8) The frost wasteland.

Unless he can use one of them as his pawn.

He quickly analyzed the situation.

Both the Phantom Snow Leopard and the Nine-Tail Fox Spirit were powerful beyond measure, yet they bore visible wounds, but it's likely that both of them have yet to all out.

A smirk curled on his lips.

They were not at full strength, which means they had yet to use their strongest attack.

Instead of panicking, Zhao Fan adopted a relaxed stance, dusting off his robe as if he were merely adjusting his attire rather than facing two apex predators thirsting for his blood.

"Ahem* Ahem*... Greetings!" he said lazily, his eyes flickering between the two.

"I'm sure you both have bigger concerns than dealing with me, don't you?"

Beasts: "..." ( Is this boy mentally retarded? )

"Grrrrrr~" The Phantom Snow Leopard growled lowly, its silverish black fur bristling as it shifted its stance, its piercing glowing yellow eyes locked onto Zhao Fan like a hunter eyeing prey.

The Nine-Tail Fox Spirit, however, stood still, her ethereal silver gaze filled with something far more dangerous than mere hostility.

She was a little intelligence

Tier 6 beast obviously possessed intelligence.

Zhao Fan inwardly cursed.

The leopard seems to be a beast that is easy to provoke or manipulate due to low intelligence.

But the fox... she was different.

If one has to say, leopard might be an average Joe, easily offended and easy to coax.

A plan formed in his mind.

He slowly backed up, but not in fear, but in a way that made it seem like he was trying to bait them.

His voice took on a mocking tone.

"Tell me, little fox, why are you protecting that overgrown cat? From what I see... he's just waiting for the right moment to lunge at your throat, let's be logical and think logically... I am the weakest one here, what's the point of you to coming at me?"

The Nine-Tail Fox Spirit's ears twitched, but she didn't react outwardly.

However, Zhao Fan noticed her tails flicking ever so slightly, which can be said a sign of caution or suspicion.

He continued, stepping just close enough to be within reach but not in immediate danger, after all, he values his life.

"You both are injured. You're natural enemies, aren't you? The moment one of you lets your guard down... the other will strike. But why waste your energy on me first?"

The Phantom Snow Leopard's growl deepened, and its gaze flickered toward the fox for the briefest second.

The human was correct.

This human might not even be able to take two of his moves, after all, the human's aura was that of an early tier 5 beast.

But this fox despite being just reaching tier 6 was very powerful and she might actually kill him if she gets the chance.

She has too much fighting potential.

And this is what, all Zhao Fan needed.

Doubt!

..

Zhao Fan smirked, taking another step back.

"Why don't I make things easier?" He raised his hands.

"I'll leave. No need to bother with me. But you two... you should decide which of you gets to walk away alive,"

The Nine-Tail Fox Spirit narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced, but the Phantom Snow Leopard suddenly shifted its stance.

It was aggressive, and, hostile.

"Good! Good! Good! Hurry up and leave, grrrr..." The leopard growled, his tiny brain incapable of thinking forward or possibilities.

So,

The tension in the air thickened as the Phantom Snow Leopard muscles coiled like a drawn bowstring.

He was ready to fight fox.

The Nine-Tail Fox Spirit, however, did not react immediately.

Instead, her silverish-blue icy eyes studied Zhao Fan with an unnerving stillness.

"How interesting," she finally murmured, her voice as crisp and cool as the mountain wind.

"A mere human attempting to manipulate divine beasts...truly fascinating, it's crazy how you say, you will leave, but what if the the rose of eternal winter is already with you?" her tone was cold.

"Do you think we are fools?" she added.

"And look at that human... Aren't you the one who injured him? I rather trust my enemy than any humans, you shameless disgusting creatures, hurry up, take out your storage ring, crippled yourself only then, you can leave," her tone was aggressive.

Zhao Fan didn't falter.

He chuckled, tilting his head in amusement. "Oh? And yet, the senior leopard seems to think otherwise."

The Phantom Snow Leopard let out a deep, guttural snarl at his words, shifting its weight slightly, its aggression now divided between the fox and Zhao Fan.

He doesn't know what to do.

Both seem to be speaking fax.

Humans aren't trustable.

Neither is this nine-tail beast.

Humans might have already taken the treasure.

"Wait... You two, you guys fight first," The Senior leopard spoke.

However, his trick was a child's play.

Zhao Fan: "..." ( How stupid )

Fox girl: "..." ( Eh!?)

They both looked at each other and shook their head in disappointment.

The situation was now tense.

They aren't stupid to fight, doesn't that simply mean you guys fight first and injure yourself, after that, I will kill the survivor and take everything.

Especially, Nine Tail Fox, since, she will be at the losing end.

She clenched her jade fist, while she looked at Leopard.

Zhao Fan also looked at the leopard with hatred.

Isn't it telling him to die?

He can at most hardly fight a peak tier 5 beast and can't tell if he can even win.

And now a tier 6?

Even the early master-level cultivator can't fight a tier 6 beast.

'Hmm... Who to do now? Lets be rational. In this situation, I should probably act innocent and pretend to be confused about the situation, like a naive person who had just stumbled into an extraordinary event.

Also, I must try to buy myself some time by pretending to be intimidated by both beasts, but also try to appeal to their better nature or curiosity about me.

Additionally, I need to grab the space ring of Zhao Meng and escape using teleportation, it's most likely that he has kept the treasure in there,'

Zhao Fan thought to himself trying to minimize the unfavorable situation while, maximize the limited benefits he can get, in this time.

--- .

( 3/9)