A Hellcat's Past
Like the humans, the Spirit Beasts desired to be strong, the instinct to become a Divine Beast runs within each and everyone of them as much as humans held the desire to reach cultivation's peak.
The panther was struck by a barrage of fireballs. Even with her unique qi, the panther was no match for the Fox's cunning.
Try as she might, the panther was swimming against the current as she did her best to stand on all fours before the congregations of Spirit Beasts watching their bout to determine who was the top predator of Yangxing Forest.
The 4 tailed fox regally stood in front of the panther defeate panther, sitting with grace. Lording her victory over the feline.
The Huli Jing tilted its head, calming four of its tails to the ground.
Legend has it that the Huli Jing's fifth tail is what allowed it to take the form of a human.
The fox whistled.
Its monkey attendants swung, gathering plenty of fruits like apples and grapes in front of the panther.
The Fox's intention was clear. The Huli Jing wanted the panther to become one of its lackeys.
What would await the panther's fate if he rejected her offer? The fox got up on all fours, growling at the haughty fox.
How badly the panther wanted to bite the Fox's neck and claim victory. But even with her mediocre intelligence, she knew that such treachery was prevalent among beasts, that a victory like that would only serve to dim the rightful victory that the Fox earned.
The panther nestled against the fox in subservience, by the Yangxing Forest's law of might, the fox earned its title as the number one spirit beast.
The two spirit beasts became inseparable, sparring everyday until one evening the Huli Jing had reached its fifth tail, becoming a gorgeous human in the process. Her black hair was as wavy as the ocean, her slit eyes were the color of jade. The fox woman proudly waved all five of her tails, her arms outstretched towards the panther.
The panther shared their leader's joy, allowing herself to get petted by the fox woman's soft hands.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll acquire your human form soon enough! I'll stay by your side until you do."
The panther might not have understood the speech her companion was now capable of, but she nevertheless understood the warmth of affection her hands conveyed.
+++
One morning in Yangxing Forest…
The cultivator struck down a giant forest scorpion with his sword. Slashed within an inch of its life, its Spirit Core can now be harvested, allowing the cultivator to use its ability or if he becomes familiar with it in time, it will allow him to call upon the Spirit Beast's aid to briefly assist in an attack.
Apart from alchemy ingredients, it goes without saying that this is the reason powerful Spirit Beasts are sought throughout the world of cultivation.
"Hurry up and harvest its core so we can sell it! I'm starting to get hungry." The woman accompanying the hunter said, wearing fine light green robes.
"We're not selling, I'm taking this core for myself. Don't worry, I'll treat you in a restaurant later as thanks for hunting with me."
"Hmph, you better!"
As the man was about to go into a meditative trance, the naked fox woman appeared from afar
Speech wasn't the only thing that came natural after her transformation, the art of seduction as well. Allowing the Huli Jing to snare the hunter from a distance with a simple eye contact, the Fox woman's Charm technique did the rest.
Now infected by lust, the man would follow her even if she jumped off a cliff. The man ran deep into the forest!
"You idiot, don't follow that woman, she's a Huli Jing!"
The woman was about to chase and snap her companion back to his senses but the master of stealth would like to say otherwise.
From the bushes, blending with the forest's shade, the woman had no time to react as a panther lodged its into her neck. A vicious attack that killed the woman in one swipe.
The hunter's dying scream traveled across the forest.
Soon, the fox woman returned to her panther companion.
"You avoided bloodying her clothes." The fox woman scratched the panther's neck, eliciting a purr. "Good girl."
The Fox woman took the dead woman's clothes, twirling around as she enjoyed the sensation of fabric in her body. Her fox ears and tails receded, now she can finally blend into society. But she wouldn't do that just yet.
The woman kneeled and embraced the panther, "Don't worry, I won't leave you behind, we'll go to the city together."
+++
Split from the shoulder down to her stomach, the fox woman wasn't long for this world.
The hunter was in a different league, his clothes far different than the city folks.
The hunter brandished his large axe, fitting as he was now the fox woman's executioner.
"Though you are not a 7 tailed like the rumors say, you have fought valiantly for a Spirit beast. I have no desire for a Spirit Core of your caliber, thus, I will give you a swift end. Before I kill you, I shall tell you my name, I am Feng, Heavenly Court's 10th seat."
"I was born and raised in this forest. I apologize but I have no name to give."
The panther trembled, hiding in the shadows. The other lackeys had abandoned the Fox woman, only the panther stayed behind. Frozen in fear due to the man's incredible might. How badly she wanted to jump out and snatch her companion away but the dread of being split in two by his axe kept her in place.
The fox woman flashed her a kind smile, reassuring her that it was the right decision to stay hidden, that the Fox woman was glad she remained safe.
Feng's massive axe sliced clean the Huli Jing's head. With a thud, her head rolled to the ground.
The panther blacked out in pain and anger, she leapt from her hiding place and aimed straight for Feng's neck.
A single backhand was all it took to send the panther flying and crashing into one of the trees.
Feng soon loomed over the panther. His massive axe raised high. Powerful he may be, it wasn't a wise move to leave those with grudges alive, it's akin to planting the seeds of your own demise.
The axe descended, the panther closed its eyes waiting to soon wake up where her companion might be.
Wondering why she was still in one piece, the panther. Opened her eyes to witness Feng's axe, stopped by 5 shadowy figures, each holding different weapons that locked with Feng's axe.
"So, Phoenix King's proud 10th seat came all the way down here from heaven to bully some Spirit Beasts?"
From behind Feng was woman wearing an elegant black dress, its shade as dark as the shadows she uses. Her flowing hair was a shade of black and white.
"No, Shangying, I came here to investigate the rumored 7 tails and recruit it into the court, only to find the numbers of its tails an exaggeration."
"You've killed your beast. Leave the Mortal realm, or will you uphold your duty as the Phoenix King's lapdog and turn me in?"
The threat in Shangying's voice was evident. Emerging from the ground, 5 more shadows surrounded Feng, gripping their spectral weapons in anticipation.
Feng knew the former General was still too strong to take on.
His massive axe was dropped to the floor. Feng hopped on top of it and hovered. But right before taking off, he had few words to share.
"The Heavenly Court will not tolerate a Transcendent Immortal like you roaming free. One of these days, we will hunt you down."
Shangying chuckled, "Unless the Phoenix King himself comes down here, I have no one to fear from your little group. Don't worry, once I have amassed my own army, we will take the fight to your precious court."
Shangying watched as Feng flew into the horizon. Turning her gaze next to the panther limping trying to get to the severed head.
Shangying approached the mourning panther as it roared in anguish.
"Do you want revenge? Seek power and vengeance will follow. Worry not, I shall guide you. Become my Order's member and I will ensure you that you will reach the same level as that man."
The panther looked up, she didn't know the meaning behind the words, but all she knew was that the woman extending her hand was offering power.
And with that same power, Luqing will make sure that Feng will one day die by her hands.