A Lovely Stroll

In the lotus position, Xiao had been cultivating for almost 12 hours now. The mountain of spirit stones right beneath her emitted thick concentrations of qi, ephemeral blue waves that were all being absorbed by Xiao.

The moment Xiao opened her eyes, her new power surged outwards, emitting a shockwave of extreme coldness in Liuming's living room that made her and Lin shiver as they watched Xiao. Liuming sighed as the tea she was drinking was now completely frozen.

As the spirit stones turned grey and crumbled to dust, completely vanishing into the air for their ashes to be recycled by nature, Xiao relished her newfound power. Closing her first, Xiao grinned at her new realm.

[ Yao Xiao, Peerless Daeva = 1 star]

By the mortal realm's standards, she was now a bonafide monster, but compared to the true monsters like Qiuyue and her companions, her climb for power had only just begun. It matters not, as long as Xiao had her master by her side, Xiao would surely reach the summit no matter how long it takes.

A slow clap emerged from behind Xiao.

"Left behind yet again, you're making it so harder for me to catch up to you. But still, Congratulations, Xiao." Lin commended her lover with a smile.

The red head sitting next to Lin applauded as well, Liuming said, "Indeed, congratulations! By the way, the auction house will host later, the three of us should go later."

Xiao's grin turned upside down, she wanted to go with both of them but the promise she made to her master had long been overdue, it was now time to pay this Bao a visit. What's more, Fang Xuan condition required she acquire this peach of immortality with haste.

Approaching Liuming, Xiao delivered the bad news right in front of her two lovers.

"I'm afraid I can't, there is someone important I must meet..." Xiao said. The way Liuming's heart was saddened showed on her face, it was as if Xiao was staring at a wounded puppy. Xiao caressed Liuming's cheek, alleviating some of the disappointment. "...but worry not! I'll make sure to conclude my business and return as soon as possible. I'll make it up to you, I swear."

Lin chuckled, "Ohoho, who knew the great Xiao was the type to fuck someone and then rush to leave from their side the next morning? Shaaame!"

Lin's teasing got a laughter out of Xiao.

"Lin, shut up!"

After the three shared breakfast, it was now time again for Xiao to depart. Although the two wanted to go, Xiao insisted that they are not strong enough to face the perils that her foes can impose. Their lives would be in mortal danger.

"Are you truly sure we cannot accompany you?" The hurt in Liuming's expression returned.

"I already told you what these Heavenly Realm bastards are capable of. For now, if you train hard enough , maybe one day you can stand and fight beside me when the time comes."

Xiao's upliftment was followed by a kiss on top of Liuming's forehead.

"Pfft. The odds of ravens turning white are significantly higher." Lin giggled at her snide remark. If only Liuming would put all her focus on training other than alotting her free time on playing with their mannequin, then there might be merit to Xiao's suggestion.

Unlike Xiao who was able to take Lin's banter with stride, Liuming's immediate answer was violence. Liuming pinched Lin's side with enough force for her fingers to bend steel. A damage that won't even bruise Lin due to her high cultivation, but it doesn't mean it would hurt any less.

"Ouch, Liuming, stop!"

As Xiao got on top of her sword, she gave two one last glance before departing.

"Lin, take care of Liuming for me, won't you?"

"There's no need to tell me. I love my wife, as a matter of fact, I can even take better care of her than you."

Suddenly, Liuming felt her wife's hand grab her ass. Making Liuming whelp and hide her blush from Xiao.

The fire in Lin's eyes was picked up by Xiao. It was challenge, Lin's own way of motivating Xiao to hurry back into their arms.

Xiao smirked, "Then why don't I show you how wrong you when I come back?"

"You're welcome to try, fail and I will become the head of this harem." Lin stepped forward, giving Xiao a fierce farewell kiss before she flew away.

++++

"Gorgeous miss, are you looking for beauty products!? Come, come, we have the perfect skin toning pills for both of you!"

"Young miss, take a look at our swords! They are so sharp they can cut all your problems in half!"

Strolling the busy markets of Jiangshan, the representative of each shop accosted Luqing and Yanmei as they walked side by side.

"I'm sure you can sense it too, but Xiao is not in the Tranquil Waterfall sect anymore. What do you want to do while we wait for her to return?" Yanmei warned. Their bestial senses allowed them to track their mates in a given area, in their vision, the scent of their mate gives a thick blue rope that they could follow. Since Xiao's strand was not going towards her old sect but in a different direction entirely, they could only assume that she was now undertaking the task given by her master.

"Anything is fine as long as I'm with you." Luqing answered. To her, simply being by Yanmei's side was blissful enough, they could keep on walking side by side for days and she would still be content.

"That's sweet and all but I'm looking for a more concrete answer." Suddenly, Yanmei's attention went to the dress shop labeled 'Shen Family's Finest'. At the forefront were elegant dresses made from the most expensive silk. Intricately woven with golden threads of varied designs such as dragons, qilins, hellcats, and other divine beasts for added flair. "Lu Lu, look, those dresses are so pretty!"

Thus, Yanmei grabbed Luqing by the wrist and dragged her inside the store to get a better look at the dress. The one that caught Yanmei's eyes was a purple cheongsam with a majestic hellcat pattern embroidered on its front. It was as if the dress was made for Luqing herself. There was only one problem though…

"I'm sorry Yan Yan, but I'm not wearing that."

"Why!? The color matches your qi! It even has a hellcat pattern on it!" Yanmei was in disbelief. Just when she was ready to purchase this fancy dress as a gift.

"I don't…I don't like dresses."

Yanmei sighed. Her mate was a tomboy through and through.

The sales lady approached, "Is the madam interested in this hellcat dress? I'm sure you could tell that this would look splendid on either of you."

"I'll take it." Yanmei said.

"What the…I already told you I am not wearing that dress!"

Yanmei's lips twist into a grin, "Who said it was for you? Maybe this is for Xiao. Remember, the three of us are in a relationship."

Luqing's doubt made her forehead furrow, her mate was definitely up to something.

"That smugness of yours, you are planning something. Give it up, Yan Yan, I am not wearing that dress."

As soon as Yanmei was done paying in spirit stones, her storage ring casually absorbed the dress. Yanmei's arm soon locked with Luqing's as they walked out of the store.

"I'm sure you won't."

The two continued their stroll around the city streets until they stumbled upon a certain auction house. Although visiting the Tranquil Waterfalls was well within their plans, their decision to participate in the auction would hasten their meeting with certain individuals.