Fox Fire

"We both had what we wanted from each other. Let us leave it at that and move on, shall we?"

Zhen nonchalantly brushed off Da Ji's piercing gaze. However, Zhen's refusal only made Da Ji more determined.

Zhen wanted to move on? Da Ji will not let her until she had wrung all her spirit stones. Until she had seen Zhen fallen from grace for her sake. Until she had a powerful cultivator like her wrapped around her fingers.

With a devilish grin, Da Ji slammed her palm on the table, "But I want more. Call it an instinct but I can tell that you do too. Am I wrong?"

"Absolutely."

Da Ji laughed. The last time it was her that played hard to get, now the role had been reversed. It was fine, they were both dames after all.

Taking Bao's previous seat, Da Ji crossed her legs.

"Let us say you're telling the truth. Surely you did not come here merely to drink?" Da Ji questioned.

"Perhaps I have."

"Nonsense. You're looking for a partner, there's no need to look further. I am here. You certainly enjoyed our time together, why are you suddenly pushing me away? Is it because of my reputation? I didn't expect a powerful cultivator such as you would be afraid of a harmless woman like me."

"You, harmless?" Zhen chuckled. "What is next, are you going to tell me that the color of the sky is red? You used charm on me last time."

It was the first time that Da Ji's confident exterior showed a crack. The frown she sported was something she hurriedly disposed, assuming once again a haughty smile.

As Da Ji expected, Zhen knows. All the more reason for Da Ji to dispose of this masked woman.

"Did I do that? Surely you jest, I'm a bonafide human. I am not capable of a fox demon's tricks."

If Zhen ever revealed Da Ji's secret, she would be hunted like the spirit beast that she is. But Zhen had no plans of doing that. Why? Because Zhen was aware that Da Ji was correct. Zhen was simply playing games, she wanted Da Ji to want more of her.

"Whatever you say." Zhen poured more liquor in her cup.

Suddenly, Da Ji stood. She had enough aggressiveness to display. She might be a predator but she was also a lady, it was time to show some temperament and stop pushing herself to someone who doesn't welcome her advances. And if Zhen still refused...

Da Ji's mind was made up, she can simply stalk Zhen and kill her once she leaves the Jade Pavilion.

"Last chance, will you dual cultivate with me or not? I'm sure you can find other partners in here but will the quality of their qi be useful to you? You know I'm the only one here who can give you the qi you need and satisfy you at the same time."

+++

In the upper floor the Jade Pavilion, were luxurious guest rooms that costed 10 thousand spirit stones per-night.

Fancy decors, unlimited food by the table, and the softest bed. Rich and weary travelers would find no better place to spend the evening with how palatial the room is.

As soon Zhen entered the room, Da Ji locked the door behind her.

Just for good measure, Da Ji laid a soundproofing talisman at the door. Its effect reverberated in the entire room, making Zhen turn and ask...

"Is that really necessary? I believe we managed to contain our voices last time."

Her killing intent reaching its height, Da Ji's eyes became slit and fox ears protruded from her head.

Flames emerged from her back that solidified into nine red tails, the symbol of Da Ji's power.

"Yes, but this time, I am planning to make you scream."

"Promises, promises." Zhen smirked, producing an ice jian sword in her right hand.

In fear of blowing up the Jade Pavilion - their favorite socializing establishment - there was a tacit understanding between the two to hold back.

Pride surged within both of them that they need not their full power to eradicate the other. After all, one was a divine spirit, while the other was a Transcendant Immortal and one of the strongest in the Heavenly Court. They were evenly matched.

But in terms of qi element, Da Ji had the upper edge.

All nine tips of Da Ji's tails produced fireballs, her tender looking tails shall become the omen of Zhen's fiery demise. The fire qi making up the blazing balls would be enough to incinerate a non Transcendant by merely a touch.

With a graceful arc, the tails swung the fireballs right at Zhen.

Using Zhen's unparalleled agility, it was if time had slowed in her mind's eye a she jumped and squeezed through the onslaught of nine fireballs, spinning mid air.

"Your aim could use a little..."

Zhen wasn't able to finish her taunt as she noticed Da Ji's tail swinging backwards.

With an explosion, all nine fireballs homed in on Zhen's back.

The smoke cleared to reveal Zhen's pristine robe tattered while she crawled on the ground.

Soon, Zhen felt a tail wrap around her neck, using all force it could muster to crush her wind pipe.

"It was fun while it lasted. Don't take this personally, your fate was sealed the moment your revealed to me you knew my secret. Farewell."

Amidst her struggle for air, Zhen found the opportunity to smile. Why wouldn't she? It was not everyday that she come across a powerful cultivator that isn't from the Heavenly Court.

It made Zhen want to play with the fox woman some more.

Tapping the ultimate coldness that she can bring about with her ice, Zhen's entire body emitted an aura that started to freeze the tail around her neck.

Da Ji tried to fire up her tail that constricted Zhen's neck, only for it to be completely frozen.

Left with no choice, Da Ji instead pulled her back with all her might. Shattering the ice, and with it, the tip of her tail.

"AAAAAAAAAAA! MY BEAUTIFUL TAIL!" As Da Ji screamed in agony, her gorgeous face contorted into unfathomable rage. "You stupid bitch! I'm going to burn your corpse until there's nothing left to recognize! Your ashes will be scattered in pig shit!"

A sordid pride surged within Zhen, perhaps it was making Da Ji scream, which was her original threat? Or maybe she was excited in fighting the Huli Jing?

Either way, Da Ji's outburst must be answered.

Ice glimmered in each hands that formed into blades while she conjured a slew of swords hovering above her head shoulders. The elegant but deadly image truly embodied what it means to be a sword saint.

"Focus, Da Ji. If you do not, I might end up plucking the rest of you tails."

"You dare!? I will incinerate you!" Her nails brandished into something sharper than steel, her supreme cultivation allowed her to coat them her flames.

Da Ji recklessly charged due to her anger.

A charge that Zhen would meet with pleasure.