The arrival of Ian Song and his companions made the three men more vigilant, as they had not yet subdued the Snow Fox.
To subdue a spirit beast on Myriad Spirits Island, you can't use force—otherwise, you'll anger the Four Ninth-Rank Spirit Beasts guarding the island. So, the three men are currently using a spirit fruit to tempt the Snow Fox.
As long as the Snow Fox accepts them, it'll voluntarily enter the spirit beast pouch and let them take it away.
"Let's keep going deeper."
Although Shayne Snow felt a bit regretful about falling a step behind the three men, she had no intention of fighting over the beast. After all, there are plenty of spirit beasts on the island—it's better to look for others than to compete.
Just then, a white shadow flashed by—the Snow Fox broke out of the three men's encirclement and dashed toward Ian Song's group.
Chirp chirp.
The next moment, the Snow Fox landed right on Lena Ling's shoulder, then pointed at the wine gourd on her waist and chirped twice.
Lena Ling was stunned. "Little guy, you want a drink?"
"Chirp chirp!" The Snow Fox nodded in a very human-like way.
Lena Ling quickly took off the wine gourd at her waist, popped the cork, and handed it to the Snow Fox.
The little guy hugged the gourd, aimed the opening at its mouth, and started gulping down the wine.
In just a few breaths, the wine in the gourd was gone. The Snow Fox hiccupped, tossed the gourd aside, and curled up on Lena Ling's shoulder to sleep.
Just then, the three men came over. Their leader, Iron Kui, cupped his fists and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoists. We're disciples of Skyflower Sword Gate. Thank you for helping us subdue the Snow Fox. Now, please hand it over to us."
In the cultivation world, the terms for different factions are strictly regulated.
The lowest-level factions are called 'sects'—these usually have only a few dozen disciples, and their strongest experts rarely reach the Golden Core stage.
Above 'sect' is 'gate,' like the Jade Maiden Sect—these factions typically control a county-sized territory.
Above 'gate' is 'sect,' such as Yuhua Sect, Kirin Sect, or Sword Sect—these are stronger organizations.
Above sects are 'churches,' like the Tang Dynasty's Prime One Church, the Song Dynasty's Fire God Church, and the Ming Dynasty's Witch God Church.
And above churches, there are 'Heaven Churches,' such as the Phoenix Heaven Church of the High Zhou Imperium.
Since these three called themselves Skyflower Sword Gate, it means they're from a faction on the same level as the Jade Maiden Sect.
"So you're from Skyflower Sword Gate—I've heard of you. I'm Shayne Snow, a second-generation disciple of the Jade Maiden Sect," Shayne replied with a smile.
The leader of Skyflower Sword Gate smiled, "Nice to meet you, Shayne. I'm Iron Kui. Please return the Snow Fox to us."
"Lena, give them the Snow Fox," Shayne turned to Lena Ling.
Oh, okay.
Lena Ling's eyes flashed with reluctance. She reached to take the Snow Fox off her shoulder, but found the little guy clinging tightly to her clothes, making her even more unwilling to part with it.
So she said to Iron Kui, "Iron Kui, could you let us keep the Snow Fox? We'll compensate you."
Cut the nonsense—hand over the Snow Fox, or don't blame us for being rude!
A young man behind Iron Kui threatened coldly.
Lena Ling grew angry. "I'm not taking it for free—I'll compensate you. Besides, the little guy doesn't want to leave me!"
Dream on! If you want to snatch a spirit beast from Skyflower Sword Gate, you’ll have to see if our swords agree!
Swoosh!
With a sword cry, the Skyflower Sword Gate disciple suddenly drew his sword and pointed it menacingly at Lena Ling.
Iron Yao, don't be impulsive!
Iron Kui pressed down his junior’s sword and apologized to Ian Song’s group. "Sorry, my junior Iron Yao is hot-tempered. Please don’t mind. Since your friend likes the Snow Fox, we’ll let you have it—for just one top-grade spirit crystal."
What? One top-grade spirit crystal? Why don’t you just rob us?" Lena Ling sneered.
Shayne Snow followed up, "Iron Kui, one top-grade spirit crystal is too much. How about we offer a middle-grade one instead?"
Iron Kui’s face turned cold. "Give us a top-grade spirit crystal and the Snow Fox is yours. Otherwise, hand it back."
Hearing this, Shayne and Lena instantly realized the guy was a hypocrite—all that politeness was just an act.
Lena, give them the Snow Fox!
After a moment’s hesitation, Shayne said to Lena Ling.
Alright." Lena Ling tried again to take the Snow Fox, but it clung even tighter, unwilling to leave her shoulder.
One top-grade spirit crystal, right? Here you go!
Ian Song suddenly pulled out a top-grade spirit crystal and tossed it to Iron Kui.
Iron Kui grabbed the spirit crystal, his face lighting up with joy. But greed flashed in his eyes as he sneered at Ian Song, "That was the old price. Now I want three top-grade spirit crystals!"
You're going too far!" Shayne Snow’s face turned cold.
Hmph. Buy it or don’t. Otherwise, hand over the Snow Fox." Iron Kui taunted.
Take the Snow Fox and return the spirit crystal!" Shayne Snow shouted angrily.
Uncle, since the little guy doesn’t want to leave Lena Ling, let’s just let it stay!" Ian Song pulled out two more spirit crystals and tossed them over. "Fine, you get all three. Now leave!"
With two more spirit crystals in hand, Iron Kui could hardly believe it.
The two men beside him stared, dumbfounded.
The three exchanged glances quickly.
Then Iron Kui said, "When we were subduing the Snow Fox, we fed it ten top-grade spirit crystals. Give us those back."
Ian Song laughed. Greed knows no bounds—these three just want more spirit crystals. He smirked, "You three penniless fools couldn’t cough up ten top-grade spirit crystals if your lives depended on it."
Kid, what did you say? Looking for trouble?
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Two more swords were drawn—now three swords pointed at Ian Song.
Ian Song wasn’t fazed. "You three penniless fools can’t show ten top-grade spirit crystals. If you can, I’ll pay you a hundred!"
The three men’s eyes flickered.
Iron Kui stared at Ian Song, suspicious. "If we show ten, you’ll really pay a hundred?"
Of course!" Ian Song nodded.
Iron Kui shook his head slyly. "I don’t believe you—unless you show us first!"