I stood before the mirror, adjusting my traditional Chinese New Year outfit – long red silk robe and ornate vest. Looked pretty good, eager to see the girls in theirs. Each planned her own style, far as I knew.
In my space ring, two velvet boxes with the Totem vessels I'd found for them. Planned to gift at meeting. Haven't soul-activated yet – bought five Servant-level souls and one Pack Leader each from local market. That kickstarts Mid-level cultivation tools.
Further upgrades on later camps. TuTu's vessel stores soul energy to revive Phoenix; Mu Nujiao's for magic-boost constructs.
If not scared of exposure, I'd dump parallel-world Totem vessels on artifactors for study. Killer functions hidden in 'em. I'd love attack-magic boost myself, but no such vessel found – would've switched, souls no issue.
Save that for Forbidden Curse magehood. Forge my power, recruit newbie artifactors, drill 'em with past-cycle materials, examples, Totem vessel knowledge from when they were made.
Won't time-hop without solid power – who knows where/when monsters roam? Our cycle has spotty histories; past cycle, zilch.
"Big Uncles" mid-high Emperors rarely shift turf, but others migrate every millennium or centuries. World changes; don't wanna land in passing Emperor's jaws.
Last costume tweak, out my room to hotel lobby, wait for girls. Hour later – not their record, but quick.
Gazing at these two – one mine – I couldn't look away; they were stunning today.
TuTu in red hanfu with gold accents, black sash wrapping it. Light makeup highlighted her beauty; confident smile added charm of a girl who knew her worth. Hair in updo baring white neck. Wanted to rip off that hanfu, but midday – too early. Still waiting on her promised surprise.
Mu Nujiao in white hanfu with pink lotus patterns. Red long skirt covered legs; matching sash wrapped, hiding from prying eyes. Chestnut hair updo spotlighted emerald eyes. Unlike TuTu, cheeks blushed, shy smile.
"So, how do we look?" TuTu broke my admiration with a foxy grin, spinning. Mu Nujiao surprisingly copied, blushing harder.
"You two are flawless. You'll outshine every girl at the festival. And to accent your refined beauty more, please accept a couple humble gifts from me," Slight bow, pulled two red velvet boxes from space ring, opened. Gasps of awe answered.
First box: Phoenix pendant. Black body edged gold. Rubies inset all over; biggest center as heart. Rubies shimmered in sun like dancing flames.
Second: Wing earrings. Silver-gold clasps. Wings gradient purple-to-emerald-to-blue. Felt like green flame floating 'twixt cosmos and ocean. Mesmerizing.
"Try 'em on – exactly what I hunted 1.5 months for you. Hope you like," Seeing stunned silence, I urged.
TuTu snapped first; I positioned her box so no guessing. She took pendant gingerly, inspected, unclasped gold chain, turned baring neck.
"Help me?" She hinted. I obliged.
Fastening it, it glowed briefly; TuTu noted:
"Mu Bai, I feel a weird link to this pendant, but faint. Barely sense it," Turned, batted curious eyes.
"Means the Totem vessel accepted you as owner – no worries. Take these soul containers, feed your pendant; I'll finish with Mu Nujiao," Handed containers from ring; eyes widened.
"Here," Offered remaining box to my friend. Earned the title these months; loved chatting since she dropped the mask. Glad she's real now.
"Help put 'em on?" Shy smile, removed old earrings.
Won't ask why not herself – removed olds fine. Just clasp new ones. TuTu glanced slyly smirking – plotting what?
"Done," Hands off pink ears. Won't show I know they blushed from my touch. Turning to TuTu, Mu Nujiao grabbed my hand.
"From now on, call me Jiao Jiao? I d-don't mind," Stumbled nervously end. Called her that rarely before, mostly full name. If she wants deeper friendship, fine by me.
"Of course, thrilled to," Smiled; she mirrored happily. Gave her TuTu's soul containers, continued:
"Now I'll explain your Totem vessels' properties, then we hit the city to celebrate. Heh, even this crime den celebrates big – heard Lai Chansin shelled out for lantern-filled sky and evening Dragon Dances show. Should be fun," Told girls today's plan, started on their cultivation vessels.
Regarding TuTu, I didn't go into too much detail, just saying that this vessel would help control a very powerful monster in the future, one that could seriously shake the country if it attacked. I tactfully kept quiet about the fact that I wasn't talking about some weak country, but China, and that with a bit of luck, the Phoenix would take him down too. No need to ruin her psyche ahead of time.
But with Jiao Jiao, I gave more precise info about her vessel. When she learned that her High-level movement magic would be doubled, her eyes literally sparkled with joy. Over these past month and a half, she'd already been constantly thanking me for the top-quality Spiritual Seed of wind, and now this bonus.
And when I mentioned the fourfold boost at the Supreme level, she nearly fainted, while TuTu looked at her earrings with envy. Heh, apparently a straightforward ability like magic enhancement—even if just in one direction—is more appealing to her than hypothetically controlling a powerful monster someday. I didn't mention the Curse level boost, since even I'm not sure about it, and it's too early for her anyway.
"Well, girls, ready to have some fun?"
Once their shock wore off, I smiled at them and offered my elbow to TuTu so she could grab it. Walking arm-in-arm with your girlfriend is pure pleasure.
Unexpectedly, Jiao Jiao grabbed my other elbow and pressed my arm to her chest. When I looked at her, she just turned away, leaving me with a view of her reddening ears. When I glanced at TuTu for answers, she just gave a mysterious smile and mouthed,
"Don't overthink it."
Looks like this walk is gonna be interesting, I thought, strolling arm-in-arm with two beauties and ignoring the envious stares from passing men. I think I know what TuTu's up to, but this time, I'm all for it.
Today my vacation starts, and nothing's gonna ruin it!