Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
The new heartbeat echoed in the darkness, a tiny spark of warmth in a world governed by ice.
Far away from the fertile lands of the Central Plains, far beyond the reach of the righteous human sects, lay the Extreme North of the Jade Dynasty world. It was a brutal, unforgiving wasteland. Here, snow fell relentlessly in all four seasons.
The freezing winds howled like dying ghosts, carrying ice shards sharp enough to cut through normal steel. Even skilled human cultivators avoided this frozen hell, for the cold could easily freeze a man's spiritual energy and shatter his meridians.
However, deep within this white nightmare, a miracle of nature existed.
If one were brave enough to travel through the endless blizzards, they would eventually find a massive ring of towering mountains. These jagged peaks stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a perfect circle, acting as a gigantic, natural fortress wall. This mountain ring was a miracle of geography. It blocked the deadly northern winds and regulated the temperature inside.
While it was still cold within the valley—a crisp, biting chill—it was nothing like the deadly wasteland outside.
Once a traveler crossed the mountain perimeter, they would be absolutely astonished. Hidden inside this protective ring was not a barren wasteland, but a breathtaking, sprawling city.
Beautiful homes carved from ancient, dark wood and pure white stone lined the valley floor. Elegant bridges arched over rivers of crystal-clear, half-frozen water. Massive pavilions with curved roofs reached toward the sky, glowing softly with the light of spiritual lanterns.
The architecture was so grand, so perfectly integrated with the snowy nature around it, that it easily rivaled the prestigious human sects like Qing Yun Mountain or Tian Yin Temple.
This was the ancestral base of the Celestial Fox Clan. A hidden paradise for the royalty of the demon world.
Currently, the valley was quiet, covered in a fresh blanket of morning snow.
Walking down a paved stone path toward the highest mountain in the valley was a man. He wore luxurious, silver-threaded silk robes that looked far too thin for the cold, yet the snow seemed to melt before it even touched his shoulders. He was in a human form, boasting handsome, sharp features and long silver hair. However, his eyes were incredibly narrow, glowing with a faint, cunning yellow light.
He was Hu Lie, a powerful Seven-Tailed Fox.
He walked with an arrogant, haughty stride. He did not bother to hide his spiritual aura, letting the heavy pressure of his cultivation roll off him in waves. He was in the equivalent of the human's Shangqing Realm—the Supreme Pure level. In the entire world, only sect leaders and senior elders possessed such power. Because of this, Hu Lie believed he was above the rules.
He walked past the beautiful pavilions and headed straight for a massive, gaping cavern near the peak of the mountain. This was the Sacred Cave, a prohibited area restricted to almost everyone in the clan.
Two elite Fox Guards, heavily armored and holding long ice-spears, immediately crossed their weapons to block the entrance.
"Halt, Lord Hu Lie," one of the guards said firmly, though a hint of nervousness leaked into his voice. "The Matriarch is resting. No one is allowed inside without a direct summons."
Hu Lie stopped. A cruel, mocking sneer formed on his handsome face. He didn't even draw a weapon. He simply released a burst of his Shangqing spiritual pressure.
A heavy, invisible force slammed into the two guards. They grunted, their knees buckling under the immense weight of his aura. They were forced to take a step back, their crossed spears parting.
"Do you blind fools know who I am?" Hu Lie hissed, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I am the father of the child she carries. The future King of this valley. Do not dare to block my path again."
Ignoring the struggling guards, Hu Lie flicked his sleeves and slowly walked into the cave.
The inside of the Sacred Cave was a stark contrast to the simple snow outside. It was a marvel of the natural world. The walls were heavily carved and embedded with thousands of precious, glowing gems.
Deep blue sapphires and pale white moonstones pulsed with rich Yin energy, lighting up the tunnel like a starry night sky. The air here was thick with spiritual power, so dense it almost felt like breathing water.
Hu Lie moved deeper into the inner chamber.
In the center of the massive room was a pool of glowing spiritual liquid. And resting on a bed of smooth, flat jade stones beside the pool was the true ruler of the valley.
She was not in a human form.
She was a mountain of pristine, snow-white fur. She was massive, her body radiating an ancient, terrifying power that made even Hu Lie's Shangqing aura feel like a tiny candle next to a roaring bonfire. Spread out behind her, resting softly against the gem-studded walls, were nine distinct, massive tails. They looked like fluffy, white clouds, gently swaying even while she slept.
This was Xiao Bai. The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox. The Matriarch of the Celestial Fox Clan.
The moment Hu Lie's boots clicked against the stone floor of the inner chamber, the Matriarch's giant ears twitched.
Her eyes snapped open.
They were large, beautiful, and deeply intelligent, but currently, they were filled with a sharp, dangerous light. A low, vibrating growl echoed from deep within her massive chest. The sound alone caused the glowing gems on the walls to flicker and the water in the pool to ripple violently.