In Fox Valley, the air was thick with tension.


    Behind Hu Tutu stood several Day-Wandering Realm foxes—every high-ranking member of the Light Fox Clan, save for those left to guard the valley. The clan’s elite had mobilized in full force.


    The younger foxes had long been shooed off to bed. What was about to unfold wasn’t suitable for their innocent eyes.


    Han appeared before the Light Foxes in his soul form, his physical body resting safely in the wooden hut behind him. An Lang clung protectively to it, ready to defend it with her life.


    He could’ve hidden An Lang in the Ghost Dwelling, leaving his body seemingly unguarded—a test to see if the Light Fox Clan harbored any ill intentions. But Han dismissed the idea.


    Never tempt fate with human nature—or demon nature, for that matter.


    “Young Master Zhou,” Hu Tutu said, “we’ll draw out the Moon-Chasing Wolf Clan’s heavy hitters soon. That’s your window to move. Rest assured, we won’t retreat until you’re out.”


    The other Day-Wandering foxes nodded without protest. Hu Tutu’s authority was absolute—whether they were survivors he’d led through past chaos or younger ones born later, none dared defy him. After the older, equally powerful foxes perished, he’d naturally risen to lead the clan.


    With final preparations made, Han, the humans, and the demons charged out of Fox Valley, racing toward Moon-Chasing Wolf Valley.


    As they neared their target, the group halted. Han split off from Hu Tutu and the others, approaching from a different angle.


    Activating his invisibility talisman, he vanished from sight. Neither eyes nor spiritual senses could detect him—the space around him was a void.


    Satisfied with his condition, Han edged closer to Wolf Valley. He didn’t rush in recklessly; instead, he waited in silence.


    Soon, Hu Tutu’s voice rang out.


    “Wolf Xing!”


    The shout echoed around the valley, reverberating within its depths.


    Han saw the valley light up as two powerful presences stirred, moving swiftly. From his position, separate from Hu Tutu and the foxes, he couldn’t see what was happening—only sense the commotion. Probing with his spiritual senses now would be unwise.


    “Hu Tutu, what brings you here?” a robust male voice boomed.


    “Here to grovel before our Moon-Chasing Wolf Clan, perhaps? I’ll give you that chance.”


    “…”


    Han listened, feeling an odd pang of secondhand embarrassment.


    Fighting alongside someone named Hu Tutu? It was… bizarre, to say the least. The enemy leader was Wolf Xing—cool and commanding—while their side had Hu Tutu. They weren’t even in the same league, stylistically speaking.


    “Cut the chatter, Wolf Xing,” Hu Tutu snapped. “Today, I’m here to avenge the Light Foxes you’ve slaughtered!”


    A chilling female laugh cut through the air. “Hu, you old fool, have you lost your mind? You think you can take revenge with just your decrepit self?”


    It had to be the Moon-Chasing Wolf Queen. “Perfect timing, actually. We’ll bury you here today, wipe out the Light Fox Clan, and turn every last one of you into our blood feast!”


    Her words gave way to a surge of energy—explosions roared, lights flashed, and shouts filled the air.


    Even from his vantage point, Han could see the sky glow with the clash.


    The fight had begun.


    His moment had arrived.


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    Hu Tutu knew the Moon-Chasing Wolves well, and the reverse was true—they were no strangers to each other’s strengths. Wolf Xing would never suspect a human sneaking into their valley at a time like this, leaving their surroundings unchecked.


    If Han’s invisibility talisman could bypass the array shrouding Wolf Valley…


    “Wolf Hong, you’ve broken through to Mid Sanctification?!” Hu Tutu’s voice carried a note of shock.


    “…”


    Trouble?


    Meanwhile, Han reached the valley’s edge.


    A familiar sensation washed over him, like passing through a membrane—similar to entering Fox Valley.


    “Haha, Hu, you old relic! Didn’t expect today to be your last—Who’s there?!” Wolf Hong’s triumphant cackle turned into a furious snarl.


    Han sighed, his form flickering into view. Trouble on his end too.


    The Out-of-Body Realm talisman wasn’t strong enough to slip past the valley’s array undetected.


    So much for a gentle approach.


    The battlefield erupted with a deafening boom. Air split apart as a figure—a woman in a black dress, her eyes sharp with malice—materialized before Han.


    “A human?!” Wolf Hong’s shock morphed into rage as she pieced together his intent.


    “Hu, you filthy fox! Colluding with humans to stab your own kind in the back!”


    Han’s slip-up halted the distant skirmish. Wolves and foxes alike rushed over, facing off midair.


    “‘Own kind’?” Hu Tutu’s tone was icy. “Since when were Light Foxes and Moon-Chasing Wolves kin? Wolf Hong, when you ambushed my people and devoured them, you didn’t call us family then!”


    Wolf Xing, a imposing middle-aged man, fixed his gaze on Han. “You’re the human who passed by our valley before?”


    “That’s him!” a Day-Wandering Moon-Chasing Wolf piped up. Han recognized it—the same one that had hunted him last time.


    Wolf Xing’s face darkened. “Hu Tutu, you owe me an explanation for this. Otherwise, none of you are leaving here alive!”


    Hu Tutu sneered. “Wolf Xing, even without today, with Wolf Hong’s breakthrough, how long would you have waited before coming for my clan?”


    Their blood feud spanned countless clashes, with heavy losses on both sides. If either gained the upper hand, mercy wouldn’t even cross their minds.


    Hu Tutu felt a flicker of relief. Han’s presence had tipped him off to Wolf Hong’s advancement. Without that heads-up, a surprise attack from these two wolves could’ve spelled his doom.


    “You’re sharper than you look, old man,” Wolf Hong said with a sinister grin.


    Han glanced around, then shot into the air, calling out, “Everyone, hear me out!”


    Facing Wolf Xing and his mate, he said, “Give me some face—let me into Wolf Valley just once. Agree, and we can avoid this fight altogether.”


    He was dead serious. “I’m doing this for your own good.”


    “Shameless human!” Wolf Hong spat. “A Day-Wandering cultivator demanding face from us? I’ll teach you your place!”


    “It’s been ages since I last tasted human flesh. That flavor… nostalgic. Thanks to you, old fox, I’ll savor it again today!”


    With that, she struck. A ferocious wolf head materialized, charging at Han with overwhelming force, stirring the surrounding energies.


    Hu Tutu’s face paled—he lunged to intervene. The Spirit Fusion Method was still with Han!


    But Wolf Xing blocked him effortlessly. Both at Late Sanctification, the Light Fox bloodline held a slight edge, but not enough to break free quickly.


    Han sighed again, standing still as his aura shifted dramatically.


    Boom!


    The sky roared as the wolf head exploded in a dazzling burst. The shockwave ravaged nearby trees and ground, leaving a cratered mess.


    A fierce, surging presence swept away the dust, leaving the three Sanctified demons on edge.


    Han hovered midair, hands clasped behind his back, bathed in celestial light that shielded him from harm.


    His aura had transformed—wild, commanding, laced with an enigmatic undertone.


    Wolf Hong stared, incredulous. “Burning your lifespan? Are you insane?!”


    What grudge did they even have? They’d never met before—why go this far? All she’d wanted was a bite. Was that worth this?


    Madman!


    Han’s expression remained calm, as if his lifespan meant nothing.


    “Mid Sanctification… let’s see how you hold up for a few years’ worth,” he said casually, burning twenty years without bothering to specify the exact toll.


    His offhand tone made Wolf Xing and the others question their senses. A few years of life, tossed out like it was mere seconds?


    With a wave, radiant beams cascaded down—stunningly beautiful, streaked with rainbow hues.


    But beneath that beauty lay lethal intent.


    The Divine Light of the Mystic Tree!


    A sword of law soared upward, merging with the light to strike at Wolf Hong.


    The air grew heavy, oppressive—an immense pressure locked onto her, stiffening her limbs.


    The boost from Han’s burned lifespan was staggering, overwhelming even a Mid Sanctification demon like her.


    Thump, thump!


    A law drum appeared in Wolf Hong’s hands—her Sanctified artifact. She unleashed its power alongside her Moon-Chasing Wolf techniques, countering the Mystic Tree’s light.


    Shing!


    But the divine light swept through every defense, the Grand Sword of Heaven shattering all resistance.


    Wolf Hong’s eyes widened in panic. “Wolf Xing, help me!”


    Now it was Hu Tutu’s turn to intercept, perfectly timed.


    Whoosh!


    The light washed over everything, dimming the world.


    The drum flared, expending its energy in a desperate stand, but it was futile.


    Bang!


    A crash echoed, followed by a scream.


    As the light faded, the scene came into sharp focus.


    Wolf Hong lay sprawled on the ground, one arm gone, her soul form cracked. The drum, dulled, rested beside her.


    Han gazed down at her, earnest. “I told you—give me some face. Why wouldn’t you listen?”


    The foxes and wolves erupted in shock. The sight rocked them to their core.


    A Mid Day-Wandering cultivator defeating a Mid Sanctification demon so effortlessly, even with burned lifespan? Unthinkable.


    Obviously because I’m just that good, Han thought smugly.


    “I’ll kill you!” Wolf Xing roared, eyes bloodshot with fury.


    He was livid!


    And then Hu Tutu held him back.