The fox did not sit back down.
It remained standing, tail swaying lazily behind its illusion.
"I can't wait three days," it said calmly. "We'll try another route."
The attendant watched carefully as the fox began listing names, one after another, tone unhurried, precise.
"Rare bloodline advancement materials. Yin-attribute items. Ancient remains. Anything tied to dragon lineage."
A faint crease formed between the attendant's brows.
"Moon Vein Grass. Mind-Clearing Orchid. Silver Dew Blossom. Whispering Night Flower. Moonlit Spirit Dew."
"And," the fox continued evenly, "Essence Fusion Pill. True Form Tempering Pill."
Silence fell. The lantern light flickered faintly. The attendant blinked, confusion overtaking her composure.
"…Honored guest," she said slowly, "may I confirm… these materials are meant to be used together?"
The fox's eyes curved slightly.
"That depends on availability."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Some of these are rare spirit herbs. Some are ancient bloodline catalysts. Some… theoretical."
"Theoretical?" the fox repeated.
"Yes. Nine-Tail Spirit Residue is not a common trade item. It is typically… inherited."
"And Phantom Fox Heartblood?" the fox asked lightly.
"That is not something one purchases."
The fox did not react.
"Dream Mist Essence," she continued carefully, "occasionally appears in high-tier illusion sect trades. Moon Vein Grass and Mind-Clearing Orchid are available in limited quantities. Silver Dew Blossom—rare, but possible. Whispering Night Flower is seasonal."
"And the pills?"
"Essence Fusion Pills exist, though quality varies. True Form Tempering Pills… are usually custom refined. Very expensive."
"How expensive?"
"For a grade capable of affecting Foundation Establishment?" She met its eyes. "Eighty to one hundred thousand spirit stones. Minimum."
The fox did not flinch. It had the stones. But that wasn't the issue.
"And the rest?" it asked.
The attendant thought for a moment.
"We do not have Phantom Fox Heartblood. Nor Nine-Tail Spirit Residue. Nor Soul-Reflecting Marrow."
"Not even fragments?"
"No."
"What about Moonlit Spirit Dew?"
"That…" she paused, "…we may acquire. Small quantities."
The fox was quiet for a moment. Then:
"List what you do have. Immediately."
The attendant nodded and waved her sleeve. A thin jade slip appeared, glowing faintly as information populated across its surface.
"Current inventory available within River Marsh branch and affiliated warehouses:
— Moon Vein Grass (three stalks)
— Mind-Clearing Orchid (two mature plants)
— Silver Dew Blossom (one preserved specimen)
— Whispering Night Flower (five dried petals)
— Moonlit Spirit Dew (one vial, low yield)
— Dream Mist Essence (trace-grade crystallized form)
— Essence Fusion Pill (mid-grade)"
The fox's gaze sharpened at the last entry.
"No True Form Tempering Pill?"
"Not currently."
"And the Dream Mist Essence—trace grade?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"Thirty-eight thousand spirit stones."
The fox almost laughed.
"For trace residue?"
"It is rare."
"Mm." It began calculating silently.
This was not enough. Not even close. The materials it needed were bloodline catalysts. Without true lineage essence—
It would only refine surface potential. Not break limits.
Its tail flicked once.
"Secure all of it," the fox said suddenly.
The attendant blinked. "All?"
"All of it."
"That will total—"
"I know."
The fox stepped closer.
"And begin inquiries. Quiet ones."
Her expression sharpened. "For?"
"Phantom lineage remains. Fox-type ancient relics. Bloodline marrow fragments. I don't care if they're incomplete."
She studied him carefully. "May I ask why—"
"No."
The word was soft. But final.
A faint chill settled in the room.
"If Heavenweight can't provide them…" the fox's voice lowered slightly, "…then I'll find another way."
Silence lingered. Then the attendant bowed.
"I will arrange the transfer immediately."
The fox remained standing after she left. Outwardly calm. Inwardly calculating.
Phantom Fox Heartblood… Nine-Tail Spirit Residue…
It had listed those first for a reason—not because it expected them, but to measure reaction. To see what twitched. To see what tightened. To see whether Heavenweight truly lacked them—or simply didn't want to reveal them.
It didn't matter. The real objective was simpler:
Take what can be taken.
Secure what can be secured.
Leave nothing useful behind.
Footsteps returned. The attendant entered carrying a spatial tray—items sealed in layered qi membranes.
She placed them carefully on the table:
"Moon Vein Grass. Three stalks."
"Mind-Clearing Orchid. Two."
"Silver Dew Blossom. Preserved."
"Whispering Night Flower petals."
"One vial of Moonlit Spirit Dew."
"Trace-grade Dream Mist Essence."
"One mid-grade Essence Fusion Pill."
She paused. "The total comes to fifty-six thousand three hundred spirit stones."
The fox did not hesitate.
"Deduct it."
The attendant nodded, retrieving the VIP card. Spirit light flickered across its surface as numbers shifted.
A breath later, she returned it. "Deduction complete."
The fox stepped closer but did not immediately store the goods. Instead—
Its divine sense extended. Slow. Precise.
It inspected the Moon Vein Grass—vein clarity, spiritual circulation density.
The Mind-Clearing Orchids—root vitality intact.
Silver Dew Blossom—preservation seal stable, no spiritual leakage.
Whispering Night Flower petals—qi signature consistent.
Moonlit Spirit Dew—low yield, but pure.
Dream Mist Essence—trace indeed… but genuine.
Its gaze settled on the Essence Fusion Pill last. Surface gloss. Core rotation. No instability. Authentic.
After several long breaths, it waved its paw. All items vanished into its storage pouch.
Only then did it look back at the attendant.
"No tampering."
"Of course not."
A faint smile tugged at the fox's illusioned muzzle.
"Good."
It turned to leave—but paused. Without facing her, it spoke lightly:
"If anything… even remotely related to fox bloodline relics surfaces…"
The air felt heavier.
"Notify me first."
The attendant inclined her head.
"It will be done."
The fox resumed walking. No hurry. No backward glance. As it exited the Heavenweight Exchange Pavilion and merged back into the Night Market crowd, its thoughts sharpened.
This wasn't the main harvest.
Just groundwork. Materials secured. Funds reduced—but still abundant.
Next step: Preparation.
And somewhere, in a quiet inn room—
A sleeping creature continued evolving into something that might one day rival ancient legends.
The fox's tail flicked once as it disappeared into the shadows of the night market.
"Let's see," it murmured softly to itself.
"Which bloodline reaches the sky first.