The valley was deeper than Bai Heng had imagined.
Sunlight filtered through layers of branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow across the ground.
She walked downstream along the stream, and the mountain walls on either side grew taller while the trees grew denser.
After roughly half an hour of walking, the view suddenly opened up before her.
A small valley appeared, ringed by mountains on all sides, with a clear pool at its center.
The pool water was crystal clear to the bottom, revealing the cobblestones paved beneath and the fine-scaled fish swimming with their tails wagging.
This was the spiritual spring Granny Jiang had mentioned.
Bai Heng walked to the pool’s edge and looked down.
The water’s surface reflected her image — a white fox wearing a moon-white spring shirt, eyes clear and fur sleek.
She looked for a while, then withdrew her gaze and surveyed her surroundings.
The valley was very quiet, filled only with the sound of flowing stream water and the occasional bird call.
The trees were lush, wildflowers blanketed the ground, and the air carried the fresh scent of grass and trees.
It truly was an excellent place for closed-door cultivation.
She retrieved the array disk from within her spiritual consciousness and, using her spiritual sense, gently sent it into the mud at the pool’s edge.
The instant the array disk sank into the soil, a faint light rose from underground and spread outward in all directions.
That light was extremely faint, almost invisible, yet it carried a mysterious rhythm.
Bai Heng could sense that the entire valley had been enveloped by an invisible barrier.
The barrier was so thin that, unless deliberately probed, it was nearly undetectable.
Anyone below late-stage Golden Core would never discover this place.
She let out a breath of relief and lay down on a flat stone beside the pool.
Next came focused cultivation.
The days of seclusion proved simpler than Bai Heng had expected.
Each day she absorbed spiritual qi, tempered her demonic power, and guided the cool stream to circulate slowly through her meridians.
When tired, she drank a few sips of spiritual spring water; the moment it entered her abdomen it transformed into a warm current that nourished her limbs and bones.
She thought of nothing.
She did not think of Qin Yun or Qin Yu, did not think of Granny Jiang, Lin Lan, or Mu Xuejun, did not think of the cultivators in the village, and did not think of Yun Qing’s entrustment.
She only cultivated.
The demonic power within her body grew stronger day by day, and the second tail long in the making at the base of her tailbone became clearer with each passing day.
She could feel the threshold right before her eyes — only one step remained to cross it.
Almost there.
She thought silently to herself.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
Life in the village continued as usual.
Qin Yu, that girl, had been somewhat sulky after learning Bai Heng had left.
Yet the child was sensible; after one good cry she stopped fussing and only asked her brother the same question every day.
“Brother, is Sister Bai Heng coming back soon?”
“Not yet.”
Qin Yu would nod and ask nothing more.
Qin Yun still detoured to the patch of forest where Bai Heng often stayed whenever he went hunting in the mountains.
The rock remained exactly as before.
Only now it stood empty, without the white fox in her colorful spring clothes.
Qin Yun sat down beside the rock and said nothing, simply sitting quietly for a while.
Now and then a breeze stirred the fallen leaves in the forest; he would lift his head and gaze into the distance, lost in thought.
He brought no food.
With Bai Heng gone, there was no need to waste any.
Once he had sat long enough, he stood, patted the dust from his clothes, and continued deeper into the forest.
He still had hunting to do.
One day, while he sat there, a figure emerged from the trees.
It was Mu Xuejun.
She wore a green martial outfit today, the long sword she never parted with hanging at her waist.
Seeing Qin Yun, she paused briefly, then smiled.
“Coming to see Miss Bai again?”
Qin Yun nodded.
Mu Xuejun walked over and sat down beside him.
The two simply sat like that, neither speaking.
After a long while, Mu Xuejun suddenly spoke.
“That girl will definitely return.”
She looked at him.
“She is a Fox Immortal and has her own matters to attend to. Once finished, she will naturally come back.”
Qin Yun nodded.
“I know.”
Mu Xuejun smiled and said no more.
After sitting a while longer she stood up.
“I’m leaving. Sit and wait at your own pace.”
She waved at Qin Yun, turned, and disappeared into the forest.
Qin Yun watched her retreating figure and suddenly felt that Sister Mu was somewhat similar to Sister Bai Heng.
Both possessed that same reassuring quality.
Another time, while Qin Yun sat by the rock, he encountered Xu Cheng.
Xu Cheng wore a moon-white long robe today and carried a scroll, as though he had come out to read.
Seeing Qin Yun, he looked mildly surprised.
“Qin Yun?”
Qin Yun stood up.
“Brother Xu.”
Xu Cheng walked over, glanced at the rock, then at Qin Yun.
“Coming to see Miss Bai?”
Qin Yun nodded.
Xu Cheng remained silent for a moment before sitting on a nearby stone.
“Since the two of you are sitting like this, I’ll sit for a while as well. You don’t mind, do you?”
No one spoke.
After a moment Xu Cheng suddenly asked, “Qin Yun, what sort of person do you think that Miss Mu is?”
Qin Yun thought for a bit.
“A good person.”
Xu Cheng was slightly taken aback, then smiled.
“Just that simple?”
Qin Yun nodded.
“She treats us well and treats Sister Bai Heng well too, so she is a good person.”
Xu Cheng looked at him, his gaze carrying a trace of complex emotion.
A moment later he nodded.
“You are right.”
He stood and patted his robes.
“I’m heading back.”
Qin Yun nodded and watched him leave.
Only after sitting a while longer did he rise and head deeper into the forest.
Mu Xuejun had grown somewhat annoyed lately.
Xu Cheng and Lu Mingshuang seized every chance to probe her, asking roundabout questions until she felt exhausted just listening.
At first she had found trading wits with them rather interesting, but after too many repetitions only irritation remained.
Irritated though she was, she knew the two bore no ill will.
They were merely cautious, merely trying to clarify every uncertain factor.
Still, she was annoyed.
Today Xu Cheng came alone, without a book, as if he had come specifically to find her.
Mu Xuejun watched him approach and suddenly decided to stop pretending.
“Young Master Xu.”
Her tone was far more casual than usual.
Xu Cheng paused, startled.
Mu Xuejun looked at him frankly.
“You have always wanted to know what kind of person I am, haven’t you?”
Xu Cheng said nothing.
Mu Xuejun smiled and raised her hand.
A faint trace of demonic qi overflowed from her fingertip — righteous and gentle, yet carrying the majesty of a mountain king.
The aura flashed once and vanished.
Xu Cheng’s pupils contracted slightly.
A demon cultivator.
Moreover, a fifth-tier transformation demon cultivator.
Mu Xuejun watched his reaction and nodded in satisfaction.
“Now you know?”
Xu Cheng was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
“Miss Mu… No, how should I address you?”
Mu Xuejun waved a hand.
“Still call me Miss Mu. Anything else feels unaccustomed.”
Xu Cheng nodded.
“Why did Miss Mu tell me?”
Mu Xuejun sat down beside him and gazed at the distant mountain forest.
“Because your probing has grown too annoying. I do not want to be scrutinized every time we meet.”
She paused.
“Besides, regarding the matter with Hong Jin, I still hold some good will toward you, Young Master Liang.”
Xu Cheng was slightly startled.
“Hong Jin?”
Mu Xuejun nodded.
“That red fox now lives at my Qixia Mountain. She told me how she was once hunted by Yu Ling Sect disciples and how a young master named Liang Lu saved her.”
She looked at Xu Cheng.
“Although you changed your name and appearance, that matter — Hong Jin remembers it, Bai Heng remembers it, and I remember it as well.”
Xu Cheng remained silent.
After a moment he spoke.
“Miss Mu, Bai Heng, and Hong Jin…”
Mu Xuejun smiled.
“They all call me sister. At my place I shelter quite a few homeless little demons.”
Xu Cheng looked at her with a hint of admiration.
“Miss Mu is quite thoughtful.”
Mu Xuejun waved a hand.
She stood up.
“Enough of that. Now that you know, stop probing me in the future.”
“Care for a drink? I brought some.”
Xu Cheng was slightly startled, then smiled.
“Sure.”
The two found a flat stone in the forest and sat down to drink.
The wine Mu Xuejun had brought was brewed by herself together with the monkeys in the mountain, using wild mountain fruits. It tasted clear and sweet.
Xu Cheng took a sip and nodded.
“Good wine.”
Mu Xuejun smiled proudly.
“Of course.”
While drinking they chatted about idle matters — mountain scenery, village amusements, and occasionally cultivation.
Mu Xuejun spoke directly, voicing whatever came to mind.
Xu Cheng listened, occasionally replying with a few words or a smile.
Before they realized it, the sun had shifted westward.
When Lu Mingshuang arrived looking for them, this was the scene she found.
Mu Xuejun sat on the stone, wine pot in hand, laughing heartily.
Xu Cheng sat beside her, the corners of his mouth curved in a smile as he listened to her speak.
Lu Mingshuang’s footsteps halted.
She stood not far away, watching the two of them, and said nothing.
Mu Xuejun spotted her first and raised a hand in greeting.
“Miss Lu, come drink!”
Lu Mingshuang remained silent for a moment before walking over.
She only stood to the side.
“Young master, it is time to return.”
She did not sit, merely stood there, her tone somewhat cold.
Xu Cheng nodded and stood.
“Miss Mu, thank you for your hospitality.”
Mu Xuejun waved a hand.
“What is there to thank? Come again next time.”
Xu Cheng nodded and followed Lu Mingshuang away.
After a few steps Lu Mingshuang glanced back once.
Mu Xuejun still sat there, wine pot in hand, and smiled at her.
Lu Mingshuang withdrew her gaze and continued forward.
That night Mu Xuejun went to the mountain god temple to find Granny Jiang.
She recounted the day’s events and finally asked, “Granny Jiang, what do you think that last look from Miss Lu meant? I sensed hostility!”
Granny Jiang finished listening and could not help but laugh.
“Silly girl, that was jealousy.”
Mu Xuejun was stunned.
“Jealousy?”
Granny Jiang nodded.
“She and that Liang Lu boy are childhood sweethearts who grew up together. You, an outsider, got so close to Xu Cheng — how could she not feel jealous?”
Mu Xuejun blinked, then suddenly smiled.
“So that is how it is.”
She thought for a moment.
“Then I really do want to see her get jealous a few more times.”
Granny Jiang looked at her.
“You this girl — your playful heart is too heavy.”
Mu Xuejun smiled and shook her head.
“It is not that my playful heart is heavy. I simply find Miss Lu from the Lu family quite interesting when she looks that way.”
She paused.
“Rest assured, I know my limits. I will not truly anger her.”
Granny Jiang sighed.
“Be careful — curiosity kills the cat.”
Mu Xuejun laughed.
“I am a tiger, not a cat.”
“A big cat is still a cat.”
Mu Xuejun let out a small roar.
Granny Jiang shook her head and said nothing more, lest she truly anger this playful big cat.
The number of people in the village continued to grow.
Scattered rogue cultivators and groups of sect or clan disciples arrived — all within expectations.
Later, some merchants also caught wind of the situation and came, setting up sheds at the village entrance to sell food and sundries.
The village head had initially worried that more people would bring trouble.
Yet those people spent generously, repairing roads and houses, making the village tidier than before.
Eventually several merchants approached the village head, saying they wished to open an inn and shops here.
The village head considered it, saw the gleaming silver, and nodded.
Thus Qingxi Village gradually began to resemble a small Qingxi Town.
Qin Shi still went hunting in the mountains every day, only reminding Qin Yun and Qin Yu to go out less.
Qin Yun was obedient; aside from hunting, he stayed home helping his mother with chores.
Qin Yu was kept indoors and could only play in the courtyard, occasionally going to sit at Sister Lin Lan’s place.
Lin Lan still lived in Granny Jiang’s courtyard, doing needlework each day and occasionally helping the Qin family watch Qin Yu.
She still spoke little, yet Qin Yu liked her and always ran over to her place.
Mu Xuejun still walked about the village every day and could chat with anyone.
She and Xu Cheng occasionally drank together, and Lu Mingshuang always followed from a distance.
Nothing showed on her face, but Mu Xuejun could always sense that faint trace of “hostility.”
She found it extremely interesting.
Two months later, inside the valley.
Bai Heng opened her eyes.
The cool demonic power within her body had grown several times stronger than before, surging smoothly through her meridians.
At the base of her tailbone the second tail had fully grown, fluffy and soft, identical to the first.
Third tier.
She stood up and shook her fur.
The newly grown tail shook along with it, somewhat disobedient.
She tried to control it; the tail swayed left and right like an unruly child.
Bai Heng slightly shook her head.
Still need to practice more.
She walked to the pool’s edge and lowered her head to look.
Reflected on the water’s surface was a white fox with two tails gently swaying behind it.
Those eyes remained clear, yet the gaze seemed a shade sharper than before.
She looked for a while, then withdrew her gaze.
There was no need to rush back.
She should stabilize for a few more days.
Although she had broken through, her realm was not yet steady.
She ought to borrow this spiritual spring and seclude herself a while longer.
She returned to the stone and lay down once more.
The valley was silent, filled only with the gurgling of the stream.
Sunlight spilled through gaps between branches and leaves, shining upon her body and casting mottled bright spots.