Little Greenwood Fox

The late autumn wind carried threads of chill, and the dead leaves on the branches along the way swayed with it, as though performing the final dance of their lives.

Yao Yan stood beneath a withered tree, gazing at the massive city in the distance. He lowered his head in thought, pondering a question: should he go in, and should he find a way to break free from Hun Xuzi's control? No one could resist longing for freedom. Rather than remain at Hun Xuzi's side and act like a grandson, he would much rather explore this world on his own.

Fine, now that he had some strength, he was getting a little carried away.

He had to admit it. At the same time, he yearned deeply for the world beyond. He wanted to see this world, to see the people from the Original Work... well, not people like Hun Xuzi.

Unfortunately, ideals were beautiful, but reality was cruel.

Given Hun Xuzi's strength and status, Yao Yan had no right to escape his control at present. If he went too far, even his current personality might cease to exist. He did not doubt Hun Xuzi's ruthlessness in the slightest. A man capable of murdering his own master—how could he truly care about a disciple, especially one who was merely an experiment?

"Ying ying ying~"

Accompanied by a coquettish cry, a White Fox with greenish-white fur appeared on Yao Yan's shoulder. Its fluffy tail draped around his neck like a winter scarf, while its emerald eyes held a pleading look. Tilting up its head, it rubbed its cheek against Yao Yan's face.

This fox was a pet Yao Yan had tamed along the road. At the time, it had been fleeing with a White Jade Ginseng clamped in its mouth, pursued by two Third Order Four Wings Flying Snakes.

Yao Yan had been dumbfounded at the time.

This fox was only a Second Order Greenwood Fox, yet it had dared to snatch food from the mouths of two Third Order Four Wings Flying Snakes. Even Fourth Order Magical Beasts rarely dared provoke flying Magical Beasts such as Flying Snakes. The Four Wings Flying Snakes also possessed lethal venom; they could simply kite an opponent while slowly playing them to death.

Among Low-Rank Magical Beasts, Third Order Four Wings Flying Snakes were exceptionally troublesome.

Yet this little fellow had not been afraid at all. It had even dared toy with the two Four Wings Flying Snakes. Relying on its innate ability to control vegetation, it had played those two snakes like monkeys.

Intrigued, Yao Yan naturally stepped in to help, saving this seemingly somewhat mutated Second Order Greenwood Fox from the two Four Wings Flying Snakes' "mouths." He then took away the reward in its mouth. The little fellow had exploded with rage at the time—its fur had truly stood on end—and it had let out a barrage of "ying ying" cries at Yao Yan, nearly making him laugh himself to death.

Amused, Yao Yan casually refined several Essence Pills from medicinal herbs for it, and from then on, it clung to him.

A fox that went ying ying was quite interesting.

Yao Yan happened to be lonely as well, so he kept it as a pet. He had also noticed that this Second Order Greenwood Fox had mutated. Ordinary Greenwood Foxes had entirely green fur, whereas this one was snow-white all over, with only the tips of its fur tinged green. From afar, it did resemble a Greenwood Fox.

Unlike the blood-red eyes of ordinary Greenwood Foxes, its eyes were emerald green. Its tail was fluffier, it was full of intelligence, and its talent for controlling vegetation was stronger than that of an ordinary Greenwood Fox.

If not for that—

This Second Order little fellow would have long since been eaten by the Four Wings Flying Snakes. How could it have dared tease them?

"You eat so much. What will you do if you turn into a pig someday?"

Yao Yan glanced at the little glutton and chuckled, affectionately handing it an Essence Pill.

Over the past days, he had discovered that this little fellow had an astonishing appetite. It was also remarkably useless—or perhaps its potential was simply astonishing. After consuming so much medicinal essence, it showed no signs of breaking through at all. Sometimes, Yao Yan worried that it would burst from overeating. Its tiny body could absorb so much herbal essence; it was simply absurd.

The Little Greenwood Fox did not care what Yao Yan thought. It swallowed the Essence Pill in one bite, then raised its head contentedly with a beaming expression.

"Be careful not to burst your belly."

Yao Yan tapped the little fellow on the head and spoke with concern.

The Little Greenwood Fox nudged Yao Yan's hand with its head, letting out a spoiled ying ying cry.

The pleasant feel of its fur made Yao Yan rub it a few more times. Then he turned his gaze toward Shennong City. No longer hesitating, he strode toward the city. With his Yao Clan surname, he had no need to worry about being attacked in a crowded place. This place was not far from the Medicine World of the Yao Clan. No one would be foolish enough to kill a member of the Yao Clan in public, even if he was not part of the Yao Clan's core lineage.

Those who bore the Yao Clan surname inevitably carried genuine Dou Di Bloodline within them.

That bloodline was what gave him the confidence that others would not dare touch him lightly.

He planned to enter the city and buy a map—not only one of the Shennong Mountain Range, but also maps of the outside world. If he had the chance, he would definitely make a trip to the Jia Ma Empire. Whether it was the Flame Mantra or the Demon Flame Fragmented Map, both were priceless treasures. As for Xiao Yan's path to rise... it was better to be a little selfish. Besides, the two had no relationship whatsoever.

As for whether the Dou Qi Continent and the Great Thousand World would collapse without the Flame Emperor...

Yao Yan had always believed in one saying: do not think too highly of yourself. The world would continue turning normally without anyone. Without the Flame Emperor, someone else would step forward.

Compared to the so-called hard work in the Original Work, Yao Yan believed more in the choice of fate.

Take Mu Chen of the Great Thousand World, for example.

Had all his cultivation truly come from bitter training?

Perhaps in the early stages, but later on... Yao Yan believed more that he had been chosen by the Great Thousand World Will and given the life template of a savior. The same was true for Xiao Yan. He was curious whether, after taking the Flame Mantra, the protagonist's template would fall upon him instead.

There was a saying that put it well: life is like a play, and everyone is the protagonist of their own play.

You had to live up to your life, to the play in which you starred!

Shennong City was enormous, far surpassing Pill Cauldron City in scale. Numerous Floating Islands hung in the sky, and many giant flying Magical Beasts and flying experts landed upon them. As for the city below, it naturally belonged to those below the level of Dou Wang. Someone like Yao Yan, who could not fly, could only obediently enter through the main gate.

Quite a few people had already gathered at the city gate, some in groups of two or three and others traveling in larger parties.

The largest groups were naturally the Mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line. They gathered in clusters, linking arms as they chatted animatedly at the gate, discussing where they would drink later, what they had gained that day, or where they had encountered ferocious Magical Beasts...

All Mercenaries were ordinary people with poor talent and no backing. Without a fortunate opportunity, people like them could only remain between the levels of Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi for the rest of their lives.

Talent determined one's upper limit.

Other than parents, no person or faction in this world would be willing to nurture someone without talent.

Yao Yan's arrival naturally drew many gazes. Mainly because his appearance was far too handsome. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, and an exquisite, adorable Little Greenwood Fox lay on his shoulder. He stood in stark contrast to the Mercenaries who licked blood from their blades.

He did not look like an ordinary person trying to make a living in the Shennong Mountain Range at all. Instead, he looked like a young master traveling for experience.

The city gate immediately grew much quieter.

"I've seen clothes like that on a Yao Clan disciple before. Could he be from the Yao Clan?"

"Even if he isn't, he's definitely not someone we can afford to provoke."

Yao Yan naturally paid no attention to those stares and whispered discussions. He slowly walked to the city gate, looked at one of the Da Dou Shi guards, and softly asked, "May I ask what Rules there are for entering the city?"

He had just watched others enter the city and noticed that they seemed to have to pay money. He had no money on him, but for an alchemist, money had never been a problem.

"May I ask if Young Master is from the Yao Clan?"

The man looked at Yao Yan somewhat cautiously as he asked.

The Mercenaries could see it, and naturally so could he. Without good judgment, how could one handle a job such as guarding the gate? One never knew what sort of person one might be facing. Naturally, something like looking down on others would never happen.

"This one is Yao Yan. I came to buy a map in the city and inquire about some news as well. Would Big Brother be willing to help? This Tier 1 Qi Recovery Pill can serve as payment."

Yao Yan took a Qi Recovery Pill from Storage Ring and asked.

He had naturally refined this Qi Recovery Pill casually. Neither Yao Nong nor Hun Xuzi would prepare such low-grade pills for him. After all, he was now a genuine Fourth Grade alchemist. If he needed them, he could refine them himself.

In truth, if not for the limitations of his Dou Qi, he could have attempted to refine Fifth Grade Pills.

Unfortunately, the Dou Qi of a Three Star Dou Shi was already at its limit when refining Fourth Grade Pills. It simply could not sustain the Dou Qi consumption required for Fifth Grade Pills.

Upon hearing this, everyone nearby cast envious looks at the gate guard. Just leading the way could earn him a First Grade Pill; the man's luck was truly good. Quite a few people even wanted to volunteer their help, but they held themselves back. If they offended the gate guards, they might not be able to remain in Shennong City in the future.

"Of course. This way, Young Master."

Excitement immediately appeared on the guard's face, and he quickly agreed.