Mana 6 Ch 1 (Patreon)

Ming Feng nuzzled into the side of my neck, leaving a trail of tender kisses to wake me up.

“What time is it?” I groaned, shielding my eyes from the sun coming in the window of our marital suite.

Everything was draped in red lacy silks, and flower petals were liberally dusted all over the room. Of course, I hadn’t had eyes for anything else last night to notice them before.

“It’s time for you to get up. We need to go greet our parents. And based on what I saw at the end of the celebration, all of your wives are staying here tonight too.” Ming yawned.

I stole a taste of Ming’s lips and rolled her onto her back before kissing her. My mind wandered towards morning sex as my erection brushed against her thigh.

Ming groaned, but not in the way that I’d hoped. She groaned in sexual frustration. “We can’t. But seriously, you are insatiable. Maybe it won’t be so bad to have help in the bedroom.”

Laughing, I gave her one more kiss before rolling off of her and sliding out of bed. “It was hard to keep my mana beasts at bay; they were begging to join us last night, but our wedding night was just for you.”

She propped herself up on an arm, staring at me. “Is this the last night of just the two of us?”

“No.” I said firmly. “We’ll find more time. After all, we have eternity together, but be ready for Aurora next time. I don’t know if I can hold her back again.”

The little Kunpeng herself butted against her ring hard enough to make it flash on my naked chest.

“Seems someone wants out.” Ming crawled over and traced the six rings on my chest. Five of them were filled with colorful depictions of each of my mana beasts. The final one was plain, still waiting to be filled. “This is an incredible cultivation method. I think you often undersell just how unique and powerful it is. What’s going to be the next one?” There was a sort of childlike excitement in her eyes at the question.

Even I wanted to know what my next mana beast would be.

“I’m not sure. It is less about filling the ring and more about waiting for the RIGHT mana beast. At this point in my cultivation, having it empty is better than filling it with some random beast.” I placed my hand over hers, pressing them both against the rings.

All five rings pulsed happily in my chest.

I loved them. While I had a number of wives, my mana beasts were special; they were always with me, riding just over my heart.

“You love them.” Ming pressed herself up behind me, tempting me even if she said that we had to go. “I hope you can solve their problem.”

Marital night had not just been sex, but telling each other so many things. Ming knew about my goal to make them real, more than just projections of their souls, to make them able to bear children.

Phoebe had answers, but so far, while she’d certainly joined me in bed quickly enough, we hadn’t had much time to get into the specifics and work towards that goal.

“We will. But, if you aren’t careful, you are going to end up on your back moaning again. And if we are any later, your parents are going to send someone in here to get us.” I kissed her over my shoulder while her hand wandered down my hip, brushing my erection before she jumped off me, darting away with a laugh.

Aurora pulsed in her ring, and what she was offering was clear. But I knew that once the little sex pot got started, it wasn’t going to end with a single blow job.

Ming threw on a dress and sat down at a mirror to make herself presentable. Seeing her nearly ready, I moved to get dressed myself.

As I washed myself with a rag and put on a robe, I had to pause and wonder about my rings. The 7th rank was far away. Even with as much progress as I’d been making, jumping from the 6th to the 7th rank in a short amount of time was impossible.

It was likely that this 6th ring would be my last for many years, so it was even more important I make good use of the ring. I still wasn’t sure which mana beast would be right.

The white-haired girl, Bai, daughter of the mysterious Xiaobai came to mind. But I also knew she was a free spirit and unlikely to become my last ring.

I would just have to find someone else.

“You ready?” Ming asked, brushing out the last of her hair before her brush disappeared back into her spatial ring.

“Ready.” I tightened the belt of my martial robe and held my arm out for her.

She hooked her own in it, blushing and pulling herself close. “I know this isn’t the first for you, but thank you for making it special.”

I kissed her one more time before opening the door and walking out. “It was a lovely night, but we have so much more time together.”

“This way.” Ming pulled me in the opposite direction from where I’d turned and headed. “This has become complex with our two families. The large ancient families haven’t mixed together in… in a very long time.” She said after a pause. “I know my father and your mother seemed to get along last night, but we’ll see what the morning has to offer.”

She pulled me through the enormous palace that her family called home at the center of Blueheavens. The leafless trees that were iconic to their home and representative of their phoenix heritage were everywhere. I thought they were an eyesore, but they were representative of her family’s bloodline, so they held extra value.

We wandered through the compound until the passage opened up to a high, vaulted ceiling room with pillars on either side leading out to gardens.

In the center, both of our families sat separately but chatted together. Each of them had a small lounging area with a low back couch and a low table.

Ming’s father, who I’d only met the night before, was surrounded by four beauties. Given the strength of his bloodline and that he was a male, he’d sought the best chances to continue the Feng Family’s bloodline.

In the immortal world, ancient families rose and fell by the strength of their bloodlines. That one of his wives had produced Ming was enough to keep the Feng family running for another generation.

“Daughter.” One of the beauties clapped with a smile.

“You kept us waiting almost until lunch.” Her father grumbled, but couldn’t hold back a smile.

Ming’s mother chided him with a playful slap and a giggle. It was clear where Ming got her beauty from. “You nearly made your father wait until dinner on our wedding night.”

Their group laughed while my eyes drifted over to the other side where my father and mother cuddled close together, restoring a connection that had long been strained by distance.

“Come, come. The tea is still hot.” Ming mother said, gesturing us over as a servant laid out a piping hot pot of tea.

I picked up the pot, pouring two cups.

Ming took one, I took the other as we bowed, holding out the cups to her parents.

Ming’s father paused, not quite grabbing the cup from me. “I don’t know. You seem like a troublemaker.” He gave me a hard time.

He was promptly slapped upside the head by his wife.

“Once the rice is already cooked, it is not time to quibble.” Ming’s mother chided him.

I did my best not to smile. I’d cooked Ming’s rice many times last night.

Chuckling, her father took the cup from me. “Welcome to the family.”

His pause had made me sweat a little, but I knew he’d done it on purpose. He was a patriarch of a powerful family. He knew how to exude pressure and authority, and no father-in-law really liked their son-in-law.

We went back to the tray and poured two more cups, this time offering it to my parents.

My mother, Lily, took the cup from Ming with grace. “You are a lovely girl; I apologize for my son’s lasciviousness.”

“I’m happy to be a part of it.” Ming bowed at the waist.

The formalities were done, so our parents stood, and servants moved to their lounging areas together as one. They continued to chatter amongst themselves.

But now I wanted to give attention to the other group still in the room.

My wives, all of them, gathered to the side, watching with smirks and smiles. “Do we get tea too?” Kat teased while at the same time starting to establish where Ming fell in the family pecking order.

They didn’t fight, at least not openly around me. But I understood that Michelle and Kat were in charge. Even the schemer Wenxi had bent to Kat quickly.

But Ming was a natural leader. Kat was testing if she’d try to assert herself against them.

“Would you like tea, Kat?” Ming asked politely.

“Actually, I would.”

Ming waved for a servant to come over. “Tea for everyone here.” She said with a smile riding on her lips.

Michelle chuckled to herself, nudging Kat. “Careful, she’s got phoenix bloodline, not chicken bloodline.”

Instead of picking on Ming any more, Kat scooted to the side and patted a wide spot on the couch. “Why don’t the two of you come sit?”

I took the spot, but I put myself between Kat and Ming. Kat didn’t seem to mind, her leg rubbing against my thigh immediately as she leaned on my shoulder. It had been her plan all along.

“We all missed you last night.”

Kissing her, I didn’t let her pout affect me. “It was Ming’s night. But now we can be together once again. And we need to talk about heading to Cloud City.”

My mother glanced my way across the room, having heard me, but pretending that she hadn’t.

“Do you think there are problems with your family?” Wenxi asked quietly.

“Undoubtedly.” I answered quickly. “For some of my mother’s family, I will be a massive flaw in their plans. My bloodline gives me power and authority that many won’t want me to have. I haven’t been raised by the family; I’m a wildcard. That alone will cause them to fear me. They’ll have trouble predicting what I will do and folding me into their plans. But they will still try. I have no doubt I’ll have women shoved on me to marry, to continue our line.”

“You need to get stronger.” Michelle nodded. “Strength solves everything.”

I snorted. “Only recently have I stepped into the 6th ring; the 7th ring is so far off. Cultivating harder isn’t likely to be the answer here.”

Rachel cleared her throat to get my attention. “Maybe you could seek your father’s help on becoming a sword saint?”

“Yes, maybe.” I had already given that some thought. My father’s sword intent had been able to bridge the gap between 5th and 6th ranks.

I’d trained with my father before, though, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy. He’d once taken me to a waterfall and nearly drowned me repeatedly to get the best out of me. He loved me, but he was a military man at heart. He wouldn’t let me off easily, but it was my best shot at rapid improvement.

“Ming, what would your family do if they discovered someone with your potency of phoenix bloodline?” I asked my newest wife.

“The elders will try to put you under their thumb. Together, they’ll pressure you until you pick one to protect you from the rest. That one will have some degree of control over you.” Ming sighed, thinking about the situation.

Nodding, I understood and agreed. The elders would all put pressure on me while simultaneously enticing me into their part of the family and trying to work me into their grand plans. Once I accepted one and scorned the others, I’d be reliant on that elder.

“Seems I need to get the lay of the land for the Yunpi family.” I looked over at my mother, knowing that she was likely biased. It wasn’t her fault, but she’d obviously favor her branch of the family.

But I had yet to understand where she fell in the family. The fact that she hadn’t come with anybody else made me wonder who her allies would be or if she had any at all.

“Would you still be able to come back to my family before you leave?” Wenxi asked, looking up at me through her eyelashes.

A smile bloomed on my face. “Of course.” We could take a short detour. I knew that Wenxi, being connected to the Feng family through marriage with me, was going to be a boon for her and her mother.

“Come on. Ming, will your family mind if we head out?”

She glanced over at her father, who was engrossed in conversation. “Nope. Besides, I’m sure he and your mother have many things to work out before you leave.”

I knew what she was talking about. Even though we were wed, Ming and I were the bright futures of our families. Her family wouldn’t let her out of their sights easily.

Ming stood, brushing off her dress just as the tea arrived. “You’re welcome to stay for tea, Kat. I think we are going to the Su family.”

Kat snorted, a smile quirking at the edge of her lips. “I think I might like you.”

I rubbed Kat’s leg as I got up, glad they were getting along in their own way.

Ming led the group through the complex as I walked alongside her.

We headed out past the ugly dead trees and the Feng guards into the city.

We could have flown, but there was something nice about not being in a rush and walking through the streets.

The sky wasn’t filled with flying immortals for just this reason. We all had time now, and we still worked to make it count and enjoy the moments we were given.

About halfway to the Su family estate, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and I cast out my domain.

I had been in enough battles that I trusted my instincts.

A black robed immortal darted for me, a blade painted so it wouldn’t shine. But when he struck out, it wasn’t to attack me; it was to swipe at Kat.

My domain did nothing as they wrapped themselves in their own domain. This wasn’t just an assassin; it was a sixth rank assassin.

The horror hit me. Their attack was too sudden, too swift. I didn’t have time to draw upon my bloodlines after I realized that my domain would not be effective.

Ming threw up her own domain, but she discovered the same thing I had found.

The assassin was protecting themselves from our domains as his blade got dangerously close to Kat.

It was only at the last second that several black hexagons formed a bubble around Michelle and Kat, enough to turn the assassin’s blade. My bloodlines flared to life a moment after.

There was no hesitation, no doubt as I activated the Pixiu and the gold dragon bloodline, striking out with a golden claw.

The assassin flitted to the side like they were dancing on the wind, dodging my attack as the claw strike smashed into a nearby shop.

I made a note to pay the shop for the damage, but I wasn’t concerned about it. I’d had to stop the assassin.

“Are you alright?” I asked Kat, putting myself between her and the assassin.

“Fine. Michelle had my back.” Kat was calm, cold, and calculating now that this was a fight.

“Always.” Michelle let her bloodline sink away as she wiped blood from her nose. She might have stopped the attack, but it wasn’t without a cost.

Feng Family Guards slammed down on the surrounding roofs, but the assassin was already darting away, trying to escape through the allies.

“Get an escort to the Su Family.” I shouted over my shoulder as I rushed after the assassin, keeping my two bloodlines active.

The Pixiu bloodline gave me the ability to see where the assassin would go next. It was a bloodline of luck and closely tied with fate.

After that attack, I wanted to know who had struck at my family. I had more enemies than I could count, but there was one very easy way to get on the top of my list to take care of, and it was going after my wives.

Strength was nothing new in the Immortal World, but it was required to survive. Cultivation was about strength and survival.

Following the assassin through the alley, I watched as they broke out into a crowded street and threw a hood over their head.

Unfortunately for them, my Pixiu bloodline was more than capable of following them through the crowds.

As I burst from the alley, I paused, looking both ways. I pretended I’d lost them before darting straight through the crowd and grabbing their hood.

The man made a strange airy shriek as walkers on the street screamed and got out of the way.

More Feng family guards appeared on the roofs at the disturbance.

The assassin struck out at me three times with their knife, but each one rang off my hands, which were currently harder than steel. Then I caught him in the chest with an open palm strike, sending him flying. Assassins weren’t known for their skills in an open fight.

I charged after him, pinning the assassin to the side of a building. “Who sent you?”

He just smiled, opening his mouth and showing he had no tongue. Even then, I could see the scars on his throat. His voice box had been removed as well.

This man wasn’t just sent as an assassin. His entire life was assassinations.

In my moment of distraction, his mouth opened wider and a needle shot out of his throat.

I shifted back to dodge the needle, but he used it to slip out of my grip like a slippery eel before he disappeared into the shadows. But I’d seen his face, and I wouldn’t forget it.

Feng Family guards surrounded me. “Isaac, do you need our assistance?”

“I’m fine.” I touched where his needle had grazed my face. The Yin Harmony Bird bloodline was already flaring up on my forehead and devouring whatever poison was in that needle. “If you can catch him, great, but I doubt you’ll be able to.”

He was slippery and well trained. I doubted that needle was the only hidden attack he had on him.

Feeling the need to make sure my wives remained safe, I went back to spend the day at the Su Family estate.

Someone was after me, and if they couldn’t get at me directly, it seemed that trying to warn me off by killing my wives was their new plan.

AN - And so it begins again.