Beast Roar Mountain Range.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat saw that the Silver Fox Demon Beast it captured could actually speak, and it became immediately interested.
Itâs known in their Demon Race that, unless a demon has greatly awakened spiritual intelligence, ordinary demon beasts canât speak even after reaching Tier Three.
Only when they reach the late-stage Tier Three semi-transformation, refining the throat bone, can they speak like the Human Race.
Being able to speak at Tier Three is a rare talent among thousands.
The Silver Fox it subdued was clearly at early-stage Tier Three, indicating it had very high spiritual intelligence.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat roughly pinned the Silver Foxâs arms and legs to the ground. The petite body of the Silver Fox struggled hard, but unfortunately, it was no match for the Heaven-Devouring Rat and couldnât get away for the moment.
"Oh ho! You can speak?"
"Among many demon races, your spiritual intelligence is as exceptional as mine..."
The Heaven-Devouring Rat rummaged over the Silver Foxâs body to ensure it was hiding nothing that could help it escape.
The Silver Fox, humiliated by this action, felt shame and fury, its small face turning beet red, and it tried to bite the Heaven-Devouring Rat.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat took out a Black Steel Fork and unceremoniously pressed it against the Silver Foxâs neck, angrily questioning:
"Hmph! Iâve heard that fox demons of your race are good at beguiling people. This act of playing pitiful with illusion techniques wonât work on me."
"Speak! Who sent you to steal the spirit medicine?"
"Donât you know? If my master comes back to find the spirit medicine destroyed, theyâd definitely send me to work the fields!"
"And thatâs at least a ten-year sentence..."
"All because of you!"
The Silver Fox, pinned beneath the Heaven-Devouring Rat, had its soft paws tightly restrained. It begged pitifully, "Sob sob, I didnât mean to, itâs an unavoidable circumstance. My mother is injured and urgently needs spirit medicine for healing."
"Great King, show some mercy and spare me this time! Sob sob sob~"
The Heaven-Devouring Rat, hearing this, hesitated for a moment upon learning that the theft was to save a life.
So it asked, "I see that your cultivation isnât low, and your spiritual intelligence is developed. Which fox tribe are you from in the Beast Roar Mountain Range?"
"Iâm from the Silver Moon Celestial Fox clan."
Upon hearing this, the Heaven-Devouring Rat couldnât help but exclaim inwardly: Silver Moon Celestial Fox! A Royal Bloodline Demon Beast!
Before being recruited as a spirit pet by Qin Ming, it had roamed the Beast Roar Mountain Range for many years and was well aware of the demon race powers there.
Among them, the Silver Moon Celestial Fox clan had royal bloodline, being one of the Four Great Royal Races.
The Clan Leader, Lady Silver Moonâs cultivation, was said to have reached the Tier Three Perfection Realm, just a step away from entering Tier Four Transforming Demon Saint status.
Thinking of this, the Heaven-Devouring Rat slightly loosened its grip and asked again, "Youâre young yet have the cultivation of a Tier Three Demon King. Could your mother be the clan leader of the Silver Moon Celestial Fox clan?"
"But with her cultivation, how could she be gravely injured?"
The Silver Fox pouted, sobbing as it explained:
"There was a turmoil in the Beast Roar Mountain Range. After the Cyan-faced Poison Flood Dragon died, other major demon races began to vie for its territory. Our Fox clan meant no part in these disputes."
"But the other clans feared the Fox clanâs power and were incited by the Great Black Heaven Demon King of the Wind-splitting Eagle clan to ambush us with several other major demon clans."
"My mother and I barely escaped with our lives."
The Heaven-Devouring Rat was surprised to hear this, not expecting such unrest within the demon race. After its master eliminated the Cyan-faced Poison Flood Dragon Demon King, so many changes ensued.
Seeing the Silver Foxâs pitiable appearance, seemingly not feigned, it decided to bind its hands and feet, carrying it on its shoulder before saying:
"Whether to let you go, I canât decide."
"Everything awaits my masterâs return for a decision."
The Silver Fox exclaimed in surprise, "Let me go! My mother is severely injured and waiting for me to return and save her!"
However, the Heaven-Devouring Rat turned a deaf ear, frowning as it said:
"If I let you go, how will I make up for this mishap?"
"Of all places to steal, you targeted the masterâs spirit field."
"Youâd better behave yourself, or else Iâll spank you!"
With that, the Heaven-Devouring Rat unceremoniously brought the Silver Fox back near the spirit field.
...
Two days later.
Qin Ming returned to the Five Elements Mountain Market after handling stolen goods in the black market via the Teleportation Array from Litian Immortal City.
He also gathered some rare spiritual materials for cultivation and alchemy.
After a brief meeting with Han Yuan and the others, Qin Ming flew towards the spirit field.
Upon reaching his spirit field, the sight made Qin Ming frown immediately.
The ten acres of spirit fields had several spirit plants half-eaten by demon beasts.
âLuckily, the spirit plants generating entries are intact.â
Jia Heyi and Li Lan from Mirror Snow Pavilion stood nervously before Qin Ming, sweating profusely, not daring to speak.
"Li Lan, whatâs going on here?"
"Didnât I ask you to take good care of the spirit field before I left?" Qin Ming asked coldly.
Li Lan trembled and hurried to explain:
"This... I..."
Just then.
Qin Ming received a voice transmission from the Heaven-Devouring Rat in his mind:
"Master, thereâs something happening here, please come over quickly."
Qin Ming, hearing this, couldnât help but raise an eyebrow and said to those present: "Alright, you all go about your business, I have something to attend to. Weâll talk about this later."
Then Qin Ming vanished from the spot like a green ray.
Leaving the people of Mirror Snow Pavilion looking at each other in surprise, they expected Shopkeeper Lu to be furious over the loss of so much Tier Three Spirit Medicine, but he brushed it off lightly...
It truly was unexpected.
Qin Ming wasnât overly concerned about the spirit plants being eaten because he had the [Regenerative Spirit Seed] entry. As long as the roots remained, the plants could be revived.
"Although, compiling entries isnât easy. This Heaven-Devouring Rat often slacks off, allowing demon beasts into the spirit field unknowingly. It seems itâs time to discipline it."
Qin Ming thought secretly as he flew towards the location of the Heaven-Devouring Rat.
This place was a temporary cave the Heaven-Devouring Rat dug in the Beast Roar Mountain Range.
As Qin Ming stepped into the cave, he sensed two Tier Three Demon King auras inside and became curious.
"Hey, Master, youâre back!"
The Heaven-Devouring Rat greeted with a smile, its expression awkward knowing it had erred with the spirit field incident.
"Hmph, if I hadnât returned, the spirit plants in the spirit field might have been entirely eaten," Qin Ming said without showing any emotion.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat immediately straightened up, saying righteously, "Yes, yes! That thief was terribly wicked!"
"But Iâve already captured it, just waiting for the master to deal with it."
"Oh? Captured?" Qin Ming said, somewhat surprised.
Then Qin Ming followed the Heaven-Devouring Rat into the cave.
Deep inside, they found a Silver Fox Demon Beast tightly bound. Its aura had reached the early-stage Tier Three level.
The Silver Fox, seeing a Human Cultivator enter, was startled, its heart racing wildly in terror. Its eyes showed deep fear.
Although it was inexperienced, it knew well that the Human Race and Demon Race were mortal enemies. Falling into a humanâs hands wouldnât end well.
...