Hu Jiuniang thought she was frightened. "Don't be afraid. Father is just saying that. If you hide for a few more days, Shiliulang and I will put in a good word for you, and Father won't punish you."
"Ninth Sister, I'm not afraid. I was just too willful. I shouldn't have gone out to play for so long. I'll go and apologize to the elder right now."
Hu Jiuniang stared blankly at Xiaoli, seemingly unable to believe it; the former Third Sister was never this sensible.
"Hmph! You know you're wrong now? Go kneel in the ancestral hall and copy the clan rules ten times. You're not allowed to eat tonight."
A handsome young man walked over; he looked to be in his early twenties. This was Hu Lie.
Although he spoke sternly, his eyes were full of concern.
Xiao Li bowed and replied, "Yes, Uncle."
Hu Jiuniang pulled Xiaoli back, not letting her go.
"Father, Third Sister has finally come back, can't you let her off the hook? I don't care, I want to stay with Third Sister."
Before Hu Lie could speak, Xiao Li quickly took out a set of exquisite jewelry and a jade flute from her bag and handed them to her, urging her to stop.
"Ninth Sister, don't worry about me. This is a gift I brought for you and Thirteen Lang. Go back and try it on. I'll be back soon."
Hu Jiuniang was overjoyed as she took the things.
"Then I'll go back and try to accompany you at the ancestral hall."
Xiao Li shook her head. "I need to copy the clan rules. If you come, I'll write slower. Just wait for me at home, and I'll finish writing soon."
Hu Jiuniang finally agreed and reluctantly followed Hu Lie away.
Xiao Li walked towards the ancestral hall, which was the place where the fox clan worshipped their ancestors and held sacrifices.
Not just anyone can come here. For example, Hu Jiuniang has never come in. When she said she was coming to accompany Xiaoli, she meant outside.
The original owner was able to enter because of her extraordinary talent, which led the clan leader to personally order her to observe the sacrificial rites.
Xiao Li walked in and knelt on the prayer mat in the center. In front of her were many memorial tablets, with the goddess Nuwa at the top and the first ancestor, the Nine-Tailed Fox, below her.
Xiao Li kowtowed respectfully, then got up and knelt down beside the table to copy the clan rules.
By the time she finished copying the clan rules, it was already dark. She got up and looked around the ancestral hall.
Besides the shrine, there are several altars below, where offerings are placed, and incense smoke rises continuously from them.
Xiao Li bowed again before stepping out of the ancestral hall and going home.
Hu Jiuniang and Hu Shisanlang are siblings, both children of Hu Lie. They are currently gathered together, waiting for Xiaoli to return.
"Ninth Sister, Thirteenth Brother".
The two turned to look at the door and ran over.
"Third Sister, tell me quickly, is the capital city fun?"
Thirteen Lang also looked at Xiao Li with starry eyes.
"It's not fun. The people there are wicked. They sell people to cannibalistic places, and once you go there, you can never come back."
"Huh? Really? Is it that brutal outside? They even eat people? Luckily we're foxes."
"No, they eat everything, especially foxes. They not only eat meat, but also make bracelets from the bones and clothes and scarves from the fur to wear."
"That was terrifying. Thank goodness you weren't eaten, Third Sister."
"Yes, I was just lucky. So, I need to work hard to cultivate and become stronger so that I won't be caught."
Hu Jiuniang and Shisanlang nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, we'll cultivate together, and I don't want to get caught."
The three chatted for most of the night before going back to their rooms to sleep.
★
Xiao Li cultivated very quickly in Qingqiu. She had a feeling that there was an opportunity for her there.
Ten years later, the clan will hold a grand competition, and the top ten will be able to enter the forbidden area to receive the inheritance.
Xiao Li felt that this was her destiny, so she cherished every moment of her life.
The peach blossom forest is very large. Near the northeast, a small stream flows through it. Xiao Li likes this place very much. When she gets tired of cultivating, she will practice her sword under the trees or have a barbecue.
One day, as dusk approached, Xiao Li lit a fire and started grilling fish.
Two arm-length yellow croakers exude a delicious aroma, the unique fragrance of cumin and chili slowly spreading and drifting into the distance.
Xiao Li's ears twitched. In this life, she was a spirit fox, and her hearing and sense of smell were exceptionally keen. Just now, there was a noise, and if she wasn't mistaken, an uninvited guest had arrived.
Xiao Li continued grilling the food without paying any attention to them.
The newcomer couldn't stay any longer; the aroma was so unique that his mouth was watering.
"Would you mind giving me one of your fish? I can use it as a form of exchange."
A tall, slender figure slowly emerged from behind the peach tree. It was a handsome boy, about eight feet tall.
His face, bathed in moonlight and shrouded in shadow, appeared even more profound.
He held a bright red fruit in his hand, with water droplets still dripping from it, which looked very tempting.
Xiao Li knew at a glance that this spiritual fruit was a rare Mist Pearl Fruit, which contained ice-attribute spiritual energy, so water droplets would condense on its surface.
It can purify one's mind and cleanse one's spiritual roots after consumption. It is a rare and precious spiritual fruit.
Xiao Li used her magic to roll up a yellow croaker and sent it over.
The man didn't stand on ceremony; he grabbed the fruit with his hand and took a bite, while simultaneously handing over the misty fruit in his hand.
Xiao Li took out a jade box, put away the spiritual fruit, and then picked up the fish to eat.
The man finished quickly, still wanting more. He licked his lips and whispered to Xiaoli.
"My name is Dark."
Xiao Li gave him a strange look, but did not introduce herself.
He glanced at Xiaoli secretly, and seeing that she didn't seem too offended, he continued.
"Can you make fish like this again? I can trade you something else for it."
Xiao Li's eyes lit up. Did he still have such mist bead fruits?
He knew she had misunderstood, so he shook his head and said.
“It’s not the Mist Pearl Fruit, I have other fruits.”
"Go get it, I'll make it for you here."
He nodded silently and quickly disappeared into the peach grove.
Xiao Li took out several yellow croakers from her spatial storage. After skillfully gutting and cleaning them, she grilled them over a fire, and also took out some scallops, oysters, and other seafood.
There is a sea here, so bringing out these seafood products won't attract much attention.
The aroma is even stronger this time than before.
Dark took a gentle sniff; it smelled wonderful! He quickened his pace.
After Xiaoli finished baking these things, An's figure appeared.
This time he was carrying a large basket filled with all kinds of fruit.
Xiao Li picked and chose, selecting all the foods she liked, and returned the rest to him.
This time, Xiaoli gave him five fish, two large scallops, and four oysters.
However, Xiao Li clearly underestimated his stomach. He quickly finished eating all of that and then stared intently at the rest.
Xiao Li couldn't eat because of his stare, so she had no choice but to give him the rest.
After finishing everything, An ate the fruit that Xiao Li had left behind, then said goodbye to Xiao Li, carried his basket on his back, and slowly entered the darkness.
Xiao Li put out the fire, packed her things, and left.
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