Volume 1, Chapter 6 – Please, don’t hit Ah Xi, okay?

Concubine?!

Wasn't that even more ridiculous than being a living cauldron?

Song Shiyuan, the younger sister of Song Shixuan, was a direct disciple of the legendary Sword Sect Celestial Sovereign Qingzhi. Qingzhi only took on two disciples: Song Shixuan and Song Shiyuan.

With her stunning beauty, cheerful demeanor, and warm spirit, Song Shiyuan was adored in the Sword Sect—more so than her Senior Martial Brother. Her senior brothers and sisters cherished her, and the thought of her being humiliated by these fox demons was intolerable.

"Fox demons, if you want to touch our junior martial sister, you'll have to step over our corpses!"

"If you harm her, Celestial Sovereign Qingzhi won't let you off!"

Hu Xian'er watched the young cultivators, their faces set with fierce determination as they shielded Song Shiyuan. She couldn't help but feel speechless.

Human righteous cultivators always had a flair for the dramatic. What was so terrible about being a concubine? It was a privilege that many would envy.

She and Hu Mei'er had served the Fox Monarch for centuries and never had such an enticing opportunity. Fox demons were known for their deep desires and passionate love affairs.

In human tales, the wildest romances and scandals often revolved around them. Yet, the Fox Monarch was an anomaly—a frigid cultivation machine, completely detached from lust.

Cold as ice, hard as stone. Even during the fox demons' period of heightened lust, she could suppress her instincts with sheer willpower.

Until that man showed up.

That man was truly detestable!

Just the thought of him made Hu Xian'er itch to tear his face off, to rip apart his hypocritical flesh and drain his marrow.

And now, this sword cultivator girl was his sister.

The realization turned her expression darker as she fixed her gaze on Song Shiyuan.

The young girl shivered, sensing the hostility emanating from the elegant fox demon. But why?

Did Brother Shixuan do something?

The thought only intensified Song Shiyuan's urge to escape.

Brother Shixuan, he must still be alive!

"I can go with you," Song Shiyuan declared, her voice unwavering, fear nowhere to be found.

"Junior sister Song!" the surrounding boys gasped, panic lacing their words. "You can't!"

Ignoring their frantic protests, Song Shiyuan shook her head resolutely and stepped toward Hu Xian'er.

"But I have one request: please don't trouble my senior brothers and sisters."

Hu Xian'er let out a soft chuckle, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. If it weren't for the Fox Monarch's specific instructions, these sword cultivators would have been kept as livestock long ago, not left until now.

"You want to make demands? You first need to earn the right to speak to Her Majesty," Hu Xian'er replied, her tone turning icy. "Her Majesty has already shown you enough mercy."

A frown creased Song Shiyuan's brow as she caught the bite in the fox demon's words. It became painfully clear—only after winning the Fox Monarch's favor could she even think about making demands.

Feeling a wave of helplessness wash over her, she turned to her seniors. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. Nothing will happen."

"You all… wait for my news," she added before stepping away, leaving her worried seniors behind.

As she emerged from the dungeon, the sun's warm rays greeted Song Shiyuan. A stark contrast to the darkness she had just left.

The palace before her gleamed in the sunlight, almost otherworldly. The notorious Departed World Fox Monarch was known for her ruthless nature, yet her demon palace was anything but the gaudy display of wealth one might expect.

As she walked through the beautifully manicured courtyards and vibrant gardens, the sweet scent of nature surrounded her. It was hard to reconcile this serene beauty with the place that had made countless cultivators tremble in fear.

The spiritual energy here was rich, the scenery breathtaking—on par with the ancient Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Yet, Song Shiyuan had no time to admire the view.

She couldn't afford to forget her precarious situation.

Since leaving the dungeon, she had been silently memorizing every turn and path, every detail of her surroundings. The demon palace might be stunning, but it was also fraught with danger. She felt as if she was walking on thin ice.

Hu Xian'er remained silent, leading the way without a word. If not for the cold hostility directed at her, making her skin crawl, Song Shiyuan might have thought the fox demon had completely ignored her presence.

Sword cultivators were attuned to Qi1, and even with her cultivation sealed, she felt that hostility like a prickling chill against her skin.

It was overwhelming, impossible to brush aside.

But she hadn't even done anything yet!

"We're here."

Hu Xian'er led Song Shiyuan into a courtyard, her demeanor icy and unreadable.

Without a word, she fastened a golden collar around Song Shiyuan's neck.

Confusion flickered in Song Shiyuan's eyes, but she didn't resist.

"This collar signifies your new identity. As Her Majesty's concubine, you can roam freely within this courtyard, but make no mistake—you cannot leave. You must always be ready for Her Majesty's summons."

Hu Xian'er paused, then pointed sharply.

Song Shiyuan gasped as she felt some of her cultivation return. Astonished, she stared at the fox demon.

"Her Majesty has little patience for mortals lacking spiritual energy. You must learn to impress her with your cultivation."

A wave of disbelief washed over Song Shiyuan. Her meager power felt insignificant compared to the might of the Fox Monarch.

"Remember to keep yourself clean and presentable. I trust you know how to do that?"

Hu Xian'er smirked.

"I won't have a filthy prisoner tarnishing Her Majesty's eyes."

With that, she turned and left, her footsteps echoing in the courtyard.

As the white fox demon disappeared from view, Song Shiyuan let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

When she was pulled from the prison, her mind had conjured up the worst scenarios imaginable.

Becoming the Fox Monarch's cultivation cauldron, or a mere concubine, stripped of dignity and subjected to abuse—those were her darkest fears.

But this? This was far better than she had anticipated.

The Fox Monarch hadn't immediately set out to toy with her. Instead, she had restored some of her cultivation and granted her the freedom to move around the courtyard.

"Sure, it's only the Foundation Establishment stage, but it's better than nothing," she mused.

Her thoughts turned to Song Shixuan, who had been out of contact for far too long. Her brows knitted together with worry.

"Don't panic, Song Shiyuan. Don't panic."

"Brother Shixuan will be fine. For now, just play along with these fox demons, then you can plot your next move."

"Take it slow."

"You'll have your chance to save everyone."

With a firm grip, she clenched her fists, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

After taking a deep breath, Song Shiyuan's gaze hardened with determination.

She stepped into the courtyard that the fox demon had prepared for her, taking in the opulence that surrounded her. It was a far cry from a typical prison; this place was lavish, almost inviting.

But deep down, she knew the truth: she might be trapped here for a long time.

Just as she was settling into her thoughts, a strange demonic aura pricked at her senses from behind.

"Who's there?!"

Her instincts kicked in as she drew her sword, the silver soulbound sword Qi shimmering to life in her hand. With a swift motion, she unleashed a blade of energy.

"Wuwuwu!"

"Don't…don't kill Ah Xi…"

The pleading voice trembled through the air, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Ah Xi…is not a bad person…"

Turning around, Song Shiyuan's eyes fell on a fragile girl hiding among the flowers, her figure now exposed as the branches fell away.

The sword Qi had barely grazed her cheek, leaving her pale and shaken. Clutching a quilt to her chest, the girl looked up at Song Shiyuan with a mix of fear and sorrow, her legs quivering beneath her.

Tears welled in her striking fox eyes, shimmering like tiny pearls ready to spill.

"Ah Xi only heard that a new sister is coming, so I wanted to give my sister a new quilt…"

"Sister…please don't kill Ah Xi, okay?"

"Wuwuwu…"

[You're such a good actress, host.]