Ark Simulator: Don't I Have No Physical Form?

The incredibly soft fur and plush blankets instantly enveloped Su Rui. The warm, comfortable touch did nothing to quell the alarm bells ringing in his mind. He almost sprang to his feet, wanting to escape this bed that looked like a trap.

"I'm not sleeping here! I'm not sleepy at all! I want to get out!" Su Rui growled as he scrambled off the bed. He'd rather sleep on the cold hallway outside, no, he'd rather fight the blizzard outside, than share a bed with Yela! It was absurd! It was horrible!

However, Yela was faster. She didn't even make any extra movements; she simply reached out and gently placed her hand on Su Rui's shoulder.

That hand, seemingly slender and fair, carried an unimaginable weight and power, as if originating from the very rules of the world. All of Su Rui's struggles and resistance crumbled instantly under that gentle press, as if hitting an invisible barrier. He was like a cub being pushed back into its den by an invisible force, helplessly pressed back into the soft bed.

"Sleep." Yela's voice rang out calmly, a single word, yet carrying an undeniable authority that seemed capable of freezing the soul.

"I'm not sleeping! I said I'm not sleepy!" Su Rui was both shocked and angry, but more than that, he felt a sense of shame and helplessness with nowhere to vent his anger. He glared at Yela, his dark eyes burning with rage and stubbornness. "Let me go! I want to get out!"

The "intimate" contact between him and Yela had long since crossed the line (or rather, in his own perception). Forced hugs, forced sitting on her lap, her rubbing his ears, even... being kissed on the forehead. All of this made Su Rui feel incredibly ashamed and embarrassed. But at least those things happened in a relatively "public" area, at least Enya and Ensia Silverash were there (although they were asleep). But now, Yela actually wanted to take him to bed?! This wasn't just "intimacy," it was...!

Moreover, he had clearly "slept" with Yela before! Although it was under the influence of magic and his consciousness was clouded, and he couldn't remember the specifics after waking up, only some fragmented, blush-inducing moments and feelings remained, at least that was when he was "unconscious"! But now, he was fully conscious! Absolutely conscious! How could he... how could he do it again...

The immense shame and a feeling of utter powerlessness brought Su Rui to the brink of collapse. He glared at Yela, his eyes even glistening with barely perceptible tears due to extreme anger and resentment.

Volume 18, Chapter 1251: I won't listen, I won't do it!

"I don't want to sleep! Did you hear me, Yela!" He almost shouted, his voice trembling with excitement, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible... hint of coquettish exasperation that he himself was unaware of.

As Yela watched him, seemingly driven to the brink of despair, baring his teeth and claws yet utterly helpless, something deep within her golden eyes seemed to stir slightly. A barely perceptible, almost "pleasant" ripple appeared on the calm, still surface of the icy lake.

She ignored Su Rui's "protest," and even seemed to find his behavior amusing.

Under Su Rui's horrified gaze, Yela turned and lay down beside Su Rui. Not far apart, but very close, close enough for Su Rui to clearly smell the cold, vast aura emanating from her and feel her slightly cool body temperature seeping through the thin fabric, a stark contrast to his own body temperature rising with excitement and shame.

"You..." Su Rui wanted to say something, but Yela had already reached out her arms and, with an irresistible yet exceptionally gentle force, pulled him into her embrace.

Instead of the previous side-sitting position, she lay on her side, facing him, pulling Su Rui into her arms. Su Rui's face was forced into Yela's cool and soft neck, his body pressed tightly against Yela, and through the thin clothing, they could clearly feel each other's curves and warmth.

"!!!" Su Rui's breath caught in his throat. A wave of immense shame and an unprecedented, overwhelming, and controlling tremor washed over him. He tried to struggle, to push Yela away, but his body felt drained of all strength, limp and immobile. Yela's arms, loosely wrapped around his waist and back, seemed to possess an immense weight, holding him firmly in her cool, soft embrace.

"Let go... let go of me..." Su Rui's voice trembled with extreme shame and helplessness, even carrying a hint of pleading that he himself didn't realize. He didn't want this, he didn't want to sleep with Yela, didn't want to be held like this by her... this was too much...

Yela seemed to sense his trembling and his subtle pleading. She didn't speak, but simply lowered her head slightly.

Cool lips landed once more.

This time, it wasn't the forehead.

Instead, it gently touched Su Rui's tightly pursed lips, which were slightly red with shame and indignation.

Su Rui's eyes widened instantly. All his struggles and thoughts were frozen and shattered at this moment. He could only feel the cool, soft, yet undeniably possessive touch on his lips. The icy, clear breath forcefully invaded his senses, carrying an ancient and vast meaning, as if it wanted to devour and assimilate everything about him.

The kiss was light and brief, like a dragonfly skimming the water. But the impact it had was a thousand times stronger than the kiss on the forehead before.

Yela's lips left his slightly parted lips, which were trembling with shock. Then, following the line of his jaw, which was tilted back in astonishment, her lips moved down like a snowflake, gently landing on his burning neck. There, his pulse was pounding wildly, as if trying to break free from the confines of his skin.

The cool touch on his burning skin sent shivers down his spine. Su Rui's body trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to push Yela away, to escape, but his body was as if under a spell, so weak that he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.

Yela's lips lingered for a moment on the rapidly throbbing pulse in his neck, as if sensing its vibrant life force. Then, they moved downwards, landing on the edge of his slightly open collar, on his delicate collarbone.

Soft, cool kisses, like feathers, landed one after another on Su Rui's sensitive skin. Each kiss was like a tiny electric current coursing through his body, bringing waves of tingling and weakness. His consciousness began to blur, and his previously clear resistance and shame began to melt and disintegrate rapidly, like ice and snow exposed to the sun.

He could feel an irresistible, overwhelming drowsiness, which, with each gentle yet seemingly magical kiss from Yela, was silently and forcefully eroding his will.

It's magic! Yela must have used magic!

Before Su Rui's consciousness completely faded, only one incredibly clear and indignant thought remained in his mind: This despicable, disrespectful old man, who abused his divine status to do whatever he pleased... actually used such methods... to make him...

Before the curse could even take shape, the boundless darkness and the irresistible, warm drowsiness, like a mother's embrace, completely swallowed his last vestiges of consciousness.

He didn't even have time to protest before he fell into a deep sleep, forced by magic (as he unilaterally believed). His body leaned softly against Yela's chest, his breathing became even and long, and the blush on his face caused by shame and indignation gradually faded, leaving only the unguarded tranquility of a deep sleep.

Yela stopped her gentle, seemingly soothing kiss. She lowered her head slightly, her golden eyes gazing quietly at the silver-haired boy in her arms, who had instantly fallen asleep and even unconsciously nuzzled against her neck, letting out a soft murmur, because of the comfortable position. A very subtle, almost "satisfied" smile seemed to appear on her calm face.

She adjusted her position to make Su Rui sleep more peacefully, and then slowly closed her eyes. It was as if she was simply embracing a warm and comforting pillow, and together they sank into a dreamless sleep where only their breaths mingled.

Outside the window, the blizzard continued to howl wildly, as if trying to tear the world apart. But inside the bedroom, it was warm and quiet, with only two intertwined, even breaths echoing softly in the air.

Consciousness, like driftwood sunk to the warm seabed, slowly, little by little, floats upward.

The first thing to recover was the sense of touch.

Warmth. An extraordinary warmth. It felt as if I were enveloped in the softest, thickest clouds, or as if I were soaking in a perfectly warm hot spring, every pore opening up to absorb the comforting warmth that seeped into my very bones. This warmth was a stark contrast to the icy, raging blizzard of last night.

Next comes the sense of smell.

A crisp, clear air, like the purest air atop a snow-capped mountain, mixed with an indescribable, lingering fragrance, as if from the depths of an ancient glacier, accumulated over countless years, enveloped his nostrils. This fragrance, though not strong, possessed an undeniable presence, forcefully dominating his senses, seemingly merging silently with his own aura.

Then comes hearing.

Volume 18, Chapter 1252: A Night of Blizzard

It was very quiet. Not absolute silence, but the kind of deep stillness that comes after everything has fallen asleep and the dust has settled. Only the faint, almost completely blocked-out sound of the wind whistling outside the window, and... a steady, long, and very close... breathing sound.

Breathing sounds?

Su Rui's confused consciousness jolted awake by this realization, as if drenched in icy snow water, instantly becoming mostly clear-headed.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

The first thing that catches the eye is a soft, pearly white. It's not snow, but some kind of extremely delicate, soft-to-the-touch fabric, carrying the unique warmth of sunshine, gently covering his body. Moving the gaze slightly upward, one sees his smoothly defined jawline and his slightly pursed, pale lips.

Yela.

After a brief Blank, all of Su Rui's memories from the previous night rushed in like a flood bursting its banks.

He was held by Yela and forced to watch the raging snowstorm outside the window; the cool, gentle kiss that landed on his forehead like falling snowflakes; being carried into the bedroom and laid on the soft bed; his fierce, shameful resistance and his declaration of "not sleepy"; and finally... Yela's undeniable kiss on his lips, followed by the feather-light, yet strangely magical, touches on his neck and collarbone... and then the overwhelming, domineering drowsiness that instantly engulfed him, a drowsiness that seemed to originate from the depths of his soul...

Su Rui's face flushed crimson instantly, visibly reddening all the way to his ears and even his neck. He stiffly and extremely slowly moved his eyes, realizing his predicament—

He was almost completely protected by Yela, who held him in her arms. His face was buried in Yela's cool and soft neck, and his arm had somehow ended up on Yela's waist. Yela's one hand was loosely around his back, and her other hand was gently placed on the back of his head, enveloping him completely in her breath in an almost protective gesture.

They were separated only by a thin, silky nightgown. He could clearly feel the curves of Yela's body, her slightly cool temperature, and her steady, powerful heartbeat, which pounded against his chest through the thin fabric.

This realization sent a rush of blood to Su Rui's head. As if burned, he instinctively tried to pull his hand back, wanting to break free from this suffocating embrace.

However, the moment he moved, the cool hand that was resting on the back of his head pressed down almost imperceptibly. The pressure was light, even soothing, yet it possessed an undeniable magic that instantly froze him in place.

Yela's eyes slowly opened.

Golden eyes, like newly melted snow, clear and calm, reflected Su Rui's face, flushed with embarrassment, filled with panic and helplessness. In those eyes, there was no hazy awakening, only an unchanging clarity that seemed to see through everything.

"Awake?" Yela's voice was lower than usual, with a barely perceptible, almost languid hoarseness, like an underground river flowing gently beneath the ice.

Su Rui's throat went dry, and he couldn't utter a single word. He wanted to break free, to escape, to question Yela about what she had done to him last night (especially that kiss and that strange drowsiness), but all his words seemed to freeze in his throat under Yela's calm, unwavering gaze. He could only remain stiff, as if frozen in place, in Yela's arms, staring into those golden eyes.

Yela didn't seem to care about his stiffness and silence. She looked at him quietly, and after a few seconds, the hand that was resting on the back of his head moved slightly. Her cool fingertips brushed against the slightly messy hair on the back of his neck, bringing a slight shiver.

Then, she let go, pulling her arms back along with his.

The confinement has been lifted.

Su Rui practically tumbled and crawled out of Yela's arms, his movements so violent he almost fell off the bed. He hurriedly sat up, keeping a distance from Yela, and grabbed a nearby blanket, trying to cover his slightly flushed and disheveled body, which was burning with embarrassment. He kept his head down, not daring to look at Yela, his silver hair falling down to cover his red cheeks and ears.

Yela slowly sat up. Her white nightgown was still impeccably neat, without a single wrinkle, as if she weren't the one who had just held Su Rui in her arms so intimately. Her golden eyes glanced indifferently at Su Rui, who was huddled in the corner of the bed, wishing she could bury herself in the blanket, and she said nothing, simply getting out of bed.

Barefoot on the cool, smooth stone surface, Yela's figure appeared even more slender and upright in the dim light that still carried the scent of snow and wind, filtering through the window lattice. She was like a statue Snow Eagle and snow, untouched by dust, possessing a detached and awe-inspiring beauty.

She didn't look at Su Rui again, nor did she say or do anything extra. She simply walked steadily toward the archway connecting to the outer bedroom, and her figure quickly disappeared behind the door.

Only after Yela's footsteps completely disappeared did Su Rui collapse onto the soft bed, as if all his strength had been exhausted. He buried his face deep in the blanket that still held the cool, refreshing scent of Yela, letting out a suppressed groan mixed with shame, indignation, helplessness, and an indescribable complex emotion.

What exactly happened last night?!

That kiss... those touches... and that sudden, abnormally domineering drowsiness...

What exactly did Yela do to him?!

Su Rui's cheeks burned and his heart pounded as he thought about it. He shook his head violently, trying to shake off the blush-inducing, flustered images and feelings. No, he couldn't think about it anymore! The most important thing was to get out of here! Immediately! Right now!

He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, and then quickly checked his clothes. Fortunately, although they were a bit messy, they were still intact, without any further signs of "accident." He hurriedly straightened his clothes, jumped off the bed, and stepped barefoot onto the cold floor. The icy touch cleared his confused mind considerably.

He listened intently to the sounds coming from outside. He could hear faint voices and the light clinking of cutlery, and a faint... aroma of food wafted over.

Su Rui's stomach, quite uncooperatively, growled at that moment. He then realized that he had barely eaten anything since last night and had undergone such a "intense" exertion (both mentally and physically), and was already starving.

After hesitating for a moment, Su Rui mustered her courage and, with somewhat unsteady steps, walked out of the bedroom.

Volume 18, Chapter 1253: Ensia Silverash: Come with me for a moment.

In the outer chamber, the fireplace had been rekindled, its warm glow dancing in the air. An enticing aroma filled the air, a mingled scent of hot milk and toasted bread, along with the smoky aroma of roasted meat. The low couch had been neatly arranged, covered with clean cushions. Where the low table had been, a larger long table covered with a pristine white tablecloth had taken its place. On the table lay a simple breakfast: golden-brown, crispy slices of bread, still steaming; several small dishes of delicate jam and butter; thinly sliced, perfectly fried bacon and sausage; and a large jug of steaming, rich milk.

Enya and Ensia Silverash were sitting at the table. Enya was gracefully spreading jam on a slice of bread, a gentle smile on her face, listening to Ensia Silverash chatter away. Ensia Silverash, on the other hand, seemed particularly excited, her face flushed from the heat, her blue eyes sparkling, and as she spoke, she couldn't help but glance towards the bedroom.

Ensia Silverash's voice abruptly stopped when Su Rui emerged from the bedroom. Her bright blue eyes instantly fixed on Su Rui, her gaze quickly sweeping over Su Rui slightly disheveled clothes (especially his hair), his cheeks and earlobes still flushed with lingering embarrassment, and the barely perceptible hint of bewilderment and... embarrassment in his eyes.

Ensia Silverash's gaze lingered for a fleeting moment on Su Rui's slightly open collar (where there seemed to be a very faint red mark, almost imperceptible without close inspection), before she quickly looked away as if burned. She lowered her head, picked up the milk glass in front of her, and sipped it slowly, but her slightly flushed ears and the occasional glances she stole at Su Rui, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and some indescribable excitement, betrayed her turbulent inner state.

Su Rui was puzzled by Ensia Silverash's strange reaction. He looked down at himself but didn't find anything particularly wrong (except that his hair was a little messy and his face was a little red). He looked at Ensia Silverash with a question in his mind, wanting to ask her what was wrong.

But Ensia Silverash avoided his gaze, pretending to focus on drinking her milk, though her slightly trembling eyelashes and reddened ear tips betrayed her.

Su Rui was even more confused. He subconsciously turned his gaze to Enya, hoping to get an answer from his sister.

Enya was also looking at him. Unlike Ensia Silverash's evasive and excited gaze, Enya's gaze remained gentle, but with a hint of... a meaningful smile. The smile wasn't obvious, just a faint ripple in the depths of her beautiful brown eyes, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, spreading gentle ripples. She looked at Su Rui, her gaze sweeping over his reddened earlobes and slightly disheveled silver hair, then smiled slightly at him. That smile contained understanding, tolerance, and a hint of... an indescribable, almost indulgent teasing?

"Su Rui, you're awake? Come and have something to eat. The snow outside has lessened, but the journey down the mountain will still take time. You'll need energy if you eat well." Enya's voice was as gentle as ever, as if nothing had happened and she hadn't seen anything.

But Su Rui keenly caught the subtle teasing in her words. His cheeks flushed even more, and he mumbled an "Mmm," then walked somewhat awkwardly to the table and sat down opposite Enya, deliberately avoiding Ensia Silverash's furtive glances and also avoiding the head seat (which was empty; Yela wasn't there).

The atmosphere at breakfast was somewhat awkward. Enya continued to gently care for her younger sister, occasionally handing Su Rui a slice of bread with jam on it. Ensia Silverash, on the other hand, seemed a little absent-minded, eating much slower than usual, her gaze constantly drifting towards Su Rui before quickly looking away, her face slightly flushed. Su Rui, meanwhile, buried her head in her food, trying to use it to mask her discomfort and embarrassment, but she couldn't taste the food; even the delicious breakfast tasted bland and tasteless.

He always felt that Ensia Silverash's gaze towards him was strange, and Enya smile was odd too. Did they know something? See something? Or... guess something?

This thought made Su Rui even more restless, wishing she could end this "torturous" breakfast immediately.

Fortunately, breakfast finally ended as he swallowed it without tasting anything. The wind and snow outside the window, although not completely stopped, had lessened considerably compared to the raging storm of the previous night, and visibility had improved significantly; at least the road down the mountain should be passable.

Ensia Silverash had to go back. She had to get back before the people at the manor discovered she was missing.

Although Enya was reluctant, she knew her sister had to leave. She gently tidied Ensia Silverash's clothes and cloak, carefully reminding her to be careful on the way down the mountain. Su Rui also stood silently by her side, ready to escort Ensia Silverash down the mountain—this was his promise to Yela (?), and also his excuse for wanting to leave the temple at this moment.

The farewell was brief. Ensia Silverash hugged her sister tightly, and then, under Enya's gentle yet worried gaze, followed Su Rui out of the warm palace and onto the still cold, snow-covered Holy Mountain path.

The path down the mountain was easier than the path up, as the wind and snow had lessened considerably and it was getting brighter. But Su Rui still walked cautiously, keeping Ensia Silverash firmly behind him, shielding her from the cold wind and any falling snow with his own body.

Ensia Silverash was unusually quiet. Unlike when she arrived, she didn't chatter incessantly. She simply followed silently behind Su Rui, occasionally glancing up at Su Rui's tall, straight back before quickly lowering her head again, burying her face in her thick scarf, lost in thought.

Only after the two safely arrived near the back gate of the SilverAsh Family manor and confirmed that no one was around did Su Rui breathe a sigh of relief. She turned to Ensia Silverash and said, "Alright, it's safe now. You should go in quickly, before anyone sees you."

Ensia Silverash looked up at Su Rui with her blue eyes. Those eyes, which were always full of innocence and curiosity, now shone with a complex light that Su Rui couldn't understand. She bit her lower lip, as if she had made up her mind, and suddenly reached out and grabbed Su Rui's sleeve.

"Su Rui," Ensia Silverash's voice was lower than usual, carrying a hint of barely perceptible nervousness and...expectation? "You...come with me for a moment, okay? I have something...that I want to show you. It's in my room, it'll be quick, and no one will find out."

Why is the mace here in volume 18, chapter 1254?

Su Rui was somewhat puzzled. What was there to see now? And going to her room? Tai He? But looking into Ensia Silverash's pleading blue eyes, remembering her courage in risking her life to see her sister last night, and knowing that she would soon be returning to this seemingly glamorous but potentially restrictive manor, his heart softened.

"Okay, hurry up." Su Rui finally nodded, lowering her voice, "Don't let anyone see us."

Ensia Silverash's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. Pulling on Su Rui's sleeve, she nimbly slipped past the guards and servants of the manor like a nimble kitten, and quietly returned to her room.

Ensia Silverash's room was decorated warmly and with a girlish atmosphere. The soft bed was piled with various plush toys, the bookshelves were full of books, and there were several potted green plants on the windowsill. The air was filled with a faint, sweet fragrance that belonged to a young girl.

Su Rui followed Ensia Silverash into the room and gently closed the door behind him. He was about to ask her what she wanted to show him when he suddenly heard a soft "click" behind him.

It was the sound of the door lock being gently locked from the inside.

A warning bell rang in Su Rui's mind. He turned around abruptly, only to see that Ensia Silverash had somehow retreated to the door, leaning against the door panel, her blue eyes staring at him intently, a strange light he had never seen before gleaming in them.

"Ensia Silverash? Why did you lock the door?" Su Rui asked somewhat uneasily, instinctively taking a step back.

Ensia Silverash didn't answer immediately. She walked step by step towards Su Rui, her face showing a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and a sense of determination. She stood right in front of Su Rui, tilted her head up, and looked at him.

"Su Rui," Ensia Silverash's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were unusually firm, "Last night... at the temple, I saw it all."

Su Rui's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over him. What had he seen? Had he seen Yela holding him? Had he seen...? No, impossible, she should have been asleep then...

"I saw it," Ensia Silverash said, as if she could read his mind, her blue eyes fixed on him, "I saw Lady Yela kiss you."

Su Rui's face instantly flushed crimson! It was as if all the blood rushed to his head. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, to say it was just an accident, or... or nothing at all! But his throat felt blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word. A wave of immense shame overwhelmed him. He wished he could disappear into the ground!

However, Ensia Silverash's next words plunged him into an icy abyss.

"My sister said," Ensia Silverash's voice held an almost naive yet unsettling stubbornness that sent chills down Su Rui's spine, "That if she and Lady Yela can do it, then so can I."

Su Rui: "...?!"