The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight as clear as water.

Both the inky night sky and the silver moonlight simultaneously enveloped the peak, only to be shattered by a blazing mass of red flame.

Within these void-tearing crimson flames was a small fox.

Its fur was a fiery red, blending seamlessly with the flames around it. The almond-shaped face bore a hint of enchantment and allure, surprisingly human-like.

A fluffy long tail stood erect behind it, swaying slightly, adding a touch of cuteness to its allure.

If not for the knowledge that this was the Ancient Exotic Beast recorded in the tomes, one might be tempted to approach and caress it.

But at this moment, the disciples of the Zhenyang Sect felt their scalps tingling and a chill down their spines.

This was the Seventh Grade Exotic Beast that killed Elder Zheng!

"It’s truly the Red Flame Fox!"

"Everyone, be careful!"

"Quick, send the smoke signals!"

With two loud bangs, someone swiftly released smoke signals, and the night sky burst with two brilliant red clouds, revealing the Red Flame Fox’s location to others.

Suddenly, the Red Flame Fox vanished from its original spot.

In the next instant, it appeared among the Zhenyang Sect disciples.

"It’s inside!!"

"Ah!!"

"It’s too fast!!"

Everyone’s hair stood on end, screaming in terror, as the small crimson figure darted like lightning through the crowd.

Leaving trails of blood rain behind!

In an instant, screams of pain, cries of surprise, and angry curses pierced the night sky, nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators thrown into disarray by a tiny fox.

Everyone felt like the red lightning was flashing before their eyes repeatedly, and though their fellow cultivators were right in sight, they could offer no support.

Despite having superior numbers, everyone felt utterly isolated!

"Ling’Er! Senior Sister!"

Xu Caihe tightly gripped the Cuixian Sword, looking around in panic. All she saw was darkness and chaos, with no sign of the others.

She was utterly terrified; facing a beast tide in Yunling Town, surrounded by countless demonic beasts in Zhenlian City, nothing compared to this fear.

Is this a Seventh Grade Exotic Beast?

Amidst the constant cries of pain around her, Xu Caihe felt her scalp tingle, her limbs grow weak, and she instinctively called out a name that brought her a sense of security:

"Senior Brother He, Senior Brother He, save me!"

Whoosh!

As soon as she spoke, a small fox face suddenly appeared in front of her, those crimson pupils almost pressed against Xu Caihe’s face.

"Ah!!"

Xu Caihe screamed in fright, falling back on the ground, wildly swinging the Cuixian Sword, Sword Qi shooting everywhere, and a little fox paw appeared aiming for her face.

Xu Caihe was momentarily stunned, the chill of death spreading throughout her body.

She could only watch wide-eyed as the fox’s paw slapped her face.

Slap!

Xu Caihe felt a burning pain on her cheek, as if she had been slapped.

"Senior Brother He, save me!"

Not far away, Zhou Ling’Er’s voice rang out, the red figure disappeared, and soon Zhou Ling’Er also screamed.

Xu Caihe sat stupidly on the ground, touching her face, which was a bit swollen, but otherwise untouched.

It seemed the Red Flame Fox came over just to slap her.

Xu Caihe touched her face, utterly bewildered.

What on earth is going on?

At this moment, a Talisman Paper flew into the sky, transforming into a blazing sun, illuminating the darkened peaks.

The disciples of the Zhenyang Sect could finally see one another; they touched their bodies and looked at their fellow disciples to find dozens injured.

Fortunately, most were superficial wounds, and no one was killed.

The Red Flame Fox returned to the mountaintop, standing against the wind, its crimson flames fluttering elegantly, a look of mockery in its eyes.

"Ling’Er, are you alright?"

"I’m fine, how about you, Caihe?"

"I’m fine too, just got slapped."

"Me too!"

Xu Caihe and Zhou Ling’Er stood together, feeling a sense of having narrowly escaped death. Looking at each other’s wounds, both had only been slapped, leaving them feeling both fearful and absurd.

They had thought they were going to die, but the Red Flame Fox only lightly slapped them.

It didn’t feel like a beast trying to kill but more like being slapped by an irate woman.

"What’s going on?"

Both were puzzled, and looking around, they found their fellow disciples mostly had minor injuries, none gravely wounded.

Everyone bore expressions of relief at having survived, with a touch of confusion.

Wasn’t the Red Flame Fox supposed to be extremely vicious, bloodthirsty?

How come none of us died?

"Susu, Junior Brother Lan, are you alright?"

"We’re fine, are you injured?"

"I’m alright too, what on earth is happening with this Red Flame Fox?"

Qin Gengyun, Liu Su, and Mo Xiaolan confirmed with each other that they were unharmed, with Qin Gengyun feeling a sense of strangeness within.

He turned his gaze towards the Red Flame Fox on the opposite peak, only to meet the eyes of the enchanting fox, which oddly had a coquettish look.

Qin Gengyun almost thought he was mistaken; how could a beast have the alluring expression of a human woman?

"It’s consuming our mental strength; He Zhiqiu, He Su, Lan Yin, fight with me, others form the array!"

Jian Yue shouted, and everyone came to their senses, immediately taking positions to set up the Heart-breaking Lotus Array.

Jian Yue charged forward, leading the charge towards the opposite peak, and Qin Gengyun and the others quickly followed.

Dozens of brilliant Sword Qis flew towards the Red Flame Fox, but they were easily consumed by a mass of red flame.

The disciples behind them activated the Heart-breaking Lotus Array, launching Flying Swords at the Red Flame Fox, but they melted before reaching the opponent.

"Is this the Li Fire?"

"It’s terrifying!"

Everyone’s expressions changed; the offensive of four Golden Core cultivators and over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators forming a Sword Array would even challenge a Nascent Soul Realm.

But the Red Flame Fox easily deflected it.

This was the first time many had witnessed the formidable power of the Li Fire.

If the Li Fire came towards them, wouldn’t they be doomed to die?

Suddenly, the petite crimson body disappeared again, reappearing in front of several disciples, its paw enlarging with a terrifying spiritual power pressure, descending like a mountain.

"Oh no!"

"We’re going to die!"

The disciples were terrified, knowing they couldn’t resist and could only close their eyes awaiting death.

Clang!!

With a clear and sharp sound, the crimson paw struck a body as solid as steel, to no avail!

"Senior Brother He!"

"Junior Brother He!"

"Senior Brother He saved us!"

The dozen disciples opened their eyes, looking at the strong figure with admiring eyes.

Qin Gengyun’s expression was stern as he swung his staff, but the Red Flame Fox’s paw caught it!

Qin Gengyun tried to pull his staff back, but it was firmly held by the fox, and with a shout, his muscles tensed.

The Red Flame Fox let out a sharp cry, its small body tightly gripping Qin Gengyun’s staff.

Qin Gengyun stamped his foot hard, leaping into the air, taking the Red Flame Fox with him, and they both landed on a peak.

A man and a fox, with a staff clamped between them, stood locked in a stalemate.