Chapter 35

The fox tribe began full-scale preparations for war.

The White Fox and Gray Fox tribes together had only five thousand people, yet they forcibly forged a combat force of over a thousand.

The fox tribes lacked weapons; many foxes used wooden spears as their arms.

But the Black Fox army was no better off.

Lack of weapons was common among the beast tribes.

"There seems to be an iron mine in the Misty Mountains."

On the tallest torch atop the Chengzhai, Lin Yan, burning fiercely, muttered to himself.

This torch was built with great ingenuity; at the top was a rain shield, and below, foxes continuously added firewood, ensuring it burned continuously.

This was Lin Yan's resting place when he had nothing else to do.

Burning atop such a torch could at least offset energy consumption.

The Misty Mountains held no shortage of valuable things.

While burning, Lin Yan discovered an iron mine, a copper mine, and a coal mine.

Lin Yan burned away the exposed portion of the coal mine, gaining more energy points than burning trees.

But mining these three ores would have to wait for another time.

Three days later, the fox tribes' preparations were nearly complete.

And across the wasteland, large numbers of foxes arrived…

"It seems the scouts' reports were correct—this wasteland, teeming with poisonous insects, has truly been burned clean."

A tall fox said.

Saying this, he crouched down, reached his hand into the ground, and scooped up a large handful of black soil.

"The soil here is truly fertile!"

The tall fox showed a pleased expression.

Behind him, many foxes imitated him, reaching their hands into the earth.

"Indeed fertile. This wasteland has lain abandoned for countless years, yet the soil beneath is so rich—once we claim this vast stretch, our tribe will multiply its strength several times over in just ten years!"

Another fox exclaimed excitedly.

"Hmm, but all the other fox tribes are joining this campaign. Chief, what should we do—split the land with them?"

Another fox asked.

"Split it? Of course we'll split it—but how much? That's up to us."

The Black Fox chief said.

"Chief, what about the White Fox and Gray Fox tribes?"

Another fox immediately asked.

The Black Fox chief said: "We'll see how cooperative they are. If they submit peacefully, surrender their land and divine beans, we may spare their lives. If not—hmm!"

At this moment, a younger black fox stepped forward:

"Father, I've heard that Sister Qing Ling, the daughter of the White Fox chief, was voted the most beautiful woman among the dozen tribes. If they surrender, we'll spare them only if they give Sister Qing Ling to me as my wife."

Another black fox said: "Brother, if you take Sister Qing Ling, what about me? No good—you have to let me have her first for a few days."

"Dream on. Can you even beat me?"

"Enough!"

Seeing his two sons bickering, the Black Fox chief gave a sharp rebuke; both immediately fell silent.

"Advance!"

The Black Fox chief waved his hand, and behind him, a dense horde of Black Fox warriors marched forth, heading toward the wasteland.

Behind this Black Fox army came the forces of the other fox tribes.

Though beast folk on the Divine Continent were far fewer than humans, their nations were numerous.

This beast nation east of the Misty Mountains consisted of many beast races.

The fox race was not the strongest; their living space had been squeezed thin, and internally, the Black Fox clan oppressed other fox tribes.

Thus, in this army, Black Foxes made up over half—over two thousand strong—while the combined forces of the other fox tribes totaled less than two thousand.

Yet this was already a force of four thousand, and to the Black Fox chief, it was more than enough to crush the White and Gray Fox tribes!

The army moved swiftly; by mid-afternoon, they arrived near the newly built Chengzhai of the Gray and White Fox tribes.

"They've come!"

Before the Chengzhai, the Gray and White Fox tribes stood ready behind their hedge.

The Black Fox chief walked to within ten meters of the hedge and said:

"Aili, Kailai—seeing me, won't you come out and pay your respects?"

Sister Qing Ling's mother stepped forward: "Black Fox Chief, you bring your army here—are you preparing to turn against your own kin?"

The Black Fox chief laughed loudly, his voice brimming with arrogance:

"Turn against kin? You've a fine way with human words. But if you surrender your land and your so-called divine beans, and give your daughter Sister Qing Ling to marry my two sons, I may spare your lives."

As he spoke, his gaze somehow drifted to Meng Ying, standing beside the fox maiden Sister Qing Ling.

Though Meng Ying also wore a light veil, he was instantly captivated by her.

"And her—she must be handed over to us too!"

The Black Fox chief swallowed hard and said.

No sooner had he spoken than a red beam shot toward him.

"Watch out!"

From behind, a fox with strange markings on his face cried out.

But it was too late. The red beam struck the Black Fox Clan Chief in an instant.

Boom!

Before the Black Fox Clan Chief could react, he was blown to pieces.

Immediately after, flames engulfed his shattered body, reducing him completely to ash.

The arrogant Black Fox Clan Chief, who had barely spoken a few words, was instantly slain!