The back mountains of Falling Cloud Valley.

The competition area.

Before their eyes lay a clear, winding stream, flanked by dense grass and low shrubs. Stone peaks stood all around, creating a landscape of strange, overlapping scenery.

Three Outer Sect Disciples, all around twenty years old, were pacing back and forth as if searching for something.

“Senior Sister Nie, I found it.”

Suddenly, a young male cultivator discovered a hidden cave within a rock crevice and called out excitedly.

“The Frostmouse’s nest is right here.”

Hearing this, the only female cultivator among the three immediately showed delight and swiftly moved toward the cave. The other male cultivator scratched his head in frustration, following somewhat unwillingly.

Soon, the three of them surrounded the cave entrance, holding magical instruments.

“It really is the rodent demon’s nest. Rodent demons are naturally social; there might be more than one inside.”

The speaking female cultivator was quite attractive, but her slightly sharp chin and the severity in her eyes gave her a somewhat harsh appearance. She was Nie Cuilan, an Outer Sect Disciple from the Enforcement Hall.

At that moment, one of the male cultivators who came with her suggested, “The cave entrance is narrow; we shouldn’t go in. Frostmice are most afraid of fire. Why don’t we start a fire outside first and use the smoke to force them out?”

“Alright.”

Nie Cuilan nodded, took out a fire starter from her storage pouch, and ignited the moss and vines growing at the cave entrance. Thick smoke immediately billowed forth, rushing into the cave with the wind.

Before long, chaotic sounds came from inside. Several ice-blue figures darted out from the entrance—four Frostmice at the Qi Refining stage.

Seeing this, Nie Cuilan snorted coldly. The long whip in her hand transformed into over a dozen vines that shot toward the Frostmice like sharp arrows, instantly binding them tightly in place.

Squeak squeak squeak—

The tightly restrained Frostmice struggled desperately, their beady eyes filled with fear as they emitted sharp cries, as if calling for help from their surroundings.

“Die!”

Facing readily available competition points, Nie Cuilan naturally showed no mercy. Just as she was about to finish off the four Frostmice before her, she suddenly sensed a rush of wind from behind and instinctively dodged aside.

Bang!

Two magical instruments barely grazed past her ear, striking the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Looking back, she discovered that those who attacked her were actually her two companions.

Nie Cuilan’s face changed dramatically as she angrily shouted, “Miao Kang! Yan Quan! Have you two gone mad?”

She never expected that these two suitors, who usually obeyed her every whim, would dare to join forces to ambush her!

However, she saw that both men wore strange expressions, looking at her with murderous intent as they shouted:

“Bold demon beast! How dare you harm Senior Sister Nie! Prepare to die!”

After saying this, they brandished their magical instruments and charged at her once more.

At the same time, in Nie Cuilan’s eyes, the two male cultivators before her had vanished, replaced by two ferocious Thunderstorm Bears. Startled, she quickly retrieved an entirely green ruler from her storage pouch and moved forward to meet their attack…

Bang! Bang! Bang!!!

For a time, the three became entangled in fierce combat, locked in a difficult struggle.

Amidst the chaotic scene, a snow-white fox slowly stepped out from a flowerbed not far away.

This fox stood about five feet tall. Its fur was smooth and clean like satin. As it walked, its fluffy tail curled slightly and swayed lazily.

It first glanced at Nie Cuilan and the others who were fighting. A flicker of mocking amusement passed through its two pairs of amber-colored double pupils. Then, with elegant steps, it approached the group of Frostmice bound by vines.

Swish!

The fox demon raised its sharp claws and easily pierced through the tough vines, rescuing the trapped Frostmice.

Squeak squeak squeak—

After being saved, the Frostmice chattered at the fox demon for a moment before darting into the underbrush and disappearing without a trace.

The fox demon remained on the spot, turning its head to look at the three people trapped in the illusion. Its gaze was filled with coldness.

Then, it opened its mouth and exhaled a puff of white mist that quickly enveloped all three.

This white mist seemed to be the fox demon’s innate technique. After using it, its aura noticeably weakened.

Under the influence of this strange white mist, Nie Cuilan and the others grew increasingly disoriented. Finally, they each took out sharp weapons from their storage pouches and made as if to stab themselves.

Suddenly.

A beast-catching net descended out of thin air, trapping the fox demon completely.

Chirp chirp chirp—

The fox demon struggled frantically. However, this magical instrument-grade beast-catching net was incredibly tough. Not only did the fox fail to break free, but the net tightened even more.

Simultaneously, under the suppression of the beast-catching net, its innate technique also failed.

As the white mist dispersed, Nie Cuilan and the others immediately collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

The next moment, an unfamiliar figure jumped down from a tree. He stepped forward and securely tied up the fox demon. With a smile on his face, he said:

“A Four-Eyed Spirit Fox at Qi Refining perfection. Finally caught you.”

This figure was none other than Qi Yuan.

After assigning tasks to his employees, he had come alone to this forest with this rare Four-Eyed Spirit Fox as his goal.

The Four-Eyed Spirit Fox is naturally born with a trace of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox bloodline. It is clever, cunning, and proficient in illusion techniques. Its only weaknesses are its timid nature and relatively low combat power.

Sensing that things had taken a turn for the worse, this Four-Eyed Spirit Fox stopped struggling. It clasped its paws together, its amber eyes showing a remarkably human pleading expression, as if begging Qi Yuan to spare its life.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan gave a cold laugh.

“You vicious creature are truly ruthless. If I hadn’t arrived in time, these three fellow disciples of mine would already have been manipulated by you into committing suicide.”

Then his expression darkened as he put on a fierce look, continuing:

“They are all my Senior Brothers and Sisters from our sect. How dare you lay hands on them, little fox? You have already chosen your path to death!”

“Only by skinning you, breaking your bones, and making you into a fox fur scarf can I vent my hatred…”

Hearing this, the Four-Eyed Spirit Fox trembled violently. The despair in its fox eyes deepened. It whimpered as if continuously begging for mercy.

Just then, Qi Yuan suddenly changed his tone. His expression also softened.

“As they say, Heaven has virtue for all living beings. If you still don’t want to die, I can show you a clear path.”

As he spoke, he smilingly took out a yellowish-brown beast-skin scroll from his robes.

“As long as you honestly sign this beast-taming contract, swearing allegiance to me as your master, not only will I let you go, but I will also give you one top-grade Spirit Nurturing Pill to help you break through to Foundation Building right here on the spot.”

“If you disagree, then obediently become my fox fur scarf.”

Hearing these words, the fox demon was stunned…