45. Teasing The Little Fox
Xia Yi couldn't recall ever encountering this individual.
This pink-haired fox is so strange!
Ever since they met, she's been spouting all sorts of nonsensical things—sworn enemies, destiny… Xia Yi couldn't understand a word!
And she insisted that they had a past grudge.
That's not true at all!
Xia Yi had no interest in bullying the weak from other races. Even the small pets in her garden were well cared for.
"You must be mistaken," Xia Yi looked at Yue Liu, "I've never seen you before, let alone remember anything like that."
"Damn it, this cursed Silver Dragon Princess!"
Yue Liu was so angry that all nine of her tails were bristling, and she was on the verge of a breakdown, stamping her feet on the shrine.
"I've remembered you for so many years, and to seek revenge, I even carry your portrait with me, looking at it from time to time to motivate myself, to never forget the deep hatred of the past!"
Xia Yi was shocked.
This pink-haired fox was very serious. Could it be that she really had a feud with her in the past?
"Yue Liu, who exactly are you?"
"I, I am… from that incident at the high-ranking feast years ago!"
Yue Liu's voice became hesitant.
It was an unspeakable shame to have to recount in front of her archenemy how she was humiliated back then!
"High-ranking… feast…?"
The little princess tilted her head in confusion, unable to make heads or tails of it.
Despite Yue Liu's torment, she continued to prompt, hoping to remind Xia Yi of their sworn enemy relationship; otherwise, the battle would be meaningless!
"It was at that feast, you… you bullied me."
"Although I don't remember it very clearly, I went there with my mother, and the other children my age didn't dare to come near me."
"It's not that kind… I couldn't speak the common tongue then, nor could I transform… that little fox, do you remember…?"
"Ah?" Xia Yi was still puzzled, "I haven't encountered any fox girls!"
Yue Liu felt like she was going to explode, her ears burning hot, and her fox ears and tails drooped, almost turning into a steaming maiden.
"I am that little nine-tailed fox you bullied back then!" The fox princess blurted out in desperation.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
The air suddenly became silent.
"Pfft!" Xia Yi couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Yue Liu's eyes flickered with lightning, and she pointed her sword anxiously at the dragon princess below.
"Be serious! I'm seeking revenge, do you understand? This is serious!"
"So Yue Liu was that little nine-tailed fox, huh? From a cute little fox to such a beautiful girl, it's really surprising."
"You're still mocking me…!"
"Did your catchphrase change?" Xia Yi asked.
Yue Liu realized her slip-up and quickly coughed a few times, cleared her throat, and tried to maintain her persona.
"Hmph, it's just like you, my archenemy! Trying to use verbal tactics to shake me, to lose my will to fight, truly evil dragon!"
Yue Liu's cheeks were flushed, but she pretended as if their previous conversation had never happened and continued her declaration.
"Archenemy! Now you and I have entered the barrier created by our fox clan artifact—the Cherry Moon, which has enveloped us in its enchantment. Within this barrier, neither of us can leave until one falls in battle. This is the stage of destiny for our showdown!"
"A forced one-on-one?"
"Exactly! No one else can intervene, and even if you wanted to beg that red dragon for mercy, it would be futile. The outside world cannot interfere with what happens inside the barrier."
Although this pink-haired fox is an oddity, she does pose a certain threat, as Lucia said.
Xia Yi tried to leave the shrine's vicinity, but as soon as she stepped out of the gate, everything before her eyes blurred, and her next step took her right back to the center of the shrine.
"Didn't I tell you? It's useless. As long as neither of us falls, the Cherry Moon's barrier will not vanish."
Yue Liu was brimming with confidence, feeling as though she had regained the upper hand.
"In front of the Lizard Clan, I will defeat you, causing the Dragon Clan to lose face. Then, the Fox Clan can use Gudan to control the Blackstone Kingdom!"
"Your Fox Clan is quite ambitious."
"Arrogant and slow-witted dragon, haven't you realized yet? The times are about to change drastically. Not just the Fox Clan, but all races in the world are preparing for the new era. Soon, the strongest of the high-ranking species, the dragon race, will be swept away by the tides of time!"
Xia Yi wasn't very concerned about what Yue Liu was saying.
All she wanted to do now was to escape, but this fox was intent on keeping her there, not allowing her to leave. So—
Xia Yi raised her Rose Wand.
"Good, that means you're ready to face defeat, right? Silver Dragon Princess, now, I shall personally commence the prelude to my revenge!"
Yue Liu slowly unsheathed the fox clan's artifact—the Cherry Moon, its blade gleaming coldly under the moonlight.
With the aid of the Rose Wand, Xia Yi quickly chanted spells, the high temperature distorting the air around her, and balls of fire formed in front of her.
"Fireball!"
The burning fireballs flew towards the fox girl.
"Archenemy, let me tell you, the sword is much more useful than magic!"
Yue Liu leaped high, unleashing a dazzling sword light.
"Such trivial magic, shatter before me!"
Her swordsmanship shattered all the fireballs Xia Yi had conjured with her magic, and the remaining sword energy rained down like a downpour, bombarding the ground.
Xia Yi used a magical shield while trying to dodge the sword energy's bombardment, countering with spells aimed at Yue Liu, constantly moving and summoning ice projectiles to shoot her way.
Yue Liu's movements were exceptional, gracefully stepping among the cherry trees as if dancing, a sight to behold. Coupled with her beautiful shrine maiden attire and enchanting beauty, she managed to disorient her opponent even in the midst of battle.
The pink-haired fox's every attack was powerful; she was serious about defeating Xia Yi, relentlessly pursuing her.
"This is bad, I'm going to lose!"
Xia Yi cried out in alarm, her face turning pale.
Once again, she triggered the Cherry Moon barrier's mechanism. In an attempt to evade Yue Liu's assault, she stepped on the edge and was teleported back to the center of the shrine.
"This is the end for you, Xia Yi!"
Yue Liu had intentionally driven Xia Yi to the edge of the barrier, exploiting this fact.
As Xia Yi was teleported, Yue Liu anticipated her move, using swift footwork to return to the center of the shrine. She sheathed the Cherry Moon, waiting like a hunter for its prey.
A mage cornered by a swordsman—what would be the outcome?
With a roar, the Cherry Moon was drawn, its sound echoing in all directions. Yue Liu's draw was so fast it was nearly invisible, the sword light splitting the cherry blossom rain in two, aiming for the silver-haired loli.
"Divine Extermination Draw Slash!"
Clang!
Following a metallic clash, Yue Liu stood frozen.
Sparks flew as Xia Yi revealed a sword in her hand—a Holy Sword?
The little princess looked at ease, casually blocking Yue Liu's mightiest strike. The anxious and flustered expression from moments ago was nothing but an act.
"You're a mage, aren't you? How can you…!"
Yue Liu's cherry-colored eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Playtime is over; let's get a bit serious, shall we?"
The little princess smiled mischievously, her words echoing like those of a villain.
"Little fox, your proud swordsmanship doesn't quite cut it in front of me~"
Cute
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