The palace dining hall was built for intimidation as much as hospitality.
A long table dominated the center of the room, with nine high-backed chairs arranged along its length. Each chair bore carved symbols that marked the rank and specialization of the nine-tailed elders who would occupy them.
Grim arrived precisely on time, having learned that punctuality was considered essential among fox spirits. Ruxi met him at the entrance, her expression carrying more tension than he had seen since their arrival.
"Remember," she said quietly, "they're testing you tonight. Not just your knowledge or abilities, but your character and temperament. Some of them want you to fail."
"Which ones?"
"Elder Míngzhì, certainly. He's believed for centuries that humans are inherently inferior and dangerous. Elder Qīngfēng might support him—she's suspicious of all foreigners. Elder Xuěhuā could go either way."
"And the others?"
