Chapter 872: Yasenia's Return.
Soluna couldn't help but feel apprehensive after hearing what Tatyana had to say. It was undeniable that she liked Yasenia quite a bit. However, did she like the idea of becoming her bonded spirit enough to risk her own life?
She didn't know.
The concept of "death" was so far away for the current Soluna that even imagining that situation felt wrong. It was like asking a mortal human what they would do if they were to grow wings suddenly.
They would naturally be confused and, more often than not, unable to answer anything other than "fly free and explore the world."
For Soluna, the concept of fighting for her life was similar. If she were to be asked, she would answer, "Well, I would fight for survival."
But, what that entailed exactly was foreign to her.
As a young and special spirit that had been taken in shortly after gaining a conscience and growing up protected, Soluna didn't know what hardships were. The fights she was in were always, without exception, a one-sided beatdown. After all, her strength was practically unmatched. Even against creatures stronger than her, the second they landed one attack, they would be obliterated by her body reacting to the attack.
Only someone overwhelmingly stronger or someone like Yasenia, who could touch her without problems, would be able to defeat Soluna.
In short, Soluna was lost and unable to make a decision.
Yasenia understood Soluna's current feelings to a certain extent. A creature who was sheltered, no matter if they were a spirit, human, or whatever else, would always feel lost when difficult situations or options were presented.
She smiled and said. "Soluna, currently, my inner energy, Dantian, and cultivation are very active. I need to stabilize everything since I just broke through. Hence, you making a pact with me now has its merits and demerits." Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com
Soluna raised her eyes and looked at Yasenia with her exotic pair of Sun and Moon pupils.
Yasenia commented. "If you manage to make a contract with me now, you will probably be deeply assimilated into my being, as stabilizing my foundation with you around will affect you whether we want it or not. It will certainly be beneficial for you and make you stronger than you currently are."
The dragoness continued. "On the other hand, the risks are much higher. As I stabilize the foundation and move my energies and treasures around my body, the chances of you being swallowed are high. I have less control over my body's internal reactions, as most of them are subconscious and guided by natural instinct."
Soluna heard Yasenia and nodded, speaking at length for the first time since the conversation began. "I understand. I understood what Tatyana meant and what you told me as well, Yasenia. I'm just... I don't know what risking my life is. What is death like? What will I feel? What if I am overwhelmed? What if I can't fight back? What if I injure you while fighting back? What if..." Soluna stopped speaking and sighed. "I'm lost..."
Tatyana knew this was an important asset for Yasenia. If she could force Soluna to make a contract, she didn't know if she could've resisted. Not only would their connection bring strength to Yasenia regardless of the outcome, but in case of being successful, Soluna's connections with the spirit world would become Yasenia's.
She was not sure how spirits would react if Soluna was devoured, but Tatyana was confident that with Valeria's influence, they could silence them.
Moreover, Valeria has entered the fifth realm thanks to Kali's breakthrough. Her strength, aura, and overall presence were nothing like before.
This and many more factors made her unafraid of the spirits despite them being the strongest of the otherworlders.
The Death Empress spoke. "Well, there are many more benefits than you can imagine. You will probably be able to slowly master Yasenia's energy as it envelops you every day. Becoming a more complex spirit is not completely out of the question." Tatyana tempted. "Even Valeria was affected by Yasenia's energy."
Soluna blinked. "Even Lady Valeria?"
Tatyana nodded with a smile. "Even she was affected."
Yasenia saw through Tatyana's attempt and coughed. "Anyway, Soluna."
Soluna looked at Yasenia. "Yes?"
"I'm going to speak with my dears first about it. Do you want to come with me?"
Soluna nodded. "I want to."
Yasenia extended her hand, and Soluna happily took it. Then, hand in hand, the dragoness moved toward their house with Tatyana in her other hand.
As she left, the maids present bowed and said in unison. "Congratulations, young miss, on breaking through!"
Yasenia nodded with a smile. "Thank you for protecting me all this time. Everyone can go do as they please now." The dragoness suddenly remembered something important, and her lips arched seductively. "For the next month or so, I'll be quite... busy."
Soluna was confused, but the rest smiled back. The maids giggled and said. "Have fun, Young Miss~."
"Don't worry about their mental health. We are prepared for it~."
"Hohoho, more little young masters or misses will fill the lands~."
"Sigh. I can't help but envy them."
"Right, right? I wonder if we'll ever have our turn."
Yasenia looked at them and spoke with a laugh. "I can hear you!"
The maid who spoke smirked. "That's the intention~."
The dragoness rolled her eyes and left with Soluna and Tatyana.
Using her current speed, the sect's grounds flashed through at an incredibly quick pace. In a few seconds, she was standing in the garden behind her house. She looked at her legs with wonder and surprise. 'Fast. Too fast.'
Her current speed was ridiculous compared to before. "I've really grown, haven't I?"
Once she landed, she heard the door open, and all her dears appeared in a line with tender smiles. Yasenia looked at them, and her feelings welled up.
Seeing them all there, waiting for her, she couldn't help but feel as if she had the entire world between her hands. 'Everything that's important is here.' Yasenia smiled at them and said. "I'm back." She laughed a bit and said teasingly. "Victorious after a harsh battle."
The girls sighed with a laugh, and Angel trotted forward into her arms. "Welcome back, Yasenia. And..." She made a gesture for the dragoness to lean down, so she did so. Angel tip-toed and kissed her forehead once while patting her head. "Great job, Yasenia."
The dragoness blinked a few times and felt that Angel looked too adorable right then. Her tail wagged happily while she extended her arms to engulf her in a tight embrace. "Thanks a lot, Baby. I love you."
Proofreader Ayan: I-I, u-u-um, yes. Good. *Cough.*
Yasenia: Cute~.
Proofreader Ayan: A-A-Anyways. Question!
Author: Sure, sure. Who are you asking?
Proofreader Ayan: *Smiles maliciously* I want to ask Fu Jing Jing, Mirrory, and the Sun & Moon Deities something!
Author: ...
Tatyana: *Sparkling eyes*
Mirrory: ...
Author: I mean, are you sure? Your question might not even get answered.
Proofreader Ayan: *With a deep wish for carnage* YES!
Author: Well, sure.
*Poof*
Tai Yang: Hm? Here again?
Change'er: Didn't we get thrown out from here? Why summon us back?
Author: And now... one more person...
*Poof*
Fu Jing Jing: Hm? What's this place?
Mirrory: Hey, Jing Jing. It has been a... Well, not so long, to be honest.
Fu Jing Jing: Where am I- Huh?
*Sees Moon and Sun God*
Author: ...
Fu Jing Jing: WHY ARE YOU TWO HERE?!
*Saint powers explode, almost crashing down the Celestial Theater*
Author: [Stop].
Fu Jing Jing: Huh?
Author: Calm down. Before you destroy this place, let's at least hear the question you need to answer.
Proofreader Ayan: *Ehem.* What is your opinion on the Heavenly Cataclysm and the damage it has caused to the current cultivation world?
Fu Jing Jing: ...
Tai Yang: ...
Change'er: ...
Mirrory: ... Really? Adding wood to the fire?
Proofreader Ayan: Hm? What? It's a completely appropriate question for these divinities who just coincidentally happen to hate each other. Hehe~.
Fu Jing Jing: Damage? Heh. *Cold smile* It won't be enough damage compared to what I'm going to do to them.
Tai Yang: Hmmm.
*Poof. Moon Goddess and Sun God Escape.*
Fu Jing Jing: Sure, sure. Try to escape~. [Divine Truth Battle: First Form, True Strike].
*World and reality collapses, ending the Celestial Theater.*
*The scream of a god and goddess in the distance could be heard right before it collapsed.*
Proofreader Ayan: My answer... QAQ.
Author: Deserved. Hmph.
Proofreader Ayan: Tsk. This means war~.
Author: I'm not answering these things again QAQ.
Proofreader Ayan: We'll see about that, my dear Author~. Bye-bye~.