He looked again at his son, at the glowing tips of his six tails, and then said quietly, “And you will tell me why you returned with a stranger, a corrupted oracle, moon-scarred burns”—his eyes narrowed—“and two additional tails.”
Mingxi met his father’s gaze, exhausted but steady. “Father,” he said hoarsely, “I’ll explain.” He drew Poppy closer. “But she stays with me.”
A beat of silence swept the clan.
Xu Yunlian placed a calming hand on Mingzhao’s arm. He exhaled once and then said, “Very well.”
The group moved as one—Mingzhao leading, Yunlian beside him, Minghua clinging to Poppy’s sleeve, Mingjun guarding the rear, Caelan carrying Lysandra like a disgruntled prophecy grenade.
The doors opened. Warm foxfire spilled out, and Poppy leaned into Mingxi, legs shaking.
“Welcome home,” Minghua whispered.
To Poppy’s shock, it felt like the truth.
Chapter 79
The inner hall came alive the moment they entered, lanterns brightening, mats unfurled, healers rushing forward. Poppy was guided onto a soft bed, Mingxi hovering so close the healers had to work around his tails.
“Mingxi,” Xu Yunlian murmured gently, “we’re here to help.”
He didn’t relax, but he let them work.
A healer placed warm palms over Poppy’s ribs. “Your qi is frayed,” she murmured. “How long were you exposed to the moonwell?”
“Long enough,” Poppy whispered.
Minghua plopped beside her, grabbing her hand. “You look like someone dropped you off a cliff. Twice.”
Poppy gave a weak smile. “Feels like it.”
Caelan lowered Lysandra onto the bed beside Poppy’s.
The healers hesitated.
“Careful,” Caelan said. “She’s unstable.”
“Bro, same,” Lysandra croaked.
Everyone froze. Then she jolted upright like a corpse in an amateur horror play.
“Oh, my gods,” Minghua whispered. “She’s terrifying. I love her.”
Lysandra squinted at the hall’s decor. “This place looks like Pinterest had a mystical cottagecore phase.”
Mingjun winced. “Did she injure her head?”
“No,” Caelan said. “Prophetic.”
“I’m not prophetic,” Lysandra sniffed. “I’m just built different.” Then she doubled over, clutching her stomach. “Oh no. Something’s coming. Big. Bad. Final boss vibes. Absolutely atrocious energy.”
Xu Yunlian shot Caelan a worried look. “This girl… her magic shattered?”
“Yes,” Caelan said.
“Bro, I didn’t shatter,” Lysandra said. “I exploded. With purpose.”
She pointed directly at Poppy.
