Master, When a Little Fox is Cornered, It Bites Back Too…

Three days before An Luo Yi’s demonification.

In the main hall of the Blood Refining Sect, the annual high council meeting was underway.

On the elevated platform stood a middle-aged Bishop in sacred vestments. Below, various Saintesses and Holy Sons of the Blood Refining Sect stood in their respective groups.

They were all candidates for the Blood God’s inheritance, locked in fierce competition within the sect.

However, judging by the current situation, the arrogant red-robed Saintess with long, dark purple hair standing prominently at the forefront was clearly the Pope’s favorite in recent years. She was also considered the most promising candidate in the entire sect to truly inherit the Blood God’s legacy.

Naturally, this beautiful and talented Saintess had become the common enemy, a thorn in the side of the other Holy Sons and Saintesses.

Off to the side, a young woman in red robes, quite attractive herself, sneered coldly, “Saintess Mu, it’s only been a few months. How come your Chastity Mark is gone?”

Her voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm and insinuation.

Following her lead, laughter soon rippled through the hall. Whispers and mocking remarks flew thick and fast.

For Saintesses devoted to their god, chastity was paramount.

The Chastity Mark (守宫砂 – Shougong Sha) served as proof of their purity. During every major sect meeting, they scrutinized each other; lacking the mark signified betrayal of the Blood God, leading to impeachment, charges of blasphemy, and potentially extreme punishment – being stripped naked, forced onto a wooden horse, and paraded through the streets.

This time, Saintess Mu’s mark was missing. For the others, this was sensational news. If they could use this to impeach her and force her downfall, the position of the Blood God’s successor would be open for competition once more!

For a moment, the expression of Saintess Mu at the front darkened. “So noisy…” she uttered coldly, opening her blood-tinged demonic eyes. With a slight raise of her hand, her dark purple hair shifted to a sickly, blood-white hue.

In the next instant, chaos erupted.

Boom—!!!

Countless blood spikes erupted from the ground. Saintess Mu, acting alone, used her blood arts to instantly hoist seven or eight Saintesses and Holy Sons into the air, blood claws tightening around their necks.

They struggled, wanting to resist, but with the blood claws constricting their lifelines, none truly dared to fight back desperately.

Among the younger generation of the Blood Refining Sect, Saintess Mu was an absolute tyrant, crushing all opposition.

Fortunately, the Bishop was present on the high platform. With a simple tap of his divine staff, he suppressed the white-haired Saintess using the power of established rules. “Saintess Mu, restrain yourself.” The Bishop’s voice was cold, showing no favoritism or fear, even towards this prodigious Saintess.

Suppressed, the white-haired Saintess had no choice but to retract her blood claws, releasing the others.

“Heh, Saintess Mu, caught sneaking around with a man, and now you won’t even let others talk about it?”

“If you truly valued chastity, you wouldn’t be sneaking off to meet men!”

“It’s obvious you couldn’t control your own urges! Slut!” Several Saintesses hissed, gnashing their teeth, spewing insults.

The atmosphere in the main hall was thick with tension.

Meanwhile, the Bishop on the platform snorted coldly, turning his attention to the white-haired Saintess who lacked her Chastity Mark. “Saintess Mu, regarding the matter of the Chastity Mark, do you have any explanation? Or perhaps, should this Bishop personally verify your innocence?” His final words dripped with malice.

As a Bishop, he detested promiscuous women. Moreover, this Saintess Mu’s faith in the Blood God wasn’t particularly strong; strictly speaking, she was an outsider! `How could the Blood God’s sacred inheritance truly be given to an outsider?` Thinking this, the Bishop’s voice turned dismissive, “Saintess Mu, if you cannot prove your innocence, then this council will investigate and hold you accountable for the crime of blasphemy.”

“What is there to prove?” The white-haired Saintess finally spoke, her tone still arrogant and cold, utterly dismissive. “It is the Blood God of the Blood Refining Sect who needs this Saintess to revitalize the Blood Race’s great cause, not the other way around. I have no obligation to save your pathetic sect.”

“You—!” Saintess Mu’s words caused the Bishop’s eyes to widen in disbelief. `Such arrogance! How dare she blaspheme the revered Blood God of their faith!`

Seeing the rising anger in the crowd, the Bishop prepared to forcibly suppress the white-haired Saintess.

At that critical moment, an old man in sacred robes emerged from behind the scenes, a benevolent smile on his face. “Hold.”

The old man’s single word froze the enraged Bishop in place, making him tremble.

Everyone in the Blood Refining Sect knew that three years ago, Saintess Mu had been introduced by the old Pope himself, becoming a Saintess and receiving a portion of the Blood God’s inheritance and blessings.

Instantly, the Bishop humbled himself, bowing deeply. “Your Excellency, Pope.”

“Mm…” The old Pope walked onto the platform, his gaze falling upon the white-haired Saintess below. A spark of excitement ignited in his aged eyes. He raised his hands dramatically, praising towards the heavens, “So beautiful, so divine… You ignorant juniors are blind! That divine trace within Saintess Mu’s body is the genuine Source of Blood!”

“Source… of Blood?” Murmuring the words, the Bishop and the numerous Saintesses and Holy Sons below stared, wide-eyed and astonished, at the white-haired Saintess.

Suddenly finding herself the object of everyone’s respectful and envious gaze, even Saintess Mu herself raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed.

The Source of Blood symbolized the very core power of the Blood God, the most supreme divine miracle the Blood Refining Sect had sought for centuries!

“In the face of such divine grace, what does a mere Chastity Mark truly matter?” The old Pope chuckled, expressing profound respect and affection for the white-haired Saintess.

This time, no one else in the hall dared to whisper or gossip. They stood stunned, filled with shock and envy, keenly aware that they were now even further from the Blood God’s favor, feeling utterly powerless.

With a single declaration, the old Pope silenced all dissent.

The council meeting concluded peacefully shortly after.

As the crowd dispersed, the old Pope dismissed the conservative Bishop, keeping only Saintess Mu—the one who possessed the Source of Blood but had lost her chastity—behind for a private conversation.

“Yanli,” the old Pope began kindly, though his eyes burned with fanaticism, “there’s no one else here. Tell Grandpa the truth, how did you obtain that faint trace of the Source of Blood?”

The Source of Blood, much like the Source of Moon, had been lost to the mortal world for millennia following the fall of the ancient Blood God. It was one of the most sought-after lost treasures for the Blood Refining Sect.

Just as the Spirit Phoenix Sect sought ancient abyssal treasures, the Blood Refining Sect sought the Blood Source, believing it tied to the Blood God’s reincarnation.

The Pope had initially chosen Mu Yanli, willing to bring the Moon Sect demoness into their ranks, precisely because he recognized the Blood Spirit Vein within her—a spiritual pathway extraordinarily close to that of the ancient Blood God’s potential reincarnation!

As an apostle of the Blood God, the old Pope, much like Feng Yuan’s Abyss Apostles like He Yan and Xiao Mo, dedicated his life to resurrecting the ancient Blood God who had fallen thousands of years ago.

The Blood Spirit Vein was a significant symbol of that potential resurrection.

The revival of an ancient god often required a vessel for reincarnation.

That Mu Yanli possessed such a supreme artifact like the Blood Spirit Vein suggested she had already gained the Blood God’s approval; the god had likely set his sights on this demoness’s body.

Initially, the Pope wasn’t entirely certain of the Blood God’s intentions. After all, the god had fallen and couldn’t communicate directly like Feng Yuan could with her apostles. His will could only be interpreted and guessed by his followers.

The Pope’s initial hypothesis was that the Blood God found Mu Yanli, a top-tier talent, particularly useful.

And now, discovering the Source of Blood within Mu Yanli solidified the Pope’s conviction!

Granting just the Blood Spirit Vein might mean the Blood God intended to cultivate Mu Yanli as a pawn.

But granting even the Source of Blood? For a fallen god, that represented an incredibly intimate level of favor, akin to giving away a piece of one’s soul.

The Source of Blood, as divine soul power, naturally possessed strong invasive properties.

That Mu Yanli’s body could contain it meant her soul had already been tainted by the Blood God.

Tainting the soul implied enslavement.

Throughout history, across all realms, any divine art involving soul invasion was based on enslavement marks—even the ancient progenitor god of the True Dragon race was no exception.

`Could it be… Lord Blood God intends to use Mu Yanli as a soul container for his reincarnation?!` This startling possibility bloomed in the old Pope’s mind.

Unfortunately, the amount of Blood Source currently within Mu Yanli was minuscule, just a tiny trace, far from enough for the ancient god to corrupt and seize control of her body and mind.

Only when the Blood Source constituted seventy percent of the host’s being, extensively infecting both body and soul, could the Blood God fully demonify her into his Saintess Apostle.

Once demonification succeeded, Mu Yanli’s superb body would be an unparalleled vessel, whether used as a war machine or as the container for the Blood God’s reincarnated soul!

The True Dragon Empress targeted the righteous path’s woman blessed by fate, An Luo Yi.
The ancient Blood God targeted the demonic path’s Blood Moon Witch, Mu Yanli.
One for each… it seemed quite logical.

“Indeed, Lord Blood God’s will aligns perfectly with this old servant’s interpretation…” Convinced of the divine plan, the old Pope was ecstatic, privately marveling at his own foresight.

Meanwhile, as the Pope questioned her, the white-haired Saintess was lost in thought.

Mu Yanli had coveted the Source of Blood for a long time.

It was crucial for her breakthrough to the Deity Transformation realm. With the Blood Source, she could unlock the full potential of her Blood Spirit Vein, making her more qualified to inherit the entirety of the Blood Refining Sect’s ancient god’s legacy and resources.

This much, Mu Yanli knew.

Furthermore, she had always been aware that the original host of the Blood Source was He Ange. The last time she captured him, she hadn’t killed him because she was confirming the existence of the Blood Source, not yet ready to seize it.

He Ange was only at the Nascent Soul stage then, and Source Power typically needed the host to reach the Deity Transformation realm to fully mature.

(This was why the Deity Transformation realm marked the watershed between the lower and upper realms.)

Seizing a half-developed Blood Source from He Ange prematurely, just to aid her breakthrough to the Void Refining realm, wasn’t worth the trade-off.

Therefore, Mu Yanli’s plan had been to wait until He Ange reached the Deity Transformation realm, then capture him and extract the fully matured Blood Source…

Before He Ange’s Blood Source matured, Mu Yanli needed to secure the Source of Moon first.

The host of the Source of Moon resided within the Fox Saintess, Xia Zhiyue.

Recently, Xia Zhiyue’s cultivation had broken through to the peak of the Deity Transformation realm, finally reaching a stage where Mu Yanli could make her move.

Looking at it this way, Mu Yanli’s upcoming schedule seemed quite packed.

Dealing with Xia Zhiyue should be relatively straightforward. Although blessed by fate, the Fox Clan’s overall strength was weak. Even with their current alliance with the Dragon Dynasty, hunting her was far simpler for Mu Yanli than targeting someone like An Luo Yi. Killing Xia Zhiyue would just require bringing a few powerful allies for a swift strike.

But capturing He Ange wouldn’t be so easy…

Now that He Ange was the Holy Son of the Spirit Phoenix Sect, forcibly snatching the Blood Source from under Feng Yuan’s protection seemed nearly impossible. The agonizing torture she endured during her previous imprisonment in the Eternal Wheel Prison was still vivid in Mu Yanli’s memory. If not for summoning the Moon God’s phantom for rescue, she would have died then.

Thinking of this, Mu Yanli frowned slightly.

If force wouldn’t work, she’d resort to subtler methods.

Having nothing left to lose (proverbially, like a barefoot person unafraid of someone with shoes), Mu Yanli no longer felt hesitant about approaching He Ange, especially since she’d already lost her ‘purity’.

With this resolve, Mu Yanli inwardly clenched her teeth, a smirk playing on her lips as she formulated a new plan for plunder.

“Lord Pope,” Mu Yanli began, “Actually, this Source Power I possess… it might be related to Holy Son He Yuan of the Spirit Phoenix Sect…”

Testing the waters, Mu Yanli indirectly revealed the connection between He Ange and the Blood Source to the old Pope.

After all, the Pope was a fervent believer. If he knew about the Blood Source’s location, he would surely find ways to help Mu Yanli acquire more from He Ange.

To Mu Yanli’s slight surprise, the old Pope reacted with immense excitement upon hearing her suggestion, agreeing immediately without hesitation.

Compared to Mu Yanli’s own desire for the Blood Source, the old Pope seemed even more fanatical.

“Yanli, rest assured!” the old Pope declared kindly. “The Source of Blood is our sect’s most sacred gift! You are the inheritor of the Blood Spirit Vein, blessed by our Lord God! As His servant, Grandpa will spare no effort to help you obtain more of the Source of Blood!”

Thinking about the Blood God’s potential demonification plan, the old Pope grew visibly excited. “The Holy Son of the Spirit Phoenix Sect, you say?” He mused. “That shouldn’t be too difficult. Coincidentally, our Lord God knew Lord Phoenix personally back in the day. Arranging a marriage between you two young people shouldn’t be too hard…”

“Thank you, Grandpa Pope.” Mu Yanli lowered her head slightly, a cold smile hidden beneath her blood-red veil.

She was already anticipating the look of “surprise” on He Ange’s face on their wedding night when he saw his bride’s true identity!

…

“Achoo—!”

`Who’s cursing me now?`

On the balcony of a street-side teahouse in the Northern State of Huaxia, the handsome youth in moon-white Daoist robes suddenly sneezed.

A cold gust of wind swept past, sending a slight chill down He Ange’s spine, as if someone was plotting against him from afar.

Shaking off the feeling, He Ange turned his gaze to the silver-haired fairy sitting beside him.

Winter had arrived in the Northern State, and the weather had turned frigid.

The fairy was dressed warmly in a cotton-silk fairy dress and a snowy velvet shawl.

Her silvery autumn hair cascaded down her back, adorned with a dark gold phoenix hairpin. Her clear, azure eyes held an air of sacredness and pride.

Beneath the soft, white dress, a pair of long, slender legs were crossed elegantly.

Despite the cold, An Luo Yi’s legs were only covered by a thin layer of black silk stockings, ending in high heels embroidered with silver phoenixes at the ankles. The contrast between the silver heels and black silk was striking, and the stockings subtly revealed hints of pale skin and pinkish hues beneath, adding a touch of delicate allure to her aloof beauty.

Having such a beauty beside him, He Ange found himself momentarily captivated. He smiled faintly, “Wifey, your husband is cold.”

“…?” An Luo Yi, holding a warm teacup, turned her head slightly, curious.

“Wifey is bundled up so warmly, perhaps you could warm your husband’s hands too?” He Ange held out his hands expectantly.

But soon, the picturesque fairy puffed her cheeks slightly. Glancing at the numerous pedestrians on the street below, she blushed, feeling embarrassed. “Didn’t I warm you the whole way here already…” she mumbled, “Besides, there are so many people in this teahouse…” She bit her lip gently, her cool pride mixed with reluctance.

He Ange raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure forming.

“—!”

The fairy instantly stiffened, her blush deepening.

For the current An Luo Yi, her husband’s command was absolute. She had to obey, lest He Ange abandon her.

“Husband, I… I can’t walk anymore…” An Luo Yi leaned heavily against He Ange, instinctively whining, her mind foggy and overwhelmed. She felt constantly on the verge of collapsing, clinging tightly to his arm, burying her head in his chest, terrified of embarrassing herself in front of others.

Fortunately, the phoenix mark prevented a complete loss of control, but the constant torment and itching were driving her mad.

Thinking about his upcoming plans, He Ange remained silent, offering no immediate comfort to An Luo Yi.

The saying “strict mothers raise filial sons” applied just as well to He Ange and An Luo Yi as it did to Feng Yuan and He Ange.

If He Ange softened today and didn’t let An Luo Yi experience the necessary discomfort, he would face major headaches later in the Fox Clan Secret Realm…

Bringing along the woman blessed by fate, now possessing dual Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines, was akin to carrying a ticking time bomb.

“Go on.” He Ange nodded, giving the implicit command.

(What followed involved the silver-haired fairy losing composure, shielded by He Ange’s illusion magic, their ‘late-night activities’ not disturbing the neighbors.)

Afterward, An Luo Yi became exceptionally docile.

The fairy lay limply in He Ange’s arms, her entire being exuding submission and profound reverence for her husband.

If He Ange said one, she wouldn’t dare say two. Even if he ordered her to kneel and lick, An Luo Yi wouldn’t harbor any rebellious thoughts.

“Husband… why were you suddenly so harsh with me today…” she whimpered, sounding pitiful. “Are you… are you still angry with me about last time…?”

Throughout the day, He Ange’s ‘training’ had been relentless, leaving An Luo Yi utterly exhausted.

During the day, she had felt intense humiliation and resentment.

But now, having endured until nightfall and finally receiving He Ange’s ‘reward’ and affection, An Luo Yi felt instantly relieved. All rebellious thoughts vanished, replaced by unprecedented obedience and docility.

An Luo Yi assumed she must have genuinely angered He Ange to warrant such strict discipline and punishment.

While she possessed the innate pride of a genius, she truly didn’t want He Ange to dislike her.

An Luo Yi could accept He Ange ‘training’ and playing with her, but she couldn’t bear the thought of him being angry without explanation, resorting only to cold, relentless discipline…

“Wrong. Your husband isn’t angry with you,” He Ange said, gently stroking the fairy’s flushed, beautiful face, his tone a mixture of affection and helplessness. “I’m doing this for your own good.”

He sighed, his voice turning serious and meaningful. “An Luo Yi, think carefully. You now possess dual Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines. And you? You have a naturally proud personality, submitting to no one. You don’t even fully submit to the husband who saved you. Is there anyone in this world you wouldn’t dare provoke?”

“I was the one who helped you obtain these bloodlines, An Luo Yi. I have a responsibility towards you.” He Ange lowered his eyes, speaking as if guiding a naive girl. “An Luo Yi, we’re not children anymore. Actions have consequences. With your current temperament, if I didn’t manage you, didn’t discipline you strictly, wouldn’t your arrogance have already grown boundless?”

“I…” An Luo Yi instinctively wanted to argue, but recalling her past actions and overly emotional responses, she found herself speechless. `He’s right. I can’t even control my own emotions properly, letting sensitivity overwhelm reason. What right do I have to wield these dual bloodlines? If I only know pride, how am I different from Mu Yanli?` Thinking this, An Luo Yi lowered her eyes, filled with self-reproach.

She finally realized He Ange’s ‘training’ and dominance weren’t just for perverse pleasure, but aimed at tempering her excessive pride…

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Filled with guilt, An Luo Yi apologized immediately, lowering her head.

Seeing this, He Ange nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself that An Luo Yi’s prideful streak should be suppressed for at least a month. He felt considerably relieved. He chuckled lightly, “Luo Yi, we’re heading to the Fox Clan Secret Realm soon. You need to listen obediently to your husband then. If you behave well, your husband will naturally reward you daily and won’t bully you like today…”

“My dear, can you promise your husband that?” He Ange looked into the fairy’s eyes, his gaze gentle and sincere, devoid of the cold playfulness he displayed during her ‘training’.

“Mm, Luo Yi will listen to husband from now on!” The fairy nodded obediently, her phoenix eyes reflecting deep emotion, utterly compliant. She tilted her head up and kissed him, her actions radiating a deep love for her master/husband.

The sight made He Ange feel a pang of guilt.

Truthfully, An Luo Yi was perhaps a bit too moved…

He Ange’s speech just now was primarily motivated by his fear of harem drama.

Because in the Fox Clan Secret Realm, there was still the little fox he’d left behind.

And judging by An Luo Yi’s current youthful arrogance, peak Deity Transformation cultivation, dual bloodlines, and recent demonification, her emotional stability was extremely precarious.

Previously, just seeing He Ange interacting ambiguously with Feng Yuan had sent An Luo Yi into a rage, leading to the cold treatment incident and her rebellious surge where she nearly rode He Ange to death…

How could He Ange dare bring such an impulsive woman blessed by fate into the Fox Clan Secret Realm?

Forget about the little fox Xia Ranyue; even if the prideful Fox Saintess showed up, An Luo Yi would likely draw her sword and try to tear the whole place apart.

Therefore, for the safety of his little fox, the preemptive ‘training’ and submission conditioning of An Luo Yi were absolutely necessary.

After all, pampering a wife might be temporarily satisfying, but it could lead to a harem inferno!

Furthermore…

Regarding the trip to the Fox Clan Secret Realm, besides the An Luo Yi instability factor, He Ange had another major concern.

Which was…

The two-month deadline had long passed.

He Ange still hadn’t gone back to retrieve Xia Ranyue as promised!

Considering the potential influence of the abyss and demonification, it was highly probable that Xia Ranyue’s temperament wouldn’t be much better than An Luo Yi’s current state…

As a chronic promise-breaker (an ‘old pigeon’), He Ange was self-aware enough to know he was likely in trouble.

***

Fox Clan Secret Realm, Abyssal Dungeon.

In the depths of the dungeon, the bewitching Fox Consort sat alone on the cold floor, her eyes hollow. “Master.”

“When a little fox is pushed too far, it too… will bite back…”