Walking Forgery

Blocking Xiao's tonfa strike with ease, her supposed twin flashed a smirk. A trait absent from constructs, it is genuine proof of Zhen and Xiao's soul imprint on it, looking down on weaker foes.

Sword and tonfas locked, the mannequin's grin grated Xiao. How dare this mannequin smile at her in a mocking manner!?

Xiao spun low, kicking the mannequin's legs to trip her up, but its martial tactics are already one step ahead, jumping to evade the low blow.

Up high, the hellcat awaited its prey, lunging with its claws. The leaping Luqing slammed her claws on the mannequin only for it to deflect with its blade.

As they both descended, both vyed for mid-air supremacy, their dexterity had them exchanging blows as if they were on ground.

Before they can hit the soil, Xiao readied her tonfa. Right arm knocked back, qi swirled around her fist, bracing for a blow more devastating than a cannon.

Her master's mask manifested in her face.

<Xiao, dodge. Do not stand under her! >

And miss the perfect opportunity to land a perfect hit? There was no time to respond back. No matter how dextrous this mannequin was, gravity shall take her back to the earth, into Xiao's qi charged fist and tonfa.

Xiao's fist revved, it would not surprise it if it blew a hole into this mannequin.

Another smile etched upon the mannequin's lips, sending a wave of uneasiness over Xiao. How was it that this mannequin remained resolute as it was about to crash into Xiao's fist technique?

A bluff? So be it, Xiao will go all in and bet on this strike!

Ice qi gathered around the mannequin, a swirl of absolute zero that trumped what vortexed around Xiao's fist. It was but a speck compared to the avalanche of the mannequin's.

"Ice Empress protocol initialize. Technique unlocked : Soaring Cryo Dragon Descends"

The gathering of qi solidified into Zhen's favorite arsenal, dubbed to be a paragon of power in both Divine beasts and humans alike.

A gigantic ice dragon.

The jaws of icy death opened above Xiao, it will crash into her and devour her whole. Shall Zhen take over and save her disciple from this predicament? The Ice Empress was tempted but if this will end Xiao's journey, then she will never fare against the absolute monsters that are the members of the Heavenly Court.

Xiao grit her teeth, her fist versus this dragon. 'Tis the only path, for if she dodged the dragon will give chase.

Before the fangs of this icy dragon tore Xiao to shreds, a whip wrapped around her ankle, yanking her away like a bait before before the apex of all predators.

Pulled into safety, the Dragon adjusted its descent, turning its head to the dragged Xiao. A combined effort to keep their lover safe, a wind tornado, the culmination of all of Yanmei's tails hit the Dragon.

The primal force of an ice dragon vs a cataclysmic disaster. Although the latter was not enough to destroy the former, the tornado managed to keep the Dragon in bay as Lin yanked Xiao into their side.

"Hah...that was a close one...hah." Yanmei's qi spent from the attack, she panted.

Luqing joined them, "This Mannequin, I loathe to admit it but she is strong. I am tempted to break my limiter but that would be trading one problem for another."

The vigilance of the Heavenly Court will detect any aura of a Transcendant Immortal. It boggled Luqing's mind as to why they are letting Xiao be but assuming her Divine Beast form will poke the hornet's nest.

Ejecting herself from the mouth of the dragon, the mannequin stood with her arms behind her back. Such lax stance told of how much of a threat it viewed Xiao and her harem. The ominous ice dragon loomed over the mannequin, a construct as vicious as the real Divine Beast, a true mirror towards its summoner.

The manneqin raised its finger, beckoning for all them to charge at once, her smug grin saying that it's the only way for them to be able to pose a semblance of a challenge.

"Xiao, look, that doll is as arrogant as you." Lin teased.

"To be fair, I would kick all of your behinds too if you all went against me."

There it was, the speck of self-confidence that the mannequin inherited from Xiao. Their carefree nature stemmed from the fact that they had a surprise hidden up their sleeve, ensuring Liuming's retrieval.

Luqing laughed, "Dream on, Xiao!"

"I guess it's time for us to use that." Yanmei suggested, her tails swaying from excitement.

They did not just indulge on each other with their spare time...in truth, they did but it was necessary to facilitate a connection through Dual Cultivation.

Their qi link now more than ever, what should be disjointed elements are now able to work in harmony with one another.

But before another bout, there is something that Xiao wished to discuss.

"Hey, you, Doll! What do you think will happen if by some miracle you manage to kill us? You think Liuming will congratulate you?"

"Question designation : Irrelevant. Liuming's reaction will be dealt with after your eradication. Pacified if necessary."

Xiao didn't know why, but it ticked her off seeing someone or something with her face be this dense. She was a construct, this mannequin was supposed to be smarter than this. Disappointed, Xiao sighed. A pity since this mannequim will no longer have the chance to become more human.

Gazing at the frozen Liuming at the distance, Xiao asked for forgiveness. Her favorite doll will be shattered by her hand, it's a good thing Liuming will he unconscious to witness it.

"I guess that's what separate me from you. I admit that for now, your strength far eclipses mine, but let me show the bonds you can forge with a human heart. You might have master's techniques but you are alone, and as long as any of us breathes, Liuming will NEVER be yours."

A bile arose inside the mannequin's chest, coupled with this desire to carve Xiao like she did Taolao. Its internal system analyzing this phenomena, it had arrived to a conclusion.

The mannequin was pissed.

In its stead, the ice dragon unleashed a primal roar as loud as thunder.

"Nonsense. Your death shall bring Liuming closer to me! I will take your place!"

Xiao's qi arose, in tandem with the women behind her. Ice, lightning, wind, and gravity. All will bear down upon this mannequin.

Xiao grinned, "Prove it. Let us go for another round, you walking forgery."