The Swords: The 13th Sword

Meet Bai Shisan — a fox spirit with a problem. His tribe needs him to extract something called the White Elixir of the Human Soul from a living person — which, as you might guess, isn't exactly a victimless errand. But Bai Shisan isn't your typical cold-blooded demon on a mission. He's got doubts, a moral compass that keeps spinning, and a sentient communication device named Ying Wuxie tagging along to keep things interesting. When he rolls into a village and crosses paths with Wang Zijin, a young scholar grinding for the imperial civil service exam, their lives get tangled in ways neither of them planned for. What starts as a straightforward extraction job turns into something messier and more human than a fox spirit bargained for. This ONA is rooted in Chinese mythology and folklore — ancient Daoist priests, immortality-seeking demons, imperial-era China rendered in rich detail. The vibe balances lighthearted buddy-comedy energy with genuinely introspective moments about what it means to connect with someone you're supposed to exploit. If you liked the mythological world-building in White Snake or the fox spirit lore in Fox Spirit Matchmaker, this hits similar notes but with its own identity. Fans of The Legend of Hei will recognize that same tension between the spirit world and humanity. Based on a web novel and set for 2027, it's one to keep on your radar if Chinese fantasy anime is your thing.