The forest outside the academy was silent.
Tang San sat cross-legged under a towering ancient tree, his breath steady, his eyes closed in deep concentration. The Illusion Fox Soul Bone embedded in his body had been growing stronger by the day—but today, something unexpected happened.
As the sun filtered through the leaves above, a sudden surge of heat rushed through his spine. The soul bone, which had quietly integrated with his body over the past month, suddenly began to pulse violently. Tang San's eyes snapped open—golden light swirled within his pupils, and his surroundings shifted into a trance-like haze.
He staggered to his feet as a projection formed before him—a massive, illusory fox cloaked in ethereal flame, nine translucent tails dancing in the wind.
"Who... are you?" Tang San whispered.
The illusion didn't speak, but an overwhelming presence filled the area, pressing down on his very soul. Then, a series of ancient symbols flashed in his mind—a memory fragment. The truth behind the soul bone's origin surged into his consciousness like a flood:
> The soul bone you carry once belonged not to an ordinary spirit beast, but a rare and noble bloodline—the Fox Emperor. When you absorbed it, it was still immature, merely a 700-year-old fragment from a descendant of that bloodline. But because of your innate spiritual control and the compatibility with your spirit, the fragment awakened. The Fox Emperor's lineage has now reawakened through you.
Your soul bone is no longer just a growing attachment. It has evolved into the Fox Emperor Soul Bone—and it will grow with your strength, inheriting all the powers of the Fox Royal Clan.
Tang San's body trembled.
So this was no ordinary soul bone.
He clenched his fists as realization hit him. This was why his illusions had become so powerful. Why his presence seemed to affect others more than before. And most importantly—
Why he could now feel the thoughts of fox-type spirit beasts in the distance.
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The Power of Control
Testing his newfound ability, Tang San wandered deeper into the forest and encountered a three-tailed silver fox, barely over 500 years old. It bared its fangs and hissed, sensing a human in its territory.
But as Tang San raised his hand, the soul bone pulsed—and the fox immediately froze. Its defiance faded as its eyes softened, and it bowed its head low to the ground. The connection was undeniable.
It recognized him. Not just as an enemy—but as a king.
Tang San stepped forward and placed his hand on its head. Through his spiritual connection, he sent a simple thought: Return to the forest. Stay hidden. I may call you later.
The fox turned and vanished into the trees.
Tang San stood still, his heart racing. He could now command fox-type spirit beasts that were weaker than him—and they would obey willingly, not through force, but through instinct. The soul bone had elevated him to royalty among their kind.
But that wasn't the end of it.
Later that day, as he trained in the outer courtyard, he encountered a spirit master from another class—a girl with a fox-type martial spirit. During a sparring match, something strange occurred. As Tang San focused during the battle, the Fox Emperor's aura flared, and for a moment, the girl froze mid-attack, her movements dulled as if confused.
Grandmaster noticed it too.
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Hidden Power, Hidden Risk
That evening, Tang San didn't report any of this to Grandmaster.
He kept it all to himself.
He had learned his lesson. Some powers were best hidden—at least for now.
He quietly named the new ability in his mind: Fox Dominion.
As long as his spirit power was stronger than theirs, he could influence, subdue, and even command fox-type beasts and those with fox-type spirits. It wouldn't work against someone vastly stronger, but for those at or below his level—it was as if he had absolute authority.
But Tang San was cautious. He knew such a power would attract attention if revealed. Spirit masters could become enemies. Hunters might seek the soul bone for themselves. It was best left buried in silence until the time was right.
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One Step Closer
That night, under the moonlight, Tang San trained with renewed focus.
His second spirit ring was now fully stabilized. His movements were sharper. His illusions, deadlier. The Fox Emperor Soul Bone had unlocked a path that very few had ever walked.
As he looked toward the stars, a silent thought passed through his mind:
"I won't waste this gift. I will make it mine—and use it to become stronger than anyone before me."
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End of Chapter 27
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