Chapter 1613 Shadow Dweller
As they ventured deeper into Snowy Fox Mountain, a fierce blizzard raged around them. The harsh conditions didn't affect Yuan, but he could sense the relentless blizzard gradually chipping away Yingzi's energy that protected them from the blizzard. Fortunately, Yingzi was able to replenish her energy faster than it was being depleted, averting what could have been a perilous situation.
"Yingzi, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of Predator are Shadow Dwellers?" Yuan suddenly asked this question that had been on his mind since it was revealed to him that she was one.
"What do you mean? Can you be more specific?"
"You know how the Sword Head Serpent is a snake, and the Supreme Ox is an ox? What about Shadow Dwellers?"
"If you're asking about my shape, we don't really have one. We can become any shape or size, just like shadows."
'A shapeshifting beast?' Yuan tried to imagine her true form, but the closest image he could conjure was that of the shadow monsters he'd seen on television—an entity devoid of any distinct features, merely a shadowy figure resembling a silhouette.
"We dwell in the shadow, hunt with shadows, and traverse through shadows. We are the pinnacle of hunters—at least, that's what the others say."
"Sounds like a species that prefers living in isolation," Yuan commented.
"It's true. Shadow Dwellers rarely show themselves. I, however, am an exception. I prefer traversing the world and experiencing new things. That's probably why I am considered an outcast," Yingzi casually remarked.
Despite calling herself an outcast, Yingzi didn't sound dispirited or saddened, almost as if she was completely fine with it.
"Tell me about your world—this Nine Heavens." Yingzi suddenly said.
Yuan nodded and recalled some of his experiences in the Nine Heavens with her.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Halfway through their journey, in the midst of Yuan's mental meditation, a voice suddenly rippled loudly throughout the Snowy Fox Mountain.
This voice carried a profound power that had the ability to stop the blizzard.
Yingzi stopped moving after hearing this voice, and she warned Yuan, "The owner of this territory will be here shortly."
The moment Yingzi finished her sentence, and before Yuan could even respond, a white-haired woman wearing white robes appeared before them.
"You may be a dragon, but how dare you trespass into my territory without permission? Are you looking for death?" The woman spoke in a bold tone.
At a glance, the aura exuded by this woman was slightly stronger than the Supreme Ox. "Huh? There are two of you?" The woman's eyes widened with surprise after realizing that she'd failed to sense Yingzi's presence.
"I apologize for entering your territory, but we don't have any business with you or this place. We're just trying to reach the Mystic Valley." Yuan explained the situation to her.
"I don't care what you're doing or where you're going. It doesn't change the fact that you're trespassing into my territory," she sneered.
'Are entering another's territory usually such a big deal?' Yuan asked Yingzi through divine sense.
'It varies from individual to individual, but it's usually considered rude to enter another's territory without permission. This only applies to Predators, though. Primals have no intelligence, so we can't really blame them for trespassing. They're also considered a source of food and power for Predators, so they're more than welcome to trespass.'
After taking a quick moment to ponder a way out of this, Yuan spoke, "Is there anything we can do to make it up to you? Would a high-quality appearance be good enough?"
"Y-you… are you bribing me?" The woman wore a bewildered expression on her ordinary face.
Killing intent surged from her the following moment. "I don't care who you are or what you have to offer! Nobody bribes me!"
Noticing the woman was preparing to strike, Yuan quickly swallowed an appearance-altering pill and transformed himself into a beautiful woman. He also ensured the appearance had white hair, reflecting the woman's current appearance.
"..."
The woman, previously trembling with anger, suddenly froze. Her enraged expression shifted to one of bewilderment, as if she had just witnessed a miracle.
"Y-you're willing to give me that appearance…?" she asked in a low voice.
Yuan nodded and said, "If you're willing to overlook our trespass and let us continue our journey without any further issues, I'll let you keep it."
The woman lowered her head to hide her face while she pondered whether she should accept his offer.
'If I accept his offer, my pride will… Forget it! I must get my hands on that appearance, no matter the cost!'
It didn't take long for the woman to make up her mind.
"It's a deal!"
She swiftly mimicked Yuan's appearance and then flew away immediately afterward, not uttering another word.
They continued their journey shortly later, and the blizzard never returned.
After another month, they finally arrived at their destination.
Before reaching the Mystic Valley, they had to cross an ocean whose surface suddenly began to glow, casting a shimmering light across the expansive waters.
"So this is the Mystic Valley, huh? It's a beautiful place." Yuan commented after seeing the glamorous scenery before him.
The Mystic Valley was draped in blue and purple trees, lending the area an exotic ambiance. Additionally, these trees bore glowing fruits that illuminated the entire valley, casting a light reminiscent of street stalls glowing softly in the night.
Moreover, a long river that flowed into the glowing ocean bisected the valley, contributing to its mystical atmosphere. The water in this river also glowed, further enhancing the otherworldly aura of the place.
"Do you know where we can find the Divine Fox of Grand Prophecy?" Yuan asked Yingzi after he finished admiring the place.
Yingzi shook her head and replied, "No, but the Mystic Valley is a relatively small place, and one could fully explore it in just a few months. If we search every nook and cranny, we should eventually find her."