The Violet Crystal Grapes were cultivated in the safest corner of the Azure Fox Realm.
Behind the Azure Fox Palace stood a black tower, tall and unyielding—the very birthplace of the grapes.
Mulan followed Qingqiu Zili closely, her swaying tail betraying pure joy and eager anticipation.
What was her true purpose for coming here?
Cleaning up messes and helping Qingqiu Zili could wait.
Feasting on delicious Violet Crystal Grapes at every single meal was what truly mattered!
Yet back at the Azure Fox Palace, Azurefox Moyue only brought them at noon—never on demand.
Even though he fed her more grapes than Er Yue and the others combined, it still felt utterly unsatisfying.
This fruit was meant to be devoured until bursting full—stomachaches be damned!
Now, standing at the source, Mulan brimmed with hope.
Could she finally eat her fill?
Just as wild fantasies swirled in her mind, Qingqiu Zili led her to the tower’s entrance.
“Hmm.”
Mulan tilted her head up, studying the structure.
At a glance, the black tower wasn’t sealed—each level ringed with arched doorways, as if deliberately letting light in.
The entrance itself was an open archway, tempting one to step right through.
But Mulan’s gut said otherwise.
Qingqiu Zili halting there proved it.
“Mulan, don’t be fooled—no door doesn’t mean easy access. This tower’s sealed by powerful barrier magic. It repels intruders. Even I can’t enter freely.”
“Eh? Really?”
Mulan peered closer. A faint anomaly prickled her senses—just a hint of curiosity sparked.
“Aren’t you a noble princess? How come you can’t come and go as you please?”
Qingqiu Zili swished her tail while explaining.
“Elsewhere? Sure. But this tower was built by the legendary Golden Nine Tails herself to grow the finest Violet Crystal Grapes. Only her bloodline bypasses the barrier. Everyone else needs the overseeing elder’s permission.”
Even the willful Qingqiu Zili held this place in deepest reverence.
The Golden Nine Tails was the sun of the Azurehill Fox Clan—every fox’s brightest beacon of faith. Anything tied to her was meticulously preserved.
This black tower? Forbidden ground for all foxes.
Only clan elders and those of Azure Fox bloodline dared approach.
“Mmm~”
Mulan hummed softly, her gaze locked on the tower with odd intensity. That faint, elusive pull tugged at her again.
Did the golden fox build this just to slack off?
Rare grapes on tap, eat till full, nap, wake up and eat again… Just imagining it felt heavenly.
Lost in daydreams, she jumped as Qingqiu Zili called out:
“Fourth Elder! Come greet us! This princess is here to visit!”
“Visit me? How lovely. But you’re really here for the grapes, aren’t you?”
A voice echoed from within.
A graceful black fox woman emerged—clad in a classically styled fur-trimmed top, eight tails swaying elegantly behind her, delicate features radiating mature charm.
Mulan had met this captivating elder on her first day at the Elders’ Hall. She never guessed she guarded the black tower.
Qingqiu Zili instantly pounced on the Third Elder (as the text states), clinging affectionately.
Among all elders, she adored the Fourth Elder most.
She managed the grapes’ distribution and lived amid vines inside the tower.
Whenever Qingqiu Zili passed by, the Fourth Elder would offer her a bunch—pure doting kindness.
If anyone escaped tail-fur-plucking during Qingqiu Zili’s tantrums? Only the grape-feeding Fourth Elder.
The elder gently stroked Qingqiu Zili’s fur, smiling warmly.
“Come again for grapes?”
“Nope! This princess wants to tour the tower!”
The Fourth Elder hummed thoughtfully but didn’t agree.
“Zili, you know this was the first Golden Nine Tails’ dwelling. By custom, even Azure Foxes may not enter freely.”
Qingqiu Zili puffed her cheeks.
“Hmph~ She never set that rule herself! You elders added it!”
Proud and willful as she was, Qingqiu Zili revered the Golden Nine Tails deeply.
She’d studied every detail about her—even this tower.
The restriction wasn’t from the Golden Nine Tails, but elders’ added reverence.
“And it’s not *just* entering! I’m showing Mulan around. She’s new to the Realm, knows little of our ways. She’s the Clan’s hope—wouldn’t it be a pity if she never saw inside?”
Qingqiu Zili skipped behind Mulan and nudged her forward.
“Mmm~”
The Fourth Elder’s gaze softened on petite Mulan.
She’d heard Mulan took human form under Qingqiu Zili’s care—but seeing her now? Utterly adorable.
That small frame stirred protective instincts, begging to be spoiled.
The elder crouched, meeting Mulan’s golden eyes, gently stroking her head.
“Mulan… would you like to go in?”
“Mm.”
Curiosity stirred. Mulan genuinely wanted to see inside.
The Fourth Elder gave a slight nod.
“Very well. Today, I’ll make an exception.”
Qingqiu Zili grumbled.
“Hmph~ So biased! I begged and got refused, but Mulan just nods and you agree?”
The elder chuckled.
“Mmm~ If your temperament were as calm as Mulan’s, I’d let you in. But who knows what mischief you’d cause?”
“What? This princess respects the Golden Nine Tails deeply! I’d never misbehave!”
Without another word, the Fourth Elder waved—a shimmering gap opened in the barrier.
“Go ahead. Eat freely from the first floor’s vines—just don’t waste or damage them.”
“Yay~”
