Volume 1, Chapter 86 – Siblings Confrontation

Mingzhao City.

Two Eighth Realm sword cultivators made their move without hesitation.

One golden, one silver; two unparalleled streams of sword qi swept toward that crimson-clad, bewitching figure.

Facing the siege of two peerless human experts, the figure in red remained unhurried. Instead, she leisurely sipped the fine wine in her cup.

At the same time, two explosive shouts rang out.

“Who dares cause trouble in Mingzhao City?!”

“Do you think Mingzhao City has no one?!”

As tremors ran through the ground, a bear covered in bulging muscles blocked their path, shielding the masked fox demon behind him.

“Haah!”

The giant bear crossed both arms before his body, black demonic energy covering him entirely.

His massive and powerful body transformed into a shield wall at that moment.

The two unparalleled streams of sword qi only managed to force this flesh-and-blood shield wall back two steps.

“Mingzhao City guardian, Xiong Mian,” the bear clan expert said in a muffled voice.

Jiang Hongliang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The fox clan was delicate, with very few combat experts within their ranks.

But the fox clan was prosperous and wealthy. Though fox demons weren’t skilled at brutal fighting, they could hire experts from other races to work for them.

And the bear clan expert before them was one such example.

As one of the fox clan’s most prosperous main cities, Mingzhao City naturally had other powerful figures stationed there besides the Fox Monarch.

Besides Xiong Mian blocking Jiang Hongliang’s path, another Eighth Realm expert also rushed over at that moment.

It was a tiger clan Eighth Realm expert.

The tiger clan, as one of the Demon Realm’s four great clans, ranked far above the fox clan. Their clan had numerous Eighth Realm experts, second only to the demon dragon clan which ranked first.

“Mingzhao City guardian, Hu Qiantao!”

The tiger clan’s Eighth Realm expert was a female, a tigress.

Her voice was like a tiger’s roar.

When she spoke, it was as if all of Mingzhao City trembled for it.

Hu Qiantao didn’t waste words. After rushing out from the city lord’s mansion, she charged straight toward Huang Xifeng of Lingxu Sword Sect.

Facing the aggressive Hu Qiantao, Huang Xifeng naturally wasn’t one to back down.

Both being Eighth Realm experts, sword cultivators were already the most combat-proficient lineage among human cultivators.

Against the equally combat-skilled tiger clan expert, the two peerless experts fought with full strength. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

Two Eighth Realm guardians, plus one Fox Monarch who ruled as a Demon Realm sovereign. Three peerless experts. This was the true foundation of the fox clan’s Mingzhao City.

Jiang Hongliang’s expression wasn’t good. According to his plan, even if his sneak attack didn’t succeed, it should have severely wounded the Fox Monarch.

That way, with one of the three great experts eliminated, their situation would be much better than before.

Not like now.

After the two guardians simultaneously made their moves, the Fox Monarch could still leisurely sip her wine behind them, watching them with the playful eyes of someone enjoying a show.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Hongliang felt frustrated.

He immediately transmitted his voice to Huang Xifeng.

“Sect Master Huang, what’s going on with you?!”

Huang Xifeng’s hands rapidly formed sword seals, golden sword qi churning everywhere.

The tiger clan expert Hu Qiantao seemed to transform into a tiger-shaped lightning bolt at that moment. Each time she clashed with Huang Xifeng in close combat, thunder exploded in the sky.

During the battle, Huang Xifeng received Jiang Hongliang’s transmission. After forcing Hu Qiantao back with a stream of sword qi, she immediately replied, “Isn’t this part of our plan?”

Jiang Hongliang looked confused. “What plan?”

Huang Xifeng wielded the golden ancient sword that was Lingxu Sword Sect’s signature, once again clashing with Hu Qiantao.

While fighting, she responded to Jiang Hongliang, “The rescue plan, of course!”

“We attract the fox clan’s powerful experts’ attention in Mingzhao City.”

“Then our disciples take the opportunity to infiltrate the Fox Palace and rescue people. Isn’t that our rescue plan?”

“Huang Shi told me the whole plan.”

While speaking, Huang Xifeng fought evenly with Hu Qiantao.

“Don’t worry, Sect Master Jiang. I know what I’m doing. I’ll firmly tie down these demon clan experts.”

Some sense you have!

Jiang Hongliang practically wanted to curse.

His perfectly good plan had been completely disrupted by this woman.

Yet he couldn’t even speak harshly now.

Because this plan was indeed what he’d told his disciples.

The plan targeting the Fox Monarch was too risky, even more dangerous than infiltrating the Fox Palace. The fewer people who knew, the better.

Just as Jiang Hongliang’s heart filled with frustration, Xiong Mian before him swung his fists and attacked.

This made Jiang Hongliang even more depressed.

Unlike Hu Qiantao over there who fought back and forth excitingly with Huang Xifeng, this Xiong Mian before him was as honest as the muscles on his body.

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Those bear paws looked pitch-black and plain, but in reality, each strike was as heavy as a mountain, making Jiang Hongliang’s natal sword tremble repeatedly and his chest feel stifled.

This stupid bear before him was clearly just a hired guardian, yet now he seemed truly prepared to fight to the death.

Left with no choice, Jiang Hongliang could only pour all his cultivation into his natal sword. Only with his sword intent fully released could he fight this stupid bear to a standstill.

Four Eighth Realm super experts simultaneously fought with full force in Mingzhao City.

In the Demon Realm, such a scene hadn’t been witnessed in thousands of years.

The four experts fought with all their might, battling until heaven and earth changed color, and stars and moon lost their brilliance.

Jiang Hongliang’s brows furrowed tightly.

His purpose wasn’t to engage in prolonged battle with these two beasts.

While continuously fighting Xiong Mian, Jiang Hongliang kept looking for opportunities to approach the World-Ending Fox Monarch sipping wine behind the bear.

But Xiong Mian seemed to see through Jiang Hongliang’s intentions. Like a wall of flesh, he kept Jiang Hongliang firmly blocked.

This frustrated Jiang Hongliang to the point of wanting to vomit blood.

In terms of pure strength, this bear before him actually wasn’t that strong.

It was just that the bear clan’s innate talent made his physical strength extremely formidable.

He didn’t have the ability to defeat Jiang Hongliang with physical strength alone, but he could use his powerful physique to firmly entangle Jiang Hongliang.

“How troublesome…” Jiang Hongliang cursed under his breath.

His gaze swept lightly over the Fox Monarch in the distance.

That Fox Monarch was far too composed.

Clearly with her heat period approaching, yet she dared stand so close to Eighth Realm sword cultivators. Did she really think her acting could fool everyone?

A wicked idea formed as Jiang Hongliang’s lips curled upward.

“Fox Monarch, oh Fox Monarch, you want to hide your heat period?”

“Let’s see how long you can keep hiding it.”

Huang Xifeng, who was passionately battling Hu Qiantao, suddenly frowned.

She sensed an intense aura that made her very uncomfortable.

“This is yang energy…”

Huang Xifeng’s gaze swept around.

She suddenly understood. This yang energy was being released by Jiang Hongliang.

“Shameless tactics…” Huang Xifeng muttered a curse.

She already understood Jiang Hongliang’s plan.

That man intended to use his Eighth Realm yang energy to induce the Fox Monarch’s heat period to trigger prematurely.

Behind Xiong Mian’s back, the red-clad Fox Monarch’s hand holding her wine cup suddenly paused.

“Hahaha!” Jiang Hongliang let out a light laugh. “The magnificent World-Ending Fox Monarch! After a thousand years, now you only know how to cower behind a stupid bear?”

What answered Jiang Hongliang was Xiong Mian’s pitch-black, massive bear paw.

That mountain-heavy force struck, making Jiang Hongliang retreat repeatedly.

Xiong Mian said in a deep voice, “Shameless wretch! How dare you insult the Fox Monarch!”

Jiang Hongliang spat internally. This stupid bear was just a guardian. Why was he so loyal to that fox?

Xiong Mian’s technique wasn’t strong, but the bear clan’s strength talent was truly formidable.

His strikes forced Jiang Hongliang into continuous retreat.

Sword cultivators excelled at lethal attacks, but that didn’t mean a sword cultivator’s strength could compare with demon realm beings like the bear clan who possessed natural immense power.

Even with his natal sword’s enhancement, Jiang Hongliang was nearly knocked out of the city by three strikes.

But he glanced at the Fox Monarch, his mouth still relentless. “World-Ending Fox Monarch! I was right after all!”

“As a Demon Realm sovereign, being so provoked by human yang energy, yet you remain unmoved!”

“This isn’t how the World-Ending Fox Monarch of old would react!”

“You really are…”

What answered Jiang Hongliang was still Xiong Mian’s heavy palm.

“Human! Stop spouting nonsense!!” Xiong Mian roared. He seemed very unwilling to let Jiang Hongliang continue speaking, so he urgently attacked.

Seeing this, a smile curved Jiang Hongliang’s lips.

Indeed, everything was as he thought.

The Fox Monarch before them was just putting on a show.

Her heat period had arrived. She simply didn’t dare fight sword cultivators.

And this bear clan guardian with a not-so-bright mind clearly knew this too.

That’s why he worried about Jiang Hongliang exposing this matter, and why he attacked so urgently to interrupt Jiang Hongliang’s words.

But this stupid bear didn’t know that all of this was within Jiang Hongliang’s calculations.

“Stupid bear.” Jiang Hongliang said softly to the charging Xiong Mian, “Haven’t you realized you’re already very far from the target you’re supposed to protect?”

Xiong Mian’s face showed alarm.

Before he could turn around, behind his back, another unfamiliar stream of sword qi suddenly erupted.

It was a cyan-blue sword qi.

It formed into a massive blade piercing heaven and earth, plunging vertically down toward the motionless Fox Monarch.

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“Qinglan Sword Sect’s Heavenly Dome Water Execution Sword!”

Everyone was shocked.

The sword sect masters who came to Mingzhao City tonight weren’t just two!

Of the Seven Great Sword Sects, three had come!

“Sect Master Qinglan! I’ll assist you!” Huang Xifeng shouted. The golden longsword in her hand expanded with the wind.

It instantly transformed into a massive golden sword no less imposing than the “Heavenly Dome Water Execution Sword,” slashing fiercely toward that pitiful Fox Monarch.

Huang Xifeng stood on the ground, closer to the Fox Monarch than the others.

Her golden giant sword actually arrived first despite starting later.

BOOM!

Mingzhao City’s city lord mansion was leveled by Huang Xifeng’s single sword strike.

Qinglan Sword Sect’s Heavenly Dome Water Execution Sword followed immediately after.

A tremendous explosion!

Dust flew everywhere!

The earth trembled!

Qinglan Sword Sect’s master Liu Funing walked through the air.

She was a young woman with a thin veil covering her face, eyes like crystals, hair like the blue sky, skirt like the deep sea.

As she walked through the air, rippling water waves spread around her.

At this moment, this young sect master frowned. For some reason, she had a vague feeling.

Her sword strike just now seemed to have been blocked by Huang Xifeng.

However, it might just be her imagination.

As a sword sect master, Huang Xifeng had no reason to help a fox demon.

And Liu Funing, though also a sword sect master, wasn’t an Eighth Realm sword cultivator.

It was just that Qinglan Sword Sect’s secret arts were special. Though not reaching the Eighth Realm, she could still unleash attacks comparable to the Eighth Realm.

Also, thanks to her not being an Eighth Realm expert, she was able to successfully brew her killing sword strike under everyone’s watchful eyes.

“Is the Fox Monarch dead?” Liu Funing asked aloud.

Being only Seventh Realm, she couldn’t use spiritual sense to detect an Eighth Realm Fox Monarch.

Huang Xifeng looked at the two before her. Though her expression remained calm, her heart was still filled with lingering fear.

That was close, so close…

Though the Fox Monarch had said there might be other big fish tonight, that Jiang Hongliang couldn’t possibly come to Mingzhao City alone.

But Huang Xifeng never imagined the person who came would be Liu Funing.

A Seventh Realm sword sect master was too deceptive.

Yet Liu Funing could genuinely unleash Eighth Realm combat power.

Fortunately, Huang Xifeng reacted in time. If Hu Mei’er had met with mishap before her eyes, Huang Xifeng would bear heavy responsibility.

The Fox Monarch in Mingzhao City wasn’t the Fox Monarch herself, but Hu Mei’er in disguise.

The seductive beauty in blood-red robes did indeed match everyone’s image of the Fox Monarch.

Thankfully, Huang Xifeng acted in time to rescue Hu Mei’er.

“I may have to tell you some bad news…” Huang Xifeng held up a damaged mask. “That person just now wasn’t the Fox Monarch!”

“We’ve been deceived!”

Shock appeared on both Jiang Hongliang and Liu Funing’s faces.

Liu Funing said, “But I clearly sensed an Eighth Realm expert’s pressure from that fox demon!”

Jiang Hongliang also nodded. “Fox demon illusion arts can’t fake an Eighth Realm aura. That aura can’t be false!”

“Unless…”

Before the three could finish speaking.

On the other side, the furious Xiong Mian and Hu Qiantao had already charged over.

“Shameless humans!” Xiong Mian roared.

“I’ll hold them off!” While speaking, Huang Xifeng formed sword seals.

“But I can only hold them for a while. I’ll entrust my daughter to you two sect masters!”

“Quickly go to the Fox Palace and rescue everyone!”

After speaking, Huang Xifeng charged toward Xiong Mian and Hu Qiantao.

Liu Funing and Jiang Hongliang exchanged glances.

The two secretly transmitted to each other.

“The Fox Monarch in Mingzhao City was actually fake.”

“She’d rather use a substitute than appear publicly. Her heat period really did come early.”

“She should still be nearby. Otherwise, she couldn’t create a false body that fooled us all.”

“Then the most likely location is…”

“The Fox Palace!!”

“I already know the Fox Palace’s complete formation defense layout,” Jiang Hongliang said to Liu Funing.

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…

Fox Palace, inside the red bridal chamber.

The scent of grass ash mixed with the fragrance of honey peaches, intimately intertwined together.

Alluring and chaotic.

“Damn it…”

Song Shixuan cursed.

Looking at the beauty before him, anger surged within him.

He should have realized earlier. To think the Fox Monarch was just playing with him!

“I did so much for Lu Zhuxin, and this is how she treats me?”

“Making you disgust me like this?!”

Hu Ling methodically put on the inner garment Song Shixuan had removed.

His soft, charming eyes still held ripples of water.

“Young Master Song, the bridal chamber rites are complete. This servant is now yours.”

Hearing this, Song Shixuan wanted to draw his sword and kill someone in rage.

He never imagined that the soft beauty before him who matched his preferences in every way would actually be a male fox.

But the problem was, immediately after entering the bridal chamber, he’d released his yang energy first.

This male fox had simultaneously released his pheromones.

Pheromones and yang energy combined.

Arousing desire like dry kindling meeting fierce flames. Once ignited, impossible to extinguish.

Song Shixuan only discovered this was a male fox after undressing.

But by then, the arrow was already on the string and had to be released.

In his fury, Song Shixuan could only use that lust to pin down and violate the male fox before him.

Thinking back now, Song Shixuan still felt his insides churning.

Hu Ling, wearing his thin inner garment, looked expressionlessly at Song Shixuan. “Are you going to kill me, Young Master Song?”

“Your observation skills are quite sharp.” Song Shixuan’s eyes were cold as he summoned his natal sword. “I do indeed want to kill you.”

Without hesitation, Hu Ling immediately turned and ran.

Song Shixuan’s face darkened. He raised his sword and gave chase.

Tonight’s events would be his lifelong shame, a permanent shadow, so absolutely no one could know about this.

That male fox must die!

After rushing out of the bridal chamber, Song Shixuan saw the fleeing fox beauty suddenly smile provocatively at him, then pull out a red and white fox mask and place it on his face.

Song Shixuan shouted angrily, “Dead fox! Don’t run!”

He gave chase, but the male fox turned a corner and disappeared from Song Shixuan’s sight.

Song Shixuan didn’t suspect anything. He furiously charged forward.

The moment he reached the corner—

Suddenly! A stream of sword qi attacked Song Shixuan.

“Lingxiao Sword Sect’s sword qi!!”

Song Shixuan was greatly shocked.

How could there be Lingxiao Sword Sect people here?! And ambushing him from around the corner?!

However, the sword wielder clearly didn’t know proper sword techniques. Flaws were everywhere.

Song Shixuan easily found a weak point and countered with his own sword qi.

A pained muffled groan rang out.

Song Shixuan saw that behind the corner, the fox beauty wearing the red and white fox mask was clutching her wound and retreating repeatedly.

In her hand, she gripped a silver-white dharma sword.

Song Shixuan frowned.

He recognized this familiar aura. This was a natal sword of a Lingxiao Sword Sect disciple.

“Ming Zhaoxi? Why do you have a Lingxiao Sword Sect sword?”

“Whose sword is this?”

Who would entrust such a sword, precious as one’s own life, to a fox demon?

“It doesn’t matter whose sword it is. Ming Zhaoxi, you’re not a Lingxiao Sword Sect disciple. You can’t unleash its true power.”

“Hehe…” The fox beauty before him laughed dryly and hoarsely, saying nothing more before turning to flee.

Song Shixuan wasn’t surprised by this.

He was the Young Sect Master of Lingxiao Sword Sect. If these fox demons thought obtaining a Lingxiao sword cultivator’s natal sword could help them fight him, that would be truly laughable.

“Fox demon! You can’t escape!”

Song Shixuan was about to raise his sword and give chase.

Just then, his talisman received a message.

Song Shixuan frowned.

This message was from Lu Guan.

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“Young Sect Master… static …”

“Fox Palace formations activated… talisman transmission… obstructed…”

“Be careful… Song Shiyuan… fox demon…”

“ Static …”

The communication talisman seemed affected by some interference. The transmitted message was unclear.

But Song Shixuan still extracted the key information.

“Song Shiyuan… and fox demons…”

“My sister and fox demons; what connection could there be?”

Song Shixuan frowned, feeling a trace of unease.

It was related to the fox demon just now.

That fox demon still held a natal sword belonging to someone unknown.

And before, that fox demon had also worn the white jade hairpin that gave Song Shixuan a familiar feeling.

“Regardless, that fox demon… he must die!”

Song Shixuan made up his mind. He continued following the tracks left by that fox demon.

In their earlier clash, Song Shixuan had wounded him. Many blood stains still dripped on the ground.

Following these bloodstains, finding that fleeing fox demon wasn’t difficult.

He was injured and couldn’t run fast.

“Found you! Dead fox!” Song Shixuan spotted the thinly clothed figure ahead.

The fox demon wearing the red and white mask clearly showed surprise and panic upon seeing Song Shixuan.

She turned around, drawing and writing on the restriction behind her. Under her movements, she carved an opening in the restriction.

Then the fox demon slipped through that gap.

“Fox demon! Don’t run!”

Song Shixuan swung his sword, releasing sword qi that stopped the restriction’s gap from healing.

Then he also squeezed through the restriction’s opening.

The fox demon wearing the red and white mask clearly panicked upon discovering Song Shixuan had followed through.

She held her sword, standing in place, trembling helplessly.

“Ming Zhaoxi! Weren’t you quite capable just now?!” Song Shixuan said, “Keep running! Use that sword in your hand to strike me!”

“Can’t do it anymore, can you?”

“Then die here!”

While speaking, Song Shixuan raised his sword, preparing to sever the head of the fox demon before him.

Suddenly, a delicate shout rang out.

“Song Shixuan, stop!!”

Song Shixuan’s expression turned stern. He sensed a terrifying sword intent rapidly approaching.

This sword intent was nothing like what that pathetic fox demon before him could compare to.

He shifted his steps slightly and immediately retreated.

CLANG—!

The gilded giant sword suddenly struck where Song Shixuan had just been standing.

Song Shixuan’s eyes narrowed. “Lingxu Sword Sect?”

How could Lingxu Sword Sect people appear here? Shouldn’t they already be lost in the Fox Palace’s formations?

Moreover, that voice just now sounded somewhat familiar.

A girl wearing a moon-white long dress ran over, embracing the blood-covered fox demon.

“Thank goodness! Axi!”

“Thank goodness! I saved you!”

“I thought I was going to lose you again!!”

Song Shiyuan’s voice carried thick sobs.

Seeing her beloved covered in blood, her heart filled with lingering fear.

Fortunately… fortunately…

This time, she arrived just in time.

She didn’t let her beloved suffer disaster.

On the other side, Song Shixuan gripped his sword, watching the two embracing figures, his eyes full of disbelief.

“Song Shiyuan…”

“What are you doing?!”

“Let him go quickly! He’s a fox demon!”

Song Shiyuan held the little fox demon. She turned her head, looking at Song Shixuan with cold eyes.

As if looking at a stranger.

“Elder Brother, why?” she asked.