The vast and boundless lands of the Divine Realm stretch endlessly. Apart from the beings who claim to be the most enlightened among all living creatures—humans—there exist countless other life forms that share this world. Common domestic animals like chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs, as well as fierce beasts such as jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards, are all familiar to humans.
Since ancient times, many strange tales and legends have circulated. In the wild and remote corners of the Divine Realm, within the harshest mountains and most perilous waters, there remain ancient spiritual beasts and primordial lineages. For millennia, the stories of brave and adventurous youths, who crossed mountains and rivers to subdue dragons and capture demons, have been passed down from generation to generation, captivating the imaginations of all.
Among these numerous legends, the fox spirits, though not the most ferocious or powerful, are undoubtedly the most wondrous and mysterious in the eyes of the people. They are the only legendary creatures imbued with a touch of human sentiment.
When ancient beasts like the Black Water Mystic Snake become the ultimate goals for many young practitioners seeking to prove their strength, fox spirits are often spoken of with a hint of ambiguity. Although there are tales of fox spirits harming humans, they also leave behind touching stories of love and romance, which set them apart from other monstrous legends.
Of course, these are merely the tales that circulate among the common folk. In the eyes of true cultivators, fox spirits are incredibly intelligent and cunning. Though their power pales in comparison to the formidable ancient beasts, they understand human emotions and even possess the ability to transform into humans when they reach a certain level of cultivation. This is the reason why so many poignant tales of human-fox romances have endured.
Among the fox spirits, there is a particularly wise and enigmatic branch. It is said that as their cultivation grows, their tails multiply. A hundred years of cultivation results in three tails, known as “demon foxes.” A thousand years of cultivation yields six tails, known as “spiritual foxes.” When they reach the stage of nine tails, they have attained the pinnacle of demonic existence, with no one knowing exactly how many years of cultivation it takes to achieve this. According to legend, a nine-tailed celestial fox is a supreme demon with divine powers, known as the “Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.”
Though this legend is shrouded in mystery, the image of the celestial fox is clear in the heart of Ghost Li. Ten years ago, the memory of the two fox spirits who died together in the Fire Dragon Cave was the first time his unwavering faith had been shaken.
In the occasional midnight dreams, the figure of the beautiful white fox remains vivid.
Azure ethereal lights refract from the hard, cold ice, casting an unstable glow over the third level of the sacrificial altar. Before Ghost Li and Xiao Hui, a massive figure slowly emerges from the deepest darkness, bathed in a faint, eerie blue light.
A white fox, a gigantic white fox!
This is the first time in Ghost Li’s life that he has seen such a large white fox. From where he stands, the fox is twice his height, towering at the height of two men. Even under the ethereal light, its pure white fur remains stunningly beautiful, smooth and silky as the finest silk from the Central Plains.
This is a creature that is undeniably beautiful, but its sheer size makes it somewhat terrifying. In fact, the white fox is currently in a state of extreme agitation.
The once silent sacrificial altar is now filled with the sorrowful wails and harsh shrieks of the white fox. Its black, deep-set eyes, set in its pale skin, now glimmer with madness.
The blue light becomes increasingly bright, and a wind begins to blow. The edges of Ghost Li’s robes flutter, and Xiao Hui, baring its teeth, emits a high-pitched screech, taking on a menacing form.
Suddenly, the white fox lets out a roar, rising up on its hind legs. Almost simultaneously, Ghost Li feels the ice around him emitting a burst of blue light. With a loud rumble, two massive ice blocks, each the size of three men, move through the air, hurtling towards him.
Ghost Li frowns, summoning the Soul Devourer, its azure light flickering as he and Xiao Hui quickly retreat. Just as their figures disappear, the two massive ice blocks collide with a deafening crash, shattering into a shower of ice fragments.
But before they can catch their breath, the entire third level of the sacrificial altar, covered in blue-lit ice, suddenly brightens. The space is instantly filled with an eerie and powerful aura, and countless ice blocks, both large and small, float into the air, creating a dazzling and magnificent sight.
Ghost Li frowns even more deeply. This Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox indeed possesses immense power. Among all the demonic spirits and beasts he has encountered, aside from the incomparable ancient behemoths like the Black Water Mystic Snake, this Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox is the most powerful.
For some reason, as he gazes through the shimmering blue ice, locking eyes with the white figure and its crazed, deeply sorrowful gaze, a long-forgotten sentiment begins to stir in his heart, just like the image of those two fox spirits who died together. He finds himself unwilling to strike this white fox.
But as he hesitates, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox lets out a shrill cry, and instantly, the floating ice blocks, as if responding to a mysterious command, rush towards them at lightning speed.
Ghost Li’s face turns cold as he scoops Xiao Hui into his arms and flies sideways. The sky is filled with blue light, and the sound of colliding ice blocks echoes continuously. In a flash, countless white ethereal lights and blue ice blocks chase after the green figure.
Yet, this green shadow is like a phantom, often dodging just in the nick of time, weaving left and right, up and down, evading the seemingly endless rain of ice.
The white fox’s screech becomes even more intense, but it seems to lack the force of genuine anger. In the midst of the fierce battle, the green shadow suddenly flashes, and Ghost Li, somehow, penetrates the layers of ice, rushing towards the white fox.
Startled, the white fox’s beautiful white fur ripples, and it raises its forepaws, ready to cast a strange spell. But at that moment, a dark red light rises from behind it. Simultaneously, the fox’s body jolts as if struck by a heavy blow, and its eyes lose focus. Its demonic power dissipates, and it collapses to the ground, weakened.
In the next moment, the green shadow approaches, and a pale hand emerges from the light, reaching out swiftly to grab the white fox’s neck.
The white fox lets out a low whimper, its eyes filled with pain and helplessness. Yet, it seems to accept its fate, closing its eyes and waiting for death.
Touching the fox’s neck, Ghost Li feels the cool, yet still soft fur. The white fox’s massive body lies before him, yet it feels as fragile as a small bird in his hands.
Xiao Hui, perched on Ghost Li’s chest, lets out a few low cries.
Ghost Li silently gazes at the white fox, slowly retracting his hand.
The white fox slowly opens its eyes, meeting the gaze of the man standing before it.
Man and fox, they stare at each other in silence.
“Rumble!”
With a thunderous roar, the ice blocks, deprived of their magical support, fall to the ground, shattering and scattering. Icy mist and white, cold fog spread, enveloping Ghost Li and the white fox.
After a while, the ice dust settles, and the figures of Ghost Li and the white fox reappear.
Xiao Hui, who had climbed back onto Ghost Li’s shoulder, blinks its three eyes, looking at Ghost Li and then at the white fox, before surveying the surroundings. It seems suddenly interested in the beautiful ice crystals scattered around, and it jumps down, sitting on the ground to play with the blue-lit ice blocks.
The white fox shifts its gaze from Ghost Li to Xiao Hui, then back to Ghost Li. After a moment, it asks, “Why did you not kill me?”
Its voice, now calm, draws no immediate response from Ghost Li. His gaze falls on the thick, dark red chain around the white fox’s waist, glowing faintly. Even from a distance, the eerie power of the chain is palpable.
Clearly, it was this restraint that caused the white fox to lose its strength. It’s no wonder; without such a powerful seal, the legend of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox would make it impossible for the Crimson Fire Altar to contain it.
The white fox looks at Ghost Li, who does not answer. It seems unconcerned, for its true concern lies elsewhere.
“Where is Xiao Liu? Did you kill it and take the ‘Crimson Fire Mirror’?” Its voice is low and weary.
Ghost Li remains silent, then slowly replies, “Do you mean a six-tailed spirit fox with six tails?”
The white fox’s massive body trembles slightly, and it lowers its head.
“It’s dead,” Ghost Li says quietly but clearly.
The white fox’s gaze falls to the ground, and it asks, “How did it die?”
“Ten years ago, I and… two friends heard of a monster wreaking havoc in the Black Stone Cave of the Small Pond Town. We went to investigate.” Ghost Li speaks calmly, and for a moment, the vast space is silent, save for the sound of Xiao Hui playing nearby.
“….In the end, it saw the situation was hopeless, and the three-tailed fox had died. So, it decided to commit suicide. Before dying, it tied the Crimson Fire Mirror to my hand.” Ghost Li pulls out the Crimson Fire Mirror, and in the blue light, the ancient flame symbol seems to flicker gently.
The white fox stares at the mirror, entranced, and after a long while, it says, “Xiao Liu was my son.”
…
The silence is almost oppressive, and Ghost Li, looking at the white fox, feels a suffocating weight.
The image of the white fox falling into the molten rock, engraved in his heart, is as clear as if it were happening before his eyes.
Ten years have passed, but it feels like yesterday.
What has subtly changed, our hearts and minds?
“I am partly to blame for your son’s death,” Ghost Li says calmly. “If you ever get the chance, come and kill me.”
The white fox lifts its head, gazing deeply at him. For some reason, Ghost Li feels that the white fox is smiling, a smile tinged with the sorrow of a thousand years.
“Could it give the Crimson Fire Mirror to you, and I, as its mother, not know its intentions?” The white fox speaks softly, turning its body, the chains around its waist clanking ominously.
Ghost Li watches the white fox as it moves toward the darkness, and a sudden impulse wells up in his heart. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
The white fox stops, but does not turn around. Its voice, however, carries a hint of excitement, “Are you willing to help me?”
Ghost Li remains silent, offering no answer.
The white fox slowly turns, and in that moment, its black, deep-set eyes seem to gleam with an unusual light.
“Three hundred years ago, our fox clan stole the Crimson Fire Mirror from the Incense Valley, but we were nearly wiped out. Only Xiao Liu and I survived. I was imprisoned in the Crimson Fire Altar, bound by the ‘Crimson Fire Chain.’ My powers were suppressed by the chain and the ‘Eight Evil Crimson Fire Array’ beneath the altar, and I suffered day and night.”
It gives a cold laugh, “The Incense Valley has not killed me because they want to know the location of the Crimson Fire Mirror from me.”
Ghost Li nods silently.
The white fox looks at him and says, “The Crimson Fire Chain is a unique object, fiercely hot and binding. Only someone who knows the secret incantations of the Incense Valley can open it. But with the Crimson Fire Mirror, it can be opened as well!”
Ghost Li’s gaze slowly turns to the Crimson Fire Mirror in his hand, feeling a gentle warmth emanating from the ancient flame symbol.
The white fox continues, “The Crimson Fire Mirror is the essence of all flames, a divine artifact. You need to go to the stone pillar at the end of the wall behind me. The Crimson Fire Chain extends from there, deep into the volcanic magma, drawing infinite heat. Place the Crimson Fire Mirror on the stone pillar, and it will release the chain. Without this restraint, the Eight Evil Crimson Fire Array, without the guidance of the Crimson Fire Mirror, will no longer hold me.”
As it speaks, the white fox’s voice trembles, clearly moved.
Ghost Li remains silent, his face calm as water.
The white fox looks at him, and a deep disappointment fills its eyes. It lets out a bitter laugh, saying softly, “Have you changed your mind? That’s fine, for in this world, who is not like this?”
It seems about to turn away, but Ghost Li suddenly moves.
He walks slowly, passing by the white fox. Xiao Hui, sensing the change, jumps down and hops onto Ghost Li’s shoulder.
As Ghost Li passes, the white fox turns, following him. Its massive body accompanies Ghost Li, and for some reason, its eyes seem to hold a different light.
“Young man, why do you want to help a demon beast?”
Ghost Li does not look back, and the white fox cannot see his expression. But after a moment, they hear the man, walking alone in the darkness, muttering, “In this world, who is not like this…?”
“Ten years ago, when I placed them in the magma myself; ten years ago, in the Divine Extermination Array, I watched her fall from the sky…”
The white fox stops, restrained by the powerful chain. Xiao Hui, sensing something, jumps down, stopping beside the white fox.
Ghost Li does not stop, and the white fox watches silently as the deepest darkness engulfs the man’s figure.
It sighs, and after a moment, it turns its massive head toward Xiao Hui. Despite being much smaller, Xiao Hui shows no fear, chirping and looking at the white fox with all three eyes.
“Is he also a sad soul?” The white fox asks softly.
Xiao Hui blinks, chirping and scratching its head.
The white fox smiles, a smile full of sorrow and the weight of the ages.
“Your cultivation is insufficient, and your wisdom is still young. How could you understand the love and affection of mortals?”
It whispers, its voice fading, “It is the presence of such devoted souls that makes us, after a thousand years, still feel deeply…”
***********
At the entrance to the Incense Valley, the atmosphere grows increasingly tense. The fish people, led by Shangguan Ce, glare angrily at the crowd from the Incense Valley, while the Incense Valley members are visibly shaken.
Many disciples are already looking around, and the cold wind rustles the leaves, adding to the eeriness of the night. Somewhere, the low, mournful sounds of ghosts add to the chilling atmosphere.
Shangguan Ce, his brows furrowed, faces a grim situation. The unknown murderer, with such profound cultivation, is not the issue; his own cultivation is strong enough to face it. But a person with such power being so ruthless, and clearly trying to incite conflict between the Incense Valley and the fish people, is a serious concern.
Has the Incense Valley’s plan, kept secret for a century, finally been exposed?
At this thought, even Shangguan Ce, with his deep cultivation, feels a twinge of anxiety. But he is no ordinary person, and he quickly regains his composure. He knows that the mysterious murderer is watching, and he must not lose his cool. Moreover, this is the first time in centuries that someone has dared to act so brazenly in the Incense Valley. If they do not make an example, even the lowliest might dare to cause trouble.
Shangguan Ce gathers his thoughts and signals to Li Xun, who steps forward. Shangguan Ce says coldly, “Issue orders to mobilize all disciples, sealing off all entrances and exits. Release the Red-Eyed Eagles to patrol the skies. We must not let the murderer escape.”
Li Xun nods, hesitating for a moment, “Uncle, what about the Valley Master…?”
Shangguan Ce shakes his head, “Since the Valley Master asked me to handle this tonight, he must still be occupied. You know that…” He trails off, looking at Li Xun, “I will explain later.”
Li Xun bows, “Yes, I will do it immediately.” He turns and walks away.
As he strides off, the disciples make way for him. Yan Hong, who has been listening to the conversation, watches him with a glint in her eyes.
Li Xun disappears into the darkness of the valley. The fish people grow restless, and several of them start screeching. The leader, a tall, muscular fish person, exchanges a few words with the others, then turns to face Shangguan Ce, his face contorted with rage, screeching non-stop.
Shangguan Ce frowns, and Sun Tu translates, “They demand that we hand over the murderer who killed their chief, or they will kill us all.”
Shangguan Ce snorts, his cold gaze making the fish people pause, but their rage soon returns, and more of them begin to roar in anger.
Shangguan Ce knows that the fish people cannot be reasoned with, and with the Incense Valley’s important plans looming, he must not provoke them. Besides, the hidden figure in the Great Mountains, even the Valley Master Yun Yidao, fears them.
He considers how to temporarily appease the savage tribe, and begins, “Everyone, I, Shangguan Ce, will provide an explanation, but for now, please stay here…”
Suddenly, without warning, the ground beneath them shakes violently.
The sudden, intense shaking causes many disciples and fish people to stumble and fall.
Shangguan Ce, with his deep cultivation, steadies himself instantly, noticing that Yan Hong, beside him, manages to regain her balance quickly as well.
“Oh, the sky has changed color!” Someone shouts, and everyone looks up. The once pitch-black sky is now red, with flaming clouds swirling around a specific point, accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder, creating a spectacular scene.
Shangguan Ce is shocked, his face draining of color. He instinctively looks towards the area surrounded by the flaming clouds, realizing it is the location of the mysterious Crimson Fire Altar.
Furious and alarmed, he stamps his foot and, in a flash, transforms into a gray light, flying swiftly towards the Crimson Fire Altar. But in that instant, a faint question flashes through his mind: How has Yan Hong’s cultivation advanced so quickly?
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