Chapter 7: A Wild Encounter
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the quiet ruins of the abandoned warehouse. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant howl of a spirit beast.
Feng Rui stood motionless, his golden eyes locked onto the figure before him. The woman was unlike any he had ever seen—beautiful, yet exuding an aura of danger. Her long golden-white hair shimmered under the moonlight, cascading over her slender yet toned figure. Her piercing blue eyes studied him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
But it wasn't her beauty that captivated him—it was her presence. It was wild, untamed, and carried a deep, ancient power. A primal force that had no place among ordinary humans.
The silence stretched between them until she finally spoke.
"You don't belong here."
Her voice was smooth yet commanding, like a queen addressing her subjects.
Feng Rui smirked, unfazed. "Neither do you."
The woman's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "You're perceptive." She took a slow step forward, her movements fluid and graceful—like a predator circling its prey. "Most humans wouldn't recognize what I am."
Feng Rui's smirk deepened. "A soul beast… in human form."
Her eyes flashed with intrigue. "Very good. You're not just a reckless fool."
She circled him slowly, her eyes roaming over his form, as if evaluating his worth. Feng Rui stood his ground, his body relaxed but alert. He knew better than to underestimate an opponent—especially one like her.
"I could ask you the same question," he said, keeping his voice calm. "What's a powerful beast like you doing in human territory?"
The woman chuckled, a soft and dangerous sound. "This land… It belonged to the beasts long before humans ever claimed it. Your so-called Bai Clan? They are nothing more than invaders."
Her words carried weight. Feng Rui had heard of soul beasts capable of taking human form after reaching an extremely high level of cultivation, but this was his first time encountering one. The way she spoke—her confidence, her disdain for human society—it was clear she was not just any beast.
She was a ruler.
"So, what do you want?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
The woman studied him for a moment before smiling. "You."
Feng Rui raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She nodded, stepping even closer, her scent—a mix of fresh rain and wildflowers—filling his senses. "You're… different. Your aura is unlike any human I've encountered before." Her eyes gleamed as she examined him, as if trying to uncover his secrets. "You carry something unnatural."
Feng Rui knew she was sensing his Many Children, Many Blessings System, though she had no way of understanding what it truly was.
He decided to play along. "Let's just say… I'm not your average human."
Her smirk widened. "That much is clear."
Then, she vanished.
Feng Rui's instincts screamed at him to move, and he barely dodged in time as her clawed hand sliced through the air where his neck had been moments ago. He twisted his body mid-air, landing smoothly as the woman reappeared a few feet away, her lips curled in amusement.
"Impressive," she mused. "Your reflexes are fast."
Feng Rui steadied his breathing. "And you enjoy testing people."
She laughed. "Guilty."
She watched him with amusement before speaking again. "I am Lan Ruo, a Moonlight Fox King." Her blue eyes locked onto his. "Tell me, human… What do you intend to do with the Bai Clan?"
Feng Rui met her gaze evenly. He could tell she wasn't just asking out of idle curiosity—she had her own grudge against them.
"I plan to crush them," he said simply. "Take their resources, dismantle their power, and erase their influence."
Lan Ruo's smile widened, revealing a hint of sharp canines. "Now that… sounds fun."
Feng Rui smirked. "Then how about a deal?"
Lan Ruo arched an eyebrow. "A deal?"
"You clearly have no love for the Bai Clan. I need strong allies. You're powerful. I'm ambitious." He took a step closer, his golden eyes gleaming under the moonlight. "Why not work together?"
Lan Ruo tapped her chin, pretending to consider. "Hmm… tempting." Then, suddenly, she closed the distance between them, her face mere inches from his.
"But what's in it for me?" she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.
Feng Rui didn't flinch. Instead, he let a slow, confident smirk form on his lips. "I think you'll find that staying by my side will be far more rewarding than anything the Bai Clan could ever offer."
Lan Ruo studied him, her gaze searching his face. After a long pause, she chuckled. "You're bold, human. I like that."
She stepped back and stretched lazily. "Fine. I'll play along and see where this goes. But don't disappoint me, Feng Rui."
Feng Rui smiled. "I don't intend to."
As Lan Ruo turned to leave, she glanced at him over her shoulder. "One more thing… If you ever bore me, I'll eat you."
Feng Rui laughed. "Then I guess I'll have to keep things interesting."
Lan Ruo smirked before vanishing into the shadows.
As the night grew silent once more, Feng Rui let out a slow breath. This encounter had changed everything.
A powerful soul beast had taken interest in him.
His war against the Bai Clan had gained an unexpected ally.
And his path to power had just taken a very exciting turn.