Chapter 157: Different Colors and Natures

Dinner passed on by quickly, and unsurprisingly, the Priestesses staying in Mashiro Temple were early sleepers. There might have been candles, lanterns and even Ao-related light sources, but most of them preferred to work in the early morning at dawn than to sleep late.

Some other time, Li Yang could have appreciated such discipline.

Right now, he lay awake in their bed. Setsuko was close to him, not necessarily snuggling like Taiga might have done. Instead, she might have been staring up at the ceiling like him. Only the sound of soft breathing escaped the room.

If he looked idly, he could see the rising and lowering of her chest. The two of them didn't break the silence between them, whereas they might have a need for it. It was simply the first day, but somehow, it was already awkward? He couldn't find the right word for it.

"So… Priestess Mitsuko will be the one teaching you and giving privilege for you to move around the temple with no need of concern," Setsuko said. This was no question, only a statement. But her voice held a hint of despondency.

"Yes," he said. "It might be more useful for the both of us if I learned from one of the better and higher ranked women in the temple and gain more freedom here. It will also allow you to learn at your own pace and not worry about me."

"I know."

There might have only been one afternoon, but Setsuko had already learned well enough. As much as she wanted to say that she could do the teaching, she understood his desire to grow stronger. Setsuko could only hold him back. "She's pretty close to Red Rank, if her sash is any indicator."

Li Yang thought back to the incident last afternoon—and recalled that Mitsuko didn't completely have white robes. He had paid little attention to it, clothing was simply clothing, but now it made sense. One's outfit denoted rank and prestige.

More than that, he asked. "So you have learned the power system here. How does it function?"

"The what?" Setsuko's brows furrowed, but then nodded. "Ao here is life energy, but according to the innate type of Ao within you, then your natural talents will shine accordingly."

"...is red the ability to use one's energy as some sort of barrier or anything then? Or is it related to the mind?" He asked. He thought about Rhelea. The skill of the High Priestess had messed with the Priestesses around here.

"The most common type of Ao is plant energy—commonly denoted by green Ao. Red is more suited for raw power manifestation, the highest one. I think the mental type of Ao is under Violet and Indigo. Needless to say, it's similar to the rainbow."

"ROYGBIV?" Li Yang offered the acronym.

She only looked at him, confused, before moving on. "Green is the middle, most common—related to plants. Yellow, Orange and Red are raw and often physical and visible manifestations of Ao, while Blue, Violet and Indigo are more akin to subtle and mental skills."

"I see… but it does not mean that if your Ao has a tendency for red—it cannot use blue or violet?" he asked.

"Mhmm, just a lot more effort since one's Ao often takes on a certain characteristic based on your innate nature, and then you're trying to fight that. It takes mastery and skill to be able to use one against your nature and the farther apart one's color are, the harder it would be."

"She truly is the High Priestess then." Li Yang said to himself.

"Huh?"

"It's simply a hypothesis—try not to think about it. But yours falls under red, right?" He could have sworn he saw something white, but she hadn't discussed it at all. Other than that, there was something he was curious about. "How does one determine it? Ao is often invisible to the eye as far as I am concerned."

"There is a simple crystal test, but I presume it is also obvious when one produces Ao like the High Priestess asked me earlier." Setsuko explained.

The CEO thought about it and thanked her. "Perhaps I'll be able to test myself at another time." He assumed that Ao and Qi were one and the same, but there were some slight differences to it… at least if he were to believe this color system.

It wasn't necessarily spiritual roots either. At least he didn't think that having water roots meant one had blue Ao or anything like that. Was there any chance that different types of cultivators could also have their own inherent proficiency to a certain type of qi use?

He thought back to his secretary. Ying Yue He's bloodline had the great capacity to increase one's body cultivation. "Plausible."

"Are you not going to sleep yet or have you made plans with Mitsuko already?"

Li Yang's gaze pierced through the darkness as he met the blue eyes of Setsuko. The woman was facing towards him now, only separated by a small space. If he or she wanted to—the other could reach out and close the distance between them.

"No, not right now. Am I making you uncomfortable by sharing this bed?" He personally preferred having an entire bed to himself out of habit, but the presence of someone else wasn't unpleasant.

"We've already done a lot more than just lying down here—I don't think I have much trouble just doing this with you… sharing a bed and one's warmth. " Setsuko chewed on her bottom lip. Even simply a look from him, even if she was only inches away from him, felt like an impassable cliff to pass through.

Her body ached at the unbearable distance. His presence was reassuring, but somehow her body yearned and craved for more like an insatiable beast.

"How about earlier, then?" he asked.

"Earlier...?"

He cleared his throat. "It had not exactly slid in easily...was it painful?"

"No—I'm fine. Just sore on the inside, but it wasn't anything bad." Setsuko assured him. If anything, it might have been their bond that enhanced the pleasure that riveted across her body and sent her mind into searing brightness. She didn't miss the chance to say this. "I could go for another one anytime soon."

"Really?"

"I could go for one right now if you're up for it."

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When morning came and the birds chirped in the early morning—Setsuko slumped out of their room with nothing more but sheer will alone. The cold morning bath failed to invigorate and remove the sleepiness from her eyes.

It was a great contrast to Li Yang, who only looked refreshed.

She might have cursed him, but then again—it was she who had offered last night.

The room next door opened to show the clearly annoyed neighboring Priestess. Rei sent the two of them a terrible look, while she held a small treasure box to her chest. Unlike the still sleepy and worn out Setsuko, this Priestess kept a pristine look and walked ahead of them.

This was the chance where Setsuko half-glared at him. "Why do you look fine?"

"I can manage with a few hours of sleep?" He was the one who wanted to be surprised at her current condition.

"Lucky bastard." Setsuko grumbled and then rested her hand on his shoulder. She used him to hold herself up, somehow, while it was fine earlier… she now had wobbly knees. Doing it once or twice might have been alright, manageable.

But—

"Good morning, Priestess Setsuko and her Consort Yang." Mitsuko trailed down from behind them. Her white robes swishing as she strode down the hallways. Her steps were soundless, but she held up an emblem in her hand. A gold emblem inscribed and engraved, red tassels decorating it. "I will provide this to your Consort so he can move around where he pleases in appropriate areas... "

"Thank you," Setsuko said. A smile was plastered on her face, but it couldn't be said to be a happy one.

Whether or not the higher ranked Priestess noticed, one could only imagine as her gaze focused on Li Yang alone. She handed him the emblem. "I know a good place where you can practice using your sword. If possible… I would like to experience it once again, that sharp blade being used against me."

"Are you sure? It is dangerous." he raised a brow. While he might have wished to study its effects once again, using his blade against the Priestess seemed wrong. Even if he could simply dump a healing potion on her and call it fair.

Mitsuko's lips flickered into a smile. "I may have panicked at first—but I can take it. You do not have to worry about me and simply heed my orders. This is the least you can do for the favor I bestowed on you."

Setsuko threw a look at the both of them. "When the two of you are speaking swords…"

"His magnificent weapon, no doubt." Mitsuko raised a brow at her. "What else could I be referring to? Do not tell me that you haven't seen it yet." The Priestess glanced at Li Yang. "Has she not seen it yet or know of its dangerous edge?"

"She has seen my sword and also when I've used it before." Li Yang explained.

Setsuko rubbed her face, "Excuse my rudeness and all of that, but I don't know about you two—however, I need to eat. Trade your weapon conversation at a later time." She seized his arm and tried to drag him forward. "Come and escort me, Yang. I want you to feed me this time."

A little demanding, somewhat assertive and who did her best to get what she wanted. He didn't exactly mind it that much, it was something he could respect. Before either of them left the hallway, Mitsuko fell in with them.

The higher-ranked Priestess smiled. "Let me join you two, I could use breakfast myself."

—-—-

Author's Note: Phew, hadn't been able to upload yesterday due to a power outage in my city. Not to mention getting a bit worn out lol, will probably need to check in with a chiropractor soon. Thank you for the patience!