Volume Three: Rising Fame, Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Small Surprise

If any other fifth-rank exotic beast were in this position, it would never have pushed Li Yu and Ying Yongge to such a state of utter disarray. In fact, either one of them alone would have had a decent chance of victory against a peak fifth-rank beast.

The strength of an exotic beast at the same level lies somewhere between that of a martial practitioner and a divine practitioner like them. The primary reason is that while exotic beasts possess the elemental spiritual powers of the Five Elements, they rarely utilize them, relying instead on raw physical strength. Their elemental attributes are tied to their racial talents, making their attacks monotonous. They are essentially warriors capable of casting one or two spell-like abilities.

As long as one consciously guards against these, the racial talent becomes useless. However, this old white fox was an exotic beast that had transcended the shackles of its physical form. Li Yu was completely in the dark regarding the old fox's capabilities and transformations; he did not know what to defend against, nor how to respond. After all, these were not standard physical strikes; a spell-based attack could erupt at any moment, catching one off guard. Naturally, it was difficult for two clan elites to maintain an advantage.

"If you're ready, let's move!" Li Yu looked at the old white fox, which appeared somewhat lethargic after using its ability, and without further hesitation, he stepped forward and launched a fierce assault.

Li Yu had learned a complex array of combat techniques—punches, kicks, blade work—he had studied them all. Yet, compared to this old white fox, his repertoire seemed extremely limited. Having grown up in the wild, the old fox had experienced countless life-or-death struggles. It might not have systematically learned any specific claw techniques or footwork, but its years of experience were enough to allow it to make the most optimal decisions.

"Boom!"

Li Yu and the old white fox collided. In the blink of an eye, the man and the beast had exchanged dozens of blows. The speed was so fast it was dazzling.

"That sudden burst of power shouldn't be usable in quick succession!"

"It seems the consumption for that ability is immense; the old white fox's speed and strength have dropped significantly. Seize this moment; don't let it recover!"

Li Yu shouted aloud, reminding Ying Yongge of his assessment. The two were now in the same boat; only by working together could they maximize their chances of victory against the beast.

"I know!"

Ying Yongge was no fool. Although the surrounding adult white foxes had been thinned out by his subordinates, a significant number remained. Their best strategy was to use overwhelming force to slay the old white fox and intimidate the rest of the pack.

With his addition to the fight, the two-on-one assault forced the old white fox into a continuous retreat, leaving it battered with one heavy blow after another.

"So that last move really was its final resort!"

The two exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. Unbeknownst to them, their positioning had shifted; Li Yu leaned toward the left, while Ying Yongge focused his attacks on the fox's right side.

"Awoo!"

The old white fox let out a mournful cry. Pungent blood was already splattered across the ground, streaming from the gruesome wounds carved into its body.

"Drip, drip."

Thick, dark blood flowed from the gashes, matting its once-lustrous white fur and staining its body crimson. Even its eyes, which had been as red as gemstones, had dimmed significantly. Its biting had become weak and ineffective.

"It looks like it's truly finished... I must be wary of Ying Yongge; he might still turn on me!" Li Yu thought to himself.

Despite being teammates fighting side-by-side, having bled and shared the burden of the battle, their alliance—formed solely due to the pressure of the old fox—would shatter the moment the beast fell. Once the rest of the white foxes were no longer a threat, they still had their own grudges to settle.

"The old white fox is almost done... I cannot just stand here..."

"Li Yu's reaction earlier didn't seem fake; he truly wanted to kill me. If not for the appearance of the old white fox, we would have already been locked in a life-or-death struggle. I must..."

On the other side, Ying Yongge was also lost in thought; both men had their own concerns. Preoccupied with these thoughts, neither noticed that in the old white fox's dim, blood-red eyes, a boundless madness was brewing, waiting only for a chance to erupt.

"Blazing Fist!"

Ying Yongge’s only remaining right arm erupted into roaring flames, condensing into a fist the size of a yard, which slammed heavily into the old white fox. The fire surged violently.

"Boom!"

The old white fox's wail was swallowed by the flames.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Li Yu performed a lithe twist, dodging the sweeping flames. He frowned, deeply displeased. "Focus on killing the fox!"

A flash of disappointment crossed Ying Yongge's eyes—*why didn't he get caught in the blast as well?*—but he kept his expression sincere. "The old white fox has thick skin; if we don't use heavy strikes, we'll only be whittling it down slowly. My method is not excessive."

Li Yu said no more, but his vigilance increased.

*Why hasn't she come over yet?*

He was worried, casting subtle glances toward the small grove. Just then, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Li Yu, I've found the remaining Snow Fox Demon Vines in the forest. I've got them all!"

*Got them!*

Li Yu felt a surge of joy and finally exhaled. Although the vines he had just acquired had been incinerated by Ying Yongge, he hadn't combed every inch of the grove, so there was a high probability that more remained. Since their battle with the old white fox outside the valley had caused such a commotion, no white foxes were left in the grove to guard them. That was why, from the start, Li Yu had quietly sent Can Yishuang to search the grove.

"Since we have them, let's retreat!"

Li Yu felt the urge to leave. After the old white fox's initial strike failed, it had remained on the defensive, seemingly beaten into submission. It hadn't attempted a counterattack in a long time, but this behavior made Li Yu even more cautious.

*A cornered beast will still fight!*

The most realistic reaction when nearing death should be madness, not this calm. Unless one is a person whose life is naturally counting down, one wouldn't be this serene!

"I can't drag this out any longer!" Ying Yongge stared at the old white fox's dim eyes, calculating. If he waited until the fox died to plan his next move, he feared that Li Yu, who was in better condition, would chase him down to his death. The best solution was to slip away now, leaving the old fox to tangle with Li Yu, buying himself time to escape!

"Now, run!"

The two moved with uncanny synchronization, both turning on their heels and fleeing the battlefield at top speed.

"Is this how royal people behave? So cowardly? We agreed to fight together, and you're fleeing mid-battle?" Seeing the figure darting away, Li Yu was stunned for a moment before sneering.

"Heh, you uncouth peasant, what do you think you are doing?" Ying Yongge retorted, annoyed.

Neither of them had expected the other to have the exact same idea!

The most awkward one, however, was the old white fox in the center.

The moment the two moved, the old white fox's listless eyes suddenly exploded with blood-red light. Moreover, its wobbling frame suddenly became robust and muscular—where was the sign of it collapsing now? Its defensive stance had just been to accumulate energy for another strike. Li Yu’s guess was right: the fox’s skill couldn't be used continuously, but the recovery time wasn't as long as he had imagined. The injuries it sustained were controlled; they looked bloody and terrifying, but they didn't touch its vitals!

"Awoo!?"

The old white fox's cry was full-throated, yet laced with confusion. The two had run off in opposite directions—could they have seen through its disguise? In that case, which one should it chase with its temporary boost?

The old white fox looked left and right, then bolted toward Ying Yongge. This guy looked severely injured and easy to bully, and he was the one who had destroyed the Snow Fox Demon Vines it needed for its promotion! It would be a sin against heaven not to bite him!

"Don't come over here!"

"Why are you chasing me?"

Feeling the shadow behind him growing ever larger, Ying Yongge knew the distance was closing. He was speechless, but he could only grit his teeth and sprint.

"Because you have the cough syrup..." Li Yu watched the two figures receding into the distance, muttering a reply only he could hear, before continuing his own escape.

...

"It's over... which one should I chase first?"

In the distance, a young man in black robes muttered to himself, his tone filled with melancholy.

*Spirit foxes are walking treasure troves; their blood contains spiritual energy for talismans, and their fur is incredibly tough, perfect for armor. Especially that fluffy armor—it sells very well in the girls' market!*

*But the 'Jingbao' treasure followed the other guy. That's a rare prize too. Since it escaped before, I can't let it go easily now that I have a chance to catch it.*

"This is tricky!" the youth grumbled, then frowned. "The weather is unpredictable... I'll have to catch the spirit fox first!"

...

"What a massive wind!"

Li Yu stared at the enormous wall of wind sweeping across several kilometers, dumbfounded. How could such a wind form? Was there no science left in this world? A moment ago, this thing hadn't existed, but in the blink of an eye, this massive wall had appeared nearby and was moving toward him.

"Is this another one of the Emperor's 'little surprises'? It certainly is 'little'!"

Li Yu cursed through gritted teeth, but he first took the Snow Fox Demon Vines from Can Yishuang—there were fifteen or sixteen of them, though two or three were clearly unripe.

*Uh...*

"That's a clean sweep. The old white fox must be furious!"

Li Yu tucked the vines into his robes and said, "Let's see if we can bypass it... wait, what the hell?"

In the time it took him to look down, the wind wall from kilometers away had closed in. Before his startled eyes, it swept him violently into its vortex!

"I... damn..."

Between heaven and earth, only a discordant, high-pitched male scream remained!