Wanting to cry, but with no tears coming out, Herman was so scared that he almost peed his pretty costume. The heck was wrong with this chick to steal an origin crystal from the mouth of a Golden Immortal realm beast!? She looks as if she barely broke through the Ascension realm...

"F*ck! The stupid is indeed fearless. And now I'm going to get caught in the crossfire..."

A beast was very protective of its offsprings and for the sentient beasts that went above the Profound Immortal realm, they usually condense their own Immortal Qi in a physical form for the child to consume. That would in turn help them grow their bodily cultivation by leaps and bounds. However, this sort of thing worked only for beasts and it was highly poisonous to humans.

Why would that idiot steal it?

[Youuuu... scary thing! Stop following me!!! I won't let you eat me! Scram, scram!!!](?)

Hearing her words, Herman was close to foaming at the mouth. Scary!? That was the freaking understatement of the year! The spiritual beast in front of them was a snow fox, which was incredibly rare, to begin with. Not only that, but they are usually keeping far away from any human settlements and don't get involved in fights even if they are crazily powerful. For foxes, after breaking to the Ascension realm, they would grow their second tail and all the way to the eight.

In rare cases, there would be foxes with nine tails, those representing the royalty of their...

"Hehehe! Ni...Nine?"

Looking at the pure-white fox calmly staring at the idiot in the clearing and the hidden one in the bushes, Herman counted up to nine tails on the spirit beast in front of him. He spaced out for a couple of seconds, only to be followed by ice-cold sweat pouring in rivers down his back. 'Special' encounter!? It was special alright! He got to meet f*cking royalty of the white fox clan and would even get the honor of being its meal most likely.

"This makes no sense at all! Why the heck would a Golden Immortal follow an early Ascension realm all the way here? Wouldn't it have been easier to just have its 'soldiers' chase after her? Also, does this moron even know what she stole?"

Doubting his own brain for even thinking it, Herman got up to his feet and started walking stiffly towards the girl. His sudden movement alerted both parties, however, after a sweep of their consciousness over him, they were both surprised to see this ant moving towards them.

His steps got steadier and steadier as he got closer to the girl, to which he nodded in a short salutation, after which he placed the palm of his right hand on his forehead and then over his heart, finishing with a low bow.

"My greetings to Your Majesty!"

[Huh!?](the idiot)

[Oh!?](the scary monster)

His only way out of this was, and to quote, 'resolve the issue' between the two. For that, he had to first establish his position as the neutral party in the minds of the other two.

[You need to get out of here! This monster is too strong for you to face! I will try and buy you time and you can...](the idiot)

At this point, Herman turned and glared at her filled with killing intent. The sudden change caught the idiot off guard and she fell on her backside. Turning back to the fox which seemed intrigued, he was relieved to see that the 'salute' he used applied to snow foxes as well. He learned about it in his past life and it represented a motto by which these beautiful creatures live: we make decisions using our heads, but we always follow our hearts. A bit cheesy for Herman's tastes, yet the story behind the one who instilled these words in the foxes all around the Immortal World was anything but that.

The reason for which the queen or princess, or whatever rank this fox had in its clan was intrigued, was because only close clan members and close friends of foxes would know of it. Herman didn't have much practice with it, but he was sure that it was enough to plant a seed of doubt in the creature's mind.

"If Your Majesty can excuse me for one second and allow me to sort out this issue, I would be extremely grateful."

[Hoh? And why does this Queen need to do that?](Queen snow fox)

"You don't. However, given that you could kill this moron at any time you wanted yet didn't show two possibilities."

[Hehe! What are those?](Queen snow fox)

[Youuuu! You're the moron! Your whole family are morons!!!](the moron)

"*Sigh* You have to excuse her, Your Majesty. As you can see, she lacks knowledge of proper etiquette."

[I am not worried about that child. I am more interested in how does a Qi Gathering child know of our etiquette and these two reasons you've mentioned.](Queen snow fox)

"In that case, can we continue this as a conversation?"

[Aren't we talking?](Queen snow fox)

"In both of our human forms."

[Hehe! Aren't you a smart one. Even if my human form is weaker, I can tell you now that there is no amount of cultivators at your levels that could even dream of defeating me.](Queen snow fox)

"Your Majesty must be joking. In truth, I've heard much of the celestial beauty of the fox clans. Among them, the fairest should be the snow foxes. I am simply curious."

[And quite audacious. But it's not like I don't like it. I grew bored of sitting in my territory all this while after all..](Queen snow fox)

Seeing a white mist coil around the fox, Herman turned around as he knew that the transformation to human would leave the Queen naked. That wasn't the type of thing he would want to take responsibility for. Especially since it was certain for other elite guards of the Queen to be nearby.

So he turned around and looked at the moron that had her eyes glued to the Queen and gasping in surprise. He facepalmed and decided to let her die since she was probably a death-seeker anyway.

[And here I thought that you were interested in seeing this Queen in all her glory.](Queen snow fox)

"Your Majesty... I still value my life."

[Hehe! You can turn around. Tell me, what are these two possibilities you've mentioned before?](Queen snow fox)

"Before that, this humble one's name is Herman Roy. Might I have the honor of knowing your title?"

[So you even know about that? Quite the curious human you are. Very well, Herman Roy! The title I was granted by my elders was Dancing Snow. How is it?](Queen Dancing Snow)

"Dancing Snow... how fitting!"

Not all members of a monster clan get names or titles. In some cases, even the royalty is simply called 'Your Majesty' or something. To have a title was a great honor. Not to mention that her beauty was something that Herman didn't even dare to profane or look for longer than a second at. He had problems even maintaining eye-contact and there was nowhere else to look that the fox tribes wouldn't find offensive.

The woman appeared to be in her early thirties with a white skin complexion that seemed to not have seen the sun for decades. Her lips were a pale red and her eyes a deep blue, sucking in the souls of the ones that lingered in them for more than a breath. Silver locks flowed on her bare shoulders, while a fur coat barely covered anything important, leaving for the world to see a body that every man would happily worship for the rest of his life... Fuck! This woman... well.. fox...

"Your Majesty Dancing Snow... is there a need to use your charms on me? I was already doing my best to avoid any transgression as it was..."

[*Giggle* You seem to have quite a lot of requests, but you still haven't answered my questions. Just so you know, this is only the first level of what I can throw your way. There are still nine more to go. I would hurry if I were you...](Queen Dancing Snow)

"*Sigh* To answer your question, I must ask another one. Do not worry, this time I would have to ask the other person in this clearing."

[Go ahead!](Queen Dancing Snow)

[Eh? Me? What?](the moron)

"First of all, what's your name? It's basic etiquette to give your name when talking to someone."

[It's Xu Wen'an, nice to meet you!](the moron still)

"Miss Xu, do you know what the crystal that you took is?"

[You can call me Wen. Everyone does.](definitely the moron)

"Miss Wen... please be more aware of your situation and answer the question."

[Crystal? What crystal? Oh! Do you mean this thing? No clue. It looked pretty, so I nabbed it.](the soon-to-be-dead moron)

[*Giggle*](Queen Dancing Snow)

Seeing the nonchalant attitude of the moron and hearing the Queen laugh her answer off, Herman knew that this was solvable. There wasn't much of an issue, to begin with. After all...

"So Your Majesty was bored and decided to chase this girl to alleviate it? Didn't the guards and soldiers go into a frenzy when the origin crystal was stolen?"

[They did at first. But I assured them that I would get it back.](Queen Dancing Snow)

"The origin crystal is quite fragile... that's a lot to risk just to alleviate boredom..."

[What can I say? I'm quite confident in my abilities.](Queen Dancing Snow)

"You also realized that this girl didn't have a clue about what it is, didn't you?"

[Yup. After all, besides other fox clans, there isn't a particular use this crystal would have to a human.](Queen Dancing Snow)

"*Sigh* Understood. Miss Wen, as you've heard what you are holding is an origin crystal that mothers of the beast race use to feed their newborns to strengthen them. It holds no value to you except for looking pretty. Can you please hand it over to me?"

[Eh? But...](yup, moron)

*Smack*

Losing his patience, Herman used a hand chop and hit the woman squarely in the middle of the head, making her yelp. He was getting seriously pissed, the girl in questions had tears in the corners of her eyes and the Queen was laughing aloud as if it was nothing more than a drama she was watching on TV. Taking the origin crystal from the moron, he started heading towards the Queen, when he noticed a perfume so alluring that it couldn't possibly belong to the mortal world.

It seems like Dancing Snow was going to make things difficult until the end.

With each step he got closer to her, the charm she was putting him under got stronger and stronger. He felt his rationale swaying and his eyes were beginning to dart around the ethereal beauty's body. Biting on his tongue didn't do the trick when he was only three steps away anymore, so he used Spiritual Qi to clear his head. One step away and his hands and feet were almost out of his control, especially his hands. He wanted nothing more than to let go of the crystal and grab hold of her. He wanted to touch and caress every inch of her white skin and shower her with kisses...

*HISS*

The sound of a snake hissing woke him up from his delusions, raising his head and meeting the Queen's eyes. The latter was surprised to see a young man resist her charms so well while there was only a finger's distance between the two of them. Herman was thankful towards the snake, otherwise, if he would've really laid a hand on the Queen he would be dead for sure.

Even if the Queen herself would pass it off as a joke, the elite guards that followed her would discretely dispose of him right after she left. That's why he wanted to get this entire show over with. He got off on one knee, lowered his head, and planted his eyes on the ground while raising the crystal with both hands.

[I must admit that I'm impressed. Herman Roy, you said your name was?](Queen Dancing Snow)

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

[I permit you to call me by my title. Use it!](Queen Dancing Snow)

"Yes, Miss Dancing Snow!"

[Hehe! Too bad you're too young. You would've made a nice addition to my harem. I have received my origin crystal back, so there's no need for concern. I won't pursue the lass anymore. Actually, it's not even my crystal per-say. It's one of my servants, but I felt bored and wanted to exercise a bit. It's been a fun couple of days.](Queen Dancing Snow)

"..."

Sweat and swears kept pouring in Herman's mind. She chased the girl for two days just to 'exercise'. This fox was bad news... seems like the story he heard from Golden Fox in his past life was true. The women of this clan are scary indeed.

[There is something that you haven't answered still, Herman Roy.](Queen Dancing Snow)

"Miss Dancing Snow, it's just our first meeting. How about we leave some things for the next time we meet?"

[Hehehe! Indeed. Here's a gift!](Queen Dancing Snow)

"*Mhpff!*"

Seeing the Queen lick her lips after kissing him, Herman was dumbstruck. This woman was too bold! F*ck! He just went through a lot of trouble to make sure he doesn't get killed by the guards and now she does this!? F*ck!

Congratulations!

You have resolved the special encounter and received the Queen of the Snow Foxes clan's blessing.

Reward: companion Xu Wen'an

"Screw off to the side! Who needs either!? It sounds like a pain in the ass!!!"

Seeing the Queen took off and carefully looking around him, he sighed in relief when he found out that there were no assassins that wanted to get rid of him. He was only at the Qi Gathering realm after all. What threat could he possibly pose to them?

The moron 'companion' was on the ground still, looking at him with eyes full of wonder. She probably figured out how close to death she had come just now.

[Amazing! To think you could get such a beauty to kiss you willingly. This big sister gives you a thumbs up!](Xu Wen'an)

*SMACK*

[Ouch! What did you that for!? What if I turn stupid because of you?](Xu Wen'an)

"..."

Herman chocked on the words he was about to spit out and instead took a deep breath to calm down. This woman was supposed to be a companion? Are you joking? It's a wonder that she managed to stay alive for so long...

Just as he was pondering what to do with her, the sound of a stomach rumbling could be heard. Looking at the blushing girl, he sighed and re-introduced himself.

"Once more, my name is Herman Roy. If miss Wen would like, you can join me for some food at a restaurant in the city."

[*Cough**Cough*...nes?](Xu Wen'an)

"Eh? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Would you mind repeating, please?"

[I... don't have any Spirit Stones.](Xu Wen'an)

"That's fine. It would be my treat. However, how come you are here all alone? Also, chased for two days? Aren't your fellow sect members worried?"

[I'm a Wanderer.](Xu Wen'an)

"..."

Wanderer. A term used for loose cultivators, the ones that don't attach them to sects for various reasons. To think that such a moron could survive until the Ascension realm as a Wanderer... that was quite amazing in itself.

In that case...

"I have just met another Wanderer such as yourself this very morning. If you wouldn't mind, you can follow me back to my Dwelling and meet with her. I have a proposition for you."

[Eh? No more restaurant?](Xu Wen'an)

"...no worries. I will have my chef cook for you. I can also offer you a roof to sleep under if you are interested."

[What's the catch?](Xu Wen'an)

"No catch. I will explain things later after we eat. Shall we?"

[Hmm... Okay! Lead the way.](Xu Wen'an)

His return with yet another girl was met with huge amounts of scorn from Celeste, giggles from the three girls of the Fallen Blossoms sect, and picked interest from Tianxia Xue. Explaining the situation to all five of them at once and introducing the moron, they all looked at the girl with pitty and were quick to accept her in their ranks... that if they had any.

Food was served and after a relaxing time, Herman thought it was needed to fulfill his promise from this morning towards Tianxia Xue. Celeste was looking at him as if he was an idiot for agreeing to be trashed by someone that was almost at Half-Immortal, but he just smiled and asked the audience to follow him in the courtyard.

[Are you sure you don't need me to suppress my cultivation level to yours?](Tianxia Xue)

"I'm certain. Your weapon?"

[Right here!](Tianxia Xue)

"Shall we begin then?"

[Conditions of defeat?](Tianxia Xue)

"Admitting or being knocked unconscious."

[Sounds good to me. Hehe!](Tianxia Xue)

"Celeste, if you would."

[Sure. It's your funeral!](Celeste)

Measuring one another, the two parties stood about five steps away from each other, ready to strike as soon as Celeste would give the signal. Herman knew that there was no way he could beat her in power, spiritual cultivation, or speed. That's why he had to rely on something else entirely: sword mastery.

He didn't have as much time spent in this lifetime with a sword as she did, but he had in his past lifetime, more than she could possibly imagine. There were a couple of tricks he could use, but in the face of absolute power, such tricks are nothing. There was, of course, something he could use to his advantage.

[Begin!](Celeste)

With the signal given, Herman lunged straight at his opponent, taking the woman by surprise. His attacks were light and she could fend them off easily, however, the now and then punches and kicks would disrupt her tempo, keeping her on the defensive. Realizing that she had the upper hand in cultivation, she released it at once, hoping to intimidate him slightly. Herman was waiting for this precise moment.

The release of Spiritual Qi and Primordial Qi at once is done through the Spiritual Roots found in one's Dantian. The Dantian remains in the same fixed position for each person, right under their thoracic cavity. Infusing some Primordial Qi in his palm, he deflected her sword, stepped in closer to her, and received a kick in the chest himself, right after sending a palm to her Dantian. The kick was anything but light, sending him flying and coughing a mouthful of blood. The opponent was in no better shape, as the Qi he sent in overloaded her Spiritual Roots for a minute or so, reducing her attempt to use Qi to just that: an attempt.

[You!](Tianxia Xue)

"You got careless, miss Xue."

[You think you can beat me just because I can't use my Qi?](Tianxia Xue)

"Yup. I already won."

[Hmpf! Shameless boasting!](Tianxia Xue)

"Here I come!"

The result was... Herman was trashed! He didn't manage to finish the fight in the two minutes he gained for himself and once the time was up, Tianxia Xuefought back with much gusto. She was nevertheless impressed by the effort he put in.

Alert!!!

Wu Xinyan's Favor increased to positive 50!!

Ling Ye's Favor increased to 25!

Lan Yue's Favor increased to positive 50!

Xu Wen'an's Favor increased to positive 10!

Tianxia Xue's Favor increased to positive 20!

...and so were the other girls. He was making steady progress, even if he was beaten half to death.