Wei Yang’s mind raced. The enchanting woman before her had distinct fox ears and nine emerald-green tails.
Unlike herself, this woman was a genuine Fox Demon!
Wei Yang had no idea why this Fox Demon was here. Furthermore, she didn’t know whose side the woman was on. If she was with Chao Yan, things would be disastrous. Wei Yang desperately searched for the right words to say.
“Um, of course you aren’t disturbing me, but may I ask who you are?”
The fox lady in the spring tilted her head slightly, looking quite surprised.
“Hmm? A fellow kind who doesn’t recognize me? That’s truly a rarity. Hmm… Just call me Ah Li.”
Wei Yang mentally repeated the name. ‘Is this Ah Li some kind of celebrity among fox demons?’ She regretted not playing the game more; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so clueless about the supporting characters.
Then again, compared to her appearance before being turned into a Snow Fox, Wei Yang only had one extra tail and fox ears now. As the former Divine Lady and the ruler of Shendu, how could this Ah Li not recognize her face? ‘Are fox demons really reliant on scent rather than appearance to identify people?’
“Miss Ah Li, why did you suddenly pop out of the hot spring?”
Wei Yang tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible. ‘Fox demons can steal one’s soul. I mustn’t panic while facing her.’
Ah Li moved a little closer to the edge of the pool. This movement allowed the lines of her collarbones and the fair skin further down to slip in and out of view.
“I’ve been hiding down there for quite a while. My fox radar told me there was a fellow kind nearby, so I came to see who it was. I didn’t expect to find such a cute little thing. I couldn’t resist taking a moment to secretly… appreciate you.”
Wei Yang decided not to overthink what that “appreciation” entailed. If the woman was telling the truth, then she probably wasn’t one of Chao Yan’s people. However, Wei Yang didn’t want to invite any unnecessary trouble, so she prepared to leave immediately to find Yu Tu.
“Alright, well, I’ll be going then. Enjoy your soak.”
“Don’t be in such a rush,” Ah Li’s tails swayed playfully in the water. “I still don’t know who you are. Won’t you introduce yourself? I’ll be so disappointed if you just leave like this.”
“I’m sorry, I have urgent business. I really must go…”
Ah Li swam to the edge of the pool and folded her arms, leaning against the smooth rocks as she looked up at Wei Yang. This posture caused her soft curves, partially submerged in the spring, to be pressed into a distinct shape.
Just as Wei Yang was about to look away, she noticed Ah Li’s pupils melt and reform into heart shapes. The moment their eyes met, Wei Yang’s gaze was stolen, and she found herself unable to move.
“Wait a moment. I want to know what you’re doing here. This isn’t a place for us Fox Demons. If you’re caught by Li Mei, you’ll be turned into a frozen fox.”
Wei Yang hadn’t intended to tell the truth, but it was as if she had swallowed a truth serum. By the time she realized what was happening, her objective had already slipped out.
“I’m here to wait for Li Mei. I was just enjoying the hot spring in the meantime.”
Left with no choice, Wei Yang only hoped the other woman would end the conversation quickly. But Ah Li clearly didn’t intend to let her go so easily.
“To think you’d actively seek out Frost Star Li Mei. Should I praise you? What a courageous little thing.” Ah Li’s ears flickered as her interest in Wei Yang intensified. “Are you her fan, or are you some kind of stalker?”
“I’m not,” Wei Yang retorted involuntarily. “I’m here to tell her about some things that happened to me. I’m hoping she can help.”
“Oh?”
Ah Li dragged out the word. Her tail slapped the water gently before suddenly rising and tickling Wei Yang’s calf. Wei Yang felt goosebumps break out all over her body as if she had been hit by an electric shock. The damp, wet sensation made her extremely uncomfortable.
“Why do you have to ask her for help? A weak and delicious… er, I mean, a weak and cute little thing like you is in great danger coming to see Li Mei alone. We’re both fox spirits, aren’t we? Even though I’m not as strong as her, you could ask me for help too. I would love you very well.”
Wei Yang caught the suspicious word choice, and a chill ran down her spine.
“Thank you for the warning, but I’m fine. I don’t need to trouble you.”
“Well, that’s a pity.” Ah Li withdrew her tail and propped her chin on her hand, looking at her with a beaming smile. “You really are special. I’ve never seen a little fox try to distance herself from me before.”
Ah Li’s tongue lightly flicked the corner of her lips, and Wei Yang felt her legs go weak. Just as she was considering whether to call Yu Tu for help, Ah Li suddenly dropped her predatory stance and leaned back against the rock lazily.
“Don’t be afraid of me. How rude. I’m actually very gentle. Although I’d like to get a bit closer to you, I’m not that kind of bothersome fox spirit.”
Wei Yang suddenly had a bad feeling. Sure enough, the moment those words left her mouth, Ah Li stood straight up out of the water.
*Splash!*
Water droplets flew everywhere. Ah Li’s long, purple-pink hair draped over her front in a failed attempt at modesty. Her veins were strikingly visible as she stretched, and her fluffy fox tails unfurled completely.
Wei Yang’s brain went blank with a loud *buzzing* sound, and a hot sensation rushed into her nasal cavity. As Ah Li’s pupils returned to their original state, Wei Yang quickly covered her nose and spun around. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of her throat.
“Why did you just stand up like that!”
Ah Li’s teasing laughter came from behind. “Oh my, are you shy? We’re the same kind, what is there to be afraid of? Or could it be…”
Her voice suddenly sounded very close, and a warm, moist breath brushed against the back of Wei Yang’s ear. “You aren’t a fox spirit?”
Wei Yang froze.
‘No, she must be bluffing! Wei Yang, stay steady. Don’t panic!’
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
*Chomp.*
Wei Yang slipped after her fox ear was lightly nibbled, falling into a helpless “duck sit” on the ground. Ah Li seemed to feel she had teased her enough and didn’t press further.
“Hehe, just a joke. Alright, little cutie, get up.”
Ah Li had already dressed in a waisted priestess outfit, though the amount of fabric used was about 2.5 times less than a traditional one. She was currently using a hair tie to casually bind her wet hair, revealing her elegant nape.
“I’m leaving now.” Ah Li blew a kiss toward Wei Yang. “Don’t forget me. If you change your mind and want a strong, gentle big sister to protect you, I’ll come find you.”
As she spoke, she extended her index finger, lightly tapped her own lips, and then mimed a flying kiss toward Wei Yang.
“Until next time.”
Ah Li’s figure vanished along with a few falling fox cherry blossoms. Wei Yang let out a long breath and leaned weakly against the tree trunk behind her.
That was too intense.
‘I should go meet up with Yu Tu at the entrance. Should I tell her about Ah Li?’
Wei Yang looked toward the entrance, lost in thought.
‘Yu Tu probably isn’t the type of girl to cause a scene… right?’ She was a little worried about a messy situation.
“Sigh…”
Wei Yang sighed, resigning herself to her fate. She straightened her slightly messy clothes, calmed her chaotic thoughts, and walked toward the entrance she had come through.
*Ding-ling!*
Was that a bell?
Wei Yang reached toward her ear. A golden bell earring chimed softly once again.