On the screen,

Cursed Calamity Nine Banes unleashed an ancient forbidden magic once more, ending the nine fox clan elders who had burned everything in their path.

Rule Magic: Life-Path Struggle.

History-savvy elders recognized this spell instantly.

Another theatrically cruel forbidden art—crafted by trickster entities who lived for chaos.

Within its range, raw power meant nothing.

Once a bloodline holder at the apex of the food chain appeared, all others became prey.

In a final desperate burst, the fox elders burned themselves, pushing their Solarcrown Rank power beyond limits.

Nine Solarcrown experts turned into fuel at once—their combined blaze could threaten even a Sunshatter Rank life.

So how could Cursed Calamity Nine Banes, merely Solarcrown Rank, possibly resist?

Yet the forbidden magic erased all disparity. The tide turned.

He was no longer prey—but the apex predator.

Until fully consumed, the elders remained black foxes: bottom of the food chain.

In this brutal law, even a newborn lion cub could fell an antelope many times its size.

Rule Magic held one terrifying truth:

Its rules were absolute. Unbreakable.

Big fish eat small fish. Small fish eat shrimp.

A clash of life-paths.

This was the confidence the forbidden art gave Cursed Calamity Nine Banes.

“This guy’s got endless tricks. Must have serious backing,” someone murmured.

Many in the Starplucking Hall leaned forward, itching to drag him in for questioning.

Their eyes also stayed fixed on Mulan.

“The elders’ sacrifice triggered the Rule Magic. The Reversal Technique still holds. The Starplucking Princess—alias Azurefox Wuyue—is still just a three-tailed azure fox. Noble in the Azure Fox Realm, yes… but how can she face a vicious evil wolf under this food chain law?”

“You’re right. I’m waiting for a miracle. What about you?”

“I’m waiting for Mirophiel to step in.”

The previous Starplucking Princess wielded Conceptual Power—subduing calamity-makers, becoming villains’ savior.

But concepts were mastered by people, not titles.

How could such an elusive force transfer through mere inheritance?

Seven gazes turned to Mirophiel, silently demanding action.

Faith alone couldn’t fix this.

The gap wasn’t “two > one.”

No one mocked Mulan for being weak.

This crisis had long exceeded scope.

How could a newborn infant ace a test adults would struggle with?

Mirophiel sat cross-legged, calm. Her delicate hand propped against her cheek, unreadable thoughts flickering in her eyes.

Every gesture screamed: no rush.

She was curious.

How would Mulan choose?

If she cried for help, Mirophiel would appear instantly—rescue her from Cursed Calamity Nine Banes.

But then?

She’d take only Mulan. Leave the Azurehill Fox Clan to fate.

The vile Plunder Witch was no hero.

Plunder defined her. Not salvation.

“How will you choose? Seize that faint chance to save your clan… or call to me, abandoning those who loved you?”

Had Mirophiel truly been lost in research since Mulan left?

No.

She’d watched the fledgling Starplucking Princess closely, fearing an early end.

She’d seen every step Mulan took.

After receiving the foxes’ doting care, after forming deep bonds with the clan—only two paths remained.

One: seize her own possibility. Defeat Cursed Calamity Nine Banes.

Two: surrender dignity. Beg Mirophiel to save the clan.

“Make your choice,” Mirophiel whispered, a faint smile gracing her lips.

...

...

Scene shift.

The petite azure fox girl and the airborne evil wolf youth locked eyes.

Mulan had never been this calm.

True fury wasn’t hysteria.

“What happened to the fox elders?”

“Most are dead.” Cursed Calamity Nine Banes replied flatly.

Her tail drooped to the ground. Not even a flicker of bristling anger remained.

“You’ve done something unforgivable.”

“So what?”

He smiled, gaze fixed on Azurefox Wuyue atop the balcony.

“Know this? Across the entire Azure Fox Realm, you’re the only one still standing against me. I’m… curious why.”

The Reversal Technique shattered the clan’s harmony with their sacred realm.

The protective barrier had shaped the Azure Fox Realm—a paradise perfectly tuned for foxkind.

For centuries, the Azurehill Fox Clan lived sheltered, avoiding the outside unless necessary.

They cherished peace, unlike warlike races.

Yet threaten their sanctuary? Their fury was formidable.

This proved their deep dependence.

Hence the Technique’s brutal effect: the stronger the bond, the sharper the reversal.

An instinct etched in blood.

Cursed Calamity Nine Banes wasn’t rushing her death. He sought confirmation.

“Were you not born here? Your belonging feels… absent. Or… are you not an azure fox at all?”

The Technique targeted the clan—bloodline and spirit.

Bloodline: tracing to the ancestral source.

Spirit: inner acceptance of identity.

Deny the clan in heart? The Technique’s grip weakened.

Azurefox Wuyue bore the azure fox mark—a Rule Magic-certified truth.

Yet this azure fox held no deep loyalty.

She did not revere the origin: the Golden Nine Tails.

She never saw herself as one of them.

Curiosity surged within him.

“Speak your secret. I may grant you a dignified end.”