The fox and human remained locked in stalemate. Despite its ambush, the three-tailed fox couldn't gain any advantage. Stella blocked horizontally with her mahogany sword, completely preventing the demon's attacks from advancing even half a step.
"Not bad, little girl," the three-tailed fox spat.
"Save your breath, stinky fox." Stella suddenly withdrew her hand and struck out with a Five Thunders palm. With a thunderous boom, the spell sent the fox flying backward.
"Qiankun Infinite, Eight Trigrams Suppress Evil, Infinite Mantra!" Stella traced an Eight Trigrams talisman pattern with her sword tip and thrust it toward the three-tailed fox.
The fox spread its claws wide, its three tails whipping wildly like flails as demonic winds swirled around it.
Boom!
The Infinite Mantra clashed with the thrashing tails, triggering a massive explosion. The spell produced countless sparks while the peachwood sword emitted golden flames that sliced through the demonic winds.
The tremendous force lifted both combatants off the ground. Stella staggered back several steps, but the three-tailed fox went flying. Upon landing, it coughed up blood, all three tails now dripping crimson.
As expected, the three-tailed fox was no match for Stella. Her skills had improved considerably during this time, and she now wielded spells I'd previously seen her use with far greater proficiency.
"Damn Celestial Master... you're ruthless," the three-tailed fox growled, wiping blood from its muzzle. With a vicious snarl, it transformed into its true fox form - a three-tailed beast the size of a tiger, though still dwarfed by the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox Fairy.
Instead of continuing the fight, the transformed fox immediately bolted on all fours, moving significantly faster than before.
But it hadn't anticipated my trap - I'd already positioned myself along its escape route.
As it prepared to leap, I suddenly appeared before it, bringing my Copper Coin Sword down in a vicious arc toward its head.
"Think you can run? Your life ends here!" I roared, aiming to cleave its skull.
Despite its massive size, the three-tailed fox proved agile. My sword struck empty air as it dodged, but its escape attempt had already been thwarted.
"Brat! When did you—? How dare you block my path!" The three-tailed fox puffed its cheeks and unleashed another blast of foxfire.
The foxfire was terrifying - black flames that could even burn through stone. I didn't dare hesitate, dodging immediately. Even a glancing touch would likely reduce me to ashes.
While it focused on me, Stella circled behind it. She smeared blood on her mahogany sword, inserted a Demon-Suppressing Talisman, and stabbed at its back.
The three-tailed fox couldn't defend both front and rear simultaneously. At the last moment, it could only use its three tails to shield its back. But against the combined power of the peachwood sword and Demon-Suppressing Talisman, its defense failed - Stella cleanly severed one tail.
"Ahhh—!" The three-tailed fox screamed horribly as blood gushed from the stump.
It made a desperate leap and sharp turn to escape Stella, but its fleeing days were over.
I reappeared above it, having jumped high for a downward slash.
"Brat! You're no Celestial Master! How dare you!" The enraged fox's fur bristled as demonic winds swirled around it. Losing a tail to Stella had infuriated it, and since it couldn't defeat her, it turned its wrath on me.
"Thunder Demon Claw!" The three-tailed fox lashed out with an electrified claw, swiping at me midair.
I met it with my own downward strike.
Boom! Electricity crackled along the Copper Coin Sword, sparks flying as the impact numbed my hands.
"Raaaah!" I roared, channeling my entire being until the sword glowed faint gold, overwhelming the fox's massive claw.
"Impossible! This can't— wait, it's not you... it's this sword! What kind of sword— ahhh!" The fox's words cut off as my blade sheared clean through its claw.
Pshhh! A geyser of blood erupted skyward alongside the three-tailed fox's agonized wails. The brutal scene felt almost excessive - after harming so many, it never imagined ending like this.
Pain wracked the fox's body, leaving it trembling and helplessly collapsing to its knees.
Stella rushed forward, stomping its head into the ground.
"D-don't kill me!" The fox struggled futilely before resorting to begging.
Mercy proved even more futile. Stella would never spare a harmful demon like this - she killed such creatures on sight.
"Die well." Stella swung her mahogany sword down. Golden light flashed as the fox's head rolled like a ball. With a final spurt of blood, its body collapsed motionless.
Stella wiped the demon blood from her mahogany sword, then twisted a yellow Taoist talisman in her hand. When she dropped it onto the fox's body, the remains immediately burst into flames. Within minutes, both body and severed head had burned completely, leaving not even ashes behind.
Dead. These three fox demons were finally eliminated. The mission was complete. I looked at the Copper Coin Sword in my hand, feeling a wave of relief.
But would this sword still be effective against more powerful ghosts and demons?
"Hurry back - those ghosts are returning," Stella warned, scanning our surroundings.
I followed her gaze and saw the oozing green will-o'-the-wisps closing in on us rapidly.
Stella scattered several charms while reciting an incantation. With a bang, the yellow Taoist talismans exploded, driving back the advancing will-o'-the-wisps. She then grabbed my arm and pulled me back toward the Fox Fairy Temple.
Stein and the little foxes greeted us happily upon our return. We immediately shut the door and proceeded to burn the remaining four fox demons' bodies. Now we only needed to wait for daylight before leaving safely.
We took the opportunity to revisit the underground chamber, but found nothing new. The Fox Fairy's body had disappeared completely. As for why the little fox had that single white hair on its tail - that remained a mystery.
Dawn came quickly. As the will-o'-the-wisps receded, we set out immediately. Upon returning, Stella went straight to Harper. Soon after, we received good news - Harper's decay had stopped and begun to reverse. Presumably, the contract's effects had ceased.
"The contract automatically expires when either human or demon dies," the little fox had explained.
With Harper's situation finally resolved, Stella's major problem was solved. While I didn't gain anything tangible from this ordeal, seeing Harper's repentance made me feel I'd done a good deed.
People shouldn't cling to single dreams in life. When one dream ends, we must let go and seek new ones. Setting sail toward new horizons always brings fresh rewards. Dwelling too long on what's lost only harms oneself in the end.