Having a soft spot for the beasts displayed in chains, Li Meirong chose to avoid those kinds of pet shops. More often than not, the spirit beasts were purchased only for their cores and rarely because someone took an interest in contracting a spirit beast.

Being part of the Bestiary division didn't mean one necessarily got along better with spiritual entities or demonic beings. The division's studies leaned towards a spirit beast's usage, whether as mounts, reliable fighting companions or the necessary components of different creatures' organs that were required for alchemical purposes.

Noticing the way the seller's eyes leered at her Fox Spirit, Li Meirong used both arms to hide his white fur from view.

With a slight bow, Li Meirong kept a pleasant tone as she asked, "Is there anything you require of me, Senior Brother?"

The older senior chuckled heartily and beckoned Li Meirong into the shop, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort.

"Come inside! I have something to show you that will definitely arouse your interest!" The shopkeeper proclaimed enthusiastically.

"I really don't think-" As Li Meirong was about to reject the request, he cut off her sentence,

"Just a moment. You will not regret it!" He said, letting out an excited sort of laughter.

"If you insist."

Giving in to his demands with a small sigh, Li Meirong walked into the shop with Snowball in her arms.

The cosy-looking shop turned out to be far grander looking the moment she stepped inside of it. Spirit Beasts bound in chains and stuffed in cages were categorized in different sections according to their types and grades. For some of the cages, there were signs attached to the metal bars, describing specific attributes, origins and even personalities.

A high-pitched whine of a canine animal could suddenly be heard from a distance.

Li Meirong raised one eyebrow as she passed by between rows of cages, thinking that whine sounded awfully familiar.

The elder shopkeeper glanced back at her and gave her a knowing smile. "I have a well-kept batch of goods to show you!"

She nodded and wearily followed the shopkeeper, getting ushered inside into the shop's backroom. The whines and barks grew stronger still. At this point, she recognized the all too familiar sound of squealing foxes before she even had the chance to see them.

Sure enough, the seller brought her towards a wired cage covered with mystic talismans, containing not only one, but a whole litter of fox cubs, or more likely, fox spirits.

Caged inside was a three-tailed Fox Demoness with four of her young crouching in front of her slightly swollen belly, breastfeeding.

"Well, what do you think?" The seller squatted by the cage and stroked one of the cub's tails through the bars. "Catching these sneaky demons is a tough job, I can tell you. Three days, my hunters lay in wait. They knew where she was, but do you think she showed so much as a whisker?" Holding a talisman to keep the mother at bay, he opened the cage and pulled one mewling cub out by the scruff, dangling its helpless form in front of Li Meirong who stepped back, her gorge rising. "And then they discovered these little guys—what a bonanza! I sold them all the first day they were on display. Their new owners will come to collect them as soon as they're weaned."

Li Meirong looked away, shaking with anger. How could he be proud of such behaviour?

The seller deposited the cub back in the cage. "A Fox Demon owner like yourself would appreciate just how valuable, how profitable, these little critters are." He offered Li Meirong a conspiratorial grin. "Am I right?"

Squeezing Snowball in reassurance, Li Meirong gathered her anger and turned back to face him. "You misunderstand me. I have no appreciation for… This! It's best that I'll be on my way."

Without waiting for a response, not that any would be adequate, she turned and marched back towards the door, leaving the man scrambling to catch up.

He dodged around some cages and rushed in front of her, blocking the exit.

Bai Qingyue tensed in Li Meirong's arms and bared his gleaming teeth.

"Senior Brother," said Li Meirong, raising her voice sharply, "please do not block my path, or else I will have no choice but to be discourteous with you!"

A blue flame aura shimmered on the surface of her milk-white skin, emphasizing the threat. She considered herself a patient woman, always reasonable, seeking to resolve any situation calmly. But everyone has their breaking point.

Li Meirong's hair wafted, as if in a breeze that wasn't there. Luckily, the shop was empty apart from herself and the shop-keeper. Otherwise, this confrontation would have most likely escalated further.

The spirits and demons bounced to life, stalking behind their bars, eager to watch their jailer's comeuppance.

Spiritual energy flared to life with Li Meirong's rising anger and her hair billowed now. Her skin crackled with sizzling electricity.

The shop owner cowered in the face of her burgeoning power. He waved his hands left and right, hoping to assuage her. "It's a misunderstanding! I… I mean no offence and regret troubling this Great Aunt. I saw your fox spirit's striking coat and only wished to offer a breeding program." He stepped forward nervously, shoulders trembling. "He and my Demoness could make us both very wealthy."

Li Meirong's eyes glowed like glass beads. "You want to breed my precious baby, just so you can sell the cubs like… like some products?"

The Shopkeeper shrank away and looked like he was about to cry, like his world had been tipped upside-down. He desperately wished he could go back in time and never invite this insane woman into his shop! Wasn't it common to breed demons and spirits together? What was wrong with his offer? He only wanted the two of them to profit from this deal!

Li Meirong closed her eyes in concentration, focusing her qi on all the cage bars and talismans in the shop. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she concentrated on shoving spiritual energy into the iron binds, trying in vain to tear them asunder and free the trapped Spirits.

"W-what do you think you're doing?" the shopkeeper stammered, staring in mounting alarm at the controlled mist evoked by Li Meirong trailing in his shop.

Snowball's silver fur bristled, ready to attack should the mortal make a move while Li Meirong was directing her internal energy.

"Ugh!" Li Meirong gave up, deflated, and the magic melted away. She switched her aim, using her qi to strike at the locks, breaking them directly from their source.

As one, a hundred steel locks shattered. Cages sprung open, and former captives leapt forth, eager to claim their freedom.

Bai Qingyue's eyes shone with immense pride.

After all, this awe-striking woman was his wife!