Mulan, now in fox form, had no idea that shifting into a human wasn’t so simple for Azurehill foxes.

Growing a tail granted a new magic—but wielding it depended entirely on skill.

Take newborn cubs: born with one tail, yet transforming remained incredibly hard.

Even Qingqiu Zili, the clan’s most exceptional Azure Fox, needed nearly two years from birth to achieve human form.

Some foxes grew multiple tails and still failed.

Mastering this magic was no small feat.

For Mulan? Using these powers felt as natural as breathing—a gift uniquely hers.

Scene shift.

Mulan dashed forward in fox form, sprinting wildly down the mountain.

Like a tiger descending the slopes, her speed was breathtaking.

A thrilling new experience—one she couldn’t help savoring.

“Yip!”

Her petite frame flashed through the forest.

Swift steps, a nimble silhouette flickering like a phantom between trees.

From peak to ground in moments.

Only then did she realize she’d arrived.

Losing herself in the wild freedom of foxhood was intoxicating—a primal call from deep within.

So fun!

Being a carefree forest creature wasn’t half bad.

Mulan’s gaze lifted ahead. A hint of tension shimmered in her golden eyes.

That was the elder foxes’ gathering place.

A major trial awaited.

*Please be okay…*

She stepped forward, cautious now.

No recklessness here.

Carefully…

Silently…

Must. Not. Be. Found.

*Thump.*

Before she took three steps—

“Oh my! Where did this mischievous little Azure Fox cub wander from? Come to big sister for a hug~”

Arms swept her up from behind, tucking her gently against a soft chest.

“So soft, so fragrant~ No wonder you’re our noble Azure Fox Lady~”

A fox-eared woman with flowing white hair. Voluptuous, graceful, radiating mature charm. Delicate features, classic fox-maiden allure. Five tails swaying behind her—Moonlight Tier strength. Even as a white fox of lesser bloodline, she utterly outclassed Mulan.

“Eep! Eep!”

Mulan squirmed in panic.

*Gah! Busty fox lady! I’m gonna be devoured! Help!*

The commotion drew nearby fox maidens.

“Wow! An Azure Fox Lady! How?!”

“So rare! Barely five Azure Foxes in the whole Azure Fox Realm—did she sneak out?”

“Hey! Don’t be rude! Big sister wants a turn too!”

“Your greed’s written all over your face! Nope!”

And so…

Mulan—the tiny, helpless, pitiful three-tailed Azure Fox cub—was passed around like a prized plushie.

Three tails? Useless against four- and five-tailed elders.

*I’m breaking!*

Why did infiltration fail *immediately*? Unfair!

She lacked local knowledge. Minimal research on the Azure Fox Realm.

Azure Foxes held supreme status in the Azurehill Fox Clan—and carried a trait: irresistible allure to kin.

Scent. Instinct. An invisible pull drawing every fox near.

With her current strength? Stealth was impossible. Discovery, inevitable.

A Golden Nine Tails? Practically a walking sun.

Mulan stopped struggling.

Weakness meant becoming a woman’s plaything.

Losing her manly dignity… *sob*

Just then—a six-tailed black fox woman strode in, aura sharp with authority, parting the crowd.

“Enough. Do not trouble the Azure Fox Lady. Harm her, and you answer for it. See? She’s only three-tailed. Her body can’t endure your rough handling.”

“Eep!”

Mulan’s golden eyes flooded with hope. *A savior!*

Women were terrifying—especially a hungry pack of them!

Even if all were cute, fluffy girls… too much.

The stern black fox lifted her gently. The crowd quieted.

Mulan sighed inwardly. *Safe.*

These fox maidens were wild. Fluffy tails or not—shoving her into that melon-sized bosom? Rude! A tail-wrap would’ve been classier!

Indignation simmered… until she noticed ripples in the black fox’s eyes.

“Huh?”

Mulan tilted her head.

Coldness melted into tender warmth.

Cheeks faintly flushed, the woman leaned in and nuzzled her fur.

“Azure Fox Lady~”

Mulan froze.

“Eep! Eep!”

*Eek! Out of the frying pan, into the fire! HELP!*

The crowd erupted.

“Hogging her is shameful!”

“Even a black fox elder can’t do that!”

“Hand her over!”

Ice returned to the woman’s gaze. A single chilling glance silenced them.

“Calm yourselves. She is not a toy. I’m taking her to the palace.”

Tears welled in their eyes.

Azure Foxes were rare. This chance… gone.

*The pain! So sharp!*

As they walked away, the woman gently stroked Mulan’s fur. Tension eased.

*Forget it.*

*Might as well go with the flow.*

Being caught… maybe not a bad start.

The black fox murmured softly:

“Five Azure Foxes reside in the Azure Fox Realm: Her Highness the three-tailed princess, three one-tailed cubs yet to shape-shift, and a five-tailed male fox recently returned. So… where did *this* extra three-tailed Azure Fox come from?”

She gazed down at the cub in her arms.

Mulan shut her eyes tight.

“Hmph…”

*Roll with it.*

Can’t talk in fox form anyway.

*Whatever. Let them imagine.*

The black fox’s expression turned grave.

This mattered. For the Azurehill Fox Clan’s future.

Every Azure Fox was vital.

If she was a lost orphan… a crisis.

*Must bring her to the elders. Immediately.*