Mulan continued leading a pack of little foxes along the outskirts of the Azure Fox Realm.
Though calling it an “expedition” was generous—it was more like being lost.
It was her first time here too.
“Oops… we’re lost,” she murmured.
Worry etched her face as she gently stroked the tiny fox cradled in her arms.
Right now, only petting foxes could soothe her frustration.
The Azure Fox Realm was so vast—who knew when they’d find where the elder foxes gathered?
The long walk since earlier felt utterly exhausting.
Thankfully, her stamina had improved greatly after transforming into a tailed fox form.
Carrying multiple foxes didn’t tire her at all.
Her old self would’ve collapsed after just a short climb.
Her body was fine now; the real issue was wasted time.
She absolutely did *not* want to be stranded outdoors after dark.
It just felt too miserable.
“Sigh~”
Mulan let out a soft sigh, lifted the little fox to meet its gaze, and pinned her hopes on it.
“Little fox~ Please tell me how to reach where the elder foxes live. You live here—you must know the way, right?”
She’d considered asking locals from the start but wanted to explore alone.
Walking this far was pointless. Better to rely on the residents.
“Eep eep eep~”
The fox squirmed, urging her to set it down.
Mulan blinked and smiled.
“Mmm~ A fox that understands human speech is amazing.”
Truly an otherworld quirk.
Who *wouldn’t* love chatting effortlessly with a cute critter?
After all, she’d once dreamed of becoming a “Druid.”
The petite azure fox girl reignited with energy, golden eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Mmm! Perfect~ My little ones! Let’s begin today’s journey!”
“Eep eep eep!”
“Chirp chirp chirp!”
At her call, foxes chirped and yipped around her—a lively, joyful scene.
The scene shifted.
Guided by local foxes, Mulan finally reached the heart of the Azure Fox Realm.
“Wow… oh.”
The young-looking azure fox girl stood atop the peak, gazing down in awe.
Who would’ve guessed?
Nestled within connected mountain ranges lay a massive basin.
This basin housed the noble and powerful members of the Azurehill Fox Clan.
From above, Mulan spotted numerous buildings—many as grand and elegant as Mirophiel’s mansion.
“Is this where the Azurehill foxes gather?”
To her, the sprawling basin felt like a full-scale city.
She didn’t approach recklessly. She weighed contingency plans.
Though she now wore a fox girl form, her origins remained a puzzle.
If asked where she came from… what would she say?
Mulan lacked life experience, but her caution ran deep.
No risks without preparation.
“Mmm~”
Her three tails swayed gently behind her. Foxes clinging to them looked utterly content, as if riding a rocking cradle.
Few ever got this close to noble fox clans.
Clueless about Azurehill customs, Mulan was perhaps the most approachable azure fox around.
Unfamiliar with this world—and even struggling to wield azure fox power—she realized she’d barely explored the strength within.
After transforming, she’d reached the Starry Rain Tier.
This tier meant more than boosted stamina and strength—it promised other abilities.
Like the Azurehill nine-tailed fox’s innate gift:
Each new tail unlocked a wondrous magic.
Time to investigate.
Mulan sat down, smiling gratefully at the foxes beside her.
“Thank you for guiding and staying with me. I have important matters ahead. Let’s play again next time—you may go now.”
At her words, fox kits nipped gently at her skirt hem, rubbed against her ankles, or rolled playfully on her tails.
Every gesture brimmed with reluctant affection.
“Eep eep eep!”
Yet they were sensible foxes—nothing like ordinary ones.
If the noble azure fox lady had duties, they’d obediently step back.
Within seconds, all the little foxes vanished.
“Phew~ First time being *this* popular…” Mulan muttered wryly.
Well, it *was* just foxes.
But being adored by foxes beat human popularity any day!
Human socializing? An absolute nightmare.
She’d had more than enough of that back home.
“Enough. Focus on blending in smoothly.”
She shook off the thought, eyes gleaming with resolve.
Fox society here likely mirrored human society—beastly instincts strong, but humanity present too.
She’d skimmed some basics beforehand… barely.
Still…
Rather than crafting a flawless infiltration plan with fake smiles, Mulan preferred the path of least resistance.
Far less stressful.
She hugged her fluffy tails; the tips wriggled like creatures with minds of their own.
“I recall—the first tail of Azurehill nine-tailed foxes awakens the ‘Transformation Art’… or so the book said.”
This “Art of Myriad Transformations” meant boundless change.
Mastering it was the foundational step for foxes to take human form.
But Mulan wasn’t conventional. A mysterious power let her become a fox girl.
Could she use Transformation Art to shift *into* full fox form?
As a fox, she’d bypass conversation entirely—just play “can’t speak,” avoid socializing.
Rumor said azure foxes here were pampered darlings of the clan, granted near-limitless tolerance.
Even with a shady backstory, she’d likely be forgiven.
Perfect! Decision made.
“Hmm… but *how*? They say it’s innate, yet I’m clueless.”
Might as well try.
Better than staring into space.
“Transformation Art—Azure Fox!”
A flash of azure light.
Mulan shrank within the glow.
Light faded.
The petite girl was gone—replaced by a tiny, adorable three-tailed azure fox.
“Eep eep eep~”
Mulan felt a surge of pride.
She was clearly cut out for fox life—first try success! A true otherworld milestone.
*First Magic Used* achievement unlocked!
Time to move.
