Angel was momentarily dazed by Yasenia.
Seeing the anxious, panicky woman in front of her, so different yet still the same, made a rush of emotions and nostalgic memories rush through her mind like an avalanche.
The woman in front of her, so beautiful words made it difficult to discuss, was still Yasenia. That mole below her left eye, those now golden slit eyes, the beautiful straight eyebrows, and the glistening, naturally reddish lips that asked to be kissed.
Everything was the same, but at the same time, elevated to a whole new level of charm. However, regardless of appearance, Angel's heart still felt stifled. Seeing Yasenia's anxious look, she naturally recalled when Yasenia showed the same attitude back when she was in a bad mood.
Seeing Yasenia so sincerely ask for forgiveness, to the point that even her ability to sense falsehoods and truths left her without a doubt of the woman's honesty, made Angel's accumulated grievances even more bitter.
How good would it have been if Yasenia had been by her side during those difficult moments?
So, Yasenia saw that Angel, after her first daze, started crying silently, her lips pursed. At this moment, Yasenia's heart twisted as if a sharp claw was grabbing and squeezing it.
She hugged Angel into her arms, using her tail to make their hug even tighter. "Sorry. Sorry, Angel. I should've been faster. I should've come to you as soon as possible. I didn't want to lose some opportunities to become stronger. So, I was greatly delayed. In truth, I was about to come look for all of you around 30 years ago. But some things became… complicated. Sorry, my baby. It's all my fault."
Angel, who had been with her hands hanging limply at the sides, finally broke into a heartbreaking cry and hugged Yasenia back, burying her face as deeply as she could into Yasenia's arms.
Had Angel matured greatly during the last years? Without a shred of doubt.
Angel had gone through ups and downs, experienced both the world's good and bad sides. However, Angel's talent was both a blessing and a curse.
A blessing, because she could easily protect herself against those wth evil intentions.
A curse, because Angel realized that other than Yasenia, people who only spoke truthfully towards her didn't exist. Even those she had considered friendly, she eventually separated from because she couldn't bear to feel their lies.
Mirrory, as a treasure who wanted nothing but the best for Angel, naturally pushed her through many trials. She knew how to train Angel, and Mirrory knew exactly how to strengthen Angel to the best of her capabilities.
As a treasure whose lifespan had long surpassed those of even ancient stars, Mirrory's ability to teach her users had long become unparalleled. It was mainly through her and her previous owner's unparalleled talent that they pushed to the point that Fu Jing Jing gained the very recognition of the Main Heaven itself.
Still, because Angel had been greatly pampered by Yasenia, the sudden situation she was thrown into by Mirrory proved to be much harder on her heart than initially expected.
It was not Yasenia's fault.
It was not Mirrory's fault.
And it was much less Angel's fault.
Yasenia pampering Angel was something she did because she loved the girl endlessly and wanted nothing but to see Angel laugh and be happy. No strings attached.
Mirrory pushing Angel was something she did because she had trust in Angel's true worth to bear through hardships. And time had proved that Mirrory's evaluation of Angel was not wrong in the slightest.
While Angel was a soft girl at heart, she had the mettle to face the cultivation world head-on and persevere even in its hardest trials. The only problem was that Angel had never felt a place where she could feel at ease to the level when she traveled with Yasenia.
This pulled her string taut, and it kept it taut for decades, until today, she finally saw the woman she wanted to see so much.
When Angel saw Yasenia arrive, collapsing space itself to face her enemies, all the grievances accumulated during the last few decades just… burst out.
So, in Yasenia's safe arms, returning to that place where Angel could truly let go of her nerves and guard, Angel cried. She cried like a child who had finally reunited with her parents after being lost for too long.
Yasenia lifted Angel, kissed her tears away, hugged her, and told her how much she loved her, wanting nothing more than to make Angel smile once again.
"Baby, my precious baby. Don't worry, dear. I am here now. Alright? I am here for you, and this time, not even Heaven can separate me from you."
Angel listened, and through her talent, she only heard the truth. Honest, loving truth from the bottom of Yasenia's heart. This lost feeling, now recovered, was endlessly more precious than before.
Only after all these years did Angel truly understand just how good Yasenia had been to her. This dragoness, who was currently trying to swallow her sadness away through pure love, was truly her world.
Through tears, sobbing, and hitching, Angel nodded. "I- Hic… I love… love you. Hic."
Yasenia hugged Angel closely again, embracing her as widely and closely as she could. However, while outwardly, she was putting on her best face for Angel, inside, a raging inferno was brewing.
Her Intent Domain had long been dispelled, allowing everyone to flee so that they would not interrupt her while she calmed and pampered Angel. Because, if they did, Yasenia truly would not know what she would do, as her wrath was a gentle poke away from erupting like an ancient volcano.
Mirrory saw Yasenia look her way. 'Ho~? Will she be angry with me?'
Outwardly, though, she kept an indifferent face. Yasenia looked for a few moments, and then she spoke up. "Thank you."
Mirrory showed involuntary surprise. Yasenia smiled faintly, her hand constantly patting Angel's hiccuping back. "I know you've done your very best to make Angel stronger. That's why, thank you. You've truly kept your word from back then."
Mirrory pondered and recalled that, back when she first completed the contract with Angel, she promised that she would properly take care of Angel. Mirrory had not expected Yasenia to remember those words.
A faint smile appeared on Mirrory's lips. "There is no need. I am Angel's treasure… and guardian. It is my duty."
Having seen Angel's growth the closest, Mirrory had fully accepted Angel as her new master. She was not someone who gave up. She was someone who upheld what she believed in. Above all, Angel was someone Mirrory admired.
Adapting from her usual environment to the new one showed that Angel was far from being a useless girl who got lucky by finding her. She was truthful to herself like a pure mirror, as she showed back then in her first trial.
'Still, her truth is a bit different from what I've always taught.' Mirrory's biggest reason for her acceptance was that. 'Her truth is... selfish, and still needs a lot of refinement, but it is one of the purest truths I've ever seen.'
Yasenia and Angel continued hugging each other for a few more hours until Angel finally calmed down. Looking down, she saw Angel's gently closed eyes, her blonde eyelashes still holding a few tears.
She used a handkerchief to clean Angel's leaky little nose, and then she propped her up, standing silently. Looking around, she sniffed the air, and then she moved, returning to Angel's room.
Mirrory spoke, speechless. "What kind of nose do you have?"
A mocking voice came from behind. "A dragon nose. Are you sure you are not a fake, old mirror?"
Mirrory's eyebrow twitched. Looking at the side, she sneered. "I thought I could be at rest for a century without seeing your face. I guess fate is not that kind to me."
Tatyana landed in the room, tilting her chin up as she smirked. "Hey, look at the good part. Your useless surface can now reflect my beauty. It is not a losing deal."
Mirrory rolled her green eyes. "I would rather reflect one of your zombies than your arrogant face!"
Tatyana laughed, approaching her and giving her a light punch on the shoulder. "Good to see you are well."
Mirrory smiled back. "Good to see you are as shameless as ever."
Tatyana clicked her tongue, and Mirrory looked back. Seeing Andrea land with an egg in her arms, she raised her eyebrow. "That's the little one Yasenia laid? As expected from that dragon-shaped anomaly. The child follows in her mother's footsteps. A Sixth Realm dragon even before birth."
Andrea smiled, a hint of smugness on her lips. After all, having her boy praised was nothing but a delight to her. Still, she held it in. "Thank you. Also…" Looking at the side, a touch of worry flashed in her light green eyes. "Is Angel okay now?"
Mirrory smiled. "Better than ever. She has fallen asleep in Yasenia's arms and will probably wake up refreshed in two to three days."
"That long?"
Mirrory explained simply. "Angel had been a bit on edge, even with me around. Only with Yasenia can she finally rest heart and soul."
At this moment, they heard Yasenia's voice. "Who were those people?"
The tone was flat, but even Mirrory felt a faint chill around her arms when she heard it. "Heavens… Your killing intent has made quite large strides forward. I already noticed when you appeared like a descending dragon god, but you've truly become stronger, haven't you?"
Yasenia looked away from Angel's sleeping face, and she glanced at Mirrory. "I have. So, tell me who they are so I can flatten everything even remotely related to them."
Mirrory floated over, her lips faintly arched. "If I were still Fu Jing Jing's treasure, I might've tried to convince you against it, but… Now I am Angel's, and the meaning of my truth has changed."
She explained. "The people who came this time around are part of the righteous sects of this world. This world's overall composition follows the usual progression. There is a demonic side, a righteous side, and then a few other forces. The righteous side has hypocrites aplenty, while the demonic side has a few good people who were forced onto the wrong path. Overall, though, the righteous side is more of a proper justice-aligned force."
Yasenia nodded calmly. "I see. So, what are the names of their sects and clans?"
Mirrory recalled the people who came and commented. "The major instigators should be the three clans and five sects. That woman at the very front is the Sect Master of the Soul Soothing Melody Sect. A righteous sect made of only women. The man right behind is the Gao Patriarch, and Angel recently…"
She explained a bit of what happened, and when she was done, Yasenia simply nodded, placing Angel on her body as she had in the past, and allowing her to rest her head on her breasts.
That silent, acknowledging response made Andrea gulp. 'This world might not be saved even if I try to convince Yasenia otherwise.'