After reconciliation, their relationship entered a new phase.
Fox Lian began consciously restraining his overly possessive instincts. He still got jealous, but when Emma chatted with the merman prince or other classmates, he no longer wrapped his tail tightly around her to declare ownership. Instead, he would gently hook her finger, or simply stand quietly by her side, letting his violet eyes silently say, "I'm here."
Emma, too, learned to express herself more directly. When Fox Lian's behavior made her feel pressured, she would say it plainly: "Fox Lian, loosen your tail a bit—I can't breathe." No more silent endurance.
They still had disagreements—about spell techniques, about how to handle affairs. But arguments were no longer battles for dominance. They became real discussions.
"I think this ancient array can be guided with gentler spirit energy," Emma said, pointing at the runes in an old tome.
"But that's inefficient," Fox Lian frowned. "My method cuts the time in half."
"But what about stability? What if it backfires—"
"Then we add a triple-layered barrier. I'll teach you."
In the end, they often merged their ideas into better solutions. The process benefited them both.
Fox Lian discovered that Emma's "idealism" stemmed from a deep reverence for all things—a perspective that made his actions more measured, less sharp. And Emma saw that Fox Lian's "aggression," when used wisely, brought decisiveness and efficiency to difficult problems.
They were like two pieces of jade, polishing each other—retaining their own brilliance, but becoming smoother and more luminous through reflection.
One day, they were in the library researching for the upcoming secret realm trial. Fox Lian was absorbed in a rare tome on ancient illusion arrays when he felt a light touch on his ear.
He looked up to see Emma pulling her hand back, a mischievous smile on her face.
"What?" Fox Lian raised an eyebrow. His tail twitched, wanting to wrap around her—but he held back, letting only the tip sway gently.
"Nothing," Emma's eyes curved. "Just thought… you're really wonderful like this."
No longer needing constant reassurance. No longer clinging with thorns. Just calm, mutual trust. He was still the dazzling Fox Lian—but now, more complete because of her.
Fox Lian's violet eyes softened. He set the book aside and pulled her into his arms, nuzzling the top of her head.
"It's because of you," he murmured.
Because you showed me that love isn't a cage—it's a force that helps us become better.
Outside, Gu Liang and Cang Ming happened to pass by. The dragon girl glanced at the couple embracing inside the library, then huffed—but this time, without her usual indignation. Instead, she reached out and hooked her arm around Cang Ming's muscular one.
"Let's go, musclehead. Sparring field. Now!" she declared, chin lifted—though her dragon tail wagged happily behind her.
Cang Ming looked down at her, a soft indulgent smile on his stoic face. "Alright."
Life at All-Race Academy remained lively. The romance between the goddess and the fox prince, the pairing of dragon girl and merman general—became favorite topics among students.
And within those seemingly ordinary days, stories of love, growth, and mutual transformation continued to unfold—writing a brand-new chapter.