201: Dark Night is Coming

Facing Bai Lie's aggressive demeanor and the unfriendly gazes of hundreds of White Tiger Clan members, Hu Jiutian seemed oblivious.

She lightly covered her lips and chuckled, her laughter like a clear spring dripping onto a jade plate from a mountain stream, carrying a natural charm that easily dissipated the murderous aura in the area.

"Hehe, Elder Bai Lie has quite a temper ~"

Hu Jiutian's eyes flickered, sweeping over Bai Lie's angry face as if in a pout or a complaint, finally settling gracefully on the dark Divine statue emanating a brilliant Divine Might. She curtsied elegantly again, her nine fluffy fox tails gently swaying with her movement.

As expected of the Fox Clan, known for their charm, even with both sides in a standoff, many young Tiger Clan members secretly found their faces flushed.

"Didn't this concubine just say? I've come specifically to congratulate the Tiger Clan on the completion of their Divine Temple. For such a grand event, the Ten Thousand Mountains should stand united, how could my Nine-Tailed Fox Clan be absent? Naturally, I've prepared a small gift to express my sincerity."

As she spoke, her jade-like hand again held up the jade box containing the Moon Radiance Pearl.

"This is a Moon Radiance Pearl treasured by my clan, refined from the essence of moon souls for a thousand years to obtain a single one. It is most effective at nourishing the Divine Soul and solidifying one's Foundation."

At the mention of the 'Moon Radiance Pearl,' many demons present held their breath.

This was an incredibly rare treasure; if it were outside, countless great demons would fight tooth and nail to snatch it.

Many demons on the scene were also stirring, but because the three Elders of the White Tiger Clan were suppressing them, they dared not show any unusual reactions.

"Beneath a heavy gift, there must be a hidden motive."

"Clan Chief Hu has given such a heavy gift, it can't just be for congratulations, can it?"

Hu Jiutian's fox tails trembled slightly, then she smiled even more brightly.

"Lord Mountain Monarch truly doesn't understand romance. For three hundred years, the Ten Thousand Mountains have been the White Tiger Clan's domain. Now that the White Tiger Clan has made such a big move, my clan merely... wishes to seek an Opportunity for foreknowledge."

Bai Lie snorted.

"Hmph, you old things, your noses are truly sharp. The slightest disturbance, and you sniff it out and come running."

"Oh my ~"

Hu Jiutian feigned surprise, widening her beautiful eyes.

"Elder Bai Lie's words make it sound as if our Fox Clan specifically came to steal food."

Her eyes flickered, sweeping over the surrounding White Tiger Clan members, "When it comes to keen senses, who can compare to our White Tiger Clan's ability to discern scents from a thousand miles away?"

Several young White Tigers in the crowd, hearing this, unconsciously touched their noses, eliciting a round of low laughter from those around them.

"You!"

Just as Bai Lie was about to flare up, Second Elder Bai Yan suddenly interjected.

"Clan Chief Hu's mouth is quite clever. I just wonder, has your Fox Clan's 'foreknowledge' foreseen that today you would come to White Tiger Cliff to fawn and seek favor?"

Hu Jiutian's eyes flickered, feigning surprise.

"Oh my, Elder Bai Yan's words. This concubine clearly came to offer congratulations, how did it become fawning in your mouth?"

"Could it be... that the White Tiger Clan has become so powerful that even treasures like the Moon Radiance Pearl are beneath them?"

At this moment, someone from the Tiger Clan shouted.

"Who knows if this pearl is real or fake? Your Fox Clan is best at illusions."

Then many Tiger Clan members seemed to recall something.

"Yes, yes, in these Ten Thousand Mountains, what credibility does your Fox Clan still have?"

"If you want to fight, then fight! Why so much fuss! Although our Tiger Clan is small in number, we are not afraid of trouble!"

"..."

Hu Jiutian secretly glared at the shouting Tiger Clan member, her eyes flickering, and the other party immediately fell silent.

Hu Jiutian: Young cub, still trying to contend with me.

"Elder Bai Lie, if you don't believe it, why not come and inspect it yourself? However, this Moon Radiance power might be a bit stimulating for some... Senior with insufficient Qi and blood ~"

Bai Lie's face darkened, and he was about to retort when Lin Hu suddenly raised his hand to stop him.

A flicker of contemplation passed through his golden vertical pupils.

—The 'Night' character that Blood Moon uttered before his death, and his bizarre demise, all hinted at a greater crisis.

The Fox Clan has always been well-informed; perhaps... they might know something.

"Everyone."

Lin Hu spoke in a deep voice, not loudly, but it instantly silenced the entire scene.

"Today is the joyous day of the Divine Temple's completion, why argue?"

He turned to Hu Jiutian, saying meaningfully.

"Since Clan Chief Hu sincerely offers congratulations, why not stay and participate in tonight's ceremony? It just so happens... there are some matters I wish to inquire about."

Bai Lie immediately objected upon hearing this: "Lin Hu! You—"

"Elder Bai Lie."

Lin Hu interrupted him, secretly transmitting, "Blood Moon's matter is strange; the Fox Clan might know something."

Hu Jiutian keenly caught the subtle atmosphere between the two, her fox tails gently swaying.

"Since Lord Lin extends the invitation... then this concubine would be impolite to refuse. It just so happens... I also have a few questions I wish to ask Lord Lin."

After speaking, she lightly winked alluringly.

Lin Hu: "..."

* * *

The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight obscured by heavy clouds.

Inside the secret hall, several bronze lamps flickered with dim yellow flames, casting long and short shadows of five figures.

A light screen unfolded in the hall, showing Blood Moon's dying projection.

Blood Moon's distorted face was frozen in his last moment, that strangely collapsing blood mist seemed to still float before everyone's eyes.

Even watching it again, Lin Hu still found it extremely terrifying.

However, the other few people were quite calm.

At least much calmer than Lin Hu appeared.

Elder Bai Xuan's white eyebrows were almost twisted into a knot, his aged fingers unconsciously tapping on the stone table.

"This is definitely not an ordinary spell... I've lived for five hundred years and have never seen such a death."

"It's too unbelievable; there's no trace of the opponent's attack."

It showed that the opponent was truly terrifying.

"Hmph!"

Bai Lie slammed his palm on the table, and the flames of the bronze lamps shook violently.

"No matter what evil art it is, whoever dares to act wildly on my White Tiger Cliff will surely come and never return!"

After speaking, he secretly observed Hu Jiutian's expression, only to see that her nine fox tails were tightly intertwined at some point. She stared at the strange rune on Blood Moon's neck in the light screen, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Bai Lie: Damn it, this old fox really knows.

"night erosion mark... it really is the night erosion mark..."

"Clan Chief Hu seems to recognize this?"

Lin Hu's golden eyes were exceptionally sharp in the dim light.

Hu Jiutian took a deep breath.

"night erosion mark..."

Her voice trembled, "This is not an ordinary curse mark, but a contract between the 'Night Lord' and his servants."

"Master-servant contract?"

Lin Hu frowned. As far as he knew, while a master-servant contract could control the other party's life and death, it shouldn't result in such a bizarre death, should it?

Moreover, the name night erosion mark, and the 'Night' that Blood Moon mentioned before his death, could it be the night erosion mark?

"Clan Chief Hu, do you know who cast this master-servant contract?"

Speaking of this, Hu Jiutian's fingertips trembled slightly, and her nine fox tails unconsciously coiled even tighter.

"Our Fox Clan... actually doesn't know either."

Her voice carried a hint of bitterness, and her tone was no longer as affected.

"A hundred years ago, a Prodigy from my clan died mysteriously, and his death was identical to Blood Moon's. Our Old Ancestor exhausted his lifelong efforts, yet only glimpsed a tiny fraction of this 'night erosion mark.'"

"Even your Fox Clan doesn't know?"

Bai Lie was very surprised.

"Before that Prodigy died, he only left half a sentence: 'The dark night is coming...'"

A trace of fear flashed in Hu Jiutian's eyes,

"Our Old Ancestor speculated that this night erosion mark is not an ordinary contract, but a brand left by some... higher-level existence."