At this point, Han had come to a realization.


    The skeletal remains he had uncovered beneath the Yunjiang River were most likely those of the most exceptional and powerful member of the Light Fox Clan from years past, as described by Hu Tutu.


    The Horned Light Fox had been forced out of seclusion, resolved a portion of the crisis, only to be hunted down afterward.


    The outcome of that pursuit was painfully clear.


    The hope of the Light Fox Clan, destined to lead them to greater heights, now lay as a corpse sunken in the Yunjiang River.


    What remained uncertain was the fate of the demon clans that had chased him back then—whether he had taken them down with him in a final stand or if they had returned to Black Mountain victorious.


    “In those days, my Light Fox Clan boasted more than a handful of saints among our demons,” Hu Tutu said, his face shadowed with sorrow. “But after the chaos, only I managed to escape with a few others. The rest either perished in battle or were captured by other demon clans, enslaved and bred in captivity.”


    He continued, his voice heavy, “Our clan’s fur is radiant and lustrous. They say some deep-dwelling demon clans use Light Fox pelts as rugs or fashion them into garments, flaunting them shamelessly. This is a grudge that can only end in blood!”


    Han glanced at Hu Tutu. Indeed, the Light Fox Clan’s fur was extraordinary—each fox pure white and faintly glowing, a temptation few could resist. Fortunately, they lived deep within Black Mountain. Had they been discovered by humans outside, their striking appearance would have likely driven them to extinction, hunted relentlessly by the powerful and wealthy for profit.


    Han could already imagine the frenzy such pelts would ignite among the elite. For the Light Fox Clan, however, it was an unbearable tragedy.


    Still, something puzzled him. Why had Hu Tutu opened up so freely during their very first meeting? Sure, Han had asked questions, but the old fox hadn’t needed to share that much detail.


    “Truly a deep-seated hatred,” Han said, nodding in agreement. He then pulled out his navigation artifact. “This is a tool I acquired from the Yun family. It guides my path forward. Here…” His finger landed on a white dot marking the location of the Black-and-White Tigers. “There are two tigers—one black, one white. Does Elder Hu know anything about them?”


    “And here…” His finger shifted to the seventh position, where a wolf pack resided. “A wolf pack holds this spot. Have you heard of them?”


    These demon clans were the true rulers of this domain.


    “The Black-and-White Tigers, and a wolf pack…” Hu Tutu stood on his hind legs, studying the route on the artifact and estimating distances. “I know of these tigers. The white one is slightly stronger, at the peak of the Marrow-Washing Realm, while the black one is around the Great Achievement stage. They likely live beneath an ancient tree draped in vines, right?”


    “Exactly!” Han confirmed.


    “Then that’s them,” Hu Tutu nodded. “They’re called the Heaven-and-Earth Twin Tigers, a rare breed of beast. From birth to death, the two stay inseparable—the white representing the heavens, the black the earth. The vines on their tree are valuable, known to us as Mysterious Vines. They’re incredibly tough—fireproof, waterproof, immune to blades and axes, and they even block spiritual energy and true essence to some extent. Perfect for crafting vine armor. There’s a house in Fox Valley covered with vines just like those.”


    Han’s eyes lit up. “Does Elder Hu have a way to lure the Twin Tigers away?”


    “Usually, I handle it myself,” Hu Tutu replied. “I draw them off, giving the other Light Foxes a chance to harvest the vines. With my Late Sanctification Realm cultivation, distracting and holding off the Twin Tigers isn’t an issue.”


    If An Lang tried to draw their aggro, he’d be dead in seconds. But for Hu Tutu, with his strength, the tigers posed no real threat. Even against aerial beasts, they couldn’t touch him. In this region of Black Mountain, a Late Sanctification cultivator could survive almost anything—unless they were reckless or swarmed by a beast horde.


    “As for the wolf pack, I don’t recall them,” Hu Tutu admitted. “Young Master Zhou, could you describe the area they occupy?”


    After Han shared the details, Hu Tutu mused thoughtfully. “I know the place you mean. In my memory, it was the territory of a few lion beasts. Seems it’s changed hands over the years.”


    Such shifts were commonplace—survival of the fittest, nature’s law.


    “Is there some treasure there?” Han asked.


    “There’s a special kind of stone you can eat,” Hu Tutu explained.


    “Eat?” Han blinked, thrown off by the idea of consuming a rock.


    “Yes, eat. If you’re injured, swallowing one speeds up recovery for both body and soul. If you’re unharmed, it strengthens your physique and boosts your vitality. Eat three, and you’ll gain Stone Skin.”


    “Stone Skin?”


    “In battle, a layer of stone-like light coats your skin, offering incredible defense against weapons, fists, and true essence. The demon clans here call it Stone Skin.”


    “Amazing!” Han praised. It was a lifesaving treasure, no doubt about it.


    “Elder Hu seems very familiar with these places.”


    “Most demon clans in Black Mountain gather resources like these to bolster their strength,” Hu Tutu said. “Those beasts might look like they own the land, but in truth, every demon clan has their eyes on it.”


    Talk about kicking a guy when he’s down! Han couldn’t help but pity the beasts. Despite their numbers, they were outmaneuvered by the cunning demon clans lurking in the shadows. Any clan with a Sanctified Great Demon could swoop in and claim a share of their spoils, leaving the beasts raging helplessly after the fact.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    The fake lords of the land: the beasts.


    The real masters: the demon clans.


    Since the Light Fox Clan had experience with this, Han saw an opportunity for a deal. If he could get what he needed, all his current troubles might just melt away.


    Before he could speak, Hu Tutu took the initiative. “If Young Master Zhou wants to check out the Twin Tigers and the wolf pack’s territory, I can help.”


    “Oh?” Han studied the old fox, noting the sincerity in his eyes—no trace of jest.


    “If Elder Hu is willing to assist, I’d be deeply grateful. But please, be upfront—what’s the cost?”


    “When you mentioned the horned Light Fox outside the valley earlier, you must’ve known something,” Hu Tutu said eagerly. “Tell me everything you know about Hu Yingjun, and I’ll do everything in my power to aid you. I’ll even swear it to the Mountain God!”


    Wait… did he just say Hu Yingjun?


    “Hu Yingjun?” Han echoed.


    “Yes, the horned Light Fox.”


    Han’s feelings were a tangled mess. Hu Tutu and Hu Yingjun—what a pair of unfortunate names.


    “Pardon my curiosity, but what’s your relationship with this Hu Yingjun, Elder Hu?”


    “I’m older than him. Hu Yingjun was my junior.”


    Despite being younger, Hu Yingjun had surpassed Hu Tutu in cultivation, a testament to their difference in talent. But now Han understood why Hu Tutu had been so forthcoming earlier—he’d been laying the groundwork for this.


    The Light Fox Clan had only one horned fox, and Han, an outsider to Black Mountain, had mentioned it. That meant he knew something. Hu Tutu’s candor was all for the sake of digging up news about Hu Yingjun. He’d probably had this in mind when he invited Han into Fox Valley.


    Crafty old fox.


    But that worked out perfectly—Hu Tutu’s goals aligned with Han’s own. He’d intended to use Hu Yingjun as a bridge to strike a deal with the Light Fox Clan. This was a win-win.


    “I did stumble across some information about Senior Hu Yingjun by chance,” Han said plainly. “He’s passed away. I found his remains outside Black Mountain, at the bottom of the Yunjiang River. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it, Elder Hu, but that’s where I discovered his bones. He’d taken human form, though his hands and that single horn still bore the Light Fox Clan’s traits.”


    “At the bottom of Yunjiang… dead…” Hu Tutu repeated softly, closing his eyes. Grief etched itself across his fox-like face.


    The Light Fox Clan’s former hope had fallen, their dream of revival shattered. Until today, Hu Tutu had clung to the faint possibility that Hu Yingjun might return one day, perhaps as a Yin God Demon Venerable. But reality was merciless.


    After a moment, he steadied himself and asked, “Where are Hu Yingjun’s remains now?”


    “He was one of us, after all. If possible, I’d like to bring his bones back to Black Mountain for a proper burial.”


    “I buried him outside Heiyun Town,” Han replied. “It’s a secluded spot, no marker. No one will disturb him.”


    “You’ve already laid him to rest…” Hu Tutu nodded. “Thank you, Young Master.”


    Han fixed his gaze on Hu Tutu and dropped a bombshell. “From Senior Hu Yingjun’s remains, I retrieved a jade slip inscribed with a secret technique called the Spirit Fusion Method. Are you familiar with it, Elder Hu?”


    Hu Tutu’s expression shifted. “The Spirit Fusion Method?!”


    His eyes flickered with emotion before he let out a sigh. “Yes, I know it. It’s one of the core legacies of the Light Fox Clan. Ever since we lost it, our younger generations have lagged behind other demon clans in potential. Cultivation and breakthroughs became far harder without it.”


    “To be honest, Young Master, I’d hoped to recover it from Hu Yingjun’s remains.”


    Han gave a knowing smile. You didn’t mention that earlier, did you? If he hadn’t brought it up, the old fox might’ve let it slide. But Han didn’t mind—hiding something this significant was understandable.


    Nor did he fear Hu Tutu turning on him over it. Beyond the Yun family’s token, Han’s own trump cards ensured that, if it came to a fight, Hu Tutu couldn’t stop him. He’d followed the old fox into Fox Valley not just because of Yun Yuannan’s words, but because he had the strength to protect himself from any ill intentions.


    “I want to reclaim the Spirit Fusion Method for the Light Fox Clan,” Hu Tutu said, bowing deeply to Han. “Please, Young Master, make it happen. Whatever you ask, I—and the entire Light Fox Clan—will do our utmost to fulfill.”


    The old fox was shrewd, avoiding any claim that it “rightfully belonged” to them or that Han was obligated to return it.


    Han helped Hu Tutu up with a gesture. “Elder Hu, you’re too serious. The Spirit Fusion Method belongs to the Light Fox Clan by right. Returning it to its owners is only natural.”


    Well… if Hu Tutu wouldn’t say it, Han would. He felt no attachment to giving it back. He’d already mastered the technique, and it was a bloodline secret tied to the Light Fox Clan. Aside from his own unique soul, no one else could use it. To anyone else, it was a useless collectible—impractical without the right bloodline and soul origin. Keeping it in his storage pouch just took up space.


    But to the Light Fox Clan, it was priceless.


    “That said, I’m in a bind,” Han continued. “I came to Black Mountain for something I must obtain. I won’t leave without it, so I’ll have to shamelessly ask for your help, Elder Hu.”


    “I’ll assist you with all I’ve got!” Hu Tutu replied without hesitation. “Just say the word, Young Master, and we can set out now. I’ll personally distract the Twin Tigers and deal with the wolf pack at that other spot.”


    “As for Wolf Valley…” Hu Tutu paused, uncertain. “I can lure out the Moon-Chasing Wolf King and Queen for a fight, letting the other Light Foxes tangle with their pack. But the valley’s covered by an array. Sneaking in quietly would be tough. Any disturbance, and the Wolf King would notice, rushing back to activate the array. With only me at Sanctification Realm in our clan, taking on two Sanctified wolf demons…”


    He couldn’t do it. It wasn’t unwillingness—his strength just fell short.


    The Moon-Chasing Wolves were the trickiest of the three targets. Though their raw power ranked below the Twin Tigers and the other wolf pack, their difficulty was on another level.


    Han frowned. “Can’t we negotiate with the Moon-Chasing Wolves for a chance to enter the valley?”


    Hu Tutu shook his head. “Young Master, they’re brutal, bloodthirsty, and despise humans. My clan has a deep feud with them too—communication’s impossible. Entering Wolf Valley through normal means? Out of the question.”


    Recalling how a Moon-Chasing Wolf had chased him after a mere glance from miles away, Han nodded grimly. They weren’t the negotiating type.


    “Then let’s start with the beasts,” Han decided. “If I find what I need at those two spots, we can skip Wolf Valley. If not…” His gaze deepened.


    The Sky-Mending Vine had to be in Wolf Valley. Storming it would become inevitable—and casualties unavoidable.


    “Deal!” Hu Tutu agreed instantly. “When do you want to leave, Young Master?”


    “Now!”


    He couldn’t wait any longer.


    <hr>


    Roar!


    A tiger’s bellow shook the forest, the sound waves visible as they flattened trees into splinters. A single roar carried such might that any mortal or low-level cultivator caught in its path would burst into a mist of blood, their soul scattered to the wind.


    This was the power of the Marrow-Washing Realm’s kings of beasts!


    One black, one white, the two massive tigers charged forth, covering vast distances with each stride, pulverizing every tree in their way. Each landing left a crater in the earth.


    The forest trembled, the roars unrelenting, silencing all other sounds. When the kings of beasts moved, every creature fled.


    In a real fight, other beasts might join in, but with the tigers in hot pursuit, it was a different story.


    High above, a white-haired old man soared through the air, deftly dodging the Twin Tigers’ attacks with ease. It was Hu Tutu, in human form, his soul state on full display.


    Under his taunts, the Heaven-and-Earth Twin Tigers chased him farther away.


    In the shadows, Han darted forward, reaching the ancient tree that served as their lair. Alongside him were a few Day-Wandering Realm Light Foxes. Since they were luring the tigers away, the clan might as well harvest some Mysterious Vines while they were at it.


    A foul stench hit them, wrinkling Han’s nose. Seriously? Did the Twin Tigers just relieve themselves anywhere without a shred of care for their own den’s hygiene?