On The Path Of Cultivation To Become God

"Madam Baihu!"

"Eh?"

A woman with flowing, vibrant red-orange hair suddenly appeared, her radiant smile lighting up the space. The joy in her golden eyes grew even brighter as she caught sight of Baihu.

"Madam Baihu! I've been searching for you!"

However, the woman's expression shifted dramatically when she noticed an unknown man standing beside Baihu.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the warmth that once filled them quickly turned cold. A hint of suspicion crossed her delicate face as her gaze darted between the two.

"Who are you? How did you get here?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp.

A killing aura emanated from her body, causing Chen Tian to be slightly surprised. Even without using his spiritual sense, he could tell she was at the peak of the Core Formation Realm.

Not to mention that the woman was actually a fox! The woman had five tails behind her, each one representing a cultivation realm.

The fox race were known to have different levels of cultivation, with each tail symbolizing a realm.

The woman felt a wave of confusion wash over her as she faced this stranger in a place where no one should have been able to enter.

She didn't even consider the possibility that Baihu had allowed the man to enter, knowing all too well that Baihu disliked intruders.

She clenched her fist, ready to attack if necessary.

"Wait, Hongyao!" Baihu's voice rang out, calm yet commanding.

The tension in the air eased slightly as Hongyao froze mid-movement, her clenched fist relaxing just a bit. Her golden eyes remained sharp, locked onto Chen Tian with suspicion.

Baihu stepped forward, placing a hand on Hongyao's shoulder.

"He's with me."

Hongyao's eyes widened in surprise.

"With you?" she repeated, her gaze darting back to Chen Tian, trying to make sense of the situation.

It was well-known that Baihu was fiercely independent, and the idea of her being close to anyone, especially a man, was hard for Hongyao to accept.

Baihu nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know it seems strange, but you can trust him. He's... important."

"If you say so, Madam Baihu..." Hongyao replied, her voice trailing off as she tried to process the unexpected turn of events.

She glanced at Chen Tian once more, studying his expression for any clues as to why Baihu had brought him along.

Despite her doubts, Hongyao knew better than to question Baihu's judgment. She simply nodded in acceptance, but Baihu's next words made her heart jump in her chest.

"This is Chen Tian, my partner," Baihu said, her tone soft but firm.

"WHAT?!"

Hongyao's jaw dropped, and her eyes widened in shock. The word "partner" echoed in her mind like a thunderclap, overwhelming her senses. Her vibrant red-orange hair seemed to bristle with disbelief.

"Your... partner?" she repeated, her voice quivering. She took a step back, as if the ground beneath her had suddenly shifted.

Hongyao struggled to maintain her composure as her mind raced with questions. Baihu, someone who had always stood alone, independent and unyielding, now claimed to have a partner? And this man—this stranger—was that partner?

'I-I must be dreaming,' Hongyao stammered, trying to make sense of the surreal situation before her. She searched Baihu's face for any sign of deception, but her expression remained calm and resolute.

As reality sank in, Hongyao felt her head spin and her vision blur. She collapsed to the ground in a heap.

"Damn..."

Chen Tian and Baihu both looked surprised at Hongyao's sudden collapse.

"Is it that shocking for you to have a partner?" Chen Tian asked, his tone curious. Baihu quickly knelt beside Hongyao, checking her.

"Well," Baihu replied with a sigh, glancing down at the unconscious Hongyao. "It is shocking, especially for her. I've never shown interest in anyone, let alone a man. To them, I'm... untouchable."

Chen Tian raised an eyebrow, watching Baihu's concerned expression as she gently cradled Hongyao's head. "Untouchable? Is it really that bad?"

Baihu nodded, her voice softening. "I've always kept my distance. Hongyao has been with me for a long time, so the idea that I'd suddenly take on a partner is unimaginable for her. She's fiercely loyal, but also protective. I didn't think the news would affect her this much."

Chen Tian glanced at Hongyao's still figure, realizing the deep bond between the two women.

"I see…" Chen Tian murmured, his gaze softening. "She must care about you a lot."

"She does," Baihu said, standing up and letting out a soft sigh. "But I can't leave her like this. I'll need to stay here and take care of her until she wakes."

Chen Tian nodded, understanding. "That's probably for the best. I should return to the Ming Mansion. I've already spent enough time here."

Baihu glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and loneliness. For some reason, she didn't want Chen Tian to leave.

Chen Tian smiled slightly, noticing her expression. "We can still meet later."

"Mm."

Baihu's expression softened as she met his gaze. "I'll come to you as soon as I can."

"Do you want me to accompany you out?"

"No, I can leave on my own," Chen Tian replied. "Better take care of her. When she wakes up, she'll probably be in even greater shock."

"Okay then," Baihu nodded, though reluctance was visible on her face.

She watched as Chen Tian soared through the sky on his flying sword and left.

On his way, Chen Tian's mind replayed the scene that had just unfolded—Baihu's subtle yearning to stay with him a bit longer, Hongyao's stunned reaction, and what he had learned inside the Divine White Tiger inheritance.

As he flew, his focus sharpened. The upcoming expedition into the ancient ruins loomed ahead, offering a chance to gain more opportunities.

The Core Formation Realm wouldn't be out of his reach for too long. He had to seize every chance within the ancient ruins.

"I must get stronger," Chen Tian thought, determination filling his heart. "The ancient ruins will have what I need... and perhaps more than that."

He felt the weight of his mission—to kill 10,000 cultivators of the Foundation Realm or higher—pressing down on him.

The thought that he wouldn't be able to advance anymore without completing this task made Chen Tian worry.

"There's no other way."

He pushed those darker thoughts aside for now. A faint smile crossed his lips.

"She didn't want me to leave," he mused to himself. "She's always acted strong, yet… that moment."

He remembered how Baihu had been reluctant to let him leave. That memory tugged at him, but he quickly refocused his mind.

Before long, Chen Tian could see the Ming Mansion in the distance, its towering gates welcoming him back.

He made a smooth descent, landing gracefully in the courtyard. As soon as he stepped off his sword, he took a deep breath and composed himself.

There were preparations to be made for the expedition, and he had no time to waste.

"First, I need to gather more information about the ruins," Chen Tian thought. "I must be ready for anything."

With a final glance toward the sky, his resolve solidified.