Little Sorcerer, Divine Doctor Chapter 1229 - 56: Heavenly Fox Bloodline Levels (Part 1)

After parting ways with Lu Yunshuang, Yun Sheng made her way back to the inn.

"Are you truly going to represent Fengdu in the Saintess Selection?" Upon hearing that Yun Sheng intended to stand in for Fengdu in the upcoming Saintess Selection, the individuals from Cangdu regarded her with evident displeasure. Despite both being principal cities of the Heavenly Fox Tribe, a rivalry simmered between them. In recent times especially, Fengdu had leveraged its status as the most prosperous capital, thus monopolizing a significant share of resources. The existing animosity between Cangdu and Fengdu had already strained their relations considerably.

Yun Sheng's decision to compete on behalf of Fengdu was perceived by the Cangdu contingent as a blatant act of betrayal.

"I already told you, she's no good. Fengdu must have bribed her with some benefit for her to so eagerly fight in their stead," Qin Yue maliciously slandered Yun Sheng. Qin Yue had held the firm belief that by divulging Bo Bo and Little Yingying's location to Elder Liu, the latter would dispatch Yun Sheng after apprehending them. Who could have predicted that Elder Liu would act so foolishly? Not only did he fail to eliminate this wretch, but he also permitted her to represent Fengdu in the competition. This outcome scarcely felt like a punishment; it was more akin to a windfall, an unexpected stroke of great fortune.

"Qin Yue, whether it's me who switched allegiance or you engaging in underhanded dealings, only you truly know the truth," Yun Sheng retorted, casting a frigid glare at Qin Yue. Yun Sheng had been quite perplexed as to how Elder Liu had managed to target Bo Bo and Little Yingying until Lu Yunshuang had cautioned her to be wary of that woman, Qin Yue. When Yun Sheng made her decision to represent Fengdu, the others present, including Feng Lian and Hua Yanluo, remained silent. However, Qin Yue alone displayed palpable discontent.

"Cease your baseless accusations. You should perhaps reflect on your own standing. Winning a single match signifies very little. I assure you, a mere half-beast like yourself will not even survive the initial stage of the main competition that follows," Qin Yue's countenance shifted slightly, a flicker of concern crossing her face lest her illicit dealings with Elder Liu be exposed.

"Indeed, on this occasion, the fence-sitter has spoken wisely. Miss Yun, regardless of your motives for representing Fengdu, from this day forward, we stand as rivals. Having traveled together thus far, I advise you against making a spectacle of yourself, lest you face elimination in the very first round," Hua Yanluo also stepped forward, her voice laced with a competitive edge.

"The first round?" Yun Sheng, who had been somewhat isolated due to her meditative practices and had not initially intended to participate in the Tianhu Saintess Selection, was unaware of the event's detailed structure. The precise number of stages comprising the Tianhu Saintess Selection remained a mystery to her. She had even missed the official registration period for the Tianhu Saintess Selection; however, Elder Liu had employed some undisclosed method to substitute Liu Xueyu's name with Yun Sheng's.

"The inaugural round is a test of one's bloodline. Do you have any knowledge of which particular lineage of the heavenly foxes you belong to?" Feng Lian inquired impassively. This question presented Yun Sheng with a genuine conundrum. As the selection was for the Tianhu Saintess, possessing the bloodline of a heavenly fox was naturally a fundamental prerequisite. The Heavenly Fox Tribe was comprised of numerous distinct clans.

"What sort of bloodline do the rest of you possess?" Yun Sheng had never heard Hu Jiusheng discuss bloodlines and was uncertain about the bloodline, if any, inherent in a being like Hu Jiusheng, who originated from the Beast Blood Cloud.

"Within the Heavenly Fox Tribe, bloodlines are classified into ranks ranging from one to six tails, with the one-tailed designation representing the most basic bloodline, ascending to six tails for superior purity. The Ice Fox Clan, to which Lu Yunshuang belongs, is recognized as five-tailed due to its rare bloodline. The Liu family, ancestral to Liu Xueyu, is also five-tailed. Hua Yanluo's lineage, the Hua family, is four-tailed, while Qin Yue and I both possess a three-tailed bloodline," Feng Lian elaborated, indicating the individuals present. Although this particular selection was historically the most lenient, this time around, every candidate, whether of pureblood descent or a half-beast, was mandated to meet at least the qualification of a Three-Tailed Heavenly Fox. Failure to do so would result in immediate elimination in the preliminary round.

"Did you hear that? The Tianhu Saintess Selection is certainly not for the likes of you. A lowly half-beast, incapable of concealing even her fox ears and tail, can at best be considered two-tailed. Regardless of your actual strength, you will inevitably be eliminated in the first round," Qin Yue taunted derisively.

"Whether I am eliminated or not, we shall discover when tomorrow arrives," Yun Sheng replied, choosing not to engage further with Qin Yue's provocations. She then led Bo Bo and Little Yingying away to rest. After administering the potion, Bo Bo and Little Yingying had seemingly returned to their normal state, yet Yun Sheng was acutely aware that within ten days, the mysterious black talismans harbored within them would reactivate. Elder Liu, the Great Witch Doctor, for inflicting such suffering upon Bo Bo and Little Yingying, would face her retribution. Yun Sheng's obsidian eyes deepened in intensity as she settled into a cross-legged meditation posture. The following morning, Yun Sheng, accompanied by Bo Bo and Little Yingying, proceeded to Hu Square.

In mere days, the initial stage of the Heavenly Fox Candidate Saintess Selection was slated to commence right here.

Upon Yun Sheng's arrival at the grand square, a throng of people had already gathered, filling the space.

For the populace of the Heavenly Fox Tribe Country, the Tianhu Saintess Selection Ceremony was an event cherished almost as much as the Eight Desolate Clan Competition.

It was a rare occasion to behold the saintess, and this year's selection featured exceptionally beautiful participants, each hand-picked from the ten major capitals within the Heavenly Fox Tribe Country.

Given the universal admiration for beauty, the event attracted an astonishing number of onlookers.

A considerable contingent of Sky Fox Soldiers was deployed to ensure order was maintained.

Lu Yunshuang and Chen Qi, the other two Candidate Saintesses for the Tianhu position from Fengdu, had been in attendance for a considerable time.

"Hmph, I truly fail to comprehend Elder Liu's reasoning for allowing you to supplant Sister Xue Yu," Chen Qi scoffed as Yun Sheng approached.

The memory of Yun Sheng defeating Liu Xueyu publicly at the inn lingered, a slight Chen Qi had not forgotten.

Unlike Lu Yunshuang, Chen Qi had maintained a friendship with Liu Xueyu in Fengdu. The fact that Yun Sheng had crippled Liu Xueyu's hand, only to unexpectedly benefit by taking her place, was a grievance Chen Qi could not easily dismiss.

Fortunately, Chen Qi harbored the conviction that a mere half-beast like Yun Sheng would falter and fail to advance past the very first round.

"Oh, observe the Candidate Saintess from Fengdu; she still presents in her half-beast state?"

"Is that not so? Does Fengdu not perpetually boast of its purebreds, its esteemed status, and its unblemished bloodlines?"

"She hasn't even shed her fox form; could it signify a low-ranking heavenly fox bloodline, perhaps only first or second class?"

A barrage of hushed, speculative voices erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Within the square, the candidate saintesses representing the other capitals turned their attention towards the newcomers.

As the most affluent capital, Fengdu's contingent of three candidate saintesses were all regarded as purebreds. Both Liu Xueyu and Chen Qi had displayed an early arrogance, which had already alienated numerous individuals and fostered considerable resentment even before the competition had officially begun.