Chapter 110: The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan

Cang Ling appeared as gracefully as a celestial maiden descending from the heavens. Her innate elegance caught Hu Mo’s attention, prompting him to think quietly, “Teacher Cang’s aura truly surpasses all.” Under her influence, the battle beast girl lowered her head submissively, utterly powerless to resist. Her sorrowful beauty stirred a protective instinct in any male creature.

Had Cang Ling not shown up, Hu Mo might have been ensnared by the girl’s charms. But now, overwhelmed by Cang Ling’s imposing presence, the battle beast girl’s enchantment held no sway over him. A rich fragrance filled the entire Hu residence, enveloping everything within its embrace. Cang Ling smiled faintly, deeply savoring the scent as she spoke, “It is said that in the last great war of the Battle Continent, the Nine-Tailed Fox clan supplanted the Wrath Beast clan to become the new sovereign beast tribe. I never expected to encounter a member of the Nine-Tailed Fox here; it is truly an honor.”

Hu Mo’s expression froze, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the battle beast girl. He was well aware of the Nine-Tailed Fox’s reputation; the history books of the Battle Continent contained many accounts of this mythical beast clan, summed up in four words: “Demonic beasts ascend to divinity.”

Originally, the Nine-Tailed Fox had no direct connection to divine beasts, for their reputation was notoriously poor. However, after the divine beast clans suffered great devastation, the Nine-Tailed Fox clan absorbed the remnants, eventually rising as the new divine beast clan. Because of this, the human and beast clans of the five kingdoms harbored deep resentment toward them, leading to endless conflicts and countless casualties.

The battle beast girl’s face suddenly changed; she lifted her head abruptly, her eyes shining with disbelief. “How could you possibly know? Who exactly are you?” she asked, fear tinging her voice for the first time.

Cang Ling brushed back her hair lazily and smiled, “Why wouldn’t I know? Do you think your identity is some secret unknown to all? Little girl, you’re overthinking—still too inexperienced to deal with me!”

She gently stroked the battle beast girl’s head as if petting a small kitten, leaving Hu Mo utterly dumbfounded.

Lin Nan floated beside Hu Mo, standing like a sentinel. Her sharp aura momentarily stunned him. How had Lin Nan’s cultivation advanced so rapidly? A bitter smile crossed Hu Mo’s lips. The seventy-one members of the Star Squadron were probably celebrating their progress with the battle skills he’d provided, yet Lin Nan was soaring ahead under Cang Ling’s personal guidance—like a rocket compared to a snail. The difference was insurmountable.

Lin Nan paid no attention to Hu Mo, her gaze fixed intently on the battle beast girl, as if lost in thought. The girl, meanwhile, remained silent and docile, as though intimidated by Cang Ling but secretly plotting.

“Indeed, I am of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. Kill me if you will; all you want is my divine beast pill. Take it,” the battle beast girl sneered coldly, sitting cross-legged and ceasing all resistance.

Hu Mo frowned, about to speak, but Cang Ling suddenly laughed heartily. “You almost made me forget—Nine-Tailed Fox divine beast pills are top-grade, the best choice for cultivation enhancement. Good disciple, her pill can catapult you to the fifth tier of the Lingbo Technique. Interested?”

Her words struck Hu Mo like a bomb exploding beside his ear. He immediately opened his eyes wide, staring fixedly at the battle beast girl.

What met him was a fierce glare filled with bitterness and hatred, as if Hu Mo were the cause of a family vendetta or a stolen husband’s wrath.

Hu Mo blinked in surprise, bitterness rising within him. After all, he was both benefactor and victim to this battle beast girl. Enchanted by her, he had risked his life to save her, treating her kindly all along, yet this was the gratitude he received? It left him deeply unsettled.

Now, with Cang Ling’s words stirring his heart, Hu Mo was tempted. He was still stuck at the third tier of the Lingbo Technique, with the fourth tier seeming far off. To suddenly leap to the fifth tier was a deadly allure.

At third tier, Hu Mo was already a level six Battle King; what strength would the fifth tier bring? He dared not imagine.

Yet, his inner treasures fiercely suppressed this desire. Especially the Holy Water Sovereign, whose cool, watery battle power cleared his mind. Only then did he realize he had almost fallen into Cang Ling’s trap.

She was testing him. Had he not awakened, she would have surely mocked him.

Cultivating the Lingbo Technique demanded patience. Though the divine beast pill could certainly boost his cultivation, to rely on it would mean a lifetime of stagnation. Worse, a malignant barrier born of resentment might form in his heart. If that happened, his journey would be over.

Though his thoughts were clear, Hu Mo’s outward demeanor was flawless. He gave a sly smile and said, “Master, you are so kind to your disciple. Then allow me to savor this divine beast pill. How should I take it? Extract it and eat, or perhaps a yin-yang absorption, taking it directly?”

The battle beast girl’s eyes darkened with venomous resentment. Hu Mo smiled indifferently, thinking, “If you hadn’t glared at me so fiercely, I wouldn’t have to provoke you like this.”

Cang Ling’s expression shifted slightly, and Lin Nan shot Hu Mo a disdainful look. Hu Mo felt a prickling discomfort, inwardly uneasy. Joking aside, if his joke went too far, he might suffer some losses.

Cang Ling sighed helplessly. “Truly unfortunate for the sect to have such a worthless disciple. Get over there and stay put!”

Hu Mo slunk to the side, utterly resigned. In just a moment, he had transformed from a good disciple to a complete rogue—a change of no small measure.

The battle beast girl remained fierce, hatred blazing in her eyes as if she could devour them all. As a divine beast among battle beasts, how could her dignity be so trampled by humans?

“Master, if she is a divine beast, why is her cultivation so low? Aren’t divine beasts supposed to be at least level eight?” Lin Nan finally spoke, a question she had pondered for some time.

Cang Ling smiled faintly. “Simple. That is the greatest weakness of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. When a member truly reaches divine beast level, they enter a power-dispersal phase every thousand years lasting one year. During this time, their strength diminishes drastically. After the phase ends, their power doubles within a year.”

Lin Nan frowned. “Is that a curse upon the Nine-Tailed Fox clan?”

Sensitive to curses, she felt a pang of sympathy for the clan.

Cang Ling shook her head gently. “Not a curse, but a choice the Nine-Tailed Fox made. After dispersing their power, when they recover, their strength doubles. It’s one of their methods for rapid self-enhancement. Much faster than mere cultivation. But choosing this comes with risks—they cannot remain in the forest during this time. They must enter the human world to absorb human desire energy. Wherever they pass, the air becomes fragrant, soothing. When they unite, they gain excellent nourishment and grow faster. This secret is known to only a handful in this world, all residing in the Mysterious Continent. As you see, your master knows a great deal!”

Cang Ling smiled with pride, while the battle beast girl’s face grew increasingly sullen. She hadn’t expected Cang Ling to know so much about her background. For a moment, she even suspected Cang Ling might be of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan herself. But the thought quickly faded; Cang Ling’s aura was too genuine—an overwhelming power far surpassing even divine beast pressure.

Who was she, really? Human? Battle beast? Or... a god?

The battle beast girl was utterly baffled by the presence of such a figure.

“Who exactly are you?” Her heart sank completely, her large eyes losing their spark, reflecting a raw collision of souls.

Cang Ling’s smile faded, and she shook her head. “Now is not your time to ask questions—you have no right. Answer mine first: Where are you from? What is your status within the Nine-Tailed Fox clan? Why were you captured by humans? And what is your purpose in contacting my disciple?”

As these four questions spilled forth, the previously casual Cang Ling radiated immense power once more. Even Hu Mo, only slightly affected, felt a heavy pressure in his chest. The battle beast girl trembled violently, her fox tails involuntarily revealing themselves.

The overwhelming presence of an absolute sovereign—no divine beast constitution could withstand it.

Cang Ling bent down, her face nearly touching the battle beast girl’s. This was not her first time exerting such dominance, and each time it proved extraordinarily effective.

“Fine, I’ll tell you!” The battle beast girl suddenly shouted, her fearless demeanor making a complete reversal. Even Hu Mo could only shake his head wryly—experience truly breeds cunning.

Cang Ling shrugged helplessly, muttering to herself, “I didn’t force you. If you want to speak, just don’t lie to me!”

She beamed warmly as she helped the battle beast girl to her feet, gently brushing dust from her clothes with an intimacy that suggested a bond of many years, like sisters inseparable.

The battle beast girl avoided her gaze, lowering her head as she rose. She hastily retracted her tails, shooting Hu Mo a reproachful glance before speaking softly, “My name is Hu Baimei. My mother is the queen of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.”