Mage And Wolf
Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Chapter 169

Without the risk of being struck by lightning, the trip back to Karl is much less stressful. Imake my way up from the basement and through the huge stone slab of the door, eagerly waiting to surprise Karl with my find held out in front of me. He smiles at the core in my hands before frowning.

"That’s not a lightning totem." He deadpans, stating the obvious. Darn, I’d hoped for a more fun reaction.

"That’s true, it’s not. Plus, the Fox Spirit is still with its core, and upset with the Sacred Thunder Sect. This used to be their Sect Compound before the Fox destroyed it." I gesture around at the entire ruined area, taking in the level of destruction.

"So what are we doing with it?" Karl raises an eyebrow at me, wondering what I’m up to.

"I’m Giving it to Betty. Once she cultivates it’s inheritance she will be able to resurrect the Divine Spirit. According to the Fox anyhow." I shrug.

We make our way back to camp and explain what I’ve found to Elder Song, which seems redundant, as he can clearly see the Fox Spirit.

[He got a bit cute with Divinity didn’t he?] the spirit gives me a canine grin and I wonder whether they had a personal sort of relationship in the past. But the Fox won’t look directly at Elder Song, even when he clearly tries to catch its attention, darting around trying to get in front of the Fox.

"So it’s it safe to transfer the Core to Betty and have her cultivate the inheritance?" I ask Elder Song, interrupting their odd game.

"It should be. Unless Alice is feeling vengeful." he nods his agreement. So the Fox is named Alice. I should have asked.

"How about it Betty, would you like to learn lightning cultivation from a Divine Fox?"

"But doesn’t your Sect have their own cultivation technique? Shouldn’t I learn that if I’m going to join you?" she asks, confused.

"No, we all cultivate whatever feels right for us. We’re a bunch of misfits and weirdos." Elder Song chuckles, winking at Alice, though it might pass as being directed at Betty.

[So you found more like minded souls to surround yourself with, Lecher?] the Fox sends to us all and Betty looks startled, unable to see it.

"It was a simple misunderstanding. I told you, I just wanted to fluff her tails with my cheeks." Elder Song insists before the Fox goes back to ignoring him and addresses me instead.

[Be careful around him. He gets obsessive around tails] Alice tells me.

"I have a question." Betty says, raising her hand.

[Please, speak your mind, disciple]

"Why would Kat have to worry about tail fluffing?" she asks and I laugh.

[You’re pretending to be human here, aren’t you? My mistake.] the Fox sounds sorry in the same way Elder Song expresses sorrow, apologetic, but unrepentant.

"As much as she looks human, she’s actually an adorable little Lycan with fluffy ears and a tail, she just hides them so she doesn’t get called a Demon or attacked." Karl explains.

Betty looks me over, not convinced. "I don’t see how she could be hiding them."

Sighing, I shift and get this awkward conversation over with. Either Betty is going to freak out or not, but there’s no hiding it from her at this point.

The second it appears Betty darts straight for my tail. "Fluffy! You really do have a real tail!" She exclaims, making me laugh.

"Well, that’s as good of a reaction as could be hoped for." I say, swatting Elder Song across the face with the tip of my tail as he sneaks close.

I shift back and all three of them start pouting, bringing a snort of amusement from Alice.

[At least you can change into a human. Until I reached Immortality I was a Fox all the time and even then I couldn’t hide my ears and tail]

"What do we do about a present for the Sacred Thunder though? We certainly won’t be giving them Alice." I ask, looking at Elder Song.

[I will make them a Lesser Thunder Totem if you convince them I’m gone from this Realm] Alice says after some consideration.

"That would be perfect. It’s what we were expecting to find here in the first pace." Karl says, looking in entirely the wrong direction.

"Close your eyes and focus on the Death Energy flow. You’ll see the Spirit Fox." I whisper to him. He closes his eyes and focuses before turning and looking shocked, his eyes snapping open.

[And what’s seen can’t be unseen. Pleased to meet you Karl]

"It’s a pleasure to meet you too." He replies, smiling.

"Karl is to head pats what Song is to tail fluffing." I warn Alice with a grin and Karl sticks his tongue out at me, ruffling my hair.

"Why don’t you two get better acquainted while I get dinner ready?" Elder Song suggests to Betty.

"Yes, getting a head start on your new cultivating program is for the best, things will get busy once we get back to the Shadowed Blade Sect Compound. Especially if Elder Song takes you in as a personal disciple." Karl agrees, while I go to help with dinner.

"I think she would do well with Elder Ye. At least until she reaches Core Formation." Elder Song greets me with as I enter the kitchen area of the tent.

"How so? Isn’t Elder Ye an alchemist?"

"She is, but she’s got a talent for lightning which will help Betty down her path, plus with the help of the pills you left behind, one of Elder Ye’s disciples reached Immortality, so she’s been looking."

"Should we travel a bit more, or are we running short on time? We did promise her an adventure." I ask him, not the least bit ready to return to structured days quite yet.

"We are a bit short on time, but we should go see one more city before we return. An adventure isn’t an adventure without seeing at least one new city." Elder Song smiles.