Inside the Elders’ Hall.
Several black-furred fox elders sat in their seats.
They gazed gently at the lone figure across the room—the male azure fox who had returned from beyond.
Countless years had passed since a male azure fox last appeared in the Azurehill Fox Clan.
Under a wicked curse, the clan’s reproduction crisis worsened. Not even among lower bloodlines did male births occur often.
Yet here one stood—wandering, surviving, returning.
Truly unforeseen.
The elders had already verified his authenticity.
No trace of deception in form or essence.
If he led the clan, vitality might return.
Anything would be better than now.
Perhaps the Golden Nine Tails would even descend in this era.
Then decline would be no concern.
The future gleamed bright indeed (with approval).
Just then, a telepathic message arrived—from a younger black fox, urgent, tied to the azure fox matter.
The elders acted without delay.
This concerned the clan’s future, second only to the Golden Nine Tails.
“Enter.”
A tall black-furred fox woman stepped in, cradling a young azure fox.
The elders froze. Disbelief flashed in their eyes the moment they saw her.
“This…?”
Meanwhile.
Mulan, feigning death, slightly lifted her head.
*Important place. Elder foxes everywhere—mostly black-furred. Fewer than nine.*
“Whimper.”
She turned away—then stiffened.
At the hall’s edge sat a young man with azure hair.
Five tails swayed behind him—a mark of status and power.
*Just like the dream.*
No doubt: the returned male azure fox.
But that wasn’t what tightened her nerves.
Why did disgust surge the instant she saw him?
Her body recoiled. Her soul screamed rejection.
First impression: rock bottom.
He turned. Met her gaze. Smiled gently—friendly, open.
Handsome looks were standard for Azurehill males. He fit the “kind older brother next door” mold perfectly.
Mulan saw none of it.
Surface calm hid something terrifying beneath.
A hostility that prickled the air.
*Is he even an azure fox? Why don’t they feel it?*
“Whimper…”
She looked away.
*That mysterious girl’s task… already trouble.*
*Can’t slack off anymore.*
She stayed still. Played the clueless, carefree cub.
Back with the elders.
They crowded around the black-furred woman.
“Azure fox of unknown origin?”
“How?!”
No need for explanation. Every young fox in the Azure Fox Realm bore a tracking sigil.
Lose one? Catastrophe.
Yet this one carried no mark.
Unthinkable.
The bearded Grand Elder stepped forward. Kind eyes, serene smile—but pressure hummed beneath.
(He was, after all, an eight-tailed fox.)
“Huh?”
Mulan glanced up. He met her gaze, gentle yet piercing.
“A genuine azure-furred nine-tailed fox. Not born within the Azure Fox Realm.”
Gasps rippled through the hall.
“Heavens—she’s from outside?”
“An orphan?”
The Grand Elder stroked his beard, masking inner turmoil.
“This old man suspects: born to kin beyond our realm. Parents lost… or abandoned her. She struggled alone, journeying here against all odds.”
Mulan tilted her head, confusion plain.
*Huh? I haven’t said a word!*
*They’ve already scripted my whole tragic backstory?*
*No questions asked?*
She shot him a flat look.
*Whatever. Saves me the trouble.*
*Over-imagining—truly a universal flaw.*
“Whimper.”
She slumped deeper into the black-furred elder’s arms.
Fox form made her lazy. Sun-warmed comfort called.
*Assimilated? Meh.*
The female elders cooed.
“She must’ve suffered so…”
“Looks younger than little Zili.”
“Three-tailed strength, yet stuck in this form? Never learned transformation?”
“No one taught her. Survival alone was hard enough.”
“Whimper~ Poor baby! Auntie’s here~”
(Only the Grand and Second Elders appeared aged; the rest were ageless beauties. Long-lived beings, after all.)
They passed Mulan between them, pitying every imagined wound.
Then—the azure-haired man rose.
“Elders, may I pet her? If she’s also from outside… we might share stories.”
Mulan’s eyes snapped open. Fur bristled. A sharp glare locked onto him.
“Growl!”
*Damn it! Get lost!*
The Grand Elder stepped between them.
“Qingqiu Nine Calamities, this cub endured hardship. She startles easily. Best not approach.”
“My mistake.”
Qingqiu Nine Calamities cast one faint glance her way—then left.
*Startles easily?*
*Then why no reaction to the elders?*
*Did she sense something…?*
*How… interesting.*
