An Intruder!

In the round table of the Transient Blade sect's assembly hall, all of the Elders were tasked to gather at the round table, with Sect Mistress Meixue at the helm.

The grave importance of Meixue's announced was apparent in her face.

"The number of sect that had been destroyed recently has now become three. The sect Alliance tasked us to be on the lookout for this Gu Fang Xuan."

"Bah, the sect Alliance is useless anyway. Why should we bother? We hold tournaments every year for prosperity's sake and we still cannot prevent our nature as cultivators." One of the Elders could not help but express his grievance.

They were drawn by conflict, the main driving force in increasing their cultivation further. And when this conflict reaches its apex, it can devolve into the extremeness of a sect versus sect.

"We bother because we agreed to participate in it. If you do not agree with my decision then perhaps it might be the time to relinquish your spot as an Elder, no?" Meixue's no nonsense rebuttal was followed by a stern glare.

The Elder gulped, nervously answering, "Come now, Sect Mistress, I was merely voicing my opinion. I apologize for my rudeness."

The sect master did not deign it necessary to respond. As long as he knew where he stood in the sect, that was sufficient enough.

Although the gist of the Alliance can be boiled down to a non aggression pact, it had still done more good than bad. With the yearly tournaments serving as free advertisements and pitting each disciples of every sect in a non-lethal manner.

"Onto the next issue. I trust that everyone is aware that Liuming and Lin are now...married." Meixue had trouble coming to terms with the last sentence, hence the slight pause. "...we have no rules against lesbian marriage, I trust that we are in consensus to let them continue being core disciples?"

One of the elders raised his hand, stroking his long beard in the process, he asked, "Immorality is grounds for one's discipleship to be revoked, am I not correct, Sect Mistress?"

It was. For that very same reason one of their brightest core disciples were kicked from the sect. Ah, Xiao. Meixue internally shook her head. If she only she was here to witness the fate of these two women, would she lament or laugh at the irony of Lin and Liuming ending up married?

"The Shen and An family makes a total donation of 230,000 spirit stones per year. Are you going to replace those donations if I ever decide to kick them both out?"

The Elder choked, immediately down playing his question with a nervous laughter, "Haha...I was simply asking a question, Sect Mistress. I meant nothing by it."

"Good. To sum it up, we need to fortify our sect's formation in case of another attack, maybe a second mandala that requires a new batch of disciples. While Lin and Liuming remains in the sect. This will be all, our assembly is adjourned."

+++

Even though she was already brimming with power, Xiao's next step in her cultivation would have to wait, for time is of the essence in restoring Fang Xuan's meridians before his internal damage worsens.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." Xiao smiled for her lover as she hovered on her flying sword.

The morning sun shone right outside Yanmei's modest home, Yanmei was overseeing Xiao's departure.

Xiao wondered, how well are newlyweds adjusting to their new life? It won't be long before she finds out herself since she is planning to briefly stop by them before meeting with this Bao.

Before Xiao could take off however, Yanmei called out her name.

"What is it?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Yanmei smirked.

Of course, how could Xiao forget something so essential? Xiao chuckled, flying low enough to almost touch the ground, Xiao pecked on Yanmei's cheek.

With her goodbye kiss given, Xiao flew into the horizon.

Gazing at her lover's disappearing visage, Yanmei could feel the glee from the kiss fading along Xiao's silhouette, replaced by the loneliness of not knowing how long they will be apart again.

Yanmei sighed as she went back inside her home to care for the still unconscious Fang Xuan.

Evening falls...

It was all peace and quiet in Yanmei's abode as she about after have dinner all by her lonesome self. Yanmei wryly smiled as she glanced at the tofu she was frying. With simple servings of pork meat, tofu, and soy sauce, what a joy this meal could have been if she had anyone to share it with.

Suddenly, like a needle pricked, Yanmei's spirit beast senses were on high alert.

There is an intruder in her house.

Who could it be? Could it be those that want vengeance, aiming to claim Fang Xuan's head?

This presence was master of stealth, Yanmei could sense it was masking her attributes with a qi ability!

This was troublesome, if they came in droves she might have a hard time finding them off while defending Fang Xuan. Walking out from the kitchen and into the living room, 6 of Yanmei's tails blossomed on her back, her fox ears and slit eyes manifesting as well. For the intruder to hide their presence like this, Yanmei guessed that their intention was far from benevolent.

Yanmei inhaled, preparing for a skirmish to the death, she brandished her sharp claws.

As Yanmei opened the door towards her modest garden, the unknown presence faded. In front of her were nothing but plants and flowers, stars twinkling at the night sky above. Yanmei walked into the garden's center but she could not detect the presence anymore.

"Show yourself!" Yanmei shouted.

Answering Yanmei's demand, the presence bolted, making Yanmei's heart race with fear. It was coming from behind her!

Oh no, the enemy was closing in fast, Yanmei tried to turn and swipe with her claw only for her wrist to be grabbed.

"I see you've grown another tail, but you're still too slow, Yanmei. If you were my mark, you would already be dead." The cat woman purred, giggling all the while. Her bestial features were also on display, like cat ears and a tail.

"Luqing!?" Relief and happiness surged within Yanmei. Although Yanmei won't admit it, she was given quite the scare. "Next time, just drop by normally."

"Where's the fun in that?" Still holding both of her lover's wrists, Luqing pressed herself into the fluffy tails and onto Yanmei's neck. Luqing's fanged lips kissed her lover's neck, Yanmei baring it with delight as tilted her neck to give the cat woman a better angle.

The two spirit beasts were about to make love under the moonlight, when Yanmei suddenly remembered that she was caring for someone sick.

"Luqing, stop...we can't, not right now."

Luqing paused before letting her lover go, "What, why!?"

Then, with their keen hearing, both heard the pained groan escaping from inside the house.

"That is why, come inside, I'll tell you all about it over dinner."

"Have you had dinner yet?"

Luqing smirked, "I travelled for an entire day, you know. I am so hungry, I could eat a fox."