Qin Yun remained invisible as he moved through the valley with a refined agility that left no trace, as if walking on snow without a sound.


    Demons were highly sensitive to their surroundings, and even the faintest hint of human presence could alert them if they were close. Thus, Qin Yun carefully avoided the demons along a winding path to approach the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree.


    “Lord White Tiger! Lord White Tiger!”


    A small demon ran towards the courtyard, shouting as it saw a burly man emerging from the backyard gate.


    Qin Yun''s ears twitched at the sound, and his heart tightened.


    "Lord White Tiger?" Qin Yun glanced into the distance at the burly figure.


    From this distance, even his mystical sight could not discern any aura from the man. However, the title "Lord White Tiger" immediately raised alarm bells in Qin Yun’s mind.


    “Lord White Tiger? Who in Guangling County could bear such a title?” Qin Yun mused, then suddenly realized.


    Not Guangling County—but in the neighboring Zhenshan County of Jiangzhou Province—there was indeed a renowned and formidable demon: the "White Tiger Demon" of Black Wind Ridge.


    "Could it really be the White Tiger Demon of Zhenshan County?" Qin Yun felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. The reputation of this great demon preceded him, and for good reason.


    “If it’s really him, this is trouble. I need to get the spiritual fruit and leave immediately.”


    Without hesitation, Qin Yun pressed forward with his plan.


    Once close to the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree, Qin Yun leapt over the guarding circle of a dozen small demons and landed beside the tree. In an instant, he plucked the radiant, red "Millennium Ice Jade Fruit," which shimmered with a purple hue, and stashed it into a jade box he carried. He then tucked the box into his robe.


    “Got it,” Qin Yun thought with relief.


    In the Misty Lake Valley, the gathered demons erupted in excitement as they noticed the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit ripen before their eyes.


    “The fruit is ripe!”


    “It’s finally ready!”


    “It’s turning red!” The small demons were ecstatic, relieved that their days of tedious guarding were over.


    This commotion reached the courtyard, where the White Tiger Demon, swinging a pair of large axes, suddenly paused. He tossed the axes to the ground with a thunderous boom and leisurely pushed open the courtyard gate to step outside.


    The courtyard gate led to the back entrance of the manor. Standing there barefoot in a loose white robe, the White Tiger Demon gazed toward the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree in the distance, a faint smile on his lips.


    “Lord White Tiger! Lord White Tiger!” The small demon delivering the message ran over breathlessly.


    “At last, it’s ripe,” said the White Tiger Demon, his eyes fixed on the distant tree.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    But in that very moment—Snap!


    The crimson fruit, shimmering with purple light, was plucked from the tree right under the White Tiger Demon’s and the other demons’ watchful eyes, vanishing instantly.


    The valley fell into an eerie silence as the demons stared at the now-empty branch where the fruit once hung. Only a crystal-clear, broken twig remained.


    “Someone stole it!”


    “A thief!”


    A cacophony of furious shouts broke out among the demons.


    Standing barefoot outside the courtyard, the White Tiger Demon’s eyes flashed with cold malice as he roared, “Show yourself!”


    The roar sent visible ripples through the air, spreading like waves across the valley.


    “Show yourself!” “Show yourself!” “Show yourself!”


    The sound echoed, growing louder with each repetition, like a rolling thunderclap. The shockwave spread hundreds of meters, shaking the area violently. Many small demons clutched their heads in pain. The ripple also swept through Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and their demon servant Qian Shu—all within less than a hundred meters of the White Tiger Demon.


    Crack!


    The concealment barrier around Qin Yun shattered under the wave, exposing his figure. The invisibility spell was fragile—easily broken, even by ordinary attacks. Its strength lay in stealth, not defense.


    Nearby, Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and Qian Shu’s hiding spot was also exposed as the shockwave rustled the surrounding vegetation.


    “Lord White Tiger?” Qian Shu''s face turned pale. He quickly transmitted to Yi Xiao, “Miss Yi, this is likely the White Tiger Demon of Zhenshan County!”


    “The White Tiger Demon?” Jia Huairen’s face turned ashen, his legs trembling uncontrollably.


    Although Yi Xiao hailed from Kunlun Prefecture and was less familiar with Jiangzhou Province, she had memorized key intelligence about prominent local threats.


    The White Tiger Demon was one such notable figure—a fearsome demon of Zhenshan County. Though not as infamous as the Water God, who had plagued Guangling County for over two centuries, the White Tiger Demon’s ability to fly and wield wind made him an equally formidable foe. Even most innate-level cultivators could not best him, and only senior experts of the Nascent Core stage could force him into retreat.


    “Encountering the White Tiger Demon in Guangling County... this is troublesome,” Yi Xiao said with a frown, transmitting her thoughts. “Qian Shu, Jia Huairen, your mission is complete. This demon is too strong. Escape while you can.”


    “Yes!” Qian Shu and Jia Huairen both felt a wave of relief and responded immediately.


    The White Tiger Demon’s presence was overwhelming, leaving the two no choice but to flee.


    “Let’s go,” Qian Shu said, transforming into his true form—a humanoid dog demon. He grabbed Jia Huairen and bolted towards the valley’s exit at full speed.


    Meanwhile, Yi Xiao moved toward Qin Yun, who was already heading in her direction. Both understood that their best chance lay in working together, combining Qin Yun’s melee prowess with Yi Xiao’s mastery of ranged spells.


    “Three humans and a demon traitor?” The White Tiger Demon sneered.


    Without moving from his spot, he casually waved his hand.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    Nine star-like lights shot forth, growing into large, deep-blue stones about the size of a human head. The stones, covered in intricate runes and shrouded in black winds, streaked across the air like nine meteors—three targeting Qian Shu and Jia Huairen, three aimed at Yi Xiao, and the remaining three hurtling toward Qin Yun.


    “It’s Wind Thunder Stones!” Qian Shu cried in alarm.


    “Huairen, run!”


    Qian Shu’s body erupted in fur as he fully transformed, grabbing Jia Huairen and darting away at his fastest speed.


    Meanwhile, Qin Yun activated a talisman, transforming into a streak of light to evade the incoming stones.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Three stones hurtled toward Qin Yun, but his sword flashed in response, each strike precisely intercepting a stone. Despite their fierce momentum, Qin Yun’s strikes disrupted the rune patterns inscribed on their surfaces, destabilizing the stones.


    “What?” The White Tiger Demon’s expression shifted. “These stones are being damaged? His strikes aren’t strong, but they disrupt the stones’ inscriptions. Is he from a top-tier sect?”


    Realizing the danger, the White Tiger Demon recalled the three stones targeting Qin Yun.


    Meanwhile, Qian Shu was struggling. After hurling Jia Huairen further away, he braced himself to block the stones. Though he fought valiantly, one stone eventually struck him, sending him crashing into the mountainside and coughing up blood.


    At the same time, Yi Xiao unleashed a brilliant five-colored lightning spell at the White Tiger Demon, momentarily forcing him to defend and easing the pressure on Qian Shu.


    Finally, Qin Yun reached Yi Xiao’s side.


    “This demon is formidable,” Yi Xiao said through telepathy. “Even my Five Elements Divine Lightning barely injured him.”