Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Aiko arrived at Elder's Shu residence. It was a small courtyard, but a human-like small courtyard.

Aiko looked around curiously. Most of the things were made out of wood, it didn't feel like there was any metal involved whatsoever.

The energy around was smooth and pleasant.

"You have come." Elder Shu greeted the Vicious Cub, which was a funny nickname for someone who wasn't running around, constantly harassing people.

Elder Shu giggled when she saw little Cub's curiosity.

"Once you reach a certain stage you will be tasked to deprive Humans of their Souls. The more the better." Aiko noticed that Elder Shu had Runes on her clothes.

"Depriving Souls is difficult at the start, but we are not here for that." She guided Little Cub around and brought her to her study.

"I will teach you all the Runes and effects I know, I will also correct your Calligraphy, so it's more beautiful and accurate." Elder Shu didn't know many Runes, most of them were around Quality of life.

Elder Shu smiled towards her and let the little one take a Seat.

Elder Shu then went on to explain various Runes and effects, while correcting her bad habits.

It was nice to spend time with the Cub as she had very soft tails.

Elder Shu liked her and would sit either next to her or behind her.

Aiko didn't mind as the Elder was nice to her and had extensive knowledge that was interesting.

Aiko spent a week with Elder Shu.

[Calligraphy Mastery: Lv.1->7]

...

Next up was Elder Shining Stick. He didn't have a name and since most lights in the Sect were made by him, people started to call him like that and it stuck with him.

He was elderly with little hair, but shining eyes. It was difficult to say what element he was as his tails were grey. His clothes had an Inscription that made him glow.

The Elder wanted to appear mystical, but he only appeared like an oversized Lightbulb...

His residence was made mostly out of metal. It was a strange sight as her feet were cold from it. Unlike Elder Shu's residence which was warm and welcoming. This one was cold and gloomy. It didn't help the Elder having metals that were darker in colour making this more of a Demon Castle than Elders.

"I don't like that name, so just call me Elder." Elder Shining Stick frowned. He got this nickname a few hundred years back and everyone just stuck with it.

Naturally, the Elder didn't like it, but since even the Sect Leader called him like that... he couldn't change it.

He stared at the little Cub who's Calligraphy improved greatly. He was upset as the last time he saw the little one was just a week.

'Curse that Elder, why did she let her improve so much?! Now I need to teach her enough Runes for her to stay interested.' Every Elder had a vested interest when it came to Aiko.

She was the Golden Ticket, the Golden Goose and the 'Pure' Cub. They could teach her and shape her, unlike those other older Foxes, with pride bigger than their brains.

The Elder Shining stick sighed and explained his speciality and Runes. He made her write those Runes again and again so she would get the hang of it and not forget them.

'Maybe I could make her make the lights so I can get rid of that nickname...' Elder thought for a few moments. 'Not a bad idea.'

He would delegate missions about lights to her, changing her name from Vicious Cub to Shining Cub, while he would be 'The Excellent Amazing Elder'.

Aiko spent a week with Elder Lightbulb.

[Calligraphy Mastery: Lv.7->8]

...

The next one was Elder Open Pervert. Aiko wondered if there was also Elder Closet Pervert, but quickly shook her head. This was another Elder who told her to not call him by his name.

'So many weird nicknames, but I understand why.' She stared at the Elder who was sitting on a vibrating chair.

The Elder had no hair at all and his clothes were vibrating in places...

The table which Aiko used was also vibrating, but in such a way that it countered the vibration of the chair. Aiko didn't like this place. She wanted to leave.

It didn't help that this place was moist and smelly.

Aiko spent 2 days here, quickly learning all the Runes she could before running away.

[Calligraphy Mastery: Lv.8->Mastered]

At least her [Calligraphy Master] levelled well...

...

The last one was Peak Elder... Inky Head.

The Peak Elder like many others told her to not use that nickname or he would punish her.

He had no hair with few black spots. Aiko thought that it was fitting to call him that.

Aiko smiled gently as this place was much nicer. While this Den felt strange outside, it was decorated well and had many carpets, which Aiko's bare small feet appreciated.

'It's much better than the previous Elders.' She hoped that this Elder wouldn't have strange quirks like the previous ones.

The Peak Elder smiled at her. Tasking her of copying the parchment. He checked Aiko's Calligraphy and made additional adjustments.

At first, Aiko had an easy time following, but soon it got more and more difficult.

"That should be enough for today, now I will tell you about the vast array of Runes." The Inky Head spoke. "While other Elders specialize in one type of Runes, I did not. I'm a jack of all trades, but master of none. I can explain them well, but I have to experiment with their effects on my own, unlike the previous Elders who know their effects left and right."

The Peak Elder explained slowly as Aiko was soon overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Runes the Inky Head was able to demonstrate.

Aiko spent 2 weeks here.

...

The Queen interrupted their 'small' learning session.

"I will be taking her with me for the time being." She wasn't very polite as she missed her little fluffball hanging out around her.

"There is still much to teach." The Peak Elder rejected her.

"That is too bad since you won't be able to teach her if she doesn't pass the assessment in 3 months." The Queen smugly told him.

The Peak Elder stopped. "Is her Beast Core that bad?"

"Worse than what you might expect." The Queen told him. She needed to convince him as he was quite well-liked Peak Elder.

"Any Pills?" the Inky Head asked.

"It's been taken care of. I just need to bathe her." The Queen smiled as Aiko's large ears perked up.

'Bath~' Aiko couldn't forget that wonderful bath she had taken while travelling.

The Peak Elder's lips twitched seeing his little disciple running towards Jade Fox.

The Queen took Aiko away, leaving the Peak Elder alone.

...

The pond was made for Aiko as she lay on the Queen's tails.

The Queen was finally happy about her little servant laying on her. She slowly prepared the Medicine Bath, as she wanted to enjoy her company.

Aiko was snoozing away as it got too long and the Queen really wanted to pause, but couldn't. The Efficacy of the Medicine Bath might drop which would cause her to lose those Herbs.

The Queen finished preparing the Medicine Bath and picked up Aiko.

"It would be better to change into Human form when you bathe." The Queen studied this Village's Pseudo-Human Form and it seemed like it had some beneficial effects.

Human pores, this form had much more Human pores than even normal Humans. This was beneficial and detrimental at the same time. When you would use Cleansing Pills they would be more effective, but when you would Cultivate you would also attract more impurities.

Aiko nodded transforming herself into Human form, rubbing her eyes. She didn't use the token and floated on the artificial pond. Aiko felt drowsy from the soothing feeling that caressed her skin.

It was a much more powerful feeling than what she felt previously on that Natural Qi Pond.

She soon drifted asleep and the Queen shook her head.

'It's always like this, I wonder when she will grow up.' She touched her cheeks. 'Her natural life stage is a mess because she formed her Beast Core too soon...'

The Queen knew that Aiko's lifespan increased, but that also delayed her growth. She didn't have the exact number, but it seemed like she would have to pick up other side professions before she could take on the Assassination Peak.

She had already talked about this with that Peak Elder and they both agreed that they should let Aiko grow up since she would be at a disadvantage when it came to her height.

From old records, they also realized that Aiko would have explosive growth in each life stage.

...

The Medicine Bath slowly turned darker and darker colour, like someone dripping Ink into the Pond.

The Queen was slightly startled as this was much more than previously and she didn't even use the Pill from the Grandmaster.

Aiko didn't turn into her Fox form as she was supplied energy from the Pond.

'It was a good idea to include Revitalizing Pills into the Medicine Bath.' She nodded to herself.

Aiko blinked a few times. The nice feeling from the Pond disappeared and now she was cold.

*Poof*

She turned into her fox form and used a double jump to get out of there.

The Queen smiled at her and gently caressed Aiko's new fur.

'Now we can fulfil the Grandmaster's side of the deal.' She nodded.

Meanwhile, Aiko was looking at her stats, startled.

[Medicine Bath 2]
[Beast Core Purified!]
[Beauty per Level increased by 100!]

[Bath Enjoyer]
[You are an enjoyer of baths! All hail baths!]
[Effects of Bathing increases.]
[Your Vitality and Vigour is increased by 50, Vitality and Vigour per Level by 2!]
[Your Beauty is increased by 500, and Beauty per Level by 10!]

'This is some good stuff.' Aiko stared at the improved stats and 'purred'. She would have to go on a shopping spree soon.