The Fox, the Panther and the Demon Tree.

The next day Hong Yue Xian and the three beauties met up outside the gates of Glory City. They greeted one another, and on the surface they appeared quite cordial, yet the intense glares they gave each other betrayed the tension. Hong Yue Xian felt like he was in the middle of a thunderstorm, filled with electric sparks in the air. Even Huyan Lanruo was no exception, though she was more eager to befriend them, unlike Yang Xin and Shen Xiu who looked like fire and water.

Hong Yue Xian coughed awkwardly to get their attention. "Girls, we should go now. We will make a base camp in the mountains today and start the search for demon beast groups tomorrow. So let's go." With that he rose into the air and flew away. Huyan Lanruo glanced at the other two and hurried after him, leaving Shen Xiu and Yang Xin glaring at each other, before finally following them.

After two hours of travelling they finally reached the depths of the St. Ancestral Mountains. Hong Yue Xian looked around for a while and found a cliff face with a cave big enough for them to make it into a temporary home. After they were done clearing out the cave, cleaning and furnishing it, they set up some simple traps and alarms, before having a meal.

Once the base camp was complete, Hong Yue Xian gathered the girls around the fire. "Now that we have everything prepared, I want us all to talk about our demon spirits and their abilities. That way we can work better together while we fight. Let's start with Ruo'er." Said Hong Yue Xian as he tried to reduce the awkward atmosphere between them.

Huyan Lanruo smiled charmingly and introduced her demon spirit. "My demon spirit is the Sakura Blossom Demon Tree. It has illusion and charm like abilities. With it I can manipulate demon beasts or people to fight for me." With that she smugly looked at the other two.

Shen Xiu hesitated for a moment and said. "My demon spirit is the Blazing Flame Fox. It has fire element and physical enhancement abilities. I can use the fire to form a Fire Claw and a Flame Tail, as well as shoot a Fire Ball. I am also faster and stronger than normal." Explained Shen Xiu slowly. She then gave a provocative glare at Yang Xin.

The latter snorted at her gaze and said proudly. "My demon spirit is the Nether Panther. It has nether element and physical enhancement abilities. I can use the Nether Claw as an attack, the Nether Evasion to dodge and the Nether Escape to run away. I am also much faster and agile than before."

"Good. Now it should be my turn. My demon spirit is the Blood Wolf. It has several abilities. First, the Tail Blade that transforms my tail into a very sharp blade. Second, the Wind Steps that boost my speed greatly. Third, the Iron Claw that hardens and sharpens my claws. Fourth, the Blood Howl that uses sound to vibrate the blood in its targets, though it is better not use it with allies around." Said Hong Yue Xian, gaining attention from the trio.

He could not help but sigh, before concluding. "Alright girls, lets get some rest and start the hunt tomorrow at dawn. Good night." Hong Yue Xian smiled to them and went into the cave. The girls watched him go as they all sat without moving.

Huyan Lanruo glanced sneakily at Shen Xiu and Yang Xin. "So... what should we talk about? How about we..." She did not manage to finish, when the others interrupted her at the same time. "I am going to bed. Good night." Both of them glared at each other, before turning away with a snort. The trio sat trying to say something yet staying silent. After a few moments, Yang Xin stood up and went off to bed. Shen Xiu followed shortly after. Huyan Lanruo giggled in amusement before entering the cave as well.

After all the girls fell asleep, Hong Yue Xian left the cave and sat on a nearby rock. He looked at the moon and sighed. 'The girls don't get along at all. They are so focused on each other that they went to sleep in the wild without anyone keeping watch. Usually they would never commit such a rookie mistake and would have pointed it out immediately. It seems like tomorrow will be a tough day.' Hong Yue Xian glanced at the cave one more time before closing his eyes and cultivating.

At dawn the girls woke up to find Hong Yue Xian outside cooking breakfast. There were a dozen dead demon beasts lying around the camp. One of them, a Snow Bear, was missing it's paws. The girls sat around the fire and looked around curiously. Huyan Lanruo was the most intrigued, so she excitedly asked. "Xian, why are there so many demon beasts? You did not have to hunt so much, we have enough food, besides we can't eat that much."

Hong Yue Xian glanced at her and snorted. "Hunt? Why would I go hunting? All these demon beasts attacked our camp during the night, after all we are not in Glory City anymore. We are in the wild, here we cannot lower our guard and go to sleep without having someone guard us. If I did not stay all night to keep watch, you would all be food now. Instead you can taste this delicious bear paw soup." Said Hong Yue Xian with dissatisfaction and disappointment in his voice.

The girls were shocked. They realised their mistake and felt ashamed. They all tried to speak but hesitated. "Alright, I don't blame you really, just keep in mind that we are in constant danger. You are all mine, which makes us all family. From now on we will sleep and guard in shifts. And try to concentrate on what's truly important. Now eat and we will depart soon after." Said Hong Yue Xian gently as he looked at the trio, who acknowledged with a nod.