a cooing, affectionate sound echoed, and a white fox with faint green fur appeared on Yao Yan's shoulder. Its fluffy tail curled around his neck like a winter scarf. Its emerald eyes sparkled with a pleading look as it nuzzled his cheek.
This little fox was a pet Yao Yan had picked up on the road. At the time, it had been fleeing with a white jade ginseng in its mouth, chased by two Tier 3 Four-Winged Flying Serpents.
Yao Yan had been stunned.
This fox was only a Tier 2 Greenwood Fox, yet it had dared to steal food from two Tier 3 flying magical beasts. Even Tier 4 magical beasts rarely provoked Four-Winged Flying Serpents, which were not only airborne predators but also venomous—perfect kiting hunters.
Among low-tier magical beasts, Four-Winged Flying Serpents were notoriously troublesome.
And yet this little fox hadn't been afraid at all. In fact, it had played tricks on the serpents, using its innate ability to control vegetation to toy with them like a pair of monkeys.
Naturally intrigued, Yao Yan had intervened and saved the mutated Greenwood Fox. He took the jade ginseng from its mouth as "payment," which enraged the little fox. It fluffed up in fury, squealing angrily—nearly making Yao Yan die of laughter.
Amused, Yao Yan casually refined a few pills made of herb essence and gave them to the fox. Since then, it had refused to leave his side.
A squealing fox... was amusing company.
And Yao Yan had been lonely. So, he took it in as a pet. He had also noticed that the fox had clearly mutated. A normal Greenwood Fox had green fur, but this one was pure white with green at the tips of its fur—still enough to pass for its species at a glance.
Unlike the usual red-eyed Greenwood Fox, this one had emerald eyes, a fluffier tail, and more intelligence. Its plant manipulation was also far superior.
Otherwise…
It would've been eaten long ago by the Flying Serpents. How else could it have gotten away with teasing them?
"If you keep eating like this, you're gonna turn into a pig."
Yao Yan chuckled and handed over another essence pill with a spoiled grin.
Over time, he had learned this little thing had a monstrous appetite—and either no use for cultivation or terrifying potential. It had eaten so many medicinal essence pills without showing any signs of breakthrough. Sometimes, Yao Yan worried it might explode from overstuffing. How could such a tiny body absorb that much energy?
The little Greenwood Fox didn't care. It swallowed the pill in one bite, tilted its head back with satisfaction, and gave a smiling expression.
"Careful not to bloat."
Yao Yan tapped its forehead and warned softly.
The fox nuzzled his hand with its head, letting out another affectionate ying~.
Its soft fur tempted Yao Yan to rub it a few more times. Then, his eyes turned toward Shennong City. Without further hesitation, he walked confidently toward the gates. With the surname "Yao," he didn't have to worry about being attacked in public. This place was near the medicinal realm of the Yao Clan—no one was foolish enough to assault a Yao clansman in broad daylight, even if he wasn't a core member.
The bloodline of the Yao Clan was Dou Emperor blood—real and undeniable.
That was reason enough for others to tread lightly.
He planned to buy a map—of the Shennong Mountains and the wider world. If an opportunity arose, he would definitely head to the Jia Ma Empire. Whether it was the Flame Mantra or fragments of the Demonic Flame Map, both were priceless. As for Xiao Yan's rise to power… well, it was okay to be a bit selfish. They had no personal connection, after all.
As for the possibility that without Emperor Flame, the Dou Qi Continent or even the Great Thousand World would fall apart…
Yao Yan believed in one thing: don't overestimate your importance. The world would continue just fine without any one person. If it wasn't Xiao Yan, someone else would rise.
Compared to the original protagonist's so-called hard work, Yao Yan placed more faith in the hand of fate.
Just like Mu Chen in the Great Thousand World.
Was his power truly earned through effort?
Maybe in the early stages. But later on… Yao Yan was convinced he was chosen by the world's will to follow the "Savior's Template." The same with Xiao Yan. He was curious—if he stole the Flame Mantra, would the protagonist's role fall to him?
As the saying goes: life is a stage, and everyone is the protagonist of their own play.
Live a life worthy of the lead role.
…
Shennong City was massive—far bigger than Danding City. Floating islands drifted through the sky above. Many giant flying magical beasts and airborne powerhouses used them as landing platforms. The city below was, of course, reserved for those beneath Dou King—people like Yao Yan, who couldn't fly yet, had to use the front gate.
At the gates, crowds gathered in small groups and large squads alike.
The largest group was, unsurprisingly, mercenaries—men and women who lived by the blade. They leaned on each other, chatting excitedly at the entrance about where to drink later, what beasts they'd fought today, or how much they'd earned.
Mercenaries were usually those with low talent and no background. Without extraordinary luck, most would never advance beyond Dou Master or Great Dou Master.
Talent defined potential.
No force or person in this world would waste resources on someone without potential—unless they were family.
Naturally, Yao Yan's arrival drew many eyes. His appearance was far too refined. Wearing an elegant moon-white robe, with an adorable Greenwood Fox perched on his shoulder, he stood out starkly from the blood-stained mercenaries.
He didn't look like someone who had struggled to survive in the Shennong Mountains. More like a young noble out on a sightseeing trip.
The entrance grew noticeably quieter.
"That robe… I think I saw a Yao Clan member wearing something like that once. Could he be from the Yao Clan?"
"Even if he's not, he's clearly someone we can't afford to offend."
…
Yao Yan ignored the whispers and stares. He walked calmly up to the gate, glanced at the Great Dou Master guarding it, and asked softly, "What's the procedure to enter the city?"
He had noticed that others had to pay to enter—but he didn't carry any money. Fortunately, for an alchemist, money was never a problem.
"May I ask, young master, are you of the Yao Clan?"
The guard's tone was cautious. If even the mercenaries could tell, of course he could. In this job, keen judgment was essential—you never knew who you might offend. Looking down on someone by mistake could cost you your life.
"Yao Yan. Just here to buy a map and gather some news. Would you be willing to help? This Tier 1 Qi Recovery Pill is your reward."
Yao Yan pulled out a pill from his ring and offered it.
It was something he had refined himself. Neither Yao Nong nor Hun Xuzi would have bothered preparing low-tier pills for him. After all, he was already a genuine Tier 4 alchemist. If he needed something, he could just refine it himself.
In fact, if not for his Dou Qi limitation, he could already attempt Tier 5 pills.
But with the Dou Qi of a three-star Dou Master, Tier 4 was the limit. He couldn't sustain the energy output needed for Tier 5 pills yet.
The surrounding crowd gasped in envy. Just leading the way earned the guard a pill? That guy was lucky. Some even wanted to step forward and offer help—but held back. Offending a gate guard might mean being barred from the city permanently.
"Of course, young master. Please, this way."
The guard beamed with excitement and quickly stepped aside.
(END CHAPTER)
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