Chapter 16 - Chapter 15: Great Expectations

Fox demons are not rare, but it's uncommon for them to cultivate into a high-level evil class.

Especially red foxes, with even purer bloodlines.

Among fox demons, gray foxes are considered the lowest, white foxes are nobler, followed by red foxes, and then black foxes...

It is rumored that the most noble among fox demons is the silver fox, which can grow nine tails, cause chaos in the human world, and trace back to its fearsome ancestors.

It's said that the ancestor of fox demons is a silver fox who gained Taoism in the deep mountains and became a great demon, wreaking havoc in the world.

Later, foxes who could cultivate into demon beasts all had more or less its bloodline.

However, there are no more silver foxes in this world.

Two thousand years ago, humans launched the Taoist King's grand ceremony, which nearly eradicated half of the demon beasts in the world, causing many ancient bloodlines to be lost.

"Five evil mid-level monsters." Zhou Dao named a price.

"Why don't you just rob instead?" Old Yuan glared at him.

One tail for five evil mid-level monsters?

"Old Yuan, look at how you're talking! Aren't I robbing you right now?" Zhou Dao grinned.

"…"

Old Yuan shook his head: "Three, I can't go any higher. If that's not acceptable, take your tail and try elsewhere."

"Deal!" Zhou Dao agreed without thinking.

His promptness made Old Yuan feel somewhat stunned.

From the beginning, Zhou Dao never expected to sell the red fox tail for the price of five monsters.

He was just asking for the sky and settling for the earth. Three evil mid-level monsters happened to be his psychological price.

"I suspect you're a fox in disguise." Old Yuan, with his understanding, instantly grasped Zhou Dao's thoughts.

"It's not easy to make a living," Zhou Dao said with a smile, pushing the wooden box containing the red fox tail towards Old Yuan.

"With your cunning nature, it's a waste for you to stay in the Demon Control Department as a demon-sealing master." Old Yuan couldn't help but sigh.

"Listen to me, there's no future in staying there. I can find you a better path."

Old Yuan had always been a widower with no descendants. As he spent more time with Zhou Dao, he gradually began to treat him as a younger generation.

Moreover, Zhou Dao was low-key, seemingly ordinary but very astute in daily matters, which was to Old Yuan's liking.

How could a talented young man like him be buried in the Demon Control Department, dealing with demon corpses every day?

"I have no other strengths, but I'm dedicated to my work. I can't just drop everything halfway."

Zhou Dao understood Old Yuan's kindness, and his heart warmed. He didn't directly refuse, but laughed it off instead.

"Having less talent is not important; the outside world is vast once you leave Peace Town," Old Yuan couldn't help but remind him.

"If you want, I can send you to Pingjiang City."

Zhou Dao's heart stirred.

The cities in this world are extraordinary, protected by arrays set up by the Demon Control Department. Ordinary demon beasts cannot enter the cities, which are relatively much safer.

Therefore, living in a city is something many people aspire to.

However, to stay in a city, one must meet strict conditions to obtain permanent residency. Even in many large cities with a scoring system, only those who meet the requirements can stay, regardless of purchasing properties or not.

Yet, even within these large cities, land is extremely valuable, and having a place to live is already a feat for ordinary people.

From this fact, it is clear that real estate is highly sought after and profitable in any world.

Pingjiang City governs twenty-one towns and three hundred sixty-eight villages.

Peace Town is one of them.

For a demon-sealing master like Zhou Dao, without connections, it would be impossible for him to enter a big city like Pingjiang in his lifetime.

After all, with his monthly salary of two taels of silver, he couldn't even afford to rent the worst house in Pingjiang City.

Not to mention food, drink, and daily expenses!

"Young man, that's where your bright future lies," Old Yuan reminded him again.

Zhou Dao remained silent.

To be honest, he was not being indifferent. Young people always yearn for bigger stages and broader worlds.

He couldn't stay in a small place like Peace Town forever.

However, Zhou Dao had his own plans.

He originally wanted to stay in Peace Town, silently sacrifice to the Ancestral Master, and only go to Pingjiang City when he reached the Refining Realm Ninth Transformation[ Hundred Spirit-gathering].

After all, by then, his strength would truly make him a great expert, ready to venture into a bigger stage.

Moreover, once he reached [Hundred Spirit-gathering], Peace Town would no longer suit his development.

He needed to seek even more and stronger demon beasts to sacrifice.

As for now, it was still too early.

Although Zhou Dao's current strength could allow him to gain a foothold in Pingjiang City and secure a place there.

However, this was not the effect he wanted.

Only by cultivating to Refining Realm Ninth Transformation would he feel at ease.

Especially since the recent demon fox attack made him aware of the dangers of this world once again.

Even the Demon Control Department was attacked by demon beasts, and almost one pot was done, which was simply shocking.

It's just like in his previous life, police...forget it, anyway, for now, he should stay in Peace Town, continue to work and silently sacrifice.

"Old Yuan, I will seriously consider this matter." Zhou Dao assured him.

Seeing this, Old Yuan didn't say anything more, as everyone has their own ambitions, and some things can't be forced.

"You think about it some more."

As he said this, Old Yuan pushed the wooden box containing the Red Fox Tail over.

"There is no stock for the three demon beasts you want, come back in a few days."

"Old Yuan, we've been dealing with each other for more than a day or two, I trust you." Zhou Dao smiled and pushed the wooden box back.

Old Yuan did not refuse, he didn't say anything, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He wouldn't have felt anything if someone else said something like this.

But the fact that this young guy showed such trust made Old Yuan feel a long-lost warmth.

"Old Yuan, I have come from Pingjiang City to pay my respects to you."

At this moment, a clear voice came from outside the door.

Old Yuan upon hearing this, his brow furrowed, and a touch of chill flashed through his muddy eyes.

"Old Yuan..."

Seeing that there was no response from inside the house for a long time, the person outside called out again.

Zhou Dao was bewildered, watching Old Yuan's expression, who then got up and opened the door.

Zhou Dao followed him out as well.

In the courtyard, a group of people were waiting.

The leader was a young man, dressed in luxurious clothes, with a pair of dragon green horned jade pendants hanging from his waist, wearing seven-treasure colored glaze boots, and a fine gold and jade stone ring on his right thumb.

His whole attire was enough to buy the entire street where Zhou Dao lived, and he was clearly someone of wealth or power.

As for the guards behind him, they were all extraordinary, and all of them were experts in Refining Realm Forth Transformation.

With such strength, if one were to enter the Demon Control Department, they could directly become Demon-slaying Guards.

"Old Yuan, on father's orders, I have come to see you." The young man smiled.

Old Yuan's face turned cold: "I have nothing worth seeing, you all should leave."

"Old Yuan, why must you refuse me from miles away when I sincerely came to visit you." The young man narrowed his eyes and smiled, then his gaze fell on Zhou Dao standing beside him.

"Old Yuan, who is this…?"

Old Yuan's eyes darkened, and then he said coldly, "Someone unrelated."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhou Dao and waved his hand, "You go."

His tone was icy, seemingly deliberately trying to distance himself from Zhou Dao.

Zhou Dao saw this and got the hint, he didn't say anything and directly left the courtyard.

"You come in, the others stay outside." Old Yuan turned and walked into the house.

The young man narrowed his eyes, smiled, and followed inside. He took two steps, suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Zhou Dao's retreating figure, then gave a signal to his men.

Two guards got the hint and went after him, leaving the courtyard.