5. Gender Bender?

PART I

Yuanming's robe and hair danced in the cold wind and the brisk air filling his lungs with a sense of liberation.

"This is true freedom." he remarked relishing the wind's gentle assault on his cheeks leaving behind a reddish blush.

Hei Hei gracefully descended by a vast lake, its waters a considerable distance from the river resembling a serpent's head when viewed from above.

As Yuanming dismounted, an excruciating pain shot through his legs, forcing him to lean on his staff and a grimace etched across his face as he looked down, discovering a roughness under his chin that moved…an unexpected beard.

A shock reverberated through his stomach.

"What the hell?" he rasped, exploring his aged self and took off his shoes.

His legs once vigorous were now withered and wrinkled. Attempting to bend down to inspect his toes a searing pain in his back halted him. Approaching the water, he knelt and confronted his reflection.

Before him sat a very old man, dark circles under tired eyes, and a face adorned with wrinkles with a long white beard, mustache, and hair. He looked like a shriveled fruit wearied by time. 

"My beautiful face. What has happened to me?" 

Fear gripped him, his heart pounding as he clutched his chest fearing it might give out.

He turned to Hei Hei searching for answers.

"What has happened to me?"

"Ewuwa wa wuwu." Hei Hei replied furrowing his brows and settling on the sandy shore.

Yuanming sensed only one way to verify the reality before him. Stripping off his robe leaving only the inner layer he waded into the cool water. A shiver ran through him, teeth chattering, and goosebumps forming on his arms.

"If I were young, this wouldn't have happened." he muttered feeling a tingling sensation.

Closing his eyes, he unleashed a surge of energy and a small white sunflower materialized on the right side of his neck. Touching it he smiled releasing a sigh of relief.

"The Rabbit. For the first time I activated a correct constellation. But how do I get my body back? Is it a side effect of my cultivation?"

As he contemplated the sunflower suddenly itched. He scratched it lightly and a tingling sensation spread across his face intensifying into an unbearable itch. In panic he dipped his head into the water and at that moment smoke billowed on the surface swiftly enveloping the entire lake.

In the same lake a captivating woman emerged from the water, her eyes closed as if wrapped in the lake's secret embrace. She shook her hair and droplets cascaded like liquid diamonds to the sides. When her turquoise eyes opened a bluish glow illuminated her gaze as she gracefully turned her head. Fair and flawless her low-cut robe hinted at enticing curves and a rosy hue adorned her cheeks and her lips still adorned with water droplets sparkled like small pearls casting a beautiful shimmer in the sunlight.

Surveying the lake, she noticed a thick fog shrouding everything resembling a dense snowy blanket prompting a furrow of her brows.

"What in the world is going on here?"

Scanning the surroundings, she placed her right hand on her back drawing a white sword and holding it before her. With her left hand on the blade, she glided two fingertips to the end and ice formed, her breath visible in the cool air.

"No one shall disturb my bath. Not even a beast."

Her voice cold as the ice she wielded echoed as she tapped the blade with her index finger.

*Cling*

*Crackle*

Ice crystals swiftly covered the blade transforming it into an ethereal ice lotus.

"Expand Ice Dance." she commanded.

Yet as she spoke something emerged from the water before her.

Splashing aside a handsome young man appeared.

Shoulder-length black hair framed a face as perfect as jade with green eyes carrying a purple and reddish glow and his fair skin exposed by an open-front white robe showcased a well-toned upper body. Shaking his head water droplets danced in a circle around him forming a water crown resembling pearls. When they evaporated they merged with the air like snow dust creating a magical spectacle. The sun's rays illuminated his head forming a halo rendering him a majestic divine being.

The woman's cheeks blushed, her body froze, and she clutched her sword as her mouth slowly opened.

Yuanming's vision blurred, and he rubbed his eyes gazing down at his reflection once more now seeing a handsome young man.

A flutter stirred in his stomach. "Is it me?"

Studying his face closely he recognized all his familiar features still possessing his green eyes. Handsome before now he was beautiful. Yet the beauty seemed inconsequential if he couldn't wield his skills properly.

Closing his eyes, he murmured, "Rabbit."

No burning sensation on his neck greeted him and when he touched the area there was nothing. He bit his lip, sighed deeply overwhelmed by emotions and clutched his chest fearing it might explode at any moment.

He looked ahead and saw a person.

In the same moment he said, "Am I a curse?"

The woman blinked about to respond.

*Whoosh*

*Crackle*

Ice began forming at the water's edge rapidly spreading across the lake. Seeing it the woman swiftly seized Yuanming by the waist executing a graceful movement to fly out of the water seeing freezing it into a shimmering sheet of ice.

Startled Yuanming struggled to react gazing down at the frozen lake then at the woman before him raising his eyebrows.

"Miss Yang Xueying?" he inquired softly, and the woman looked at him blinking a few times.

"Do we know each other?" she asked, her cheeks turning red up to her ears.

Yuanming had seen her from a distance a few times so claiming familiarity was an exaggeration.

He shook his head. "Everyone knows you. You're the Ice Queen."

They landed at the water's edge and as Hei Hei approached Yang Xueying drew her sword adopting a defensive stance.

"Stay behind me."

"Hei Hei stop." said Yuanming and Hei Hei obediently halted.

Yang Xueying turned around raising her eyebrows. "Is he yours?"

Yuanming shook his head. "No, he's just someone I'm looking after for my... Master."

Yang Xueying's cheeks reddened again as she ran over to Hei Hei who stared at her in silence.

She reached out her hand spreading her fingers and upon seeing it Yuanming rushed to warn her.

"Lady Yang Xueying be cau..."

But it was too late.

*Bang*

A golden shield appeared with an invisible force throwing her backward. She rolled on the pebbles grunting and groaning before sitting up.

Yuanming quickly ran to her apologizing immediately.

"I tried to warn you, but you were too fast."

Yang Xueying swiftly got to her feet brushed off her clothes and pouted while looking at Yuanming.

"Sorry. It was my mistake."

She then turned her attention to Hei Hei smiling kindly.

"Can you forgive me? Next time I promise to be careful."

Hei Hei grunted loudly sitting down and closing his eyes.

Yang Xueying looked at Yuanming furrowing her brow.

"Did I offend him?"

Yuanming scratched his cheek. "Honestly I don't understand him." followed by a cough.

Upon hearing his words, she burst into giggles and a beautiful smile spreading across her lips.

"My Lady it's time to return to the army."

A man in red armor ran toward her catching sight of Yuanming and staring intensely at him.

Yang Xueying nodded and retrieved a white lotus extending it to Yuanming who declined the offer. The Yang family token was of no concern to him, and he had no intention of involving himself in matters that didn't concern his newfound existence.

Observing his refusal Yang Xueying smiled and explained in a gentle tone, "My apologies for startling Hei Hei. Don't misunderstand. It's for him."

Upon hearing her words Yuanming reciprocated with a smile nodding as he accepted the lotus.

"I thank you on behalf of Hei Hei, my lady."

Yang Xueying shook her head.

"Don't call me lady just... Xueying" she suggested, her smile radiating a starry aura.

Yuanming nodded, bowing politely and bid her a courteous farewell.

As he turned away he overheard Yang Xueying inquire, "May I inquire about the young master's name?" accompanied by a light cough.

Pausing he considered her question. Should he be truthful or fabricate a name? His decision became evident when his gaze fell upon the lotus in his hand.

"Yuanming. Just Yuanming is fine." he replied smiling at her before waving and heading towards Hei Hei.

"Farewell Master Yuanming. If you ever come to Kahrlin please visit me. Our snow tea is exquisite in the Frostflow Clan."

She gracefully bowed though Yuanming missed the gesture and departed from the lakeside.

Suddenly she glanced back furrowing her brows.

"I should probably melt it."

An idea sparked in Yuanming's mind.

"I'll take care of that. I won't take any more of your time here."

Yang Xueying looked at him raising her brows and then at the soldier beside him who also furrowed his brows and shrugged.

"We don't have more time." he reminded her.

She nodded a smile playing on her lips. "If he can melt it then he's perfect."

PART II        >>>BREAK TIME<<< 

As Yuanming couldn't see Yang Xueying anymore he turned to Hei Hei and asked, "Can you... help me?"

Hei Hei grunted. "Awoa."

He remained still with his eyes closed.

"Really?" Yuanming extended the lotus in front of him.

"It was for you so take it."

Hei Hei suddenly opened his eyes.

"Awewa." His mouth opened and he devoured the lotus.

"Argh. Are you crazy?" Yuanming was on the verge of a heart attack.

Hei Hei smacked his lips and walked to the water standing on two legs.

When Yuanming expected an attack with forepaws Hei Hei unexpectedly took off from the ground.

"What the hell? Are you running away?" His heart raced and his stomach tightened.

"Ewewa." said Hei Hei changing course swiftly flying towards the center of the lake.

*Bang*

He landed forcefully on all fours, cracks immediately appearing everywhere.

*Crackle*

In a swift sequence he tapped with his right paw on an ice layer.

*Whoosh*

The ice evaporated and disappeared, and Hei Hei flew back to the lake shore.

"Thanks for the help. I'll reward you with moon flowers when I find one." said Yuanming returning to the water.

Although colder than before his body didn't shiver and he closed his eyes and tried again.

"Dragon." He shouted but nothing happened.

"Ox." He attempted again still with no effect.

"Snake."

"Tiger."

Nothing occurred and he sighed deeply. Suddenly he felt an itching sensation on his stomach hastily diving underwater while his heart raced. Was it happening now? He stuck his head out of the water but suddenly the water felt much colder than before. Looking at his reflection he saw an old man.

"Damn you! You tricked me!" He shouted gritting his teeth and grunting.

Taking deep breaths, he walked into the shallow water sat in a lotus position and closed his eyes. Completely relaxing his body his mind emptied seeing only an empty dark space that suddenly lit up.

"Rooster." he mumbled.

A burning sensation spread throughout his body gathering on his left wrist. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw a white glowing symbol of a gladiolus flower, and he smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Touching his left chest, he felt something soft bulging out and was startled.

"What the hell?" His voice was light but not shrill giving him a flutter in the stomach. "My voice."

He covered his mouth, saw feminine fingers, looked down and discovered a feminine body with two soft mounds resembling melons. Opening his robe, he stared at his breasts and touched his nipples.

"Ouch." he exclaimed feeling sore.

He touched his breasts looking confusedly at Hei Hei who had laid down on his back with closed eyes.

He gazed up at the sky and shouted, "Okay I take back my words. Spare me."

Glancing at the gladiolus he had successfully activated the Rooster. Suddenly the gladiolus symbol slowly disappeared, and he felt his breasts shrink with a tingling sensation coursing through his body. It tickled and pricked all over and he saw that he had transformed back into an old man.

"I will..." He quickly stopped himself realizing that cursing the gods would only make things worse.

He walked slowly to Hei Hei took his staff and sighed deeply.

"What now? I can't control my own cultivation. I'm just a pitiful person."

"Hah. Yes, you're damn pitiful but useful." commented a woman's voice.

Yuanming turned his head and a tall woman approached. Her black hair was tied in a bun, and she wore a long blue dress with a sword hanging on her left hip. Though her face was pleasant it was only average.

"Who are you?" He asked with a hoarse voice.

The woman smiled and sat next to him; strangely enough Hei Hei didn't react.

"Lin Mei and you are Yuanming."

She looked up at him smiling even more.

Yuanming put on his robe and sat down across from her.

"Just tell me the essentials and don't waste my time."

"Are you cursed or are you from Alanail?" Mei asked with curious eyes.

Yuanming furrowed his brows. "What do you take me for?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking. Okay enough about that. I want to travel around with you."

"Why?" Yuanming wasn't interested in women.

Mei looked at Hei Hei. "That's why. He's from Sanszhin isn't he? I saw when you arrived here."

Yuanming sighed. "I really can't hide anything from you now. He belongs to my Master who is mysterious."

He looked at her with a serious face. "I don't need women. They only create problems and drama."

He felt strange repeating his father's words.

Mei smiled. "Heh. Luckily I'm not considered a woman."

"I can see you're crazy too. You outright deny your gender," Yuanming shook his head and leaned against Hei Hei closing his eyes, "if all you can do is create drama then this is where we part."

His words were clear distinct and cold because he didn't want misunderstandings.

"You're a star cultivator but it seems like you can't control your powers so you're damn weak. I can fight."

Mei's words were harsh and Yuanming felt a heavy tingling pain in his heart. Ugh.

"My strength is on par with a bear; I can assure you." She said touching her sword which rang out.

Yuanming opened his eyes looking at her and then at the sword squinting. There was a symbol of a hand on the hilt which he had seen before but he couldn't remember where.

"Okay but it's only because of your sword. We won't get far, and I can't use Hei Hei as transportation in the cities. Besides I am penniless and... old."

Mei smiled at his words. "No problem. I can carry you."

Yuanming blinked at her words and repeated them in his mind. Strangely enough it sounded good to him. If she had already chosen to follow him he might as well take advantage of her now that he was a weak old man.

"You're not so dumb after all. Heh."

They began planning their trip to Celestial Ember City which was two days away. He made it clear that he needed to go to Arral to handle some "family matters" and hoped that Junnan and the others were living their best lives right now. By inquiring about the spirit ceremony, he realized that a week had passed since the festival meaning he had been away for nine days. He had nothing on him because star cultivators couldn't use artifacts or weapons; they were solely dependent on cosmos which sounded ridiculous to him.

"Whatever happens around me you must keep it secret. I have some acquaintances who won't be happy to see me again." he said with a serious tone.

Mei furrowed her brows. "What do you gain from going to Arral? Why not aim for something bigger like Sanszhin?"

Yuanming's heart raced when he heard Sanszhin mentioned. In his lifetime he knew no one who had visited Sanszhin and those who went there never returned. Sanszhin was the realm of dragons and other magical beings lived there and it was the world of gods, but no one could reach it and rumors said that a dragon would open a portal for someone who had collected 50 different unique dragon scrolls.

He suddenly saw Junnan's face in his mind with a cunning smile who stood next to Junhao and Wei Meiying. They all laughed at him loudly pointing at him. They were all powerful, so he didn't stand a chance even with Hei Hei. He looked at Hei Hei and got an idea but quickly pushed it away. His Master would surely punish him if Hei Hei went berserk in the world.

"Have you considered my words?" Mei suddenly asked.

Yuanming nodded. "Yes. Only a stronger one can defeat someone who is strong, but it sounds so cliché to me." he said looking at his hands and letting out a deep sigh.

A star cultivator was rarely seen in the world, and it was even rarer for one to be born in a generation but strangely he was born with the abilities. Was it possible to search for other star cultivators? The closest place was in Labunagaan the realm before Sanszhin but there was something he had to do first.

"If you get others to fight for you you won't have to lift a finger." Mei suggested.

"Actually, that doesn't sound so bad." he commented nodding.

It sounded perfect to him. The problem was him or rather his old body. Who the hell would "serve" an old miser?

He stroked Hei Hei's soft fur and regretted that the lotus had been eaten. The best place to gather an army in Amenale was the place everyone feared the most namely Phantom Shadow City also known as Ghost City but there was one person to get through first and that was the hardest part. Amenale was not the realm of the spirit for nothing. There was a spirit being that ruled in Phantom Shadow City. If he could get on its good side it could open doors to many other places.

"Let's go to Phantom Shadow City first. It's on the way to Celestial Ember City." Yuanming suggested.

Mei furrowed her brows. "Why do you want to go there?"

Yuanming pointed to the sky. "Cultivate."

Mei furrowed her brows again and asked "Are you crazy? You already have your star cultivation! It will take you another lifetime."

Yuanming chuckled. "Heh. That's why we need to go to Ghost City."

Mei nodded and smiled slightly. "Okay but the question is whether we'll come back alive. I hope your plan works."

Yuanming had no plan, but he had to start somewhere.

He looked at Hei Hei and touched his fur which felt silky soft playing with the hairs with his fingers that slid through effortlessly. So soft!

He smiled and gently patted Hei Hei on the neck.

"You won't let me die, will you?"

"Uwau?" Hei Hei exclaimed looking at him.