Azrael looked at the arriving duo with a mischievous grin for a brief moment and said:
"You look suspicious, did my shy sister perhaps make a friend"
Uriel blushed for a brief moment, quickly looking away due to the sudden wave of embarrassment.
Alaha watched the interaction before her, her eyes narrowing in confusion. 'This is so different from my siblings. They're not constantly vying for status and power, killing each other in the process. How strange... maybe it's just because they're still so young.'Her thoughts lingered on the scene, wondering about the contrast.
Elder Yang simply observed the twins attire for a brief moment and nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's leave"
The group left the garden within the central manner and approached the skyperch with the main household.
As the group entered the main household, they noticed the Skyperch, a large platform where mythical beasts were held. Among them were the Thunderbeak Falcons, Emberhawks, and Silvercrest Eagles, all receiving careful attention.
Attendants fed and groomed the creatures, ensuring they were well-kept. Guards stood nearby, watching over the beasts as they rested in their designated areas.
The Skyperch was a place of quiet activity, focused solely on the care and maintenance of these majestic creatures.
Azrael walked in silence, his curiosity evident in his eyes as he observed the mythical beasts.
For a brief moment, he entertained the thought of fried chicken, but he quickly dismissed it, his focus sharpening as he noticed the high cultivation base of each creature.
"Young Masters, how may this lowly servant be of assistance?" a man suddenly appeared near Azrael and Uriel, bowing respectfully.
"ACKKKKK!!! WHAT IS THIS BASTARD DOING HERE?!" Azrael roared, his voice laced with malice. Unknowingly, his killing intent began to leak from him, the air around him thickening with an oppressive, dangerous aura as he pointed directly at the man.
The man slightly raised his head, analyzing Azrael's killing intent with a calm demeanor. He nodded in satisfaction before speaking.
"As expected of the young master, you don't disappoint."
At that moment, Azrael felt a primal urge that made his skin crawl unknowingly, he began to release spiritual pressure.
Though it was insignificant in front of the man's presence, the overwhelming desire to kill him surged within him, the feeling was raw and instinctive and in his mind it felt entirely justified.
This man was none other than the instructor Azrael had first encountered on the Cold Mountain the one who had broken him.
The man who made him realize that even his best efforts to save lives weren't enough. He was the one who had shattered Azrael's moral code, forcing him to question everything he stood for.
In that moment, Azrael felt the same sense of helplessness rise within him, a crushing reminder that he failed not only himself but also those who once relied on him.
The weight of his failure hit him harder than ever, and for the first time, he was afraid to confront what he deeply suppressed.
Uriel glanced at Azrael for a brief moment, her expression filled with confusion. She didn't understand the dilemma he was facing, but sensing his distress, she pulled on Elder Yang's sleeve, silently asking for help, unsure of what to do herself.
Elder Yang with a frown on her face began to approach Azrael and sensing his Aura she understood the problem.
Azrael was far from okay mentally, despite his joyful behavior. The more Elder Yang observed him, the more she realized something was deeply wrong.
He wasn't consciously aware of it, but he had been instinctively suppressing memories as a coping mechanism.
The sudden appearance of the instructor acted as a trigger, forcing those suppressed memories to resurface.
Now, Azrael was unraveling. PTSD, depression, and an existential crisis collided within him, overwhelming his mind. He was falling apart mentally, and the signs were clear to Elder Yang.
For someone so young to endure such immense internal turmoil was deeply troubling, and it filled her with growing concern.
"Sleep, little one." Elder Yang gently patted Azrael's head and kissed his forehead. Instantly, he fell asleep.
As he began to slump, she lifted him bridal style and turned to the instructor, her gaze cold. "Lead me to my traveling companion."
The instructor didn't speak further but led them toward a majestic Golden Sun Crow, a beast that carried gifts from both the Radiant Oblivion Sect and the Demiurge Clan.
Uriel noticed Azrael's state and, with tears in her eyes, tugged at Elder Yang's dress. "Is he okay? Is he sick? What's going on?"
"He passed out from exhaustion and excitement, but he's fine," Elder Yang replied with a smile that made the instructor's heart skip a beat.
"Ah, I know we just met, but please, marry me!" the instructor blurted out, causing Elder Yang to look at him, bewildered.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Nothing," the instructor quickly corrected, clearing his throat, noticing her puzzled expression.
With reluctance, he helped them onto the Golden Sun Crow, his movements stiff and hesitant.
As they settled, a voice quietly whispered, "Wow, these muscles are so lean and strong... should I bite them?" Uriel's attention was immediately drawn to the voice.
She looked over and saw Alaha opening Azrael's shirt, poking his abdomen to feel his abs.
With surprise, Uriel asked, "Alaha, what are you doing? You were avoiding him before, what changed?"
"Ack! It's your mother who said he was a hungry beast that would blow my back and cripple my legs every time we got closer. Why shouldn't I be afraid of such a monster?" Alaha replied with a flustered expression.
Elder Yang, who was preparing the Golden Sun Crow for takeoff, glanced at Alaha and understood that her disciple could be rather clueless at times.
"I don't know what that means, but you shouldn't just undress my brother. That's inappropriate!" Uriel gritted her teeth in frustration, clearly upset by Alaha's actions.
"Okay, I'm sorry for my actions," Alaha apologized with reluctance 'realizing' her mistake.
Elder Yang simply waved her hand, and a barrier surrounded them. With a single flap of its majestic wings, the Golden Sun Crow took off into the sky, leaving the instructor behind, his heart sinking as Lady Yang flew further away from his grasp.