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."
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."
Angel's feet left the ground as the dragoness squeezed her against her body, making the little girl happy as softness surrounded her all around.
The girls had naturally noticed Yasenia's beauty coefficient going up, but because they wanted to remain composed during their congratulations, they were holding back their desire to gush over her with steel-like determination.
Inside their heads, though, they were screaming in disbelief. 'Why is my lover becoming more beautiful!? Eventually, I-I won't be able to take this anymore! I'm really going to jump her!'
Angel, who was in direct contact with the goddess-like beauty, felt her entire body heat up as moisture built up. 'O-Oh, what is this? Is just a hug enough to feel like this? I-I'm melting.'
Yasenia released Angel from her hug and looked at Kaleina, who was slightly taller than before. Not much, but with Yasenia's sharp eyes, she could tell the difference. The dragoness smiled and leaned forward. "Come here, little baby. Why are you hiding shyly from mommy, hm~?"
Kaleina blushed and ran toward her shyly, burying her face in Yasenia's chest before being lifted up by her. Yasenia laughed at her cute antics and asked. "What's wrong, love?"
Kaleina looked up and said. "Mommy, you look so pretty."
The dragoness became delighted. "Do I? If my little baby says it, then it must be the truth!"
Kaleina nodded a few times, her golden eyes scanning her mother's gorgeous smiling face. "You are the prettiest, Mommy!"
The dragoness laughed, her eyes bending beautifully as her facial features brightened the whole world around her.
The girls felt something awaken just with her smile, but they tried to resist. The dragoness looked over and saw her dears fidgeting, making her eyebrow raise temptingly. "So fidgety~, fufu."
Evelyn cursed as she squeezed her thighs together. "Fuck."
Yasenia smirked. "Soon~."
Then, she straightened, placing Kaleina down and looking toward Soluna. "Come."
Soluna nodded and approached, grabbing the corner of Yasenia's dress as she nervously looked at the women before her. She felt all their eyes landing on her the second Yasenia beckoned her, making her strangely tense.
Yasenia patted her head with a smile and looked at them. "There is no reason to speak in circles between us, so I'll be direct." The girls listened. "Soluna wants to become my contracted spirit… Well, she is thinking about it. Personally, I have no issues with that, but I want to hear your opinions."
Soluna expected to see surprised expressions from the girls, but on the contrary, they were all calm. She was naturally surprised but then remembered how she spoke with Sierra before going to speak with Yasenia.
Looking to the side, she saw the white-furred Wolf Queen leaning against the wall and looking at her with a smile. 'Oh, she told them first…'
Soluna felt a mix of nervousness and gladness. While she wanted to come with Yasenia to see their reactions at the moment of the revelation and not miss any emotions, Sierra's words had prepared them, and, therefore, she couldn't discern anything.
There was a bittersweet taste in her mouth. She was grateful but also somewhat frustrated.
Cecile spoke as a representative of everyone while looking at Yasenia. "Why are you not against it?"
Yasenia answered easily. "I've always wondered what kind of being it would take to become my companion and not be left behind. I thought about many creatures, and eventually, never really found an answer." Yasenia continued caressing Soluna's head soothingly and commented while looking at her. "This little one is the answer, at least in my head."
Evelyn crossed her arms and asked. "Why?"
Soluna also looked up as Yasenia spoke eloquently and truthfully. "As a spirit, her talent is no less than that of a dragon. As a spirit, her lifespan is not much different from mine. As a spirit, her ability to resonate with me is incredible. As a spirit, her deeper understanding of energy will probably help me gain insights in the future. As a spirit, her Sun and Moon talent is compatible with me and will probably evolve with mine."
The girls listened to the list of reasons, and Yasenia added with a laugh. "Most importantly, her personality is clear to all. She is adorable and soft, curious and innocent. However, she is ruthless with enemies and won't bat an eye at my usual way of doing things."
Yasenia shook her head. "To be honest, girls. I just can't think of anyone else other than Soluna to fill the [Companion] spot. Finding another 'Soluna' will probably be impossible. It is a coincidence that won't happen again. Even if I meet other spirits down the line, I will be much more developed as a cultivator, and our connection won't be as deep as the one I can create with Soluna."
Yasenia ended it with a smirk. "Plus. She is cute."
Soluna's body lit up with flames out of embarrassment while the girls rolled their eyes with smiles.
Cecile turned around without saying much. "Well, come inside."
Yasenia leaned down and whispered. "Don't worry, Soluna. Come with me."
Soluna nodded and grabbed her dress tightly while following everyone into the house.
***********************************************************
Cecile: Hmph.
Yasenia: What's wrong, my little Phoenix?
Cecile: Hmph. Why are you so good with words?
Yasenia: Well, I needed this to capture a certain cold and beautiful girl back in the days~.
Cecile: Hm. True.
Yasenia: Hahaha.
Author: Well, let's move on to the Celestial Theater. Today, an interesting guest~. I-
Proofreader Ayan: I summon ME! Hehehe.
Author: …
Proofreader Ayan: Well, hello girls.
Yasenia: Proofreader, eh. *Smiles* Hello, Ayan. How are you doing?
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~.