Li Xiu came over to Aiko with a large 'box'.
"This suitcase has all the things you would need to deal with your tail so that it doesn't get tangled like last time!" Li Xiu narrowed her eyes.
"Everything was sharpened and well-maintained, but you will have to keep taking care of it yourself. Since you know Inscriptions, you could probably write something that can maintain it for you." Li Xiu smiled happily.
"Thank you~" It was definitely time for Aiko to start doing something about her tails, and this was a perfect opportunity.
'I also wonder what is inside those books~' Moon Aiko hummed happily, but she would deal with those things later.
"Well." Li Xiu used her speed.
*smooch*
She kissed Aiko's cheek before running away.
Moon Aiko smiled gently as a warm imprint was left on her cheek.
"And keep your promise!" Li Xiu shouted from far away.
"En." Aiko chuckled before leaving the premises.
It was obvious that Li Xiu was bad with goodbyes, so this was the best she could do.
'I hope I have not forgotten anything.' Moon Aiko pondered on it, but this was probably fine.
She discreetly stored everything into her tails before transforming into blazing Fox and dashing away.
Sun Aiko had a lot more energy than any other Aiko, so it was perfect for long-distance dashing!
-----
"Aiko left the Sect now." Ah Cy pursed her lips. It was fine that Aiko left now. There were only a few shards left from her munching spree.
"May Fate bring us together." Ah Cy smiled before going outside. "Let's hope my Disciple doesn't get addicted too much." She chuckled gently, but it was obvious she wouldn't care about those chosen by the Sect and would keep herself single.
'That's one way to be a Saintess.' Ah Cy licked her lips. She would train her Disciple even more so that she could keep up with Aiko.
While it might be impossible to completely keep up, she would at least strengthen herself so that she wouldn't be bullied on the mainland.
'I also want my own "Massage Chair".' She licked her lips. Ah Cy just couldn't forget about that sensation on her back. That kind of relief was hard to forget!
-----
Sun Aiko dashed through the forest that led towards the Fox Village.
'I can't possibly enter, right?' Aiko was supposed to be dead, so she should stay that way.
'I will try to invade Mei's dream~' Aiko hummed happily. She also had to scold her Spidey for hiding like that and check on the Foxes inside her tails!
'I'm not sure where a safe place is.' After meeting Mei, she would decide what to do!
...
A week or so later. Aiko finally arrived near the Fox Village.
Her dream was very short since it was hard to maintain, but Mei understood the gist of it.
They would meet in this place in two days, and Mei would then bring Aiko inside.
Since nobody saw her Sun Fox Form, she would keep herself like this.
That naturally meant she couldn't fool or even show Mei her new form, since she was under constant surveillance, but it was enough to know that she was doing well!
Sun Aiko rested under a tree when she heard footsteps.
"What do we have here~" Mei hummed as she scooped up the tiny Aiko with ridiculously long and fluffy tails?
"Jade Fox." The Delegation was startled because they couldn't feel this Fox.
"What is it?" Mei feigned ignorance as she played with Aiko's ears.
"..." The Delegation was in an awkward condition. They got a report about a blazing Fox being Mei's friend, so this might just be a coincidence, but there was something weird about it!
Aiko observed Mei before nuzzling her. It seemed like Mei was doing better, but not the best.
'Mei, I have Herbs and other things, so if we can be alone for a bit, I can dump it for you.' It was obvious those bastards wouldn't move, and she didn't want to mess with Mei's plans, so Sun Aiko acted obedient for a bit.
'I could use those, yes.' Mei nodded gently as she walked back into the Fox Village.
Nobody dared to stop her, even when she brought a new Fox in. Most Elders, Delegation included, believed that this Fox was a substitute for the dead Fox, so they didn't try to interfere too much.
It was better if the Jade Fox was attached to something, since they would be able to use that thing to pressure her.
Little did they know that they wouldn't be the ones doing the pressuring...
...
The next day, there was some time before the Delegation came over, so Aiko dumped anything remotely useful on Mei.
"Here are Herbs, Divine Steel, Crescent Moon Tea Set, Demonic Heritage- Do you also want Heavenly Blessed Light-Water?" Sun Aiko just kept dumping things, making Mei's mind spin in circles.
"I will take 10 Litres." Mei didn't think too deeply about it. It was Aiko. She was bound to bring something ridiculous no matter where she went!
Aiko kept some Divine Steel for herself just in case she needed it for her Cauldron, but Mei might have better uses for it.
"I will keep the steel for now, but if you need it later, just ask." Mei could have a new Cauldron, but she believed Aiko would bring something better later anyway, so she didn't need to spend it for now.
Her current Cauldron was good enough. She was producing Pills like a factory thanks to Aiko's ingenious new way of measuring heat.
Thanks to that, Mei was also more appreciated by the Elders and everyone around, making it easier for her to procure precious Herbs.
"Do you need Talismans or anything?' Mei asked gently. Aiko would have to leave soon after, as the Elders were doing something at 'that' Forest. So Aiko had to hurry in order to rob them blind!
"I would like to learn Arrays and, while I'm at it, Formations too." Sun Aiko said gently. It was something that Moon Aiko wanted, so she would deliver the message.
"Oh..." Mei was startled that Aiko wanted to learn so much.
"Don't lose these." Mei gave Aiko Jade Slips about Herbs, Inscriptions, Formations, Arrays, Forging, everything she knew except Talismans, since they were harder to make for the first time, and Aiko had no experience with them.
"Whoa." Sun Aiko didn't expect to gain so much.
"Use Talismans instead of your strength. That way, you won't be exposed. Once you reach the Forest, try to find the Elders discreetly and rob them. Rob anything they want, or destroy it if you can't rob it." Mei explained.
"I ain't leaving yet." Sun Aiko suddenly blurted out. She hadn't seen Mei in a while, so she would naturally cuddle with her for a while.
Mei sighed. Maybe a small delay wouldn't be too bad...
...
Mei went with Aiko to the bedroom and cuddled with her.
Aiko, in her Fox form, was exceptionally warm, but thanks to Mei's attainment, it didn't bother her. She was able to easily block Aiko's heat and enjoy her soft fur.
Mei planted a few kisses on Aiko's fur before cuddling her to sleep.
She would caress Aiko here and there, since that soft, warm fur was quite addictive.
Shaking her head gently, Mei laughed at herself, but this was just too pleasant to pass up.
"I wonder how you will look..." Mei said gently. She already knew, but making the Delegations and Elders more confused was the best course of action.
Sun Aiko didn't say anything since she felt like they were being observed.
It was better to play mute, cute Fox, rather than something chatty.
Sun Aiko was not confident about not saying something stupid that would expose her.
'I should get more Herbs for Mei. Maybe some Beast Cores?' Sun Aiko pondered on it. While at first glance, Mei seemed fine, her Soul was damaged, and her energy was quite chaotic.
It seemed like someone gave her energy that was not completely pure, which caused the current situation.
...
Like this, they spend a few days together before Mei escorted Aiko outside.
'There will be enemies trailing you. Kill them if you want, they shouldn't be your match.' Mei smiled innocently while she gave Aiko an a-okay to cause as much chaos as possible.
'None to be spared?' Aiko narrowed her eyes.
'None.' Mei smiled sinisterly. She was enjoying this situation and what disaster would cause it.
'Got it~' Sun Aiko smiled.
The Delegation was confused about their expressions, but they didn't report it for the time being.
Jade Fox looked better than before, so she should be more productive now.
'Bring as many Herbs as possible so I can heal the Grandmaster.' Mei licked her lips.
'I'm on it~' Aiko smiled.
"Don't wander too much and come back soon." Mei played her role well. Even Aiko believed her words.
Sun Aiko gently nodded before running away.
'I have done my best. Let's see how much we can profit from this.' Mei chuckled.
-----
"That strange Fox just exited the Fox Village." One shadowy figure reported.
"Did the Sect Token resonate?" The Sect Leader asked, not because she wanted to, but because the Delegation was pressuring her.
"None." The shadowy figure reported again.
"So it was not her Mate." The Sect Leader sighed, but with this, they should put less pressure on her.
The Sect Leader was unfortunately weaker than the Delegation. Otherwise, she would've put her foot down.
-----
"So that Fox is truly dead..." The Head of the Delegation shook his head. "No matter, her team is obedient, and we can replace that mean Fox with something more docile and less chaotic. That way, we will have complete control over the sane Demonic Foxes."
"Sir, are we really going to help the Banished Elders?" The shadowy figure felt like this was not the right thing.
"Of course, it's hard to find loyal mates, so their skills are needed." The Head of Delegation snorted.
"Yes... Sir." The shadowy figure sighed, but he didn't dare to refute. It was already hard to keep this position; he couldn't antagonise this guy.
The head of delegation would change here and there, depending on who usurped it. Unfortunately, the guy who usurped it this time was the same guy who was very unlucky with mates.
Thus, this bastard treasured the Banished Elders more than talents...