Xero jumped nimbly into a spirit gathering tree and narrowed his eyes as he stared into the distance. A small fox's body was actually very light so he was able to land with utmost grace. He wouldn't dare jump around this casually as a human.
However, he was a bit unfamiliar with it.
After transforming into a small fox, his vision was significantly reduced. Of course, he was more skillful in controlling his body in his shifted state than Rong Bufan.
What Rong Bufan had used was the Advanced Transformation Spell. Xero was using the Four Thousand Divine Holy Spells, the Exalted Body Altering Spell.
The effects of these two spells were similar, but the experience and skill required was different. A transformation with the Advanced Transformation Spell often needed a long time to get familiar with, and the smaller the object, the less time you have. On the other hand, a transformation with the Exalted Body Altering Spell could be used and held for a very long time and wasn't affected by the size of any object. Moreover, a person's soul wouldn't be altered if used.
Plainly speaking, one was from an advanced spell book and the other from a sacred realm. That was the difference.
Standing on top of the spirit gathering tree, Xero spread his spiritual senses around the area to track those kittens' aura. Earlier, he had heard eight cats mention the boss cat in this area was named Wu Lei. If he wanted to command the cats here, he would have to somehow rouse them to lead them to Wu Lei's place.
The management of the stray cats was very strict and their rules were derived from the team management Xero had set up on cats back then. He was surprised though that these cats were strictly abiding by the system long after he had left the cat world; there were always trivial reasons over territory and natural food resources between different groups, large and small, but in times of crisis, the cats would present a very strong united front as they went against the enemy.
Xero didn't really care about these things or payed attention. It was just that everyday, on his way to school, he would unintentionally pick up thoughts from other people walking past him due to his Mind-Reading Ability.
Of course, he had never thought that his deeds back then would bear such fruit… even to the extent of saving the world.
There was only two hours left until the destruction of the solar system…
His key plan, was to find Wu Lei, and through his strength, find Tianrui.
Perhaps no one would've imagined…
That the world would be saved by these stray cats abandoned by their owners.
…
…
Back then, after popularizing the concept of team management among the stray cats and solving their living and food issues in Xuantai district, Xero had chosen to retire. He still remembered a large number of cat bosses in his area, but most of them were leaders of the previous generation.
Among them, the one that impressed him the most were the three cat tyrants called the "Grand Lions". The bloodlusted Lion Xu Lan, the small elegant lion, Zhuo Qin, and the baby lion, Han Mo.
These three veteran cats had already become old cats who now pulled the strings behind the scenes. By now, they've probably already formed their own army.
As for Wu Lei, though the rank's low, he could still be considered a leader of cats in No. 89 High School.
School was over for the day, and back among the sakura and magnolia trees, there were students gathered here and there looking for flowers; Xero could smell the "lovey dovey" air.
Tracking their auras from a few hundred meters, he very quickly found the cats that had been playing under the trees yesterday.
However, these cats were all crossbreeds and had been abandoned by their owners; Xero wasn't an expert with cats, and couldn't tell exactly from which breed they came from.
But all this wasn't important. If he wanted to get to Wu Lei, he at least had to negotiate with these animals to be his guide. He had never seen Wu Lei or felt his aura before, if he had, he would have directly sensed and teleported to him with ease.
After some careful consideration, Xero took the first initiative to stroll towards them.
As he drew closer to the cats, he could again hear what they were saying in their hearts.
The big cat that was leading the group: "Hey, look! A small fox! I bet it's a girl!"
Third Cat: "Wow! A Chinese small fox!"
Second Cat: "Its fur is really beautiful, it must be a really attractive female!"
Fourth Cat: "Don't tell she's about to get to business with the boss?"
Big cat: "Heh! They're only matched with the strong yknow!"
Xero: "…" The f**k? He was male!
He had now realized that he shouldn't have turned into a chinese small fox…
Seeing Xero walk towards it step by step, the Big cat realized that its fur was dirty due to rolling over, so it decided to lick its fur swiftly; even his own ass didn't escape the thorough cleaning!
Goddammit! This is just more coarse ok?!
Xero wasn't in the mood to bother himself that much, he just got straight to the point. He stared at them and directly communicated with them via telepathy. "Where is Wu Lei?"
When his deep voice resounded in the four cats' heads, they realized… it was a f**king male! They instantly grew embarrassed.
Big cat's face was full of disappointment as if it was rejected by a female fox… "… Why is it a male…"
Xero: "…"
Dude, shut the f**k up! That isn't the point right now!
Do you really have to be sad about it!?
The main point is, where is Wu Lei!
Xero felt that these cats' nerves were shitty; they had completely ignored the fact that he just communicated with them telepathically.
Big cat sighed and lifted its paws weakly, "There is no point in a cat's life if there isn't a beauty to be with it!"
Xero was just… out of words. "…"
Thankfully, he had made prep beforehand.
A divine spirit light flashed on the ground, then six orange and strawberry flavored mixed custard bun snack packets appeared.
These were all Xero had. He originally planned to eat these secretly at midnight.
"Wow! Limited edition strawberry and orange flavored custard bun snacks!"
The eyes of the cat suddenly glinted and lit up. Big cat rolled and jumped on its feet, and unrestrainedly rubbed Xero's furry head with its paws, "You have knowledge, fellow fox! I'll take you to boss immediately! I'll feast on this later…"
"…" This cat changed faster than my mind when it's time to write.
Xero sighed in its heart. After all, these cats were all foodies.
Seeing this big cat put those hard-earned packets on the cosmic space of its belly band it was wearing, his heart ached…
At the same time, he had some misconceptions on how the cat actually worked; he hadn't expected these low level animals to actually openly accept bribes just a few years after his retirement! This matter had to be strictly dealt with and needed serious reorganization!
…
After about seven minutes, the four cats taking the lead, Xero entered a small, unremarkable opening in a corner of the sakura and magnolia tree garden. This entry was blocked by two thick and solid sakura trees, and was very difficult to see for the viewpoint of a human.
After entering the small opening, he found himself in a accommodation lane. On south side of the lane was a sign that said, "Cangyun Road."
Following Big cat, he came to an old willow tree with a trunk so wide that five or seven people couldn't encircle it with their hands.
This tree had put down roots here for atleast two thousand years. Legend had it, that it was struck by lighting and it deflected.
The cats then climbed to the top of the tree, then turned to look at Xero. They then turned their gazes to the direction of a very small tree hole — Wu Lei's territory was in that hole…