Chapter 2, The Little Fox

This is the purple-eyed snow fox. Xie Danzhu once visited the Spirit Beast Institute with her senior brother from the same workshop. It is said that the fur of this small creature is highly sought after by wealthy individuals in the secular world, and the snow fox's gem-like purple eyes are also materials for the refinement of a certain type of elixir

Thank you very much, Senior Brother.

Xie Danzhu knew that he was an adopted child, discovered by his father while he was out early in the morning selling goods by the Fengxi River. According to his father, at that time, his small face and body were so red that it was quite alarming, and it took three days for the redness to gradually fade, which is why he was named Xie Danzhu

The little fox can bow, how novel!

Xie Danzhu immediately used both hands and feet to climb up the dragon-claw locust tree. Before she could steady herself, she heard a cry, and a large black bird soared above the spirit tool workshop. After a brief circle, it swooped directly towards the dragon-claw locust tree.

The little fox shook its head

Xie Danzhu nimbly jumped down from the tree, crouched down, and looked at the little fox, asking: "Did you escape?"

A few people strode over to the tree. Xu Zhi saw Xie Danzhu sitting on the trunk of the dragon-claw locust tree and asked, "Danzhu, have you seen a purple-eyed snow fox?"

The disciple training the iron-claw hawk pursed his lips and whistled, commanding the hawk to swoop down. However, the iron-claw hawk merely circled at the treetop, seemingly unable to find a target to attack

On the morning of the second day, Xie Danzhu approached Senior Brother Xu Zhibin to discuss her plan to return home to visit her family. Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Well, Danzhu has been in the mountains for a full year now, and according to the regulations, you are entitled to ten days of family leave. Tomorrow, I will go to the inner gate elder to request two hundred low-grade bronze crystals for you." After a pause, he continued, "Danzhu has performed very well in the workshop this past year, being capable of independently creating spiritual and pictorial books, which is quite rare. How about this, I will see if I can apply for a reward of twenty low-grade bronze crystals for you."

However, the senior brothers had seen many wondrous things, so a tree that did not shed its leaves was nothing to them; they did not take it seriously. Only Xie Danzhu was filled with curiosity and very much wanted to return home to verify whether the dragon-claw locust tree in their own backyard had followed him here.

Xie Danzhu suddenly heard an urgent "wuwu" sound coming from beneath the tree. She immediately raised her head and looked down, seeing a snow-white little fox circling around the roots of the dragon claw locust tree. With its pointed little head raised, its eyes seemed to be two purple gemstones embedded in its face

A few months old, Xie Danzhu appeared by the river, with no indication of the identity of his biological parents, nor any knowledge of why Danzhu was abandoned. There was only one remarkable occurrence: ever since Danzhu was adopted by Old Man Xie, the backyard of the Xie family inexplicably gained a dragon-claw locust tree. This tree did not grow gradually; instead, it appeared fully formed, standing five or six zhang tall, with lush branches and leaves, its crown resembling a large green umbrella.

Xie Danzhu asked: "Do you want to hide up in the tree?"

Last summer, after arriving at Zixia Mountain, Xie Danzhu discovered that the dragon-claw locust tree at the Spirit Tool Workshop resembled the one at his home as if they were twins. Moreover, when winter arrived, the dragon-claw locust tree at the Spirit Tool Workshop, like the evergreen one at his home, did not shed its leaves. The senior brothers in the workshop also found it somewhat strange, saying that in previous years, this dragon-claw locust tree would lose all its leaves in winter, so why was it evergreen this year like the pines and cypresses?

Xie Danzhu said, "This senior brother, I was just up in the tree with the book and did not see any purple-eyed snow foxes—could they have gone elsewhere?"

Xie Danzhu was lying on the slanted trunk of the dragon-claw locust tree, her calves dangling and swaying, feeling quite content. In the past, in Shitian Town, she enjoyed climbing up to the dragon-claw locust tree in her backyard to sleep, finding it even more comfortable than her wooden bed at home

The disciple with the surname Xue cupped his fists towards Xu Zhi Yi, leading the other four out of the Spirit Tool Workshop and hastily heading south in pursuit

... ...

Before the words had left his mouth, the iron-clawed hawk suddenly seemed startled and soared into the sky, then flew southward in haste

On the morning of the third day, Xu Zhi indeed secured a reward of twenty inferior-quality bronze crystals for Xie Danzhu, along with the two hundred inferior-quality bronze crystals that were due to her.

Last year, three individuals from the town of Shitian were selected as disciples of Zixia Mountain. In addition to Xie Danzhu and Tang Xing, there was also Fei Tianyue, the son of the town mayor, Fei Man. Fei Tianyue was very fortunate to become an inner disciple. Previously, in the town, he looked down on others due to his wealth and power, and after becoming an inner disciple, he became even more arrogant. In front of Xie Danzhu and Tang Xing, he proudly proclaimed that "a father is a hero, and a son is a champion," implying that his father is the mayor, managing the area, and now that he has become an inner disciple, he too will achieve greatness.

Xie Danzhu exclaimed, "This is bad! It's the iron-clawed hawk, it must be here to capture the little fox. What should we do? There is nowhere to hide!

The little fox quickly nodded, and then with a "whoosh," it burrowed into Xie Danzhu's embrace

As Xie Danzhu leaned forward to take a look, she saw a small white shadow quickly vanish into the darkness

On the evening of the second day, Xie Danzhu heard her senior brother Xu Zhi say that the Spirit Beast Institute had not captured the purple-eyed snow fox that had escaped, and she secretly nodded, realizing that the little fox had likely fled the mountain.

A person and a fox stayed in the tree for a while. As the sky darkened, Xie Danzhu said: "Little fox, hurry and escape while it's dark. Run outside Zixia Mountain, and be more clever in the future, so you won't get caught again"

Tang Xing and Xie Danzhu are from the same hometown and have been childhood playmates. Both of them became outer disciples at Zixia Mountain last year. Tang Xing was assigned to Linggu Garden to cultivate spiritual grains. He felt quite frustrated, as he had already been farming with his parents at home, and now, even after entering Zixia Mountain, he was still farming.

The five disciples of the Spirit Beast Academy, accompanied by Xu Zhi, arrived at the front yard of the Spirit Tool Workshop. They saw the iron-clawed hawk circling above a dragon-claw locust tree. The disciple with the surname Xue remarked, "That cunning beast has hidden itself in the tree; with the iron-clawed hawk around, where else could it hide?"

Wuwu—Wuwu—

After Master Xu Zhi and others left, Xie Danzhu climbed back up the dragon-claw locust tree and retrieved the small snow-white fox from a hollow in one of the tree's branches. The little fox remained motionless, its gem-like purple eyes rolling around, watching Xie Danzhu.

This little fox is very cute, and it is truly not easy to escape from the Spirit Beast Academy. Xie Danzhu decided to save it, so she reached out and said: "Come, I will hold you and hide you in my room"

Every time she returns from her workout, Xie Danzhu always rests under the dragon-claw locust tree, inhaling the faint, fresh fragrance of its leaves, which sweeps away her fatigue and exhaustion. Today is no exception

The chubby figure responded to the sound, saying: "Dan Zhu—Dan Zhu—", and quickened his pace

This little fox is indeed quite straightforward, slipping away from Xie Danzhu's hand with a "whoosh" and darting down to the ground

The disciple with the surname Xue frowned and said, "It's impossible, where could they hide!"

Xie Danzhu said: "No, I did not see it"

Two young companions agreed to request permission from their respective senior brothers to return to their hometown the following day. If all goes as planned, they would set off back to Shitian three days later, agreeing to meet at the foot of the main peak of Zixia Mountain.

Xie Danzhu was very happy; it was the first time in his life that he had earned so many bronze crystals. He wished he could immediately return to Shitian and hand over these two hundred and twenty inferior bronze crystals to his father, asking him not to carry the goods around anymore. His son could now earn money to support him.

The disciple surnamed Xue said: "Since the iron-clawed hawk is circling here, it indicates that the vile creature is present here as well"

Xie Danzhu gently stroked the little fox's head and said: "You must be careful; if someone discovers you, it will be disastrous—by the way, would you like something to eat?"

The little fox seemed to understand human speech, nodding its small head repeatedly

The little fox shook its small head and raised it to call out "Woo woo" towards the dragon-claw locust tree

Ah, Little Fox, why haven't you run away? Why are you still here?" Xie Danzhu exclaimed in surprise and joy

... ...

The little fox, anxiously pacing under the tree, wanted to climb the dragon-claw locust but suddenly tumbled backward, seemingly unable to approach the dragon-claw locust. The little fox got back up, standing on its hind legs, with its front paws clasped together as if in a bow, while emitting a mournful sound of "woo woo".

Linggu Garden is quite far from the main peak of Zixia Mountain, about ten miles away. After becoming outer disciples of Zixia Mountain, the two young companions, Xie Danzhu and Tang Xing, rarely had the chance to meet. This time, Tang Xing came to discuss with Xie Danzhu the matter of returning home to visit their families. They had already been away from their hometown, Shitian, for a year.

Xie Danzhu descended slowly, and upon looking again at the iron-clawed hawk, it continued to circle at a height of about ten feet above the treetops. The five disciples from the Spirit Beast Academy stood beneath the tree, craning their necks for a long time but failed to spot the snow fox in the tree. Although the dragon-claw locust tree was lush and leafy, the snow fox was over a foot long, making it impossible for it to hide without a trace.

The little fox could not speak, but it tilted its small head and gazed intently at Xie Danzhu.

Xie Danzhu was very happy to save the little fox and softly said, "It's all right, it's all right, the people who came to catch you have run away." She gently stroked the little fox's back, its fur fluffy and smooth, like silk satin.

Thus, the little fox took this dragon-claw locust tree as its nest, coming and going at dawn and dusk. Xie Danzhu also became accustomed to it; having such a small creature as a companion made the heavy and dreary life in the spiritual tool workshop a bit more lively.

They really ran away, quick, chase them, follow the Iron Claw Hawk

Just as she climbed onto the slanted branch, a sudden flash of white appeared before Xie Danzhu's eyes. A small creature with snow-white fur emerged, its round, purple eyes sparkling and clear. It stood steadily on the branch with all four paws; it was indeed the little fox from yesterday.

Early that morning, Xie Danzhu was running along the mountain path by the courtyard. From a distance, she spotted a plump figure coming up from the foot of the mountain. Upon closer inspection, she was overjoyed and waved her hand, calling out: "Tang Xing—Tang Xing—"

At this moment, Xie Danzhu had already heard shouts outside the courtyard calling for the capture of the purple-eyed snow fox. It turned out that this little fox had indeed escaped. Even beasts fear death and cling to life; staying in the Spirit Beast Academy would eventually lead to being skinned and having its eyes gouged out, which is truly tragic

The disciple with the surname Xue looked at the circling iron-clawed hawk and called out, "Are you Dan Zhu? Come down first, so that the iron-clawed hawk can catch that fleeing snow fox."