Chapter 439 – Sacred Realm!
'I don't know why, but I kind of like him.' Aiko's tail swished happily.
The team was even more concerned about Aiko's upbringing, but they wouldn't step in immediately.
It was obvious the Eastern Sects were quite lazybones from their attitude, but it couldn't be denied that the surrounding air was pressuring.
If they were that lazy but still were able to stand tall like this, it was obvious they were doing something good.
Even if this might be bad in terms of Aiko's character development. If she could get friendly with them, the benefits would be obvious.
...
"We should prepare for confrontations." The Blood Fox whispered, and the whole team prepared.
It was time to enter the Sacred Realm!
"I want to watch that flying mountain a bit more." Aiko clicked her tongue. She liked to watch that Sect Leader and the flying city.
"There is nothing we can do about that." The Blood Fox shook her head and was ready to enter.
The Sacred Realm was open all year round, but you had limited time that you were allowed to spend inside.
The time limit was 5 years and a few months, but all the Sects Leaders gestured to only 5 years.
Even if you left after 2 years, you would be able to spend only 3 more years inside later. So once those 5 years were up, you would become part of the Sacred Realm if you didn't leave it.
This danger was two-sided. On one side, a Sect would lose a talented Disciple, but on the other, that talented Disciple would also block the future Disciples by going against them.
The beings inside this Sacred Realm could increase their Cultivation further than in the Secret Realm.
That fact was concerning, but since the large factions inside didn't fight until antagonised, the Sect Leaders left them alone.
This was both a good learning experience and learning about different rules that floated around Sacred Realms.
The Sect Leaders gave the signal, and everyone went through the rippling portal...
...
Aiko opened her eyes. She was expecting some kind of lush forest or endless plains.
Maybe a mountain or two, but what was in front of her was completely different...
'Am I inside some kind of complex?' Aiko tilted her head to the side.
She was inside a long hallway leading to somewhere.
The colours were dull purple, so it was difficult to tell her location.
The pristine glass windows that led outside were likewise difficult for Aiko.
'Illusion...' This whole place had a high possibility of being shrouded in illusions. Even Aiko didn't have an easy time seeing through it.
'This is kind of dangerous...' Aiko tapped the windows, but they were firm and filled with Qi.
Even if it was see-through, the glass was no different from an impenetrable wall.
'Why couldn't it have been a forest or plains...' Aiko groaned unhappily.
She suppressed her presence and cautiously walked around.
It was dangerous to be in here, but she also couldn't just bust her way out.
'Please, do not let me meet anyone else...' Nightmare Aiko was in a pickle for the first time in a while.
Normally, she wouldn't mind this kind of thing, but this place was creepy and sent shivers down her spine.
Aiko's tails pretty much stood straight, like a scared Fox.
'Why did they have to choose purple...' Aiko sniffled as she quietly walked around.
Suddenly, steps were approaching from behind. They were slow and paced, which meant that the person was still unaware of her presence.
Aiko hid behind one ornamented armour statue. Everything looked quite pricey, from chandeliers to paintings.
'I should've walked in a different direction.' Aiko was so scared that she walked in the direction of treasures, which also meant there would be more personnel walking around.
The steps weren't loud, but for Aiko, they were deafening.
As the steps approached, she huddled close to the armour without a sound, quietly observing from the shadows.
What came into view was a gorgeous Fox, so much so that Aiko was more mesmerised than when she saw Mei.
She was quite tall for a Fox, but her noble air was unquestionable. She was in a similar fashion to Mei or the Blood Fox.
Her proportions were seen like on any other Fox, busty and oozing sexiness.
Her clothes were tight fit, and they were bright in colour, looking similar to a kimono. It seemed like purple was the theme of this place as she wore mostly purple, even if her hair was black.
'11/10 I want to sleep there!' Aiko's eyes shone for a moment.
Why? Because that Fox had 9 tails! 9 large fluffy tails that would be amazing to sleep in.
It took Aiko a moment to realise what was happening, but that breathtaking Fox was totally looking at her!
'... fuc-' Aiko barely dodged the strike from the gorgeous Fox as her clothes ripped. It was all thanks to her [Intention Perception] that she was able to react in time since she was completely taken in by that Fox.
Aiko ducked and tried to run away, but the Fox caught her.
"H-huh?" Aiko was startled by her speed, which couldn't be compared to hers. "P-please let me go?" She didn't know what to say, because for some reason, the intention to kill completely vanished, and instead of murderous red eyes, there were curious eyes looking at her.
*sniff sniff*
The stunning Fox sniffed Aiko.
"W-what is it? I don't smell! I had a bath!" Aiko was in such a bizarre situation that she didn't know what to do.
The gorgeous Fox lifted her easily and took her with her, like she was some kind of toy.
'She is definitely soft, but what's wrong with this situation...?' Aiko's face squirmed as she was carried like a plush toy and above her were two heavenly soft pillows.
'I'm kind of bothered by their weight...' Nightmare Aiko narrowed her eyes. 'And where is she even taking me? This hallway is more lavish than before!'
No matter how much Aiko squirmed, the Fox didn't pay much attention other than snuggling to her.
'I shouldn't have come to this place...' Aiko whined as she was carried away...
...
"#### ##?"
Aiko was currently sitting surrounded by a ground of beautiful Foxes.
'... what's up with this situation...' Aiko thought that 9 tails were exceptionally rare, but...
'All of them have 9 tails...' Aiko couldn't believe her eyes.
If it was not for her [Intention Perception] telling her that they meant no harm, Aiko would surely faint from the shock.
They also tried to strike up a conversation with her, but Aiko couldn't understand what they were saying.
"Hold on." Aiko lifted her hand, and the Foxes observed her with curious faces.
"... You can understand me?" Aiko tilted her head.
The Foxes also tilted their heads, mimicking her. They then giggled and nodded.
"But I can't understand you..." Aiko groaned. "Alright, this calls for drastic measures!" Aiko struck her fist into her palm.
She ruffled her tails, and the Foxes exchanged looks.
"Yu, I choose you!" Aiko pulled out her trusted Demonic Fox. "Bite them!"
Aiko pointed at the gorgeous Foxes, making them giggle until they noticed one more Fox was now present.
They exchanged looks as they saw the new Fox with food in her hands.
Yu coughed awkwardly and stored the food inside her Storage Ring that was handed to her by the Grandmaster.
"Mistress." Yu bowed towards her, and all of the other Foxes did the same.
"What's up with this situation..." Aiko felt like the breathtaking Foxes were enjoying this situation and messing with her...
"#### # ## #?" One Fox spoke happily, and others chimed in.
"Hm, hm." Yu joined them as if she understood them. "You have good eyes. Our Mistress is the cutest!" She proclaimed happily, suddenly and naturally becoming part of the strange group.
Aiko was left speechless. "You are supposed to bite them, not join them!" She cried out like she was being wronged.
Yu and the other Foxes looked at Aiko before giggling away...
-----
As soon as everyone left into the Sacred Realm, a large projection appeared in front of the half-stadium-like seats.
Everyone was watching what was happening inside the Sacred Realm.
'Depending on what kind of Sacred Realm, the years would advance at different times. Aiko's place would also have different time zones...' Mei narrowed her eyes.
While the Sacred Realm was more stable than the Secret Realm, it was still not perfect. Otherwise, it would not be opened to the public like this.
That meant that Aiko would age and mature but without oversight...
'Let's hope she doesn't cause too much chaos...' Mei hoped.
Meanwhile, the other Elders were discussing with each other how amazing their Disciples were and what they could achieve.
They boasted and boasted until the first Disciple died to a measly High Stage Magical Beast of the 8th Grade...
The silence permeated through the stadium as the Elder lost all of his face.
Meanwhile, another Elder started to boast when his Disciple had taken down a High Stage Magical Beast of the 7th Grade...
Mei didn't care about them, and Dai Lu was of a similar opinion.
'That's Blood Fox, right?' Dai Lu narrowed her eyes.
The Blood Fox immediately defeated a group of Cultivators who tried to capture her.
'Yes. She improved greatly.' Mei smiled as she replied to the telepathic message. While she was rivals with the Blood Fox, she was definitely not so weak that she would be captured. Moreover, Aiko would be very sad/angry if that happened, so even Mei hoped that she would be alright.
'The Twins are ruthless as always.' Dai Lu's lips twitched as they could see the Twins rob them blind like they were some kind of thugs.
'Aiko's influence...' Mei sighed, but she wasn't unhappy. The more Treasures they collected, the more materials would Aiko be able to recycle.
The more they stole, the easier resource-wise it would be for Aiko.
'They are doing a good job.' Mei smiled.
'You shouldn't encourage that!' Dai Lu felt flabbergasted.
'Then are you willing to share your resources?' Mei raised her eyebrows.
'They are indeed doing a good job.' Dai Lu gave them a seal of approval.
It was not like she didn't want to share her resources, but the whole group was so resource-hungry that she was considering retiring early.
'Let's hope they gather enough resources...' Dai Lu groaned unhappily, and Mei could only not have a slight headache...
