He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell his father in person that this woman was a fox spirit.

"Just what? If my son has any concerns, speak freely," David Thompson said.

At this moment, Ryan Thompson looked again at Lily Green, who was kneeling on the ground: "It's just that although this woman is beautiful, she is not human."

Not human?

David Thompson was instantly startled, his eyes wide as he looked at Lily Green, and on Lily Green's tear-streaked, pitifully beautiful face, a look of shock also appeared, as if her identity had been exposed with a single sentence.

"Son, are you sure you didn't see wrong..."

He still couldn't quite believe it, but before he could finish speaking, he suddenly stopped, remembering that his beloved son had been born with strange omens, possessing a Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart, able to see through all illusions and ward off all ghosts and monsters. But the old Daoist had also said that because Ryan possessed the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart, he would also attract ghosts and monsters, and would surely face many tribulations in the future, just like Bi Gan in ancient times. If he could not survive the tribulation, his heart would be dug out by the fox spirit Daji's schemes.

"Come, someone, where is Tieshan?" David Thompson snapped out of it, immediately flying into a rage.

No matter how beautiful this woman was, if she was a monster, she absolutely could not be kept.

"Master." Outside, Edward Stone heard the commotion and immediately rushed in with several strong servants, all wielding clubs.

David Thompson pointed at Lily Green and said, "This demoness wants to harm my son. Beat her to death with clubs, she must not be spared."

Edward Stone and the strong servants hesitated for a moment, looking at the stunning girl kneeling on the ground, her face streaked with tears and full of pitiful beauty. For a moment, they were at a loss—why would such a beauty deserve to be beaten to death so ruthlessly?

"What are you standing there for? This woman is not human, she might be a mountain spirit or monster. Don't be fooled by her appearance. Even if she isn't a monster, she is a maid I bought. Even if you beat her to death, it is not a crime," David Thompson shouted.

"Yes, Master."

Edward Stone immediately responded, and together with the servants, surrounded her.

"Master, this servant is innocent. Please, Master, have mercy and spare me," Lily Green cried, begging for mercy.

"Beat her~!" David Thompson shouted again.

At once, Edward Stone strode forward and, without hesitation, brought his club down.

At this moment, Lily Green's expression finally changed, and she let out a strange cry, like a fox wailing. Her delicate foot tapped the ground lightly, intending to turn into a gust of wind and fly away from the Li residence.

But then she stumbled and fell to the ground, unable to muster even a trace of her magical power.

Edward Stone's club came down, striking her on the calf.

"Ah~!" Lily Green fell to the ground, letting out a shrill, inhuman scream.

"She really isn't human! Beat her, beat her to death!" David Thompson said, somewhat fearfully.

At this moment, Lily Green finally showed true fear. Her previous fright and timidity had all been an act—after all, with her magical powers, dealing with an ordinary household should have been easy. Who could have expected things to turn out like this? She couldn't use any of her powers here. If she couldn't escape today, she really would be beaten to death by these people.

Just as the servants were about to strike again, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Stop, all of you."

Edward Stone and the strong servants froze, turning to look at Ryan Thompson.

Ryan Thompson waved his hand, signaling them to move aside, then walked over.

"Be careful, son, this woman is a monster," David Thompson said anxiously.

"Don't worry, Father. I know what I'm doing," Ryan Thompson replied, then calmly looked at Lily Green.

At this moment, Lily Green also looked at Ryan Thompson in shock and fear. She felt that this handsome young man was extraordinary, but couldn't quite say why.

"Why did you come to my Li family?"

Lily Green trembled all over. "A calamity is coming. I wanted to seek refuge in a wealthy and kind family, nothing more."

"You have at least five hundred years of cultivation, and you still face calamities?" Ryan Thompson asked again.

"We mountain spirits and monsters, even after successful cultivation, cannot avoid the tribulation of a hundred years as a human, two hundred years as an earth spirit, and three hundred years as a heavenly spirit. Now, with six hundred years approaching, I am about to face the heavenly tribulation. I know I cannot survive it, so I can only rely on a great and virtuous family, offering myself in return, hoping Heaven will show mercy and lessen my calamity," Lily Green said.

Ryan Thompson pondered for a moment and found himself somewhat convinced.

His cheap master had told him quite a bit about such matters of cultivation.

For monsters to attain the Dao, they indeed had to endure many tribulations, making it much harder than for humans. Moreover, all monsters had to face a deadly heavenly tribulation, and when it came, eight or nine out of ten would be reduced to ashes.

Ryan Thompson continued, "Since you did not come with the intent to harm, I will not kill you today. Go."

"Son, don't be soft-hearted. Such creatures must not be shown mercy. If you don't get rid of her today, our Li family will never know peace. Edward Stone, beat her to death," David Thompson said.

"Father, please let me handle this matter," Ryan Thompson said seriously.

David Thompson was taken aback, but out of doting love for Ryan Thompson, he could only say, "Fine, since you have spoken, I won't interfere. You may deal with her as you see fit."

"Thank you, Father," Ryan Thompson said with a cupped-fist salute, then looked at Lily Green again. "I've spared you already. Why haven't you left?"