After the maids had finished their work, night had fallen. Only then did Qian Renxue arrive at the side hall.
At that moment, the smell of wine and the faint scent of foxes mingled in the air inside the hall.
The instant Qian Renxue stepped through the door, she stopped short. Her gaze was immediately seized by the figure in the middle of the hall.
Ye Yunxi sat slumped on the carpet, her hands still loosely bound with rope. Faint red marks circled her wrists.
She was soaked in wine from head to toe. Her ink-black hair clung damply to her cheeks and neck, and her once-gorgeous Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress was drenched in liquor.
It outlined her graceful figure. Her lower abdomen in particular bulged slightly, as if she had drunk so much that her stomach was full, giving her a touch of adorable, tipsy clumsiness.
Most astonishingly, nine fluffy fox tails had slowly unfurled behind her. Their snowy-white fur shimmered with a gentle silver light.
The tips were tinged with pale pink. They swayed lightly, alluring, yet her drunken appearance lent them a fragile, pitiable quality.
Her head drooped, long lashes hanging damply over her eyes. Her cheeks were red as ripe cherries, and she mumbled unconsciously:
"Bad people... stop making me drink... it tastes awful..."
Qian Renxue's breath caught. The little flare of anger she had been nursing vanished in an instant at the sight before her.
She approached slowly and crouched down, her fingertips unconsciously brushing Ye Yunxi's cheek, still dotted with beads of wine.
The cool touch made Ye Yunxi shrink back. Her nine fox tails instinctively curled in front of her.
"Didn't you know to use Soul Power to resist?"
Qian Renxue's voice was far gentler than she had expected, with a slight tremor she hadn't even noticed herself.
With Ye Yunxi's strength, even tied up, forcing the liquor out with Soul Power and resisting the drinking would have been child's play.
Hearing the familiar voice, Ye Yunxi slowly raised her head.
Her peach-blossom eyes were veiled with tears, confused and dewy, like an injured little fox. She looked at Qian Renxue with wounded eyes.
"I don't know... I don't know..."
Her voice was soft and hoarse, thick with a nasal whine. Tears spilled without warning and struck the back of Qian Renxue's hand, making her heart tremble at their heat.
"All I know is... bad people wanted to get me drunk... They forced it into my mouth... I was scared..."
Ye Yunxi pouted as her tears fell faster and faster. Her nine fox tails trembled along with her, as if accusing them of what they had done—or pleading for comfort.
Qian Renxue's heart gave a sharp pang, as if something had seized it and wrenched hard.
She had only wanted to teach this little vixen, who was always making her angry, a lesson—to make her rein in her temper. But seeing her like this...
She was a complete mess, reeking of liquor, with fear still lingering in her eyes. How could Qian Renxue have any thought of teaching her a lesson now? All she felt was a suffocating ache.
She was the one who had ordered the maids to make Ye Yunxi drink. She was the one who had tied her up and left her here to reflect.
Qian Renxue had thought Ye Yunxi would resist with Soul Power as usual and keep brazenly cursing her. But she had forgotten—
Though Ye Yunxi was mischievous and lively, deep down she had this pure, fragile side too.
Qian Renxue reached out. Her fingertips hesitated, but in the end she gently stroked Ye Yunxi's head, awkwardly smoothing her hair.
"Don't cry..."
Only after the words left her mouth did she realize her voice held a faint, barely perceptible rasp.
Feeling her gentle touch, Ye Yunxi felt even more wronged and sobbed.
"Bad person... You're a bad person too... You tied me up... and had someone else force me to drink..."
The nine fox tails unconsciously curled around her arm, their fluffy touch carrying a faint warmth.
Qian Renxue stiffened all over, but didn't push her away. She simply let Ye Yunxi hold her, the ache in her heart growing ever stronger.
She sighed softly, her voice utterly tender. "I was wrong... I won't do it again."
"Xue Qinghe, you really are a heartless bad person. I helped you so much, and this is how you treat me. Don't expect me to help you next time."
With tears in her eyes, Ye Yunxi glared at Qian Renxue, indignant.
You really had the heart to do it. You didn't spare me an ounce of mercy—you actually forced wine down my throat.
"I... I only wanted to teach you a lesson. Who knew you wouldn't resist?"
Qian Renxue was filled with guilt. Who could have known Ye Yunxi wouldn't resist at all?
"You really are heartless."
"Ah, fine. I give up, Crown Prince. You should get some rest."
Qian Renxue knew she couldn't comfort Ye Yunxi in her current state. She untied the ropes binding her hands and feet, then turned and left the side hall.
After the door closed, Ye Yunxi wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and collapsed limply onto the bed.
"Honestly, acting is exhausting!"
Ye Yunxi had barely lain down and caught her breath when the system's cheerful, teasing prompt rang in her mind.
[ Ding! Hidden acting quest triggered: Fox Tears Deceive the Heart, Drive the Crown Prince to Despair ] [ Quest requirements: Make Qian Renxue feel intense guilt, apologize of her own accord, and untie your restraints ] [ Quest rewards: Cultivation breaks directly through to Level 70, Soul Saint! Nine-Tailed Sky Fox Martial Soul purity increases by 5%; the bewitching effect of your fox tails doubles! ]
"It worked at last!"
All trace of the grievance in Ye Yunxi's eyes vanished, replaced by overwhelming delight. The corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably.
A far more powerful surge of warmth than before flooded her body. The bottleneck at Level 68, Soul Emperor, shattered like a sheet of paper. Her Soul Power surged all the way to the threshold of Level 70, Soul Saint!
The nine fox tails behind her suddenly shone with brilliant silver light. Their fur grew even fluffier and softer, while the pink glow at their tips deepened, revealing an aura that was both sacred and bewitching.
With the increase in her Martial Soul's purity, she could clearly feel herself gaining far finer control over her bewitching abilities. Even her five senses had become several times sharper.
"Level 70, Soul Saint..." Ye Yunxi raised a hand and felt the surging Soul Power within her, smiling until her eyes curved. "Qian Renxue's such a sucker. She really was easy to fool."
"All that wine the maids forced down me was worth it."
She rolled over and contentedly rubbed her face against the soft bedding, muttering:
"Want to teach me a lesson next time? Hmph, you'll have to ask whether this Level 70 Soul Saint agrees first. But, well, since you helped me level up, I suppose I can graciously accompany you on the trip to bring the Four Great Families under control."
A Soul Saint ought to be able to teach Qian Renxue a lesson.
Meanwhile, in the Pope's Palace in Spirit City.
On the papal throne, Bibi Dong wore a black robe edged in purple, her hair swept up high. An oppressive aura radiated from her, nearly suffocating anyone nearby.
Hu Liena and Yue Guan stood respectfully below the throne, bowing as they gave a full account of their encounter with Ye Yunxi in Heaven Dou City.
"Your Holiness the Pope, Ye Yunxi truly is extraordinary."
Hu Liena raised her eyes, a complicated look in them. "She is breathtakingly beautiful, born with an alluring constitution. Even my Demon Fox Martial Soul could barely withstand her bewitchment. If Elder Yue Guan hadn't been there, she might have affected my mind."