Chapter 156: The Identity of the Fox Woman

For the fox maidens, this was an immense opportunity. Heaven had bestowed upon them peerless and breathtaking beauty, yet it had deprived them of any talent for cultivation. Consequently, the cultivation base of every fox maiden was exceedingly weak, which inevitably led to tragic fates whenever they ventured into the mortal world; virtually any cultivator possessed the power to subjugate a fox maiden.

It is fair to say that Mount Thunderclap was their only sanctuary. Once they stepped out into the wider world, they faced either capture or death.

The Blood Spirit Pills bestowed upon them by Yuan Wuji not only vastly enhanced their cultivation but also elevated their innate potential, thereby granting them the ability to protect themselves.

"We thank the Divine Ape King," the three fox maidens chorused in unison, expressing their gratitude.

Having undergone this fortuitous transformation, the fox maidens not only shed their previous air of fragility, but their appearances also became even more bewitching. At the very least, the Macaque King was utterly stunned by their current breathtaking looks.

"Think nothing of it."

Yuan Wuji waved a hand dismissively, and the three fox maidens tactfully positioned themselves behind him.

"The two of you, turn around and let me thoroughly refine the Blood Spirit Pills within your bodies."

"Understood."

"Ah... Understood."

Hu Baisheng quickly responded to Yuan Wuji and turned around. However, the King of Yu Rong had been momentarily captivated by the fox maidens' beauty, yet Yuan Wuji's words brought him back to his senses immediately, prompting him to comply without delay.

Yuan Wuji placed his palms against the backs of the King of Yu Rong and Hu Baisheng, channeling his own Dharmic power through his palms and into their bodies to assist them in refining the Blood Spirit Pills.

Since the Blood Spirit Pills originated from Yuan Wuji himself, he naturally possessed the means to refine them to their maximum potential.

"Whoosh."

With Yuan Wuji's Dharmic power coursing through their veins, the Blood Spirit Pills were swiftly refined. Yuan Wuji also took the opportunity to heal the external injuries on Hu Baisheng's body.

However, the injuries of the King of Yu Rong could not be fully recovered; his internal wounds were simply too severe. Yuan Wuji's mastery of the Wood Element was not yet advanced enough to reach that level, and currently, he could only mend superficial wounds, much like those on Hu Baisheng.

Furthermore, Yuan Wuji discovered something unusual regarding Hu Baisheng: the Hundred-Demon Core within Hu Baisheng's body had diminished considerably compared to before.

Originally the size of a child's fist, the Hundred-Demon Core was now only half its former volume. Instead, Yuan Wuji detected the presence of another, entirely different force awakening within Hu Baisheng.

It was a power representing slaughter—distinct from the destructive force residing within Yuan Wuji's Geng-metal Golden Core, yet certainly no weaker than it, and perhaps even surpassing it.

Presently, this power was still in a dormant, embryonic stage within Hu Baisheng, and Yuan Wuji possessed the absolute capability to eradicate it. Yet, Yuan Wuji grew deeply intrigued by this mysterious power inside Hu Baisheng; he longed to witness what kind of transformation would occur once Hu Baisheng truly mastered it.

As the Hundred-Demon Core within Hu Baisheng gradually weakened, there would inevitably come a day when he broke free from its influence, and consequently, escaped Yuan Wuji's control.

Yuan Wuji was well aware of Hu Baisheng's intentions. It is easy to invite a deity in, but difficult to send them away; yet a Hundred-Demon Golden Core was not so easily dissolved.

It was no wonder that Hu Baisheng's aura had undergone such a noticeable shift; this must have been brought about by that latent power within him.

"Alright."

Yuan Wuji withdrew his palms from the backs of the King of Yu Rong and Hu Baisheng. As Hu Baisheng turned around, his gaze flickered with uncertainty, but seeing that Yuan Wuji did not press the matter, his apprehensive heart settled down.

Surely he hadn't discovered anything, had he?

"Second Brother, your injuries are rather severe."

"I am fine, Eldest Brother. I should be able to recover fifty or sixty percent of my strength within these few days." The King of Yu Rong was well aware of his own condition; recovering even thirty percent, let alone fifty or sixty, would be a daunting task. He spoke thus merely to set Yuan Wuji's mind at ease.

"Do I not know your condition?"

Yuan Wuji retrieved three six-thousand-year-old Flat Peaches from his Profound Spirit Ring. The moment they were taken out, Yuan Wuji used his power to shroud their aura. If the fragrance of the Flat Peaches were to leak out, it would undoubtedly attract a horde of demon kings—an outcome Yuan Wuji did not desire at present.

The three Flat Peaches flew into the hands of the King of Yu Rong. Even Hu Baisheng, standing close by, salivated with covetous longing at the sight of the peaches, not to mention the Macaque King watching from afar. Yet they knew that since these peaches were given to the King of Yu Rong by Yuan Wuji, they had no hope of obtaining them.

"Eldest Brother, these are..."

"Take them to heal your wounds first."

Without answering the King of Yu Rong's question, Yuan Wuji instructed him to focus on his recovery. Sensing the extraordinary nature of the objects in his hands, the King of Yu Rong refrained from asking further questions. He quickly selected a quiet spot and began absorbing the spiritual energy of the Flat Peaches to heal his injuries.

Hu Baisheng watched with intense astonishment as Yuan Wuji handed the Flat Peaches to the King of Yu Rong. He cast an envious glance toward the area where the King of Yu Rong was meditating, his throat moving involuntarily as he swallowed a stream of saliva.

However, Yuan Wuji bestowed no more peaches upon Hu Baisheng, choosing instead to lean back and enjoy a massage from the fox maidens.

The delicate, nimble hands of the fox maidens kneaded Yuan Wuji's shoulders continuously. Enhanced by their newfound cultivation, subtle traces of Dharmic energy flowed from their fingertips as they massaged, heightening the soothing pleasure of their techniques for Yuan Wuji.

The most miserable of all was the Macaque King, who could only sit and watch everything unfold before him. The alluring fox maidens and the fragrant, potent Flat Peaches were things he desperately desired yet could never attain. Worst of all was the helplessness of being forced to witness it all.

Had he not seen these things, the Macaque King might have been able to leave the palace; but having witnessed them, he was effectively placed under house arrest. The Macaque King was certain that the slightest provocative move on his part would instantly provoke an unsparing assault from Yuan Wuji.

With no other choice, the Macaque King could only sit down and begin refining the Blood Spirit Pill within his own body. Lacking Yuan Wuji's personal assistance, the refinement process would demand a considerable expenditure of his energy.

Seeing that Yuan Wuji had closed his eyes to enjoy the massage, Hu Baisheng did not dare to brazenly ask for a fox maiden either, and wisely chose to begin his own cultivation instead.

"Truly tedious."

Observing that all of them were absorbed in cultivation, Yuan Wuji felt a mild wave of boredom. He had half-expected Hu Baisheng to make some kind of move, especially since he had deliberately leaked a wisp of the Flat Peaches' aura earlier to let both Hu Baisheng and the Macaque King know precisely what treasures were present.

That the Macaque King dared not make any rash moves was entirely within Yuan Wuji's expectations, but for Hu Baisheng to be so utterly obedient was somewhat disappointing.

"Second Sister, come here."

The one Yuan Wuji addressed as Second Sister was one of the three fox maidens, and arguably the most exceptional among them.

The three fox maidens were simply addressed as Eldest Sister, Second Sister, and Third Sister, much like ordinary village girls. From their accounts, Yuan Wuji had learned that their mother was originally a mortal woman from a village, who had intimate relations with their fox father, resulting in their birth. Later on, their distinct, otherworldly appearances made it impossible for them to continue living in the village. Fortunately, when the aged King Fox of Mount Thunderclap happened to pass through their village, he chanced upon the bullied mother and daughters and rescued them on a whim.

Seeing that the King Fox was also a transformed fox immortal, the mother begged him to take them in. The King Fox recognized the unique origins of the three maidens and generously accepted them into his fold, though their mother chose not to accompany them to Mount Thunderclap.