Chapter 22: The Spirit Fox's Rescue

Feather Realm suddenly rushed out, and I thought to myself that this was the end. The always composed Feather Realm had acted so recklessly. Out of the darkness came a deep voice: "Who is it?"

"Wolf of the Azure, you finally show yourself. Today, it’s either you or I who will die. Bring your life here!" Feather Realm clenched his fists in fury. Could this black-robed man be Wolf of the Azure, son of the Azure Emperor, the second prince of the Azure Stream Empire? I had no idea of his cultivation level—recklessly attacking might not end well. I wondered what grudge Feather Realm had against the second prince. But since Feather Realm had exposed his identity, I had no reason to hide mine. I pushed aside the grass and strode out, walking straight to Zhang Lei and coldly questioning him, "Why did you do this?"

Zhang Lei was silent for a long time, unable to utter a single word. At that moment, someone called Third Mo spoke up: "Since you’ve already discovered us, we might as well settle this in one go—it’ll save a lot of trouble. We honest men do not work in the shadows, hand over the Heavenly Demon Manual." Third Mo spoke with arrogance. What a despicable little man, I thought; even at this point, he had the nerve to talk about honest men not working in secret.

I crossed my arms, walked up to Third Mo, and said, "So you’re Third Mo, Zhang Lei’s master? Was it you who forced Zhang Lei to do this?"

To be honest, even now I still desperately denied the fact that Zhang Lei had betrayed us, but Third Mo’s words made my heart plunge into an endless abyss.

"He did it of his own will. No one forced him. Each serves his own master—this is a world where man devours man. Blame yourselves for being too stupid!" Third Mo replied, brimming with arrogance. If Senior Xiaoxiang were not in their hands, I would have dashed forward and slapped him to death.

The black-robed man spoke: "Enough with the useless chatter, finish them off quickly." He then pressed Xiaoxiang aside.

Shi Feng and Feather Realm were locked in fierce combat, their skills matched, and neither could gain the upper hand. Feather Realm narrowly dodged Shi Feng’s palm strike, reclined backward, locked Shi Feng’s lower body with his legs, then pinned Shi Feng’s hands from behind. As I watched, the move seemed oddly familiar.

Shi Feng was trapped and couldn’t break free; I never expected that Feather Realm, always a disciplined martial artist, would fight so wildly. As he locked Shi Feng, Feather Realm opened his mouth and bit at Shi Feng’s carotid artery. Shi Feng cried out in pain and flung Feather Realm off. Now, with blood dripping from Feather Realm’s lips, he stood before Shi Feng like a bloodthirsty demon. Shi Feng, seemingly enraged, slowly drew a paper fan from his waist.

Just as I was absorbed in the scene, that despicable Third Mo launched a sneak attack from behind. Though I sensed a strong gust and dodged in panic, I was still hit in the ribs. I spun around, glaring at Third Mo, "Damn you!"

I clenched my fist and swung at his aged face. Seeing that Third Mo would be hit, he didn’t dodge, as if stunned with fear. I inwardly rejoiced—let me break your face! But unexpectedly, my fist stopped just half an inch from his face, as if an invisible wall blocked it. Third Mo sneered and punched me in the abdomen, the force sending me flying ten meters away. My insides felt shattered, and I couldn’t help but spit out blood. I struggled to my feet, now wary, and while Third Mo didn’t pursue, I summoned my true energy, guiding it to my right hand. When all the energy gathered, I clenched my fist.

My fist was enveloped in a golden glow, which grew brighter. Third Mo seemed to sense it and unleashed a palm strike, a white hand-shaped imprint flying toward me. My true energy nearly condensed, I punched toward the glow. The white palm and golden fist collided between us with a loud bang; instantly, the canyon was lit as if it were day. Third Mo staggered back three steps; I retreated seven or eight steps and spat more blood.

Senior Xiaoxiang called out, "Young man, you’re no match for him. Don’t mind me—take Feather Realm and run!"

Clutching my chest, I replied, "Senior Xiaoxiang, I won’t abandon you."

With that, I rushed forward, using the newly learned Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the thirty-six styles of combat techniques. First style—Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves. My fists rained down on Third Mo’s body, but he stood like a log, letting me strike him as if my attacks were mere tickles. Third Mo sneered, "Heavenly Demon Divine Art—so the Heavenly Demon Manual is in your hands. We searched high and low, and here it is!"

"What? The Heavenly Demon Manual?" The black-robed man exclaimed in shock.

"Second Prince, this boy is using moves from the Heavenly Demon Manual," Third Mo answered respectfully. Suddenly, Xiaoxiang seized the moment, breaking free from the black-robed man’s restraint and appearing before me. With a wave of his mighty hand, I was sent flying. As I soared through the air, I saw Feather Realm flying alongside me. Just before landing, I witnessed Xiaoxiang’s body explode, a massive shockwave scattering blood rain across the sky. Feather Realm saw this too, and shouted, "Master!"

Feather Realm tried to rush over, but I hoisted him onto my shoulder and sped away. As the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. Feather Realm struggled desperately, and I gasped, "Feather Realm, pull yourself together. Senior Xiaoxiang cannot die in vain." Perhaps Xiaoxiang’s death was too great a blow, or perhaps Feather Realm had internal injuries from the duel with Shi Feng, but he gradually lost consciousness. We hadn’t gotten far when the roaring wind behind told me that Third Mo and his men were closing in. If they caught up, we’d be as good as dead—things looked grim! Just as I was at a loss, a white fox appeared at the fork in the road ahead. On closer look, it was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox I’d seen in Misty Forest last time.

The Nine-Tailed Fox spoke, "Young master, quickly, ride on my back."

It was the same voice I’d heard in Misty Forest. I placed Feather Realm on the fox’s back and climbed on myself. The fox glanced back, then sped forward with astonishing speed, leaving Third Mo and his men far behind. The Nine-Tailed Fox carried us through woods, canyons, rivers, until we reached a desolate area and finally stopped. I dismounted, placed Feather Realm on the ground, and clasped my hands in gratitude, "Thank you, Fox Immortal, for saving us."

The Nine-Tailed Fox smiled, showing gleaming white teeth. "Young master, you exaggerate. Last time you helped preserve my body; I should be thanking you."

I gave a wry smile. "It was nothing. Please, Fox Immortal, help us return to Broken Heart Cliff. My friends may be in danger." As I spoke, I couldn’t help but spit more blood. The Nine-Tailed Fox glanced at me, transformed into a beautiful woman, and took a pill from her bosom, handing it to me. I stared at her, and perhaps she noticed my confusion, covering her lips with a sleeve and smiling, "Why do you look at me like that, young master?"

I coughed twice to mask my embarrassment, but unexpectedly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The woman spoke anxiously, "Young master, are you alright? Quickly, take this pill!"

I wiped the blood from my lips and swallowed the pill. As soon as it entered my stomach, a warm current enveloped my body, each cell seeming to brim with energy. My injuries felt healed—the pain vanished, and even my damaged organs seemed restored. What a miraculous medicine! I sighed in awe.

I said to the Nine-Tailed Fox, "Let’s hurry to Broken Heart Cliff. I fear we may be too late."

The woman nodded, transformed back into her fox form, and carried us swiftly toward Broken Heart Cliff.

(The story is about to enter intense battle scenes, the path to strength and fierce combat begins. The new book hasn’t gained much popularity—please click, recommend, and support Xiao Qu with your votes. I am deeply grateful! I’ll update more whenever I have time.)