Brian Carter said, “In these desolate mountains and wild forests, even if you could defeat me, just attracting a few fierce tigers or wolves would have unimaginable consequences.”

The shanxiu hesitated, its eyes clearly beginning to flicker.

Seeing its wavering, Brian Carter spoke again, “If you listen to me, let the girl go, and abandon this evil method, I will teach you a breathing and energy-cultivating technique. It can strengthen your organs, help you develop inner power, and condense true qi.”

The shanxiu lowered its head slightly, as if deep in thought.

A tuft of white hair on its head looked even more ghastly under the moonlight.

Its sharp claws flashed with a chilling cold gleam in the moonlight.

Brian Carter suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

Suddenly—a sound!

The shanxiu, which had been standing on two legs with its arms propped on the ground, suddenly leapt and lunged at Brian Carter.

“So cunning…”

Brian Carter’s expression changed slightly as he slashed with his blade.

He had no natural talent and had yet to cultivate true qi or magical power. But after years of wandering, he had learned some martial skills. Though they were only techniques and forms, they should be enough for self-defense.

The shanxiu swung an arm down like an iron hammer.

Brian Carter twisted his body and swung his long blade.

The blade was of metal, sharp and fierce, stained with much blood, carrying a baleful aura.

The killing intent surged forth, causing the shanxiu to falter and hesitate for a moment.

Brian Carter seized the opportunity and slashed down, aiming to sever its arm.

But the shanxiu suddenly let out a long howl and pulled its arm back.

The blade flashed, but only managed to slice off the sharp tips of its claws.

Brian Carter was secretly alarmed, for the shanxiu’s claws were extremely tough—his blade could barely cut off two of them. If scratched by those claws, it would be no less than being wounded by a sword.

He took a step back and looked up again.

Suddenly, a furious roar rang out.

The sound was deeply resonant.

As soon as it entered his ears, Brian Carter felt his mind sink, becoming dazed and unfocused.

Then, a pair of golden lights gradually approached.

They were the shanxiu’s eyes.

“Not good.”

Brian Carter realized he had fallen for the shanxiu’s trick.

Though the shanxiu had not cultivated magical power, it was still a spirit creature and possessed some means to bewilder mortals.

He was a little shocked, and quickly imagined a bright June sun shining overhead.

Moonlight illuminated everything, dispelling all impurities.

The nine-layered jade tower stood firm between his brows and in his spiritual palace.

Suddenly, his vision cleared and his mind became lucid.

But the shanxiu was already upon him, reaching for his throat.

That palm was extremely rough, carrying a stench of blood and earth.

Brian Carter flipped his hand, raising his blade in front.

The shanxiu grabbed the long blade. It was actually able to resist the blade’s baleful aura. Its intelligence was high—though it was frightened, it seemed to know that this aura could not truly harm it. So even with its palm cut, it held on tightly, refusing to let go.

Its other hand swung over.

Brian Carter abandoned the blade and retreated.

The shanxiu swiped with its claw.

It was skilled at hunting—this swipe was swift and fierce.

Brian Carter could not match its speed and had to draw the iron staff at his waist.

This was a fire-pounding rod brought from the celestial palace.

He jabbed forward with the staff.

The shanxiu’s claw came slashing down.

“This shanxiu is far superior to ordinary spirit creatures.”

Brian Carter’s breath caught, his heart filled with dread.

The shanxiu’s arms were long, hanging past its knees, nearly touching the ground. But with Brian Carter wielding a short staff, he made up for his disadvantage.

The shanxiu’s claw tore into Brian Carter’s shoulder.

At the same time, Brian Carter’s iron staff struck its throat.

Then Brian Carter felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder, and the tip of his staff gave a crisp crack, accompanied by the sensation of bones shattering.

The two separated.

Brian Carter fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder, blood streaming out.

The shanxiu, its throat bone shattered, clutched its neck, staggered back a few steps, then fell on its back, completely still.

……

“This shanxiu was truly unexpected.”

Brian Carter lay on the ground, back against the grass, gazing at the bright moon and stars above, thinking, “It fears the blade’s baleful aura, and also the fire talisman on me, but it can discern truth from falsehood, knowing these can’t truly harm it.”

After a while, his breathing gradually steadied, and fortunately, the wound on his shoulder was not deep.

In fact, with the iron staff in hand, he had a slight reach advantage over the shanxiu’s arms. So the shanxiu’s throat was shattered, while his own wound was a bit lighter.

He caught his breath for a moment, propped himself up, and went to Little Grace’s side. Seeing that the little girl was only exhausted and badly frightened, with nothing else wrong, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

“There are wild beasts at night. I still need to find a place to hide.”

Brian Carter took a deep breath and looked in the direction he had come from, where there was a thatched hut.

He reached out and picked up Little Grace, just about to get up, when he suddenly froze.

Turning his head, he saw the shanxiu, which had been lying on its back, slowly rising.

It pressed its arms to the ground, struggling to stand, breathing rapidly, with a slight tremble.

Brian Carter gently set down Little Grace, his hand gripping the iron staff.

The shanxiu staggered to its feet, clutching its throat, eyes fixed on that iron staff.

The mountain wind blew, making its black fur ripple all over.

The white hair on its head was like the bright moon.

It trembled, staring at the iron staff, its voice hoarse.

“Teach… me…”