There exists a fundamental truth known to beings across all realms: the most inconvenient interruptions will invariably occur at precisely the moment one has achieved something resembling peace.

  For mortals, this might manifest as a neighbor's urgent need to borrow rice just as one settles into a warm bath. For cosmic dragons attempting to teach esoteric water philosophy without revealing their true nature, it tends to involve spirit foxes with questionable decision-making skills.

  Xiaolong's evening meditation session with the disciples had progressed remarkably well.

  The gathered students had moved from skepticism to fascination as she guided them through perspectives on water's temporal memory—carefully avoiding mentions of how she'd personally witnessed certain rivers carve three different beds over millennia.

  Li Feng had skillfully redirected the few questions that veered too close to exposing her inhuman understanding, and Elder Liu had nodded with scholarly approval at her philosophical frameworks.

  All told, a rare evening of uncomplicated success in her increasingly complicated existence.

  Which is precisely when the universe, with its cosmic sense of dramatic timing, decided intervention was necessary.

  The commotion began as a distant shout, followed by the distinctive sounds of multiple disciples running with the particular blend of urgency and confusion that suggested something unusual rather than immediately threatening.

  Xiaolong felt the ripple of disturbance in the compound's spiritual energy before any messenger arrived—like concentric circles spreading across a previously calm pond.

  "Something approaches the southern boundary," she murmured to Li Feng, interrupting his closing remarks to the assembled disciples.

  He raised an eyebrow, impressed by her perception. "You sense it from here? The boundary formations are nearly a li away."

  Xiaolong realized her draconic sensitivity had betrayed her again. Humans, even cultivators, shouldn't detect such distant disturbances without specialized techniques. "I've been... practicing extended spiritual awareness," she improvised hastily.

  Before Li Feng could question this further, a junior disciple burst into the meditation pavilion, his robes askew and breath coming in gasps that suggested he'd run the entire distance from the compound's edge.

  "Elder Brother Li!" he managed between heaving breaths. "Intruder at the southern boundary! The formations caught... something... not human!"

  The gathered disciples immediately dissolved into excited whispers. Supernatural intruders were considerably more interesting than philosophical discussions on water essence, no matter how profound.

  Li Feng rose with fluid grace, already shifting from scholarly contemplation to the focused alertness of a senior disciple responsible for compound security.

  "Disciples, return to your quarters," he instructed. "Senior disciples, prepare defensive formations as precaution."

  As the pavilion emptied with varying degrees of reluctance—several younger disciples clearly hoping to witness whatever excitement might unfold—Li Feng turned to Xiaolong. "Would you accompany me? Your unique perspective might prove valuable if we're dealing with an unusual entity."

  The irony of being asked to help identify unusual entities when she herself qualified as perhaps the most unusual entity currently in the mortal realm was not lost on Xiaolong.

  Still, refusing would seem suspicious, and her curiosity had been genuinely piqued.

  "Of course," she agreed, falling into step beside him as they made their way toward the southern boundary at a pace that balanced urgency with dignity—the particular gait of cultivators who wish to appear concerned but not alarmed.

  As they approached the boundary, the spiritual disruption grew more pronounced. Xiaolong recognized the distinctive resonance pattern immediately, though she maintained careful control over her expression.

  "This feels... familiar somehow," she murmured, the understatement of several cosmic epochs.

  The southern boundary of the Azure Waters compound was marked by an elaborate formation of blue-white stones partially submerged in a carefully constructed stream that flowed in precise geometric patterns.

  Under normal circumstances, the formation created a gentle barrier that discouraged casual trespass while allowing authorized visitors to pass unhindered.

  Currently, however, the formation had activated its defensive aspect, manifesting as a shimmering blue dome of water energy that contained what appeared to be—Xiaolong suppressed a very un-draconic groan—a frantically spinning fox with six misty tails.

  Hui Yun.

  The spirit fox was trapped within the barrier, bouncing between the dome's curved surfaces like a particularly energetic rubber ball. With each impact, the barrier flashed brighter blue, and the fox emitted a yelp that somehow managed to sound simultaneously pained and theatrically exaggerated.

  A small crowd of disciples had gathered at a safe distance, watching this spectacle with expressions ranging from concern to poorly concealed amusement.

  Elder Wei stood at the formation's edge, hands clasped behind his back, observing the captured intruder with the particular stillness of a senior cultivator assessing potential threats.

  "Elder Wei," Li Feng greeted with a respectful bow. "I believe I recognize our... guest."

  The elder turned, acknowledging their arrival with a slight nod. "You're familiar with this entity?"

  "Yes, Elder. This is Hui Yun, a six-tailed fox spirit we encountered during our journey through the Ancient Whispering Forest," Li Feng explained. "It served as our guide for a portion of our path."

  As if sensing their arrival, the fox abruptly ceased its frantic bouncing and oriented toward Xiaolong with preternatural precision despite the distorting effect of the water barrier.

  "MOST ESTEEMED AND MAGNIFICENT ONE!" Hui Yun bellowed, voice somehow penetrating the containment formation with the particular resonance spirit beasts used when desiring to be heard across multiple dimensions. "YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT BRINGS URGENT TIDINGS OF GREAT IMPORT!"

  Every disciple within hearing distance turned to stare at Xiaolong.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

  Xiaolong maintained her outward composure through sheer draconic pride while internally contemplating whether the Azure Waters Sect might appreciate a new decorative fountain featuring a permanently petrified fox spirit as its centerpiece.

  "It seems particularly... enthusiastic... about seeing you," Elder Wei observed, his tone neutral but his gaze suddenly sharp with heightened interest.

  "The fox developed an unusual attachment during our forest journey," Li Feng offered, his expression suggesting mild embarrassment on their behalf. "It has a tendency toward theatrical displays."

  "THEATRICAL?" Hui Yun protested, pressing against the barrier. "I bring warnings of cosmic significance to the Great—"

  Xiaolong cut the fox off with a sharp gesture that carried just enough draconic command to penetrate the barrier.

  "Its behavior is certainly atypical for a forest guardian," Elder Wei noted, his gaze shifting between Xiaolong and the now temporarily silenced fox with scholarly interest. "Six-tailed fox spirits typically possess discernment beyond ordinary beasts. Their judgment, while sometimes... eccentric... rarely lacks foundation."

  Before this dangerous line of inquiry could develop further, Li Feng intervened. "Perhaps we should hear what brought it all this way? Spirit beasts rarely leave their territories without significant cause."

  Elder Wei considered this suggestion, then nodded once. "A reasonable approach." He made a subtle gesture toward the formation, and the shimmering dome thinned in one section, creating an opening just large enough for communication without releasing the captive.

  The moment the barrier parted, Hui Yun pressed its face to the opening, eyes gleaming with mischievous intelligence.

  "MOST HONORED AND CELESTIAL—" it began at the same excessive volume.

  "Normal speech will suffice," Xiaolong interrupted firmly. "We can hear you perfectly well without spiritual amplification."

  The fox's ears flattened briefly in acknowledgment before it assumed an expression of exaggerated formality.

  "This humble messenger begs forgiveness for the unconventional arrival," it said, voice now modulated to merely theatrical rather than dimension-spanning. "Urgent matters of mutual ancestral significance require immediate attention from the esteemed water master." It looked directly at Xiaolong with undisguised emphasis.

  "What urgent matters?" Elder Wei inquired, his tone making it clear he expected a direct answer.

  The fox's gaze slid to the elder, then back to Xiaolong, its expression shifting to one of calculated confusion. "This messenger was entrusted with tidings for the...esteemed water master's ears alone," it hedged. "Matters of philosophical lineage and traditional obligations that transcend ordinary understanding."

  Xiaolong recognized the obvious attempt to create private communication. Equally obvious was the impossibility of such privacy while trapped in a formation surrounded by curious disciples.

  "The spirit beast seems quite convinced of your special significance," Elder Wei observed, turning his full attention to Xiaolong. "An interesting dynamic for someone you described merely as a 'guide.'"

  The situation was deteriorating rapidly. Hui Yun's presence alone wasn't immediately catastrophic, but the fox's inability to maintain subtle communication threatened to expose far too much about her true nature.

  "We did form an unusual connection during our forest passage," Xiaolong acknowledged, choosing her words with careful precision. "The spirit fox assisted us at a critical juncture and seems to have developed some exaggerated perception of my abilities."

  From within the barrier, Hui Yun made a sound suspiciously like a snort. "Exaggerated? One might suggest precisely the opposite—a profound understatement of truly cosmic—"

  "Perhaps," Xiaolong interrupted with deliberate loudness, "the spirit is simply being dramatic? Forest guardians are known for their peculiar sense of importance."

  "Oh, there is no exaggeration whatsoever," Hui Yun countered with cheerful certainty. "This servant recognizes the Great One regardless of whatever diminished vessel currently contains her magnificent—"

  "Enough!" Xiaolong snapped, a hint of draconic command bleeding into her voice.

  The water in the barrier formation rippled in response, and several nearby disciples took involuntary steps backward, their expressions shifting from curiosity to uncertainty.

  Elder Wei's eyes narrowed at this display of unusual spiritual influence. "Interesting," he murmured, almost to himself. "Most interesting indeed."

  Li Feng, once again demonstrating his remarkable talent for diplomatic intervention, stepped forward. "Elder Wei, if I might suggest—the spirit fox clearly traveled some distance with specific purpose. While its methods are unorthodox, perhaps its message deserves consideration? I could oversee a more controlled conversation away from the boundary formations."

  The elder considered this proposal with the particular stillness of a senior cultivator weighting multiple factors simultaneously. After a moment that stretched uncomfortably, he nodded once.

  "A reasonable approach," he agreed. "However, considering the unusual nature of this visitation, I believe proper protocols require oversight." He turned to address a senior disciple standing nearby. "Prepare the Spirit Communication Pavilion. We will relocate the entity there for proper questioning."

  This was not the private conversation Xiaolong had hoped for, but at least it would move Hui Yun away from the increasingly large crowd of curious onlookers.

  With precise movements, Elder Wei manipulated the formation, transforming the containment dome into a transportable sphere that hovered slightly above the ground.

  Within this floating prison, Hui Yun sat with the peculiar dignity only spirit foxes could maintain while being essentially rolled across a cultivation compound like an oversized blue marble.

  As they proceeded toward the inner compound, disciples gathering along the path to witness this unusual procession, Hui Yun caught Xiaolong's eye and winked—an unnervingly human gesture from a beast that should have been appropriately cowed by its circumstance.

  "This changes nothing regarding our journey's purpose," the fox announced with theatrical projection. "The message remains essential despite these minor inconveniences."

  "I'm sure it does," Xiaolong replied with glacial politeness that contained the unspoken promise of creative retribution at the earliest opportunity.

  "The spirit seems remarkably unconcerned by its capture," Elder Wei observed, glancing between Xiaolong and the imprisoned fox with undisguised interest. "Almost as if it expected this particular outcome."

  "Fox spirits often appear to welcome complications other beings would avoid," Li Feng offered diplomatically. "During our forest journey, it seemed to deliberately create situations it found entertaining."

  Within the floating barrier, Hui Yun nodded with exaggerated agreement. "Indeed! Some journeys require apparent setbacks to achieve true purposes. Just as certain beings must temporarily accept limitation to achieve greater understanding."

  The pointed parallel to Xiaolong's own reverse cultivation journey was about as subtle as a mountain falling on a village. She projected a wave of disapproval toward the fox, who responded by briefly closing one eye in another disconcertingly human wink.

  As they reached the Spirit Communication Pavilion—a small, six-sided structure designed specifically for safely containing and communicating with non-human entities—Elder Wei gestured for the senior disciples to position the containment formation at the pavilion's center.

  "Fellow Daoist Xiaolong," he said, turning to address her directly, "since this spirit clearly bears some message for you specifically, you may lead the questioning. However—" his gaze sharpened with unmistakable authority, "—given the unusual nature of its arrival and its specific interest in a visiting cultivator, I will observe the proceedings."

  It wasn't a request. The elder's tone made it clear this was a requirement, not a suggestion.

  "Of course," Xiaolong agreed with outward equanimity. "I'm equally curious about what could prompt such dramatic entrance."

  As disciples established the proper formations to transfer the fox from the transportable barrier to the pavilion's permanent containment system, Hui Yun began humming an ancient draconic melody—one traditionally sung during the hatching of noble dragon offspring.

  Xiaolong closed her eyes briefly, summoning patience that had once allowed her to observe continental plates shift without boredom.

  The coming conversation promised to test five thousand years of carefully cultivated draconic composure in ways no cosmic catastrophe ever had.

  Behind her, Li Feng placed a steadying hand briefly on her shoulder—a gesture of support that carried surprising comfort despite its simplicity.

  "Water finds paths even through stone barriers," he murmured, the cultivation metaphor carrying multiple layers of meaning between them.

  Indeed it did.

  But first, she would need to prevent a certain fox from creating floods that drowned everyone in revelations they weren't prepared to navigate.