And instantly—
everything changed.
His half-lidded gaze snapped wide.
His posture straightened.
His tail nearly stiffened.
"Lady—!"
The title came out so quickly he almost tripped over it.
A broad, ingratiating smile spread across his face.
"You should've said you needed something!"
His tone turned warm.
Attentive.
Almost eager.
"What can this humble one do for you?"
The fox smiled faintly.
There it was.
Much better.
"Relax."
Her tone was calm.
Amused.
"I just need some information."
The beast nodded so quickly it was almost embarrassing.
"Of course! Of course!"
He clutched the spirit stone like it might vanish.
"Ask anything, Lady."
The fox's turquoise eyes gleamed faintly.
Good.
Now they could actually get somewhere.
Her smile softened, turning almost pleasant.
"I need a guide."
The striped-tailed beast straightened even more, nearly puffing up with enthusiasm.
"Of course, Lady!"
The fox glanced past him, toward the deeper rows of stalls and lantern-lit streets.
"And…"
A brief pause.
"I'd like to eat something decent."
Her tone turned lighter.
Almost casual.
"I haven't had a proper meal in a long time."
That was not entirely false.
Between fighting, cultivating, and surviving—
luxury had been scarce.
The beast's eyes lit up immediately.
"Then you've come to the right place!"
His grin widened, eager and delighted to be useful.
"There are plenty of places here, Lady."
He stepped slightly to the side, gesturing down a busier lane lit by warmer lanterns.
"If you want roasted spirit meat, there's a stall up ahead that uses Emberfang cuts."
He pointed farther.
"If you want something more refined, there's a streamside pavilion that serves marrow broth and spirit wine."
A faint look of pride crossed his face.
"And if you want the best food in the Hollow…"
He lowered his voice dramatically.
"There's Moonroot Hall."
The fox's ears twitched.
"Moonroot Hall?"
The beast nodded quickly.
"Yes, Lady."
"Best dishes in the Hollow."
"Spirit fish, marrow soups, flame-seared meat, herb infusions…"
He practically sighed.
"Expensive, but worth every stone."
The fox gave a soft hum.
Interesting.
A proper place meant better clientele.
Better information.
A place where someone like Meihu might have been seen.
Her smile deepened slightly.
"Perfect."
She looked at him.
"You're taking me."
The striped-tailed beast nearly beamed.
"This humble one would be honored!"
He stepped ahead quickly, already clearing the way with renewed energy.
"Please, Lady—this way!"
The fox followed at an easy pace, blending naturally into the flow of the market.
No rush.
No tension.
Just another guest out for a meal.
But behind her calm eyes, every detail was still being measured.
Because tonight—
she was not just here to eat.
She was here to begin hunting.
Walking calmly beside the striped-tailed beast, her steps remained light and unhurried, as if she truly had all the time in the world.
But inside, her voice slipped into the mind-link.
*White.*
A pause.
Her tone carried faint amusement.
*See this?*
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the beast ahead of them—
now talking nonstop.
*Give him one spirit stone and suddenly he turns into this.*
The beast was indeed in full motion now.
Words spilling out without pause.
"This way, Lady! The best view is from the upper walk!"
"And Moonroot Hall has special seating for honored guests!"
"And if you like marrow wine, they age it for decades—"
The fox's ear twitched slightly.
*He won't shut up now.*
The lizard did not respond.
But she did not need him to.
They moved through the market together.
Upward.
Past layered wooden walkways reinforced with bone-white beams.
Across suspended bridges overlooking the glowing streets below.
The deeper they went into the Hollow, the more refined everything became.
The noise softened.
The crowds thinned.
And the presence of stronger beasts increased.
Some glanced at them—
then looked away.
Not from disinterest.
From assessment.
The fox remained outwardly calm.
Unbothered.
At last, the path opened.
And Moonroot Hall came into view.
Carved directly into the mountain face.
Elegant arches of pale stone framed glowing lantern vines.
A slow stream of mist drifted from within, carrying the scent of herbs, roasted spirit meat, and aged wine.
A waterfall spilled beside it, its sound softened until it seemed like the mountain itself was breathing.
The striped-tailed beast turned immediately, beaming.
"Lady! We're here!"
He gestured proudly.
"This is Moonroot Hall."
The fox's turquoise eyes narrowed slightly as she took it in.
Refined.
Controlled.
Expensive.
Good.
Places like this always had information flowing through them—
whether people meant to share it or not.
Her gaze flicked toward the entrance.
Then softened into a faint smile.
"Lead the way."
The beast practically glowed with pride and hurried forward—
still talking,
still explaining,
still completely unaware that he was no longer merely a guide—
but the first thread in a much larger web she had begun to weave.
The striped-tailed beast stepped ahead eagerly, nearly bowing as he held the entrance aside.
"Lady, please—this way!"
Moonroot Hall's interior opened like a cavern shaped by luxury.
Not crude wealth.
But controlled refinement.
Stone tables polished smooth as jade.
Lantern vines hanging from the ceiling in drifting strands.
Streams of faint spirit mist curling along the floor like living silk.
Demonic beasts sat in scattered groups.
Some in humanoid form.
Some not.
All speaking in low, measured tones.
Even their laughter was restrained—
as if noise itself held value here.
The fox stepped inside.
And immediately felt it.
Pressure.
Not hostile.
But aware.
Eyes shifted subtly toward her.
Measuring.
Assessing.
A newcomer.
Unfamiliar.
But the fox did not react.
She simply walked forward.
Calm.
Composed.
The striped-tailed beast continued talking without pause.
"Lady, Moonroot Hall has three levels."
"The ground floor is for common guests."
"The upper terrace is for respected patrons."
"And the inner chambers…"
He lowered his voice slightly, almost proudly.
"…are for those directly invited by the pavilion master."
The fox's ears flicked.
Invitation-based access.
Good.
That meant information was filtered there.
And hidden conversations happened behind those doors.
Exactly what she needed.
They were led past the main floor and up a spiraling stone staircase carved with faint glowing runes.
As they climbed, the air changed.