The scroll contained another report about the Red Fox Clan. One of Bai Qingyue's subordinates had delivered it shortly after his announcement to his troops, and it contained a detailed account of his scout's discoveries thus far.

His mother, Hong Meigui, was not in the Red Fox Clan's territory, and – surprisingly – neither was the Red Fox Clan's princess, the fox goddess to whom his mother hand insisted upon betrothing him.

This piece of news definitely spelled trouble. Bai Qingyue had known for many years that his mother, as well as the elders of the Bai clan, had planned on affirming the union between the two most prominent clans of the Celestial Huli Jing in the Heavenly Realm by a bond of marriage. Precisely and even more so because the previous union between his father and mother had failed so miserably, leaving the clan's political unity highly unstable, which led to the forces among the fox tribes to become divided.

The idea of his marriage to the Red Fox Princess seemed even more reasonable to the majority of the Bai clan because the Princess, in her youth, had often visited the Bai Palace. Many of the resident gods and immortals had gone as far as to whisper amongst themselves and spread rumors about the Red Fox Princess as the future Sovereign Lord's princess consort, since she was one of the only females who had been around and had kept Bai Qingyue company without his outright rejection.

Allowing himself a moment to be honest with his feelings, Bai Qingyue knew that he had not been opposed to the marriage and hadn't downright rejected it up until recently. To him, this union had been just another additional task in a long list of tasks imposed upon him as the reigning Sovereign Fox Lord.

The odds of meeting his fated one had been, after all, slim to none.

However, he did end up meeting his fateful soulmate, and that fact alone changed everything, causing his entire world to turn upside down. It was a fact, which his mother adamantly refused to comprehend.

The bewitchingly beautiful man sighed deeply, a hand held to his forehead in frustration. He did not want to deal with his mother's shenanigans. There were far more pressing matters for him to attend to, such as convincing his wife to become an immortal and warm his bed along the way.

Or, he could warm hers. Though she would need a larger bed for the both of them to fit, he thought.

While Bai Qingyue was occupied with his thoughts, the courtyard grew thick with smoke. Near the entrance, a large grey fox materialized. It had a long snout, bright, narrow eyes, and six fluffy tails swished behind him.

The fox trotted towards Bai Qingyue and bowed low, reverent, nose nearly pressing to the concrete floor.

"Your servant, Lang Ju, is here to report," the fox said, a slur to his voice.

"Rise." Bai Qingyue's eyes never moved from the bamboo scroll.

"Sire, your human disciples have arrived at the assembly," Lang Ju reported.

Bai Qingyue had summoned a few servants to better facilitate his remaining time in the realm before Li Meirong's eventual ascension. As per his father's request, he kept his parent's identity a secret. Bai Zhang's cloaking abilities were peerless; even his own kind were unable to recognize him, though Bai Qingyue was certain his mother, or another high god, would certainly have the ability to do so.

"Very well. Disperse."

Lang Ju bowed once more and vanished.

Bai Qingyue immediately ceased his procrastination. He stood, squeezing the scroll in his palm until it disintegrated into dust, and then briskly made his way towards the main halls.

The halls of his father's palace were a separate structure from the pagoda; it was a mansion meant for ceremonies and gatherings of prominent figures within the sect. As he entered from inside the inner chambers, the first area he reached was the center stage.

Bai Zhang was already seated on an elevated chair towards the front. Bai Qingyue settled himself on the empty seat by his side, one specifically designated for him.

Unlike the previous trial, this was a rather intimate gathering. The first order of business was concerning the destruction of a particular Spirit Beast shop.

Shopkeeper Mu was already present, kowtowing as he narrated his side of the story in a trembling voice.

"She barged into my store and threatened my life; undoubtedly she intended to rob me! Later, she went back and blasted my shop to bits, clearly to hide any evidence. Grandmaster Zhu Zhang, I beseech you, condemn this criminal to the fullest extent of the law!"

His position, bowed as he was, assisted in hiding his smirk. He had made a show of being wronged, barely containing his excitement as he did so.

'Justice shall prevail!' Shopkeeper Mu thought. 'That damned girl should be chopped to pieces! Did she really think she could ruin my life's work and get away with it? Hmph!'

The Shopkeeper was full of confidence. He was a senior inner sect disciple, who had been part of the sect for many years. Despite the girl's superior strength, it would do her no good in front of the frightening Grandmaster of the Bestiary Division.

He raised his head to peer at his superiors. Grandmaster Zhu Zhang's presence was as regal as ever, fingers tapping on the arm of his chair with a look of utter boredom on his face. His coal-black robes and oppressive aura matched the unfamiliar man by his side.

Curious, Shopkeeper Mu inspected the unknown individual a little further. He noted that the pale haired man shared an unmistakable resemblance with the Grandmaster – perhaps they were related? The main difference in their expressions was that the stranger's mouth was stretched into a harsh sneer. His bright, cold eyes glinted with obvious displeasure.

Shopkeeper Mu shivered suddenly, a sense of unease creeping up on him from nowhere.

'Why does it seem as though this scary looking man is annoyed at me? I have never seen him before in my life!'