"Big Sister..." Little Jun muttered quietly in the silence.
He also knew of the allotted time that was left between them. How could he not? It was the one reason why he shocked senselessly the moment he had awoken in her office. If not for her talent, he would've risked death already and then she brought up her wish to become a family as well...
Even now, he didn't know if what he had chosen was the blade or the blunt side of it. All he knew was that he liked seeing her and the others everyday and be pampered by them everyday. Seeing her was like seeing someone very close he hadn't seen in forever and, being in the spatial ring where a day outside is over a week inside, it felt like a year since they last met. Seeing them smile and laugh warm him from the inside, but, now that he's seen her so weak and cold...
It's like someone had froze his heart and thrown it into the darkness!
He wants her to stand and pamper him. To scold him when he has done bad. To praise him for his own little achievements. Then, he wants to spar with her again and learn from one another.
If this was the family bond she wanted to build with them and this was what it felt like to be torn apart, he doesn't want her to leave! She can't leave them! Since this was her wish, this is also her responsibility! She must give her contributions and stay with them too just as they are staying with her and for her!
"I won't die yet." She reassured the child, "If I were to die so soon, would I have been willing to accept you so easily as my contract beast?"
It was true that she had considered this. If she were to die, then so would the other beasts she had contracted. However, it wasn't like she was going to go down so easily. As long as she finds a cure to this poison, then she freely roams around the world as she pleases.
Quietly, she thought to herself before turning to Little Jun, "Can you see what's going on outside?"
Little Jun shook his head, "I'm not strong enough to see what's going on outside yet or control this soul realm, Big Sister... However, before I left, Sister Zhang and Brother Zhang found you in the nurse's office and took you back home. Since big sister is going to wake up soon, Xiao Li told Big Sister Zhang that you'll be all right. So, they stopped panicking."
"Good work, you two!" Lotus wore a wide smile, "Once I return, I'll explain things to the siblings. You just focus on your cultivation and let us know if you need any help with anything. When I return I'll thank Xiao Li properly too."
"Why can't we go back to our world first?" Little Jun asked in confusion, "With me and Crystal by your side, can you really be harmed so easily? There's also him too."
Lotus shook her head, "Not yet. You are all very powerful and loyal to me, but I am still poisoned. Will you be reassured to leave my side and fight if I'm still poisoned like this?"
"That's..." Little Jun hesitated. Of course, he would be too worried to leave her side! Through the memories and experience of his predecessors, who had ever showered him with affection till now? To him, the other beasts are his siblings and his master a mother. Even if he knew with clarity that she had dealt the finishing blow on his birth mother for whatever reason, can he really blame her for the death? Rather, he should blame those that dared to force a contract with her and forced him to come into the world prematurely! However, should anything happen to Lotus, it could impact his life and death as well and he wants to help her get her revenge as well for poisoning her.
He wanted to continue, but noticed a change in the air around them and turned to her in disappointment, "You're waking, big sister..."
"Mh." She nodded and patted his equastrian head softly, "Just focus on your training. There will be more dangers in the future and I need everyone's help to survive through them."
The two were connected by a soul contract which was different from the usual contract so she naturally understood his thoughts and feelings leaving her deeply touched. However, she knew that he could even be too distracted to properly cultivated without telling him this. The best she can do is say this much for him. To her, he and the beasts are her family. If she fails again this time, it would be too painful for her to continue forward once more.
"What about Brother Yuu and that demonic cat, big sister?" He responded hesitantly, "I know that he says that you're family with him now since the two of you are in the same dorm now, but-"
She suddenly recalled the conversation she had with Yuu a while. Since he basically dragged her to be a part of his "family", he's been treating her like a younger sibling for a while in the dorm now. Occassionally petting her head and hoping that she calls him big brother and all that. It's been going on since the last time she teared up accidentally, but can't she not call him big brother?!
She said that she'd think about it, but there has always been only one big brother to her...
However, it's also a little difficult not to call Yuu an older brother. After all, since when did that guy not come rushing to her side whenever she came across something dangerous?
An older brother...
She wondered if he had also reincarnated as well...
That naive and distant older brother who still came to find her... But, also perished because of her...
... If she has another big brother now, will she be able to keep him safe this time?
And, Grim. He is Yuu's contract beast in a sense in this world. Even if they don't follow the same type of connection compared to hers, can she really promise that nothing will happen to him too? He's a demonic beast which is already different from divine beasts and spiritual beasts. They are capable of utilizing the dark element which is already a rare element to possess in her world. If it was her world, he would be in danger in the human realm. Not to mention, neither Yuu nor Grim are strong enough yet.
"I'm still thinking about it." Lotus responded hesitantly.
"Okay." Little Jun inwardly sighed in exasperation as he wondered why his master has to think of things to be so difficult.
.....
When she woke up, she was greeted by the looks of relief as Zhang Li hugged her tightly, "Please don't do that again, young master! You nearly gave us a heart attack..."
Lotus couldn't see, but she could already hear the trembling voice. Yup, she's crying...
"I'm all right, Zhang Li. I apologize for worrying you guys." Lotus reassured them calmly with a wide smile.
"How are you all right?!" She cried out nervously, "Do you know how horrified we were when we saw you lying in that pool of blood?! We thought we lost you again!"
She cautiously looked up to find Zhang Yong unwilling to reach out and give her a hand. Obviously, both were upset at her this time.
"All right, all right..." Lotus patted her back trying to calm her down, "It's my fault, it's my fault. I won't do it again. I'm sorry..."
She never thought that the two would actually be able to come up with something that makes her uncomfortable before. But, at least, she now knows not to make the two experience such a shock again. Or how knows whether the two would make such a thing before her in public too. Two people like this should be enough for her already.
"You promise?"
Lotus nodded her head, "Yes. Yes. Next time, I'll let you know when something like this happens again when I can."
Despite her saying this, she saw Zhang Li and Zhang Yong staring at her intently with a somewhat strange intensity and knew what was going on. She heaved a heavy sigh and corrected herself, "I'll bring my mother stone and notify you if something happens again..."
With these words, she handed the two a son stone and kept a mother stone with her. These things aren't abundant in her spatial realm, but she's already at this stage. Can she really not spare a couple of son stones?
Having seen that it would take a long while to calm her now, she's reaffirmed in her mind to never make Zhang Li this emotional again. Or else, it would make things awkward again. That and she might not be so easily forgive her the next time this happens again.
Seriously, who's the master and servants here?