Whose Fox Dwells in the Parasol Tree?

[Blurb]

[Proud, cheerful master x gentle, scheming disciple]

The stupidest thing Chu Tong ever did in her previous life was believe she was Heaven's chosen one. She strutted around for over twenty years, only to lose her family, lose all her cultivation, and become a useless cripple waiting to die.

Reborn at twenty-two, Chu Tong decided to mend her ways.

She would resign as an elder, return to her hometown, lie flat and give up, and spend her days with her parents.

But her disciple, Bai Guxiao, whom she had never paid much attention to in her previous life, insisted on going with her. His spiritual root was weak, and he was quiet and taciturn.

Bai Guxiao knelt on the ground, gazing up at her with pleading eyes. His tone was earnest. "I am not a disciple of the sect. I am only your disciple, Master."

Chu Tong agreed and brought him home to give him a place to stay. There was nothing wrong with putting him to work as her bodyguard, either.

But why did she keep getting the vague feeling that this disciple was a little different from how he had been in her previous life?

On their first night back home, the two of them discovered each other's identities.

As it turned out, Bai Guxiao had also been reborn. In his previous life, he had died unexpectedly while hunting demons.

So Chu Tong let Bai Guxiao live peacefully on Mount Taiheng.

Until one day, Bai Guxiao risked his life, was badly injured, and transformed into a white fox.

Only then did Chu Tong learn that her disciple was actually a demon?

She took another look. Why did this fox look so familiar?!!!

Wasn't it the little fox she had held in her arms day and night for seven years in her previous life, keeping her bed warm?

1. Both leads are sexually inexperienced, 1v1, happy ending. Four-year age gap. The female lead is strong but slow to understand her feelings, while the male lead is hopelessly in love with her. 2. An abundance of original worldbuilding, with an xianxia mythology feel. Not a power fantasy featuring a strong female lead.

Theme: Protecting others and staying true to oneself