Chapter 21: The Fox Demon’s Lingering Power and a Provocative Challenge

“I didn’t expect the fox demon’s power from all those years ago to still linger within you. Are there any repercussions?”

Bai Mengqi’s brows subtly furrowed, a flicker of concern crossing her eyes.

Zi Yanran appeared quite serene. She let out a soft sigh, making no attempt to conceal anything from Bai Mengqi.

“Alas! Ever since that night, I’ve noticed I can see all sorts of strange things. It scared me quite a bit at first, and sometimes, I even encounter that fox demon,” Zi Yanran recounted.

Hearing Zi Yanran’s words, Bai Mengqi fell into deep contemplation.

She knew well that the fox demon’s power was far from ordinary. If Zi Yanran could fully master it, it might just become a formidable asset.

However, she was currently unsure what consequences helping Zi Yanran control this power might bring.

Frowning, she weighed the pros and cons in her mind, choosing not to voice her thoughts immediately.

This was because the Great Immortaless had warned her that the fox demon might very well be reborn through Zi Yanran’s body, necessitating extreme vigilance.

****

Moments later, the car slowly entered the old district.

The streets here were somewhat dilapidated, with most buildings along the sides showing years of disrepair, exuding an air of antiquity.

With many eyes and ears in the car, Bai Mengqi immediately sensed numerous gazes fixating on them as they arrived.

Among those stares, some held curiosity, while others betrayed a hint of malice.

Bai Mengqi secretly heightened her guard. She subtly used her clairvoyant sight to observe every corner of the street, noticing ability users were ubiquitous.

Zi Yanran expertly located a rather secluded underground parking garage and skillfully drove the car inside.

The underground parking lot was dimly lit, with only a few faint yellow lights flickering in the corners, barely illuminating small patches of space.

Few cars were parked there, and many of those that remained were abandoned wrecks.

Bai Mengqi gestured for Zi Yanran not to get out yet. She then gently opened her own car door and stepped out alone.

“Click-clack, click-clack.”

The sound of high heels tapping on the ground echoed through the silent underground garage, a unique rhythm breaking the previous oppressive stillness.

Bai Mengqi walked to the front of the car. She lifted her head slightly, her gaze sharply sweeping across her surroundings.

“Stop hiding, everyone. Come out.”

Bai Mengqi’s voice, clear and resonant, reverberated through the garage.

Her tone carried an undeniable authority, as if she had already seen through everything. Those lurking in the shadows had nowhere to hide from her gaze.

At her call, dozens of figures swiftly emerged from their concealed positions, numbering at least thirty people.

These individuals wore varied attire; some sported cool leather outfits, while others donned loose sportswear. Yet, all of them exuded a dangerous aura.

The entrance to the garage had also been temporarily sealed off, suggesting they had come prepared, intending to ambush Zi Yanran and Bai Mengqi here.

“Oh! I knew Miss Zi wouldn’t go out without a bodyguard. So, you’re her bodyguard, are you? A little beauty protecting a great beauty, now that’s a rare sight,” a man in a floral shirt remarked in a mocking tone.

His eyes brazenly roamed over Bai Mengqi, a hint of frivolity in his gaze.

Just from that man’s look, Bai Mengqi had already decided in her heart to make these people regret their actions.

They closed in from all directions, some with cold sneers, others with indifferent eyes, encircling Bai Mengqi and the car.

The same man who had been tailing them earlier was among them. Their reaction time and coordination were extraordinarily fast.

It was clear this wasn’t their first time doing such a thing; their movements were clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

This location was perfectly suited for an ambush. After confirming that no other bodyguards were following, they decisively chose to act.

Even with Bai Mengqi as an unforeseen variable, they still proceeded.

After all, how could they gauge Bai Mengqi’s capabilities without a test? Confident in their numbers and impressive skills, they held Bai Mengqi in utter disdain.

Bai Mengqi let out a soft chuckle, her smile radiating both confidence and contempt.

“Soon enough, you’ll learn what ‘luring a tiger into a trap’ truly means. Come on, show me what you’ve got.”

Bai Mengqi’s eyes transformed; her previously clear pupils now gleamed with a chilling light.

With that, she beckoned to the men, her posture overtly provocative.

Her dismissive demeanor immediately ignited a surge of inexplicable anger in the men.

“Brat, don’t get too arrogant! Tan Kai, go test this little girl’s skills,” the leading youth ordered, gesturing to a burly giant beside him.

This giant, named Tan Kai, stood a staggering 1.9 meters tall. His muscles bulged, making him resemble a small mountain.

Hearing the leader’s words, he immediately strode forward aggressively, then adopted an offensive stance.

He spread his feet, crouched slightly, and held his fists at his waist, poised as if to knock Bai Mengqi to the ground with a single punch.

Bai Mengqi recognized his fighting style instantly from his posture.

“Oh, Bajiquan, is it?”

She let out a soft hum, already having a good grasp of Tan Kai’s techniques.

Bajiquan was renowned for its fierce power, emphasizing swift force and sharp moves. The man’s stance clearly indicated his intention to intimidate her with its raw strength.

Suddenly, Tan Kai executed a ‘shooting star step,’ appearing before Bai Mengqi with astonishing speed, like a flash of lightning.

He threw a punch that whistled through the air, its force so immense that it would instantly kill not just an ordinary person but even an ox.

A ferocious expression marred his face, as if he already envisioned Bai Mengqi being sent flying by his blow.

Yet, such a swift and powerful punch missed its target entirely.

Bai Mengqi moved like a wisp of smoke, slightly shifting her body the instant the fist was about to connect, effortlessly dodging the fierce strike.

Even with his attack missing, Tan Kai wasn’t discouraged. He opened his hand and delivered a backhanded elbow strike towards Bai Mengqi’s head.

His movements were fluid and rapid, giving Bai Mengqi no chance to catch her breath.

Bai Mengqi didn’t even move her feet, effortlessly evading his attacks simply by swaying left and right.

Her footwork was as light as a swallow’s, as agile as a bird flitting through the forest.

Every one of Tan Kai’s attacks merely grazed her clothing, never quite managing to touch her body.

“Damn it!” Tan Kai fumed, his face turning crimson, veins throbbing on his forehead.

Suddenly, he unleashed Bajiquan’s killing move, the ‘heart-piercing elbow,’ thrusting it towards Bai Mengqi.

This ‘heart-piercing elbow’ was one of Bajiquan’s ultimate techniques, possessing immense power, often capable of subduing an opponent in an instant.

Tan Kai channeled all his strength into this elbow strike, slamming it fiercely towards Bai Mengqi.

Yet, just as he was about to make contact with Bai Mengqi, she casually lifted a single finger, placing it in front of her.

The finger perfectly met his elbow, preventing him from advancing even half a step.

Bai Mengqi’s face still held a faint smile, as if everything was within her control.

She looked at Tan Kai, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery, as if to say, ‘Is this all you’ve got? And you thought you could deal with me?’

Tan Kai’s eyes widened. He simply couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

His full-force strike had been blocked so effortlessly by Bai Mengqi.

He tried to exert more power, but found his elbow seemed to be held captive by an invisible force. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t advance further, nor could he retreat.

“How is this possible?” Tan Kai couldn’t help but exclaim.

The surrounding men were also stunned. They had initially believed Tan Kai would easily dispatch Bai Mengqi, but to their surprise, events unfolded completely contrary to their expectations.

They looked at Bai Mengqi, the disdain in their eyes gradually replaced by caution and apprehension.

Bai Mengqi watched her struggling opponent, a cold smirk playing on her lips. Then, with a gentle flick of her finger, Tan Kai was instantly flung backward, crashing heavily into a scrapped car. The impact dented the vehicle, and Tan Kai spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, losing all fighting capability.

“Is that all you’ve got? Why don’t you all come at once? Perhaps then I’ll take you slightly more seriously.”

Bai Mengqi’s voice echoed through the garage, every word like a sharp blade, piercing their pride.

Watching their comrade fly away, the men’s expressions stiffened. The leader realized Bai Mengqi was not someone to be trifled with.

He glanced at his companions and said in a low voice, “Everyone, attack together! I refuse to believe that with so many of us, we can’t handle one little girl.”

His eyes gleamed with ruthlessness. Since a one-on-one fight was futile, they would have to rely on their numerical advantage.

The others nodded in agreement with the leading youth’s words.

They quickly re-adjusted their stances, then surged forward, surrounding Bai Mengqi.

Watching the crowd close in, her face still bore that faint smile, clearly not taking any of them seriously.