C12 The White Fox Inner Core Could Prolong His Life

Finally, Ye Mo came to a halt just inches away from the white fox, gazing into its beautiful, clear eyes. A faint, fragrant breath brushed across Ye Mo's face, and in that moment, he ceased to struggle.

"You're the white fox, aren't you?" Ye Mo asked softly.

The white fox gave Ye Mo a playful smile, then pressed its lips to his in a tender kiss.

Buzz!

Caught completely off guard, Ye Mo's body jolted. He tasted the sweet softness at the corner of his mouth, his eyes widening in shock, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, the white fox gently closed its eyes, a smile and tears mingling at the corners. The brilliant light spot at the fox's throat began to glow, transferring a stream of light from its mouth into Ye Mo's, which then descended slowly to settle in his dantian.

In Strihgan, at the Ye family estate, the atmosphere was more bustling than usual despite it being over ten days since Ye Mo's disappearance. His presumed death had met everyone's expectations, and many within the Ye family secretly rejoiced. To them, Ye Mo's safe return would be nothing short of a miracle. Yet, no one dared to express such sentiments openly. The family's youth diligently honed their skills, preparing for the City's Duel that was three years away.

But the city of Strihgan cared little for such matters. The townsfolk often gossiped about Ye Mo, who had become the city's laughingstock. Whether it was his broken engagement with Nangong Xiaoyun, his seemingly doomed fate, or his defiant and rebellious nature, he was a constant topic of conversation.

In one of the Ye family's many rooms, Ye Qing'er, daughter of Ye Wuya, attempted to console her father. "Dad, please don't blame yourself. Mo's fate is his own, I..." She looked at the middle-aged man, his face etched with defeat, and struggled to find the words to continue.

Ye Wuya, the man with the unkempt beard and eyes heavy with fatigue, was Ye Mo's father. Though not by blood, he had raised Mo for over a decade, and their bond was as strong as any father and son's.

Turning away, Ye Wuya spoke with a bitter edge to his voice, "I should never have taken him there. The dangers were immense, and just a moment's carelessness led to this... It's all my fault." Over the past ten days, the weight of guilt had aged him considerably.

"It's better to endure a short pain than a prolonged one. Dad, Mo is at peace now. You shouldn't carry any guilt." As Ye Qing'er spoke, she turned away, tears tracing lines down her cheeks.

Ye Wuya sat in silence, slowly shaking his head in time with the flickering candlelight.

Deep within an uncharted forest.

A group settled down, igniting a bonfire and establishing camp.

"Miss, I've come across some news..." A girl clad in a pale green dress spoke tentatively to an exquisite woman wearing a flowing blue gown.

The woman in blue, her hair tied back, turned and offered a faint smile to the green-garbed girl, "What's the matter? You seem so secretive. Does it involve me?"

Instead of a direct reply, the girl in green simply stated, "The Ye family's frail Ye Mo passed away recently in the Forest of Nine Illusions at the edge of the Second Realm Forest. Apparently, he was attacked by a pack of Windchaser Wolves, and Ye Wuya barely escaped with severe injuries."

The woman in blue was taken aback, staring at the bonfire silently for a long moment without a word.

"Miss, are you okay? I remember you sparing no expense at that little tavern, using the Cold Jade Pill to heal his wounds. It must mean you and he..."

"Stop spouting nonsense!" The woman in blue interrupted sharply, her anger rising as she stood. In that instant, a white handkerchief spotted with red and embroidered with a lotus flower fluttered from her embrace – the very one Ye Mo had lost, which she had found.

"Hmm?"

They weren't alone; several other men and women were nearby, all previously engaged in their own quiet activities. However, the sudden outburst drew their collective gaze.

The peaceful rustling of the grass was punctuated only by the chirping of insects, and a breeze swept through, lifting the fallen leaves and threatening to carry away the handkerchief.

The woman in blue watched as the handkerchief began to drift off. With a swift motion, the girl in green reached out and snatched it from the air, her face showing a mix of distress and relief. She handed the handkerchief back to the woman in blue, then fell silent.

Chirping birds roused the disordered forest from its slumber, and the morning sun cast its light upon Ye Mo's determined face. He had spent the night awake, and with a soft sigh, he turned to gaze at the white little fox beside him, her eyes closed in feigned innocence.

Gently, Ye Mo stroked the fox's pristine fur, the events of the previous evening replaying in his mind. "I am a ninth level Soul Beast with the power to transform into a human. Now, I have placed my inner core within you. It contains the essence of my life and will sustain you for three years. Without it, I cannot leave your side. From this moment on, wherever you go, I must accompany you." The memory of those words and the tender smile that followed them were etched into Ye Mo's heart, and he ceased to question the white fox's kindness towards him. For the first time, he felt an unusual warmth from the sunlight that had always seemed too glaring.

"Little fox, it's time to move on." Pulling himself back to the present, Ye Mo nudged the white fox before rising to his feet.

The white fox, after a moment of grogginess, wearily opened her eyes to look at Ye Mo, then closed them again, succumbing to sleepiness.

Reflecting on the night's events, Ye Mo surmised that the fox must have exhausted herself, especially since her inner core was no longer within her. It would be odd if she weren't fatigued. With this in mind, Ye Mo gently grasped the fox's front paw and cradled her in his arms. Feeling the familiar warmth, the drowsy fox nuzzled into Ye Mo's chest.

With a soft chuckle, Ye Mo, now speechless, began to walk through the unknown territory. He was uncertain of his quest, his destination, and oblivious to the perils of the Second Realm Forest. For Ye Mo, any direction was as good as another.

For sixteen years, Ye Mo felt as though he had been in a constant race with death, but after the previous night, he sensed a loss, an indescribable emptiness that now echoed within him.

Last night's rebirth left Ye Mo feeling utterly unprepared for life. He walked on in silence, not knowing how far he had gone, when he realized the white fox cradled in his arms had awakened at some point.

"Where are we headed?"

The question arose in Ye Mo's mind without any audible sound, catching him off guard.

"Who's there?" he whispered, clutching the white fox closer and scanning the surroundings with caution.

"It's me, right here in your arms."

Upon hearing the voice again, Ye Mo shifted his gaze from the horizon and looked down at the white fox, who gazed back at him with an innocent expression.

"Are you the one speaking to me?" Ye Mo asked, one eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"Yes."

The white fox yawned within the circle of Ye Mo's arms, yet he heard no sound.

"You..." Ye Mo's mouth twitched involuntarily.

"I can't speak out loud right now. We can only communicate through our thoughts, but you'll need to speak up; I can't hear your inner voice."

With this explanation, Ye Mo's confusion cleared. He had been on the verge of questioning his own sanity.

"Alright, I get it," Ye Mo said, his lips twisting into a wry smile. He realized that talking to himself in public would surely make others question his mental health.

"Where are you wandering off to? Don't you realize how dangerous it is to roam around here?" The white fox's thoughts reached Ye Mo's mind with a sense of urgency.

"I wasn't aware," Ye Mo replied, pausing briefly before resuming his quiet stride.

"Perhaps you should stop. This forest is my domain, and here you could refine your cultivation. Maybe you'll even find a way to completely escape the Death Curse."

At the fox's suggestion, Ye Mo tensed, a buzz of disbelief filling his head as he stared at the white fox, his voice quivering, "What are you saying? You mean I... I have the potential to cultivate my soul and become a Soul Cultivator... Is that correct?"

"Mhm, my inner core resides within you now. You naturally possess the aptitude for soul cultivation. You've underestimated the power of a ninth level Soul Beast's inner core. Besides, I transferred it to you willingly. Reviving from the brink of death is one thing, but granting you the talent to become a Soul Cultivator is hardly a challenge," the white fox's proud thoughts flowed effortlessly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Haha... Haha..." Ye Mo stood still, his laughter echoing around him as if he were under some enchantment, his eyes glazed over with joy, completely oblivious to the puzzled look from the little fox cradled in his arms.

"Hey, have you lost your mind?" the little fox asked once more.

"Thank you so much, ah! You are my savior, little fox!" Ye Mo, who had been quiet for many years, had never felt such happiness. He shouted and laughed with the little fox, and in a spontaneous moment, he planted a firm kiss on the little fox's forehead. This gesture sent the little fox's heart racing, its gaze shyly dropping, though its delicate ears perked up without it realizing.

"You... Do you really need to be this overjoyed? You even kissed me... I..." The little fox's voice grew softer and more bashful, echoing in Ye Mo's heart.

"Ah... Hehe."

Ye Mo was at a loss for words. How could the little fox comprehend the whirlwind of emotions he was experiencing? Having been raised in the Ye family of Soul Cultivators, he had watched his peers progress while he remained stagnant. Becoming a Soul Cultivator was his lifelong dream, and survival was a necessity for achieving it. He didn't want his father, Ye Wuya, to be shamed because of him, nor did he want his sister to constantly have to defend him. The burden of the Death Curse had subjected him to years of mockery.

"Alright, alright, enough with the foolish grin. Since you have no soul, you'll naturally bypass the Soul Draining stage. After last night's events, you've now reached the early period of the third level, the Soul Forging Realm. Focus on solidifying your cultivation," the little fox advised, a smile flickering in its eyes as it observed Ye Mo's transformation from a man of few words to one brimming with excitement.

"Soul... Soul Forging Realm!" Ye Mo exclaimed. Though he had never practiced soul cultivation, he was well aware of the significance of the Soul Forging Realm. It was the third level for a Soul Cultivator, with nine levels in total: the first level, Soul Cleansing; the second level, Soul Draining; the third level, Soul Forging; the fourth level, Soul Transformation; the fifth level, Apocalypse; the sixth level, Trueheart; the seventh level, Earthheart; the eighth level, Heavenheart; and the ninth level, Athanasia. At the third level, the Soul Forging Realm, one truly possesses Soul Power and becomes a bona fide Soul Cultivator!