During this time, Qhianqhian had learned a new set of fist techniques and had been using it to battle the Illusory Tiger.

The Illusory Tiger was also careful not to let its poisonous sting injure Qhianqhian, and Qhianqhian’s attacks mostly landed on the tiger’s claws and head.

That fluffy tail was something she didn’t dare to touch.

It was only by hunting with the Illusory Tiger that Qhianqhian realized that the tiger’s tail could actually be used as a weapon...

When that tail lashed out, anyone it hit would die...

Qhianqhian couldn’t help but feel secretly fortunate, as in their battles, the Illusory Tiger had never used its tail against her, and in her eyes, the tail had always been ornamental, fluffy, and aesthetically pleasing.

She had never imagined that such a beautiful thing could possess such power...

"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"

The four earth-shattering collision sounds startled Qhianqhian deeply. She swiftly separated from the Illusory Tiger; clearly, the sounds hadn’t come from the two of them, and she was instantly very alert.

Four intimidating spiritual beasts appeared before the two of them, taking a stance to encircle them in the center, enveloping the pair in a bloody aura.

These four spiritual beasts looked as if they had been cast from the same mold, identical in appearance, color, and even their gaze.

Their reddish-brown fur swayed slightly in the forest breeze, lacking any beauty and instead bringing an overwhelming stench of blood that made one feel nauseous.

Their heads like lions, legs like horses, and tails like rabbits, were so petite that they seemed merely to cover their anuses...

"Where did these come from again?" Qhianqhian immediately frowned, her cold eyes scanning the four spiritual beasts, suddenly realizing that they didn’t have any ribbons on them.

She knew that any creature entering this inner part of the forest had been brought in by the Little White Snake, and the spiritual beasts brought here all had designated areas and tasks and couldn’t appear randomly.

So clearly, these four exotic beasts hadn’t been brought by the Little White Snake!

Qhianqhian gasped internally, as the elder wasn’t around, and the Little White Snake’s abilities were limited. As for their group, they were nothing more than burdens.

Since entering this forest, they hadn’t offended any beasts, let alone such fearsome ones that upon sight made you want to flee. Even against a Blazing Flame Fierce Tiger, they had needed a six-person rotation to take it on. Any one of these four wouldn’t be any weaker than a Blazing Flame Fierce Tiger. Faced with such opponents, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke them, no matter how brainless they might be. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Yet the situation clearly spelled... Never Die Never Rest?

They were here with the purpose to kill?

A chill swept over Qhianqhian’s heart, and amidst her despair, her mind rapidly calmed down.

This doesn’t make any sense...

The targets of their mission or the Blazing Flame Fierce Tiger had either been compensated or scared off; there was no reason for revenge once the elder departed.

But then, a realization dawned on her.

If they weren’t here for them, they must be here for the Little White Snake.

Although the Little White Snake was still young, the pressure from its bloodline was hard for many to resist if they swallowed the snake’s bloodline and talents. Without a doubt, it would greatly enhance their abilities.

This reasoning became clear to Qhianqhian in a heartbeat.

With them here and the elder absent, they were not only perfect scapegoats but also could divert the elder’s attention from revenge. The elder might mistake that they provoked something which led to retaliation.

"Xiao Xue, run when you get the chance." Qhianqhian whispered close to the Illusory Tiger’s ear; she knew the tiger could understand her words; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been able to quickly find what she needed every time.

The Illusory Tiger showed signs of struggle in its eyes and soon lowered its head in impotence.

He wanted to tell Qhianqhian that they couldn’t escape. If the elder was considered the supreme Emperor of this forest, these four were generals under the command of the ruler of the northern forest: the Blood Evil Demon Lion.

Beasts with ’demon’ in their names were invariably powerful and practiced sinister cultivation methods. The Blood Evil Demon Lion was notorious for being a bloodthirsty spirit beast that cultivated by devouring the bodies of other spiritual beasts.

Suddenly a plan hatched in Qhianqhian’s mind; she pointed to one of the spiritual beasts with a raised eyebrow: "You, the most handsome one, what are you here for?"

Handsome???

The Illusory Tiger was struck with disbelief, wanting badly to ask Qhianqhian which of her eyes had a problem, perceiving any difference among the four.

Clearly, however, the opposite side didn’t acknowledge Qhianqhian’s provocation, and instead, they advanced towards her and the Illusory Tiger with mocking expressions, obviously ridiculing her overestimation.

Qhianqhian’s face turned a shade darker, instinctively moving closer to the Illusory Tiger.

Staring at the encroaching Blood Evil Demon Lions, her sweet voice surged with warning: "Come any closer, and don’t blame me for taking action!"

"Grumble"

But the sound from the Blood Evil Demon Lions’ stomachs made it clear to Qhianqhian and the Illusory Tiger; evidently, they had been regarded as a meal. Although somewhat dark in hue, it wouldn’t affect the flavor inside.

They hadn’t eaten many humans up till now, but humans, compared to beasts, were undoubtedly more tender, offering more benefits when consumed.

Faced with this rare delicacy, why would the Blood Evil Demon Lions care about what their food uttered? Whatever it might be, it wouldn’t change their intent to dismember and devour her.

Facing the identical-faced Blood Evil Demon Lions, Qhianqhian’s cold facade gradually revealed a sinister chill, her palm slowly lifting as a small Ice Edge materialized above it, spinning gently. The temperature appeared to drop by a degree, though no one seemed to notice.

"If you think you can bully me just because I’m not sending you to a zoo, think again," Qhianqhian said grimly, her legs slightly bent, and the next moment she leapt onto a treetop, looking down at the clearly angry Blood Evil Demon Lions.

Following Qhianqhian’s movement, the Illusory Tiger quickly climbed onto another tree, observing the Blood Evil Demon Lions with visible anger in its eyes.

At the same level, he could handle a Blood Evil Demon Lion, but that didn’t mean he could withstand their group attack!

Facing one of the rare crises since birth, the tiger for once even held some expectation of the girl on the opposing tree.

In his battles with her, he continually suppressed his cultivation level just a notch higher than Qhianqhian’s, yet she gradually forced him to repeatedly adjust the boundaries of power he could unleash.

Meanwhile, the Red Ribbon under his neck had been changed to number ’2’.