Chapter 52 Wariness and Prejudice
52 Wariness and Prejudice
Two days passed, and the first exclusive week auction would soon be held in the afternoon.
Several factions sent their people to test the water in the last two days, but neither side got any results.
Many parties sent people to scout or capture the nine-tailed fox sisters, but their people disappeared without a trace. The battle between powerhouses also didn't occur. So, the leaders of the various factions could hardly understand what was happening.
The fox sisters were still relaxing in their hotel room while waiting for the auction, but none of the scouts returned as if they had disappeared from the world, but they weren't dead.
"No news from them?" The sad-looking old panda-kin chewed something with an irritated expression.
"They mysteriously disappeared too, Great Elder Grieved Panda." The nearby cultivator responded respectfully.
"Useless! It's just a Demi-God cold vixen and her young little sister. How could they get rid of dozens of experts without causing any commotion!? Not to mention, several forces have also helped us! We have that magic item too!" The injured snow bear complained angrily.
"Elder is angry. The Green Snake Emperor and Elder Ferocious Tiger have already made their move but also mysteriously disappeared. Our allies are starting to ask for explanations because they think we are capturing their people." Another cultivator reported respectfully.
"Calm yourself down, my nephew. I will surely catch them to become your slaves soon. They need to pay for making you suffer." Grieved Panda frowned.
"That cold vixen, she is so vicious. She didn't hesitate to cripple me and freeze my dantian. She needs to accept my love and live a prosperous life as my wife, but she is ungrateful." Fiery Bear held his half-frozen belly.
His crush threw him with a secret technique last week, and he almost died in that icy lake of death. If not for his life-saving heirloom, he would probably have frozen at the bottom of the lake, and no one could find him.
"Hmm, is it possible that Frozen Cloud is playing tricks on us? I heard they split into two factions. Is it true that that cold vixen was driven out of that palace? That is simply absurd." Great Elder Grieved Panda pondered for a moment. He suspected the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace schemed something.
The so-called good cooperation has been fake a long time ago. His nephew took a fancy to that cold vixen. He had pursued that woman for two years because of her body constitution. Still, a scheme was already going on behind the scenes of both holy lands in the name of benefit.
For the current situation, various forces from all over the Northern Realm have gathered in this city. So, other factions, especially the opposing ones, would likely have intervened from behind the shadows.
The old panda then shared his thoughts with his nephew. They then came to a conclusion. Their sacred land was being targeted by many factions, and those people would obviously be happy if they suffered a loss.
The cold vixen and her sister reported never leaving the hotel. So, it was very likely that the clash had occurred before their people could reach that place. Also, the enemies came with an overwhelming force.
Hence, it was reasonable their people could be taken care of without causing any significant fuss.
There were some suspicions, but they didn't dare to act rashly after suffering losses in the past two days.
However, their current urgent objective was one. They had to win that Super-tier healing potion. So, the problem regarding the nine-tailed fox sisters would have to wait until the auction was over.
While the people from the Tiangong Sacred Land were suspicious and uneasy, those on Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's side were also worried.
Even though they were split into two factions, both sides kept Elder Celestial Fox's breakthrough news a secret.
Not to mention, the nine-tailed shadow fox was still so mysterious. No one dared to take open action because there were still too many unknown variables.
It was already two days, but no one from the investigation teams managed to return to their respective secret base. Whether it was those who wanted to recruit the Elder Celestial Fox back or those with evil intentions.
Because of that, the two factions decided to discuss the situation.
"Do you think Elder Celestial Fox was the one who did it?"
"I don't think so. We sensed her aura several times even though it was faint, but she didn't go to battle."
"So, it's probably a trap?"
"Tiangong Sacred Land might be carrying out another dirty scheme."
"That could be it. We received reports that Elder Celestial Fox and her sister never left the hotel for the past two days. The Sumore Forest City has become much more complicated due to those Super-tier life-saving potions and more precious items."
"Tch, that Tiangong Sacred Land might want to pit us? Our comrades disappeared overnight without us knowing why or how."
"That's too odd. However, is it possible for outside forces to interfere in this matter? After all, the fox-kin is high in demand, not to mention the legendary nine-tailed fox, the pure breed with superior bloodline."
"The legendary nine-tailed fox will be hunted regardless of the danger. Our palace can't even protect her properly. Elder Celestial Fox's life is not easy." 𝙗𝒆𝙙𝒏𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡.𝙣𝙚𝒕
"But, what do we need to do? We can't move now or even see the Elder Celestial Fox?"
"Even the holy land needs to think twice before acting. After all, many Void Tempering Realm experts or above have gathered in this city."
"If we act openly, our Immortal Palace's reputation may be tarnished. We're not Tiangong Sacred Land. Please move with caution."
"We will inquire directly from Elder Celestial Fox after the auction this afternoon. You better not try to touch the young shadow fox and make things even more chaotic."
"Hmph, you can't manage us. We only cooperate to handle Elder Celestial Fox. She is a precious Great Ascension Realm expert. Ancestor even ordered us directly to bring her back~"
"I'm serious, or I will draw my sword against you, you hear me. We can't let our guard down even if we bring a force capable of toppling an Empire. This city is currently filled with many crouching tigers and hidden dragons."
13:40
"Tsk, fine."
The Frozen Cloud's experts had a brief discussion, and they would work together to bring back the Elder Celestial Fox for the common good.
Although, the reason for their decision was somewhat different.
Their losses were also significant, and the city's current situation was unfavorable for their side.
After losing more than two dozen precious experts above the 4th Rank, they could not make hasty movements. The risk was too great.
"..." The Frozen Cloud's saintess heaved a subtle sigh. The elders and the others had their own motives for this mission.
This was the third time she had come down to the mundane world. This time, they were not coming to solve a problem, bring justice, or something worthy of praise. They came as a problem to involve themselves in more significant trouble.
That was her impression of their current situation. She was the prime disciple under the Palace Master. Still, she had nothing to say in this discussion because of her guilty conscience.
She knew the Palace Master also had an ulterior motive for the Elder Celestial Fox. Elder Celestial Fox joined Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace because of an 'exchange'.
That young nine-tailed shadow fox was actually innocent. Still, that pitiful girl received so much hate because of the ridiculous color discrimination in Frozen Cloud that had existed since ancient times.
"Sigh..." The Frozen Cloud's saintess sighed again, then looked up at the bright white sky.
The weather was unbelievably good, but the atmosphere in this city looked chaotic, as if a storm was about to hit. She hoped they wouldn't give the Elder Celestial Fox more trouble to the point of irreconcilable hatred.
Elder Celestial Fox's little sister was also mysteriously strong. She prayed that no idiot from her group would touch that shadow fox.
Even if the Elder Celestial Fox didn't want to return, at the very least, they should develop good relations, including with the shadow fox.
Similar to the situation of the two holy lands in response to the strange circumstances that had occurred in the last two days. Other renowned sects and prominent clans also had their respective anxiety and suspicions.
Not a single person from the investigation team reported anything back after trying to keep an eye on the nine-tailed foxes.
Yet, the said targets never went out of the hotel room at all. According to the emergency spy report, those nine-tailed foxes were relaxing in the hotel, enjoying the mortal world's VIP treatment.
It was either a particular mysterious group that tried to protect the fox sisters or wished to claim the fox sisters for themselves.
No one held prejudice against the two nine-tailed foxes, even though one was known as the Celestial Fox, a Demi-God expert.
After all, a Demi-God couldn't possibly eliminate many Spirit Transformation Realm experts and above without causing any commotion. The day was bustling as usual, and the night was still as calm as ever.
Most likely, the opposing forces targeting them had already taken care of their spies.
Because of that mindset, each faction stared at the opposition forces with wariness and prejudice.