XiXi wakes up in the morning with the sun blazing in the bedroom window. She squints her eyes due to the extremely bright light and looks around the room. This isn't the same room I was in before, it's not LingLing's room
Hmmm. well, the bed is as comfortable, she bounces on it a few times as she stretches her arms into the air. She laughs as she springs out of bed, drinking all that bubbly wine last night I don't feel bad at all
She sees the dress is the same one from last night and wishes she had her own closet of clothes.
If LingLing is back maybe I could ask her to borrow a different dress, she had quite a selection.
I wonder what she is like? It will be nice to talk to a girl maybe we could go soak in the hot spring together.
Oh right, I missed my first lesson yesterday, so I'm sure Dad will want me to go straight to it.
XiXi flops back on the bed and stares at the ceiling, is that jade? Its carved in a pattern of bamboo trees and the mountain behind the hot spring. That is a great idea so when you are lying in bed you can look up and see it.
In a good mood, XiXi giggles. They certainly like to decorate with jade. I wonder if they would notice one of the jade bamboo trees missing?
XiXi decides that after she freshens up, she will go to LingLing's room to see if she is awake.
She mutters, "What a fun day with Feng Tian yesterday, exploring by the mountain and the beautiful sight of those creatures lighting up the sky. I wish I could just wander around and enjoy it."
Both Feng Tian and Ling Ling can hear her talking to herself because of their abilities and the fact her room is situated not far from their rooms
Feng Tian smiles, I will show her the cliffs beyond the Plum Blossoms, then we can take a boat out on the Luminous Pearl Lake when she finishes her studies.
LingLing can't believe her ears, Feng Tian took that little pest to the mountaintop to see the Wind Whisps!? I have wanted to watch them with him and he never offered to take me there...not once!
She hinted at him the last time they were both here at Yun Tai's home and he was so dense he ignored her efforts. He said Yun Tai and him were in a chess competition could she bring them some wine. The future Sect leader acting as his servant!.
XiXi is unaware Ling Ling's aura is starting to turn a very smoky black, and is in her Dad's room gathering up some things. "Dad, do we have any money so Ican we go shopping? I need some clothes."
Zhang Yu says he does have some items they could probably barter but has no idea where they would go. He has been in similar worlds but never this particular one.
His Space contains some spirit stones, a couple Beast Cores, several unusual potions and mystical roots, he thought might be useful on this trip. He had also packed a few spirit weapons his friend he met on his last trip traded him.
XiXi holds her toothbrush, "I will ask LingLing, I'm going to meet her after I am done bathing".
Yun Tai has no servants because he had been gone for so long. He planned on arranging that when he got out of seclusion, he had no idea he would have these guests.
XiXi didn't think she could carry the water she needed to the bathtub in the washroom and remembered she had seen a small waterfall. It flowed down down into a spring. It was on the edge of the bamboo forest, probably the water source for the stream Feng Tian and I walked to yesterday.
She thought the waterfall should be clean so she decided to go bathe there. XiXi felt at least with her products from home she could condition her hair and use the moisturizing soap her grandmother was famous for creating.
XiXi got to the waterfall and looked around to make sure no one was in the vicinity and took off her clothes.
She climbed into the water with her shampoo and swam over to the waterfall, there was a nice size rock she could sit on while she lathered up her hair.
The spot was sunny too, so she considered lying on it to dry her hair when she finished.
Sitting on the rock looking at the waterfall while she was washing her hair she felt like she was at a spa in the mountains.
XiXi began to sing an old song her grandfather loved. The song had many high notes and was difficult to sing but for some reason at this waterfall made her think of it. XiXi's voice was echoing through the area and a certain spirit fox was in a trance listening to her enchanting voice.
He lived in the forest for eight hundred and sixty two years, only one girl befriended him. A little Sorceress that used to come here to bathe.
The fox was curious and headed over to the spring, he looked at the girl on the rock and rubbed his eyes with his paws.
It couldn't be her, she was killed by the Seventh Demon King himself when she refused his advances. He was a young fox whose spirit powers had not fully developed, he did his best to intervene but he was no match.
A spirit fox has many talents but his opponent was the Demon King. That boy had been there too.
The fox's memory is hazy and not complete. I need to consider it before I approach her, she must be staying at the boy's house. I will rest then investigate further.
That boy has long grown up and is a formidable man , when he comes to visit, he never mentions that day and I know not to bring it up.
The fox lays down in the grass listening to the song, closing his eyes and traveling in his mind to a distant time in the past.
XiXi finishes washing her hair and lays down on the rock to let it dry. I could stay here all day sunbathing but I better get back. Dad wants to start teaching me and I want to meet LingLing.
She enters the house and her father and Feng Tian are sitting in the courtyard having tea waiting for her return.
She runs over to Feng Tian and her green eyes are sparkling, "Where's Yun LingLing? I can't wait to meet her!"
XiXi's small delicate face is flushed red from running back to the bamboo house and her hair hangs loosely down her delicate shoulder. Feng Tian stares with an infatuated gaze at her rosy cheeks and the adorable way her eyes are glistening.
Mesmerized by her alluring appearance, it takes him a minute to respond. "She is in the courtyard by her room practicing her martial arts. Every morning that is the first thing she does when she gets up."
"I'm going over there to meet her! Then I will fix us breakfast and we can start studying." XiXi rushes away and Feng Tian immediately stands in front of her to stops her, afraid she will get hurt if she disturbs LingLing while she is practicing.
She gives him a perturbed look and shakes off his hand. "What Feng Tian? I'm in a hurry can't you see!"
"XiXi you can't interrupt her! You could get hurt!", He sighs, I'm glad the little idiot didn't rush over there first.
"What do you mean?"
"When LingLing practices with her sword she is in a trance like state. Her internal energy is very focused and if you disturbed her she could injure you without even realizing who you are my guest. She hasn't met you, she could sense an intruder and easily hit you with a palm strike before you even entered the courtyard."
Of course, LingLing most likely would sense you have no cultivation, are the weakest person she has ever met, realize you are Zhang Yu's daughter XiXi., and stop her practice. But, I don't want to take a chance with your life.
"I would just like to be there when they meet to make sure it goes smoothly." He is pondering the future. LingLing is my 'sister' , XiXi is my future wife, he deludes himself picturing XiXi calling him in a sweet voice, husband. XiXi and LingLing being close friends.
"So her training is like in those Wuxia novels?" She only knows some basics about martial arts because her friend loves reading web novels.
When she notices he is in a daze, XiXi waves her hand in front of his face, "Feng Tian what are you daydreaming about? I'm talking to you!"
"What?"
"Never mind! So you are saying Yun LingLing is a martial arts expert...Wow! She must be amazing!"
XiXi thinks about her clothes situation, "Does she like to shop?"
"What?"
"I need some clothes of my own and I thought we could go I can buy some. Have some girl talk and become friends."
"Girl Talk?"
"You know talk about clothes, beauty products, and other things" I don't think I should say hot guys... what if he likes LingLing?
"..."
"The only subjects I have heard LingLing talk about are cultivation, weapons, poisons and being the next Sect Leader." Feng Tian realizes the two women have nothing in common. I definitely need to stay with XiXi.
He glances at XiXi's father, "Zhang Yu, what do you think, the four of us could go to Myriad Cloud City after Zhang XiXi's studies tomorrow. We could pick up supplies and purchase clothes for the journey."
"Do they barter there?" He proceeds to tell Feng Tian what he brought.
"You could use some of those items to trade and I will buy we need. I think it would be more useful to have your items on our journey.
The people that live in Myriad Cloud City are mostly diplomats, scholars and merchants who deal in silver and gold for transactions. The merchants would give you a low price then resell to cultivators at a much higher price, particularly your beast cores and spirit stones.
The Kingdom that is located right next to Cloud Kingdom is called Soaring Dragon Kingdom and that is where many cultivators live.
They come to this island to cultivate because of it's high level of spirit energy and Mythological Beasts. This island's inhabitants and the men on Beast Hunts are also more likely to want your items because silver and gold is useless here .
The cultivators sometimes, the Beast Hunters always, bring some spirit animals to aid in their hunting, so the mystical roots you have also they might use for their pets. The weapons in your Space I would like to have, so I will give you a fair price for them."
He inwardly chuckles, when I came to this island I was on my way to cultivate then I looked down and saw a beautiful little kitten sunbathing and wanted to see the little beauty up close. I only had a few items on me, no silver or gold.
What I will do while you and XiXi are studying is retrieve money from my home in the city. I will buy some of your items for my own use when I travel with you. This way you and XiXi can purchase what you need without having to haggle and lose out to those shady merchants who prey on strangers.
How does that sound to you Zhang Yu?"
Zhang Yu is praising the gods he met this Golden Young Master! His odds of returning with XiXi are improving with every word Feng Tian says.
Feng Tian knows the island and has resources to help them get the supplies they will need. He seems very protective of XiXi. Well, this definitely has an up and a down side, but let's concentrate on the up aspect right now.
Zhang Yu is very grateful to Feng Tian. He stands up and cups his hands then bows. "This sounds like an excellent plan!"
He turns and looks at XiXi who is bored listening to their conversation, her eyes are darting around the courtyard. "XiXi, make your meeting with Miss Yun short, we need to start studying. I will be in my room."
He bows again towards Feng Tian and turns to leave.
"We will go to Myriad Cloud City tomorrow." Feng Che should be in meetings all day, I don't want to run into him.
LingLing strolls into the courtyard looking like a beautiful goddess. She is wearing a white flowing dress with flawless green jade and gold pins holding up her long black hair.
What especially catches XiXi's eye are the streaks of azure blue that are layered throughout her hair. In XiXi's mind she looked like a celebrity on her way to a movie shoot.
LingLing's eyelashes tremble in anger because XiXi is sitting next to Feng Tian on a bench clutching his sleeve. The little pest's eyes are riveted on his handsome face as he smiles!
That girl is like a Three Eyed Tick attached to him, I need to swat her away!
XiXi sees LingLing and excitedly jumps up and blurts out "You are so beautiful Yun LingLing" She bows and says "I'm Zhang XiXi, I have been looking forward to meeting you!"
LingLing smiles at her. Is this annoying pest trying to impress Feng Tian with how generous she is with her praise.
"Thank you for your praise Zhang XiXi, I saw you last night but you were asleep", snoring like a Sloth Boar.
XiXi twists her dress into a knot, oh no! The goddess saw me when I was drunk last night , I wanted to make a good impression on her. She is the only girl around here, I can't hang out with the arrogant man all the time.
"Please let's not be formal, call me LingLing"
"Thank you Yun.. I mean LingLing" Oh my God! Look at that smile and she wants to be friends!
"Please call me XiXi then!"
"XiXi, you could just call me Tian then too"
"..."
Ling Ling gazes at Feng Tian who has a pampering look on his face while staring at XiXi. Yes, good...very good, Myriad Cloud City the perfect place for you to disappear little pest!
"I would love to show XiXi around the city and help her find some clothes, I know a few excellent seamstresses who are very skilled and fast. They can make your dresses and I can pick them up for you the next day."
She looks at Feng Tian, "I have business to attend to with your brother Feng Che. I know some jewelers where we can buy some hairpins and ornaments for XiXi."
Feng Tian points out, "Doesn't Yun Tai have a whole cellar with jewels where you pick all yours.?He wouldn't care if she picks a few there he has boxes and boxes."
The corner of her mouth twitches then Ling Ling smiles. "That is a very good idea Feng Tian, but I don't have the key." She is choking on the thought of this little minx wearing Yun Tai's jewelry.
"Yun Tai will be back in a couple days I'll tell him to take her down there to choose some. He hates it when he recieves all those impractical items from officials and as rewards."
LingLing feels as though she should leave before she strangles this XiXi, right in front of this man who is in a daze staring at the little slut.
Meanwhile XiXi looks up at LingLing with total admiration and stars in her eyes.