【Zhengzi Fist, the most important thing is meditation, to achieve a calm mind, correct intention, and proper posture. Next, I will teach you the meditation mantra...】

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【The birds on the tree are in pairs, the green mountains and clear waters smile with joy...】

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【Three spoons of sugar, a little salt, then add some light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce...】

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【Oh my! It's broad daylight, this isn't right, hey, stop undressing, take your dirty hands away, I'll do it myself...】

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【The twelfth moon is dead, cursed humans, today I'm going to eat two more!】

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【Fan Family Knife, First Move, knife energy cuts through the air, follow my lead.】

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For the next period of time, Zhang Ping focused on adapting to his new talent, Wind Whisperer.

This ability was both a blessing and a curse.

Through Wind Whisperer, Zhang Ping uncovered countless secrets, both big and small.

For example, the Captain of the Slaughter Unit was named Situ Shibai, whose ability was Replication, and he was already over 200 years old.

Another example was that the Slaughter Unit had recently killed seven Skyborn Foxes.

He also learned about certain martial arts gyms’ untold secrets, all of which he now knew like the back of his hand.

But sometimes, it brought him great frustration.

Because the ability was entirely passive, he couldn’t avoid learning things he had no desire to know.

Petty gossip, affairs, betrayals, shameful secrets—and the horrifying sound of Skyborn Foxes chewing on human flesh.

There were some things he truly did not want to hear, especially not during meals.

“Your stance is wrong. Start over.”

Beside the forge, Zhang Ping was practicing his Fire Eater ability. Not far behind him, Wang Jieming was training with his fists.

Having already grasped the basics of Monkey King Style, Wang Jieming had forced Bai De to concede and teach him the subsequent moves. However, Wang Jieming had developed a habit of practicing at Zhang Ping’s place, so he often dropped by during lunch hours.

While Wang Jieming continued to train in Monkey King Style, Zhang Ping had already moved on to Giant Crocodile Style, a technique for training finger strength. It coincidentally resembled the Doughsmithing Art, so his progress advanced rapidly. He was already close to reaching the threshold for Phoenix Claw Style.

In truth, Zhang Ping already knew all the techniques of Beastlord Punch; the only thing he lacked was the precise movements.

After thoroughly understanding Beastlord Punch, Zhang Ping had to admit—it was worth every penny.

The first three forms trained the arms, the middle three forms strengthened the legs and chest, while the final three were essentially secret techniques. The ultimate move was nothing short of miraculous—it was practically a superpower.

However, mastering Beastlord Punch was no simple feat.

According to information he’d overheard through Wind Whisperer, the first three and middle three forms were achievable by ordinary people. But the final three moves tested both talent and financial resources, while the ultimate move required not just talent, but also extraordinary comprehension. Most importantly, it demanded significant wealth.

This was because both the final three forms and the ultimate move required specific body parts of Mutated Beasts as medicinal materials.

Zhang Ping knew the recipes and the training methods, but without a mentor to guide him, he didn’t dare attempt it. A single mistake while practicing Beastlord Punch could result in severe consequences—

Minor injuries might twist his muscles and bones; severe ones could leave him paralyzed for life.

【Lunara VI, look at those two kids—they look delicious. How about we eat them for lunch?】

“Lunara VI, look at those two kids—they look delicious. How about we eat them for lunch?”

While channeling his fire elemental energy, Zhang Ping suddenly heard a raspy voice—echoing, as if layered.

He frowned and turned his head. Outside the door of Iron Soul, two Skyborn Foxes stood, staring into the shop, their gazes predatory as they sized him and Wang Jieming up like prey.

“Are Wang Jieming and I being targeted?”

Zhang Ping’s heart sank. In the next moment, he clutched Cold Jade, releasing flames subtly within his palm.

At that moment, the two Skyborn Foxes slowly stepped inside. One moved toward Wang Jieming, while the other approached Zhang Ping.

Wang Jieming, seeing “customers” arrive, greeted them enthusiastically. “Welcome! What kind of weapon are you looking for?”

“I’m just browsing,” one of the Skyborn Foxes rasped as it continued closing the distance to Wang Jieming.

On the other side, Zhang Ping stood up and smiled warmly. “Welcome.”

In an instant, a black vortex appeared beneath Zhang Ping, Wang Jieming, and the two Skyborn Foxes.

Before anyone could react, all four were swallowed into the void, tumbling into an unfamiliar, dimly lit chamber.

The Skyborn Foxes reacted first, leaping toward Zhang Ping and Wang Jieming the moment they landed.

However, Zhang Ping wasn’t new to sudden teleportation anymore. His reflexes kicked in as he grabbed Wang Jieming, yanking him backward with all his strength.

“Move!” Zhang Ping shouted, his voice urgent.

Wang Jieming, trusting him instinctively, followed without question. Yet, the gap between them and the beasts continued to shrink.

The two Skyborn Foxes towered over them—one nearly three meters tall, the other not much shorter at two and a half meters. The beasts’ massive limbs gave them an overwhelming advantage in speed and reach.

“Be careful! They’re Mutated Beasts,” Zhang Ping warned as he let go of Wang Jieming and extended both arms. Fire surged out from his palms, a torrent of flames roaring toward the nearest Skyborn Fox.

But the beast didn’t even bother to dodge. It barreled through the fire effortlessly, its claw swiping straight for Zhang Ping’s head.

Zhang Ping threw himself into a roll, barely avoiding the deadly strike. “Sisi! If you don’t show up now, I’m done for!” he shouted, eyes darting around desperately. But Liu Sishan was nowhere to be seen.

The beast he faced was an Intermediate Level Mutated Beast—Level 17. Zhang Ping, at Level 3, was hopelessly outmatched. Each strike was a death sentence.

Meanwhile, Wang Jieming wasn’t faring much better. Though he was Level 5, his beast was Level 12, weaker but still leagues above him. Unable to fight back, he could only dodge and defend, a grim expression on his face.

Zhang Ping clenched his teeth, equipping the Assassin Ring and gripping the Beauty Tear Dagger tightly. But the weapon might as well have been a toy. The Skyborn Fox’s massive frame and speed rendered his attacks futile. He couldn’t get close enough to strike, while the beast’s outstretched claws could end him at any moment.

He dodged. He rolled. He scrambled. But it wasn’t enough.

Thirty seconds later, Zhang Ping found himself backed into a corner, panting, with nowhere left to run. The Skyborn Fox raised its claw, its blow inevitable—fatal.

Suddenly, a flash of blue streaked across the room.

Like an ethereal ribbon, a stream of water arced gracefully through the air, striking the Skyborn Fox’s neck with pinpoint precision. In a blink, the beast froze. Its massive body shuddered, and blood gushed from a cleanly severed neck.

The Skyborn Fox’s head tumbled to the ground, rolling to a stop in the dust.

Zhang Ping turned his gaze toward the source of the attack.

In the corner of the chamber stood Liu Sishan, her form framed by swirling, crystalline streams of water. She looked ethereal, like a goddess veiled in mist, ice crystals shimmering faintly within the water that coiled around her.

Zhang Ping, now breathing hard, recognized the subtle vibrations—like a faint hum—that accompanied the flowing water. High-pressure water.

“Trying to watch me embarrass myself, Sisi?” he growled, staggering forward.

Liu Sishan ignored him. With a flick of her wrist, the second Skyborn Fox was dispatched just as effortlessly, its head sailing from its shoulders in a shower of crimson.

“Get out of here. I’ve covered your tracks,” Liu Sishan said coolly, casting Zhang Ping a glance that brooked no argument. “We’ll talk tonight.”

Before either of them could respond, Zhang Ping and Wang Jieming were flung back through the vortex, landing with a thud inside Iron Soul.

Wang Jieming opened his mouth, trying to ask something, but Zhang Ping shook his head immediately. Wang Jieming understood, nodding slightly before resuming his training.

Zhang Ping slumped beside the forge, swallowing fire to replenish his strength. The thirty-second encounter had drained him completely, both physically and mentally. As exhaustion swept over him, he muttered to himself:

“I’m still too weak.”

The flames flickered, their heat soothing. Zhang Ping bit his lip and forced himself to focus, forging a Contract Gem from his dwindling mental energy. He swallowed it in one gulp, but the effort left him so drained that sleep claimed him where he sat, slumped against the forge.

...

To humans, all Skyborn Foxes looked nearly identical, but the Skyborn Foxes themselves could easily distinguish one another.

After invading Mingzhu City, the Skyborn Foxes had even begun adopting human habits, giving themselves names. They used "Lunara" as a surname and named themselves based on their rank within the tribe. The leader of the Skyborn Foxes was called Lunara King, and his son was known as Lunara Prince.

It was Lunara Prince who had devoured Luo Shiyu.

At this moment, the Lord's Manor was filled with Skyborn Foxes. A golden fox with an imposing build, its forehead bare of any human skin disguise, sat upon the central throne. Standing by its side was Lunara Prince, who wore Luo Shiyu's human skin.

Undoubtedly, the golden fox was none other than Lunara King, the leader of the Skyborn Foxes.

“Nine of us have died this past week. It seems the humans have found a way to counter my power,” Lunara King said in a deep voice. The other foxes' eyes glinted murderously as killing intent filled the room.

“King, why don't we simply slaughter every last human and take over this city?” suggested a fox with a seductive woman's skin pasted onto its forehead.

“And then what will you eat? Grass?” retorted another fox wearing a plump man's human skin.

The Skyborn Foxes began arguing, their discussion quickly escalating into insults. Before long, it devolved into a chaotic brawl.

“Cease.”

Lunara King's eyes narrowed slightly, unleashing a ferocious aura that instantly blanketed the entire Lord's Manor.

The Skyborn Foxes froze in place, then hastily released one another, dropping to the ground and prostrating themselves, too terrified to look up.

Lunara King turned to Lunara Prince and asked, “Son, what do you think?”

“Killing all the humans isn’t practical, and it wastes valuable food,” Lunara Prince replied calmly. “We need a way to lure the ones still in hiding out of their holes and eliminate them one by one.”

At this moment, the only human present in the Lord's Manor, Vice City Lord Huang Zeming, spoke up. “King, Your Highness, perhaps we can draw other races into the city first. Stir up the waters, as it were, and take advantage of the chaos to clean out the stronger humans.”

“You think they’re hiding inside the city?” Lunara King asked, turning his gaze to him.

Huang Zeming nodded. “Among the Three Major Organizations, aside from the Patrol Squad and the Investigation Unit, there’s a third group only the City Lord knows about. When you struck down the City Lord last time, he fled wounded and has been missing since. I believe he’s still in the city, lying low and waiting for us to make a mistake.”

“That idea isn’t bad,” Lunara Prince interjected, his voice tinged with anticipation. “I’ve grown tired of eating nothing but humans. A little variety wouldn’t hurt.”

Lunara King closed his eyes in thought. After a long moment, he opened them and looked at Lunara Prince. “Son, if I entrust the task of eliminating the humans' strongmen to you, can you handle it?”

“Yes,” Lunara Prince replied confidently.

Satisfied, Lunara King nodded. “Then we’ll muddy the waters of Mingzhu City. I’ll enter a state of hibernation and suppress my aura. Once my presence disappears, Mingzhu City will be left defenseless. The rest is up to you.”

“Yes, I will drag out every last human who dared to harm Lunara IX and the others,” Lunara Prince promised.

Lunara King closed his eyes again, his breathing gradually slowing. His once oppressive aura began to fade. In no more than an hour, it would completely vanish.

“King is now in hibernation. All members of the Lunara Tribe are forbidden from leaving the Lord's Manor. Lunara I, Lunara II, and Lunara III will handle food collection. Lunara XXX, Lunara XXXI, Lunara XXXII, and Lunara XXXIII—you will follow me. We will observe the humans and identify their strongest warriors.”

Lunara Prince stepped into the center of the hall, his towering figure blocking the view of Lunara King as he issued his commands.

The Skyborn Foxes lowered their heads in unison and replied, “Understood.”

Huang Zeming also bowed his head. However, his eyes gleamed coldly, and a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.