New Start

Glaring at Gao Chen as I pulled the sheets over my body, I watched as she stood up and stretched, not showing any signs of just having taken me for over an hour again.

Watching me cover myself, she smirked at me as she reared back to life, making me flinch.

"Don't tempt me anymore, little bunny... Lust is my vice, after all..."

Continuing to glare at her, I watched as she sighed, grabbing her discarded robe and draping it over her body, tying it up swiftly.

Moving back over to me, Gao Chen pressed her lips against mine, her smirk widening as I tried to pull away.

"Your sweet taste is getting addictive, little bunny..."

Kissing me again, she pulled away and made her way to the door, glancing over her shoulder as she said "Whenever you're ready, come out and have Ci guide you around. Eat, do whatever it is that you need, than have Ci guide you to me; we'll cultivate together from now on..."

Fixing me with a sharp stare, she grinned before exiting the room, leaving me alone, surrounded by opulence.

Keeping my stained body covered by the sheet, I dragged in a deep breath as the lavish splendor slowly settled in.

My corner truly was 'drab' on the other side of the Shimmering Palace, but this all felt...

Foreign.

Slipping from the bed, I moved towards the center, grabbing my books and robe.

Gingerly moving towards one side of the bed, I set them down and looked around the dresser beside the bed.

Opening the drawers, I gasped as I saw various undergarments and pajamas folded inside, of all different colors and...

Sizes?

Frowning, I continued looking around before gritting my teeth, realizing this was her version of a 'trophy case'; her conquests were proudly displayed in the clothing she had collected.

Slamming the case shut, I stiffened as I wondered why this... dresser disgusted and frustrated me as much as it did.

I knew Gao Chen had been with dozens of women, but seeing the proof...

Shaking my head, I used my Water Qi to clean myself off before pulling on the elaborate robe that Gao Chen had gifted me, the heavy fabric keeping me warm while not being stuffy.

Hesitantly approaching the door, I quietly opened it and looked out into the next, even larger room, my eyes wide as I took in the various workstations, materials, and furnaces filling the space.

"Young Miss."

Jumping, I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I glanced to the side, where Ci stood.

Her dark blue robes complimented her eyes, and enhanced her pale skin.

Seeing the beautiful Snow Woman standing beside me, a brief, fleeting thought entered my mind.

'How often does Gao Chen bed her?'

However, as soon as it entered my mind I shook it out, not enjoying the odd, mixed feelings it gave me.

What the hells was going on with me?!

"A-Ah, Ci... W-What is there to eat..?"

I couldn't stare at the Snow Woman for long, as her cool beauty only made me feel worse; I didn't compare to her at all.

Flawless skin, sharp features, steady eyes, confidence...

I had none of them...

"Of course. Lady Gao informed us in advance that you might be hungry. A seared salmon with a lemon drizzle, alongside a sweet berry salad is waiting for you, Young Miss. Please, follow me."

Nodding as Ci's steady voice entered my ears, I walked behind her and exited Gao Chen's crafting room, entering the long, bland halls of the Shimmering Palace.

Guiding me into the room where Gao Chen and I ate with my sister, Li Hui Ling, I sat down and started swiftly eating the fish and greens, the flavor exploding in my mouth.

I had thought that Bao was a great cook, but...

"If you were wondering, Young Miss, that is a Rising Sun Salmon, and the salad is made from freshly harvested Nix Frost Lettuce and Pale Sweet Berries; all have an abundant Yin energy or Water Qi. Lady Goa requested that your meals be prepared with cultivation in mind."

I froze for a second, before nodding.

She wasn't doing it for me, but rather for her.

However, it was true that Bao only had access to lower tier ingredients, none of which could truly help me cultivate.

This meal, however, would...

Making sure to eat as much of it as I could, I gently laid my chopsticks down before bowing slightly to Ci, getting up and asking "W-Where is... G-Gao Chen?"

Hearing my whisper, Ci nodded as she gestured to the door, guiding me towards a new part of the Shimmering Palace.

A quiet, lush courtyard was our destination, and Gao Chen already sat in the center, her eyes closed as she meditated.

Bowing to me, Ci closed the door and left me alone with my fiancee.

Tentatively approaching her, I flinched as I heard "Come on little bunny, sit beside your fiancee."

Gao Chen hadn't moved, nor had she opened her eyes, but she had spoken.

Walking forwards, I sat beside her, looking around at the verdant garden around us before turning back to Gao Chen as she said "Cultivate, little bunny. Cultivate until I say you can stop."

Biting my cheek, I nodded as I closed my eyes, my hand going to the turquoise coin around my neck.

Holding it, I made sure to squeeze it every few minutes, inhaling more and more of that black vapor when I could.

Gao Chen never made any inquiries about the coin nor the vapors, instead focusing on her own cultivation.

Time slowly passed, and I continued to add onto my new core, to unlock the ability to start shaping my soul; to enter the Soul Transformation stage.