The Ice Empress' Past

The realm of Heaven took pride in being a cut above the realm of Mortals. The Cultivators here thrived for the quality of the qi provided by the spirit stones are significantly better.

The techniques for each element proliferated by sects are not only deadly, but also ingenious in their battle application. A mortal realm cultivator gifted with an earth qi might flatten you by tossing a boulder at your direction, but an adept from the realm of heavens will bury you alive by controlling the very earth you are standing upon.

For someone heralded as one of this realm's strongest, how would someone like her pass the time?

Naturally, it would be in the company of a woman.

The Lotus Pavilion is a marvel in architecture, its bottom is an stylish garden while the six storey building had the image of six heavenly padma lotuses stacked on top of the other, each one exquisite enough to rival Buddha's throne. Gilded in gold, its interior held as much splendor as its exterior.

In this heavenly pavilion the cultivators to play a different kind of game than just fighting, it is socializing. For it is true that a cultivator's life revolves around conflict, they must find respite and soothe their souls every once in a while, lest they find themselves as beasts who lived only for battle.

Its proprietor, Madame Shu, opened the Pavilion as some sort of an establishment where cultivators could unwind. A pseudo restaurant serving the best quality drinks and food. They even rented lodging in the topmost lotus floors if the guests ever wished to spend the evening. What she didn't count on, was that the place would devolve into a place where dual cultivators would flock to find partners with strong a cultivation base. Or simply the promiscuous ones who wanted nothing more than to indulge in the flesh.

By the time Shu had realized, she was already raking in profits. And speaking of profits, two of her biggest spenders had just walked in. Both masked, their identities hidden but their desire was not.

"Welcome, you two! The usual table, I take it!?" The aged woman's glee was apparent. For the duo's usual table not only signified prestige, but also a whole lot of spirit stones for the madam.

"You know us well, Madame. The usual it is." Zhen smiled.

While Bao and Zhen made their way to their usual spot, Bao smirked as she pointed out to his companion.

"Look, the apple of your eye is staring at you."

The tension was apparent as Zhen locked eyes with the woman that possessed a fierce enough beauty to rival an empress, Da Ji. Her obsidian hair was held up into a bun by golden hair pins adorned with expensive gems. Her orange robe, showed a sliver of her porcelain skin.

Zhen was the first to break their stare, since she she had already taken a bite of this apple just last week. Truth be told, Zhen would like to have another. It was no good, Zhen was starting to develop romantic feelings for this wicked woman after such an intense encounter. Sparing only a stare was Zhen's way of nipping her feelings in the bud.

"Let her stare. I have judged her flame qi to be incompatible with mine. I want to dual cultivate with a different partner today."

The duo sat into a spacious table, adorned with expensive liquor of various kind. From Vihara Peaches, a sweet but tangy spirit. To Adhara pears, possessing a rich but strong flavor. The key difference from their mortal realm fruit counterparts were simple, they carried natural qi within them akin to spirit stones, plus they are more flavorful to boot.

Bao grabbed the small jar and poured some Adhara wine into his cup, "That sounds awfully like an excuse, especially with how agressive you were in your pursuit last time. You know what I think, I think you like her."

"What you need to think about is her reputation." Zhen opted for the Vihara wine, spilling some into her cup.

Da Ji was known throughout the Heavenly Realm to leave her lovers in shambles. After wringing them of all their spirit stones, Da Ji would simply move on to the next. Plenty of powerful cultivators have been reduced to nothing but a husk before her.

A wicked woman through and through, Zhen could only imagine how the public would view their general if they knew she was Dual Cultivating with such a person. For this very reason, she wore her pristine mask. A mask that she could take off and resume her duties at the heavenly court without judgement.

"You did not seem to care last time when you dragged her to the topmost floor." Bao argued.

It was the thrill of taming such a ruinous woman that fuelled Zhen to pursue Da Ji. What Zhen did not expect was that she would find the Da Ji to be devilishly attractive even after bedding her.

"Enough, Bao. Let us change the discussion, shall we?"

"As you wish."

"So, have you taken your pick?" Zhen steered the conversation elsewhere.

"I have, as matter of fact, I'm going to make my move right now."

"Is that so? Then Good luck."

"You know full well that I have no need to rely on luck."

Instead of picking up women, for now Zhen would enjoy the wine some more and enjoy her friend's quest on finding partners to dual cultivate with. The night was still young, after all.

+++

In the corner of the pavilion, a man and woman were hitting it off.

The lady looked prim and proper with her blue robe dress while the man was garbed in standard sect clothing.

Bao's lips arced into a mischievous smile as he went in between them.

"Excuse me, but would the pretty dame be interested in giving me her name?"

With Bao's striking red eyes and his killer smile, the woman as at a loss since she didn't want to appear to be betraying the man she was already making a connection with. A man that fumed in anger at the affront.

"Hey, you dare court her when she's already speaking to a man!?"

"Well, I'm not just hitting on her. I'm hitting on you, as well.

"What!?" The Man was dumbfounded. Is this masked guy one of those that they call homosexuals?

"You heard me. Come join me at our table..." Bao grabbed and kissed the dame's hand. Right after, his attention went to the man and winked at him.

"...I promise that us three will have the night of our lives."

"Oh I get it, are you telling me that we should team up against her?"

Bao's salacious smirk grew wider, "No. We are going to get down and dirty. A swordfight between men underneath the sheets! Well, if you're into that sort of thing."

From afar, Zhen chuckled as she watched the man storm off in anger and confusion. A part of Zhen admired Bao's voracity when it came to picking up partners. He was a true carnivore that devoured men and women both.

For Zhen though, only women can sate her appetite. Speaking of, a rather troublesome one had approached her table.

"Not even a single greeting. Is this how you treat all the women you've had your way with?"

Da Ji crossed her arms as she gazed down at the carefree Zhen.