Red Fox

Biodata

Power Progression

No numbered ranks or named cultivation realms are given for Red Fox; his strength is described through comparisons and the effects of Tao Qiu’s crops.

Appearance

• Build: Tall, imposing, and much larger than an ordinary fox 80 81.
• Coat: Sleek, glossy red fur 80.
• Tail: Enormous and exceptionally long; described as capable of blotting out the moon when raised. He can wrap it around a giant spider’s body 80 148.
• Expressiveness: His normally impressive tail droops when he is distressed about the old patriarch 80.

Personality

Red Fox has a reputation among other mutated monsters for being petty, vindictive, and quick to retaliate. Within his clan, however, he is regarded as a gentle, dignified protector. He reassures frightened cubs, tends injured followers, and accepts personal humiliation when it benefits the foxes 80 81 116.

His responsibility makes him cautious rather than simply aggressive. He abandons revenge over the glowing fruit because he cannot gamble the clan’s future on something his instincts identify as dangerous. Nevertheless, desperation can make him ruthless: he threatens raids to obtain lifesaving crops and later admits that he would once have used Tao Qiu’s children as leverage had he known about them 81 84 182.

Proud and uncomfortable showing weakness, he often substitutes intimidation for a straightforward request. He also hides grief from his followers to remain the dependable leader they expect, eventually turning to Tao Qiu for comfort after the old patriarch’s death 103 127.

Abilities & Skills

Sedative Scent

Red Fox can release a scent capable of knocking targets unconscious 148.

• He cannot precisely control the direction in which it spreads in an open area.
• During the giant spider battle, he avoids using it because nearby allies could also be affected 148.

Prehensile Tail and Constriction

His long tail serves as a powerful restraining weapon 148.

• Wraps around the giant spider and pins it on its back.
• Cannot crush the spider through its exceptionally hard shell.
• Helps Green Python drag the spider away from the others before it explodes 148 150.

Speed and Physical Strength

Red Fox can move rapidly through his forest territory and initially pulls ahead of Tao Qiu and Lou Yu while leading them to the old patriarch 96.

• Claims that the time bought by his clan’s resistance would let him seize large quantities of crops during a raid 84.
• Becomes wary when Lou Yu catches up with him, recognizing that the human is stronger than expected 96.

Recovery and Wound Care

As a mutated monster, he has stronger natural healing than ordinary animals. His saliva also helps ordinary animals recover from injuries 81.

• Cleans Gray Fox’s wounds by licking him after his dangerous expedition.
• The healing effect is described as limited assistance, not an instant cure 81.

Leadership and Observation

Red Fox commands disciplined loyalty and closely follows developments outside his territory 83 84.

• Silences the assembled clan simply by raising his tail.
• Uses a howl to make the foxes immediately reposition when danger approaches.
• Sends Gray Fox to investigate Green Python’s dealings with Tao Qiu.
• Correctly suspects that Tao Qiu can communicate with humans and uses trade negotiations to test that suspicion 81 83 93.

History

Upbringing and Succession

The former patriarch raised Red Fox and White Fox despite never having a mate or offspring of his own. Both consequently regarded him as a father 80.

After developing an illness that caused unbearable pain and bouts of uncontrolled violence, the old patriarch accidentally injured a clan member. He surrendered leadership to Red Fox and withdrew into the mountain forest. For fifteen springs, most of the clan did not see him, while Red Fox remained responsible for overseeing his condition 79.

The Glowing Fruit

Red Fox was among the mutated monsters who fought Snow Bird for the glowing fruit. Its fragrance promised new life, but his instincts simultaneously warned him of death. Unwilling to risk the clan’s future, he hesitated, and Snow Bird ultimately claimed it 81.

Although initially resentful, Red Fox felt relief once the fruit’s influence faded and did not pursue revenge. His interest returned when Gray Fox discovered that Green Python’s previously dying offspring had become healthy after her dealings with Snow Bird 81.

Securing Crops for the Clan

Gray Fox returned from an expedition badly injured but carrying a tomato fragment. After a sick cub ate it, the cub’s fever subsided and trembling stopped. The improvement forced Red Fox to reconsider his fear of Snow Bird’s fruit 80 81.

After consulting the old patriarch, Red Fox brought the clan to Tao Qiu’s valley. His threatening approach nearly provoked a confrontation, especially when Green Python arrived to support Tao Qiu. Red Fox offered prey, then information about materials humans wanted from the old white fox, while warning that the clan would resort to raids if necessary 82 83 84.

Tao Qiu advanced him two tomatoes, with prey to follow the next morning. Red Fox also promised the clan’s assistance against other monsters 85.

The Old Patriarch’s Final Months

The crops helped the cubs and produced clear restorative effects in Red Fox and White Fox, but did nothing for the old patriarch. Red Fox sought explanations from Tao Qiu, consulted Green Python, and tested other crops without finding a remedy 86 87 88.

The clan established a continuing exchange in which Lou Yu collected the old patriarch’s blood and fur for research, while Tao Qiu supplied crops. Red Fox initially challenged Lou Yu and tested his strength, but later visits proceeded without such confrontations 93 96 105.

Knowing the patriarch was dying, Red Fox obtained strawberries so that he could taste something new. He also volunteered his own blood and fur for future trades. The clan refused the elder’s proposal to surrender excessive samples—or his body after death—because they would not let him return to the treatment he had suffered in human captivity 103 116.

Before losing control permanently, the patriarch insisted that Red Fox and White Fox kill him, threatening to jump from a cliff if they refused. They reluctantly fulfilled his wishes. Red Fox later confided in Tao Qiu, whose reassurance helped ease his guilt 127.

Continuing the Trade

Lou Yu first collected a small sample from Red Fox for assessment while the old patriarch was still alive. After the elder’s death, Red Fox became the continuing source of blood and fur 118 136.

He kept the collection process out of the other foxes’ sight. Although they knew the trade brought substantial quantities of crops, they did not know exactly what their leaders supplied in return 136.

The crops gradually improved the clan’s health: sick cubs strengthened, ordinary foxes became more energetic, and mutated foxes noticed stronger abilities. The survival rate of cubs born to higher-level mutated foxes also rose slightly, making continued trade especially important 181.

Alliance with Tao Qiu

Red Fox joined the local monsters’ battle against the giant white spider, restraining it with his tail and later helping Green Python move it away before its explosion 148 150.

Tao Qiu subsequently revealed his human form to Red Fox and White Fox, then explained that Lou Yu was his mate and that they had three children. Despite the clan’s dislike of humans, Red Fox accepted Tao Qiu’s decision to live at the human base and agreed to send rotating patrols to protect his valley, provided crop trading continued 181 182.

The foxes fulfilled that agreement, patrolling alongside Green Python and Black Rabbit. Red Fox later confirmed that Tao Qiu still wanted the patrols maintained 211. During the disturbance caused by the lake monster’s madness, he was also patrolling after unfamiliar monsters attacked the clan’s chickens 228.

Relationships

• White Fox — Mate and trusted confidante. She steadies him during negotiations and comforts him after blood collection. They have been together for many years but have no cubs of their own 80 83 181.
• Former patriarch — Foster father, predecessor, and adviser. Red Fox desperately seeks a cure for him, protects his dignity, and ultimately obeys his request to die before losing control 79 80 116 127.
• Gray Fox — Loyal follower whose life Red Fox once saved. Red Fox entrusts him with reconnaissance but restricts his winter travel for safety and personally tends his injuries 81.
• Tao Qiu / Snow Bird — Former rival turned trading partner and trusted ally. Their relationship develops from coercive negotiations into personal consolation, shared secrets, and territorial cooperation 83 84 127 181 182.
• Lou Yu — Human research-material collector and Tao Qiu’s mate. Red Fox initially regards his strength as a threat, but later cooperates with him through their mutually beneficial trade 96 136 182.
• Green Python — Initially an obstacle during the crop negotiations; later a fellow combatant against the giant spider and a participant in protecting Tao Qiu’s territory 83 150 182.

Notable Quotes

“Besides, several of my little fox cubs are dying right now. I can't save their lives by keeping it, so why shouldn't I trade it for the fruit I need?” 85

“The old clan leader doesn't have much time left. Although the fruit has no effect on him, he can still taste it. I thought I'd let him try more new things before he leaves us.” 103