Following the winding path downwards, Tang Ruowei led Bai Qiuran and Zuo Yanfei into a spacious underground chamber. Behind Bai Qiuran, Tang Ruowei looked at him with a complex expression. "Alright."
"A beast capable of transforming must at least be on par with our level of cultivators, and as beasts are naturally in tune with the spirit, we can't rule out that they may possess some innate abilities. Bai Shidi, you should stand between Ruowei and me."
"Absolutely not," Zuo Yanfei interjected. It seemed that up to this point, those beasts had returned to their human forms and used magic to carve out such a hideaway underground where they could conceal themselves.
"Why do you want to go?" Bai Qiuran responded through his spiritual sense, "I'm here to help you eliminate any factors you can't handle. Rest assured, just focus on proceeding according to your plans; I won't let that guy interfere with your experiences."
At this point, those beasts had indeed resumed their human forms, employing magic to excavate a cave for themselves to hide in.
"Your identity shouldn't be that of an ordinary beast, correct?" Bai Qiuran suddenly exclaimed, cutting off the fox's words while seemingly writhing in pain. He gasped, "My shoulder—it's shattered! The treasure my master bestowed upon me is also broken..."
The white fox hesitated, then said, "Alright, I'll tell you."
"Ouch!" A muffled sound echoed, and Tang Ruowei noticed Bai Qiuran momentarily stunned. He then dramatically covered his back, feigning a fall to the ground.
"Why do you have to perform such antics? If you need money, I believe doing something else would be better than exposing yourself," Tang Ruowei questioned.
A flicker of disgust appeared on the white fox's face. "What is this 'exposure' you speak of?"
"Be careful," the white fox cautioned, glancing back at a woman with a bright red fox tail. "Your Highness, humans are untrustworthy!"
"This all began when I came to Cangzhou. After arriving, we realized we had no human currency, so I thought of ways to earn some money. That's when I started the 'exposure' activities with my maidens." The white fox coughed, then recounted the events to Tang Ruowei and the others.
Zuo Yanfei unsheathed her two short guns, keeping them separate. In the darkness, no one responded to her question, but the rustling sounds around them grew quicker. Dirt fell from above as someone outside the cave called out, "Come out, fairies! We've already found you; hiding is useless!"
Tang Ruowei asked, "Why are you performing such activities? If you need money, I believe anything you could do would be better than exposing yourself."
"Anyway, after going to that painter's boat, the prince had everyone else disembark, then he came to hold me," the white fox explained, pressing on with her story.
"Alright, Zuo sister," she added.
"The transformation-capable beasts are at least on par with our level of cultivators, and they are in tune with the spirit. It's likely they possess innate abilities. Bai Shidi, you should hide between Ruowei and me."
"I've said it; during this exercise, I will only intervene if I encounter situations that I absolutely cannot handle," Bai Qiuran declared.
"This..." the white fox began. She looked expressionless as she observed her master shamelessly leaning on Zuo Yanfei. She calmly stated, "Sister Yanfei, don't worry. He has Master's protective treasure on him; he won't die."
"Why should we tell you?"
"Alright, Zuo sister," they replied. Zuo Yanfei, always cautious, squatted down and held Bai Qiuran's arm. She then turned to the figure in the darkness, "Please lower your hostility; we are not aligned with those chasing you. Look, our team here is so lacking. We're just here to inquire about the events surrounding the death of the prince of Dingguo. Can anyone come forward to speak with us?"
Bai Qiuran shamelessly positioned himself between his junior disciples, accepting their protection without a trace of shame.
Perhaps Bai Qiuran's agonizing groans had some effect, as faint sounds started emerging from the darkness. Shortly after, a girl donned in a white dress with fur trims, followed by a few other elegantly dressed maidens, stepped out from the shadows.
"Your identity should not be that of an ordinary beast, should it?" one of them asked.
"Alright," the white fox hesitated. A woman at her back with a fiery red fox tail softly advised, "Your Highness, humans cannot be trusted!"
"I said I simply bit the prince; I didn't kill him or anything," the fox asserted, folding her arms and relating her tale.
The surface trembled slightly, and they recognized that this was no idle matter. A host of cultivators might be gathered outside, seeking to capture them and extract their essence for alchemical uses. If they are innocent in this matter, they may assist one another; a mutual alliance to unveil the true culprit and ensure their escape from being pursued.
Tang Ruowei proactively sought to address her concerns. As the exchange continued, the atmosphere thickened, strong with tension and uncertainty.
"Absolutely not."