Mulan and Qingqiu Zili stepped into the Black Tower.
The Fourth Elder did not follow—seemingly trusting them, or perhaps watching from some hidden corner.
Mulan didn’t mind being observed. As long as she could taste the delicious Violet Crystal Grapes, she wouldn’t care even if someone grabbed her tail and stroked it the wrong way.
“So this is the inside of the Black Tower?”
Mulan glanced around curiously, her eyes locked on the plump, radiant grapes gleaming like amethysts. Bathed in slanted sunlight, they looked utterly irresistible.
The first floor’s environment felt strikingly natural.
Vibrant foliage greeted them instantly, like stepping into another fairyland, lush greenery displayed in full glory.
At the tower’s center, vines sprouted from soft soil, winding around intricately carved stone pillars. Guided by dozens of branches, they formed a soothing vine net—simply gazing at it brought quiet satisfaction.
Mulan stared at the Violet Crystal Grapes nestled among spring leaves. Her bloodline seemed to urge her forward; saliva pooled gently in her mouth.
*This is a fox’s paradise!*
Qingqiu Zili’s tail swayed happily too, though she kept her composure—no loss of decorum.
Having grown up on Violet Crystal Grapes, a mere vineyard held little novelty for her.
Watching Mulan’s eager face, she couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Aren’t they tempting? This princess visited here as a child. Nearly cleared the whole first floor! Total chaos afterward. Ever since, the elders barely let me in.”
“Wow, you’re seriously impressive,” Mulan murmured, a hint of envy in her voice.
So many grapes… clearing a floor sounded amazing. She wanted that stuffed-full feeling too.
As Qingqiu Zili walked toward the grape-laden vines, she chatted lightly.
“Haven’t been in ages. Every time I passed by wanting a peek, the Fourth Elder shooed me off with a bunch of grapes. Do they really think I’d mess things up again?”
She considered it pure prejudice.
That mess was childhood. She was sensible now—yet still not trusted.
*Maybe the Fourth Elder’s watching right now. One wrong move, and he’d rush out.*
“Wuyue really is something~ He must’ve let us in for your sake. Alone? This princess would’ve gotten shooed away with grapes again.”
Qingqiu Zili plucked two bunches, returned, and handed one to Mulan.
“Here~ Promised Violet Crystal Grapes. Eat all you want—right now, it’s fine.”
“Mmm~”
*This is what I waited for.*
Feast until satisfied. One goal of coming to the Azure Fox Realm—checked.
Mulan popped translucent grapes one after another, bliss on her face. Then she tilted her head up curiously.
“If the first floor’s a vineyard… what’s upstairs?”
“This princess hasn’t gone up in ages either. Elders say the second floor stores old treasures. Above that? Lord Golden Nine Tails’ residence. Even this princess can’t go there.”
A bold thought sparked in Mulan’s mind.
“How about we sneak a peek?”
She’d met the Golden Nine Tails in a dream—*slept on it*, even. A quick look in its tower couldn’t hurt. Just a glance.
Qingqiu Zili blinked in surprise.
“Wow! You’re bolder than this princess. But since *you* suggested it… I’ll indulge you this once~”
She’d always been a playful, willful fox—longing to explore the second floor. Elders never allowed it, no matter how she fussed.
Now, with Azurefox Wuyue—the clan’s new darling—leading the charge? Perfect chance.
*If trouble comes… Wuyue takes the heat.*
Mulan saw right through her.
*That happily swaying tail gave you away!*
But it didn’t matter.
She genuinely wanted company. This wasn’t just curiosity—something upstairs was *calling* to her. Missing it would be a pity.
“No time to lose! Let’s go!”
Qingqiu Zili, even more eager, grabbed Mulan’s hand and hurried ahead. *No wonder the elders find her so troublesome.*
From the shadows, the Fourth Elder sighed softly.
“Sigh~ The young princess hasn’t changed a bit. But since Wuyue wishes to see… I’ll allow it once.”
He didn’t stop them.
The second floor wasn’t forbidden to Azurehill Fox Clan members. A simple visit was harmless.
As long as they touched nothing, he could turn a blind eye.
He’d only barred Qingqiu Zili before out of worry—her rambunctious nature might trigger danger.
That was all.
—Scene shift—
Mulan and Qingqiu Zili reached the Black Tower’s second floor.
The lush green vanished. Not a single plant remained.
Mulan scanned the space.
“Feels like a giant warehouse.”
At first glance: clutter piled in corners—not the gold and jewels she’d imagined.
“Huh. Doesn’t seem special,” Qingqiu Zili said, unimpressed.
“These look ancient. Said Lord Golden Nine Tails collected them slowly over generations. Each heir kept the habit… turned this floor into a storage room of odds and ends.”
“I see,” Mulan nodded thoughtfully, still sensing that pull.
Though uninterested, Qingqiu Zili added firmly:
“Don’t underestimate these. Not peerless treasures, but valuable. Even that fearsome Plunder Witch coveted them—kidnapped this princess just to force elders into exchanging items from here.”
Mulan froze. Her tail, swaying slightly moments ago, stilled mid-air.
*So the things that witch wanted… came from here?*
“But why not break in herself?”
Qingqiu Zili puffed her chest proudly.
“This Black Tower’s barrier was set by the first-generation Lord Golden Nine Tails. Only Azurehill Fox Clan blood may enter. A mere Plunder Witch? She lacks that power.”
