Bai Yu resolved to keep a close watch on the Plant Spirit. All things considered, he was still a loyal servant to His Lordship and would never allow him to be cuckolded! He stayed in his spot and steadily observed the pair, scrutinizing their every move.

In the meantime, Li Meirong and Chou were unaware of Bai Yu's speculations. Shortly after, they went to seek for Feng Huang in various parts of the garden. Li Meirong walked a bit further ahead, to the barren field where she had practised the fire barrier techniques prior to ascending the volcano.

Chou lingered in the garden, hefting boulders aside and peeking behind bushes.

It didn't take long for him to find the self-indulgent turtle, hiding in a dark damp area beneath a decorative arched bridge, built between a collection of rocks and pebbles.

The Plant Spirit whipped his vine at Feng Huang's unprotected tail, causing her to stir from her slumber with a startled yelp. "Besides sleeping and cultivating, what else do you do?! You didn't even assist Chou with training the troops!"

After relaxing her nerves from the unexpected attack, Feng Huang quietly side-eyed the intruder. 'Tsk. What does he want now?'

Chou raised his vine up high in the air, threatening. "Not getting up?"

The Turtle Demoness loudly groaned and replied, "I'm up, I'm up. I thought you took care of training the troops, what am I supposed to do?"

Chou excitedly wobbled back and forth. "Master is back! She wants to see you."

Feng Huang's ruby eyes sparkled like the gems on her shell. She nodded in acknowledgement. 'Finally!'

Chou loped off towards the building and Feng Huang floated in the air as she followed the man-sized plant.

He cried out, "Master, Chou found her. Chou found the turtle!"

Then, his button eyes sharpened on the small white fur ball curled near the doorway. It bore a striking similarity to the evil cub in the forest, but Chou could tell that this ball of fluff was different...

Li Meirong ran back as soon as she detected Chou's youthful voice. But what she returned to was a confrontation taking place between the Fox Spirit and the Pitcher Plant.

'Snowball' and Chou were having a staredown, while Feng Huang giddily spectated from the sidelines, anticipating a fight.

"Who are you?" Chou suspiciously inquired, finally addressing the small white fox.

"Didn't your mother teach you it's common courtesy to introduce yourself first?" Bai Yu retorted as he sat in his spot, unfazed. 'This silly plant is clearly stamping his territory...'

"Why should Chou introduce himself to a stranger?!" The Pitcher Plant used his tall build to tower over the fox. This fluff ball didn't appear all that terrifying compared to the previous one. More importantly, he didn't seem to harbour any malicious desires such as eating up his Master. It was definitely a different furball! Chou wordlessly concluded.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Feng Huang floated in mid-air and raised her stubby foot in encouragement.

At that exact moment, Li Meirong rushed in between the two, spreading her arms to each side. She panted heavily, nearly out of breath.

"What are you two doing?? You've already met each other back at the forest. Chou, this is Snowball, remember? He waited for me outside the volcano and I brought him back, he's part of the family now." She explained while gasping for air. The last thing she wanted was for them to quarrel!

Chou directed his stare towards Li Meirong, "Master is mistaken, this one is obviously-mmhpphh!!"

Bai Yu's face chilled at his words. Just as Chou was about to let the cat out of the bag, the Fox Lord's subordinate acted swiftly, pressing his paw tightly over the Plant Spirit's mouth and muffling his voice.

'This plant almost ruined everything!'

"Master, 'Snowball' will be a good boy and make peace with Chou. Please wait a moment!" He abruptly announced, no longer perturbed. Gradually, he uncovered Chou's lipless mouth.

'You better keep your big gob shut!'

Then in the blink of an eye, 'Snowball' nipped Chou's belly region and hurriedly dragged his heavy mass away.

"Ahhh! Let Chou go. Chou doesn't want to deal with you!" The Plant's shrill cries echoed as he was hauled to a faraway part of the garden. 'This fox may not be as terrifying as the other one, but it is just as deadly!'

After a short struggle, Bai Yu managed to bring them both away from prying eyes. Relinquishing his hold on the man-sized plant, he peered left and right, making sure they were indeed alone.

The disguised fox addressed the pitcher plant in front of him with a grumble."I'm not going to kill you! I just want to talk."

By now, Chou was able to confirm that 'Snowball' was far stronger than him. However, he had his manly pride to uphold! Refusing to back down, he glared right back at the furball, raising his vines in a protective stance. "Out with it!"