Meishan Villa.
Qin Fu gasped lightly, staring at the remaining 100 mana points on his personal interface, his expression solemn.
He had done everything he could to dodge, yet Mei Daxia had still found an opening—forcing him to use [Stopping Power] to withstand the strike.
At this point, Mei Daxia was far from the elegant figure he'd been at the start. His clothes were in tatters; anyone who didn't know better might mistake him for a beggar.
Just as Mei Daxia prepared to launch another attack, Qin Fu called out.
"Master Mei, I don't know how long we'll keep fighting like this. How about you and I settle it with a single move?"
Mei Daxia paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Very well."
"Since you wish to decide the outcome with one move, this old man will grant your wish!"
"Plum Sword Technique — Final Form: Yongmei!"
The terrifying sword intent gathered on Mei Daxia's blade. The pressure was so immense that even the nearby town, several kilometers away, could sense it.
In that town, a fox-eyed man wearing a broad hat suddenly turned his gaze toward Meishan Villa, his expression sharpening.
"What a powerful sword intent… someone actually forced Mei Daxia to draw his true blade."
A faint, dangerous smile curved on his lips.
"Interesting. Truly… interesting."
He set down his teacup, rose to his feet, and began striding toward Meishan Villa.
―――――――――
At that same time within Meishan Villa,
Qin Fu stood firm, gripping the [Secret Scepter], its tip aimed directly at Mei Daxia. Before it floated two silver-gray spheres slowly fusing together.
Though they appeared ordinary, the aura they released carried pure destruction. The bald old man's face went pale—it felt as if something ancient and horrifying was about to awaken.
Mei Daxia, however, was exhilarated. He hadn't felt such excitement in years.
To meet an opponent like Qin Fu—this was fortune beyond fortune!
The two opponents steadied their breaths, power surging to its peak.
A moment later, the sky split. Mei Daxia's immense Plum Sword Qi tore downward like a collapsing heavenly pillar.
Qin Fu's eyes flickered.
"[Void Power — Qi]!!"
The words triggered an explosion of silver-gray energy. The wave of void power collided head-on with Mei Daxia's sword qi, and the impact erupted like thunder.
The bald old man trembled as he watched, unable to interfere in a battle of this scale. He could only clasp his hands together and pray silently.
"Master… you must win!"
When the smoke finally cleared, the courtyard lay in ruins.
Qin Fu stood before Mei Daxia, his left hand holding a massive [Sweet Whole Fruit], his right gripping the [Secret Scepter]. Silver-gray void energy condensed into a blade of light, its edge resting gently against Mei Daxia's neck.
Qin Fu exhaled, voice slightly slurred from exhaustion.
"I'm sorry, Master Mei. It was pure luck on my part… but I've won this match."
Mei Daxia smiled with quiet relief, then nodded.
"What a remarkable talent our world has birthed. Congratulations, young man—you've won."
At those words, Qin Fu finally allowed himself to breathe. In truth, his mana reserves were utterly drained.
Even with the [Sweet Whole Fruit], recovery wasn't immediate.
If Mei Daxia had continued to press the fight, Qin Fu's flimsy three-legged-cat martial arts would've gotten him beaten into a pulp.
He withdrew the [Secret Scepter], looking at the devastated courtyard with an embarrassed expression.
He bowed slightly. "I truly apologize. To barge into Meishan Villa and destroy it… I've been most ignorant."
Mei Daxia waved a dismissive hand, laughing heartily.
"It's nothing. For a battle like this, even the destruction of Meishan Villa is a small price to pay."
He turned and shouted, "Butler! See to this young friend's care! Tonight, we'll hold a grand feast!"
The bald old man jogged over, nodding eagerly. "Yes, Master!"
But just as the three turned to enter the hall, a fierce aura surged from afar—fast and sharp.
Qin Fu frowned, his [Secret Scepter] flashing back into his hand. Feeling his depleted mana, his heart sank.
The recovery rate of Sweet Whole Fruit is still too slow.
The bald old man stepped ahead of them, broom in hand, eyes narrowing at the approaching presence.
Moments later, a man wearing a hat descended lightly through the air.
Qin Fu activated detection.
[10 mana points consumed. Basic Detection: ON.]Result:
Name: White FoxHealth: 100%Internal Force: 500Strength: 11Agility: 11Stamina: 10Intelligence: 8Charm: 4Luck: 1
Skill 1 — Air Bomb: Injects energy into a target's body to trigger internal detonation. A mysterious assassination technique.Skill 2 — Bullfighting Divine Art: Increases physique by +2, and converts mana into internal force. (Max internal force: 700)
Seeing attributes weaker than Mei Daxia's, Qin Fu finally exhaled.If the bald old man could stall a bit, this guy would be easy prey.
The white fox smiled faintly, eyes glinting beneath his hat.
"The shadow assassin, White Fox, pays his respects to Mei Daxia."
Mei Daxia's brows furrowed, his tone sharp.
"Hmph. You wish to strike when others are weary? Do you think I can't fight again after one duel?"
His sword vibrated violently, releasing a frightening surge of intent.
Qin Fu was stunned. This old man's stamina was absurd.If I ever fight someone like Su Xiao with this mana drain... I'll be a corpse before I blink.
White Fox chuckled, unfazed by the killing aura pressing down on him.
"You misunderstand, Daxia Mei. I was merely passing by.""Your sword intent was impossible to ignore—and this young man fought you, didn't he?"
Qin Fu froze at the sudden attention, then smiled politely.
"It was just a spar. Mei Daxia was kind enough to give me guidance."
When Mei Daxia was about to speak, Qin Fu subtly shook his head.
White Fox continued smoothly, his tone casual.
"In that case, might I stay the night? It seems fate brought us together—surely the villa can spare a room?"
Mei Daxia frowned. The man's words left no opening for refusal, and it would be rude to chase him off.
"...Very well. But you'd best behave yourself. If not—""Hmph! I won't mind teaching you some manners on behalf of your leader!"
White Fox's eyes narrowed with a playful glint.
"Of course, of course."
Seeing the situation settle, Qin Fu followed the butler inside.
"Little Brother of the Void, rest well. Call for me if you need anything.""Understood."
The door shut behind the butler. Qin Fu glanced around the room, found nothing suspicious, then sat cross-legged on the bed and began to [Meditate] to restore mana.
His body felt oddly hollow without energy circulating.
Time passed slowly. The sky deepened to dusk.
When he finally opened his eyes, his mana had recovered to 430 points. A small smile crept onto his face.
He raised the [Secret Scepter], pointing it toward the window, his voice cold.
"White Fox—whether you sneak through the window or enter uninvited, you'd better have a reason.""Otherwise…""I'll lose control."
Silver-gray void energy gathered at the scepter's tip, humming with lethal power.
The white fox pushed open the window, hands raised in mock surrender, smiling lightly.
"Easy there, friend. I come in peace."