The legend that cats had nine lives actually originated from the legend that foxes had nine lives.
According to legend, fox spirits cultivated by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Each time they grew another tail, they gained another life. Once they had grown nine tails, they could possess nine lives.
This was true of all demon foxes, regardless of their kind.
As the most iconic of the Nine-Tailed Foxes, Tamamo-no-Mae naturally possessed this ability.
Furthermore, her nine tails represented more than just nine lives. She could separate them from her body and turn them into clones resembling her true self.
Even if her true body died, as long as one clone remained alive, she wouldn't truly die.
That was the secret behind how Tamamo-no-Mae had roamed freely for so many years without anyone ever managing to kill her for good.
Fang Cheng looked surprised when he heard this. Frowning, he asked, "So are you Tamamo-no-Mae or one of her clones?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox chuckled. "That's why, when you asked me earlier, I said yes and no. But I can sense that my true body and the other clones are still alive. I can only be considered a clone for now."
Her words also carried another implication: even if you killed me now, I still wouldn't truly die.
Fang Cheng remained expressionless. He wasn't entirely convinced.
Seeing that he was still suspicious, the Nine-Tailed Fox smiled. "Fine, I'll show you the proof. Just don't get bewitched."
As she spoke, she twisted her fox body. The golden fur covering her quickly peeled away, revealing a long-haired woman beneath.
Her smooth, flowing hair was styled in a hime cut. Her skin was whiter than snow, and her eyes shone like stars, yet were as alluring as autumn waters. They seemed