Quentin looked at Hannah with displeasure, ready to speak, but the gray-robed elder gave him a look. Then, the woman in red spoke, “Master, even if Princess Hannah agrees to give you the spirit herb and maguey flower, we don’t have them here.”
“How about this, consider it a promise from the Spirit Fox Clan. If you need help in the future, just let us know, and we will certainly assist you.”
The woman in red spoke politely, giving Leo an out. Her implication was clear: if you are sensible, leave now; if not, there will be consequences.
Leo stood up from his chair and looked at the woman in red. “Elder, let’s not beat around the bush. I’ll be straightforward.”
“I can do without the spirit herb and maguey flower, but you must let me enter the secret realm to explore. How about that?”
“No way!” The woman in red, Quentin, and the gray-robed elder spoke almost in unison.
The other foxes in the hall became agitated, some even making peculiar fox noises to show their displeasure.
The secret realm was the most important place in Greenmount and had been guarded by the Spirit Fox Clan for generations. How could they allow an outsider to enter?
Leo calmly looked at the three foxes who had transformed into human form.
“The secret realm must have been mentioned to you by Princess Hannah. It’s a place our clan has guarded for generations. Our ancestors decreed that no outsiders are allowed to enter, so we cannot let you in,” the gray-robed elder said with a grim face.
“What if I insist on entering?” Leo asked.
“How dare you! Do you even know where you are?” Quentin shouted angrily.
The foxes in the hall began to surround Leo, ready to act at any moment.
“Elder Quentin, I heard from Hannah that even you are not qualified to enter the secret realm. Is that true?” Leo suddenly asked.
Quentin’s eyes flickered, and he tried to maintain his composure. “Whether we are qualified or not is our clan’s business. There’s no need to tell you.”
Leo smiled and turned his gaze to Hannah.
The clever girl knew how to respond naturally.
“Elder Quentin, the secret realm is already broken and filled with unpredictable dangers. Don’t you also want to know what’s inside? Why not let him go in and take a look?”
After exchanging glances with the other elders, Quentin looked at Hannah and said, “Princess Hannah, you are the last bloodline of the White Fox. You should be aware of our clan’s current situation. The secret realm is crucial for our clan’s survival.”
“If you insist on breaking our ancestors’ rules today, then open the secret realm completely and let all Fox Clan members enter.”
“Elder Quentin, your words are inappropriate. Since the birth of the Greenmount Spirit Fox Clan, only our White Fox Tribe has been allowed to enter,” Hannah replied.
Quentin became agitated. “Hannah, this is not the time to talk about bloodlines!”
“Look around this hall; more than half of these foxes have not yet gained intelligence. In this era of declining magic, cultivation resources are extremely important. With these resources, our clan can rise again. Otherwise, we face extinction. Do you understand?”
“Elder Quentin, I understand what you’re saying. My mother told me that even when the secret realm was intact, it was filled with various dangers. Now that it’s broken, it’s even more perilous.”
“While I can guide you inside, I can’t guarantee you’ll all come out alive,” Hannah said with a sigh as she glanced around the hall.
Quentin’s eyes were firm as he replied, “Princess Hannah, for the future of our clan, I must enter the secret realm! If you allow this human to enter, then I must go in as well. My mind is made up.”
Hannah fell silent and looked at the woman in red.
“Princess, I share Elder Quentin’s view,” the woman in red said.
As an observer, Leo could see that there were significant internal issues within the Greenmount Spirit Fox Clan.
It seemed that the White Fox Tribe should be leading the other tribes, but these foxes clearly did not place their hopes on Hannah.
Although she was the last bloodline of the White Fox Tribe, her strength was too weak.
At that moment, Leo’s expression changed slightly. He formed a hand seal with his right hand and directed it towards a spot in the hall.
A golden talisman shot into a stone pillar in the hall. With a loud bang, a purple shadow darted out from behind the pillar and then transformed into a purple light rushing towards Leo.
Leo remained calm and quickly formed three more hand seals.
Three beams of golden light shot towards the purple light from different directions.
The purple light suddenly split into three.
Three loud bangs echoed in the hall as both the purple and golden lights disappeared simultaneously.
In the next second, a woman appeared before Leo.
She was an exceptionally beautiful woman dressed in purple. Her eyes sparkled with charm.
Even someone like Leo, who had seen many beauties, was momentarily stunned.
“Aunt Xena!” Hannah exclaimed joyfully.
After a brief moment of distraction, Leo’s face grew cautious.
This purple-clad beauty who had suddenly appeared was formidable.
The purple-clad woman’s eyes scanned Leo before she smiled charmingly and said in a melodious voice, “Handsome man, impressive skills.”
Her natural charm was irresistible to most men.
Leo’s heart skipped a beat twice, leaving him momentarily speechless.
“Aunt Xena, I missed you so much,” Hannah said sweetly as she hugged the purple-clad woman with delight.
The purple-clad woman’s eyes softened as she gently patted Hannah’s head. “It’s only been a month since we last met, and you’ve grown taller and prettier.”
Hannah stuck out her tongue playfully. “Aunt Xena is the prettiest!”
“Such a sweet talker,” Xena said as she gently pinched Hannah’s cheek before turning her gaze back to Leo. “Hannah, is this Cultivator your protector?”
Hannah winked playfully at Leo before replying, “Yes, Aunt Xena. What do you think of him?”
“He seems honest enough and has decent strength. But entering the secret realm is no small matter. According to the rules, only you can enter,” Xena said.
Hannah immediately put on a pitiful expression and pleaded, “Aunt Xena, I know the rules. But now that the secret realm is broken and filled with unpredictable dangers…”
“If I go in alone, I might never come out again and never see you again.”