The fox bit down on the rising earth spikes with such focus that they shattered beneath its jaws.
With a savage swing of its clawed paw, it smashed through the remaining debris and charged straight toward Wu Jian.
Seeing this, Wu Jian moved his hands, and a massive wall of earth erupted from the ground between them.
Seeing this, Wu Jian moved his hands in a sharp motion—boom! A massive stone wall erupted from the ground between them.
He leapt back, but his feet were already sinking—his body slowly began to sink into the ground.
His face twisted with dread.
> I need to get out of here—now!
The fox leapt over the wall effortlessly. As Wu Jian disappeared into the earth, beneath the ground, using the Earth Escape Technique to burrow deep into the soil.
But the fox followed with a fluid motion—diving into the earth as well, using the Earth Escape technique. It moved through the ground as if flying.
Suddenly, it launched an earth spike straight at Wu Jian. He sensed the incoming attack and moved instinctively—eyes wide, body twisting just in time to avoid it.
> It knows Earth Escape? he thought, gritting his teeth.
More spikes launched at him from all directions. Wu Jian twisted, ducked, and rolled, barely evading them.
> I can't just keep dodging... If this keeps up, I'm going to die. I don't even have the energy to fight back...
He angled upward, struggling to reach the surface.
Suddenly, a massive earth spike surged toward him from behind. His eyes widened.
> Can't dodge! he thought. can only try to block!
He spun, raising both arms to shield himself. Using the last of his spiritual energy, he formed a thin barrier around his body. The spike struck—the barrier shattered instantly.
But in that split-second, he shifted his body just enough.
The spike tore into his shoulder, severing his hand.
He didn't scream. Didn't flinch. Jaw clenched, eyes focused, he moved like a machine—no sign of pain on his face.
He burst out from underground, landing just outside the city walls.
A second later, the fox emerged too, leaping toward him—jaws wide, eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Wu Jian clenched his teeth, releasing a surge of spiritual energy.
> I can't die here. Even if I have to burn my cultivation—!
---
Suddenly, the world turned upside down.
The scene shifted back to the estate.
> Huh? What is this...?
Confused, Wu Jian looked down at the fox... which stood beside a headless corpse.
His corpse.
> Is that... my body?
His gaze dimmed. His head rolled to the ground.
His body collapsed at the same moment.
The fox stared down at his severed head, licking blood from its maw.
"Tch," i didn't think there'd be any Foundation Establishment cultivators here, the fox mused. I thought he ran away earlier. Didn't think he'd come to the estate.
Flashback.
We return to an earlier moment: the fox perched on the roof of a building, unmoving, its gaze locked on the distant battle in the skies above—waiting. Watching.