Master, Ranyue Can Pay More Than Sister!

“WHERE ARE THEY?!”

“I asked you, where is Princess Ranyue?! HUH?!”

Outside the dungeon entrance, several Saintess Faction Fox elders were absolutely losing it, screaming at the guards. The fact that their precious Nine-Tailed bloodline had vanished into thin air—poof!—had them spitting mad. Grrrrrr! Where COULD she be?!

Standing behind the enraged elders, hands clasped behind his back, was a young man in Dragon robes, distinguished by long, azure-gold horns. Ye Qingchuan. And his expression wasn’t looking too pleasant either. Tch!

He’d planned on confronting those two so-called Dragon Dynasty special envoys tonight. But surprise, surprise! Couldn’t find the envoys, and halfway through his search, he discovers Princess Ranyue has also vanished. Damn it all!

Honestly, Ye Qingchuan couldn’t care less about the second princess, Xia Ranyue. But this Fox Clan territory was his jurisdiction now! Someone daring to act so boldly right under his nose? It was pure disrespect, completely ignoring him, the head attendant! The NERVE!

Not only that, but if those two self-proclaimed ‘Empress’s confidants’ were the ones who rescued Xia Ranyue… it meant they probably knew the whole damn internal situation of the Fox Clan by now. Shit. They’d undoubtedly know about Ye Qingchuan’s power grab and his… less-than-righteous methods here.

Technically, Ye Qingchuan taking over the Fox Clan territory was inevitable. And yeah, his strategies might suck for the foxes, but they brought huge benefits to the Dragon Dynasty attendants stationed here…

The real problem? Ye Qingchuan’s methods were shady as hell.

If he could keep it all under wraps—hush hush—then Ye Qingchuan would be hailed as a hero, beloved by the people (or at least, the Dragon Dynasty people). Plus, he’d control Xia Zhiyue, the Fox Clan’s spiritual leader, effectively gripping the entire ruling class by the throat. Perfect.

Buuuut if the truth got out… Gulp. Then Ye Qingchuan would be nothing more than a criminal, marked for purging by the Empress. N-No… gotta keep this quiet!

“It must have been those two Dragon Dynasty envoys! Those treacherous old foxes! How dare they let outsiders interfere in our clan’s private affairs!” the Saintess Faction elders were practically frothing at the mouth, cursing up a storm.

They’d locked up Xia Ranyue specifically to keep control of the Nine-Tailed bloodline, making sure she’d be ready for the sacrificial ritual during the full moon in a few days. Preemptive strike, right?

And now… Ranyue was gone. Without her bloodline, who were they supposed to use to save their precious Saintess?! Are… Are we really gonna have to marry Xia Zhiyue off to Ye Qingchuan now?! The thought made the elders boil with rage and resentment. Arrrrgh!

Meanwhile, Ye Qingchuan had already weighed the pros and cons. He turned, raised his hand— FWOOSH! —and summoned several Void God realm Azure Dragon Clan protectors.

“You few! Go investigate! I want the whereabouts of those two Dragon Dynasty special envoys found TONIGHT! GO!”

“M-My Lord Ye…” one of the Fox elders reminded him meekly, “…and Princess Ranyue…?”

Ye Qingchuan shot him a look, then added sternly, “Right. Track down Princess Ranyue’s location too. Find her.”

Yeah, tonight was not gonna be peaceful in the Fox Clan Secret Realm.

But long before Ye Qingchuan even gave his frantic order to investigate, He Ange had already led his people deep into the Cherry Sea Secret Realm, straight to the Morning Moon Altar.

Xuan Que was the guardian spirit of the Cherry Sea Secret Realm; she knew this place like the back of her hand. With her leading the way—zip zip!—He Ange’s group moved swiftly, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

And now…

Cherry Sea Secret Realm, Morning Moon Altar.

Deep in the night, a snow-white fox immortal knelt silently in the center of the altar. Silvery moonlight bathed her form—shimmer—highlighting her devastatingly beautiful, yet tragically aloof, demonic features. She looked utterly desolate, heartbreakingly alone.

Then, without warning, abyssal demonic energy began to seep in from all directions— VWOOOOM — blotting out the sky, making the world spin. Whoooosh!

Within seconds, an abyssal curtain descended, dyeing the entire altar area with an unfathomably deep, mysterious aura.

“Wh-What is… this…?” The snow-white fox immortal looked up, her snow-like mesmerizing eyes filled not just with unease and confusion, but also a profound sense of awe as she beheld the encroaching barrier.

Because Xia Zhiyue could feel it. The rank, the sheer power of this abyssal energy… it was utterly beyond her comprehension. Like the difference between a mortal and a true immortal. S-So powerful…!

Bathed in this abyssal aura, Xia Zhiyue actually felt… a strange sense of security? Like she’d been praying devoutly to the Moon God on this altar, and finally… finally… her prayers had been answered!

Her mind raced with fantastical possibilities. The white fox couldn’t help but swallow nervously—gulp—a flicker of desperate hope igniting in her eyes. Could it be…?

Suddenly, an ethereal voice, seemingly from nowhere, echoed in her ears—

“Saintess Zhiyue… Do you wish to restore your cultivation? To save the Fox Clan? Do you wish… to reclaim all that you have lost? All that should be yours?”

It sounded like a voice from beyond the heavens. Impossible to tell if it was male or female, calm and even, yet it struck her soul like a thunderclap, bringing sharp, piercing clarity.

When Xia Zhiyue heard those words, her snow-like mesmerizing eyes flew wide open— GASP! —filled with disbelief. She scrambled to her feet. “W-Who… Who’s there…?!” she whispered, frantically looking around. But amidst the swirling abyssal mist covering the altar, she couldn’t see anyone else.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Zhiyue forced herself to remain calm, trying to figure out the origin of that ethereal voice. Could it… Could it possibly be… some kind of blessing from an immortal?!

Ancient legends and travelogues often told tales of those favored by fate… how, in their darkest hours, fortunes would suddenly turn. Lately, Xia Zhiyue had hated herself, hated being a useless cripple. She’d shut herself away, cultivating day and night, desperately clinging to that minuscule 0.01% chance of a miracle. She refused, refused to just fade away into obscurity! She yearned, ached, to return to her peak one day…

Could it be…? The comeback she’d dreamt of day and night… was it finally about to become reality?! Please, please let it be true!

“Saintess Zhiyue… Do you wish to restore your cultivation? To save the Fox Clan? Do you wish… to reclaim all that you have lost? All that should be yours?” The voice repeated.

This time, Xia Zhiyue focused completely, feeling the immeasurable depth of the speaker’s cultivation down to her very bones. This power… it’s real!

“YES! I DO! I WANT IT!!!” Faced with this supreme, hidden immortal within the abyssal mist, Xia Zhiyue felt an instinctual reverence welling up from her soul. She blurted out her answer without hesitation, her voice filled with awe.

Although she didn’t know who this being was, they were clearly unfathomably powerful… and hadn’t shown her any ill intent. At this point, Xia Zhiyue was willing to trust them. If she didn’t believe, she remained a cripple. If she did believe… maybe this truly was a heaven-sent opportunity, a chance to regain everything she’d lost! What do I have left to lose anyway? She’d already lost everything.

“To receive a gift… one must pay a price.” The voice spoke again.

“I WILL! I’m willing to pay any price! Just help me restore my cultivation! Help me take back the Fox Clan! Help me drive out every single enemy who dared invade our sacred realm! LEAVE NONE OF THEM ALIVE!!!” Her voice grew increasingly agitated, almost consumed by hatred. This was her final obsession.

Then, the swirling abyssal mist began to coalesce— vwoom vwoom —forming a humanoid figure before her astonished eyes. When the mist settled, a young man in moon-white sacred robes embroidered with mountains and rivers stood before her.

Hands clasped behind his back, radiating an air of otherworldly grace, handsome as jade, his face veiled by a shimmering divine mist. He looked profound, mysterious, yet possessed a striking, heroic bearing that stirred the imagination.

Looking at him… Xia Zhiyue’s mind suddenly flashed with the image of another young man…

“H-He… He Ange?!?!” GASP!

In that instant, Xia Zhiyue’s fantasy shattered. CRACK! Her mind exploded into chaos. No… NO WAY!

She could never have dreamed… never… that the supreme, mysterious immortal who filled her with such awe… would turn out to be the human boy she used to casually tease and disdain…

Not only that, but seeing He Ange now… dressed in those moon-white sacred robes, enhanced by the swirling abyssal mist… he looked even more handsome than before. Xia Zhiyue found herself staring, captivated, despite herself.

It all happened too fast. Xia Zhiyue could barely believe it. Was… was she really supposed to beg He Ange—like she would have begged that mysterious immortal—to save her, the fallen, pitiful cripple?

Forget asking him. Just appearing before He Ange in her current crippled state made Xia Zhiyue feel so utterly worthless she wanted to die. Ugh! Shame!

Months had passed. The once high-and-mighty Fox Saintess was now a cripple. And the human boy she used to play with? He’d somehow transformed into this unfathomably powerful ‘great immortal’. Oh, the irony… it stung.

“Saintess,” He Ange’s voice cut through her thoughts, cool and detached, “Are you certain you’re willing to pay any price, unconditionally, to regain your power?” He showed no interest in reminiscing, merely repeating the terms of their earlier, voice-only negotiation.

In He Ange’s eyes, Xia Zhiyue wasn’t a special friend. If it weren’t for Xia Ranyue, he probably wouldn’t have interacted with Zhiyue at all. He was here to make a deal, not catch up with old acquaintances.

“…” Xia Zhiyue was struck dumb. She didn’t know how to answer. Or rather… her pride, the lingering arrogance of the former Saintess, wouldn’t let her debase herself like this in front of someone she knew.

Before, Xia Zhiyue could abandon everything without hesitation because she believed she was praying to a god-like being from the heavens. Kneeling to a god for power? Xia Zhiyue could do that. But if that ‘god’ turned out to be human… well, bending the knee suddenly became a lot harder.

“Is that so.” Seeing the white fox saintess hesitate, He Ange didn’t press. He simply raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Snap!

Instantly, the abyssal mist behind him swirled and solidified— FWOOSH! —forming a grand, ornate wooden chair fit for an ancient palace.

He casually sat down, leaning back, crossing his legs elegantly under his sacred robes, looking completely relaxed and unhurried. Tick tock…

He Ange had plenty of time. His main mission—rescuing Xia Ranyue—was already accomplished. Dealing with Xia Zhiyue? That was just… extra business. A side gig. And when ripe fruits just fall into your lap… well, who am I to refuse a slice? Heh.

“Master, your tea.”

From out of the swirling mist, a figure emerged. A crimson fox girl dressed in a black and white lace maid outfit. She approached He Ange respectfully, bowing her head, acting every bit the cute, obedient, well-behaved fox-girl maid.

‘Here you go, Master~ ♡’

But seeing this ‘maid’… Xia Zhiyue’s expression twisted into utter shock. GASP! Her snow-like mesmerizing eyes widened in disbelief. N-No way… Ranyue?!

Okay, Xia Zhiyue knew her sister liked He Ange. But as far as she knew, He Ange was the boyfriend slash servant Xia Ranyue brought back to the Fox Clan. That’s certainly how they acted back then! How… How could just a few months turn her rebellious, hard-to-tame little sister… into He Ange’s obedient, fawning, tail-wagging little fox maid?! Wha… What HAPPENED?! The reversal of status was… staggering!

“Ranyue,” He Ange sighed, picking up the teacup, looking down into it as he gently blew on the surface, seemingly unfazed by Xia Zhiyue’s reaction, “it seems your sister doesn’t require assistance from outsiders.”

Hearing this, Xia Ranyue turned her head to look at the white fox saintess. Her cherry-pink mesmerizing eyes first showed confusion, then she bit her lip—grrr—and finally sighed with resignation. “Hmph! If sister doesn’t cherish such a good opportunity, then so be it!” Her tone was slightly petulant.

“Besides,” she continued, her voice shifting from resignation to cheerful, possessive glee, “Master already has Ranyue, one little fox is enough, right Master~? ♡”

Watching all these subtle interactions just made Xia Zhiyue even more confused. What is GOING ON?!

Before Zhiyue could process, He Ange stood up, teacup still in hand, shaking his head with another sigh. “You do have a point. Since the Saintess doesn’t need help, let’s head back.”

He paused, looking around the realm thoughtfully. “Such a wonderful territory, this Fox Clan land… Once the demonic sects are repelled, anyone could become the hero who saved them. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a certain Saintess, does it?” His tone was casual, yet loaded.

He reached out and patted the head of the little fox maid beside him, his touch conveying a sense of entrustment. It’s all yours for the taking…

And he wasn’t wrong. Both sisters shared the Nine-Tailed bloodline. Xia Ranyue’s potential had always been high. If He Ange nurtured her, and worked with the Princess Faction elders behind the scenes… it was highly likely, and not even that difficult, for Xia Ranyue to eventually usurp her sister’s Saintess title and become the Fox Clan’s next ruler.

After all, the common Fox folk were pragmatic. Whoever saved the clan, whoever drove out the invaders… that’s who they’d worship as their Saintess.

“W-Wait! Don’t go!” Seeing He Ange actually turning to leave, Xia Zhiyue finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Panic surged!

She had a terrifying feeling… if she let this chance slip away today… she would never be able to hold her head high again.

Yes, she loved her sister, but reality was harsh. If she, Xia Zhiyue, fell completely, her title taken by her own sister, while she remained a powerless cripple… What meaning would my existence even HAVE?!

Of course, she wanted Ranyue to grow strong, to become a capable Saintess. But… she didn’t want Ranyue to steal her status, her reputation, her value! I REFUSE to become a worthless shadow living under my sister’s success!

“I… I agree! If you can help me regain my cultivation… I… I’m willing… to pay the price…” the white fox saintess cried out anxiously, her voice trailing off at the end, lacking confidence. Hmph…

He Ange stopped walking. But before he could speak, the crimson-tailed fox maid beside him stepped forward, a knowing, enchanting smile playing on her lips. “Master~ Ranyue is already your maid~ Ranyue can pay more than sister!”  Master~ ♡

“Is that so.” He Ange nodded thoughtfully, then continued walking forward again.

Seeing that she was being outbid by Ranyue, the white fox saintess grew even more frantic. NO! That’s MY chance! My own sister is trying to snatch it away with a higher price!

“HE ANGE!!!” Xia Zhiyue screamed, desperation cracking her voice.

“IF YOU CAN HELP ME RESTORE MY CULTIVATION, I, XIA ZHIYUE, AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU MY SOUL!!!”

“Word of honor?” He Ange paused, his voice calm.

“WORD OF HONOR!!!” This time, Xia Zhiyue’s voice held unprecedented determination. No turning back!

At last, He Ange stopped completely. He turned back, looking at the white fox saintess who had finally gritted her teeth and submitted. He nodded slowly, a look of satisfaction crossing his veiled features.

Then, He Ange glanced sideways, meeting the eyes of the fox-girl maid beside him.

Both shared a silent, knowing smile. Got her. They had played their parts perfectly.

—