Volume 5 Chapter 87
by Need_More_SleepVolume 5 + Chapter 87: The Evil Manifestation of The Red Fox God
“Lord Fox God is calling to me!”
Through the perception granted by her role as a Fox God shrine maiden, Yue Liu faintly heard the Fox God’s voice echoing within the unseen depths of her mind.
“Come here.”
“Come closer.”
“Come quickly to my side.”
The little fox quickened her pace, running through the cherry blossom forest. The wind blowing toward her carried a subtle, mysterious aura that made her mind grow hazy.
It felt as though she were floating, her movements light and effortless.
The scenery around her gradually began to change, becoming dreamlike and surreal. She felt as though she were walking toward paradise itself.
Ahead, a patch of white light appeared, the very source of the voice calling to her.
“Lord Fox God!”
The little fox leapt forward and jumped into the radiance.
She landed on the ground, and after a few seconds, once her eyes had adjusted to the brightness, she finally saw the scene before her clearly.
The place she had just passed through was a torii gate of a shrine.
Before her stood a magnificent yet ancient shrine. Cherry blossoms drifted gently from the sky, decorating the place like a grand and breathtaking painting.
“Th-this is…!!”
The little fox was overwhelmed with excitement.
This was the legendary shrine of the Fox God, the sacred dwelling of the deity.
Even the shrine she herself managed had been built in imitation of the Fox God’s shrine.
“Could Lord Fox God also be here?”
Thinking this, the little fox turned around in place.
Only then did she realize that behind her stood a woman she had never seen before.
The woman wore luxurious robes adorned with intricate patterns, the very emblem of the Fox God. She had long crimson hair, fox ears atop her head, and nine crimson tails flowing behind her. Her beauty was breathtaking, her figure graceful and enchanting, and her presence extraordinary.
Behind her, a faint divine halo shimmered subtly, lending her appearance a sacred aura that stirred an instinctive urge in the heart to kneel in reverence.
“Are you my shrine maiden?” she asked with a gentle smile.
“Could it be… that you are Lord Fox God?” the little fox asked.
“Yes. I am the Red Fox God.”
“Lord Fox God, I am Yue Liu · Gitusezhuoya of the fox royal family,” the little fox said as she bowed respectfully. “I am the Fox God shrine maiden of this era, and also a princess of the fox clan!”
She was incredibly excited. After all, the Fox God was the very object of her faith, yet she had truly been able to meet the real deity with her own eyes.
“Rise, my adorable descendant,” the Fox God said with a smile. “It has been a very long time since a descendant of the nine-tailed fox clan has come here. Today truly makes me happy, it means I finally have someone to keep me company again.”
“I, I…!”
The little fox was so thrilled that she momentarily did not know what to say.
She felt a bit embarrassed. If she had known beforehand, she would have brought offerings. Coming here empty-handed felt rather improper.
“My apologies, Lord Fox God. If I have been disrespectful in any way, please punish me!”
“It’s alright, Yue Liu. I do not mind such things,” the Fox God replied. “Tell me, why have you come here?”
“Lord Fox God, Fox Hill is facing a great crisis!” the little fox explained. “I need to obtain greater power so that I may further awaken the bloodline of the nine-tailed fox clan!”
“I see,” the Fox God said. “If it is power you seek, then I shall simply grant it to you.”
“Really!?” the little fox exclaimed in astonishment.
“Yes. Protecting my descendants is my duty as a god. Since Fox Hill is facing a crisis, I cannot remain idle,” the Fox God replied. “You are the Fox God shrine maiden, so I will lend you my power, allowing you to awaken the bloodline of the nine-tailed fox clan and help my followers.”
“Lord Fox God, don’t I need to pass your trial in order to receive your power?” the little fox asked.
“A trial?”
“Yes. I have heard that to obtain your power, one must pass the Forbidden Trial…”
“There is no need,” the Fox God said, shaking her head. “Yue Liu, you are already the Fox God shrine maiden. You have long since gained my recognition. There is no need to go through such a troublesome process again.”
“Thank you so much, Lord Fox God!” the little fox said happily.
This place didn’t seem terrifying like the legends had described.
She glanced around again. It was clearly a beautiful paradise, with no sign of danger anywhere. And the Fox God herself seemed gentle, understanding, and easy to communicate with…
“Look into my eyes, Yue Liu,” the Red Fox God said, her voice carrying a mysterious, mesmerizing power. “Step forward and accept the power you desire.”
“Yes… Lord Fox God…”
The little fox gazed into the Fox God’s eyes, entering a trance-like state as she slowly walked forward step by step…
…
…
“Yue Liu will die? What do you mean by that!?” Xia Yi stared at Little Red.
Little Red stuck out its tongue and began licking its fur. It seemed very fond of cleanliness, even sitting down to wash its face.
“Hurry up and answer me!”
Xia Yi grew anxious and lifted Little Red up again.
“Impudent outsider! You show disrespect to this god yet again!” Little Red shouted angrily. “This god was washing after eating. How dare you interrupt me? Divine punishment!!”
“Just answer my question already! Why is Fox-radish going to die? Didn’t she go to find the Red Fox God?”
“This god is the Red Fox God. That little fox did not find me, she was lured somewhere else.”
Little Red thought for a moment.
“You two came here believing that by seeking the Fox God and undergoing the Forbidden Trial, you could obtain the Fox God’s power. Is that correct?”
“Yes. That’s what Yue Liu said. The Forbidden Trial is extremely difficult, and many nine-tailed foxes have lost their lives attempting it,” Xia Yi replied.
“In truth, those nine-tailed foxes who came seeking fame did not fail the trial, they were killed,” Little Red said. “It was all a trap created by my evil side.”
“What do you mean…? Are you saying Yue Liu was deceived and is now in danger?”
“This place is not truly a trial ground. It is actually the sealing ground that imprisons my evil manifestation. That evil consciousness, sealed here for so long, resents its confinement and constantly attempts to break free. The nine-tailed foxes who were lured here all became nourished for it.”
Little Red explained this to Xia Yi with a serious tone.
“That pink nine-tailed fox has already been tempted by the evil manifestation and entered the deepest part of the sealed domain, where she will become food for the evil entity.”
“Then hurry up and take me there, to that so-called evil manifestation!” Xia Yi became even more anxious.
“This god is warning you, if you go there, you will die as well. The evil manifestation will spare no one. Even if you are an outsider, it will not let you go.”
“Even so, I still have to bring Yue Liu back!”
“How strange,” Little Red muttered in confusion. “The dragon race and the fox clan are not supposed to be so close. Outsider, what exactly is your relationship with my descendant that makes you willing to risk your life like this?”
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