Normally, as Tu Xiao’an’s strength grew, he had come to look down on ordinary Rank Three Demon Spirits.
But the legendary Exotic Beast, the Taotie, was another matter entirely.
What Tu Xiao’an didn’t quite understand, however, was that this Taotie’s strength was nothing special. The moment his Consciousness Power enveloped it, the creature was completely immobilized.
This meant the Taotie’s soul consciousness power was worlds apart from its physical body—they weren’t even in the same league.
’I’ll give it a try first.’
Tu Xiao’an fixed his gaze on the immobilized Taotie. His eyes narrowed, and he instantly unleashed his Consciousness Suppression, intending to subdue it by force.
"Ding... Host is unable to subdue. Unable to subdue..."
The system’s voice immediately rang out, nipping Tu Xiao’an’s hopes of subduing it in the bud.
Tu Xiao’an immediately furrowed his brow. Generally, if a creature could be paralyzed by his Consciousness Power, it was as good as his.
’But I’m unable to subdue it?’
Usually, even if he couldn’t subdue something, the system notification should have been "Subduing failed."
The three words "Unable to subdue" meant it was fundamentally impossible for Tu Xiao’an to subdue the Taotie, as if he didn’t have the permission.
’Oh, right.’
Tu Xiao’an finally remembered, and it all clicked into place.
He had found the reason: the Taotie before him wasn’t the real thing. It was merely a clone.
That also explained why it couldn’t resist when his Consciousness Power enveloped it. As a clone, it naturally lacked a true Soul Power.
Taotie Clone, Level 35. The data had already appeared earlier.
This was getting interesting. A mere clone possessed the strength of a Pseudo Demon King, and its fighting style allowed it to completely crush Demon Spirits of the same level.
That begged the question: just how powerful was the real Taotie, and where was it?
"Lord Snake King, kill this terrifying monster!"
Many of the Demon Spirits below shouted.
None of them were subordinates of the White Demon King, nor did they have any enmity with Tu Xiao’an, so they addressed him as Lord Snake King.
They wouldn’t dare call him anything else. Did they have a death wish?
In the Yaoling Mountain Range, where the strong were revered, Tu Xiao’an not only possessed strength on par with a Demon King but was also the king of the Snake Race.
His status was incredibly illustrious, making him more than worthy of the title ’Lord Snake King’.
"Very well. This King shall grant your wish and kill this monster."
It was just a clone, after all, and he couldn’t even subdue it. ’What’s the point in keeping it around?’
If a greedy, gluttonous monster like this were let loose, it would be a devastating disaster for the natural world.
Tu Xiao’an adjusted his grip on the Heaven Swaying Sword, its cold gleam flashing. He raised his hand, ready to bring the sword down and completely destroy the Taotie clone.
"Wait..."
A graceful voice called out. Tu Xiao’an turned to see an exceptionally beautiful woman, her face half-hidden by a length of white silk, floating toward him.
Tu Xiao’an was slightly taken aback. ’The Fox Immortal King, a peerless female expert of the Yaoling Mountain Range who possesses both immense power and legendary beauty.’
She was also the king of the mysterious Fox Race.
As the Fox Immortal King flew closer, an unparalleled fragrance wafted through the air from afar. It was intoxicating, so wonderful it was overwhelming, making one feel as if they were in the most dreamlike place imaginable, reluctant to ever leave.
Tu Xiao’an found himself momentarily dazed. The feeling made his eyes narrow as he forced his mind to clear. ’The fragrance alone was almost enough to completely befuddle me.’
’What a formidable woman. Level 39.’
’She’s much stronger than those two clowns, the Gray Demon King and the White Demon King.’
Although her face was hidden by the white silk, a truly beautiful woman didn’t need to show her face to captivate you.
He remembered something the Bull Demon King had once said: he would willingly give up ten years of his life just for a single glimpse of the Fox Immortal King.
That just went to show how alluring this woman was.
"Hello, Little Snake King. I offer you my greetings."
The Fox Immortal King floated to Tu Xiao’an’s side. Her silken hair drifted in the wind, and with a charming glance from her captivating eyes, she gave him a slight bow.
Tu Xiao’an gave an awkward smile and quickly returned the gesture. "Hello, Elder Fox."
’There are only four Deep Mountain Demon Kings left in the Yaoling Mountain Range now, and I’m already mortal enemies with two of them. I can’t afford to make another enemy.’
’Besides, this Fox Demon King is Level 39. She’s practically the biggest threat to me in the entire Yaoling Mountain Range.’
’If others are polite to me, I should naturally be even more polite in return. It’s always better to have one more friend than one more enemy.’
’Still, the fact that she called me ’Little Snake King’ was a bit frustrating.’
But then again, considering her seniority and age, she was old enough to be his ancestor many times over.
After her greeting, the ethereal Fox Immortal King began to size up Tu Xiao’an with great interest. Though her face was hidden beneath the white silk, she seemed to be smiling faintly.
Her gaze made Tu Xiao’an feel awkward again. ’What’s with the staring? Haven’t you ever seen a handsome guy before?’
"I truly never expected that after Demon King Liu, the Snake Race would produce another such monstrous talent. You are quite impressive," she said, her voice soft and gentle.
Tu Xiao’an’s face flushed slightly, but he kept his eyes on the Fox Immortal King’s face. "You flatter me, Elder."
’I really want to take that white silk off her face. Just how beautiful is the most beautiful woman in the Yaoling Mountain Range? In his experience, Luo Ziyun was already devastatingly beautiful.’
"Elder, you just told me to stop. What did you mean? Should I not kill this monster?"
The Fox Immortal King smiled. "The Taotie is an Ancient Exotic Beast, and it came from the Ancient War Ruins. Simply killing it is useless. We need to find the opened Ancient War Ruins. I suspect other Exotic Beasts will emerge to wreak havoc upon the world."
Tu Xiao’an was stunned. ’She knows about the Ancient War Ruins, too?’
’Is this place really that famous?’