Prelude to War

Under the full moon, what Xu Qi'an saw first was the flamboyant and beautiful nine fox tails, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

Pure white and fluffy, it possesses an eerie beauty.

Then came the main character, a woman whose description defies easy comprehension.

She had fluffy fox ears and a full head of silver hair as white as frost.

Her features were exquisite and alluring, with the fox-like eyes that were the hallmark of fox-woman.

She wore a thin gauze dress, and her breasts were wrapped in a piece of animal hide that was neither too wide nor too narrow, making them appear full and swollen. Below that was her fair and firm belly.

A white fox fur coat was tied around her waist, hanging down her back like a cloak, but it did not cover her two long, white, python-like legs.

A brass bell jingled around the ankle of his right foot with each step.

A cool, full moon hangs in the deep, vast night sky, a smile playing on her lips as she gracefully approaches.

The Demon Race below, regardless of gender, stared at her intently.

Xu Qi'an had to admit that the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox was one of the most charming women he had ever met.

A femme fatale, a wicked woman of her time.

"Your Majesty is so beautiful! Your Majesty is mine, and so is my aunt!"

Bai Ji said dreamily.

Animal ears, fox tail, enchantress... Oh no, the Heart Gu has taken effect! Xu Qi'an felt hot all over and had a strong urge to mate.

This was an impulse I had never felt when I first met Mu Nanzhi.

The next moment, an iron sword was held against his neck, its Sword Qi surging. Xu Qi'an trembled and instantly regained his senses.

"Throughout the land, no one can rival the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox in terms of alluring charm."

Luo Yuheng licked her lips, narrowed her beautiful eyes, breathed softly into his ear, and said:

"If you like her, Mr. Xu, we can bring her to be your concubine, to serve you every day, okay?"

Xu Qi'an was being held hostage, blinked.

He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and was no longer under the influence of the allure. He clicked his tongue and said:

"With that terrifying allure, who would dare to lay a hand on her? Even the former ruler of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons was probably the same. The Buddhist School really is a bunch of blockheads who don't know how to cherish women."

"As for becoming a concubine, forget it. I will only love my tutor in this lifetime."

He reluctantly looked away, turning his head to look at Luo Yuheng:

"What is the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox's cultivation level?"

Luo Yuheng stared at it for a moment, then shook his head:

"I can't tell. However, like martial artists, Demon Race value physique and combat strength. If your concubine is of the first rank, she won't need your help."

At the first-grade level, a martial artist's lower limit is very high; they're the kind of people you'd better not let me catch, or I'll kill you in one combo.

However, when other systems' first-rank martial artists face off against first-rank martial artists, even if you are powerful, you are ultimately just a crude and uncouth martial artist.

Under normal circumstances, the former is invincible.

The latter is someone who can't win, but is also in an invincible position.

In other words, if the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox were a first-grade Demon Race, then the Buddhist School would need to send two Bodhisattvas to suppress her. However, with Liuli recovering from her injuries and the Gara Tree in Yunzhou, only Guangxian could intervene.

The Demon Race had the victory firmly in their grasp and didn't need Xu Qi'an's help at all.

"Imperial Advisor, who is stronger, you or her?"

Xu Qi'an suddenly asked.

In the night breeze, Luo Yuheng brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "Why do you ask?"

Xu Qi'an thought to himself, "Only a shark can deal with a shark."

As she spoke, the nine-tailed celestial fox swayed her hips, her lotus-like steps graceful and elegant, and with the jingling of her anklets, she arrived at the top of the cliff.

The veiled woman in the blue dress respectfully stepped aside.

The nine-tailed celestial fox stood atop the cliff, the deep night sky and the bright moon like a white jade plate against her backdrop. The wind blew her silver hair and caressed her enchanting and beautiful fox tail.

She looked down at the demons below, spread her arms, and proclaimed loudly:

"Citizens of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons!"

Five hundred years ago, the Buddhist School killed my people, destroyed my homeland, and drove us out of our native land.

"For the past five hundred years, we have wandered around, searching for a place to live. We have either hidden in the mountains and forests or concealed ourselves in the city, living among humans, never daring to reveal our true forms for a moment."

"Some of our clansmen were enslaved and humiliated by the people of the Western Regions for generations in the twenty-seven cities built by the Buddhist School."

"We have wandered for five hundred years, drifted for five hundred years. Today, we will reclaim our homeland, drive the Buddhist School from our home, and rebuild the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons!"

The demons, their blood boiling, roared in response:

"Reclaim our homeland!"

"Rebuild the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons!"

Tens of thousands of Demon Race raised their voices, filled with anger, excitement, and hatred, and shouted in unison at this moment.

The nine-tailed celestial fox pressed down its hand, and the tsunami-like sound suddenly stopped.

"Queen," Xu Qi'an thought to himself, clicking his tongue twice. Just a small detail was enough to show that the nine-tailed fox held a transcendent position in the hearts of the Demon Race.

The demon clan is not as disciplined as the human soldiers. The demon clan tribes are more like warriors, unruly and averse to discipline.

"Today, I have invited a renowned figure from across the land to join us in our fight against Buddhist School."

Upon hearing this, the demons began to discuss amongst themselves, whispering amongst themselves.

"Who is it? Which important person has Her Majesty invited?"

"It must be Zhu Jiu. Among our Demon Race, besides the Queen and the Bear King, Zhu Jiu is the only one who has transcended the ordinary."

"Lord Zhu Jiu's cultivation is unparalleled; with his help, we will be like a tiger with wings."

"I don't think it's Zhu Jiu. I heard from a little demon stationed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains that Xu Yinluo from the Great Feng came here recently and even helped the Demon Race retrieve the sealed artifact."

Is it believable?

Upon hearing this, some Demon Race immediately became excited.

The Demon Race is scattered in various places. Some people have heard of Xu Qi'an, while others have never heard of him at all. However, those Demon Race living in the Central Plains understand very well what the name "Xu Yinluo" means in the Central Plains.

A Demon Race with two ram's horns on his head said excitedly:

"If only we could invite him here, he's an even more powerful human expert than the Bear King."

"What? Stronger than the Bear King? You stupid sheep, have you been eating too much hay?"

The Demon Race nearby were incredulous.

The Bear King is a great demon who stepped into the extraordinary realm five hundred years ago. Among the Southern Demons, he is the strongest after the Empress.

In the hearts of ordinary Demon Race, they are like gods.

The sheep demon snorted, "Herbivores are wise; your carnivorous brains are full of sheep droppings."

After offering a rebuttal, he said:

"I have heard of his great name countless times in the Central Plains. He is a warrior who can even kill a second-rank emperor. Not long ago, the imperial court even issued a proclamation praising Xu Qi'an for beheading two Vajra in Jianzhou."

"Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but it can't be denied that he is very powerful. However, I haven't heard that he has any dealings with our Demon Race, and with the Central Plains in chaos, how could he possibly travel thousands of miles to the Southern Frontier to beg us?"

"Forget it, you can't find a helper like that."

A Demon Race from the Southern Frontier border shook his head:

"As far as I know, Xu Yinluo was indeed in Southern Frontier ten days ago."

The Demon Race of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons are scattered across various regions, resulting in severe information gaps. Demon Race Demon Race in the Southern Frontier are unaware of events in the Central Southern Frontier, and vice versa.

Of course, the Demon Race's higher-ups would not have such a misinterpretation.

Similar discussions are taking place in various small circles.

The nine-tailed celestial fox slightly raised her eyes, her smile alluring:

"Xu Yinluo, why don't you show yourself?"

The demons turned around in astonishment, looked up, and followed the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox's gaze to the night sky behind them.

It's my turn to step in. Xu Qi'an uses the "Star Shifting and Dipper Changing" ability of the Heavenly Gu to expose himself to the public.

All eyes were focused on him.

Xu Qi'an took a step forward as if walking on flat ground, expressionless as he strode over the demons and headed towards the top of the cliff.

During the process, the gold paint between his eyebrows lit up, and after seven steps, the gold paint covered his entire body, forging him into an extremely strong and masculine Vajra body.

"Laugh!"

The ring of fire behind his head exploded with a roar, burning fiercely.

"Buddhist School Vajra?!"

The demons were terrified.

"Is it really Xu Qi'an, the Silver Gong of the Great Feng Dynasty?!"

Those Demon Race who knew him well cried out in excitement.

At this moment, the Demon Race below saw the human powerhouse in the sky suddenly raise his hand and pull the ring of fire behind his head into his palm.

The scorching, bright light vanished instantly, leaving only a gleaming golden body.

Amidst the confusion of the demons, Xu Qi'an suddenly swung out his right hand, unleashing flames from his palm.

"Boom!"

A sudden burst of intense flames erupted, spreading across the air and transforming into a majestic cloak of solidified fire.

Flames transformed into robes.

The imposing and flamboyant flame cloak, paired with his golden, gleaming body, made Xu Qi'an look like a god descended to earth, exuding divine might.

The demons stared in disbelief, until only this figure, radiating golden light and draped in a cloak of flames, remained.

Gold and red became the only colors left in their eyes.

"I'm not showing off, this is the kind of prestige that my current cultivation level should have," Xu Qi'an thought to himself. Finally, he stepped onto the cliff top and stood beside the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

The appearance of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox just now gave him inspiration.

Extraordinary powerhouses enter with special effects; it would be even better if they were accompanied by background music.

The nine-tailed celestial fox glanced at him with a smile. Although she didn't say anything, Xu Qi'an seemed to see four words in her eyes:

You're so sexy~

Xu Qi'an nodded expressionlessly, his gaze lingering briefly on her beautiful face before glancing at the woman in the blue dress beside her.

Kiyohime happened to be secretly watching him as well. Their eyes met, and she gave a polite smile before looking away.

The occasion was inappropriate, Xu Qi'an didn't exchange pleasantries with Qingji or the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. Instead, he turned to the group of demons below and said loudly:

"The Western Regions, relying on their own strength, are arrogant and domineering. Five hundred years ago, they invaded the territory of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, and now they are trying to take over the Central Plains. Those who use force to suppress others will surely be suppressed by force themselves."

"On behalf of the Great Feng Dynasty of the Central Plains, I hereby form an alliance with the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons. From this day forward, we will advance and retreat together, and fight against Buddhist School."

He paused for a moment, then secretly mobilized the power of the Heart Gu and raised his voice:

"Brothers of the Demon Race, can you tolerate this?"

Suddenly, intense anger and hatred surged from their hearts. Even the most composed Demon Race felt a deep-seated hatred for Buddhist School and remembered the humiliation of their homeland being occupied for five hundred years.

"Cannot!"

The demons roared, and the atmosphere below instantly exploded. Every Demon Race gritted their teeth, veins bulging with rage.

Xu Qi'an roared, "Then let's fucking kill him!"

The roar from below instantly surged up, soaring into the sky. The Demon Race race was in a frenzy, their momentum and fighting spirit even stronger than when the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had given its "speech".

In the distance, Bai Ji, held in Luo Yuheng's arms, raised her right paw and shouted in a childish voice:

"Fuck him, fuck him!"

It looked completely bewitched.

In this atmosphere, four fox-women carried two boxes to the edge of the pit, unlocked them with a key, and quickly retreated.

Bang!

The lids of the boxes flew off, two legs flew out of the left box, and a torso flew out of the right box, automatically plunging into the deep pit.

At the same time, the pagoda flew up from Xu Qi'an's arms, the first level of the pagoda door opened, and a pitch-black arm flew out and plunged into the pit.

Before coming to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Xu Qi'an had a deep conversation with the old monk Taling, which led to Mu Nanzhi being relegated to the second level.

Apart from the two individuals involved, no one knows where they were or what they said.

However, after the conversation, when Mu Nanzhi returned to the third floor of the Pagoda, she found that the old monk of the pagoda spirit had become extremely silent and had not said a word.

In the huge pit, tens of thousands of animals withered rapidly, turning into mummified corpses.

Blood-red light rose from the pit, and even from miles away, half of the night sky could be clearly seen stained red by the blood-red light.

Another stronghold, hidden in a mountain cave.

As Night Princess, clad in a black gauze dress, finished her impassioned speech, she stirred up the fighting spirit of the demons in the mountain cave.

She nodded in satisfaction, turned her head, and looked at the enormous creature beside her.

This is a huge iron-eating beast with black and white fur, especially the fur around its eyes, which is jet black.

He was ten feet tall, which wasn't exceptionally large for Demon Race, but compared to Ye Ji beside him, he was definitely a giant.

"Bear King, is there anything you wish to say?"

"Night Princess said in a low voice."

The iron-eating beast belatedly let out two "ah ah" sounds, as if it had just returned from a reverie or had been woken from a nap. Looking at the group of demons, it slowly said:

"The Buddhist School, they are hateful, they stole our territory, we want it back!"

The voice grew softer and softer, and the eyes gradually closed.

The once spirited demons suddenly felt drowsy, their eyelids closed uncontrollably, and they swayed from side to side, as if they might lie down and fall into a deep sleep at any moment.

"Bear King, you must hold on!" Night Princess slid a steel needle from her sleeve and stabbed it hard into the Iron-Eating Beast's waist.

"Revenge is ours!!!"

The iron-eating beast shuddered and suddenly roared.

"Revenge! Revenge!!"

The demons immediately shook off their drowsiness and loudly echoed the sentiments, their enthusiasm running high.

Under the moonlight, Wan Yao Mountain resembles a reclining giant, its terrain not steep, yet stretching for hundreds of miles.

As the core of the Southern Frontier border's geological veins, Wan Yao Mountain is blessed with natural beauty and has been home to many powerful demons and strong clans since ancient times.

Today it is Buddhist School territory. After more than 500 years of migration, people from the Western Regions established a kingdom here – the Southern Kingdom!

Centered on the southern city, twenty-six cities radiate outwards.

On the towering city wall of the southern city, a soldier clad in armor chewed on dried fruit, a staple of the Southern Frontier and used to refresh himself, and said to his colleague beside him:

"Are the Demon Race really going to rebel?"

The Western Regions dispatched 100,000 troops to strengthen the defenses of the Southern Frontier, while also collecting and purchasing large quantities of medicinal herbs and destroying mountain trails except for the official roads.

They gathered residents from various mountain towns in the Western Regions and implemented a scorched-earth policy.

His colleague, also chewing on dried fruit, gave a disdainful snort.

"I don't know where these beasts get their confidence. Five hundred years ago, the Southern Demons were incredibly powerful, but they were still wiped out by our Western Regions."

"Having clung to life for five hundred years, do you still dream of restoring your kingdom?"

"However, I heard from my superior that the Demon Race will rebel sooner or later. Once we nip that in the bud, they won't be able to stir up any more trouble."

The guard who spoke first suddenly chuckled twice.

"It'll be our turn to work in half an hour. Let's go have some fun. I recently found some pretty succubi at the 'kennel' in the east of the city, and they were cheap too."

The guards nearby burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"And a few Golden Gun Pills, please," his colleagues chuckled.

The guard spat out the dried fruit crumbs and cursed:

"When have I ever not slept with a succubus?"

Suddenly his eyes widened, and he raised his right hand, trembling, pointing to the sky:

"What, what is that?!"

In the distance, a large patch of "dark clouds" surged in from the horizon.