It was midnight when wu zen slipped out of the inn. He said he was "just scouting," but truthfully, he needed air — and space. Yuexin and Haoran's closeness, feng's sudden joy... it made something ache in him.
He leapt between trees, moving fast — until a strange light flickered near a cliff.
Foxfire.
It danced in the air like floating lanterns, leading him deeper into the woods. He narrowed his eyes and followed, sword drawn.
Then—she appeared.
A girl in silk robes the color of amber and fire, nine faint fox tails shimmering behind her. She leaned against a tree, eating peaches like a queen at play.
"You're not very sneaky," she said, smirking. "For a shadow prince."
Wuzen blinked. "Who… are you?"
"Meiyu. Fox spirit of the mountain. And you? The arrogant prince who smells like steel and moonlight."
They circled each other slowly.
"You shouldn't be here," he warned.
"Why not?" she teased, "Afraid I'll steal your soul? Or worse… your heart?"
Before he could reply, the ground rumbled — a shadow beast burst from underground, eyes glowing with blood-red fire.
Wu zen moved instantly, slashing his blade, but the creature was too fast.
Meiyu snapped her fingers — a ring of foxfire surrounded them, trapping the beast temporarily.
"See?" she winked, "I'm useful."
Wuzen stared, panting, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Tch. Show-off."
And just like that, their destiny thread began to shimmer
(Scene:back at the in)
Yuexin woke with a start. Haoran had his sword unsheathed already.
"There's another disturbance," he said. "Too close."
Jian appeared next. "linyin's gone."
Linyin had followed a familiar voice into the forest — a girl's voice calling his name in a dreamlike tone.
What he didn't know… was that it was someone from his past life.
A soul bond. A reincarnated love. And this time, she would not disappear.
Episode 10 end ( continue)