exploration
"Do you have any clues about these missing cubs? For example, did they leave any traces?"
Nan Yi quickly spoke up, saying that even if the two of them could help search, they would need a direction to look for it, otherwise they might not find it even after several more years.
The most crucial thing now is time. No one knows who is hiding in the shadows, or what they intend to do with those cubs.
The woman hurriedly wiped away her tears. "I'll take you to see the place where Zai Zai disappeared. You might be able to see something there, but I'm afraid I won't be able to detect any traces left behind."
Chu Li then noticed that the man and woman in front of her were both at the Foundation Establishment stage. Indeed, as they said, with their cultivation levels, they would hardly be able to detect most abnormalities.
The two followed them into a room, where the fox stood beside them, gesturing in a trembling voice, "My son and I were lying here. Because he was still young, he was used to using his original form, so I held him tightly in my arms. Then, I couldn't help but close my eyes, and he... he disappeared from my arms."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but shed tears again.
Chu Li took a few steps forward and stood next to the spot she had just pointed to. She closed her eyes and maximized her other senses.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw her junior brother staring at her expectantly. She couldn't help but feel a little helpless. She had indeed sensed a subtle and unique aura just now. However, the aura was too weak, and her junior brother, whose cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, certainly couldn't perceive it.
That's probably why he was staring at her so intently at that moment.
Before Chu Li could say anything, a loud "bang" suddenly came from not far away, and a fox that looked very young burst through the door and stumbled in.
Before he could even steady himself, he called out, "Please don't be anxious, everyone! The chieftain says he has found the thief's hiding place! He guarantees that all the cubs will return safely!"
He took a deep breath before continuing, "But I need to register your cubs' information first. Also, we need to temporarily requisition this place..."
His gaze swept over the unfamiliar faces in the room. "Please rest elsewhere for now. Our fox clan has failed to provide adequate hospitality. Once this matter is settled, we will certainly host a banquet to apologize."
This is a veiled way of telling them to get rid of their homes.
Chu Li tilted her head slightly. She didn't care, but Nan Yi...
Nan Yi simply nodded slightly and took Chu Li's hand, saying, "It's good that you know the hospitality was inadequate. The grand feast that follows is already arranged, and the clan leader cannot go back on his word."
The fox's lips twitched. Anyone could see that he was just being polite, but Nan Yi had actually gone so far as to try and ingratiate himself with him. He was much younger than Nan Yi, so he only knew about his deeds from other foxes.
At that moment, a line of words flashed through his mind: Nan Yi, indeed, lives up to his reputation.
Nan Yi walked out satisfied. Since the other party had delivered such a feast to his door, how could he refuse?
Moreover, this was said by the clan chief. He rarely has the opportunity to personally host a banquet, but every time he does, it is bound to be a grand feast.
Chu Li couldn't help but glance at Nan Yi a few times, a hint of suspicion in her heart. Lately, he had been openly and subtly complaining to her about how those foxes were ostracizing him and jealous of him, but judging from what had just happened, it seemed that what he said wasn't entirely true.
Even if it's true, he must have hidden some parts. For example, how did he treat these foxes? He's never been the type to be bullied for nothing.
She was so focused on feeling sorry for him that she overlooked these details.
Chu Li, Nan Yi, and the two foxes were all driven out. The woman kept muttering, "Great, the clan leader has finally made a move..."
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention," the fox that had chased them out suddenly poked its head out of the door again. It had been so busy being speechless that it had almost missed the task the chief had given it.
"Don't mention that curse or anything like that again. It's completely unfounded. Every cub will have a chance to grow into a nine-tailed creature."
Since this involved her own cub, the woman hurriedly nodded and repeatedly assured him, fearing that the previous discussion about the curse would affect the clan leader's efforts to save the cub.
After receiving reassurance, the head immediately retracted.
Chu Li and Nan Yi quickly bid farewell to the two foxes. Since the clan leader had already intervened, they figured the foxes probably didn't need them anymore.
After they had walked a certain distance apart, Chu Li gently tugged at their clasped hands and slowly asked with a smile, "Junior brother, are you going to continue investigating?"
To be honest, she didn't believe a single word the fox who suddenly barged in said.
"Senior sister, may I continue? I feel like something's not right, but..." A look of shame appeared on his face, "I didn't sense anything unusual just now."
"Yeah, you feel something's not right either, right?"
The fox that had just rushed in "timely" interrupted her investigation and even used some excuses to prevent them from investigating any further. Presumably, the room should be spotless now, with no trace left.
"This matter is related to the clan chief."
“But the chieftain would never kidnap a cub; he values the development of the entire tribe…”
"There is some connection, but it shouldn't have been him who did it. However, the person who did it might have a close relationship with him."
Nan Yi's eyes widened slightly: "Is this what you just deduced?"
Chu Li shook a finger, then leaned closer to Nan Yi and whispered, "During my investigation just now, I discovered an aura that is very similar to that of the clan leader, which led to this speculation."
This aura... how to put it, is like a declaration specifically targeting the clan leader. The person hidden in the shadows is openly telling the clan leader that the cub is in his hands, and if he wants it, he can have it himself.
However, this one is also quite interesting. He deliberately concealed his aura, so that only those with high cultivation levels could detect its existence.
However, didn't this person in the shadows make the aura too crude? She, a Nascent Soul cultivator, could sense it. Logically speaking, it should have been set up so that only the clan leader could sense it.
A beam of sunlight slanted into the window, bathing the floor in a golden hue, while nearby, streams of spiritual energy flowed continuously—an array completely isolated this place from the outside world.
What the people inside do and say is completely unknown to the outside world.
"Is everything taken care of? She probably hasn't had time to check yet."
"I did everything you instructed, and all the houses have been cleaned," the young fox replied. Then, remembering the chieftain's last words, he struggled to recall the scene, and hesitated for a long time before adding, "I probably haven't had time to..."
He clearly remembered that the woman was a little distance away from the bed, and he did not see her holding any magical artifacts.
"That's good," the clan chief slowly closed his eyes. He hadn't expected to choose such a time to strike. Normally it would have been one thing, but the Venerable One happened to be in the clan this time, and Nan Yi had dragged him into this matter—
Although she may appear to have only the strength of the Nascent Soul stage, what if... what if her perception is still terrifyingly strong? After all, she was once at the Tribulation Transcending stage, and one of the top few in the world.
This is a clan secret; we can't let her get involved. If she insists on...
A hint of malice flashed in his eyes; then she shouldn't blame him for showing no mercy, after all, it was her own choice.
Chu Li was still discussing with Nan Yi how to handle the matter.
"All we know right now is that this matter involves the chieftain; we know absolutely nothing else. Where should we even begin...? Perhaps we should follow the chieftain; he must know where the cubs are hidden—"
Nan Yi said excitedly, and then he was met with a merciless rubbing. His originally smooth, flowing hair was instantly transformed into a mess.
Chu Li said irritably, "Is this all the method you came up with? Where do we have the resources to track a cultivator whose strength is close to the Tribulation Transcending stage? This tracking only has two outcomes: either we're discovered, or we lose them—"
"So, it seems Senior Sister has a better idea?"
"Just you wait and see."
Late at night, Chu Li urged Nan Yi to find out if the clan leader had left. Only after he left could they make their next move.
"What if he's there? What if he asks me why I need to contact him at this time?"
"Isn't that simple? Just tell him we're leaving early tomorrow morning and won't have time to say goodbye, so we're taking this opportunity to tell him now."
Chu Li spoke these words without changing her expression, which slightly surprised Nan Yi. He had always thought that his senior sister was a very upright person who did everything openly and honestly, and he never expected this...
"Senior sister, so you can lie through your teeth too..."
"What's so difficult about this? Hurry up and stop talking nonsense. Taking too long will make our search more difficult."
Nan Yi followed his instructions and knocked on the door a few times, just as he had done before.
A moment later, the door was gently pushed open, revealing a familiar face—it was the young fox they had just seen during the day.
Nan Yi had some impression of him, but because of their significant age difference and the fact that Nan Yi had been frequently away training since his birth, he couldn't recall his name immediately.
The two exchanged glances, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Finally, the young fox spoke up: "Are you here to see the chief? The chief just went to sleep. Why don't you come back tomorrow?"
Nan Yi waved his hand and said with a faint smile, "No need for that. I'm leaving the Fox Clan tomorrow and wanted to say goodbye to the Clan Chief tonight. Since he's not available, then forget it. But if you can, please pass on the message."
"Okay, you're leaving first thing tomorrow morning?"
After a brief exchange, Nan Yi hurriedly returned to his residence and told Chu Li everything.
Chu Li rested her chin on her hand, listening listlessly.
Nan Yi finally revealed his speculation: "The clan chief should have already left. There was never anyone else in his room before, but he unexpectedly appeared today—he probably wanted to send us the wrong message, but in reality, the play he arranged is the biggest loophole."
"Senior sister, shall we set off tonight as well?"
"What departure? Get some rest tonight. Didn't we say we'd leave first thing tomorrow morning?"
Chu Li gave a meaningful smile: "We need to put on a good show. If we reveal any flaws too early, the other side will find out."
Nan Yi wasn't stupid either. He quickly realized that their test of the clan leader was also the clan leader testing them.
If they were to set off immediately, they would be falling into the chieftain's trap.
The clan leader's spies are spread throughout the entire fox clan. As soon as they make any move within the fox clan, the clan leader can immediately detect it and discover their true purpose.
Having figured this out, Nan Yi was no longer in a hurry. He looked at Chu Li with bright eyes and asked, "Senior Sister, since tonight is the last night in the Fox Clan, can I sleep with you?"
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