Ark Simulator: Don't I Lack a Physical Body?

Su Rui looked at them, the sharpness in his eyes slowly fading, and he returned to his languid demeanor, sprawling back onto the soft couch and picking up the terminal. "Hmph, it had better be this way," he muttered indistinctly, ignoring them as if he hadn't uttered those murderous words just moments before.

But Enya and Yela knew he wasn't joking. This seemingly lazy and indifferent boy had his own bottom line and... inviolable sore spots deep inside. And they, it seemed, had already been categorized as "one of his own," becoming part of the "territory" he wanted to protect.

This realization warmed Enya's heart and also caused a faint, almost imperceptible, gentle glint to appear in Yela's cold eyes...

The "three-person" life in the monastery, after the initial adjustment, testing, and the subtle intimacy brought about by the "special bond" between Su Rui and Enya, seems to have formed a new, tacit balance. Su Rui (the snow leopard version) has completely accepted her life as a "domesticated" parasite, Enya enjoys her role as both "owner" and "confidante," and Yela... this icy maid (goddess)'s daily "pet-the-leopard" routine has also quietly evolved from "secret" to "blatant," and even... "taking an inch and want a mile!"

At first, Yela's intimacy with Su Rui carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, divine reserve and a sense of observation. She would quietly approach when Su Rui was engrossed in something, and with her fingertips, very gently, almost tentatively, touch the tips of his slightly trembling, furry ears. Or, while Su Rui slept, she would stand by the bedside and, with her calloused fingertips, very lightly, with an almost reverent solemnity, comb the softest tuft of fur on his tail. The movements were slight, a fleeting touch, as if touching a rare treasure, afraid of disturbing his slumbering dreams.

Most of the time, Su Rui remained in a state of tacit acceptance, half-asleep. When focused on games or data, he would barely notice the ticklish touch on his ear, or shake his head impatiently, but he wouldn't actually pull away or protest. When fast asleep, he was completely unaware, and would even unconsciously grumble in dissatisfaction when the warmth of Yela's fingertips left, as if protesting the cessation of the "service." This tacit acceptance was like a pebble thrown into Yela's cold heart lake, creating ripples and causing her latent yearning for "fuzziness" and "warmth" to erupt like an avalanche, becoming unstoppable.

Thus, Yela's "petting the leopard" behavior gradually escalated, from "dabbling" to "unbridled".

For example, when Su Rui was curled up on the couch by the fireplace in the afternoon, dozing in the sun and emitting even, soft snores, Yela would no longer be content with simply standing at a distance and watching. She would move a low stool, sit quietly on the couch, and then... extend her "claws" and begin her "work"—first, with extremely skillful and even pressure, massaging the base of Su Rui's ears, feeling the wonderful sensation of the soft cartilage slightly deforming under her fingertips. In her sleep, Su Rui would subconsciously turn her head, placing more of her ear into Yela's palm, making satisfied gurgling sounds in her throat, as if enjoying a top-notch spa treatment.

Next, Yela's attention would shift to the fluffy tail. With both hands, using an almost professional touch, she would carefully comb and press the tail, inch by inch, starting from the base and following the direction of the fur. She would knead the tip of the tail, feeling its softness and elasticity; she would gently press along the direction of the tailbone to relieve the slight stiffness caused by Su Rui sitting or curling up for a long time. Under this professional "service," Su Rui's tail would completely relax, softly resting on Yela's knees, and even unconsciously and gently wrapping around Yela's wrist, with the tip of the tail occasionally twitching happily.

Yela would lower her head, her dark eyes fixed intently on the sleeping, defenseless body in her arms, watching the fluffy ears rise and fall gently with each breath, watching the beautiful, silvery-white tail become exceptionally soft and docile under her touch. A barely perceptible, satisfied smile would curve upwards at the corners of her lips. The ice in her cold black eyes would melt away, leaving only a deep, warm tranquility. It was as if only in such moments could her age-old, divine loneliness and alienation be dispelled and soothed by this warm, vibrant touch, brimming with life.

Su Rui usually accepted this level of "service" without hesitation, and even... quite enjoyed it? In his sleep, when Yela massaged him to a comfortable spot, he would make louder gurgling sounds, his body completely relaxed, like a pool of melting snow, letting Yela do as she pleased. Occasionally, he would rub his head against Yela's palm or press his cheek against the cool back of Yela hand, seeking even more comfort. Whenever this happened, Yela's heart would soften completely, and an indescribable sense of satisfaction, akin to "possessing" and "being needed," would fill her chest.

However, Yela's desire to pet the leopard seems endless. When Su Rui is awake, especially when he is bored or in a good mood and not completely immersed in his own world, Yela will also... "seize the opportunity" to engage in some more "interactive" petting behavior.

For example, when Su Rui is curled up on the sofa, listlessly switching between terminal screens, unable to muster any interest in anything, Yela will "just happen" to pass by. She will very naturally, as if it were just a casual gesture, reach out and grab Su Rui's large tail, which is dangling unconsciously from the sofa armrest, and then... begin her "daily work"—brushing, pressing, and smoothing the tangled fur... Her movements are fluid and natural, as if this were one of her daily job duties.

At first, Su Rui would click his tongue or glare at her irritably, his eyes accusing her, "You're doing it again!" But Yela usually remained expressionless, her dark eyes calmly meeting his gaze, her hands moving without slowing down. Su Rui would struggle a couple of times, finding it futile to break free (Yela's strength was astonishing), while the professionally applied pressure from her tail was undeniably comfortable... He would usually... roll his eyes, and with a resigned snort, "... whatever." Then he would continue to lie there, letting Yela "serve" him, though his furry ears would slightly twitch back, and his tail would stiffen, showing his "unwillingness" and "forced service."

Volume 18, Chapter 1138: Breathed out!

But Yela could keenly sense that Su Rui's tension would slowly dissipate under her sustained, perfectly timed massage; her tail would soften again, and even... unconsciously and gently curl around her wrist. She knew that this little guy, though saying no, was being very honest with his body.

For example, when Su Rui is in a good mood, perhaps even because he's finished a game or seen something interesting, and a barely perceptible smile appears on his lips, Yela will "just in time" appear beside him, and then... very naturally, lightly scratch his chin with her fingertips, or knead the soft flesh of the back of his neck. These are, besides his ears and tail, another... extremely sensitive and pleasurable area on Su Rui's (snow leopard version) body!

Every time Su Rui was touched there, his body would stiffen abruptly, and then... a strange sensation, a mixture of tingling and comfort, would instantly spread throughout his body! He would instinctively, like a real cat, raise his chin, letting out an uncontrollable, pleasurable purr! His eyes would become hazy and relaxed! Although this state usually only lasted a few seconds, he would suddenly wake up, then, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face flushed, he would slap Yela's hand away and growl angrily, "... Don't touch there! You bastard!"

But Yela had already withdrawn her hand with satisfaction, a subtle, triumphant smile flashing deep in her dark eyes. She knew that while Su Rui's flustered appearance was amusing, it was that momentary, unguarded, cat-like relaxation and pleasure that she truly wanted to see. That posture of complete trust, of surrendering one's vulnerability, gave her cold heart an unprecedented and strange sense of satisfaction.

However, Yela's grand project of "petting the leopard" finally reached the limit of Su Rui's "paper-thin" patience one day.

It was a peaceful afternoon. Su Rui had just finished a thrilling (virtual) battle and was in a good mood, lounging lazily on the soft couch, casually scrolling through the news on his terminal. Yela finished her chores, quietly walked over to his side, sat down very naturally, and then... began her routine "relaxation massage."

At first, Su Rui just gave a perfunctory "humph" and let her do as she pleased. Yela's technique was indeed professional; the way she kneaded his ears and combed his tail made him feel so comfortable that he almost fell asleep. He even somewhat enjoyed the feeling of being "served."

But gradually, Yela seemed to get a little carried away. She was no longer satisfied with the regular massage and began to... "go too far"! Her fingers began to linger restlessly on Su Rui's ears, sometimes gently pinching and rubbing the ear tips, sometimes scratching the softest part of the inner ear with her nails, and even... trying to knead the extremely sensitive area behind Su Rui's ears that was covered with fine hairs!

Su Rui's ears perked up instantly, turning bright red! A strong, tingling, itchy, and... indescribable sensation surged through his body like an electric current! He shuddered violently, letting out a short, nasal gasp from deep within his throat. "... Mmm!"

That wasn't all! Yela's other hand started "messing around" with his tail! It wasn't just grooming anymore, but gently scratching the base of his tail with its fingers! It even... used its fingertips, extremely slowly and with a sense of exploration, to press down on each segment of the tailbone! The feeling was simply... agonizing!

"!!!" Su Rui's fur (though only his ears and tail had fur) almost stood on end! Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he sprang up from the soft couch! The terminal fell to the carpet with a "thud"! His face flushed red, and his obsidian eyes were filled with shame, anger, and... a hint of panic! He turned around, glaring at Yela, his chest heaving slightly from the intense emotions surging within him.

"You... you've had enough!" Su Rui's voice trembled with agitation. Pointing to his bright red ears and bristling tail, he growled through gritted teeth, "Touching it is one thing! But what... what are you doing?! Pinching and squeezing it! When will this end?! It's so annoying!"

He was so angry his tail stood on end, the hairs at the tip standing out clearly, making him look like a large, bristling feather duster. He glared at Yela with fierce eyes, but combined with his flushed cheeks, his fluffy ears trembling slightly with excitement, and his unusually bushy, upright tail... this "fierce" appearance, in Yela's eyes, had no intimidating power whatsoever; instead... it was filled with an indescribable, vivid... cuteness?

Yes, it's just adorable! That little animal-like look of being teased until its fur bristles, puffed up in anger but powerless to do anything but bluff, it simply... touched a hidden, extremely soft corner of Yela's heart!

In Yela's dark eyes, the ice and snow instantly melted away, replaced by a light that was extremely rare, filled with intense interest and... doting?! She looked at Su Rui's "fierce" appearance, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards in a much more pronounced arc than usual. She didn't speak, but simply watched Su Rui quietly and with great interest, her gaze... like that of someone watching a little kitten that had been provoked and was hissing at her, but was helpless due to the difference in size and strength!

"What... what are you looking at!" Su Rui felt uneasy under Yela's strange gaze, and his anger flared even more. He felt seriously offended! This icy maid, usually so quiet, was so ruthless with her hands (claws?)! And... and she looked at him like that! It was simply... outrageous!

Overwhelmed by anger and shame, Su Rui did something... in retrospect, something so childish it would make him want to crawl into a hole in the ground—he took a deep breath, and then... facing Yela's face, like a provoked kitten trying to scare away an enemy, he bared his teeth and let out a threatening, yet somewhat distorted, feline warning... sound due to its haste and force.

"Ha--!!!"

The air froze instantly.

Yela: "..."

Su Rui: "..."

Su Rui himself was stunned. What had he just done?! Hissed like a cat?! At Yela?! At this icy-faced maid with (suspected) unfathomable superhuman strength?! He must have been furious! He must have!

A wave of overwhelming shame washed over him, instantly drowning out his anger. Su Rui's face flushed crimson from his ears to his neck, even his exposed collarbone turning a pale pink. He abruptly took a step back, wishing he could disappear into the ground! His tail tucked tightly behind him, and his ears drooped completely, giving him a look of utter despair and utter utter disbelief.

Volume 18, Chapter 1139: Yela can laugh.

And Yela...

After a brief moment of stunned silence, a crack finally appeared on Yela's perpetually icy face! Looking at Su Rui's pitiful, furry, bristling, and huddled-up state—a look of utter shame and indignation, wishing he could disappear on the spot—the interest and doting in her dark eyes instantly ignited like a wildfire, transforming into... bright, undisguised... joy and... love?!

"Pfft--"

A very faint yet exceptionally clear laugh escaped from Yela's tightly pursed lips! Although she immediately pursed her lips, the curve of her eyes and the almost overflowing smile in them completely betrayed her!

She... she smiled?! That ice-cold, expressionless, perpetually poker-faced Yela actually... smiled?! And she was... amused by herself?!

Su Rui felt like his face was burning hot enough to fry an egg! He wanted to die! Right now! Immediately!

"What... what are you laughing at!" Su Rui shouted, her voice trembling with shame and utterly lacking in power.

Yela didn't answer, but the smile in her eyes deepened. She took a step forward, ignoring Su Rui's utterly intimidating breath and warning, and reached out, with a clear purpose... to pinch Su Rui's snow leopard ears again, which were drooping completely in shame and looked exceptionally soft and furry!

This time, her movements were no longer a massage, but... a kneading motion that was almost "ravaging," yet with controlled force! She even mischievously used her fingertips to gently scratch the sensitive area behind Su Rui's ear that had just caused him such a strong reaction!

"Ugh--!" Su Rui's body trembled violently, letting out a short, tearful whimper. He tried desperately to dodge, but Yela's hand was like an iron clamp, rendering him immobile. He could only flail his arms and legs in vain, like a cat whose scruff of the neck had been pinched, his face flushed red, emitting muffled, protesting gurgling sounds from his throat, but... that sound... sounded like... a whim?!

"Stop... stop pinching!... Let go!... You bastard!... Ah... stop... it tickles..." Su Rui's voice grew softer and softer, finally turning into a weak, nasal plea for mercy. He completely gave up resisting, collapsing into Yela's arms, burying his face in Yela's shoulder in despair, leaving only his bright red ears and slightly trembling tail tip exposed, revealing his shame and... inescapable embarrassment.

Yela felt the slight trembling of the boy in her arms and his warm breath, smelling the fresh scent of his hair. A smile almost overflowed from her dark eyes. She lowered her head and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, whispered something in her cold, deep voice near Su Rui's flushed ear:

"... So cute."

Su Rui: "!!!"

He felt his brain explode and completely shut down! All the blood rushed to his head! His ears felt like they were burning! He jerked out of Yela's arms like a startled rabbit, and without looking back, he scrambled back to his room, slamming the door shut with a bang, the sound of it being locked coming from the inside!

Yela stood there, looking at the closed door, then looked down at her hand that had just "misbehaved." The smile in her dark eyes slowly settled, transforming into a deep tenderness and... satisfaction that even she herself didn't realize. She raised her hand and gently rubbed her fingertips, as if she could still feel the soft, warm touch from just now.

"Looks like... I'll have to be a little more 'careful' from now on," Yela muttered to herself, a faint but real smile playing on her lips. But was this "carefulness" simply "restraint," or... a more blatant form of "teasing" him without truly provoking him? Only Yela herself probably knew.

Inside the room, Su Rui buried himself under the covers, his ears and cheeks burning hot. His mind was filled with Yela's words, "So cute!" and the undisguised smile and... doting affection in her eyes! And his own embarrassing breath!

"Damn it!... Bastard!... Next time... Next time you dare to do this again... I... I'll... I'll..." Su Rui thought through gritted teeth, but couldn't think of any effective way to retaliate against Yela. In the end, he could only give up, cover his face with a pillow, and let out a frustrated, muffled growl.

"Ugh! This is so embarrassing!!!"

It seems that Yela's "pet-the-leopard" career, under Su Rui's "indulgence" and "tacit approval," is racing headlong in an increasingly "dangerous" (for Su Rui) yet... increasingly "interesting" (for Yela). And Su Rui's already dwindling "dignity" and "bottom line," under Yela's "claws" and the brutal blow of "So cute," seem to have... shattered into pieces once more?

The afternoon's farce, sparked by Yela's "petting the leopard" and ending with Su Rui (the snow leopard version) angrily "hissing" and fleeing in disarray, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake; the ripples had quietly dissipated by dinnertime. Su Rui locked himself in his room and sulked for a while, but ultimately succumbed to hunger (and the aroma of his favorite salty grilled fish and vegetable soup, which Yela had placed outside the door on time). He walked out of the room with a stern face, ignoring Yela's nonchalant, as if nothing had happened (but the lingering smile in her eyes only fueled Su Rui's anger!), giving her a fierce glare before burying his head in his food, demonstrating with his actions, "I'm still angry, don't mess with me."

Enya witnessed the silent, somewhat childish standoff between the two, finding it both amusing and exasperating. She knew Yela was doing it on purpose, but also understood that Yela knew her limits and wouldn't truly anger Su Rui. Su Rui's awkward "I'm so fierce" yet utterly intimidating demeanor only evoked her more pity. The dinner atmosphere, subtly blending the aroma of food, the crunching sounds of Su Rui chewing, and the occasional knowing glances exchanged between Enya and Yela, passed relatively harmoniously.

However, this rare moment of peace after dinner was soon shattered.

A secret letter, delivered urgently by a special messenger from the foot of the mountain, was quietly placed on Enya's desk by Yela. The wax seal on the letter bore an exquisite double-axe cross emblem representing the Silverash Family.

When Enya saw the emblem, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She put down her herbal tea, picked up a letter opener, and carefully peeled back the wax seal. The letter was on fine parchment, the handwriting delicate yet slightly hurried, clearly indicating that the writer was not at peace.

Volume 18, Chapter 1140: Su Rui Wants to Go Out

Enya's gaze swept quickly across the contents of the letter. The relaxed smile that had lingered during dinner in her lake-blue eyes melted away like thin snow in the sunlight, replaced by a mixture of worry, helplessness, and... a hint of cold understanding.

The flickering firelight from the fireplace in the Meditation Room illuminated her face, making her expression appear somewhat uncertain. Her fingers, holding the letter, tightened slightly, until her knuckles turned white.

Yela, like the most perceptive shadow, immediately noticed Enya's change in mood. She silently took a step closer, her dark eyes calmly looking at Enya. Although she didn't ask any questions, her eyes conveyed the message of "whether or not this needs to be addressed."

Su Rui, who had been nestled on the soft couch, clutching his terminal and trying to forget the afternoon's "humiliation" with intense gaming, also keenly sensed the genuine gravity that permeated the air, unlike the earlier "farce." He put down his terminal, looked up, and his obsidian-like eyes turned to Enya, his furry ears perking up alertly, capturing every subtle change in the air.

"What's wrong?" Su Rui's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of... concern? though her tone remained calm.

Enya took a deep breath, as if exhaling the pent-up frustration and chill in her chest. She put down the letter, looked up at Su Rui and Yela, and forced a bitter smile, "It's news from down the mountain... the SilverAsh Family... my brother seems... not planning to wait any longer."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a heavy weight, like the calm before a storm.

"The letter said," Enya continued, her tone calm, but a complex emotion surging deep within her eyes, "That SilverAsh —my brother Enciodes —has begun gathering men and setting up temporary camps in the area near the Browntail Family's traditional hunting grounds and the Perroch Family's grazing routes, under the pretext of 'exploring mineral veins and ensuring resource security.' His movements have been swift and... forceful. Although no direct conflict has occurred, the atmosphere... is already extremely tense. The Browntail Family and Perroch Family are clearly angered by this action and, I hear, are also secretly mobilizing manpower and strengthening their defenses."

"And..." Enya paused, her gaze falling on the end of the letter, a genuine worry flashing in her lake-blue eyes. "The letter was delivered at great risk by an old acquaintance of mine at the SilverAsh Family. She said... SilverAsh seems to be... dissatisfied with the Saintess Temple (referring to Enya's stance and attitude) for not yet clearly expressing support for the SilverAsh Family. He might... try to put some... pressure on the Holy Mountain."

Applying pressure? Su Rui's dark eyes narrowed instantly, a cold, sharp glint flashing within them. He sat up straight, his bushy tail unconsciously taut, the tip gently patting the soft couch. "What does he want?" Su Rui's voice deepened, carrying a predator's dangerous aura.

"Uncertain." Enya shook her head, her worry deepening. "He might send someone to 'petition,' or he might... use public opinion, or... a more direct approach. SilverAsh ... he's always ruthless in his actions, willing to use anything to achieve his goals. I'm worried... he might use... Ensia Silverash."

When the name "Ensia Silverash" was mentioned, Enya's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with undisguised worry and heartache for her younger sister. "Ensia Silverash... she's too kind, and too naive. She's always respected and loved her brother SilverAsh, but she doesn't know the true nature beneath SilverAsh gentle exterior. I'm worried... SilverAsh will take advantage of Ensia Silverash's trust in him, making her do or say things that... influence the Holy Mountain's judgment, or... force me to take a stand."

Enya's concerns were not unfounded. When it comes to family interests, kinship can sometimes be used as a bargaining chip, especially for ambitious people like SilverAsh who believe in the supremacy of power.

As Su Rui listened, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper. Although he didn't have a good impression of the Silverash Family (mainly because of Enya's description) and had little interest in the squirrels and bears' squabbles down the mountain, he sensed the deep, genuine concern and worry Enya had for her sister. This slightly shook his initial "it's none of my business" attitude.

Looking at Enya's worried yet powerless expression—unable to intervene directly due to her saintly status and principles, and only able to wait passively—a strange urge to do something surged within him once more. Just like before, he couldn't help but make tea for her and clean her house.

"That SilverAsh ..." Su Rui began, her voice tinged with coldness, "Is he troublesome?"

"It's very troublesome," Enya said with a wry smile. "He's one of the most ambitious and cunning people I've ever met. He'll stop at nothing to revive the SilverAsh Family. My leaving the family was largely... to avoid him."

Su Rui was silent for a few seconds, his dark eyes flashing as if he were quickly thinking about something. Then, he looked up at Enya, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination:

"Since you're so worried about your sister... I'll go down the mountain to check on her."

Upon hearing this, Enya and Yela were both stunned!

Enya looked up abruptly, her lake-blue eyes filled with shock and disbelief. "Su Rui? You... what did you say? You're going down the mountain? No! That's too dangerous!"

Yela's dark eyes sharpened instantly, locking onto Su Rui. Although she didn't speak, her suddenly tense body and the silent pressure emanating from her fully expressed her opposition.

"Danger?" Su Rui raised an eyebrow, his face showing an almost disdainful expression. "What danger could there be? It's just a bunch of people arguing over ore and land... um, 'Squirrel,' 'Bear,' and one... troublesome ' SilverAsh.'" He used the same words Enya had used to describe him, his tone light, as if he were talking about something trivial. "I'm not going to fight them. I'm just... going to check the situation, make sure your sister is safe. And by the way... see what that SilverAsh is up to."

He paused, then added with an air of self-assured confidence, "I'm fast and good at hiding. They can't find me." This wasn't boasting. With his past experience as a top executor, his stealth, reconnaissance, and counter-reconnaissance skills made it easy for him to infiltrate a family settlement lacking modern security without resorting to force. Moreover, he now possessed ears capable of picking up the slightest sounds and a large tail that helped him maintain balance and concealment in the snow and forests (though he might not have thought so himself).

Volume 18, Chapter 1141: She was worried

"No!" Enya's reaction was unusually strong. She almost immediately stood up from her chair, rushed to Su Rui, knelt down, and grabbed Su Rui's arms tightly with both hands. Her lake-blue eyes were filled with anxiety and... a hint of barely perceptible fear. "Su Rui, you don't understand SilverAsh! He... he's much more dangerous than you think! He has powerful people around him! And the situation down the mountain is complicated. The three major families are watching each other. You're a stranger, and... like this," she pointed to Su Rui's furry ears and tail, "You're too conspicuous! What if you're discovered? What if SilverAsh is hostile to you? I... I can't let you take such a risk!"

Her words were filled with worry, even tinged with a sob. Su Rui was someone she had "picked up" from the void; she had carefully nurtured him, watching him grow from weakness to recovery, from wariness to affection—a "little snow leopard." In her heart, Su Rui was already more important than blood relatives. She couldn't imagine how she would bear it if Su Rui had to leave the mountain because of her family's situation and encountered some misfortune.

"I..." Su Rui opened his mouth, wanting to say that he wasn't that weak, but looking at Enya's tearful, pleading eyes, he swallowed the words back. He could feel the strength of Enya's grip on his arm, and he could feel the trembling and coldness of her fingertips. She was really... scared, worried about him.

A strange feeling, mixed with helplessness, warmth, and... a touch of bewilderment, welled up in Su Rui's heart. He... seemed a little unaccustomed to being worried about so unreservedly and so intensely.

"Su Rui," Enya's voice softened, tinged with pleading. She released one hand and gently stroked Su Rui's cheek, her fingertips damp with a cool sheen (were they tears?). "I know you mean well, worried about Ensia Silverash. But... please, don't act for now, okay? Let's assess the situation first. SilverAsh's actions might not actually threaten Ensia Silverash. Perhaps... perhaps there's still room for maneuver. Besides, Yela will send people down the mountain to investigate, won't she, Yela?"

Enya turned to look at Yela, her eyes filled with pleading and... a barely perceptible hint of hoping Yela would help dissuade her.

Yela stood there silently, her dark eyes unfathomable. But after her gaze shifted between Su Rui and Enya for a moment, she finally nodded almost imperceptibly to Enya and said in a deep voice, "I will arrange for reliable people to closely monitor the situation down the mountain, especially... Miss Ensia Silverash's condition."

This was a promise, and also a kind of... indirect rejection of Su Rui's proposal. Yela also disapproved of Su Rui's hasty descent down the mountain. Not only because of the danger, but also because... Su Rui's significance to her, to Enya, and to this Holy Mountain had long since changed. She would never allow him to take such a risk lightly.

Seeing Su Rui on the verge of tears, and glancing at Yela's silent yet unwavering gaze, Enya's impulse to "help" vanished instantly, as if doused with cold water. He irritably scratched his silver hair, his ears drooping slightly in frustration.

"Alright, alright, stop crying." Su Rui's voice was muffled, with a hint of impatience, but his tone softened. "Fine, I won't go then. It's so annoying." He turned his face away, not wanting to look at Enya's tearful appearance, but his body relaxed, letting Enya hold his arm.

Enya breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Su Rui agree, but the worry in her eyes hadn't completely disappeared. She reached out and gently pulled Su Rui into her arms, patting his back softly like comforting a frightened child, her voice gentle yet undeniably firm. "Su Rui, you must remember, your safety is more important to me than anything else. I'll figure out what to do down the mountain. You just... stay here with me, that's all, okay?"

A warm, soft body, carrying a familiar fragrance, enveloped Su Rui. He could feel Enya's slight trembling and her deep, undeniable care. He stiffened for a moment, but ultimately did not push her away. He simply let out a barely audible, muffled murmur as a response.

Yela stood to the side, watching Enya hold Su Rui tightly in her arms. Seeing Su Rui's awkward yet non-resistant posture, a complex emotion flickered deep in her dark eyes. There was a resonance with Enya's feelings, satisfaction with Su Rui's "obedience," and... a subtle touch of emotion she herself hadn't even noticed—a touch of something more about the scene of their embrace.

But soon, her gaze turned cold and sharp again as she looked out the window at the pitch-black night of the snow-capped mountains, a night that seemed capable of swallowing all light. SilverAsh... the SilverAsh Family... the undercurrents below the mountain had already reached the foot of the Holy Mountain. Whether Su Rui descended the mountain or not, a storm seemed inevitable. And she had to be fully prepared to protect this pure land, to protect... everything she cherished.

Su Rui was held in Enya's arms, his cheek pressed against her soft fabric, her reassuring scent lingering in his nostrils. He closed his eyes, the frustration of being unable to "move" gradually replaced by a strange tranquility. But at the same time, a vague thought quietly flashed through his mind: if things really came to a head, if Enya and Yela couldn't handle it... then perhaps... he would still do something. After all, this was his "home," and Enya and Yela were the only people in this world who were willing to care for and protect him in such a clumsy yet sincere way.

He shifted slightly, finding a more comfortable position in Enya's arms. His tail unconsciously curled up and gently rested on Enya's leg.

"I know... you're so nagging," he mumbled indistinctly, his voice barely audible.

Night, like the thickest ink, spilled across Kjerag Holy Mountain, swallowing the snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and the solitary monastery. A fierce wind howled outside the window, whipping up fine snowflakes that pounded against the ancient stone walls with a mournful sound. The fire in the fireplace had long since burned out, leaving only dark red Ash that emitted a final, faint warmth.

The Meditation Room was completely silent. The only sounds were the wind and snow outside the window, and... three intertwined, steady, and long breaths.

Enya lay on her side on the large bed, her long, silvery-white hair spread out on the pillow, gleaming softly in the dim light reflecting off the snow outside the window. She slept soundly, and the worry that had clouded her brow during the day due to the conflict down the mountain seemed to have faded somewhat in her sleep.

Volume 18, Chapter 1142: Yela: I see you.

Enya's arms remained in the same position as before she fell asleep, gently and possessively embracing the silver-haired boy in her arms.

Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) nestled in Enya's arms, his head resting on her arm, his body enveloped in the warm blankets and the comforting fragrance emanating from her. His eyes were closed, his breathing even, and his fluffy snow leopard ears twitched slightly unconsciously in his sleep, as if trying to catch sounds in his dreams. He seemed to be sleeping as soundly as Enya.

However, just as another gust of wind violently slammed against the window with a muffled crash, Su Rui's tightly closed dark eyes suddenly opened! There was no trace of sleepiness in her eyes, only a clear and sharp glint!