The fox's gaze settled down on the elders below.
Huh, it thought, an Earth-grade Vitality Pill.
Is the whole bottle filled with Earth-grade vitality pills? Its eyes gleamed slightly.
To think that bastard actually plans to waste such a precious thing on someone who's already dead.
Though he had barely managed to react, causing my strike aimed at his heart to miss by mere inches, that didn't mean he was going to live.
Not for long, at least.
This might be my chance—my chance to kill another one or at least wound them badly enough to slow them down.
The air snapped suddenly as the black spear shot forward again.
It pulsed violently, a blur of shadow and steel screaming toward the elders below.
All four moved as one, a perfect harmony of defense. Qi surged through their bodies. In one elder's hand, a jade talisman flared to life, forming a glowing, shimmering barrier.
CLANG! The spear struck the barrier and spun away toward the next target.
Another elder drew a sword in a flash of cold steel, intercepting the strike mid-air.
The spear rang against the metal, sparks flashing in the moonlight.
A third elder thrust out both palms, forming a solid wall of force.
The spear shuddered violently against it—then, with an unnatural twist mid-flight, it evaded the pressure with precise control.
Hmm, the fox thought, I guess they were all on guard after seeing one of their own killed instantly.
Yulan stepped forward, raising two fingers. A ripple of silver light flowed gracefully through the air. It caught the spear mid-flight, halting its momentum completely.
For a breathless second, the spear hovered there, trembling between them. Then, with a sudden flick, it flew back—returning to the fox's grasp.
The fox's turquoise eyes narrowed sharply. What was that just now? It was able to stop my weapon for a moment.
Was that Spiritual Art? If so, what kind? Sealing, maybe? It doesn't seem fully mastered, since it only stopped the spear briefly. Still, I have to keep a close eye on that. In a battle, a single second can cost you your life.
The fox stayed perfectly still. Its gaze flicked over the four elders, noting their coordinated defense and the steady surge of their Qi.
Then it spoke, quietly. Its voice was low, feminine, and carried a faint echo of spiritual resonance.
"For the sake of my most glorious endeavor," it said, lifting one paw slightly as its tail flicked, "you will not pass. Anyone who tries to advance will be killed."
I only need to hold them for a few minutes, the fox thought. That shouldn't be too hard. I just have to keep up this momentum, since they're clearly wary of me.
Its gaze sharpened. The spear rose beside it once more, pulsing with raw Qi.
"Take even one step forward," the fox warned, "and I will end you."
---
The Lizard's Poison
In the courtyard below, the battle raged on.
Golden petals spun faster and faster, slicing through the night air like razor-sharp blades. Lianhai gritted his teeth, blood dripping from a pierced palm.
Every breath burned, but he refused to yield.
The lizard crouched low, its golden eyes glowing fiercely. Its wings twitched, crackling with lightning energy.
Suddenly, it lunged forward like a thunderbolt, claws outstretched, aiming straight for Lianhai's head.
With no time to dodge, Lianhai slammed his fan in front of him.
The golden petals spun rapidly, forming a shimmering wall of razor-sharp light. The beast's claws struck the swirling storm; sparks flew as steel met steel.
The force knocked Lizarius backward, but it held its ground firmly.
Lianhai pressed the attack, launching the petals again.
The lizard opened its jaws wide, about to unleash a roar—but then remembered the fox's warning. Can't do that, it thought, swinging its wings forward to cover itself.
CLANG! CLANG! The petals struck its wings with a shower of sparks, hurling the creature backward.
Pain screamed through Lianhai's arm. His arm was turning purple where the tail had pierced—poison crawling through his veins. Still,
But he poured Qi into the fan, fueling the petals with his reserves.
The snarling lizard whipped its tail violently. Lightning arcs hissed through the air like lethal arrows.
Lianhai barely managed to raise his fan in time.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The petals deflected the deadly barrage, but a few shards tore through his defenses, biting into his shoulder and drawing fresh blood.
Gritting his teeth, he thought: The elders should have sensed the commotion by now. Why haven't they arrived? If this keeps up, I won't survive.
I barely stopped that tail from piercing my head earlier—it saved my life. But those scales… they're poisonous. I can barely move my arm.
If I don't get rid of the poison soon, I might not be able to continue.
He wouldn't be able to last another exchange..