The Spirit Communication Pavilion of the Azure Waters Sect had been designed to contain and communicate with spiritual entities in a controlled environment. Its six walls bore water-based containment formations refined over centuries, its ceiling featured cloud patterns that absorbed excess spiritual energy, and its floor contained arrays capable of detecting even the subtlest escape attempts.

  It had never, however, been designed to contain the sheer, unmitigated audacity of a six-tailed fox spirit with the self-restraint of a drunken poet at an imperial critique session.

  "—and so the northeast squirrel folks say acorns should go to whoever's grandpa lived there first, but southwest squirrels think hungry squirrels should get more nuts," Hui Yun rambled, somehow having transformed a straightforward interrogation into an hour-long discourse on forest politics. "Makes autumn gatherings super awkward when—"

  "Hui Yun," Xiaolong interrupted, her patience worn thinner than a dragon's excuses at a treasure-sharing ceremony, "perhaps we might focus on the urgent message you claimed to bring?"

  The fox paused mid-gesture (it had manifested tiny spirit-squirrels arguing over ghostly acorn piles) and blinked with theatrical surprise.

  "But context! Need background! How can you appreciate my heroic journey without knowing what important job I abandoned as third helper to the seventh deputy's assistant nut-counter?"

  Elder Wei, who had maintained perfect stillness throughout this ordeal, opened one eye.

  "The spirit has been speaking for precisely one hour and seven minutes," he noted with the tone of someone calculating the exact value of their wasted time, "yet has conveyed nothing meaningful."

  "Common mistake!" Hui Yun's tail-tips dissolved into mist with indignation. "Big meaning hides in small details! Look at acorns—tiny things, but inside is whole tree waiting to—"

  "Hui Yun." Xiaolong's voice carried just enough draconic resonance to make the containment formations ripple. "The message. Now."

  The fox's ears flattened before perking up again. "Sure! But first, got any snacks? Long trip, you know, and proper guest-treatment says—"

  Something inside Xiaolong—perhaps the last remnant of draconic patience cultivated over five millennia of cosmic existence—snapped with an almost audible crack.

  "ENOUGH!" she thundered, momentarily forgetting every careful limitation she'd placed on herself.

  Several things happened simultaneously.

  The containment formations flared brilliant blue. The floor beneath Xiaolong cracked in a perfect circle. Every drop of water in the pavilion—including Elder Wei's tea—levitated briefly before splashing down in defiance of gravity.

  Most concerning of all, Xiaolong felt the dimensional pocket where she'd stored most of her draconic mass suddenly hiccup like a startled toad.

  Mass redistribution, it turned out, required ongoing concentration.

  With a sensation akin to having several mountains suddenly stuffed back into a handbag, Xiaolong's physical form reclaimed its true cosmic density while maintaining human dimensions—a metaphysical contradiction that reality found deeply objectionable.

  The pavilion floor, despite being reinforced with materials specifically selected to withstand spiritual outbursts, surrendered immediately to physics' indignation.

  Xiaolong plunged through the stone like it was particularly fragile rice paper, creating a perfectly Xiaolong-shaped hole with the specific sound of several centuries of careful craftsmanship being utterly demolished in an instant.

  She fell approximately ten feet into the storage area beneath the pavilion, landing with a crash that sent carefully organized ritual implements flying in all directions, before the floor of that chamber also objected to suddenly having to support the weight of a cosmic entity.

  This resulted in a second Xiaolong-shaped hole and another short drop.

  By the time reality and architecture reached an uneasy compromise, Xiaolong found herself three levels beneath the original pavilion, surrounded by broken stone, scattered cultivation supplies, and the particular silence that follows catastrophic structural failure.

  Above, through the perfect vertical tunnel her descent had created, she could see Elder Wei and Li Feng peering down with expressions of profound concern and carefully restrained alarm, respectively.

  And between them, Hui Yun's vulpine face appeared, its expression conveying something between unholy delight and smug vindication.

  "Getting all emotional messes up your dragon-squishing magic," the fox called down cheerfully. "Want me to keep talking about squirrels while you unstick yourself from the basement?"

  If dragons could blush—a physiological impossibility given their scaled nature—Xiaolong would have been luminescent. As it was, she felt like she'd accidentally shown up to a formal Imperial gathering wearing nothing but mismatched socks and an inappropriate smile.

  "I'm perfectly fine," she called up with all the dignity she could muster while lying in a Xiaolong-shaped crater. "Minor cultivation feedback. Nothing concerning."

  Li Feng's expression suggested he found this explanation somewhat lacking, given that she had just punched through three solid floors like an angry immortal playing a particularly destructive children's game.

  "Perhaps," he suggested diplomatically, "we should continue this discussion in a more... structurally reinforced location."

  "An excellent suggestion," Elder Wei agreed, his voice betraying nothing beyond mild scholarly interest. "The Western Contemplation Chamber features stone reinforced with iron-essence formations. It was designed for... particularly vigorous spiritual manifestations."

  The unspoken implication hung in the air: it was designed for containing potentially dangerous entities whose power might damage standard facilities. The fact that Xiaolong now qualified for this category represented a significant reclassification of her perceived threat level.

  Getting out of the crater proved nearly as problematic as creating it. Xiaolong's first attempt to stand resulted in her sinking ankle-deep into solid stone.

  Her second attempt, compensating for this tendency by shifting her weight distribution, sent her shooting upward with excessive force, nearly propelling her back through the holes she'd created before she caught herself on the edge of the ruined pavilion floor.

  Hui Yun, still safely contained within the portable barrier formation (which had somehow maintained integrity despite the structural collapse around it), watched these gymnastics with the particular delight of one witnessing cosmic comeuppance.

  "Gravity really likes you today," it observed with innocent malice. "Maybe it recognizes your true... heaviness."

  Xiaolong shot the fox a glare that, in her true form, would have reduced entire mountain ranges to smoldering glass. In her current form, it merely made the containment barrier flicker slightly.

  Elder Wei looked thoughtfully between Xiaolong and the vertical shaft she'd created. "Fellow Daoist Xiaolong," he said neutrally, "your cultivation technique appears to produce some... unusual physical effects."

  "A rare meridian alignment interaction," Xiaolong improvised, still trying to adjust her dimensional displacement to achieve something resembling normal human mass. "Occasionally creates temporary density fluctuations."

  "Indeed." The elder's tone suggested he found this explanation interesting rather than convincing. "Most unusual."

  Li Feng, displaying his remarkable diplomatic skills, smoothly redirected the conversation. "The Western Contemplation Chamber should provide more appropriate surroundings for our visitor's questioning. Perhaps we might proceed there while maintenance disciples address these... structural adjustments?"

  This tactful reframing of "catastrophic architectural failure" as "structural adjustments" nearly broke Xiaolong's carefully reconstructed composure.

  She managed a dignified nod, though internally she calculated the cultivation resources required to repair damage that would have bankrupted small kingdoms in earlier human epochs.

  With careful movements resembling someone walking on particularly thin ice (which, from a weight distribution perspective, wasn't entirely inaccurate), Xiaolong followed the procession toward the Western Contemplation Chamber.

  Each step required conscious adjustment of her mass displacement, creating a peculiar gait that looked like someone simultaneously trying not to sink through the floor while also attempting not to float away entirely.

  The Western Contemplation Chamber proved considerably more suitable for containing potential disasters. Its circular design featured walls of dark iron-infused stone covered in flowing water that circulated through channels carved with stabilization formations.

  The ceiling rose to a considerable height, culminating in a dome inscribed with containment arrays disguised as decorative cloudscapes.

  The floor—most importantly—consisted of solid bedrock reinforced with multiple layers of spiritual hardening techniques.

  Hui Yun had already been transferred to the center of the chamber, where a permanent containment formation provided more sophisticated capabilities than the portable barrier. The fox sat within this new enclosure with the particular posture of one who finds their current circumstance amusing rather than concerning.

  "Now," Xiaolong said as she carefully lowered herself onto a stone bench specifically designed to support considerable spiritual weight, "perhaps we might finally address the actual purpose of this visit?"

  Hui Yun's tails swished with undisguised pleasure at finally having a properly attentive audience. "Sure! Though understanding would be better with my background about east tributary nut-disputes, which directly impacted my ability to—"

  "Hui Yun." Xiaolong's tone carried warning without draconic power this time, having learned her lesson about emotional outbursts.

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  "Fine, fine." The fox arranged itself into a formal posture that somehow managed to convey both diplomatic gravity and theatrical performance. "This humble fox brings news from Whispering Forest—and certain nosy folks beyond its trees."

  This careful framing, while technically accurate, revealed nothing significant while sounding impressively official.

  Xiaolong recognized the tactic from countless draconic court proceedings—speaking at length without conveying actual information until political positioning could be established.

  "And the nature of these tidings?" Elder Wei prompted, his patience visibly thinning.

  The fox's gaze slid between Xiaolong and the elder with calculated assessment. "Forest has seen weird... movements... among certain ancient big-shots. Pattern-changes beyond normal cycles. Great powers waking up after long naps."

  This vague mysticism, delivered with profound solemnity, was classic spirit beast communication—technically truthful while being almost entirely useless.

  "These movements concern Fellow Daoist Xiaolong specifically?" Elder Wei inquired, his scholarly attention now fully engaged.

  "Water-master's journey makes ripples beyond mortal seeing," Hui Yun confirmed cryptically. "Those who watch from high places have noticed her unusual path-walking."

  Xiaolong recognized exactly what the fox was doing—conveying just enough information to justify its journey while revealing nothing that would immediately expose her true nature. The reference to "those who watch from high places" clearly indicated dragon attention without naming them directly.

  "I see," she said carefully. "And did these... observers... send specific messages, or merely general awareness of their interest?"

  Hui Yun's ears twitched with subtle approval of her careful framing. "Both. Big-shots now paying attention. Questions about missing person from traditional territories. Special message from silver-night one—a particular... relation... who says she understands your weird explorations."

  The message was clear enough to Xiaolong without being explicit enough to alarm Elder Wei. Yinlong had noticed her absence and was offering support, but also warning that explanations would eventually be required.

  "Interesting that entities beyond the Ancient Whispering Forest would take such specific interest in a visiting cultivator," Elder Wei observed, his gaze shifting between fox and Xiaolong with scholarly assessment.

  "This one walks strange paths," Hui Yun replied cryptically. "Those who recognize true big-importance naturally get curious."

  While this conversation unfolded with its careful layers of concealment and implication, Xiaolong noticed Li Feng observing with uncharacteristic intensity.

  His usual diplomatic neutrality had given way to focused attention that suggested he was piecing together fragments of understanding—not necessarily comprehending the full truth, but certainly recognizing there was more occurring than surface appearances indicated.

  Before Elder Wei could pursue further questioning, Hui Yun abruptly shifted tactics with the particular randomness spirit beasts were known for.

  "Enough serious talk!" it declared, tails suddenly swishing with renewed energy. "This fox traveled far and got stuffed in uncomfortable magic bubble. Where's my tour? My snacks? My fancy sleeping spot?"

  This sudden pivot from solemn messenger to demanding guest created the conversational equivalent of a carriage taking a sharp turn at high speed. Elder Wei blinked, momentarily thrown by the tonal whiplash.

  "Spirit entities typically require minimal physical accommodation," he pointed out, regaining his composure.

  "Regular spirits maybe," Hui Yun agreed dismissively. "But six-tail forest guardian of my special lineage needs specific comfort-things for optimal functioning. Silk cushions ideally, though cloud-cotton works if necessary. Daily spirit-fruits—especially five-color ones from your west garden. Regular spirit-cleansing baths with proper mineral mix—"

  "Hui Yun," Xiaolong interrupted, recognizing the fox was deliberately creating distraction through outrageous demands. "I'm certain the Azure Waters Sect can provide reasonable accommodations without unnecessary extravagance."

  "Reasonable?" The fox's expression shifted to theatrical outrage. "After my heroic journey across seven boundaries? After giving up my important squirrel-dispute supervision job? After braving nasty cultivation traps and suffering undignified bubble-imprisonment? Just 'reasonable' accommodation?"

  The performance was so perfectly calibrated to seem like typical spirit beast entitlement rather than calculated distraction that even Elder Wei's lips twitched slightly in what might have been the ghost of amusement.

  "Perhaps," Li Feng suggested diplomatically, "we might establish appropriate arrangements that balance honored guest protocols with practical considerations?"

  "A reasonable compromise," Elder Wei agreed, clearly relieved to move from cryptic warnings about ancient observers toward more manageable logistics. "As the spirit appears specifically connected to Fellow Daoist Xiaolong, perhaps she might assume responsibility for its presence during its stay?"

  This suggestion—framed as considerate arrangement rather than suspicious monitoring—nevertheless achieved the same practical outcome: placing Xiaolong in charge of controlling Hui Yun's movements and activities within the sect compound.

  "A sensible approach," Xiaolong agreed, recognizing both the courtesy and the constraint this arrangement represented. "I take full responsibility for ensuring our visitor maintains appropriate behavior."

  At these words, Hui Yun's expression shifted to one of such exaggerated innocence that even a newborn infant would have found it suspicious. "This humble guardian shall follow all proper rules with perfect compliance," it declared with a formality that somehow managed to sound like its exact opposite.

  Elder Wei nodded once, apparently satisfied with this arrangement. "Senior Disciple Tao, please adjust the binding parameters to create a companion-level restriction rather than full containment. The spirit may accompany Fellow Daoist Xiaolong within agreed boundaries."

  As the senior disciple modified the formation, transforming it from prison to leash, Hui Yun's expression shifted from theatrical solemnity to poorly concealed satisfaction. The fox clearly recognized that it had achieved exactly what it wanted—integration into the sect compound with Xiaolong as its designated handler.

  The modified containment took the form of a subtle blue collar around the fox's neck, connected by an almost invisible thread of spiritual energy to a corresponding bracelet that materialized around Xiaolong's wrist.

  The connection would allow Hui Yun freedom of movement within approximately ten paces of Xiaolong, while preventing any significant separation.

  "Junior Disciple Lin will guide you to appropriate accommodations in the eastern courtyard," Elder Wei informed them, his tone making it clear the formal audience had concluded. "I trust you will ensure your... companion... respects sect boundaries and protocols."

  The phrase "or there will be consequences" remained tactfully unspoken but hung in the air with unmistakable clarity.

  "Of course, Elder Wei," Xiaolong agreed with appropriate formality. "I appreciate the sect's generous accommodation of this unexpected situation."

  As they followed Junior Disciple Lin from the chamber, Hui Yun trotted alongside Xiaolong with the particular bounce in its step that suggested everything was proceeding according to some inscrutable vulpine plan.

  "Wasn't that fun?" it whispered once they were beyond immediate earshot of the elder. "Such elegant talking-dancing! Now I get perfect watching-spot for your weird dragon-shrinking while delivering messages when needed!"

  "Fun is not the word I would choose," Xiaolong replied through barely moving lips. "Catastrophic comes closer to the mark."

  "Catastrophic?" The fox's tails swished with amusement. "You only broke three floors! In big-dragon form, you could've smashed the whole mountain with one tail-flick. Pretty good restraint, I'd say!"

  Before Xiaolong could formulate a suitably scathing response that wouldn't be overheard by their guide, Li Feng fell into step beside them, his expression suggesting he had questions that diplomacy was currently restraining.

  "Your spirit friend seems to have achieved precisely its desired outcome," he observed carefully. "Almost as though the capture and interrogation were part of its plan rather than unfortunate accidents."

  "Hui Yun operates according to logic comprehensible only to itself," Xiaolong replied, shooting a warning glance at the fox. "Its methods are as mysterious as they are irritating."

  "Not mysterious!" Hui Yun protested cheerfully. "Just smart! Direct approach never works with rule-followers. Better to make situation where they think they're controlling you while actually giving exactly what you wanted!"

  This disturbingly accurate description of manipulation tactics could have come directly from a draconic political manual. Xiaolong was beginning to suspect the fox had spent entirely too much time studying powers far beyond its station.

  "And what exactly did you want?" Li Feng inquired, his tone casual but his attention sharp.

  "To deliver important message while watching interesting cultivation experiment, of course!" Hui Yun's innocent explanation was technically truthful while revealing almost nothing—another tactic straight from draconic political playbooks.

  Before this dangerous conversation could develop further, they arrived at the eastern courtyard, where a small structure had been hastily prepared for spirit entity accommodation. The building featured a simple but elegant design, with formation-inscribed walls that would contain spiritual energies while providing a comfortable environment for non-human visitors.

  "These will be your accommodations," Junior Disciple Lin explained, gesturing toward the structure with appropriate respect for a spirit entity regardless of its somewhat chaotic arrival. "Additional requirements can be addressed through proper requests submitted to the quarters management disciples."

  "Ooh, forms and procedures and approval-chains—just like home!" Hui Yun exclaimed, tails swishing with inexplicable enthusiasm. "Though I notice distinct lack of silk cushions and spirit-fruit offerings..."

  "Basic comforts will be provided," the junior disciple clarified with the patience of someone who deals regularly with demanding visitors. "Specialized requests require senior approval."

  "I'm certain these accommodations will prove more than adequate," Xiaolong interjected before the fox could launch into another elaborate list of outrageous demands. "Thank you for your assistance, Junior Disciple Lin."

  Once the disciple had departed with obvious relief, Xiaolong turned her full attention to Hui Yun, who was inspecting its new quarters with the meticulous assessment of a particularly fussy innkeeper.

  "Air-flow acceptable, spirit-circulation reasonable, barrier-formations functional but boring," it muttered, nose twitching as it analyzed the environment. "Cushions sub-standard and humidity about seven percent too low for optimal fox-comfort."

  "Why are you really here?" Xiaolong demanded, cutting through the fox's performance. "The message about Yinlong's awareness could have been delivered in the forest without this elaborate infiltration."

  Hui Yun's expression shifted from fussy assessment to shrewd calculation in an instant.

  "Messages have layers, just like journeys have purposes," it replied, suddenly sounding far less frivolous. "Some things need direct watching, not just second-hand reporting."

  "What things?"

  "Your transformation, obviously." The fox settled onto its haunches, regarding her with unexpected seriousness. "Forest sees much but understands little about your weird path-walking. No dragon ever willingly did reverse cultivation before—the process makes ripples across many realms. Someone must watch and record these effects directly."

  "And you appointed yourself to this task?"

  "I volunteered when others ran away." Hui Yun's tone carried a hint of genuine pride beneath its usual theatricality. "Few spirits willingly get close to dragons, even shrinking ones. I have both the right seeing-skills and proper temperament for extended watching."

  This explanation, delivered without the fox's usual circumlocution, carried the ring of truth. Xiaolong found herself reassessing the spirit beast's presence—perhaps it wasn't merely an irritation but something more deliberate.

  "And what exactly do you intend to observe during this 'extended watching'?" she inquired, not entirely convinced of the fox's benign intentions.

  "Everything!" Hui Yun's enthusiasm returned full force. "How fifth scale wobbles when you forget yourself! How your essence flickers between cosmic and mortal! How water-boy interactions speed up change-processes! The whole unprecedented metaphysical restructuring of cosmic entity choosing less-power over more-power!"

  This detailed catalog of intimate personal transformation was precisely what Xiaolong had feared. Having Hui Yun as a constant companion meant having a continuous witness to her most vulnerable moments—a concept utterly antithetical to draconic nature, which demanded perfect control and dignity at all times.

  "You will maintain appropriate discretion," she informed the fox, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "No discussions of scales, transformation, or my true nature where others might overhear."

  "Of course, of course!" Hui Yun agreed with suspicious readiness. "Complete quietness! Perfect secret-keeping! Except, naturally, when circumstances require tactical truth-telling for your own benefit."

  "No 'tactical truth-telling' whatsoever," Xiaolong clarified with dangerous emphasis.

  "As Great One commands," the fox replied with exaggerated formality that somehow managed to convey complete insincerity despite its perfect execution.

  From the courtyard entrance, Li Feng watched this exchange with thoughtful attention. Though beyond hearing range, his expression suggested he was observing the interaction carefully.

  Xiaolong realized, with growing dismay, that Hui Yun's presence created yet another layer of complexity in her already precarious position.