The people in the hall were startled to see someone on the red jade recliner and stood up, bowing toward Fan Yue. “We greet the Tower Master.” Bu Ji City was masterless, yet everyone knew the one who sat on this red jade chair atop the Bu Ji Tower was the city's underground ruler. Though no one had ever seen the master’s true face, this throne was a symbol of authority. Fan Yue raised a hand to his forehead and looked down with a hushed voice. “It’s nothing; this little white fox is for your entertainment. Whoever first removes the jade flute from her neck, she shall belong to him.” A silence fell, quickly followed by resounding cheers. Only Bai Shuo stared, fluffed-up in anger. Scoundrel! Tight-fisted miser! Foxes held high status among demons; Bu Ji City housed spirits from various clans, but foxes had never been hunted. Owning a white fox would be the talk of the city for a decade! The demon lords gathered in Bu Ji City were all lawless, and as soon as Fan Yue finished speaking, one demon leaped toward the mirror. A strong gust swept past, and Bai Shuo’s fur stood on end. Yet, having always been accustomed to two legs, she found maneuvering four little fox paws a true challenge! She barely lifted her little fox paws an inch before slipping on the slick mirror, ending up sprawled out in a ridiculous pose. “Oh, be careful!” The girls watching from the side were filled with sympathy, wanting nothing more than to scoop the little white fox into their arms. From his throne, Fan Yue observed the little creature in silence, showing no expression. Fan Yue had seen countless beings, human and demon alike, yet if anyone had a truly sensitive soul, it was this half-immortal named Bai Shuo.
Perhaps Bai Shuo had some luck on her side; as she stumbled, the first demon to pounce missed his mark. When he tried again, five or six more demons had already leapt onto the mirror to stop him. In a flurry of demonic power, blades and swords clashed on the mirror, turning what had been a dance into a brutal showdown of strength. Meanwhile, the little white fox dodged back and forth across the mirror, occasionally stealing a glance at the figure on the throne. Yet he remained unmoved, watching the scene below as though it were a play. The white fox’s gaze dimmed, and at that moment, a demon found an opening, leaping onto the platform with a whip a foot long, aiming straight at Bai Shuo’s neck. The master of Bu Ji Tower had only ordered the removal of the jade flute; he hadn’t mentioned life or death. This demon reveled in bloodshed, and an untransformed fox would only serve as a pet. Claiming victory here would make him a hero of Bu Ji City. Bai Shuo, lost in thought, only realized the danger as the girls screamed, seeing the deadly intent in the whip targeting her neck. Her pupils contracted as she watched the whip swing closer, unable to move.
On the jade throne, Fan Yue’s hand paused as he idly played with his wine cup, his gaze darkening.
On the mirror below, the chaotic demonic energies from the fighting crowd unexpectedly converged into a single force, crashing into the demon who had attempted the surprise attack. Countless weapons spun in the energy, striking the long whip aimed at Bai Shuo’s head, knocking it aside.
The demons turned, noticing someone had taken advantage of the situation, and, their eyes red with fury, they banded together to gang up on the dishonorable attacker.
With the murderous intent around Bai Shuo dissipated, she quickly leapt up amidst the chaos. The women gasped, and the demons turned their heads, watching as the once-clumsy little white fox elegantly bounded across the mirror with agile grace, like a gust of wind, heading straight for the jade steps and landing in front of the red jade couch.
Such speed, such dexterity! The hall fell silent, and the demons twitched at the corners of their mouths. Truly, as sly as a fox!
Just as everyone’s thoughts stilled, a new twist unfolded before them. The little white fox stretched out her paw, tugged down the jade flute from her chest, and without hesitation, placed it into the hands of the Bu Ji Tower Master.
What had the Bu Ji Tower Master said earlier? Whoever first took the jade flute from the little white fox’s neck, she would belong to him. Now, that jade flute was in the Bu Ji Tower Master’s hand.
The demons turned collectively to look at the man on the red jade throne. Fan Yue’s usually indifferent eyes held a trace of surprise as he looked down. The poor little white fox was pressing the jade flute tightly into his hand, looking up at him with wide eyes, her paw, as soft as a little ball, trembling slightly.
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