Chapter 139: Gem of the Spiritual Fox

“Wooow, you actually found this thing? Looks like we really have a connection. Since that’s the case, let me give you a few more pointers ~

This gem is called the [Spiritual Fox Pendant]. It was once a symbol of my identity, and it’s also a miraculous treasure with numerous fascinating uses, benefiting the wearer in various ways.

The reason I sealed it here is that I’m going on a long trip soon and didn’t want to accidentally lose it outside. If I return safely, I should come back here soon to retrieve the [Spiritual Fox Pendant].

But if someone really sees those spiritual texts I left on the stone tablet and follows the clues to find this item, it means I haven’t returned on time… In that case, I’m gifting this little thing to you. It’s only fair to put it to good use.

Of course, if you think this item is too hot to handle and might bring you trouble, you can also return it to the management of Lingyin Fairy Island as I previously mentioned. I believe they’ll give you quite a nice reward for it.

So that’s that, my fateful little friend. Do your best, and this time, it’s really goodbye ~”

“The Spiritual Fox Pendant…”

Not hastily sharing it with others, Vilyric folded the handwritten letter from the Spiritual Fox Priestess and placed it back in the wooden box. She then took out the white fox-shaped jade pendant that lay quietly at the bottom of the box, gently stroking its surface with her fingertip.

The treasure felt smooth to the touch; even though it was jade, it wasn’t cold. Instead, it had a faint warmth that reminded her of the talismans made by Hen herself.

【Information Detection】

Some information instantly appeared before the black-haired girl.

【Spiritual Fox Pendant】

【Grade: Semi-Divine Artifact】

【Originally crafted by God Fox xx, given to Spiritual Fox Priestess xx as a symbol of identity, representing the strong friendship between the two and the latter’s noble status in the Lingyin Clan. However, through the continuous strengthening and refining by Spiritual Fox Priestess xx over countless millennia, it has transformed into a powerful treasure with multiple miraculous effects.】

A gift from God Fox to the Spiritual Fox Priestess, huh…

Just a pendant symbolizing status has reached the semi-divine level. Even though this is the result of millennia of refinement, the strength of the Spiritual Fox Priestess and God Fox can be inferred from this.

The black-haired girl shook her head helplessly.

This “little gift” casually given by the other party turns out to be quite valuable. A semi-divine artifact is not easy to find, even in the Ancient Spirit Realm, apart from special organizations like Lingyin Fairy Island. At least, that’s the case in another continent.

“Eh? Is this the Spiritual Fox Pendant? But why would it appear in a place like this… Wait, could it be that this place…”

A surprised and meaning-filled murmur came from Xiao Kong. Vilyric turned back, and the Cat Daughter suppressed her surprise and dazed expression, though her face still looked somewhat complicated.

This was to be expected.

Since Xiao Kong has existed since the era of the [Ancestor Dragon] as an ancient powerhouse, it would be strange if she weren’t familiar with a certain renowned priestess and had seen the Spiritual Fox Pendant, especially considering her connection with Ming Xi…

Shaking her head, choosing not to dwell on that topic, Vilyric took out another fox-shaped pendant from her backpack, similar in design but lacking the rich aura of the former. This one served solely as a symbol of identity, and she compared them both in her palms for a moment.

Indeed, they looked quite alike, just with some slight differences in detail.

This jade was something she received by chance in Holy Star City when she met Ming Lan, a member of the Lingyin Clan, who insisted she take it. It seemed to be called the [God Fox Pendant].

Just one character different, and they were so visually similar that it was hard not to connect them.

According to Ming Lan, the [God Fox Pendant] represented a particularly noble position within the Lingyin Clan and its affiliated organizations. The old Oracle had repeatedly warned Vilyric not to casually reveal it in front of outsiders to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

Its significance might be similar, then.

In other words, the [God Fox Pendant] might have been made as a substitute by the Lingyin Clan after the true [Spiritual Fox Pendant] was lost, or it represented a status within the group that was still very high, albeit not as high as the Spiritual Fox Priestess.

As she sorted through these various thoughts, Vilyric did not keep everyone waiting too long. After a moment of reflection, she put the [God Fox Pendant] back in her backpack but deliberately hung the [Spiritual Fox Pendant] at her waist, attached to the clasp of her robe, [Feather Garb · Glarya].

This action naturally piqued the curiosity of the inquisitive Murong Yun.

“Miss Vilyric, what exactly is the Spiritual Fox Pendant? Why was it hidden in such a secret place? To be honest, that name really makes me think of…”

“Oh, it’s just a little gift left by the builder of this tomb for future generations. Can’t let a good thing go to waste, right? As for the specifics of this item, I haven’t figured it all out yet. Let’s hold onto it for now and talk later.”

“…”

Miss Hen shook her head, seeming disinterested in someone’s evasive behavior. However, as usual, she remained tight-lipped, not voicing any doubts or objections. Only Xiao Kong, after a brief silence, couldn’t help but ask.

“Vilyric… do you know what significance this fox jade holds?”

Nodding slightly and giving a meaningful glance to the Cat Daughter, the black-haired girl then dropped the topic and packed her wooden box back into her bag, patting her thigh as she stood up.

“Alright, there’s nothing of value left here. Let’s prepare to enter the tomb interior.”

This ritual hall was not large, with only two obvious entrances, perfectly framing the central circular platform and stone tablet. Aside from the correct path they took to enter, which was mixed among numerous side passages, the lone small door at the back led to the deeper parts of the tomb.

From here on, true danger would probably appear, but Vilyric couldn’t assess where it would come from just yet. She could only move one step at a time and deal with whatever came her way.

Leaving the ritual hall, the four continued forward through the only entrance.

No new side passages appeared along this path, but unlike the previous clear road, it clearly sloped downwards, gradually moving away from the mountain area and into the underground levels.

That was reasonable, after all, it was a burial site for the dead, so they had to keep up appearances.

Once they delved underground, the path quickly became complex again, but this time it wasn’t due to any intentional antics by a priestess. As Murong Yun previously mentioned, large tombs were built like palaces, interconnected in a maze of distinct areas that truly felt like a labyrinth to anyone unfamiliar with the path.

However, compared to the myriad of side passages faced earlier, this was relatively straightforward. With a certain princess’s guidance, the group wouldn’t be lost like headless flies.

Hmm… this feels quite official.

Had she not known the true reason for the construction of this place, Vilyric might have thought that it was indeed dedicated to some long-deceased important figure. It felt like Ming Xi was remarkably earnest about some things…

As she quietly grumbled in her mind about that strange priestess’s actions, Vilyric remained vigilant, observing her surroundings closely.

Because within this tomb, they were not the only ones moving about.

“Stop, there’s something ahead.”

   

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