Setting the Stage

"Kill him!"

With Wang Li's command, over a dozen Wang Family martial artists attacked instantly. Blade light and chilling glints surged, and killing intent filled the air.

But at this critical moment, Chu Ning suddenly grabbed the dying Azure-Eyed Snow Fox. Lightning erupted beneath his feet, and he transformed into a swift gale, charging madly into the depths of the dense forest.

"Chase!"

Wang Li's expression turned grim as he leaped up, his figure darting out like a hawk.

He had to get the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox back, or he would be punished by the Old Ancestor upon his return, a fate worse than death.

With this thought, Wang Li soared forward, taking the lead.

The other martial artists followed closely, blade light cutting through the air, their killing intent permeating the surroundings.

Within the Black Wind Forest, a fierce wind howled, and fallen leaves danced.

Empowered by the lightning energy, Chu Ning's speed was like a charging thunderbolt. He crushed withered leaves underfoot, opening a distance of over ten zhang in the blink of an eye.

The Azure-Eyed Snow Fox trembled slightly in his arms, its eyes dim, its breathing erratic. It was clearly severely injured.

However, Chu Ning showed no mercy.

He gripped the snow fox tightly, his gaze cold, and sprinted towards a specific area.

Gradually, a strange smell permeated the air.

Dead trees were scorched black like charcoal, and the ground split open with deep, bottomless fissures. Wisps of sulfurous gas emerged from these cracks, carrying a scorching heat.

This place was the Blazing Flame Valley within the Black Wind Forest.

Legend had it that hundreds of years ago, a volcano erupted here, its lava scorching the earth. Even now, an extremely terrifying heat lingered.

Ordinary martial artists would have their true qi disturbed upon entering.

Chu Ning's gaze flickered, and he placed the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox in front of a rock cave.

Then, he flashed and darted to the side.

Not far away, Wang Li and his martial artists arrived at a rapid pace. Seeing the snow fox lying quietly before the rock cave, everyone was stunned.

"Stop!"

Wang Li suddenly raised his hand, signaling everyone to halt.

His eyes flickered, and a sense of unease arose in his heart.

"This kid... actually left the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox willingly?"

Wang Li narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowed, staring intently ahead.

"Could it be a trap?"

"Hmph, he's been cornered by us. Where would he have the energy to set a trap?"

A Wang Family martial artist sneered, his tone filled with disdain.

Wang Li pondered for a moment, then finally said coldly, "Be cautious. Send someone to check first!"

He swept his gaze around and pointed to a martial artist in a gray robe. "You, go take a look."

The martial artist's expression changed slightly. Although he was unwilling, under Wang Li's pressure, he could only grit his teeth and nod.

He took a deep breath, gripped his long saber, and slowly approached the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on him.

"There's nothing here."

The martial artist slowly walked up to the snow fox, his eyes warily scanning the surroundings. Seeing no abnormalities, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He reached out and touched the snow fox's body, finding it on the verge of death and completely unable to resist. He became excited.

"Haha, it's fine!"

He waved his hand happily, signaling that it was safe.

But just then, he suddenly smelled a peculiar fragrance.

The aroma of fruit was refreshing, sweet with a hint of scorching heat.

The pupils of his eyes contracted, and his heart skipped a beat.

This scent... it seemed to be...

He slowly turned his head, looking towards the rock cave behind him.

On the rock wall, a crimson vine coiled around the stone. Eight vibrant, tempting fruits hung from it.

The fruits were vermilion, with golden patterns flowing across their surfaces, as if cast from molten lava.

An indescribable medicinal fragrance permeated the air.

The martial artist's breathing quickened, his eyes filled with fervor.

He opened his mouth, and his voice trembled as he uttered a few words.

"Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit!"

The surroundings were silent.

But in the next moment, all the Wang Family martial artists' gazes froze.

"Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit?"

One martial artist exclaimed, his eyes filled with greed.

"It's actually a legendary rare fruit!"

"This is a supreme sacred medicine that can increase cultivation and refine true qi for martial artists! Even ordinary people eating it can be cured of all illnesses, and it can even extend their lifespan!"

Everyone's expressions changed drastically, and their breathing suddenly quickened.

Wang Li's pupils contracted sharply.

He stared intently at the rare fruit in the cave, and a colossal wave surged in his heart!

The Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit was a treasure nurtured by heaven and earth, rumored to help Ranked Martial Artists break through their limitations and even extend their lifespan by decades.

Throughout the entire Qingyang City, and even the entire prefecture, no one had ever truly seen this item.

Yet today, it was right before his eyes.

Wang Li's heart began to race, and a flicker of fanaticism flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He had originally intended to surround and kill Chu Ning to seize the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox.

But now...

The value of the Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit far surpassed that of the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox.

His breathing grew rapid, his gaze locked onto the rare fruit, and his mind raced.

Could this be a trap?

But if it were real...

Once he obtained this item, he would possess unimaginable power.

He gritted his teeth fiercely, his eyes turning cold.

"Get the fruit!"

He commanded in a low voice, waving his hand to signal his men forward.

But at the same time, a sense of unease shot up his spine.

In the distance, a figure stood quietly in the shadows.

Chu Ning's lips curved upwards, his eyes icy.

"Wang Li, you thought you were the only hunter?"

"Actually...

You are all my prey!"

"We are the prey?"

The Wang Family martial artists blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Kid, have you gone crazy from fear?"

"Who was it that dropped the snow fox and ran for their lives just now? You couldn't even take care of yourself, and you dare to speak such big words?"

"Idiot, don't you see who's surrounded now!"

Wang Li sneered, looking at Chu Ning with amusement. "When you were running, you dropped the snow fox. Now you dare to claim you dropped it on purpose? Do you think we'd believe that?"

However, Chu Ning's expression remained unchanged, his lips curving into a smile as he looked at them.

"Are you sure it wasn't me who placed it there on purpose?"

Wang Li's face stiffened, his brow furrowed, and a trace of unease suddenly arose in his heart.

"Placed it here...?"

"Wait, something's wrong!"

He suddenly realized that something was amiss and quickly scanned the depths of the cave.

However, it was too late.

"Roar—!"

A sky-shattering roar erupted, like rolling thunder rumbling underground.

From within the cave, a massive figure slowly emerged.

Its fur was as red as flames, its body burned with dark golden fire, and a sinister horn on its forehead flickered with a dangerous light.

Its golden vertical pupils were like burning flames, exuding endless majesty, like a king reigning over the world.

Its beast claws slammed onto the ground, sending gravel flying and waves of heat rolling, the scent of sulfur so thick it was suffocating.

"Crimson Flame Tiger...!"

Wang Li's pupils constricted, and his body instinctively took half a step back.

His bowstring trembled slightly, cold sweat beading on his palm.

The other Wang Family martial artists were in complete disarray.

"How... how could it be a Crimson Flame Tiger?"

"This is one of the most terrifying demonic beasts in the Black Wind Forest. It was hiding here?"

"Damn Chu Ning, he deliberately led us here."

Wang Li gritted his teeth, his face incredibly grim.

"Archers! Kill it!"

Following his command, several Wang Family martial artists holding longbows immediately drew their strings and nocked arrows. The bowstrings vibrated as dozens of powerful arrows shot through the air!

"Swish swish swish!"

The arrows flew like an arrow rain, precisely targeting the Crimson Flame Tiger's vital points.

However.

"Boom!"