Ascending the Demon Realm

The air carried Yu Tu's unique fragrance. Their nine-tailed fox demon clan naturally emitted bodily aromas, each member’s scent varying slightly but sharing similar effects—calming the mind or stirring emotions. Yet even Xiao Fen’s familiar childhood aroma, once lulling me to sleep, couldn’t relax me now.  

“East University isn’t kindergarten, Xiao Yao,” Xiao Fen’s crystalline voice whispered urgently by my ear. “This place teems with powerful demon descendants. They’ll discover your secret eventually. Let me stay. Let me protect you.”  

I turned sharply toward him. Our bangs nearly touched as his luminous golden eyes met mine. The unspoken concern in his vulpine gaze confirmed my fears—he knew.  

Instinctively, I seized his throat, slamming him against the glass walls. Our positions reversed with a thud.  

“Speak! When?” I hissed, fingers tightening. Nothing would obstruct my civil service exams and escape from the demon realm—not even this fox who’d shared my bed for three years.  

He grimaced under my grip. “Remember when I bit you as a kit?” His hands gently encircled my wrist. “Xiao Yao, I never forgot your childhood dream—visiting the human world…”  

My grip slackened. He remembered conversations I’d long forgotten.  

Yu Tu’s gaze intensified. “Now I understand. Let me stay. You can finally remove that exhausting mask…” His lashes lowered, hiding empathetic sorrow. Each word struck deep chords within me.  

Damn it. I buried my face in his chest, choking back sobs. Eighteen years of pretending to be an emotionless capybara had worn me raw. My true fiery temperament constantly warred with forced calm.  

“Xiao Yao…” His warm fingers threaded through my hair, caressing tear-streaked cheeks. I inhaled his soothing scent, childhood memories flooding back—finding the trembling kit hiding in tree hollows, his panicked bite when I tried rescuing him from insects.  

“When did you realize my blood was human?” New-generation demons shouldn’t recognize human blood, especially as juveniles.  

His pupils contracted. “After joining Divine Cultivation Class. During anti-smuggling ops…” Fury tinged his voice as he described confiscated human flesh and blood shipments. “The scent… matched your childhood wound. That’s when I knew.”  

Horror coiled in my gut. Even Xiao Fen understood—humans only entered the demon realm through smuggling.  

“Your existence proves the trafficking ring!” He gripped my arms urgently. “If discovered, they’ll silence you permanently! Let me protect you!”  

I nodded gratefully. His assistant materialized—a pink fox hologram. Our dorms merged with seismic shifts, glass walls revealing panoramic views.  

“Xiao Yao…” He averted blushing cheeks. “Could I… perhaps…”  

Recognition dawned. “You want to scent-mark me?!”  

Pink light erupted as he transformed—no longer the chubby kit, but an elegant six-tailed fox with glittering golden eyes. His lowered muzzle pressed against my palm in ultimate trust.  

“You broke through Heavenly Realm!” I marveled at his six undulating tails. Fox cultivation progressed through three tiers—Demon, Heavenly, and Supreme Realms. Few achieved nine tails.  

“Now I can shield you properly.” His velvety muzzle nuzzled my neck, pink aura enveloping us like celestial ribbons. Contrary to human tales, high-level demonic energy resembled protective mist rather than noxious fumes.  

“Why…?” I whispered into his ruff.  

He chuckled against my shoulder. “Have you forgotten? Foxes pledge lifelong loyalty. Whether decades or centuries pass, you remain my most cherished…”  

His aura gradually dimmed. The massive head slumped heavily.  

“Xiao Fen?!”  

Soft snores answered. I struggled under his weight, lowering the sleeping fox gently. His dissipated energy field proved complete vulnerability in my presence.  

I stroked velvety ears twitching in sleep. Even unconscious, he remained adorable.