Dao Yu Yue's long-dormant desire to play the teacher resurfaced.
Xing Yuan, lazily basking in the sun in the courtyard, was unceremoniously scooped up by Dao Yu Yue.
With a serious expression, she declared, "Cultivate with me!"
Xing Yuan: (´ﾟwﾟ)
No! A flood of unpleasant memories washed over her. She struggled a few times, but her short legs and weak cultivation were clearly insufficient to escape her sister's grasp.
"Can I refuse?" Xing Yuan asked cautiously.
Dao Yu Yue shook her head, giving Xing Yuan a look that said 'dream on.' She spoke righteously, "Although I'm here to help you, if you don't cultivate diligently, how can you transform into human form sooner?"
Such familiar words! Xing Yuan sighed.
She had been coaxed into cultivating by her sister in the same way. However, her sister's words held truth. As long as she remained a pet, she would only be a pet at best. Once she transformed, things would be different.
With this goal in mind, Xing Yuan became diligent once more.
The Grand Tutor's manor was vast, and many people came daily to offer gifts and pay their respects. However, Dao Yu Yue rarely paid them any mind.
But ever since Xing Yuan began residing in the Grand Tutor's manor, Dao Yu Yue had developed a habit of grooming Xing Yuan's fur daily.
Fox fur was soft, but foxes were not a quiet species, so Xing Yuan's fur would always be messy. Dao Yu Yue simply couldn't stand it.
Even the plants in her manor were meticulously arranged, and the servants wore neat, uniform clothing. She could tolerate a fox living with her, but this fox ought to maintain its cleanliness.
Xing Yuan was a rather rebellious fox. Ever since she discovered that someone would tidy her fur when it got messy, she became even more unrestrained. She frolicked in the courtyard all day, occasionally plucking a couple of flowers to offer Dao Yu Yue.
Dao Yu Yue sat in the courtyard, her eyes curved as she watched the mischievous fox. Seeing the broken flower stems, she sighed helplessly.
While instructing someone to prune the plants, she couldn't bring herself to scold the culprit.
In the end, after cleaning the little fox, she playfully ruffled her fur as a form of punishment.
The little fox was spoiled!
She was completely immune to Dao Yu Yue's mild punishment, even going so far as to nip her hand with her tiny teeth.
"Stop fooling around!" Dao Yu Yue chided with a smile in her eyes, her voice gentle.
The little fox grunted, but eventually let go.
She rolled twice in Dao Yu Yue's embrace, emitting beast-like purrs that were incredibly endearing.
Looking at the little fox's demeanor, Dao Yu Yue's expression softened even further.
She was now quite certain of her conjecture. In this world, a small beast that could completely withstand her cold reprimands, had the courage to throw a tantrum after making a mistake, and could act cute and coquettish – there was likely only one such creature in existence!
Xing Yuan felt that her sister was treating her better and better. She hadn't even gotten angry when Xing Yuan ruined her garden; it seemed she had been completely won over by her cuteness.
She knew it; her sister still favored her in her pet form the most.
Amidst the peaceful passage of time, a servant hurried over and respectfully asked, "Grand Tutor! The Consort has come to visit. Should we let her in?"
Dao Yu Yue looked down at the little fox, who was oblivious and nestled on her lap. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Please invite her in!"
Perhaps the little fox also wished to see her kin!
Xing Yuan lay quietly, her ears perked up as she heard footsteps. She then sensed an aura of the same origin.
The Consort who had arrived was, like her, a fox spirit.
Ling Su Su took a deep breath and walked in.
To be honest, she was quite afraid of this Grand Tutor. After all, a few years ago, when her identity was exposed, she had almost been annihilated.
If the Emperor hadn't protected her, arranged this identity for her, and found her a nominal father, she would likely have had to return to that fox mountain in disgrace, just like her sisters.
"Consort, please be seated," Dao Yu Yue said politely.
"Serve tea!"
"No need! I'll be leaving soon," Ling Su Su gently declined.
Her expression was one of surprise. She had initially suspected that the Grand Tutor had ulterior motives for inexplicably taking in a little fox from her clan. However, she hadn't expected this fox to be so favored as to be resting on the Grand Tutor's lap.
"Very well," Dao Yu Yue nodded lightly, as if her earlier invitation had merely been a formality.
She stroked Xing Yuan's fur rhythmically. Even though Xing Yuan knew the person sitting opposite was of the same kind, she had no desire to greet her, as it was simply too comfortable.
Dao Yu Yue was naturally imbued with spiritual energy and possessed profound cultivation. Even though she wasn't intentionally channeling spiritual energy to Xing Yuan, it naturally flowed from her hands onto Xing Yuan.
"Actually, I came to inquire about her. But since the Grand Tutor likes her so much, it's also good for this child to cultivate with you," Ling Su Su said tactfully.
"Naturally!" Dao Yu Yue nodded lightly, showing no hint of modesty.
She said without reservation, "Although her foundation is not good, she is very much to my liking. If she cultivates with me in the future, it's not impossible for her to attain enlightenment and become an immortal one day."
Xing Yuan twitched her ears slightly. Who wanted to attain enlightenment and become an immortal?
But Ling Su Su looked at Dao Yu Yue with reverence. "Since that is the case, I will trouble the Grand Tutor."
Ling Su Su stood up and bid farewell. "I was entrusted by someone to check on her. Since there is no issue, I shall take my leave."
"Mm," Dao Yu Yue nodded lightly, maintaining a cold and aloof demeanor.
Xing Yuan: ...
Wait! Neither of you is going to ask for my opinion? Do I have no fox rights?
Dao Yu Yue seemed to understand the grievance in her eyes and gently stroked her head. "Be good! Children should listen to their elders."
Xing Yuan felt even more wronged. She no longer allowed herself to be held and sulkily ran to a corner to lie down.
Dao Yu Yue chuckled, thinking to herself, "Her temperament is still the same as ever."
One day, Dao Yu Yue sensed a demon with a strong aura of blood entering the capital. She seemed to have thought of something and immediately scooped Xing Yuan up.
"Are you taking me out to play?" Xing Yuan, completely unaware, was very excited.
"Mm~ You could say that," Dao Yu Yue paused for a second before nodding very seriously.
"I need to take care of something shortly. After that, we'll wander around the capital together."
"Okay~" Xing Yuan instantly nestled obediently in Dao Yu Yue's embrace, afraid of making her uncomfortable.
Dao Yu Yue chuckled, holding the fox in one hand and a compass in the other to locate the demon.
Soon, she encountered the ox demon with its blood-red aura.
A peach wood sword instantly appeared in her hand. With a light step, she was before the ox demon.
With a mere wave, the peach wood sword magnified infinitely in the ox demon's eyes. He felt as if he were frozen, wanting to resist but utterly unable to move. He could only watch as his body was split in two.