Silver-Crowned Snow Fox

The wind still howled outside the cave, but inside, the dying embers of the fire and Li Bufan's surging vitality kept a trace of warmth. When the first rays of dawn again pierced through the rock crevices, Li Bufan snapped his eyes open.

After a deep night's sleep, the energy and spirit spent yesterday had fully recovered. In fact, thanks to gorging on Mountain Boar meat, he felt his blood and qi even more abundant and surging than before, strength filling every limb and bone. His mind was unprecedentedly sharp, his ears clear and eyes bright.

"Hoo--" He exhaled a long breath of stale air, the white mist lingering in the cold air without dispersing. He stretched his limbs with a few simple movements, joints cracking with a crisp, powerful sound.

He rose quickly, shifted the cave mouth open a crack, and cautiously observed outside. On the snow, aside from fresh accumulation and traces of last night's wind, there were no tracks of beasts approaching. This eased his mind a little. It seemed blocking the entrance and cleaning up promptly had been the right call.

He rubbed his face with snow, the icy shock fully waking him. He ate some warmed Mountain Boar meat and hard flatbread with cold water for breakfast. The faint essence in the meat and blood again dissolved into a warm current spreading through him, making his whole body toasty, as if he had inexhaustible strength.

"Today, I'll definitely hunt a few more Snow Foxes!" With a clear goal and full motivation, he packed his gear, carefully concealed the cave mouth again, and stepped into the morning light, heading deeper into the snowy mountains.

He chose a different direction from yesterday, following a snow-covered stream valley upstream to explore. According to scattered records in the Herbal Compendium and tales from hunters, Snow Foxes liked to eat Snow Berries that grew in the shady spots of stream valleys. Perhaps there would be more traces there.

The wind was gentler in the valley, but the snow was deeper, making walking quite strenuous. Still, with his Grand Completion of Skin Refining and abundant blood and qi, Li Bufan trudged forward, one deep step after another, at a decent pace. His eyes swept like lightning over the slopes on both sides, rock crevices, and deadwood clusters, missing no suspicious sign.

After about three-quarters of an hour, he was deep in the valley's heart. The surroundings grew eerily quiet, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional crisp snap of falling icicles.

Suddenly!

Beneath a rock wall thickly covered in snow and ice to his right front, a faint silver-white shadow flickered past like a ghost! It was incredibly fast; if Li Bufan hadn't been fully focused, he would have missed it.

A Snow Fox!

Li Bufan's spirits lifted, and he immediately crouched low. But the Snow Fox seemed extremely alert. Almost as soon as Li Bufan spotted it, it sensed danger and, without hesitation, turned into a silver line, dashing up the steep valley slope!

"So fast!" Li Bufan was startled. This speed was far greater than the ordinary Snow Fox he'd hunted yesterday! Moreover, its escape route was cunning, picking spots with deep snow and jagged rocks where footing was hard.

He couldn't let it get away! Without a second thought, Li Bufan gave chase!

But as he pursued, he grew even more alarmed. This Snow Fox not only started fast but maintained an astonishing speed, moving over deep snow and rough terrain as if on flat ground, incredibly agile. Li Bufan pushed his own speed to the limit. The explosive power of a Skin Refining Warrior let him barely keep up at the start, but in the sustained chase, he found himself struggling, the distance slowly widening!

This beast was off! Li Bufan gritted his teeth, blood and qi surging in his body, leg muscles taut. Each step sank deep into the snow, kicking up powder, but the silver shadow ahead grew farther away.

"This won't work!" Anxiety gnawed at him. At this rate, he'd lose it within a quarter-hour. He clenched his jaw, and the image of the footwork he'd exchanged for—Spirit Ape Three Leaps—flashed in his mind. He was just one step away from breaking through.

This footwork wasn't for straight-line speed; it focused on agile dodging, climbing, and leaping in tight spaces. It mimicked a spirit ape's clever use of leverage, striking from impossible angles. On this rugged, obstacle-filled valley slope, it might be just what he needed!

Mind following intent, Li Bufan stopped relying on brute force. He began to subtly circulate the method of Spirit Ape Three Leaps. Blood and qi flowed along specific paths to the meridians in his legs, and his steps suddenly changed!

No longer clumsily stomping through deep snow, he started using protruding rocks, exposed roots, and even steep slopes for leverage. Each landing and push took on a strange rhythm, his center of gravity shifting subtly, making him more agile.

At first, it was awkward. He misjudged a few times, nearly slipping, and his speed even dipped slightly. But the Heaven Rewards Diligence fate once again showed its formidable power! The insights from thousands of boring practice sessions, the subtle feelings from each step, were rapidly digested, absorbed, and integrated under the pressure of this desperate chase!

His movements became visibly smoother, more coordinated, more efficient!

After about a quarter of an hour of pursuit, Li Bufan felt his blood and qi suddenly surge joyfully, the meridians in his legs seeming to open wide! A newfound lightness and control over his strength welled up!

Spirit Ape Three Leaps had smoothly broken through to—Minor Completion!

Boom!

His steps became more than twice as nimble! He leaped and bounded across the snow, his form flickering unpredictably. He dodged obstacles at the last moment, tapped a rock or root with his toes, and shot forward, greatly reducing resistance from the deep snow. His speed instantly jumped a tier!

The distance to the silver figure ahead began to shrink visibly!

The fleeing Snow Fox seemed to sense the change in its pursuer. It grew more panicked, its speed increasing a notch as it darted left and right, trying to shake Li Bufan off.

But with his footwork newly mastered and confidence soaring, Li Bufan wouldn't let it escape again. He clung like a shadow, refusing to let go, as they engaged in a breathtaking chase through the icy valley.

After another quarter-hour, Li Bufan had closed to within thirty paces of the Snow Fox! He could even clearly see its heaving flanks from the frantic run, and a distinctive patch of bright, moon-like silver fur on its forehead, unlike any ordinary Snow Fox.

Now! Li Bufan's eyes sharpened. Without slowing, he drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and pulled the string in a lightning-fast motion, all while moving—steady as a rock!

His Archery experience merged with instinct, predicting the Snow Fox's next leap.

"Swish!"

The Armor-piercing Arrow left the string with a sharp whistle, cutting a straight, cold streak. It pierced the Snow Fox's neck with pinpoint accuracy!

"Squeak!" A brief, shrill cry rang out. The silver figure tumbled to the ground, rolling a few times in the snow, staining it crimson, and lay still.

Li Bufan hurried over, his breath short from the sprint and excitement. He examined the Snow Fox's corpse closely, and what he saw made him gasp, then flood with immense joy!

This was no ordinary Snow Fox!

Its fur was far glossier than a common Snow Fox's, pure silver-white like the finest silk, soft and smooth to the touch, with a faint coolness. The most striking feature was the tuft of fur on its forehead, gathered like a dazzling silver flame, shimmering faintly in the snow's reflection.

"This is... a Silver-Crowned Snow Fox!" The scattered records of rare beasts in the Herbal Compendium's appendix flashed through his mind, his heart pounding wildly!

The Silver-Crowned Snow Fox was a mutant among Snow Foxes, appearing in maybe one out of a hundred! Its cause was unknown, possibly linked to earth veins or spirit plants, and it was extremely rare.

Its most valuable parts were its flesh and fur!

According to records, Silver-Crowned Snow Fox meat wasn't coarse and gamey like regular Snow Fox meat. Instead, it was tender and delicate, with a strange, clear sweetness. It contained far more abundant blood and qi essence than ordinary beasts. Long-term consumption greatly benefited a Warrior's body tempering and qi nourishment. It could even be used as an ingredient in some precious body-forging medicinal broths! Its nourishing and warming effects were no weaker than the Skin Tempering Paste he'd obtained earlier, and as a food supplement, it was easier to absorb with fewer side effects!

Thus, Silver-Crowned Snow Fox meat was highly valuable. In a pharmacy, a single catty could sell for the sky-high price of half a tael of silver!

Li Bufan weighed the still-warm Snow Fox in his hand. It was heavy, probably over ten catties. After removing the fur and innards, he'd get at least four or five catties of pure meat! That was over two taels of silver!

And its fur was even more precious! This Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelt was intact, glossy, and magnificent. The silver tuft on the forehead was the finishing touch. If he found a knowledgeable fur trader or a noble who liked such things, a single pelt could easily sell for three or four taels of silver!

"I'm rich!" Li Bufan couldn't help but murmur in awe. This single Silver-Crowned Snow Fox was worth more than all his gains from yesterday combined! It even rivaled that fierce Mountain Boar!

After the great joy came a wave of intense fatigue. Chasing this Silver-Crowned Snow Fox had nearly drained his just-recovered stamina. The final push to force a breakthrough in Spirit Ape Three Leaps had been a heavy toll on his spirit and blood and qi. Now that he relaxed, his legs felt weak and his breath shallow.

He warily scanned his surroundings. The valley was eerily quiet. The chase had made quite a racket, and the strong smell of blood was now spreading. He had to leave immediately.

"Today's haul is enough, even beyond expectations." Li Bufan quickly calmed down. "Chasing this Silver-Crowned Snow Fox wasted too much energy. I need to get back to the cave to rest and recover."

In these perilous snow mountains, maintaining ample stamina and sharp awareness is the first rule of survival—never be greedy for glory or rush recklessly.

He neatly processed the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox carcass, careful not to damage the precious fur, wrapped it in oilcloth, and stowed it in his leather bag. Then, without lingering, he oriented himself and retreated swiftly yet cautiously along the stream valley toward the cave base.

The journey was uneventful; he stayed vigilant at all times, and fortunately encountered no other dangers. After safely returning to the cave, he immediately sealed the entrance tight again.

Inside, the campfire was rekindled.

Li Bufan couldn't wait to take out a portion of the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox meat. Sure enough, the flesh showed a faint pink hue, with fine, delicate marbling and even a subtle fragrance, utterly free of the gamey stench of ordinary beasts.

He sliced the meat thinly and grilled it briefly over the fire. Soon, an indescribably exotic aroma—a blend of savory meat and sweet fruitwood—filled the air, stirring a fierce appetite.

The roasted slices melted in his mouth, tender and springy, bursting with juice, carrying a faint, lingering sweetness—far surpassing any meat he'd ever tasted! After a few bites, a warm current, purer and gentler yet more potent than that of Mountain Boar meat, spread swiftly from his stomach, surging through his limbs and bones, nourishing his parched muscles and Meridians, rapidly replenishing spent stamina, and even subtly strengthening his blood and qi by a trace!

"Such powerful effects!" Li Bufan exclaimed, both surprised and delighted, devouring this rare delicacy with gusto.

After the feast, his belly felt warm and content, fatigue swept away, and his body brimmed with energy. Not wasting this golden opportunity, he immediately set up his stance in the cave and began practicing Mighty Ox Fist and Spirit Ape Three Leaps.

Indeed, with the aid of the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox's flesh and blood essence, his qi and blood flowed with exceptional smoothness, his fist and footwork grew more coordinated, and he gained deeper insight into the footwork he'd just broken through. The training effect far surpassed ordinary days!

The [Heaven Rewards Diligence] destiny grew faintly warm, guiding his qi, blood, and insights to settle and absorb.

Mighty Ox Fist, Grand Completion, (7894/)

Spirit Ape Three Leaps, Minor Completion, (24/2000)

Archery, Proficient, (580/1000)

The realm of Grand Completion of Skin Refining also advanced by a great stride.

Only after fully digesting the day's gains, with his stamina and energy fully restored and even surpassing before, did Li Bufan stop in satisfaction. Feeling the surging power within him, he looked forward to the next hunting expedition with even greater anticipation.

This great snow mountain was truly a treasure trove where danger and opportunity coexisted!