Lord Pig, having executed his grand, cinematic farewell from the Ghost King Sect, descended swiftly upon Xiaochi Town. His destination was a secluded copse of small, unassuming woods, where, according to the predictable but often dramatic currents of fate, the six-tailed fox Xiaoliu and the afflicted three-tailed fox spirit were currently residing.
His immediate interest was not in the tragic life story of the two fox spirits who lived in the dark, black stone cave nestled within these trees. His focus, sharp and glittering as the edge of his miniaturized sword, was entirely on the magnificent, fire-forged prize they held: the Mysterious Fire Mirror, or Xuanhuojian.
The Xuanhuojian was no common artifact. It was the essence of all primordial fire, a divine weapon of supreme power forged by the cosmos itself, and an object capable of burning the world clean. Its history was steeped in legend, once wielded by the ancient witch Linglong of southern Xinjiang, and later becoming the most coveted treasure of Fenxiang Valley, one of the three great righteous sects.
It was an object that fit neatly into the palm, perfectly round. The exterior was an exquisite, seamless emerald-green jade ring, so vibrant and lush it seemed to hum with silent, ancient power. Within the center of the ring, nestled like a captured sun, was a small, thin component resembling a mirror, yet possessing the strange, non-reflective quality of cooled lava.
This central piece was a deep, burning crimson, and upon its surface was intricately carved a swirling flame totem, so ancient it predated written scripture. Long, delicate strands of red silk tassel were tied gracefully to the jade ring, fluttering with any slight movement, hinting at the item's swift, deadly mobility in battle.
To truly master the Xuanhuojian was to command the Eight Desolate Fire Dragon, a primordial beast of flame, granting one the power to incinerate all things under heaven.
Three centuries prior, the legendary Nine-tailed Sky Fox had stolen the Mysterious Fire Mirror, only to be tragically imprisoned beneath the Mysterious Fire Altar in Fenxiang Valley. The priceless artifact had subsequently fallen into the cautious protection of her son, the Six-tailed Spirit Fox, Xiaoliu.
"On Xiaosonggang, the moon is like frost,People are like floating catkins and flowers are also hurt.Tens of years, three thousand years,I hope we won't forget each other after we part."
Suddenly, a soft, heartbreakingly melancholy melody drifted from the heart of the woods. It was a woman's voice, melodious and ethereal, yet carrying a profound, weary sense of sadness that settled like a chilling mist in the air.
Lord Pig's eyes immediately brightened. A dramatic entrance is always superior to a simple arrival. He flapped his Wind-Thunder Sky Wings, accelerating toward the source of the lament.
He broke through the dense canopy of trees and found his target: a woman in snow-white robes seated atop a moss-covered rock right before the entrance to a dark cave. She was a vision of delicate, almost fragile beauty. Her long, straight hair, the color of midnight, was unbound, flowing like a tranquil stream over her shoulders.
Her skin was porcelain-fair, framed by elegant eyebrows, a delicate nose, and lips faintly stained with rose. Her eyes, however, held the most power; they were like still water, deep and seemingly capable of peering into the very soul of the observer.
This was a woman designed to inspire immediate pity and devotion. She sat timidly, sensing the interruption, and fixed her watery gaze upon the tiny golden pig hovering before her.
"A little… monster? Have you come here to seize the Xuan Huojian as well?" she asked, her voice soft but imbued with a weary resignation.
"What sort of expression is that? And what crude title is 'little monster'?" Lord Pig bristled, puffing out his golden chest. "Lord Pig is the embodiment of unmatched wisdom and divine justice! I am majestic, I am handsome, and I have come to save you all! Now, surrender the Xuan Huojian!"
The woman let out a small, almost inaudible sigh, her expression shifting to one of gentle dismissal. "Little one, the Xuan Huojian is far too dangerous for your small paws. Please, simply take your leave. We do not wish to cause you harm."
Oh, the audacity! Lord Pig thought, deeply offended by her lack of deference. He had just toppled the hierarchy of the Demon Sect, and this fox spirit thought she could wave him away?
"It seems Lord Pig must once again engage in the tiresome business of demonstrating his capabilities!"
Swish!
Before the woman could even blink, the deadly tip of the Zhu Xian Sword was resting precisely against the soft skin of her neck. The sheer, overwhelming destructive aura emanating from the sword's diminutive blade was like a wave of pure, concentrated divine lightning.
The woman's beautiful face instantly paled, and the shock caused her to lose her human form in an involuntary reversion.
In her place now crouched a frightened, magnificent white fox with three lush tails.
"No! Stop! Don't harm her! We will give you the Xuan Huojian! Just take it!"
From the darkness of the cave entrance scrambled another fox, this one even larger, its fur snow-white, defined by six majestic tails. His eyes were filled with desperate pleading.
"Brother!" The three-tailed fox, ignoring the terrifying threat pressing against her fur, scrambled instinctively toward the six-tailed fox.
"Give the Xuan Huojian to this… esteemed brother!" the six-tailed fox, Xiaoliu, commanded the smaller fox. He felt the immeasurable, world-ending power emanating from the Zhu Xian Sword. There was no contest; even activating the Mysterious Fire Mirror would only result in instant, painful annihilation.
"Here! Take it!"
The three-tailed fox, still trembling, conjured the Xuan Huojian and tossed it toward Lord Pig.
Lord Pig caught the exquisite artifact effortlessly. He immediately used a fine golden chain to loop it around his neck, letting it dangle like an oversized, divine medallion. He then sheathed the Zhu Xian Sword on his back and gave a satisfied shake of his paw, only to realize his other favorite accessory was missing.
"Hmph. It seems Lord Pig must now commission a new fan. I shouldn't have been so generous with that You Ji sister." He paused his internal grumbling and fixed his eyes upon the two magnificent fox spirits.
The three-tailed fox immediately became defensive. She glared at him, her body coiled tightly. "What more do you want? We gave you the Mysterious Fire Mirror! Are you going to be yet another greedy little monster who kills us to ensure silence?"
"Such vulgar assumptions!" Lord Pig declared, deeply wounded. "Listen here, little fox. Your six-tailed companion will not survive another few months. Lord Pig possesses the means to save him. Now, are you going to accept this act of immense goodwill and benevolence, or shall Lord Pig simply depart?"
He spoke calmly, his tone conveying a total lack of concern. How dare they accuse the embodiment of justice of being a thief! A transaction must be fair, after all. You must pay a price for the privilege of being saved by a divine pig!
The three-tailed fox froze, then her eyes widened with a desperate, burgeoning hope. "You… you can save Big Brother?" The six-tailed fox had been slowly succumbing to the terrible Nine Cold Ice Poison for centuries, a silent agony they could do nothing to alleviate.
"Lord Pig, I beg you! Save my brother! I will agree to anything you command, provided you can cure him!" The three-tailed fox immediately transformed back into her human form and knelt, pleading openly.
Lord Pig possessed the weapon and the strength to take everything, yet he offered salvation instead. She knew he spoke the truth.
"Oh? You agree to… anything?" Lord Pig chirped, running up to the kneeling woman. He playfully lifted her chin with a careful, furry paw. "I find you to be a rather striking little fox spirit. From this moment forth, you shall follow Lord Pig!"
"What?" The three-tailed fox gasped, completely blindsided by the terms of the bargain.
"Don't agree to this, Sanwei!" Xiaoliu interjected weakly. "Do not sacrifice your freedom for me! I know my body; I am too far gone. He is simply manipulating you!"
"I agree to his terms!" the three-tailed fox declared instantly, without hesitation.
"Why, brother? This is not worth it!" Xiaoliu sighed, his sorrow profound.
"Brother, please don't worry. It will not be terrible to follow Lord Pig!" The three-tailed fox comforted him, desperately trying to swallow the tears that threatened to spill, while inwardly preparing herself for a future of servitude to the strange, demanding golden pig.
Lord Pig completely ignored their emotional entanglement. Sentimental humans—or half-humans—are so predictable. He focused his divine will inward.
"Level up the magical power, Healing!"
The magical power of Healing—obtained during his adventures in the White Snake: Origin world—had been idly resting in his inventory.
Consume 11 Energy and Experience Points to upgrade Healing to Miraculous Rejuvenation.
Upgrade the magical power again, to the ultimate resurrection skill!
Consume 100 Energy and Experience Points to upgrade Miraculous Rejuvenation to the Magical Power of Resurrection!
A wave of potent, vigorous vitality flooded Lord Pig's body. He nodded in satisfaction. He flew over to the six-tailed fox, who was weakly lying on the ground, and pressed one furry claw gently onto Xiaoliu's chest.
WHOOSH!
A blinding sphere of vibrant green light erupted from Lord Pig's claw. It was a torrent of sheer, endless life force and vigor, pouring into Xiaoliu's body like a warm spring tide washing away the chill of an eternal winter.
The horrific Nine Cold Ice Poison, which had plagued Xiaoliu for centuries, melted away instantly and vanished rapidly, like hoarfrost meeting the scorching summer sun.
"Big Brother!" The three-tailed fox cried out in shock, then in profound joy. Xiaoliu's aura surged violently in the green light, and the sickly pallor immediately vanished from his face, replaced by a healthy, vibrant flush.
A quarter of an hour later, the green light dissipated. Not only was the ice poison entirely eradicated, but Xiaoliu's accumulated injuries were completely healed. He transformed back into his human form—a breathtakingly handsome man, his eyes now clear and brimming with vital energy.
He bowed deeply, a gesture of profound respect. "Thank you, Lord Pig, for saving my life. My life is now yours. But regarding the matter of Sanwei… Lord Pig, please show mercy."
"Attempting to shirk the debt already, are we?" Lord Pig replied, his tone playful but containing a genuine edge of menace. "Have you seen Lord Pig's great sword? Do you truly recognize it? This is the Ancient Sword that Executes Immortals!"
He flew up and drew the Zhu Xian Sword, pointing its tiny, devastating tip at the recovered fox.
"The Zhu Xian Sword! It truly is the legendary sword!" Xiaoliu gasped, staring at the miniaturized weapon with awe and terror. Its reputation was absolute.
"Please, Lord Pig, no! I am not trying to renege on the deal! Don't be angry, I beg you! I will not go back on my word!" The three-tailed fox, Sanwei, quickly changed back to her human form and threw herself in front of Xiaoliu, terrified. Knowing that Lord Pig wielded the Zhu Xian Sword removed any last shred of doubt about fulfilling her vow.
"Look at you little runts! Lord Pig was merely teasing! Lord Pig is departing now!"
Lord Pig laughed heartily, a genuinely satisfied sound. He sheathed the Zhu Xian Sword, flapped his Wind-Thunder Wings, and vanished in a flash of golden light.
"Phew!" Sanwei sighed in relief, collapsing weakly into Xiaoliu's grateful arms.
"Oh no!" Xiaoliu suddenly slapped his forehead, his face twisting with profound regret.
"What is wrong, Brother?" Sanwei asked, confused. Was this not a moment of pure triumph?
"Sanwei, think! Lord Pig is able to command the Zhu Xian Sword! He must have already reached the legendary Taiqing Realm, and with the sword, he is utterly unrivaled under heaven! If he was willing to act, he could certainly have rescued our mother from the Fenxiang Valley altar!" Xiaoliu lamented, realizing the monumental opportunity they had just missed.
"Then we must find Lord Pig! We must beg for his help immediately!" Sanwei declared, scrambling back to her feet, her new purpose burning brightly.
"Yes. We must!" Xiaoliu agreed, though they both knew finding the capricious, powerful golden pig would be a task requiring all their remaining luck and ingenuity.