Chapter 52: Severing the Tail

It seemed to crash into a transparent barrier, and the immense impact created an even greater rebound. The fox spirit was sent flying far away, sliding a long distance after heavily slamming into the ground, and finally came to a complete stop, crouching halfway on the ground, unmoving.

Blood continuously welled up from the corners of the fox spirit’s mouth.

"Cough, cough~" The fox spirit let out a sharp, ear-piercing cough, its face a picture of shock and uncertainty, which was quickly replaced by a dense, nearly materialized wave of black resentment and fury.

"The Bodhi Heart! The Bodhi Heart!"

If not for this girl possessing the Bodhi Heart, how could it have spent an entire month determined to capture her?

If not for this girl possessing the Bodhi Heart, how could it have spent an entire month still unable to subdue her?!

Fox spirits were naturally adept at charming, and as a dignified two-tailed fox spirit, its seductive bones were innate, with illusions born from the heart. If not for this human possessing the Bodhi Heart, how could it fail to handle even an ordinary human?

Had it captured the Bodhi Heart sooner, how could it have fallen into its current plight?

Who on earth was this damned human?

Nowadays, the art of Dao has withered away, marking what was called the Age of Dharma Decline.

Cultivation for both humans and spirits was extremely difficult. However, spirits with long lifespans clearly possessed better heritage for practicing the Dao, whereas humans had gradually faded from the cultivation world.

Ever since it was born and began its cultivation, everything had been smooth sailing, and as for so-called human cultivators, it hadn't encountered a single one.

Then it had discovered such a rare treasure as the Bodhi Heart.

It had thought even the heavens were helping it.

Yet, why was it lying here now, gravely injured?

What on earth was that thing that had repelled it just now?

...

Watching the fox spirit trace a perfect parabola before crashing into the distance, Xiao Xiao was somewhat dazed.

Then, recalling something, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the Spirit Mirror.

Indeed, it felt warm to the touch.

Ever since the Spirit Mirror helped him fend off the Gudiao's sonic attack last time, Xiao Xiao had tasted the benefits and kept it with him at all times ever since.

Besides, the Spirit Mirror was only about the size of an ordinary notebook, so carrying it around was no trouble at all.

He truly admired his own foresight; look, the Spirit Mirror had helped him once again.

However, what on earth had just happened? The fox spirit seemed to have crashed into something—was it a barrier?

Xiao Xiao tentatively reached out and stroked the air in front of him, but even with his arm fully extended, he touched nothing at all.

Could it be that it only activates when facing danger? Xiao Xiao couldn't help forming a guess.

...

However, Xiao Xiao let out a long breath of relief. Otherwise, having finally driven the fox spirit out of Su Youjin's body, if it had managed to break back in, forcing it out a second time would have been definitely several times harder than the first.

He did not have absolute certainty that he could expel the fox spirit a second time.

Now, seeing the fox spirit crouching in the distance and clearly heavily injured, Xiao Xiao finally relaxed just a little bit.

Xiao Xiao stared at the creature for a long time, and only after confirming that it was truly severely injured and unable to get up did he slightly turn his head to ask Su Youjin behind him, "Are you alright?"

Su Youjin shook her head. Realizing Xiao Xiao might not see it, she spoke softly, her light and thin voice carrying a hint of lingering weakness, "I'm fine."

Xiao Xiao hesitated slightly. Su Youjin was right here, she could see the Ear-rat, and she had almost been possessed by the fox spirit. He wondered if she could see other spirits as well?

His experiences during this period had shown him that even if some people could see spirits, it was only under fortuitous circumstances that they could perceive a specific kind of spirit.

At least until now, Xiao Xiao had never encountered anyone like himself who could see all, or at least the vast majority of, spirits.

He phrased it that way because if there were spirits he didn't see, he wouldn't even know they were there.

He didn't know what kind of person Su Youjin was.

However, the Spirit Mirror was his greatest secret, and he was unwilling to give anyone even the slightest chance of prying into it.

Yet, perhaps he was worrying needlessly. He summoned spirits using the Spirit Mirror without needing to actually pull it out into the open; how could ordinary people possibly discover it?

Just as Xiao Xiao was feeling conflicted, the fox spirit finally managed to gather some strength. Realizing that the situation was irretrievable, it decided to retreat first.

While there are green hills left, there's no need to worry about firewood.

brat, we will settle this score later!

...

With Xiao Xiao's already enhanced five senses operating at full capacity under his deliberate focus, it was no exaggeration to say that this entire realm was completely under his control.

Therefore, the moment the fox spirit made the slightest unusual movement, he keenly perceived it.

Not good, it's trying to escape.

Xiao Xiao could no longer care about anything else. Golden light swirled in his eyes as the illusory Spirit Mirror gradually solidified. Its gloomy color seemed to absorb all light, and a silver radiance flashed and vanished.

The pages fluttered rapidly before finally settling on a single page.

Gudiao.

Although their encounter had not been pleasant, the Gudiao's strength was unquestionable.

Because last time the Qinyuan could only fight the fox spirit to a standstill, neither able to overcome the other, and though the fox spirit was now heavily injured, no one could guarantee whether it still held some trump card. Therefore, with thoughts flashing through his mind like lightning, Xiao Xiao still summoned the Gudiao.

"Screech—!" A massive dark shadow appeared in the sky, a piercing cry tore through the firmament, and it plummeted downwards, shooting fiercely toward the fox spirit.

"Squeak—!"

"Damned human! Next time we meet, I will surely take your life!"

Following a cry of pain came the fox spirit's grievance-filled declaration of vengeance. At this moment, how could it still care about the Bodhi Heart? Its life was about to be lost! No matter how wonderful the Bodhi Heart was, one needed to be alive to enjoy it!

The fox spirit's voice sounded like a tightly strung wire snapping suddenly, sharp and hoarse, resembling the sound of long fingernails scraping harshly against glass, making one's hair stand on end and sending chills down the spine.

...

Only after the Gudiao flew back up into the air did Xiao Xiao notice that the spot where the fox spirit had been crouching was now left with nothing but a severed tail.

Had it severed its tail to escape?

He had never known that a fox could act like a gecko, sacrificing a limb to save its life!

However, recalling the fox spirit's fierce cry just moments before, the resentment and reluctance within it were so full they practically overflowed. This tail must have been extremely important to it, right?

Perhaps, just as written in some novels, a fox's tail was the source of its power; losing one tail like this, how much cultivation must it have lost?

Well, thinking about it this way, why was he feeling so happy?

It finally made his somewhat depressed mood—caused by the fox spirit's escape—improve just a little bit.

...

Huh? Xiao Xiao suddenly sensed something. His gaze shifted to the Gudiao hovering in mid-air, and to his surprise, he detected a hint of eager longing and anticipation within those violent, uncanny, crimson slit pupils.

Uh, Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow, then looked down at the fluffy, soft fox tail on the ground, and back at the Gudiao. Want to eat it?

Xiao Xiao: ......

He actually saw the Gudiao nod. Those glowing eyes really did not fit its usual cold and gloomy image.

Fine. It wasn't the first time he knew that spirits ate other spirits, especially this one, which seemed particularly fond of its own kind. Xiao Xiao rubbed his slightly stiff brow, then raised his head and gestured to the Gudiao: Do as you please. He then pointed his chin outward: Stay further away.

...

Xiao Xiao turned around, naturally helping Su Youjin to sit down on the recliner, with his back turned to the Gudiao behind him.

Su Youjin obediently followed Xiao Xiao's movements.

Only now did Xiao Xiao notice that Su Youjin had been keeping her eyes half-closed, looking thoroughly exhausted.

And understandably so; she had just fought a fierce battle against the fox spirit inside her own body. Prior to that, she had already engaged in who knows how many battles with the fox spirit.

The mental toll from this was extremely severe.

He just wondered how much of the preceding events Su Youjin had managed to see and hear in this state.