My words instantly enraged the old fox. Its red and white fur bristled, and its body rapidly inflated as if filled with air. Its tail, once single, now split into three, each lash smashing a large hole in the wall upon impact.
"Kid, I originally wanted to play with you, but it seems there's no need for that now." As the old fox spoke, one of its tails shot out like a javelin with a 'swish,' as fast as lightning.
"So fast!"
With a sigh, I instinctively ducked. The thick, javelin-like fox tail grazed my ear and embedded itself in the television behind me.
*Boom—*
I felt sand and gravel flying, stinging the back of my ear. Turning, I saw its tail had pierced through the television and the wall behind it, leaving a thigh-thick hole. Exposed wires crackled with blue sparks. I inwardly wished it had electrocuted itself.
Despite my thoughts, I didn't voice them.
"Hey, old fox, fight all you want, but don't destroy other people's property!"
I reprimanded its destructive behavior, but the only reply was another tail.
"Good, this is my chance to test how much my strength has improved."
The last time I fought Sun Chuang, I had accidentally entered a strange space and encountered a shadowy figure. After being taught a lesson by him, I felt a change within my body. The Xuan Yang True Qi within me was constantly growing without me even realizing it.
If my Xuan Yang True Qi was previously as thin as a pinky finger, it was now as thick as a thumb. This change had occurred in just a few days.
Not only had the quantity of Xuan Yang True Qi changed, but its intensity was also different. Before, the Xuan Yang True Qi within me was as thin as morning mist, dissipating at the slightest touch of sunlight. If I used too much, I would be completely drained.
Now, it was different. The Xuan Yang True Qi within me felt inexhaustible, as if there was an inexhaustible spring of Xuan Yang True Qi surging within my body, constantly flowing outwards.
I gripped the Yin Tie Wood Ruler tightly with both hands and, holding it like a mountain-cleaving saber, raised it high above my head and brought it down with all my might.
*Boom—*
*Hum—*
I felt as if the Yin Tie Wood Ruler in my hands had struck a mountain. A powerful recoil surged upwards, causing the Yin Tie Wood Ruler to hum. If not for my firm grip, I would have been thrown off.
The old fox wasn't much better off. Although "wild immortal" contained the word "immortal," it was not a true immortal. Furthermore, the Yin Tie Wood Ruler was inherently effective against Yin and evil entities. I heard it let out a pained cry as a palm-sized piece from the tip of its tail, as thick as a wrist, was severed and fell to the ground.
The impact of the collision turned the entire room into a scene of a storm. Windowpanes shattered, several brick partition walls were blown down by the shockwave, and the solid wooden door was embedded in the opposite wall.
The once intact room had suffered the ravages of a tempest.
The old fox let out a pained howl, its fox eyes glaring at me with malevolent red light, so intense it seemed ready to bleed. The number of tails a fox possessed represented its strength.
A three-tailed fox was comparable to a ghost king. Now, with a piece of one of its tails lopped off, its strength might not have diminished, but it would certainly be affected.
"Kid, you destroyed my spiritual roots and annihilated my disciples and descendants! I'm not done with you!" the old fox roared. Dropping to all fours, it powerfully pushed off its hind legs and lunged at my neck with its gaping maw.
Its posture clearly indicated it was driven to desperation, abandoning any pretense of using magic and resorting to its primal instincts. My hands were numb from the impact, but my legs were not. I pushed off the ground, lifting my leg to kick its neck. If this kick landed, it would be sent to the underworld.
Despite the old fox's ferocious charge and its aggressive stance, as if it intended to fight me to the death, when I lifted my leg to kick, it twisted its body, flipping in mid-air and lunging to bite my leg.
By then, it was too late for me to retract my leg. A step slower than it, I felt a chill on my leg, followed by a burning pain. I swung the Yin Tie Wood Ruler, but it met only empty air.
It had landed steadily on the ground, licking the blood from its fangs with its scarlet tongue, looking at me with satisfaction. "It's been a long time since I tasted such sweet blood. Why is your blood different from that of ordinary humans?" The old fox's eyes gleamed with excitement and longing as it gazed at my bleeding leg.
I lowered my head to look at my calf. A row of teeth marks remained, with four holes, as thick as chopsticks, oozing fresh blood. Gritting my teeth, I glared at the old fox and said, "I originally intended to let you go, but it seems I have no choice but to skin you now, because you've tasted human blood."
"What right do you have to judge me? Don't humans eat chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs? Don't humans consume blood? They are all life!" As soon as the old fox finished speaking, it pushed off with its hind legs again, attempting the same maneuver.
"You court death!"
After a brief respite, my hands had regained sensation. I silently recited the Tian Gang Seal and infused the Xuan Yang True Qi within me into the Yin Tie Wood Ruler. The previously dark ruler was instantly imbued with a dark golden glow.
The old fox, its maw still open, lunged at me again. Seeing the change in my hands, it suddenly froze in mid-air. Its three tails bristled, transforming into three javelins aimed directly at my chest.
"Damn it!"
I had intended to use its charging momentum to finish it off, but I hadn't expected it to be so cunning and anticipate my move. Reluctantly, I had to sweep the Yin Tie Wood Ruler horizontally, deflecting the attack of its three tails.
*Bang—*
A series of impacts sent me staggering backward. Coupled with the minor injury to my leg, I couldn't maintain my balance. The old fox let out an excited roar, its three tails whipping towards me.
*Boom—*
The wall near the corridor collapsed under its assault.
"Cough, cough…"
My back hit the wall, and I tasted a metallic tang in my mouth. I inwardly cursed the old fox for its recklessness. I had spat blood, but it hadn't fared any better. Its three tails, apart from the one I had partially severed earlier, were all covered in bloody wounds, staining their fur red.
The old fox paid no mind to its injuries, its fox eyes filled with excitement.
"Kid, after so many years, this is the first time someone has injured me like this. Where should I eat you first?" As it spoke, its three tails stood erect again, poised behind it like three red javelins, though one of them was missing its tip.
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and spat a mouthful of bloody phlegm onto the ground. "Do you really think I have no way to deal with you?"
"Tian Su Seal!"
I infused the Xuan Yang True Qi within me into the Yin Tie Wood Ruler and wielded it with the Tian Su Seal. The dark Yin Tie Wood Ruler instantly became golden and radiant. The intense Yang energy emanating from it caused the old fox to retreat a step in fear.
"Kid, why are you still using such powerful True Qi? This is impossible!" Its fox eyes darted about, seemingly contemplating retreat.
But I wouldn't give it that chance. As soon as the Tian Su Seal was formed, I drove it forward and smashed down.
"Die!"
The Yin Tie Wood Ruler transformed into a golden sword, aimed directly at the old fox's forehead.
"No…"