Deep within the dense forest, a suffocating pressure swept through, making the surrounding air feel as if it had solidified. Lin Yaoyao pulled Bai Li behind her for protection while Shen Mo and the Trial Participant stood back-to-back. The four of them formed a defensive formation, warily scanning their surroundings. The leaves rustled as if responding to this pressure, or perhaps as a premonition of approaching danger. Lin Yaoyao gripped the Flying Sword in her hand; the blade emitted a faint hum, its translucent white glow appearing exceptionally dazzling in the dim forest. Shen Mo's long sword also let out a low sword chime, its tip pointing straight ahead, as if ready to pierce through the tense atmosphere at any moment. Although the Trial Participant had a lower Cultivation Base, he gripped his long sword tightly, his eyes resolute and devoid of any fear. Bai Li's two fox tails swayed uneasily, and a vigilant light flickered in her silver eyes. She could clearly sense the power of this pressure and secretly heightened her guard, ready to respond to any sudden situation.
A massive Black Flame Demonic Tiger slowly stepped out from the dense forest. Its entire body was wreathed in black flames that clung to its fur like maggots on a bone, swaying gently with its steps like dancing dark spirits emitting an eerie light. The Black Flame Demonic Tiger's eyes were like two burning torches, flashing with a ferocious light. It paced slowly, each step striking the ground with a dull thud that seemed to beat against everyone's hearts, causing a wave of palpitations. Its massive frame radiated a suffocating pressure, causing the surrounding air to seemingly freeze; even the wind stopped breathing and the leaves ceased their swaying. The entire forest fell into a deathly silence.
"So this is the Black Flame Demonic Tiger..." Li Ming muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of fear and trembling. He had once witnessed the terrifying strength of a Black Flame Demonic Tiger with his own eyes; his fellow disciples had died under the claws and flames of this very species of Yao Beast. That gruesome scene was still deeply etched in his mind, impossible to dispel. His hand gripping the long sword trembled slightly, and his heart was filled with dread. He understood that with their current strength, defeating this Black Flame Demonic Tiger was nearly impossible.
Bai Li noticed Li Ming's unease and took a deep breath, saying, "It's alright. I sense that it's only a juvenile, not an adult. Its Realm isn't high. As long as we work together, we should be able to defeat it. Trust me." The three of them nodded upon hearing Bai Li's words. Two fox tails swayed violently behind her, emitting a faint fluorescence, while her silver eyes fixed on the Black Flame Demonic Tiger without a hint of fear. She rapidly circulated the spiritual energy within her body, condensing it in her palm. White Nine-Tailed Fox Fire burned fiercely in her hand, radiating a scorching light like a miniature sun, illuminating the surrounding forest. Bai Li pushed both hands forward, and the Nine-Tailed Fox Fire transformed into a wall of flame, whistling toward the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. The white flames were like a massive white wave, carrying the power to incinerate all things as they swept toward the Black Flame Demonic Tiger in an attempt to block its advance.
However, the Black Flame Demonic Tiger simply swiped a claw, and the black flames pounced like a hungry wolf, instantly swallowing Bai Li's Nine-Tailed Fox Fire whole. The white wall of fire collapsed in an instant, as fragile as if it were made of paper. Seeing this, Bai Li's expression changed slightly. She hadn't expected the flames of a juvenile Black Flame Demonic Tiger to be so powerful that it could easily consume her Nine-Tailed Fox Fire.
"Bai Li, hide quickly!" Lin Yaoyao shouted while simultaneously unleashing her Flying Sword. The translucent white Flying Sword was like a bolt of lightning, carrying sharp Sword Qi as it shot toward the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. Shen Mo followed closely behind, also launching her Flying Sword. Her blade was like a silver stream of light, carrying the sound of breaking air as it attacked the Black Flame Demonic Tiger from the other side.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's Flying Swords attacked from the left and right, flanking the Black Flame Demonic Tiger from both sides in an attempt to pin down its movements and buy time for Bai Li. Their Flying Swords were incredibly fast, like two bolts of lightning slicing through the air with sharp whistles.
The Black Flame Demonic Tiger let out a disdainful snort. Its massive body swayed slightly, easily dodging the Flying Sword attacks from Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo. It swung its massive claws, which were burning with black flames, and swatted violently at their Flying Swords. The massive black claws were like two small mountains, carrying world-destroying power as they smashed toward the swords.
"Clang! Clang!" Two crisp metallic clangs rang out as Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's Flying Swords were swatted away by the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's massive claws, falling powerlessly to the ground like kites with severed strings. Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's expressions shifted; they hadn't expected the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's strength to be so immense that it could easily knock away their Flying Swords. They quickly recalled their swords and steadied themselves, staring vigilantly at the Black Flame Demonic Tiger, not daring to be the least bit careless.
Taking advantage of the moment Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo were distracting the Black Flame Demonic Tiger, Bai Li quickly hid behind a massive rock. She took a deep breath, her two fox tails swaying violently and emitting a faint fluorescence. She tightly closed her silver eyes and began to accumulate spiritual energy, preparing to release the Shapeshifting Art. She understood that with her current strength, she could not face the Black Flame Demonic Tiger head-on; she had to rely on the power of the Shapeshifting Art to have a glimmer of hope for survival. Bai Li's heart was filled with extreme anxiety, but she forced herself to calm down. She silently operated her Cultivation Technique, rapidly circulating the spiritual energy in her body and gathering it in her Dantian to prepare for the release of the Shapeshifting Art. Time passed second by second as the spiritual energy within Bai Li continued to build. The fluorescence emitted by the two fox tails behind her grew more and more dazzling, like two bright lamps illuminating the surrounding rocks and trees.
The Black Flame Demonic Tiger roared at the sky. The deafening tiger roar echoed through the valley, causing the surrounding trees to shake violently and leaves to flutter down as if the end of the world had arrived. Its massive body radiated an even more powerful pressure, making the surrounding air feel as if it had solidified and making it difficult to breathe. It swung its massive claws, burning with black flames, swatting away Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's Flying Swords once more, and then lunged fiercely toward the giant rock where Bai Li was hiding.
The giant rock instantly shattered, sending stone fragments flying.
"Bai Li!" Seeing this, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's expressions changed drastically. They cried out in alarm, their eyes filled with worry and anxiety. They wanted to rush over to save Bai Li, but they found that the Black Flame Demonic Tiger was too fast; they couldn't stop it in time.
The moment the giant rock shattered, dust filled the air and blotted out the sun. Stone fragments flew in all directions like raindrops, hitting the surrounding trees and ground with crackling thuds. Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's hearts leaped into their throats. Their gazes were fixed on the spot where the rock had shattered, anxiously searching for Bai Li's figure, their hearts filled with worry and fear.
However, after the dust settled, the spot where the rock had shattered was empty. Only a few tufts of white fox fur, scorched by flames, drifted in the air, as if telling the tale of the harrowing moment that had just occurred. Bai Li's figure had disappeared, leaving only those few scorched tufts of white fox fur behind.
"Bai Li!" Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo were frantic with worry. Thinking that something terrible had happened to Bai Li, Lin Yaoyao charged recklessly at the Black Flame Demonic Tiger in a fit of grief and indignation. Her bloodshot eyes were filled with anger and hatred. She poured all her spiritual energy into her Flying Sword, causing the translucent white blade to emit a dazzling light. Like a bolt of lightning carrying sharp Sword Qi, she stabbed fiercely at the Black Flame Demonic Tiger.
Shen Mo followed close behind. Holding her long sword, her movements were agile, like a black bolt of lightning weaving around the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. She infused her spiritual energy into the long sword, causing the blade to hum as cold light flickered. She swung her long sword, continuously attacking the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's vital points in an attempt to pin down its movements and create an opening for Lin Yaoyao.
Seeing Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo fighting the Black Flame Demonic Tiger so selflessly to avenge Bai Li, the Trial Participant was deeply moved by their life-risking actions, which ignited the courage in his heart. He gripped his long sword and joined the battle as well. Although his Cultivation Base was far inferior to Lin Yaoyao's and Shen Mo's, he still rushed forward without hesitation, using his body and his sword to buy time for them and distract the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. He knew his strength was weak and his impact on the battle would be negligible, but he still wanted to contribute his part. Even if he could only delay the Black Flame Demonic Tiger for a moment, it would create more opportunities for Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo.
Facing the three-person onslaught, the Black Flame Demonic Tiger showed no fear; instead, it grew even more excited. It roared at the sky, the deafening sound echoing through the valley. It swung its massive claws, burning with black flames, continuously attacking Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and the Trial Participant. The black flames clung to its fur like maggots on a bone, swaying gently with its movements like dancing dark spirits emitting an eerie light. Every swipe of its claws carried world-destroying power, causing the surrounding trees and rocks to shatter into powder. Deep gouges were left on the ground as if it had been plowed, a shocking sight to behold.
Even with Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and the Trial Participant working together, they were still unable to cause any substantial damage to the Black Flame Demonic Tiger; instead, they were constantly in peril. The Black Flame Demonic Tiger's strength was too great; their attacks seemed fragile before it, like mayflies trying to shake a giant tree. Several wounds appeared on Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo, blood staining their clothes. Their spiritual energy was heavily depleted, and their auras were becoming unstable. Li Ming's injuries were even more severe; he had multiple lacerations from the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's claws and was covered in blood, yet he gritted his teeth and persevered, refusing to fall. He knew he couldn't collapse; he had to hold on to buy time for Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo, even if it was just a little bit.
Just as the three were about to reach their limit, a fox roar that shook the valley suddenly rang out. The fox roar was crisp and loud, yet it carried a hint of majesty and dominance, like a sovereign king announcing their domain.
Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Li Ming were all stunned. They looked toward the source of the sound and saw a massive Two-Tailed White Fox appearing behind the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. The white fox was snow-white all over, its two fluffy tails swaying gently behind it, elegant and noble. The white fox's eyes were like two brilliant gemstones flashing with sharp light. Its entire body radiated a powerful surge of spiritual energy that spread out in all directions like ripples, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly.
"Bai Li!" Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo cried out in pleasant surprise. They hadn't expected Bai Li to actually trigger the Shapeshifting Art and transform into such a powerful Two-Tailed White Fox. Their hanging hearts finally settled, and they were filled with joy and excitement.
Li Ming also looked at the Two-Tailed White Fox that Bai Li had transformed into with astonishment. He hadn't expected Bai Li to be a Spirit Beast, let alone possess such formidable strength. His heart was filled with admiration and gratitude toward Bai Li. He knew they were saved.
The Two-Tailed White Fox that Bai Li had transformed into appeared behind the Black Flame Demonic Tiger and let out a valley-shaking fox roar to declare its dominance. The Black Flame Demonic Tiger was startled by the sudden roar. It spun around abruptly and stared vigilantly at Bai Li, a hint of wariness flashing in its eyes. It could sense the powerful spiritual energy fluctuations radiating from Bai Li. These fluctuations caused its heart to palpitate, and it instinctively felt that this Two-Tailed White Fox was a formidable opponent.
Bai Li swung her massive fox claws, carrying a sharp gale as she swiped fiercely at the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. The massive fox claws were like two small mountains, smashing toward the Black Flame Demonic Tiger with a whistling sound. Everywhere the fox claws passed, the air slightly distorted and deformed, as if it were about to be torn apart.
The Black Flame Demonic Tiger didn't dare take the hit directly and quickly dodged. Bai Li's fox claw slammed heavily into the ground, letting out a deafening explosion. The ground shook violently as if there were an earthquake, and the surrounding trees and rocks shattered into powder. A massive crater appeared in the ground, and the earth around it cracked like a spiderweb, spreading densely in all directions.
Bai Li struck out several times in succession, each palm strike containing immense spiritual energy, causing the surrounding air to vibrate violently.
"Roar!" The Black Flame Demonic Tiger roared in anger. It swung its massive claws, burning with black flames, and swiped fiercely at Bai Li. Its massive body, wreathed in black fire, was exceptionally conspicuous in the dim forest, like a demon emerging from Hell, filled with a terrifying aura.
Bai Li calmly dodged and simultaneously swung her fox claws, engaging in a fierce struggle with the Black Flame Demonic Tiger. For a time, sand and stones flew, light radiated everywhere, and the sound of booming was constant. Bai Li's fox claws and the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's talons continuously collided, producing bursts of metallic clashing and sending countless sparks flying. Each collision stirred up powerful spiritual energy fluctuations that made the surrounding trees and rocks tremble. Bai Li's Nine-Tailed Fox Fire and the Black Flame Demonic Tiger's black flames intertwined like two giant dragons fighting in the sky. The white flames and black flames consumed each other with crackling sounds, illuminating every corner of the valley.