The owl laughed heartily, lightly flapping its wings at the air in front of it as it spoke.
"You really are clever. No wonder Lord Golden Feather Eagle wanted to recruit you. He said that not only had you awakened a powerful detection ability, but you were also exceptionally perceptive."
Red Fox's gaze turned cold. It took a small step forward, its golden pupils fixed tightly on the owl, its tone utterly even.
"If you came today to persuade me to join you again, then my answer is still the same... Please leave."
The smile in the owl's eyes vanished instantly. It sighed softly, lowered its wings, and said with a serious expression,
"You've already been told three times. How have you still not changed your mind?
"This is a rare opportunity. If you miss it, finding such a good backer later will be harder than finding a needle in a haystack."
Red Fox lowered its head and glanced at the rain-soaked gravel on the ground. A trace of hesitation flashed through its golden pupils. After pondering for a moment, it raised its head again and stared firmly into the other party's eyes, speaking with great seriousness.
"I've cultivated alone in this wilderness for more than twenty years. I've long grown accustomed to being free. I don't want to join any faction, nor do I want to participate in your conflicts..."
The owl's patience seemed to have run out. It suddenly spread its wings and flapped them twice in rapid succession.
A powerful gust surged out from beneath its wings, blowing away every raindrop around the cave entrance. It even made the pine tree beside them rustle loudly.
For a moment, the area around the two beasts formed a small rainless zone. The calm and stillness there clashed sharply with