Volume 1, Chapter 11 – “Accidental Encounter”
Song Shiyuan hadn't slept a wink all night.
The remnants of a terrifying nightmare clung to her, stealing away any courage she might have had to close her eyes again.
Instead, she sat up in bed, meditating until dawn broke, but even that didn't grant her the peace of cultivation. It merely replenished her physical strength.
Yet, this wasn't a time for cultivation.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, Song Shiyuan sprang into action. The purpose of her trip burned brightly in her mind; idleness was never her style.
With the fox demons claiming they wouldn't restrict her movements, she naturally had to go out for a walk.
Without a moment's hesitation, she left her room and headed straight for the courtyard gate.
There, she encountered a faint barrier formation cloaking the wooden gate.
"This is the forbidden defensive formation of the fox demon clan," she murmured to herself.
"It can withstand the attacks of Spirit Ascension stage cultivators at the very least. Such a powerful formation… was it set up by the Fox Monarch herself?"
It made sense, she thought. This was the lair of the Fox Monarch, after all. The formations here were more formidable than those at the Lingxiao Sword Sect headquarters. At least in the Sect, the enemy-repelling formations weren't so ubiquitous.
"Can I go out from here?"
Hesitating, Song Shiyuan pondered for a moment. But then, summoning her courage, she boldly reached out and pressed against the barrier.
The surface rippled like water beneath her touch.
As she did, she felt the metal collar around her neck warm slightly.
Then, to her surprise, she passed through the barrier without issue.
"Those fox demons didn't lie to me," she whispered, a flicker of astonishment lighting her eyes.
She had expected to be trapped in that small courtyard, ready to accept her new cage.
Standing outside now, her gaze swept over the expansive corridor before her.
The Fox Monarch's Demon Palace loomed large, stretching endlessly in every direction.
Song Shiyuan couldn't help but compare it to the Lingxiao Sword Sect headquarters; it was just as grand, if not more so.
Moving through the grounds, she noticed numerous courtyards, all sealed tight with formations.
The metal collar around her neck served as both identification and key, but it seemed to grant her authority only on the lower level.
She could only unlock the room she had just left behind.
After circling most of the corridor, Song Shiyuan came to a stark realization.
Although the fox demons hadn't lied to her, they couldn't truly let her be free.
Yes, she could leave her courtyard and roam, but the boundaries were very limited.
Every time she ventured too far, the metal collar around her neck tightened, a reminder of her captivity.
Feeling the collar's pressure, she hesitated and dared not to continue walking.
"Let's go back first," she murmured, a wry smile tugging at her lips.
The distance she had traveled was barely a fraction of the way to where her fellow disciples were imprisoned.
Those fox demons wouldn't even grant her a chance to visit them, would they?
Though she had anticipated this, a wave of helplessness washed over her.
"I wonder where Brother Shixuan is now."
"He should be alright, right?"
Thoughts of her brother, Song Shixuan, stirred memories of a dream from the previous night.
She had glimpsed him with an unknown little fox demon in her slumber, their bond alarmingly intimate.
The memory struck her like a dagger, igniting a pang of heartache.
"No. It was just a dream."
"Song Shiyuan, you must believe in your brother!"
"Even if Brother Shixuan did something, it must be for you and the others, temporarily submitting to those fox demons!"
"It's alright, Song Shiyuan."
Clenching her teeth, she recalled the little fox demon who had embarrassed her so thoroughly.
That little fox demon was suspicious, and her origins remained a mystery.
Just then, a murmur of voices ahead caught her attention.
"Are there others nearby?"
Song Shiyuan instinctively touched the collar, confirming it wouldn't trigger.
With cautious steps, she moved closer.
"These, and these, must be cleaned today."
"Don't be lazy."
"If Her Majesty punishes, you know the consequences."
"Yes, elder sisters, Ah Xi understands."
Song Shiyuan seemed to hear a familiar voice.
Peering from her hiding spot, she caught sight of several seductive fox demon beauties surrounding a silver-haired figure.
Out of caution, she remained concealed until the fox demons drifted away.
Frowning, she stepped into the open.
"You…what are you doing?" she asked, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.
The silver-haired little fox demon looked up, her previously dull eyes sparkling with recognition.
"Sword practitioner sister, it's you!"
The little fox demon stood with a burst of joy, eager to approach.
But then she hesitated, hanging her head, not daring to look at Song Shiyuan, wanting to approach but not daring to.
Nervously, her fingers were twirling together.
"Sword practitioner sister… Ah Xi is truly sorry about what happened yesterday."
Song Shiyuan's gaze at the little fox demon was somewhat inexplicable. The little fox demon's apology came before she could even respond, catching her off guard.
The little fox demon continued, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "Ah Xi asked the other sisters about it… but Ah Xi doesn't understand why she acted that way."
Her gaze dropped, her embarrassment evident.
"I only recently transformed. It was my first time in that kind of situation…"
As she spoke, her head hung lower, her demeanor utterly pitiful. She genuinely sought forgiveness clearly, confirming only Song Shiyuan's initial guess. This newly transformed little fox demon was utterly clueless.
"Sorry, sword practitioner sister. Ah Xi will be more careful next time. She promise!"
With that, she lifted her head, her large, watery eyes locking onto Song Shiyuan's.
The sight of such a small, vulnerable face—like an abandoned puppy—was enough to soften even the hardest of hearts.
"I'm not angry with you," Song Shiyuan replied, her voice steady as she met her gaze.
It was difficult to imagine the adorable little fox demon before her as the alluring figure from her dreams.
Surely, it had all just been a figment of her imagination.
Song Shiyuan shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering thoughts.
"Then… has sister forgiven Ah Xi?" The little fox demon's eyes sparkled with hope, her expression brightening.
A wave of discomfort washed over Song Shiyuan.
No matter how much she tried to convince herself that her dream was just that—a dream—it was hard to ignore the vivid memories that resurfaced whenever she gazed upon that enchanting face.
It felt as if the little fox demon in front of her was truly honest and open with her.
What's wrong with you, Song Shiyuan?
How could you possibly connect that unforgettable dream with this innocent little creature?
"Actually…" Song Shiyuan took a deep breath, her voice softening. "I was also wrong yesterday. You showed me kindness, yet I didn't reciprocate."