Fang Xuan Awakens

Using his massive sword as a crutch, Fang Xuan struggled to stand up from the bed.

"Fang Xuan, rest easy, you are safe with your sisters." With a calming smile, Yanmei calmed the boy. "Come, lay back and rest once more."

The black veins from the internal wounds he sustained were still evident on his skin. It could even be considered a miracle that he can move about.

A weak smile crept up on Fang Xuan's face, his entire sect was lost, his family, his arm. Yet there was solace in the matter that there were still people that cared for him.

"I'm fine, sister Yanmei." Fang Xuan's smile vanished, in its place was solemn sadness. "Back then, I apologize for threatening to steal your soul core. I simply wanted for Master Xiao to put an end to me."

Spirit or divine, a beast's soul core harvested meant instant death. This apology of Fang Xuan might have been well received by Yanmei, but it managed to anger the other spirit beast among them.

As Luqing's bloodlust boiled with her anger, her bestial features manifested. Her claws ready to rip the boy's remaining limbs for making such a grave threat towards her beloved mate.

"You do not need Xiao to put an end to you, I will gladly do it myself!" Luqing declared.

Slowly approaching Fang Xuan, there were no traces of fear in Fang Xuan's eyes. Thus, he pointed his Bagua Dao towards her sworn sister. His arm shaking, he was in no condition to wield the massive blade. He promised Xiao his life, he cannot perish yet, but if this was the end of the line for him...the he would welcome death with open arms.

Yanmei's tail blossomed in response to her lover's aggression. Suddenly, Luqing found her path blocked by fox woman.

Yanmei flashed her lover a warm smile. She understood that the anger was for her, but there was no need for the trouble she was trying to brew, Yanmei was alive and well in front of her.

"Tsk! You're all too soft on this boy!" Luqing turned around to grab some fresh air. But right before she walked out of the room, she flashed Fang Xuan a predatory gaze. "If heard again that you threatened Yanmei, even she won't be able to stop me next time."

With Luqing out of the room, Fang Xuan collapsed on the bed, relief coursing through his veins. He might have been prepared for death, but it doesn't mean he was prepared to experience the agonizing pain of getting his qi pathways blown up again.

"Forgive your sister Luqing, yon know how heated she can get sometimes. Scratch that, make it most of the time actually."

The two shared a bit of giggle at the expense of Luqing.

"Master Xiao, where is she?"

"She went to procure a necessary ingredient in brewing an elixir that would fix your cultivation."

Fang Xuan could only stare at the ceiling as he appreciated both of his sworn sister's efforts. Yanmei was far removed from the ruinous seductress that the Huli Jing are known for. Inexperienced he might be at the matters of the heart, Fang Xuan knew that Yanmei would rather be with Xiao than tend to him. Not only was he being plagued with loss, the sense of becoming a burden was weighing upon him, crushing him like a boulder.

It was odd, Fang Xuan wanted to perish but the fighter in him was keen on living, pushed forward by the oath he made towards Xiao. At the current moment there is one thing he needed only, some time alone. To sort his thoughts on losing everything and unlock the mystery of this Chi You.

"Where do you think you're going?" The puzzled Yanmei asked. There was Fang Xuan, trying to stand once again.

"I appreciate everything that you have done, sister Yanmei, but please, I request that you let me have space to gather my thoughts."

"You are wanted, the moment you wander out in the streets, cultivators will flock to you wanting to claim your head."

Denying the boy left a bitter taste in Yanmei's mouth, after what he had gone through, it was only natural to ask for some time for self-reflection. Suddenly, an idea popped into Yanmei's head. Since her mate had only recently arrived, how about they take advantage of this situation to spend quality time together?

"Stay in this house, Luqing and I will use this opportunity to rendezvous with Xiao."

+++

The shimmering night sky seemed to have done some wonders in calming her down. In Yanmei's garden, Luqing's back lay right next to the door, glancing at the beautiful moon above. Fluffy white ball. How nice it would be if she could rip it from the sky and play with it in her hellcat form.

The door opened to reveal Yanmei, casually leaning right next to Luqing.

"What are you thinking about?" Yanmei asked.

"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have the moon in the palm of your hands?"

What? At first Yanmei thought Luqing was asking her a philosophical question, but the moment she realized it was simply her nature as a cat asking the question, Yanmei answered with a giggle.

"Don't laugh at me, it was a serious question!"

Yanmei's giggle faded, "I do apologize. No, I'm not unhinged enough to think about plucking the moon out from the sky."

"You're no fun. So, have you thought about my offer?"

Yanmei's head rested upon Luqing's shoulder. Taking her time to answer, Yanmei simply basked in her partner's presence.

"I'm still thinking about it. You know, how about we surprise Xiao and follow her in Jiangshan?"

It was a date with all three of them and Luqing was all for it. Instead of caring for this stupid brat, Luqing can finally spend some quality time with both of her mates!

Luqing beamed with joy, "That's the best thing you have said since I got here, count me in!"

The door opened once more, a limping Fang Xuan greeted the two with a smile.

"Am I interrupting?"

"Fucking yes...ow!"

Luqing's honesty was met with an elbow to her stomach. What the hell was Yanmei's problem? The brat asked, Luqing simply answered.

Yanmei returned the smile, "Do you need something, Fang Xuan?"

Fang Xuan pushed his massive blade forward, its white seal facing the two lovers.

"Sister Luqing, before you leave, can you remove this seal for me?"

Luqing smirked, "That's pretty bold of you considering the state you are in right now."

Luqing might not like the boy, but she can respect his grit. Of course, Yanmei would talk them both out of it.

"Fang Xuan, did your injuries cause brain damage!? You know how powerful and unstable this Chi You is!"

"It's hard to explain, sister Yanmei, but our souls are now bound. If I don't sort things out with him now then it will lead to more trouble down the line."

"Let the boy decide for his own, Yan Yan." Luqing swiped her lover aside, her hand ready to reach the seal binding the Bagua Dao. "If he dies, then it simply means Xiao has no use for the likes of him. With the opponents awaiting us, he's going to need a hell of a lot more than that cursed sword."