A Beautiful Future

Xie Lian found her breath turning calm and even. She felt the ambient Qi of the world all around her, and she reached out. A strand of the Qi was pulled and inhaled through her mouth, dispersing in her lungs and being absorbed by her meridians that were like a second set of veins in her body. The energy was then forced to travel along these channels and at last expelled into her dantian.

Yin-Yang Unification Art was a fascinating cultivation manual, and although she lacked any reference due to her veritable lack of experience, she was sure it was cut above the rest. It was no wonder that Su Yan would be hunted down for it.

Thinking about the man sent her heart aflutter, recalling his moonlit visage as he cradled her in his arms. It put a smile on her face that she had gotten so lucky to run into him. Really, what a turn of events. Before she was captured, she had resolved herself to end her life swiftly should the chance present itself. But after being freed, she couldn't help but wonder whether it was a blessing in disguise.

She let out another breath feeling the impurities being expelled from the Qi she had just inhaled. Despite investing so little time meditating, she could already feel a subtle improvement in her cultivation. Yet her knowledge of the art let her know that this wasn't even close to a single percentage of the real speed it could employ. For that, she would need to participate in the act of real dual cultivation.

Thinking about that put a crimson blush on her smooth white face, making her heart race in fear and anticipation. She was a maiden in heart and body, unaware of the course. It was only his gentle ministrations that put her heart at ease.

Su Yan had been blunt in expressing his desires, and she had felt no small amount of attraction in return. Their relation was based on the principle of equal exchange, but there was nothing that stated it had to stay that way. Maybe in the future they could develop something real.

Xie Lian smiled at the prospect of a blessed future and felt a burning desire take root in her heart. If for nothing else, she would work toward that future with everything she had. If she had already lost her family once, then she wasn't going to lose it again. Even if it was but a promise, she would strive to make it more real than reality itself.

The sound of the door creaking open put her out of her musing, and she opened her eyes to gaze at the man who had provided her with a chance to fight for that life. He held a cloth bag in his hands that caught her eye, and she looked at him with a brow raised.

He smiled and handed it to her. "I brought this for you. You should give it a try."

She removed the beautiful garment from its carrier and felt her eyes widen. It was certainly the most charming piece of apparel that she had been given in all her life.

"Why?" That was all she could utter, her mind hard at work trying to process the situation.

"Well," he said, "remember when I told you about going to Martial Union?" She nodded stiffly. "It turned out to be a fruitful endeavor. I secured enough funds for us to last a few weeks; enough time to work something out."

"But why this?" She pointed at the clothing in her hand.

"Yeah, well, I realized you had not much to wear, so this." He shrugged. "Anyway, if it doesn't suit your tastes, we can always look for something else. For now, just make do with it."

"No!" She shook her head. "This is pretty. I like it."

"Good." He nodded. "Well, then let's move out of here after changing."

She nodded her head, clutching the fabric in her petite white hands. "Thanks."

Donning the dress was a chore and a half. It somehow held a dozen bindings that had to be secured, but by the end the result was enough to overwhelm any complaint she might've had.

She turned around and looked at her form in the small mirror. Using the hair stick, she tied her hair into a bun, letting two curly bangs fall on the side of her face.

"You look charming." A compliment drew her attention to the man who had changed into black robes with red trim. He had tied his hair into a ponytail and wore his sword on his back.

"Thank you." She smiled while displaying her pearly white teeth, catching a look of awe on his face. Somehow that made her heart swell with pride and confidence. "Well, are we ready to leave?"

"After you." He displayed an exaggerated bow, and she happily tottered toward the door. They left their room and walked downstairs. The lady that had greeted them yesterday gawked at the display, and Xie Lian flashed her a smile.

An occasional gaze would turn their way, and Xie Lian would make sure to walk with confidence. Despite not being used to such attention, she wasn't going to let the attention pressure her. No, she would walk with her head held high, because she was no longer a mortal but a cultivator.

Su Yan had ordered a ride to their destination. A carriage pulled by a beast taller than her, with matted black fur and angry red eyes. It huffed as it hoofed the road.

They climbed aboard, and the beast rushed forward. Sitting in the back beside Su Yan, she was offered an excellent view of the street full of stalls and shops. Once in a while a tall building with a sign would catch her attention. A bar there, a clothier here. A few minutes in, she could even see the smoke coming out of the bakery and smithies. The streets were full of pedestrians hustling and bustling while they made their way toward the inner circle.