The soft golden light of morning bathed the mountain peak in serenity. Birds chirped amidst the misty trees. The crisp mountain breeze carried the scent of wild herbs and dew-soaked soil, refreshing every breath taken.
Within the valley grounds, life thrived like never before.
Mu Chen and Hei Mo were sparring near the waterfall, their movements fluid yet powerful. The clash of spirit energy echoed faintly, drawing the attention of several Shadow Army disciples, who had formed their own sparring circles nearby. There were no egos—only growth. Every strike was measured, every movement an opportunity to learn.
Inside the pill hall, Lin Qian stood in a white robe with her sleeves rolled up. Her fingers moved expertly across the furnace, blending ingredients, controlling heat, and monitoring the pill's spiritual reaction. Her disciple team stood close, watching in admiration.
"Another successful Core Formation Pill," one whispered.
Lin Qian smiled proudly. "Let's increase production. We're improving."
Meanwhile, inside one of the cozy dining rooms, Yue Li and Yue Mei sat cross-legged on a cushion, laughing together as they enjoyed breakfast. On the low table lay bowls of steamed buns, sweet lotus porridge, and spirit fruit slices.
Yue Mei giggled, her fox ears twitching. "Sister, I love the jelly fruit! It's so wobbly—look!" She poked one and giggled again when it jiggled back.
Xuan Long strolled the mountain path, Xiou Xue holding his hand tightly. Her pink robe fluttered with each step, and she hummed a happy tune, swinging her arm.
"Brother, it's so pretty today. Can we go see the fox sisters?"
"We'll visit them soon," Xuan Long said, smiling gently. "Let them enjoy their breakfast first."
In a quiet room, Xuan Long stood before a small table where he placed a simple blade of grass. He focused his Life Essence Control, channeling it gently into the lifeless plant. But… nothing happened.
He sighed.
"I thought I could bring life… but it seems grass isn't that simple," he muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Still needs refinement."
He left the room and entered the dining hall where Yue Li, Yue Mei, and Xiou Xue now sat together.
"Lord," Yue Li smirked as she sipped her tea, "you really can't go a day without seeing us, can you?"
Xuan Long gave her a sideways glance. "Don't flatter yourself."
Yue Li chuckled, hiding her lips behind the teacup. "Oh, come on. Just admit you missed us."
Ignoring her teasing, he turned to Yue Mei, who beamed with a mouth full of porridge.
"Did you eat well, little foxy?" he asked.
She nodded enthusiastically. "Mhm!"
From his spatial ring, he brought out a mountain of gifts—more than fifty dresses, plush fox dolls, shiny trinkets, wooden toys, and hair ornaments.
"Are these enough for you?"
Yue Mei's jaw dropped. Her eyes sparkled like stars. "Waaaah! So many pretty things! I love it all!"
Xuan Long laughed. "You look even cuter when you're this happy."
Yue Li blinked. "Lord… isn't this a bit much for a child?"
"If she doesn't like it," he said casually, "she can throw it all away."
"No! I want everything!" Yue Mei clutched a pink dress to her chest possessively.
Yue Li sighed and bowed slightly. "Still… thank you for your generosity."
Xuan Long turned to Xiou Xue. "Xiou, didn't you have something to say to Yue Mei?"
Xiou Xue hesitated, then looked down. "Sorry…"
Yue Mei stood up and walked over shyly. "Sister, I'm sorry too. I didn't throw anything at brother. I was scared… please don't hate me."
Xiou Xue hugged her. "I don't hate you anymore."
From that moment, the two girls became inseparable.
[Cute Sister Moments Begin]
They chased each other around the garden, giggling like bells. Xiou Xue handed Yue Mei a wind-up bird toy, which flapped its wings and flew in circles. Yue Mei squealed and ran after it, falling on the grass in laughter.
"Big sister, I caught it! Look!" she held the toy high like a trophy.
"Well done, little fox!" Xiou Xue clapped proudly.
They started making flower crowns together. Xiou Xue made one with purple blooms and placed it on Yue Mei's head. "Now you're a Flower Princess!"
Yue Mei made one back, though clumsier, and said, "And you're a… Bunny Queen!"
"Why bunny?"
"Because you hop when you run!"
"I do not!" Xiou Xue pouted.
"You dooo!" Yue Mei burst into laughter again.
Later that afternoon, Xuan Long and Yue Li discussed formation upgrades by the cliffside.
"We'll need more spiritual stones," Yue Li said. "If we enhance the defense nodes at the east cliff and embed soul-sensing stones, we can repel most foundation-level ambushes."
"Looks like we're low on resources again," Xuan Long muttered. He turned to Lin Qian. "How many pills have we produced this month?"
Lin Qian stepped forward, holding a scroll. "Master, this month in the medical hall, we successfully produced:
Recovery Pills: 100+
Qi Pills: Over 2000
Foundation Pills: 500+
Core Formation Pills: 50+"
Xuan Long nodded in satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, he duplicated the entire stock. Then, he summoned five elite Shadow Soldiers.
"Take these to the black market. Sell them under the name Shadow Valley."
Lin Qian hesitated. "But if we sell everything… we'll have nothing left."
Xuan Long casually handed her the same amount again.
"W-What? This is the same! Did… did you—"
Mu Chen laughed. "Our master can duplicate anything."
Her eyes widened. "So it's true…"
Xuan Long smiled faintly. So they've started suspecting the truth. No matter.
"I'll use this power to generate endless wealth," he thought. "Buy the best, duplicate it, sell the rest."
[That Night]
Moonlight draped over the valley. Stars twinkled above like scattered crystals.
Xuan Long and Yue Li strolled together, watching the two little girls rolling in the grass, giggling and tossing pillows.
"Brother!" Xiou Xue shouted. "Let's sleep now!"
"Then go sleep," Xuan Long called back.
"I want to sleep with her!" she pointed at Yue Mei.
"Oh? So now that you have a new friend, you forgot your brother?" Xuan Long teased.
Xiou Xue ran over and grabbed his hand. "Nooo! I didn't mean it! You too, brother! We all sleep together!"
Yue Mei also ran and hugged his other arm. "Brother, please? Let's all sleep together!"
Xuan Long sighed dramatically. "You two are emotionally damaging me… Fine!"
Yue Li turned red. "Together… sleep?" she thought and covered her cheeks. What am I even imagining…
Later at the dining table, everyone shared a light meal.
Yue Mei took a bite of spirit bun and suddenly yelped. "Hot!! My tongue! Sister! My tongue is melting!"
Xiou Xue laughed. "You're so silly!"
Yue Mei pouted. "The bun tricked me!"
She stuffed a whole fruit in her mouth and her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk. "Mmf! I'm hiding treasure!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even the stoic Shadow Guards near the walls couldn't help but smile.
As the night grew quiet, warmth remained in the mountain. Not from flames or fires—but from something rarer.
Family.
And though enemies grew, the bonds forged within Shadow Valley would only grow stronger.