Soul Emperor Awakening

The Fox King’s Charm Technique was incredibly powerful. In the blink of an eye, Lin Xuan was under its control, his vision transforming without a moment’s warning. Countless seductive Fox Girls swarmed him, their bodies pressing against his with a fervent heat that seemed capable of melting his very heart.

Slender, delicate hands roamed over his body. Paired with their tempting gazes, they constantly assailed his senses. Then, their clothes fell half-open, revealing their fair skin.

This was the "lust" aspect of the Charm Technique, designed to constantly knead and stimulate its victim’s soul. Even someone with a firm will could easily have it shattered. While it was possible to break free with an exceptionally strong will, by then it would be too late. After all, if hit with such an attack in battle, one would likely die in a hedonistic stupor before even coming to their senses.

"Get lost!"

Lin Xuan snorted coldly. The kaleidoscopic colors that had filled his eyes vanished in an instant, leaving no trace. His gaze returned to its usual clarity, now laced with an even deeper coldness.

The seductive Demon Foxes shrieked before dissolving into wisps of smoke. The scene returned to normal, and Lin Xuan found himself facing the utterly shocked Fox King.

It wasn’t just the Fox King who was stunned; the other Demon Foxes were shocked as well. ’The Fox King’s Charm Technique was broken that easily?’ Although she hadn’t used her full power, seeing it dispelled so effortlessly was still astounding. The Charm Technique, the Fox King’s pride, seemed like a mere sheet of paper before Lin Xuan—pierced with a single poke, rendered completely meaningless.

This only went to show how exceptionally firm Lin Xuan’s will was. Anything less than a supreme-grade Charm Technique would be completely useless against him.

"Is this how the Demon Fox Race shows its hospitality?" Lin Xuan asked calmly.

’It wasn’t that he was repulsed, but using a Charm Technique without any warning was simply rude. If his will hadn’t been strong enough, he really would have been controlled. Once it seeped deep into his soul, he would have become little more than a puppet. The Fox King could have made him do anything she wanted, even forcing him to reveal his innermost secrets.’

"My apologies. I was rude, and for that, I offer my regrets. I only did so to test the strength of your will. It seems my concerns were unnecessary; you are a man of great conviction. No wonder you are able to control the Yulan Pearl. Those with a weak will could never hope to obtain it." The noble Fox King had actually lowered her head to apologize—an act that would be unimaginable for other races, especially humans.

For others, being wrong was simply being wrong. If you didn’t give them a way to save face, you would surely face retaliation, and your relationship would sour completely. An apology would be out of the question. After all, for someone of such high status, apologizing was no easy feat.

What the Fox King said was also true. Without a firm will, it would indeed be difficult to control the Yulan Pearl. Of course, many other factors were at play; willpower was just one of the more important prerequisites.

"I don’t mind the test," Lin Xuan said. "But if you wish to test me again, you must say so in advance. I’ll be ready anytime. Since I chose to follow Hu Hong in here, I was already mentally prepared. Nothing you do will surprise me. Now that the Yulan Pearl is in my possession, I wonder, Senior Fox King, what are your intentions?"

’He had come to gauge the Demon Fox Race’s intentions. If he could win them over as allies, it would be an enormous boon for him right now.’

"Speaking of which, I don’t believe I’ve caught your name, young friend?" Instead of answering his question, the Fox King prompted Lin Xuan to introduce himself.

"Lin Xuan," he introduced himself simply.

"So, it is Lin Xiaoyou." The Fox King’s tone softened. "Rest assured, we will do nothing to you. Especially since you are a benefactor to our Demon Fox Race, we have even less reason to cause you harm. To be frank, had you been a cruel or violent person, this king would have taken back the Yulan Pearl, even if it meant killing you to do so!"

"But you are a benefactor to our race, so we will not take it back. The very first Fox King decreed long ago that the Yulan Pearl belongs to the one fated to have it. If its bearer is a benefactor to our race, it need not be returned; otherwise, it must be forcibly reclaimed. The Yulan Pearl itself was something a previous Fox King happened upon by chance. Therefore, following that logic, if a fated one obtains it—no matter who they are—we will not reclaim it, so long as they do not bring harm to our race."

The Fox King’s explanation matched the information Lin Xuan had in his memories. The key principle was ’it belongs to the one fated to have it.’ Of course, it would have been ideal for a member of the Demon Fox Race to obtain it, but if that wasn’t possible, they had to let it go.

To be on the safe side, they had a condition: if the bearer intended to harm the Demon Fox Race, they would forcibly reclaim it. This was, admittedly, a selfish provision. But since the Yulan Pearl essentially belonged to them, how could they possibly allow it to fall into the hands of an outsider who wished them ill?

Otherwise, one of their own kin could end up being killed by the Yulan Pearl’s power. What a tragedy that would be.

"In that case, I thank the Fox King for not taking it back. I assure you, I will not let the Yulan Pearl’s power go to waste," Lin Xuan said with a smile. Although the members of the Demon Fox Race were not his kind, they hadn’t tried to seize the pearl by force. They were nothing like people such as Ye Feng; with them, even if you had no prior enmity, refusing to hand something over was as good as declaring a feud!

"One more thing. Since you meet the conditions, I shall ask you this once: In this lifetime, will you ever become an enemy of the Demon Fox Race?" The Fox King’s gaze was fixed on him, sharp enough to pierce through his very being, as if trying to discern whether his answer would be a lie.

"I am not afraid to say this to your faces: I am a very practical person," Lin Xuan’s voice was low and forceful, as if declaring something of utmost importance. "If the Demon Fox Race ever brings harm to me or my loved ones, then I will, without a doubt, become your enemy! On the other hand, I would be more than willing to befriend the Demon Fox Race. After all, I am already good friends with the future heir of the Golden Dragon Race."

His condition was that simple, limited only to his friends and family. Anyone else was not his concern. After all, countless humans hunted the Demon Fox Race. If he had demanded they not make enemies of humankind, it would have been an impossible request for them to accept.

Even now, many of their kind were being captured by humans in the outside world, and a great number of them were mistreated. That was something they absolutely could not tolerate.

"You’re also connected to the future heir of the Golden Dragon Race!?" The Fox King was shocked by this revelation. His condition had been acceptable, but this new information was truly astonishing.

The main reason for their shock was that not even they knew who the future heir of the Golden Dragon Race was.

"Yes. The Golden Dragon King’s daughter. She is like a real sister to me now." Lin Xuan didn’t wish to antagonize the Demon Fox Race, so he held nothing back.

"The Golden Dragon King’s daughter..."

They all exchanged glances. They knew of the daughter’s existence, of course, but no one had ever been able to find out where she was. They never imagined she would have such a deep connection to Lin Xuan.

"No wonder you were trying to find the Golden Dragon Race," Hu Hong finally realized. "You were looking for the Golden Dragon King’s daughter?"

"Yes," Lin Xuan said casually. "Believe it or not, it’s up to you. But since none of you have any further information, it seems my questions were pointless."

He had laid his cards on the table. Whether or not they believed him was out of his hands.