In the Elders’ Hall.

The elders of the Azurehill Fox Clan each received urgent news.

The stray Azure Fox who had entered the Azure Fox Realm days ago had finally transformed into human form beside Qingqiu Zili.

“That little one has finally let her guard down. As expected, Azure Foxes connect more easily with their own kind.”

The Grand Elder stroked his beard and chuckled merrily.

He held deep tolerance for Azure Foxes—willing to fulfill nearly any request—but wasn’t foolish enough to believe a wild three-tailed Azure Fox surviving outside was some helpless, transformation-incapable weakling.

Her refusal to shift form publicly was clearly caution.

Only surrounded by kin within the Azure Fox Realm had she felt safe enough to engage.

Had it been otherwise, she likely would’ve fled outright.

The elders saw this clearly and chose not to pressure or interrogate her.

Every Azure Fox was a treasure to the Azurehill Fox Clan—each irreplaceable.

Especially in this declining era, their numbers were heartbreakingly few.

That even one had survived outside felt like a miracle.

The elders dared not dream of multiple strays.

For now, helping Azurefox Wuyue develop belonging toward the Realm was the wisest path.

They’d expected her to slowly open up around Er Yue and the others—not Qingqiu Zili.

Was it the shared trait of being three-tailed Azure Foxes?

Regardless, the outcome pleased them deeply.

“Should we go meet her? I’m curious how she became a stray.”

One elder suggested.

The Grand Elder slightly shook his head.

“No need. She’s only just lowered her guard. Forcing her to face us old folks now would unsettle her. As long as she remains an Azure Fox, time will ease familiarity. Rushing breeds regret.”

Truthfully, he also worried Qingqiu Zili—the famously mischievous girl—would tag along.

Not a single elder present had escaped her antics unscathed.

For a time, tails were her favorite target.

The discussion shifted.

“What of Qingqiu Nine Calamities? Zili clearly dislikes him. Forcing a match seems hopeless.”

Reproduction was clan-critical—especially in this era before the Golden Nine Tails’ birth.

As rulers and guardians, the elders bore the clan’s future on their shoulders.

Continuing like this would inevitably draw predators.

The recent Starplucking Court incident proved it.

The once-proud Azurehill Fox Clan stood defenseless. One Nine-Tailed Fox might’ve changed things—but all elders remained at eight tails.

The Grand, Second, and Third Elders had stagnated at this stage for centuries.

The Golden Nine Tails was a limiter.

Without her manifestation, the clan’s standing would only crumble further.

Now, a male Azure Fox offered hope.

No matter Zili’s resistance, destiny awaited her.

The elegant woman beside the Grand Elder raised a delicate brow.

“What if this sole male Azure Fox is a deception? Azure Foxes naturally resonate—even strangers bond swiftly. Yet neither Zili nor newly arrived Wuyue show affinity toward Nine Calamities. Zili rejects him outright; Wuyue subtly resists too.”

Third Elder’s words silenced the room.

They understood.

But they couldn’t gamble. They clung to the hope that the disconnect lay with Zili and Wuyue—not Nine Calamities himself.

After all, every elder had verified him. Simple disguise couldn’t fool eight-tailed experts.

And if he surpassed them all… why hide?

He was their only option. Nurture him, and he might steer the clan through darkness.

Trust was fragile—but necessary.

Yet their love for Zili ran deep.

Let time prove Nine Calamities’ worth.

If he earned the right? Entrusting the clan’s fate would be no hesitation.

“What has Qingqiu Nine Calamities been doing lately?”

“Building rapport with residents. Everyone speaks highly of him.”

Second Elder, who’d been observing, nodded.

Winning hearts mattered. Azure Fox status was merely the seed—actions would grow the tree.

And Nine Calamities was planting diligently.

The elders fell silent, hopes quietly pinned on him.

...

The scene shifted.

Mulan and Qingqiu Zili shared breakfast after waking.

Meals in the Azure Fox Realm were delightful—Mulan ate with genuine enjoyment.

(Incidentally, this spread was crafted by a certain black fox girl.)

Moling Qingqiu moved with seamless grace, a true all-purpose attendant.

Mulan saw Sia’s shadow in her—equally capable, equally warm.

What eased Mulan most?

After shifting from fox to fox-girl form, Moling Qingqiu never probed sensitive topics—origins, past lives.

Only gentle questions: food preferences, whether the meal suited her.

Though Mulan was new, Moling treated her with the same quiet reliability she showed Zili.

Mulan accepted the grape juice offered.

“Mmm, thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Consider this your home. I serve Lady Zili—and now you. May you settle in swiftly.”

Moling’s elegance, her ever-present smile radiating ingrained devotion, naturally invited fondness.

Yet Mulan felt a slight unease.

She couldn’t comfortably accept such servant-like care—a quiet distance lingered.

After a thoughtful pause:

“I prefer a normal relationship over master-servant. Could… we be friends?”

“Friends?”

Moling paused, lips curving faintly.

*Didn’t she know?*

Within the clan, Azure Foxes stood high. Black foxes rarely earned true friendship—only service.

She’d meant to explain… but Mulan’s sincere eyes softened her resolve.

“If that is your wish, I shall honor it.”

Now Moling was certain.

Wuyue’s charm ran deep—not just Azure Fox allure, but her gentle spirit.

Simply kinder than Zili? Already a victory.

No wonder the Princess adored her.

If the whole clan discovered her?

She’d become the second beloved treasure in an instant.