The sunlight slanted gently across the jade corridors as Yuan Chen returned to his palace.
The moment he stepped inside—
"You're back."
His mother, Lin Yao, appeared almost instantly, as if she had been waiting the entire time. Her eyes were bright, filled with undisguised pride. Before Yuan Chen could react, she cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Well done, Chen'er."
Before he could escape, another soft touch followed from the other side.
His sister, Yuan Xueyin, leaned down slightly and kissed his other cheek. Her expression remained calm and cold as ever, but the faint curve of her lips betrayed her emotions.
"You broke the ancient record," she said softly. "As expected."
Yuan Chen stiffened.
"…Enough," he muttered, turning his head away. "You're both making a fuss."
His words sounded impatient, even reluctant—but neither of them took it seriously.
Lin Yao laughed lightly. "Look at him, still acting shy."
Yuan Xueyin simply watched him, her gaze steady and protective.
For a while, the palace was filled with quiet conversation. Lin Yao talked endlessly—about how the entire Yuan Clan was shaken, how the elders were arguing nonstop, how even other clans had sent secret envoys.
Yuan Chen sat there, listening half-heartedly.
"Mm."
"Oh."
"Hm."
That was all he replied.
Eventually, the excitement faded. Lin Yao was called away by clan matters, and Yuan Xueyin left to continue her cultivation.
The palace grew quiet.
Yuan Chen lay back on his couch, staring at the ceiling.
Only then did he speak.
"System."
A familiar, lazy voice echoed in his mind.
『Oh? The great record-breaker finally remembers me?』
Yuan Chen twitched. "Stop teasing. You owe me a reward."
『So impatient, Host. For someone living such a relaxed life, you sure rush things.』
"Claim reward," Yuan Chen said flatly.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
Light gathered in front of him.
A small figure slowly appeared, descending like a falling star wrapped in soft radiance.
It landed soundlessly on the floor.
Yuan Chen's eyes widened slightly.
It was a fox.
Snow-white fur shimmered like moonlight, flawless and pure. Its nine tails fanned out behind it, each one glowing faintly, as if woven from starlight itself. Its eyes were clear and innocent, reflecting the world without a trace of malice.
The fox looked up at him.
Their gazes met.
And for a moment, the world felt quiet.
『Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.』
『Origin: Immortal Realm.』
『Upon maturity, capable of suppressing Heavenly Immortals with ease.』
『If transformed into human form—acknowledged by the heavens as one of the most beautiful beings of the era.』
Yuan Chen didn't respond immediately.
He slowly crouched down and gently scooped the fox into his arms.
It didn't resist.
Instead, it curled up comfortably, its tails wrapping loosely around his wrist.
"…You're light," he murmured.
He raised a hand and softly ruffled the fur between its ears.
The fox let out a quiet sound, eyes narrowing slightly in comfort.
As his fingers moved, Yuan Chen's thoughts drifted.
In his past life—
He had once raised a small cat.
Nothing special. Just a stray he found on a rainy night.
He remembered how it would sit beside him when he stayed up late, how it would rub against his hand when he felt tired, how it would wait by the door every evening.
He wondered—
How is it now?
Is it still alive?
Did someone else take care of it?
The fox shifted slightly in his arms, pressing closer.
Yuan Chen came back to himself.
"…Guess I'll take better care of you this time," he said quietly.
The fox's tail flicked once.
Yuan Chen looked down at the small creature resting in his arms, its nine tails slowly swaying like living clouds. Those clear, intelligent eyes were fixed on him, bright with curiosity… and expectation.
"…You need a name," Yuan Chen said thoughtfully.
The fox's ears twitched.
He leaned back against the couch, one hand still gently stroking her fur, while the other supported her comfortably. His gaze drifted upward as his mind began to wander.
A name…
Minutes passed.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
The fox continued staring at him.
Her gaze grew sharper.
Fifteen minutes later, Yuan Chen finally nodded to himself, as if arriving at a profound conclusion.
"I've got it."
The fox straightened slightly, tails lifting a little.
Yuan Chen looked at her seriously.
"Little White."
Silence.
The fox froze.
Then—she slowly turned her head away, eyes half-lidded, her expression radiating pure disdain.
"…Hey," Yuan Chen frowned. "What's that look for?"
『Pfft—』
The system's voice echoed instantly.
『Host, I have witnessed countless eras, innumerable sovereigns, and beings that shook heaven and earth…』
『This is, without question, the laziest name I have ever heard.』
The fox flicked one tail sharply.
Yuan Chen's eyebrow twitched. "Oi. It's simple, easy to remember, and accurate."
The fox looked back at him.
Her eyes clearly said: You must be joking.
"You're white," Yuan Chen continued reasonably. "And small. What's wrong with Little White?"
『She is a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox from the Immortal Realm.』
『A being destined to terrify entire epochs.』
"Exactly," Yuan Chen replied lazily. "A terrifying Little White."
The fox huffed softly and shifted in his arms, clearly unhappy.
Yuan Chen sighed.
"…You don't like it?"
She looked at him again.
Then deliberately turned her head away once more.
Yuan Chen stared at her for a few seconds.
Then—
"No."
He hugged her a little closer, completely unreasonable. "I like it."
The system fell silent for a moment.
『…So this is how you use absolute authority.』
The fox struggled weakly, then stopped.
Her tails slowly relaxed.
After a long pause, she let out a quiet, reluctant sound and settled back down, resting her head against his chest.
Yuan Chen smiled faintly.
"Good. Then it's settled."
He gently patted her head.
"From today onward, your name is Little White."
The fox closed her eyes.
Acceptance—however unwilling—had been achieved.
Somewhere deep within Yuan Chen's mind, the system sighed.
『May the heavens forgive her.』
The palace returned to its peaceful quiet.
Evening descended slowly over the Yuan Clan, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and crimson. Yuan Chen lay lazily on the jade couch, Little White curled comfortably in his arms. Her nine tails were wrapped loosely around his waist and wrist, rising and falling gently with each breath.
The door opened.
Lin Yao walked in first, followed closely by Yuan Xueyin.
They stopped at the same time.
Their gazes locked onto the small white fox resting in Yuan Chen's embrace.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"…What is that?" Lin Yao asked slowly.
Yuan Xueyin's eyes narrowed slightly. "A fox."
Little White lifted her head and looked back at them calmly, her eyes bright and clear.
Yuan Chen didn't even look up. "Her name is Little White."
Silence.
Lin Yao stepped closer, staring at the fox, then at Yuan Chen… then back at the fox again.
"…You're holding her," she said.
"Yes," Yuan Chen replied plainly.
Yuan Xueyin crossed her arms. "You usually don't like being held."
"I like holding her," Yuan Chen said without hesitation.
The words landed like a heavy blow.
Lin Yao's lips pressed together.
Yuan Xueyin's gaze sharpened.
Little White flicked her tail once, then settled more comfortably in Yuan Chen's arms, as if deliberately provoking them.
Lin Yao puffed her cheeks slightly. "Chen'er… you didn't even sit with me like that today."
Yuan Xueyin added coolly, "You were in my arms yesterday."
Yuan Chen closed his eyes. "You're both imagining things."
They were not convinced.
From that evening onward, something strange happened in the palace.
Wherever Yuan Chen went, Little White went with him.
Morning sunlight—Little White on his chest.
Afternoon naps—Little White beside him.
Evening strolls—Little White perched on his shoulder or curled in his arms.
They became inseparable.
Little White clearly liked him as well. She followed him everywhere, reacted only to his touch, and ignored everyone else unless absolutely necessary. When Yuan Chen cultivated, she would quietly lie beside him. When he played games, she would sit and watch the glowing screen curiously.
Lin Yao tried many times to hold her.
Each time, Little White politely—but firmly—refused.
Yuan Xueyin attempted the same.
The result was identical.
Jealousy began to ferment.
"This fox is too spoiled," Lin Yao muttered one day, watching Yuan Chen gently brush Little White's fur.
Yuan Xueyin nodded in agreement. "She's stolen all his attention."
Yuan Chen ignored them both.
Days passed.
Weeks followed.
Months slipped by quietly.
Four months later, the palace atmosphere had settled into a strange balance—peaceful, warm, and oddly competitive. Lin Yao and Yuan Xueyin still doted on Yuan Chen, still hovered around him, but now there was always an extra presence between them.
Little White.
She grew more energetic, her aura more refined, her intelligence more apparent. Sometimes, she would stare at Yuan Chen for long periods, as if memorizing his presence.
And Yuan Chen—
For the first time in two lives—
Felt truly at ease.
No expectations.
No guilt.
No burden.
Just quiet days spent living for himself.
Then—
Ding.
The sound echoed clearly in his mind.
Yuan Chen froze.
『Enough resting, Host.』
The system's voice sounded unusually serious.
『It's time to move.』
Yuan Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Little White lifted her head.
And just like that—
The peaceful days were about to end.