153 The Central Region of the Forest 2 (1/2)

Wherever she stood, as long as it wasn't in the center of the Wu Ji Forest and swamped in an infinite pool of deadly water, An Fei was perfectly content.

Having been emancipated from the uncomfortable and exhausting trip of jumping from the exposed tree roots had sufficiently drained the young girl's mental capabilities, causing her to slide towards the ground with her back against a sturdy tree and gaze forwards with a blank stare.

Maintaining her balance on thin tendrils of fiber, or tree roots partially submerged in the water, causing her to stand still despite the unbearable pain, An Fei did not wish to return to those regions of the virile forest.

If she were to undress herself, the young girl was certain of her entire body riddled with bruises glaring with their purple splendor and glory.

Perhaps she just emerged from a torture cell with the blood washed away, for the accumulated sensations were no different.

Caw!

The little raven perched on her shoulder released a short cry of wariness and worry, thoroughly arousing the young girl from her mental haze.

An Fei struggled to stand from her seated position, but sank onto the ground partway through.

”No… no good,” the young girl groaned, her fingers rubbing the little creature's feathery head with constant trembles.

”Xiao Hei… this better not be bad news…”

Caw! Caw!

The small creature hopped in anger, its beak sprouting a slew of cries into the depths of the forest that dared to eclipse the sun.

The pair of crimson eyes flashed with an unfathomable light, and the little raven's claws unconsciously tightened onto the leather strap.

Roar!

A white flash of light swept the dense grass away from An Fei's vision, the gust of wind blowing her hair to the sides with a piercing gale.

As the dust and disturbed soil gradually trickled to their original positions, the young girl furrowed her brows in apprehension, her lips curving into a soft 'oh' of helplessness and laughter.

Prowling on its four legs as it should, brimming with a majestic air of pride and arrogant serendipity, with a pair of scarlet eyes, was a white fox.

Nine tails of snow white with a crimson streak lashing across their center caressed the atmosphere of the forest, swaying with a luxurious and tantalizing rhythm.

Similar strips of crimson streaked across the fox's body, most particularly its abdomen and back.

Caw!

The little raven struggled underneath the young girl's gently stroking finger as it howled in disbelief and helplessness.

The small creature desperately fought to nuzzle against the source of pleasant warmth and retaliate against the onboard threat facing them at a meagre distance of five meters…

They just entered the Wu Ji Forest, and the first creature they encounter is a King!?

”Xiao Hei… am I seeing things right…?”

The oblivious young girl in question rubbed her eyes with her free hand, her adorable mouth gawking open in disbelief.

An Fei even reached forward towards the nine-tailed fox in surprise, her scarlet irises failing to mask their curiosity and interest.

”A true nine-tailed fox… don't they appear only in fairy tales?”

Shua!

-Caw!

What answered An Fei's partly drowsy and drunken question was a sliver of white light flashing across her vision and a gentle warmth passing through her body.

The little raven shrieked in panic and anger as the world it saw flipped upside down and tumbled onto its behind, daring not to close its eyes despite being fully cognizant of the painful disorientation it was about to receive.

…ravens were meant to be masochistic, after all.

The young girl abruptly spun in a counterclockwise motion, her fatigued limbs deftly distributing the powerful force transmitted into her body towards the ground in a gradual process.

After two complete revolutions that allowed An Fei to maneuver behind the tree that once supported her body, she extended her arms to their full length to allow the remaining force to dissipate and leave her alarmed and awake.

The white fox before her bared its teeth in frustration and bewilderment, its nine tails sashaying from side to side as though to express its disbelief.

The white creature lay onto its hind legs as a pair of scarlet animalistic eyes tracked An Fei's movements through the tree, the silky fur bristling with charged spiritual essence.