In the time it took Chao Bai to recover enough to walk on her own, Feng Shuchang and Feng Mei Xing subdued the restless representatives of the small sects taking part in the rebellion. Though not a lot held the highest positions as the Feng siblings did in their sect, they were still the direct disciples beneath influential people. With Zenith Star and Tiaozheng taking direct fire and absorbing the highest risk of letting all of them enter their lands. It was only fair they didn't make too big of a fuss as they weren't the ones in danger of having their base being infiltrated by large groups of strangers on the daily. If anything, this kind of thing would have never been possible had Tiaozheng kept their doors closed. "Opening their gates to unknown individuals, how much do they wish to destroy those associated with Golden Cloud?"
Thinking she was asking her, Ehuang who was taking her pulse removes her hand from Chao Bai's wrist and records her discoveries before answering. "Naturally they harbor as much hatred as you have for them, after all haven't we all lost something behind those golden gates?" The veiled sickly miss sat up straight allowing her sleeve to roll back down as she peers at the slowly approaching wood gates and stone platform with a line of cultivators awaiting their descent. "How reassuring." Glancing at Chao Bai who had seemingly come back to her senses as if the one who collapsed after almost shattering her core in half wasn't herself Ehuang felt an incoming wave of worries. "...If you really cannot stand it Lady Chao Bai-" Holding her hand out the woman spoke calmly "You don't need to fret, whatever happens to me from here on out will have nothing to do with you."
"Ha." She spitefully laughs at heartless little spiritual beast "-Chao Bai sometimes I wonder why you're so insightful about the most menial tasks yet ignorant on simple ones. As my patient and your friend am I not qualified to worry even a little about you?" Befriending a human. Chao Bai almost laughed too but thought it'd be cruel the the woman helping her so instead her voice softens in response "Do I look that bad?" Ehuang breathes a breath of relief seeing Chao Bai really returned to normal and spoke honestly "You look like you could die if you tripped once." Chao Bai chuckled "Really? Maybe they will take pity on me like you do then." Her healer naturally clicked her tongue towards her disregarding reply finding it not funny at all. "Is your history with him complicated? An old flame gone bad?"
Chao Bai neither laughed or sneered at the disrespectful pry of a question, raising her hand for Ehuang to help her stand which she did with the upmost care. "My clan does not allow the mixing of blood from different clans, we would be executed for merely being fond of others outside our own. Had I been involved in a clan such as the Red Fox's I'd have been the victim of more than just execution. They would have carved me alive with the crest of a sinner and pulled my insides out till I was on my last breath before stuffing me with the insides of lower beasts. I would never have made it out of my clan alive for even being in the same room as one." Ehuang's almost stumbled, hesitantly peering under Chao Bai, even stopping her from stepping out of the carriage confusing the people outside.
"Chao Bai how could you..." Not tell me this before? The veiled spiritual beast's voice was like the wind on spring, straining Ehuang's lungs further. "I have long left my people, I am a wanted traitor in the clan I had left behind. So, if a Royal calls for me as long as I live in their lands I must answer. No matter if I live or die, I am still in the territory of a different clan taking refugee." The weak spiritual beast brought out feelings of protectiveness in Ehuang more than anyone else. Seeing her noble spirit wavering, Ehuang felt it was so painful to look at she regretted ever meeting the cruel woman. Without another word shared between them, Ehuang was the first to step out into the sunlight.
"Lady Chao Bai, Miss Ehuang. This junior welcomes Master's esteemed guests to our humble sect." Though not a deep one, the one charged with greeting them respectfully salutes with a bright smile on their face. Her brown hair carrying an interesting string of glass beads not quite in the style of the noble immortals. Her cheeks full of happiness with a white dove sitting upon her shoulders peering at them curiously. Although her words were short and spoken brightly instead of seriously, her innocence and the admiration in her eyes when landing upon Ehuang when she exited was genuine. The ones around her bending their waists, presumably the younger students and older outer disciples flushed red.
Not only because Dongmei was too eager to greet the guests, but because she spoke before letting both of them descend from the carriage. Before she had even stepped out from the door she heard such a young and vivacious voice greeting her shadow and could see Ehuang's brow twitch in response. She wasn't one to mind a junior's ignorance and dampen their spirits so she didn't feel much towards it besides tilting her head in Dongmei's direction. Ehuang too held her opinions and continued to help Chao Bai down. Dongmei's heart trembles even more seeing the dainty person fully enter her vision. Her eyes brighten, and without even having to ask she could see why such a graceful being was called The Lady of Mist.
Sensing such eager eyes upon herself, Chao Bai nods to the other letting Dongmei's face blossom into a bright smile resembling a rose. "Master said that after traveling so far in such a short time that Lady Chao Bai may want to rest for awhile, a room near master's pavilion was prepared in advance. Would seniors like to be led there first to freshen up before mealtime?" "Ahem." Before Ehuang had the chance to answer, a man standing behind Dongmei nudges the young woman slightly, as if to remind her she forgot something. Ehuang waited patiently and scrutinizes their carefree attitudes and personalities which were quite different from their own sect. It could be seen from the start that Tiaozheng was quite free-spirited in their way of teaching.
"The cleansing spell." Murmuring this reminder to her before stepping back respectfully once more, he could see Dongmei openly express dislike for said spell before turning back to the two older woman saying reluctantly. "Before entering the sect, this junior will have to respectfully request for Lady Chao Bai and Miss Ehuang to undergo an inspection for any suspicious or dubious objects." Although they're sects could be said to be close, this was a time of high tension, especially after the poisoning attempt. So it was only to be expected that getting through the gates would be harder than usual. Ehuang had no problems with this check, as she had already left all of Chao Bai's medication inside the carriage. On the other hand though, she peeks at the calm Chao Bai and gestures with one finger for the person who could be said to be in the second position of command.
The man who reminded Dongmei to check their person for anything harmful. Although a bit confused, he still walks over and listens to what Ehuang whispers into his ear. Dongmei too was curious about her actions, the rest of the sect members even more so. Whatever Ehuang said to him made the man's expression tremble faintly, doing his best to not look over to Chao Bai in disbelief he could only ambiguously say. "...I understand, I will make sure that the proper precautions be made in advance. Matriarch Wu will also be notified promptly, I apologize for the lack of foresight we showed for Lady Chao Bai condition." Ehuang curtly nodded, he raised his head speaking to the others waiting in bated silence. "Dongmei, you can go back first. Lei Shi take the rest and return to your duties or studies. Eiling-" As he dismisses the small group of people, Ehuang could see their reluctance at a glance.
Its somewhat to be expected, a sect of spiritual animal admirers, a spiritual beast as noble looking as Chao Bai is a rare sight. Especially one who has perfected a humanoid figure without a trace of her beastly qualities. However, under the cool look of Ehuang plus the commanding Yan Zhang they couldn't protest and meekly vacant the gates. Shoving one another back into the sect with lingering peeks over their shoulders. Dongmei was also mildly disappointed and reluctant to let go of her duty. She was shot a stern look from Yan Zhang when she trudged back inside too. Yan Zhang heaved a breath, showing a somewhat embarrassed expression to Ehuang and Chao Bai. "Forgive them for their ignorance, a spiritual beast with such a pure aura like Lady Chao Bai is hard to see in their everyday life. They are just too excited, other than a few glimpses of Sir Hulian by the Matriarchs side, a high leveled spiritual beast such as yourself is extremely rare."
He receives a nod from Chao Bai and kept his fan heart in check too by clearing his throat and prying his eyes from the elegant being. Politely leading the way to a side entrance he lowers his head a tinge and spoke more respectfully than the innocent Dongmei. "Miss Ehuang and Lady Chao Bai can go through this way, only inner disciples or seniors like myself are allowed in this way. However, since Madam Feng and Sir Feng vouched for you both there's no problem if you go through here either. It will only require a quick check from ChanChan, our sect's noble secretary." Ehuang tried not to be too surprised when they crossed the threshold and came face to face with a almost magical stream of water running around the inside walls of the sect.
Despite herself, Chao Bai actually felt a stirring in her inner spiritual sea, a sense of connection. Raising her head Chao Bai removes her veil of her own accord and raised her blindfolded gaze accurately to the stream of water just above them. Yan Zhang's expression notably softens as a lightning quick blob of festive orange and pearl white swam through the glass pipes to their location. The chubby child, her dress and tail the same shade of pearl white, her hair a darling shade soft orange, peeks from the stream at them with large brown eyes. "ChanChan, today because of special circumstances our guests have to come through this way. You don't mind do you?"
Yan Zhang was used to the young spiritual beast being particularly sensitive towards strangers, adverse to those with heavy karma within their spiritual seas. The young spiritual beast was cautious at first ducking back in aversion because of the stench of medicine. Yet when Chao Bai removed her veil, without them noticing, the fidgeting child's disdainful eyes grew wider with pure incredulity. Even if Lady Chao Bai had poison within her blood, other than some disdain ChanChan shouldn't react violently. This was Yan Zhang's current thoughts so he was relaxed about bringing them this way. But the scene of fleeing in his mind never came to fruition, Yan Zhang grew alarmed and he reflectively extends his arms to catch the flying spiritual beast. "ChanChan!!"
Ehuang moved first intending to pull Chao Bai behind her, but the woman herself refused to move meeting the bundle of white and orange with her arms out instead. A soft chuckle escapes her when the child rubs her wet hair into the crook of Chao Bai's neck covering her clothes in salty water affectionately. Two humans watched in disbelief as the two strangers displayed a reuniting scene as if they were family. When her entire dress was soaked in water Chao Bai uncharactristically pats the child's head in a fond manner. "I had thought you a koi at first." Perhaps it was not her first time hearing this, for the child pouted very obviously in an aggravated manner.
"Lady Chao Bai you know this child?" Yan Zhang was the first to snap out of his shock, Ehuang was quick to follow, hurriedly taking out a blanket to wrap around Chao Bai's shoulders. Muttering helplessly after seeing that the spiritual beast clearly meant no harm to her patient. "You don't even have a proper change of clothes! If I knew you were going to get all wet I would have brought a hand stove." She stuffs a warming talisman into the blanket which would at least help a tad bit with the situation, but it wasn't as effective as a room full of coal. Hesitantly peering at the child still insistently hugging Chao Bai around her neck like a sticky bun. Her chubby tail occasionally flopping about in her excitement.
Chao Bai shook her head while ChanChan raised hers higher to meet the cool palm of the gentle sea serpent rubbing her chubby cheek against her. "My clan was in close affiliation with hers, it is merely the affection of instincts and recognition of blood." Not only was Ehuang stunned by the unexpected situation but Yan Zhang too. However with this explanation they both expressed sudden understanding and cleverly ask no more of the quick liking the two took upon one another. Perhaps because she hadn't met a sea serpent before Chao Bai, ChanChan tugs the other's sleeve and coyly rests her head upon her chest. So, meeting her request, naturally Chao Bai took a particularly fragrant white herb and handed it generously to the other. Even kindly enfusing her own essence into it's roots enabling the frangrance to strengthen to the point where even the human cultivators could smell it without trying.
Ehuang quickly recognized it was a rather expensive herb mainly treasured for those under martial king who were at a bottleneck to nurture their spiritual roots and was surprised by her generosity. Even if Chao Bai was long over Martial King, it was most likely a gift from the Feng siblings meant to nourish her body. For her to give something meant to help her health to another, wasn't this strangely selfless of her? ChanChan's eyes practically glow with joy, wrapping the cool root in her palms she gave the blindfolded beauty a fawning stare. Yan Zhang hesitated to interrupt, but Ehuang had no such psychological problems openly stating with disapproval. "Are you planning to be ill? If a wind blows once or twice won't you catch your death again?" Chao Bai rests her hand on the child's back to support her in her arms appearing nonchalant. "I do not fear the cold."
The healer could only deepen her frown, but around outsiders she merely tightens the blanket around Chao Bai's shoulders unhappily. "Lets go, take us to our temporary quarters first. You can send a missive out for Feng Shuchang to meet us in the room instead." Knowing better than to ask too much questions, although he was flustered and confused by the sudden situation he still smoothly responds and led them further inside the sect. Occasionally his eyes would linger in the direction of ChanChan and eye catching features of the surprisingly tolerant adult spiritual beast. Because of the lack of people allowed this way, the path was clear of stranglers and they quickly came to the isolated wing of the Matriarch's courtyard.
Stopping at door Yan Zhang sent ChanChan one last look before lowering his head to prevent himself from looking at Chao Bai's face again. Showing his self restraint and acknowledgment of the other, "Lady Chao Bai and Miss Ehuang can rest here, no one is permitted to enter the courtyard besides the Matriarch herself and Sir Hulian so you may rest at ease." Leaving Ehuang to deal with the more menial things, Chao Bai settles the young spiritual beast back into her pipes much to her disappointment. She tugs Chao Bai's sleeve once more, only to receive a gentle poke at the tip of her nose expressing soft rejection. Chao Bai's voice was low so only the child could hear. "You do not know me. Not all of my people are as tolerant of other clans anymore, be wary from now on."
ChanChan intelligently settled down, clutching her gift tightly while watching Chao Bai enter the room with no way to follow her without legs of her own. Her little head swirls with the words of caution left by the older spiritual beast for a moment before she hesitantly leaves the area. Pearl tail flinging water all over the stone path. "Chao Bai, I'm fetching Feng Shuchang if you need me call out." Raising her hand in acknowledgement, she could sense Ehuang's unease at leaving her alone in a foreign sect; Along with the words they had shared together in the carriage it was not comforting. But Chao Bai never acknowledged her worries, letting it hang until the door shut behind them. Listening to the rustle of clothing and footsteps getting further from her, only then did Chao Bai hear the rustle of a different set of clothing from her left.
Staying calm despite being alone with a stranger, Chao Bai played deaf too, staying seated with a peaceful aura. Then, with this rustling came the smell of the earth, like a hot summer wind. The words were spoken with caution and confusion "You don't smell like a creature of the sea." Hulian had been following along since ChanChan's leap of faith, observing the protagonist of his dreams since her appearance at the sect doorsteps. Her steps as light as a dancers, her poise straight and prideful, her scent... Blinking thrice he could only depict a chilly misty wind from her, fresh and despite her sickly appearance, violent. He leans in, taking in her beautiful long snow hair in a stride, his line of sight stopping on the white blindfold covering her sight.
With it, the heavy scent of medicine emitting from her very bones. His blue eyes flicker in the sun, Hulian adds lazily "You are no ordinary enlightened beast." The royal fox never moved his gaze from her face, setting cross-legged on top of the table beside her; He continued to stare straight at the other beast in a straightforward manner. The cautious fox watches as the other lifts her hands to her blindfold, lightly touching it's surface, she spoke then, sounding like a sharp yet delightful bell.
The kind which you would only encounter where civilization was close to null in a home of tranquility and solemnity. It was a pleasant voice at least. "If you are curious shall I enlighten you?" Rubbing his earlobe, Hulian ponders her question, knowing she wouldn't be so kind. "Beast to beast, for people of our standing, wouldn't it be best to be blunt and honest? We are not humans who walk circles with our words tirelessly." Chao Bai was somewhat intrigued by his proposal, not surprised he guessed her position so easily. Instead, she faces him in silence, then, slowly reaches behind her head.
His brows rise quickly, then fall just as fast as soon as he spotted the faint glimmer of stardust when she flutters her lashes under the sunlight. Breath taken away by the godly sight, the royal desert fox held his tongue and meet eyes of glittering moonlight with near amazement. Where dark pupils should be, instead there was an inhuman and heavenlike glittering platter of silver dust. Chao Bai gave the specter of soft red sitting before her a few seconds to bear witness to her gift before lowering her eyelids as the red began swirling showing the man's inner dilemma. At her feet green and bronze light tickled the bottle of her slippers, a testament to the rich vortex of spiritual energy the sect was built upon which made sense as a sect housing multiple spiritual beasts.
He felt a strange sense of loss and hesitation when the spiritual beast shut her eyes completely as if the mere sight of the world was too blinding and painful to endure. Nose twitching, his attention moved from the beautiful maiden to the blindfold clutched lightly in her palms. Blue eyes narrowing, he lightly brushes a finger along the inner lining and brought his finger up to his nose to clarify the smell. Narrowing his pupils after identifying the poison, Hulian did his best to calm his agitated breathing. Peering at the weak royal in front of him with trembling shoulders "....Your clan allowed you to leave and end up in this state?" Barely hiding the anger in his voice as he questioned her pitiful circumstances. Hulian bared his teeth at the audacity and foolishness of the other's previous clan.
Abandoning and exiling a Royal to live a life such as hers... Hulian wanted to tear the throat of the Lord who ruled her clan with such foolishness. Chao Bai however, simply flutters her lashes to peek at him allowing him that brief glimpse of moonlight in daylight for a second time. "You pity me?" He gave her a somewhat angry grin "You doubt me? How could I sit by and not feel anger in my heart seeing a royal reduced to a patient relying on the care and whims of humans? Is the Zenith Star mistreating you? Threatening you?" Chao Bai almost smiled and spoke deliberately wistfully "They dare cage a royal?" She is right. But Hulian pursed his lips unhappily either way as Chao Bai's current state was far from a noble beast chosen by heaven.
"Do you know what I am?" Hearing her ask this Hulian naturally paused before taking the blindfold from her hands without much aversion. "I don't know how your clan raised their royals, however, in my clan we were treated to only the best education and treatment." Crumpling the silk blindfold he sneers down at it "-We did not harm our own." "You are naïve." Chao Bai ruthlessly shatters his noble pursuit. Neither took action as scales of ice quickly encapsulates her body. She gave the stunned fox a humorless quirk of the lips "The Silver Sea has yet to set under your people's oppression, and yet you dare to still act righteous?"