The Fallen Vampire

Everyone waited in awe to see what exactly a sect taking the place of The Drifting Snowfall would look like.

Some who had yet to see this new sect or any of the members were of the belief that perhaps this would be another all women's sect.

Four out of the seven sects invited to this ceremony were all male. This was their chance to get enough dopamine to last them for the next 100 years!

This was the real reason they agreed to visit this place! So that they might get a whiff of a sweet-smelling women and lay their eyes on their marvelous jade-like faces.

When the gates swung open, it wasn't hard to hear the sound of men's breath getting hitched in their throat.

But their excitement quickly gave way to confusion.

Because the first thing to run out were children.

Around fifteen-or so, with the oldest among them looking no older than ten or thirteen.

They ran and giggled playfully as they went to their seats; none of them any less excited than the other.

The children were followed by adults, and they were, much to the surprise of everyone present not just women.

Almost every woman in the cult was in the company of a man who seemed to be either their husband or their brother.

Their bodies were well defined, but far from overly muscular or unattractive.

The women were like amazons from every corner of male fantasy. The men were like dashing warriors from women's wildest and most shame-laden dreams.

There were humans among the adults as well- which wasn't really surprising given that every sect here was an inter-species organization, but they were the only ones who felt the most out of place.

And then, they laid eyes on the small coalition taking up the rear.

They were divine.

Each of them equally attractive with their delightful bodies bound in black and gold clothing.

The women were beyond gorgeous, and the man was every bit their equal.

His nine tails wrapped around each of them with a subtle underlying possessiveness that was almost enviable.

His eyes were closed, but his every step was in tune with theirs. As was his breathing.

A furry red panda sat atop his shoulders; displaying a surprising level of awareness.

It lifted up it's paw and displayed a well-practiced wave.

"Hello!"

A not-so discreet chorus of 'Aww's escaped the mouths of most every sect member in attendance.

Taira noticed three things upon stepping into everyone's view.

One was the strange sect in white.

As a fox spirit who feeds on sexual energy, he was accurately aware of the abundance and quality of yin-and yang energy present within an individual.

The white-robed individuals all had yin energy, but it wasn't exactly pure.

It wasn't the same as his either; where the power of ice had transformed his inner energy and body. His was more 'organic' in a sense.

These men had become eunuchs.

And while it wasn't necessarily strange for a cultivator to undergo that kind of procedure, it was strange for there to be so many of them in one place all at once.

Especially since such an art is usually associated with more nefarious practices of cultivation and magic.

Another thing he noticed? Two of the grandmasters.

The hulking one was staring at him unkindly. Almost as if they had met before and it had not been a pleasant encounter.

But the white-robed one was staring at him differently.

A less observant individual might've mistaken it for infatuation. But Taira noticed calculation. And the teensiest bit of obsession peeking at him from behind a rather polite-looking curtain.

He wasn't sure which of the two men bothered him more.

That is, until he met a third who was a clear victor in the contest.

"WHOAAA! Get a load of this guy. We got a real babe magnet over here!"

A tall, orange haired-oni with a dopey looking smile and baggy clothes appeared in front of Taira.

He swept his eyes over every individual present in a well-meaning but poor gesture.

When his eyes landed on Taira, they were filled with a clear amount of respect.

"Brother, you have got to teach me your ways! I'm trying to get like y- Ack!!"

Taira lashed out quicker than the eye could see and grabbed Grandmaster Josh by the head.

He applied pressure on the opposite sides of his skull until he could feel his bone about to give way.

"Dai-Shi, I'd like you to meet Grandmaster Joshua of the Roaring Sound Sect." Abbot Tang introduced. "He's a bit overbearing, but he's a good fellow. I'd appreciate it if you would put him down now."

Taira's brow furrowed.

He didn't show any signs of budging until Vermeil gave his sleeve a small tug.

Still mildly annoyed, Taira dropped the young man on his butt.

"Wow... That's some crazy strength. My head feels like it was stepped on by a-"

"Umm... Excuse me."

Enjoy new tales from empire

Joshua looked up to find a beautiful white haired woman with golden eyes staring down at him with inquisitive eyes.

For just a moment, his heart nearly stopped in his chest.

"Can you tell me where exactly you got those..?" She pointed to to the read apparatus on top of his head.

"O-Oh, these? They're, umm.. kind of like a family heirloom."

Vermeil's eyes narrowed.

They were very old, but these things on top of his head were clearly headphones. Once upon a time, they were probably fairly expensive too.

And once Vermeil noticed it, it wasn't long before her fellow otherworldly travelers picked up on it as well.

"I'm sorry... I don't exactly mean to pry, but are you from earth by any chance..?"

The oni seemed surprised to hear that word come out of her mouth of all things and it was clear that for a moment he didn't know how he should answer.

But just as an answer was about to leave his lips, the valley gongs rang for the eighth and final time.

A rousing chorus of beating drums and the soft strumming of strings could be heard all around, and thousands of members of the Gentle Brotherhood began streaming into the frozen valley- each of them carrying wooden trays.

First Brother stood at the head of the pack. His tone was the closest to excitement that anyone in the group had ever heard.

"Grandmasters. It is our pleasure to announce the beginning of our annual peach festival. Please be seated."