Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

Meanwhile, Suri, seemingly asleep (or feigning sleep), silently made a mental note: Today's "humiliation" will be avenged one day! Especially Yera! Just you wait! ...However, their massage techniques...are actually not bad. Barely...acceptable.

Inside the meditation room, the fireplace flickered, casting a warm glow throughout. A languid and contented tranquility filled the air. The recent "collective leopard-rubbing" operation seemed to have exhausted Suri's energy and temporarily calmed the minor "conflict" between Enya and Yera.

Suri leaned against the wall, his eyes half-closed, his breathing even and deep, as if he had fallen into a light sleep. His fluffy snow leopard ears drooped softly, and his large tail, which Yera had carefully groomed, hung smoothly on the carpet. He looked like a large feline whose fur had been stroked to the extreme, completely satisfied, exuding a sense of defenseless and reassuring peace.

Enya sat beside him, a gentle smile on her face, her lake-blue eyes filled with maternal warmth. Looking at Su Lei's peaceful sleeping face, her heart softened. She gently reached out to brush a stray strand of silver hair from his forehead, but her fingertips stopped just before touching his skin, afraid of disturbing his sweet dreams. She sighed contentedly, feeling that the tranquility of the moment was almost unreal.

Yera retreated into the shadows of the room, resuming her taciturn and dutiful guardly demeanor. Arms crossed, back straight, dark eyes lowered, she seemed as if she hadn't been the one who had just been "aggressively petting the leopard." But upon closer inspection, one could notice a slight softening in the lines of her tightly pursed lips, and a noticeable reduction in the icy aura that usually kept strangers at bay. Clearly, the "interaction" had been a strange form of relaxation for her?

However, this tranquility did not last long.

About ten minutes later, Suri's long silver eyelashes fluttered a few times, and he slowly opened his eyes. His obsidian-like eyes held a dazed look of just waking, but quickly regained their clarity. He moved his somewhat stiff body, and the moment his consciousness returned, the memories of Enya and Yela's groping and wanton "playing" with him flooded back!

The gentle touch of Enya's fingertips seemed to linger on her cheek, and she clearly remembered Yera's controlling grooming at the base of her tail! A mixture of shame, embarrassment, and... a slight displeasure at being "molested" instantly dispelled her sleepiness!

He looked up, his dark eyes first falling on Enya beside him. Enya was holding a scroll of scripture, seemingly about to begin reading, a gentle smile still lingering on her face. Then, he looked at Yera in the shadows. Yera, however, had an indifferent, detached air, as if she weren't the one who had just grabbed his tail and "studied" him!

These two women... took advantage of me and then acted like nothing happened?!

A nameless rage suddenly surged within Suri! Although he admitted... it did feel... a little good just now? But! That didn't mean he enjoyed being treated like a pet and manipulated at will! Especially Yera! That self-righteous and domineering attitude was absolutely infuriating!

No! We can't let this go! They need to know that Su Rui isn't someone to be trifled with! At the very least... we need to protest!

Thinking of this, a sly (?) and dissatisfied glint flashed in Su Rui's dark eyes. He moved his body slightly, and his bushy tail, as if it had its own consciousness, silently and tentatively... lifted up.

His gaze locked onto Enya, who was closest to him. Enya was looking down at the scriptures, her profile gentle. The tip of Suri's tail hesitated in the air for a moment, and then... with lightning speed (but with extremely light force), it lashed out with a "smack" onto Enya's exposed calf!

"Ah!" Enya was startled by the sudden, furry touch, letting out a soft cry and nearly dropping the scroll in her hand. She looked down in surprise and saw Suri's large tail quickly retracting, while its owner, with a stern face and dark eyes glancing at her, held an awkward accusation that seemed to say, "I'm angry, make me happy!"

Enya was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening and couldn't help but burst out laughing! Looking at Su Rui's awkward expression—clearly wanting revenge but afraid to use force, only able to flick her tail like a kitten—she wasn't angry at all; instead, she found it incredibly cute! This wasn't revenge at all; it was clearly… a different kind of coquetry!

"What's wrong, Suri? Are you awake? Is your tail uncomfortable?" Enya suppressed a laugh and asked in a deliberately concerned tone, even reaching out to touch his tail.

Suri immediately hid his tail behind his back, his face darkening, and let out a disgruntled snort: "...Hmph!" He would never admit that he did it on purpose!

Having succeeded with his first strike (?), Su Rui grew bolder. His gaze then turned to Yera in the shadows. Yera seemed to have noticed the commotion as well, raising her dark eyes and coldly sweeping over.

Suri felt a chill run down his spine under her icy gaze, but the memory of how badly she had "bullied" him earlier overcame his fear with anger. His tail began to throb again, this time targeting Yella's crossed arms!

The fluffy tail, like a nimble whip (soft-haired version), drew a graceful arc in the air, accompanied by a slight whooshing sound (psychological effect?), and precisely... lashed out at Yela's arm!

This time, Suri added a little more force, but still kept it within the range of "warning" rather than "attacking." He just wanted Yera to "feel" it too!

However, he underestimated Yera's reaction speed and her ability to sense danger!

Just as the tip of the tail was about to touch Yela's arm, a cold glint flashed in Yela's dark eyes! She didn't even see the movement clearly; she simply flipped her wrist, and her five fingers shot out like lightning! Precisely and without error... she grabbed the tip of Su Rui's attacking tail!

"!!!" Su Rui froze instantly! The feeling of being firmly restrained on his tail instantly reminded him of the fear of being dominated just now! He subconsciously wanted to pull his tail back!

But Yera's hand remained firmly still, like an iron clamp! She slowly turned her head, her dark eyes, like the deepest ice, fixed on Su Rui's face, a cold and dangerous smile curving her lips.

Volume 18, Chapter 1106: A Lesson Learned

"It seems... you haven't been 'taught a lesson' enough?" Yera's voice was low, carrying a hint of chilling murderous intent.

Suri's heart sank! Oh no! He'd messed up! He struggled desperately, trying to break free from Yera's grasp, but her tail was her most sensitive and easily controlled part. With her vital spot held, he couldn't exert any strength at all!

"Let me go!" Su Rui was both ashamed and angry, her cheeks flushed red, and her dark eyes blazing with fury!

Instead of letting go, Yera used her wrist to pull Suri's tail toward her!

"Ah!" Caught off guard, Su Rui was pulled forward and stumbled, almost falling to the ground! He awkwardly braced himself on the carpet to regain his balance.

Taking advantage of his momentary loss of balance, Yela released the tip of his tail, but with lightning speed, her other hand swept him up by the waist! She once again... lifted Suri up completely! In that face-to-face position, like holding a large doll, a position that made Suri extremely embarrassed!

"You...!" Su Rui trembled with rage, struggling to get away. "Let go! You bastard!"

"Heh." Yera let out a cold sneer, her arms tightening like steel hoops, holding Su Rui firmly in her embrace. She lowered her head, her dark eyes staring intently at Su Rui's cheeks, flushed with anger and shame, her tone laced with a wicked amusement: "Weren't you quite imposing when you whipped me with your tail just now? What? Now you're scared?"

"Who's afraid of you!" Su Rui retorted, glaring back fiercely, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his inner panic. This position was too passive! Too humiliating!

"Yela! Put him down!" Enya quickly stood up to dissuade them, her tone tinged with helplessness and amusement. Why are these two arguing again?

Yera seemed not to hear Enya's words; her attention was entirely focused on the "trophy" in her arms. Looking at Suri's furious, animal-like state, the frustration she felt from being "ignored" earlier instantly found an outlet! Her free hand once again reached out without hesitation towards Suri's snow leopard ears, which were completely erect with anger!

"It seems I need to give him a proper 'education' so he knows what rules are," Yela said coldly, her fingers already pinching and kneading one of Suri's ears.

"Ugh...!" Su Rui shuddered, the familiar tingling sensation returning! He gritted his teeth, not wanting to make an embarrassing sound, but the stimulation in his ears was unbearable!

"You... let go... um..." His protests became fragmented, and the strength of his struggles was weakened considerably due to the attack on his sensitive spots.

Yela watched his expression—a mixture of shame and anger, yet utterly powerless to resist—and felt a strange sense of satisfaction. The pressure she applied to his ears was neither too light nor too heavy, carrying a hint of punishment and…pleasure? Her other hand steadily supported Suri's legs, preventing him from falling.

Enya stood to the side, watching Yera "bully" Suri. Although Suri protested verbally, her body gradually softened as her sensitive spots were being touched. Enya couldn't help but sigh and rub her forehead. This scene... how come it looks so much like... a strict "parent" disciplining a disobedient "child"? Although this "parent's" methods are a bit... um... special.

She wanted to speak up again to stop her, but seeing that Surina, though ashamed and indignant, didn't seem to be really hurt (in fact, she seemed to be... enjoying it?), and Yera's rare, slightly mischievous "liveliness," she suddenly felt... that just watching was quite interesting? Anyway... with her watching, Yera should know what to do.

So, Enya chose to... stand by and watch? She even quietly took a step back, poured herself a cup of tea, and prepared to watch the show.

Under Yera's clutches, Suri's struggles gradually turned into futile thrashings. The comfortable sensation of his ears being kneaded, the feeling of being tightly held, and the complex mix of humiliation and strange reassurance of being completely controlled all intertwined, leaving his mind in chaos. In the end... he gave up resisting.

He slumped in Yela's arms like a cat whose scruff of the neck had been pinched, burying his face in her shoulder in despair (the maid's uniform fabric was a bit stiff), leaving only his bright red ear tips and a large, limp tail exposed, revealing his embarrassment. A few muffled murmurs, tinged with grievance and resignation, escaped his throat.

Yera felt the body in her arms soften, the struggling stopped, and her kneading of the ears unconsciously softened, turning into a gentle, soothing caress. She looked down at Suri's fluffy hair and red ear tips, the icy chill in her dark eyes fading, replaced by a hint of… a gentleness she herself didn't even realize…

"You know you were wrong?" Yera's voice was still cold, but her tone seemed to have softened a little.

Suri buried her face even deeper, and gave a muffled, extremely reluctant "hmm," her voice barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz.

Yera's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly. She finally released her hands from kneading her ears, but did not immediately let go of Suri's arms, as if savoring this rare moment of "victory."

Inside the meditation room, the scene of "harmony" (?) was restored once more: Yera held a "defeatist" Suri, while Enya watched with a smile, holding a teacup. Suri, meanwhile, swore in her heart for the nth time: This is revenge! Yera! You just wait! ...But, her embrace...it seems...quite warm? Ugh! What am I thinking!

The sky outside the window darkened completely without anyone noticing. Lead-gray clouds hung low, swallowing up the last ray of light, leaving only the howling wind and snow pounding against the monastery's sturdy stone walls. Inside the meditation room, the fireplace's flame was the only source of light, casting flickering, warm shadows on the walls, elongating the three people's silhouettes.

After the afternoon's "thrilling" (for Suri) yet "joyful" (for Enya and Yera) "interaction," the atmosphere seemed to have reached a delicate balance. Suri (the snow leopard version) had finally escaped Yera's "clutches" and was now curled up on the thickest snow wolf fur rug closest to the fireplace, hugging his large tail, looking utterly resigned...playing with the terminal. It was as if only that cold screen could soothe his "ravaged" soul.

Enya and Yera sat on a cushion a little further away. Enya held a steaming cup of herbal tea in her hands, while Yera stood quietly to the side. However, their gazes would occasionally drift, as if by unspoken agreement, to the furry figure on the carpet that exuded a "don't mess with me" aura.

Volume 18, Chapter 1107: Where should we rest?

As night deepened, a very real and... crucial question confronted the two women—where would Suri sleep that night?

It was Enya who first brought up the topic. She put down her teacup, her lake-blue eyes looking at Yera, and said softly in a consultative tone, "Yera, it's getting late, we should arrange for Suri to rest. What do you think... should we let him sleep on the soft couch in the outer room, or... should we prepare another guest room?" Her words sounded very natural, as if she were simply arranging accommodation for an ordinary guest.

However, Yela's dark eyes sharpened instantly. Without hesitation, she immediately offered her solution, her tone resolute and unwavering: "The guest room. I will personally guard the guest room door." Her subtext was clear: isolation is necessary! Strict surveillance is required! This "danger" must not be allowed to spend the night in the same room as the Holy Maiden!

Enya's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She had anticipated Yera's response. But… she had different plans. Her "intimate encounter" with Suri that afternoon (in her own opinion) had intensified her feeling that "Suri is a cub that needs nurturing." Let Suri sleep alone in the cold guest room? What if he's scared at night? What if his physical form is unstable and he needs her immediate spiritual comfort? How could she be at ease?

“Wouldn’t the guest room be too cold? And it’s far away. If something happens, I’m afraid I won’t be able to take care of you in time.” Enya expressed her objection tactfully, her tone gentle yet firm. “I think… the soft couch in the outer room would be perfect. It should be thickly covered, and it’s close to me, making it easier to take care of you.” Her use of the word “take care of you” was quite meaningful.

Yera's face instantly darkened. "Your Holiness! This is absolutely unacceptable!" Her voice rose several decibels unconsciously, filled with obvious anxiety and opposition. "Your bedchamber is sacred; how can you allow a…male…to stay overnight?! This is against propriety! It would also damage your reputation and safety! I absolutely disagree!" Her words were firm and resolute, filled with a guard's sense of duty and…a hint of inexplicable…jealousy? (Perhaps she herself didn't even realize it).

Although the two spoke in hushed tones, their voices were still clearly audible to Su Rui, who was pretending to be engrossed in playing with his terminal but was actually eavesdropping.

Su Rui's finger, which was swiping the screen, paused. He looked up, a hint of doubt and...speechlessness flashing in his obsidian eyes. He glanced at the two arguing individuals, then at the spacious meditation room and the long corridor outside, presumably filled with empty rooms, and interrupted directly with a slightly impatient tone:

"...Aren't there spare rooms? Just find me any one to sleep in, what's all the noise about?" His thinking was simple and direct: as long as there's a bed and I can sleep, that's enough. Why argue over such a trivial matter? Women are such a hassle!

However, his blunt remark about being "unromantic" instantly drew two pairs of stares that conveyed both disappointment and disdain!

Enya and Yera both turned to look at Suri. Enya's eyes held a mixture of helplessness and a hint of "loving" reproach, as if to say, "Silly child, we're doing this for your own good (?)"; while Yera's gaze was even colder, as if to say, "You have no right to speak here!"

Stared at by the two of them, Su Rui subconsciously shrank back, swallowed the rest of her complaint, lowered her head sullenly, and continued swiping the screen, muttering to herself, "...How ridiculous."

His interruption, instead of calming the argument, was like adding fuel to the fire, making the focus of the argument even clearer and... more heated!

Enya took a deep breath, turned to Yera, her tone softening yet carrying an unwavering resolve: "Yera, I know you mean well. But Suri's situation is special. He's not an outsider, but... a 'guest' with whom I have a special connection. His safety and well-being are of utmost importance to me. Letting him sleep in the outer room is the safest option. As for my reputation..." She paused, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, but her eyes remained clear and resolute, "...I trust Suri's character, and I trust your protection. Besides, it's just the outer room, not sleeping in the same room, so it doesn't damage my reputation."

Yera stood firm, her dark eyes flashing with a chilling light: "Holy Maiden! You can know a person's face but not their heart! His appearance is strange, and his origins are unknown. How can you judge him by ordinary standards? What if he does something unusual at night and harms you? I absolutely cannot take that risk! He must be isolated!" Her attitude was extremely firm, as if if Enya persisted, she would take coercive measures.

The two stuck to their own opinions, neither willing to back down. Although their voices remained low, the tension in their tone grew increasingly palpable. Enya insisted on "closest care" and "special contact," while Yera firmly adhered to "safety first" and "rules and etiquette."

Listening to the increasingly heated whispers around him, Su Rui felt utterly overwhelmed. He couldn't understand what these two women were arguing about. It was just sleeping; where couldn't they sleep? When he was on missions, he could make do in ruins or on tree trunks; having a room to sleep in was a luxury, wasn't it? Did they really have to argue so fiercely over something so trivial?

He irritably flicked his large tail, making a soft "smack" sound, trying to get attention and express his displeasure: "Hey! You guys..."

"Shut up!" Enya and Yela shouted in unison, their sharp gazes shooting towards them once more!

Suri: "..." He reluctantly shut his mouth and buried his face in his tail fur. Fine, you can argue all you want, I don't care anymore!

However, what happened next completely exceeded Suri's expectations. The argument seemed to have reached a stalemate, and both Enya and Yera fell silent, but the tension in the air did not lessen in the slightest. The two stared at each other, their eyes locked in a fierce battle, as if engaged in a silent game of strategy.

Suddenly, Yera seemed to have made up her mind. She took a deep breath, a desperate glint in her dark eyes, and lowered her voice to say to Enya, "Since the Holy Maiden insists on 'taking care of you nearby,' and I must ensure your absolute safety... then there is only one way to have the best of both worlds."

Enya was slightly taken aback: "What method?"

Yela's gaze slowly shifted to the furry figure trying to curl up in a ball in the corner, a chilling yet... eerie excitement curving her lips: "Let him... sleep in my room."

Enya: "!!!"

Suri: "!!!" (Although her face was buried, her ears were perked up high)

Volume 18, Chapter 1108: Let's Fight!

Yera continued, her tone as calm as if stating a given fact: "My room is right next to your bedchamber, 'close' enough. My personal 'care' of him will satisfy your need for 'care' while also ensuring your safety to the greatest extent possible. It is the only and best option." She deliberately emphasized the word "care."

Enya was completely stunned! She never expected Yera to propose such a plan! Let Suri...sleep in Yera's room?! And let Yera...personally "supervise" her?! This...this is outrageous!! Yera is an unmarried woman! And...let Suri and Yera share a room?! For some reason, a strong sense of crisis and resentment, similar to...her precious treasure being taken away, welled up inside Enya!

“No!” Enya blurted out, her tone more intense than ever before. “This is even more inappropriate! Yela, you are a woman! How can you sleep in the same room as a man?! This…this is simply absurd!” Her cheeks flushed with emotion.

Yera, however, seemed to have anticipated her reaction, coldly retorting, "Sleeping in my room is at least... more 'proper' than leaving him in the outer room of your bedchamber. My duty is to protect your safety, and my personal reputation is of no importance to me." She adopted a posture of "sacrificing herself for righteousness."

"No means no!" Enya's attitude was unusually firm. "I absolutely disagree! It's too unfair to you! And... I'm not at ease with you!" She blurted out the last sentence almost subconsciously, and even she was stunned after saying it.

Worried? Worried about what? Worried about Yera? Or worried about Suri? Or... both?

An eerily quiet silence fell over the meditation room. The focus of the argument had subtly shifted from "Where will Suri sleep?" to "Who will Suri sleep with?"! And both women seemed...eager to try it out?!

Suri lifted his head from his tail fur, his dark eyes filled with an incredulous sense of absurdity! He looked at Yera, who was saying "I'm doing this for your own good," and then at Enya, who was clearly saying "I absolutely won't allow it." He felt the world was too crazy! Were these two women... serious?! They were arguing so fiercely about who should "guard" him overnight?! When did he, Suri, become such a sought-after "hot commodity"?! (Although in a way he was extremely unwilling to accept.)

He couldn't take it anymore, so he suddenly stood up, hugged his tail, his face darkened, and announced in a harsh tone, "I'm not going anywhere! I'm sleeping here! On the carpet! Is that alright?!" After saying that, he "plop"ed down on the thick carpet, covered himself with his tail, closed his eyes, and struck a pose that said, "I'm asleep, do not disturb."

Enya and Yela were both taken aback by his sudden act of "giving up on himself," and their argument stopped abruptly.

The two looked at each other, bewildered, at the figure curled up on the carpet, wrapped in a large ball of fur with its big tail.

After a moment of silence, Enya suddenly chuckled, shook her head, and said with a tone of helplessness and indulgence, "Never mind, let him sleep here tonight. It's quite warm here."

Yera frowned, seemingly wanting to say something, but seeing Suri's "I'd rather die than leave the meditation room" attitude, and then looking at the smile on Enya's face, she finally just snorted coldly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Thus, the first battle for "Suri's bed" ended with Suri's (?) victory in her "carpet defense." But the lingering, eager glint in Enya and Yera's eyes foreshadowed... this "battle" was far from over. The nights to come seemed destined to be anything but peaceful. Meanwhile, Suri, lying on the carpet, hugging her fluffy tail, was lost in deep worry: This life... is unbearable!

Night had fallen. The fire in the fireplace had grown weak, leaving only dark red embers radiating its last warmth. The sound of the wind and snow outside seemed to have subsided, and all was quiet except for the occasional crack of a snow-laden branch breaking. The meditation room was dimly lit, with only the faint light reflected from the snow outside the window outlining the indistinct shapes of the furniture.

Suri (the snow leopard version) was fast asleep, curled up on the thickest snow wolf fur rug in front of the fireplace. He lay on his side, his body slightly curled up, like a cub seeking security. His ill-fitting white nightgown was slightly disheveled, revealing his delicate collarbone and a small patch of fair chest. His short, silvery-white hair softly clung to his cheeks, and his long, thick eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes. His fluffy snow leopard ears twitched unconsciously in his sleep, as if trying to catch the slightest sounds in the air. His long, bushy tail was tightly clutched to his chest, the tip unconsciously tucked into his mouth, emitting a very soft, contented purr. He slept soundly, completely unaware that he was about to become the focus of a "midnight battle."

Time slipped quietly past midnight.

"Squeak-"

A very faint, almost inaudible sound of a door hinge turning broke the silence. The door to Enya's inner chamber was carefully pushed open a crack. A slender figure, draped in a thick, fluffy shawl and carrying an exceptionally soft and thick down blanket, slipped out silently, like a cat on the night.

It's Enya.

She was barefoot, her footsteps barely touching the cold floor. Her lake-blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of tension and excitement in the darkness, like a kitten caught stealing cream. Her target was clear—the unsuspecting, fluffy "giant cushion" sleeping on the carpet!

Although the afternoon's argument ended with Suri's "carpet defense," the thought that "Suri needs to be cared for nearby" grew wildly in Enya's mind. The thought of Suri sleeping alone on the cold carpet (though it was thick)—what if she caught a cold? What if she had nightmares? What if her physical form became unstable? She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, maternal instinct (?) and some inexplicable "possessiveness" overcame reason, and she decided… to "steal" Suri under the cover of night! She would quietly carry Suri back to the soft couch in the outer room of her bedchamber! This way, she could care for her nearby, and… remain completely unnoticed! Perfect!

She held her breath, tiptoed, and approached the sleeping Su Rui step by step. Looking at Su Rui's unguarded sleeping face and listening to his soft purring, her heart melted. She gently unfolded the thick blanket she had brought, preparing to wrap Su Rui up like a spring roll, and then… carry him away!

Volume 18, page 1109: Attempt to steal

However, just as Enya's blanket was about to touch Suri's body—

"Shh!"

Another figure, like a ghost, flashed out from the shadows on the other side of the meditation room with even greater speed! Equally silent, equally focused on its target! And... it was even carrying a thicker, warmer-looking... animal hide blanket!

It's Yela!

Yera was still dressed in her crisp maid outfit, covered by a dark cloak, her dark eyes sharp as an eagle's in the darkness. She clearly had the same idea! The compromise of the afternoon was merely a temporary measure; how could she possibly let this "danger" sleep outside the Saintess's chambers? What if he suddenly attacked someone in the middle of the night? The best solution was for her to personally "keep an eye on" him! Bring him to her own room! Take strict precautions! As for the separation of men and women… all that was bullshit in the face of the Saintess's safety!

Thus, the two women, each with their own ulterior motives, unexpectedly met in the center of the meditation room, in front of Su Rui's "bed"!

Their eyes met!

It sounded like electric sparks crackling in the air!

Enya: "!!!" (You...how did you get here too?!)