CHAPTER 271: EXPLANATION

The sacred grove felt different in the afternoon light.

Grim sat cross-legged on the same rock where Húxiān had helped him contain his dark mana. The fox companion lay beside him, its blue fur gleaming as it watched the divine being with obvious interest.

"You handled the council well," Húxiān observed, settling gracefully onto a moss-covered boulder nearby. "Though I suspect you have questions about what happened during your fight with Xùyán."

"Several," Grim admitted. "Starting with this." He gestured toward the fox, which raised its head at being mentioned. "You called it a manifestation of my own power."

"Because that’s exactly what it is," Húxiān confirmed. "The fox isn’t a separate entity that bonded with you. It’s your own spiritual energy given physical form."

Grim frowned, studying his companion with new understanding. "How is that possible?"

"Your cultivation method is unusual," Húxiān explained. "Most humans develop their mana hearts in isolation, keeping their power contained within their bodies. But your exposure to dark corruption, combined with your natural talent, has caused your spiritual energy to overflow."

"Overflow?"

"Think of it as pressure building in a container," she continued. "When your power exceeded what your body could hold, it began manifesting externally. The fox is the result."

The fox yawned and stretched, seemingly unconcerned by the discussion of its nature.

"So it’s not really alive?" Grim asked.

"It’s as alive as any part of you," Húxiān replied. "It thinks, feels, and acts independently because it’s drawing from your subconscious mind. But its existence depends entirely on your power."

"And it feeds off my emotions."

"Precisely." Húxiān’s expression grew serious. "The fox amplifies whatever you’re feeling, especially negative emotions like anger or fear. When you became enraged at Xùyán’s words about your father, the fox pushed you toward complete loss of control."

Grim remembered the moment clearly. The surge of rage, the way the fox had seemed eager for violence, the satisfaction he’d felt while mutilating his enemy.

"That’s the double-edged nature of this power," Húxiān continued. "The fox makes you stronger, but it also makes you more susceptible to your worst impulses."

"How do I control it?"

"By controlling yourself," she said simply. "The fox reflects your inner state. Master your emotions, and you master it."

The fox made a sound that might have been amusement, as if it doubted such control was possible.

"There’s more," Húxiān added. "As your power grows, you should expect additional manifestations."

"More foxes?"

"Likely. Your spiritual energy will continue to overflow as you advance in cultivation. Each new manifestation will represent a different aspect of your power."

Grim considered this carefully. The idea of multiple fox companions was both appealing and terrifying, especially given how the first one influenced his behavior.

"The manifestations will reflect different parts of your nature," Húxiān explained. "This one seems connected to your aggressive instincts and your capacity for violence. Future foxes might embody other traits."

"Such as?"

"Impossible to predict," she admitted. "Your power is unique. I’ve never seen anything quite like it."

"That’s not exactly reassuring."

"It’s not meant to be reassuring," Húxiān replied bluntly. "Power of this magnitude always comes with risks."

She stood and moved to the edge of the pool, her reflection shimmering in the clear water.

"Which brings me to why I wanted to speak with you today," she continued. "Your fight with Xùyán revealed how much you still need to learn."

"I won."

"Barely," she corrected. "And only because he was inexperienced with his new power. Also, Húwáng fought him first, while limiting his power. Those cestus he used contains his power shile draining his opponent’s mana. A more skilled opponent would have killed you."

Grim’s jaw tightened at the criticism, but he couldn’t deny its accuracy. Xùyán had dominated most of their fight, and without the dark mana’s intervention, the outcome would have been different.

"After your marriage ceremony," Húxiān said, "I want you to undergo intensive cultivation training."

"What kind of training?"

"The kind that will transform you from a talented human into something worthy of the power you carry," she replied. "Deep cultivation in a place where you can push your limits without endangering others."

"Where?"

"Somewhere beyond this realm," Húxiān said without elaborating. "The specifics don’t matter yet. What matters is your commitment to genuine advancement."

"How long would this training take?"

"As long as necessary," she answered. "Months, possibly years. Power like yours can’t be rushed."

Grim felt torn. The idea of leaving Ruxi so soon after their marriage was painful, but Xùyán’s near-victory had demonstrated his weaknesses clearly.

"The fox realm will be safe under Húwáng’s rule," Húxiān continued, reading his hesitation. "And Princess Ruxi understands the importance of cultivation advancement. She won’t stand in the way of necessary training."

"You make it sound like I don’t have a choice."

"You don’t," Húxiān said with divine certainty. "Your current power level makes you dangerous to yourself and everyone around you. Either you learn to control and expand your abilities properly, or eventually they’ll consume you."

The fox lifted its head and stared at Grim, as if emphasizing the goddess’s point.

"What would this training involve?"

"Combat, meditation, mana circulation techniques, and spiritual refinement," Húxiān listed. "Everything you need to reach your true potential."

"And the dark mana?"

"Will be integrated properly into your cultivation," she promised. "Right now, you’re fighting against part of your own power. That’s wasteful and dangerous."

Grim nodded slowly. The logic was sound, even if the prospect was daunting.

"There’s another consideration," Húxiān added. "Your enemies won’t remain static while you grow stronger. The longer you delay serious training, the greater the advantage they gain."

"What enemies?"

"The ones who will emerge once word spreads about your abilities," she said grimly. "Power like yours attracts challengers, rivals, and those who see you as a threat to their own ambitions."

The fox made a low growling sound, as if anticipating future conflicts.

"When would this training begin?" Grim asked.

"The day after your marriage ceremony," Húxiān replied.

"And you’re certain this is necessary?"

"I’m certain that without it, you’ll eventually lose control completely," she said. "The dark mana will corrupt you entirely, your manifestations will become uncontrollable, and you’ll become exactly the kind of monster your enemies claim you already are."

"I’ll consider it," he said finally.

"No," Húxiān corrected. "You’ll do it. The alternative is too dangerous for everyone involved."

The fox rose and padded closer to Grim, settling against his side with warm familiarity. Even this simple gesture reminded him of how intertwined his power had become with influences beyond his conscious control.

"Very well I’ll do it," he agreed reluctantly.

"Good," Húxiān said with satisfaction. "Now, let’s begin preparing you for what’s to come."

As the afternoon sun continued its journey across the sky, the divine being began outlining cultivation techniques that would serve as foundation for the intensive training ahead.

The fox listened with apparent interest, its tail swishing slowly as if it understood that its own existence would be shaped by whatever power Grim ultimately achieved.

In the distance, the palace spires caught the golden light, reminding them both that normal life continued even as they planned for transformation that would reshape everything.