Solar Blood Masters (128)

Chapter 128 - Shadow Ice Fox

Qi Fenwei hovered before a platform that radiated an ominous aura. The dome with a pale-white light obscured the Emperor Calamity within, but even from this distance, Raphael felt an oppressive weight settle upon his soul.

"This one…” His hooves shuffled nervously. He glanced at his companions. “This one feels… different. I’m sensing more Solar Pressure coming from this platform than the ones we flew by earlier."

“Hmm, Big Brother isss right. Even my ssscaless are tingling." Lu Jade agreed, his emerald form coiled tighter around Raphael's horns. "Are you ssure you didn't deliberately pick this one, QI Fenwei? Thisss one isss definitely the strongest."

"How could I deliberately choose the strongest when those barriers prevent anyone from seeing the Emperor’s inside or even sensing their Solar Pressure? You think I'm stupid, snake?!” Qi Fenwei retorted, rolling her eyes. “Besides, even IF I could sense it. WHY would I choose the STRONGEST opponent? Think, before you accuse me of such foolishness!"

"Hmm… her logic is sound, but… ” Raphael shifted his weight. He couldn't shake the feeling that Qi Fenwei was hiding something. She was Qi Hawk's daughter after all, those whispers from the court… they’d mentioned her arrogance and pride, for weren't those traits common in their lineage?

“Enough with this PATHETIC discussion! Whether the Emperor Calamity inside is strong or weak, it matters NOT!" Gastaroid’s molten eyes blazed with a terrifying intensity, "I’ll simply CRUSH them ALL! Now, let's ENTER and get this challenge OVER with!"

He directed his mountain forth, causing the platform to tremble slightly, "MOVE IT! We don’t have TIME to waste!”

As they neared the dome’s entrance,

“WAIT!”

Raphael’s command had them all pausing, “Why?!”

“What’s WRONG?!”

“Did you see something?”

Their flurry of questions were met with a simple reply, "A good strategy is always beneficial, wouldn't you agree?"

“To hell with strategies!” Gastaroid bellowed. He wasn't one for intricate plans.

"I’m not cunning like a snake, I only know how to go ‘full throttle'!"

He glanced at Raphael expectantly, “You’re a BULL! You understand, don't you? So what are we WAITING for? Let’s CRUSH this Emperor Calamity!”

“Please, just hear me OUT.”

Raphael’s plea, though laced with a hint of desperation, had Gastaroid sighing as he slumped his massive form onto a nearby cloud and mumbled, "Fine, but make it QUICK!"

“Alright, my plan is… well, for this strategy to work… It’ll depend on you, Gastaroid.”

“ME?" He was intrigued. This bull had a plan that involved him?

They all watched Raphael expectantly.

…

Inside the dome, on a platform of swirling pink and white energy that was as cool as the air, a large, purple fox lay curled upon the ground. Its two grey horns, tipped with silver, rested upon its paws. A golden third eye was upon its forehead. Three fluffy tails, each ending in a silver tuft, swished lazily behind it. And upon its four paws, precious jewels, connected by golden chains, sparkled.

This magnificent creature was a rare breed of ice fox, the Shadow Ice Fox. Its lineage was ancient, its power undeniable. Even within this restrictive dome, the creature radiated an aura that chilled the air.

It yawned. “Those challengers are taking their sweet time, it seems. Perhaps those ants enjoy watching those lesser beasts get crushed, hmmm…?” Its grey eyes remained half-closed, as if sleep still had its embrace.

"I hope it’s not another one of those pathetic Saint Rulers this time. Last time it was a toad, such a boring duel, it croaked those pathetic pleas about how much it adored my fur? Truly distasteful and weak!”

The Shadow Ice Fox shuddered. Those memories still haunted her, "It was so boring. All I did was flick my tail, and those pathetic cries of ‘Yield’ were all I got. I wanted to unleash my ‘Aurora Borealis - Lunar Eclipse’! Such a magnificent technique, capable of freezing even the very sunlight, but alas…"

Then a dreadful thought struck! "What if… what if it’s one of my kin from Yunyin? Those Ice Foxes? No, no, surely they won’t… But if they do? I’d have to play soft. Hold back… That wouldn't be fun!”

“No. I will show them TRUE power! No matter their lineage! No matter their skills. I, Wu Gurang, the Shadow Ice Fox, will teach whoever enters this dome a lesson in a Calamity’s true might!”

She yawned again, then settled her massive head back onto her paws, but her eyes opened slightly as she could sense a faint, buzzing sound coming from outside.

“They’re HERE!”

Her excitement at finally engaging in battle was short lived.

Qi Fenwei entered first.

Wu Gurang watched her with bored, droopy eyes.

‘Hmmm, Black Wind princess? Pathetic! 5th Layer Nightmare Calamity. Such weakness. Her Solar Essence is barely a flicker. Hmmm, she won’t even last two minutes against my ‘Diamond Dust Barrage’. Tsk. This is going to be SO disappointing.’

Then a frail, elderly figure stepped in.

“A tree?” Wu Gurang’s gaze shifted slightly. She scanned Thienika’s form, then dismissed her with a bored snort, “Calamity 1st Layer… Hmmm. Another weak one. And her essence? So unstable. She won’t last a minute, especially not within my 'Frozen Tundra Domain’.”

And then…

He arrived.

Raphael stepped through the dome’s entrance. On his horns, Lu Jade’s emerald scales glinted.

Wu Gurang’s eyes opened a little wider. She studied Raphael with a newfound curiosity, as a chill went through her spine, ‘His aura… I smell a potent Solar Essence. And that body of his…” She could sense it. “It’s so… FAMILIAR…?”

She pondered briefly.  “Impossible! His body… He smells like an Emperor Calamity!”

But upon closer inspection, her hopes died.

“No, no, no. He’s merely a 2nd Layer. Much weaker than that bird from earlier. Such a shame. This one could be truly fun to fight.” She then dismissed Lu Jade as an insignificant being, for those of the Saint Ruler stage were nothing but ants to be casually crushed beneath her paws.

Lastly, a massive form materialized.

It was Gastaroid.

This time…

Wu Gurang’s eyes shot wide open!

She lifted her head! Her tail thrashed against the platform. She stood up!

“YES! NOW we’re talking!”

This opponent was truly worthy!

His blazing molten hide, those massive arms, and the sheer amount of Solar Essence he radiated… It was breathtaking!

“A Bull Mountain Demon! 8th Layer! What a magnificent fight this is going to be!

This is what I’ve been waiting for! A true battle against an opponent whose strength rivals mine! I won’t hold back! He will taste the wrath of Wu Gurang, the Shadow Ice Fox!”

She scraped her nail against the platform as Gastaroid approached.

Her heart leapt with a bloodthirsty joy.

It was time for war!

…

“This one…?” Raphael took a hesitant step forward. His monstrous form trembled. He gazed up at the colossal purple fox, and his jaw dropped.

She was HUGE!

Larger than Gastaroid! Her fur was a magnificent blend of purples and blues, and those silver tips on her tails, they sparkled like a thousand tiny stars.

“She… She’s like a mountain of mountains! We're nothing but specks of dust before her." He shook his head, utterly awestruck by her sheer size.

Lu Jade hissed. "Big Brother is right! Her Solar Essence… It’s overwhelming!"

Even Qi Fenwei, whose pride was a beacon, felt a flicker of anxiety. "1st Layer Emperor Calamity. This is going to be a tough battle."

Thienika, however, remained stoic. She leaned upon her staff as she observed their opponent with narrowed eyes.

"Hmmm…"

Sensing their apprehension, Wu Gurang grinned. She gracefully stretched her massive form as those golden chains jingled softly. “I, Wu Gurang greet these challengers.” She then settled her gaze on Raphael, those grey eyes narrowed.

“You! You slaughtered my Crimson Fang Hound underlings in the previous stage. Those hounds… I was fond of them. Loyal. Obedient. They served my every whim. They used to bring me those succulent birds from Black Wind, even a few baby griffins, truly a delicacy.

And now… they are gone. I am… upset.” Her words had a chilling finality that had Raphael cringing.

“Those hounds…?” He quickly recalled those events.

“Oh shit! It’s true. We did kill a lot of them during the Kepfu Egg Hunt, and that hound leader… Pitbull Sama! Qi Fenwei sent him to the afterlife." He shuddered, hoping this revelation wouldn't trigger another monstrous battle.

Raphael cupped his fist respectfully.

"I sincerely apologize for their demise, Emperor Wu Gurang. But casualties and death are common place in the Great divine Tribulations. You understand, don't you?"

She closed her eyes briefly as those memories of her favorite pets came flashing. Then she nodded, “I forgive you. I do not hold a grudge. I am well aware of Yama Yaguai’s ways. However…" Her eyes snapped open, and her gaze settled on Raphael once more.

“You have been placed on Silk Yune’s ‘K-list’. And that means…"

“K-list? What’s that?” Raphael was puzzled.

“It is a list of those she will eliminate in the future, a kill list, for those who have offended her, those whose death is guaranteed. There are many names on it, bull… including your Emperor Qi Hawk.”

“Enough talk!” Qi Fenwei unsheathed Lullaby and pointed it upwards. "We came here for a fight, not idle chatter.”

“You foolish bird! We could have buy ourselves more time by extending the conversation. Have you forgotten the 3 rules of how to claim victory?!” Lu Jade berated her. “It’s either defeat her, force her out of bounds, or survive for 3 hours! Surely an hour of tea and pleasantries wouldn't be so taxing, even for an Emperor Calamity of her standing?”

"Lu Jade is right, Princess. We shouldn’t rush into battle." Raphael added.

“Silence, BOTH of you!” Qi Fenwei glared at them with those feathers on her head shaking, "Our team name is ‘The Breath Takers', not ‘The Tea Drinkers'. Remember?!”

Seeing this infighting, Gastaroid laughed.

"Muwahahaha! You three are truly pathetic! Arguing over trivialities when a magnificent opponent stands before you, eager to taste blood! Such a waste! Step aside! Allow me to handle this situation!"

He shoved Raphael and the others out of his way, his molten hide radiated heat, and a dreadful aura encompassed him.

He strode forward.

Then with a swagger that had those jewel-encrusted paws of Wu Gurang’s flinching, he looked up at her. His gaze lingered on her massive rump and he whistled softly, before saying:

“What the hell have you been packing in that backside of yours to make it so big, woman? You must have a difficult time finding a mate to ride your rhythm properly. Muwahahaha!”

"You… You DARE?!”

Wu Gurang’s jaw dropped. Her eyes blazed with a fury that could freeze even the hottest flames as she glared down at Gastaroid with her golden third eye. Her Solar Pressure exploded!