Chapter 110: Chapter 110: I am a friend
As Aric ventured deeper into the Demonic Lands, he began to pick up subtle signs--tufts of fox fur scattered across the ground, traces of energy still lingering in the air. The further he went, the more the signs accumulated, pointing toward the trail of the Nine Tailed Fox Clan.
"Good, I'm getting closer," he thought, his steps quickening as he followed the clues left behind.
After about an hour of searching through the dense forest, the faint sounds of battle reached his ears. The distant clashing of energy and roars filled the air, pulling his attention in the direction of the fight.
"Finally, some action," Aric murmured, his eyes glinting with excitement. He moved silently, using his Celestial Veil Technique to conceal his presence as he approached the source of the noise.
When he reached a small clearing, his eyes narrowed at the sight before him: a group of male Nine-Tailed Foxes locked in a fierce battle with a pack of Demonic Tigers. Razel, the leader of the male Nine-Tailed Foxes, stood at the front, his tails bristling with energy as he faced off against Omude, the leader of the Demonic Tigers.
"We had an agreement!" Razel shouted, his voice tinged with frustration and desperation. "Why are you breaking the rules?"
Omude roared, his massive form towering over the foxes, a menacing grin spreading across his face. "We're just taking our share," he growled, his voice deep and booming. "It's already been decided by the higher-ups. There's nothing you can do."
Razel's eyes flashed with anger as he stood his ground. "They cannot do this. It's not fair. The other fox tribes won't forgive you. Even if you defeat us, they'll come for you and your people."
At Razel's words, Omude and the Demonic Tigers burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the clearing. "Hahaha! What a joke. The other tribes? They've already submitted to us. You're the last fools still resisting."
Omude stepped forward, his claws gleaming with dark energy. "I'll give you one last chance. Submit, beg for forgiveness from our masters, and maybe--just maybe--you'll survive this."
Razel's voice was firm, filled with resolve. "No. We won't submit after all the suffering we've endured." His eyes blazed with defiance. "We'd rather die fighting than live as slaves!"
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The other Nine-Tailed Foxes nodded, their voices filled with determination. "Yes, we won't give up. We'll fight you bastards and the ones behind you. Even if it costs us our lives!"
Omude's eyes gleamed with malice, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "So be it, then. You all die today." He turned to his fellow Demonic Tigers, his voice a savage growl. "Attack! Tear them apart!"
With a roar, the Demonic Tigers charged, their massive forms surging toward the male Nine-Tailed Foxes with bloodlust in their eyes. The air crackled with violent energy as the two forces clashed. Razel and his group of foxes fought valiantly, but it was clear they were outmatched. The Demonic Tigers were stronger, their claws ripping through the defense of the foxes with ease.
Blood splattered across the battlefield as the foxes struggled to hold their ground.
Aric watched from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement as the Tigers overpowered their prey.
"Wonderful," he muttered to himself. "They'll definitely know about Ava. And since I have to protect them... so be it. Let's get into battle mode."
With a wicked grin, Aric summoned his weapon, the Demonic Requiem, a dark blade pulsating with malevolent energy, its surface rippling as though alive. He stepped forward, his presence instantly shifting the balance of power on the battlefield.
The air around him crackled with energy, and even the Demonic Tigers, who had been laughing moments ago, froze in their tracks as they felt his overwhelming aura.
Without warning, Aric moved.
With lightning speed, he charged toward the nearest Demonic Tiger, his Demonic Requiem slicing through the air with ease. The blade made contact, and in a split second, the Tiger's head was severed from its body, blood spraying across the ground as the massive beast collapsed.
The other Demonic Tigers roared, their eyes wide with shock as they realized the power of the man before them. But it was too late. Aric's movements were swift, deadly, and precise. Each step he took was calculated, his blade cutting through the air as he dismantled the Demonic Tigers one by one.
Though each Demonic Tiger was a formidable enemy, with the strength of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, they were nothing compared to Aric's overwhelming power. To him, they were mere ants, their strength meaningless in the face of his skill and raw energy.
With a flick of his wrist, Aric sent a wave of dark energy crashing into two Demonic Tigers, their bodies twisting in mid-air as the force of the blast tore them apart. Their screams filled the clearing, but Aric didn't even blink as he moved on to the next one.
Razel and his group of Nine-Tailed Foxes watched in shock. They had been on the verge of being wiped out, but now, their enemies were being slaughtered like lambs.
"Who was this man?" Their hearts wavered between fear and hope. "If this man turned against them, they would be doomed. But if he chose to protect them... it would be a blessing."
Aric's blade continued to tear through the battlefield, each strike faster and more devastating than the last. The Demonic Tigers tried to fight back, but they were powerless against him. Their claws and teeth couldn't even scratch him, and their roars of rage turned into cries of fear as one by one, they were cut down.
Within minutes, the entire pack of Demonic Tigers lay dead, their bodies scattered across the ground, blood pooling beneath them. Aric stood in the center of the carnage, his Demonic Requiem dripping with blood, his expression calm and composed as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Aric smirked, wiping the blood from his blade as he turned to face the group of Nine-Tailed Foxes. "Well, that was easy," he said, his voice smooth and nonchalant. "Looks like I arrived just in time."
Razel stepped forward, his expression a mixture of caution and gratitude. "You... human. Who are you?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Why... why did you help us?"
Aric smiled, his eyes gleaming with a faint glint of amusement. "Although I have my own reasons," he began, his tone smooth and calculated, "you could say that I'm a friend of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan."
Razel's eyes narrowed, clearly suspicious, but he remained silent, allowing Aric to continue.
"I came here because Ava called me for help," Aric added, carefully watching for their reaction.
Razel's eyes widened, surprise flashing across his face. "Ava... how do you know the Matriarch?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Aric smirked inwardly, his mind already spinning with thoughts. "So Ava is the Matriarch... this just gets better and better. I can't wait to meet her," he thought to himself.
Outwardly, his expression remained calm. "You could say she's an old friend. She once did me a favor, and I'm here to return it."
The tension among the group of Nine-Tailed Foxes was palpable. They exchanged glances, unsure whether to believe this human who had just slaughtered their enemies with ease.
One of the younger foxes, his face contorted with doubt, spoke up, "If what you say is true, then show us some proof."
Aric's smirk faded slightly. He had no proof to offer, no token or sign from Ava. But proof wasn't necessary. Strength was proof enough in this world, and he decided to remind them of that.
Without a word, Aric unleashed a wave of his aura, suppressing the group of Eight Nine-Tailed Foxes with overwhelming force. His aura pressed down on them like a mountain, making it impossible for them to move or resist. Their bodies trembled under the pressure, and their eyes filled with fear as they realized the true gap in power between them and this human.
"Enough of this," Aric said coldly, his voice carrying the weight of his immense power. "I don't need to prove anything. You either accept that I'm here to help, or I can make sure you never question me again."
The Nine-Tailed Foxes struggled to breathe under the pressure of his aura, their minds filled with terror. They could do nothing but submit. Aric reached into his storage ring and pulled out a vial containing his blood. Before they could react, he forced the blood into their mouths, making sure each one swallowed it.
Under the overwhelming force of his aura and the power of his bloodline, the group of foxes had no choice but to succumb.
Soon Aric started altering their memories. And within a few minutes, their wills were bent, and their eyes glazed over as they fell completely under Aric's control.
Aric's voice was calm as he addressed them again, his tone commanding. "Now... where is Ava and the rest of the group?"
The Nine-Tailed Foxes, now fully obedient, responded in unison. "The Matriarch and the rest of the females are hiding."
Aric raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their response. "Do you know their exact location?"
Razel nodded, his voice emotionless now, "Yes."
Aric chuckled softly, his plan unfolding perfectly. "If you know where they are, then why were you out here fighting these Demonic Tigers? Shouldn't you be hiding with the others?"
Razel's tone was flat, his mind completely controlled. "Yes, we should have been hiding. But the Matriarch ordered us to collect food for the group."
Aric's eyes narrowed. "Food? In the middle of a warzone? Interesting." He walked around them, inspecting their defeated postures. "And why did the Demonic Tigers attack you? Who's targeting your clan?"