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

Yera didn't look at him again. She looked away, and the hand that Suri had slapped away naturally withdrew. Instead of kneading Suri's ear, she gently placed it on her knees. Her gaze became distant again, as if penetrating the walls of the bedchamber, looking down at Sherag and the families that had temporarily "quieted down" because of her "blank" decree.

“Fear is also a driving force.” Yera’s voice rang out calmly, as if she were talking to herself, or as if she were explaining to Suri, as well as to Enya and Ensia, “Only by knowing reverence can one understand boundaries. Emptiness is a mirror, and also a sword. It reflects the heart, and also hangs above it.”

Her voice was soft, yet carried an ancient, unquestionable quality. She didn't deny what Suri meant by "deterrence" and "exploiting fear," even seemingly regarding it as a natural and effective tactic. The blank space was a mirror, reflecting the greed and shortsightedness within each family; it was also a sword hanging over their heads, reminding them of the divine gaze and potential judgment. Only with reverence could they understand what should and should not be done.

Listening to Yera's words, which were almost an "acquiescence" yet carried a deeper interpretation, Su Rui was momentarily speechless. He had originally thought that Yera would defend herself and emphasize the unfathomable nature of the "oracle," but he did not expect that she would so calmly acknowledge the "deterrent" element in it, and even elevate it to the level of "reverence" and "boundaries."

This left him with a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton. The slight "exhilaration" he had felt from "revealing the truth" quickly dissipated, replaced by a more complex and indescribable emotion. Yera... seemed to be more... insightful, and more... unpredictable than he had imagined.

Inside the bedchamber, a slightly contemplative silence fell once more because of Yera's calm words. Enya looked at Yera thoughtfully, seemingly gaining a deeper understanding of the profound meaning behind Yera's words regarding "reverence" and "boundaries." Enshia, after her initial shock, seemed to have deepened her admiration for Yera—truly worthy of being Lady Yera! Even her "scare tactics" were delivered with such philosophical wisdom!

Perhaps it was because of Yera's calm, almost tacit, attitude, or perhaps it was because Suri's "bold" remarks had not brought about the expected "divine punishment," but the atmosphere in the bedchamber seemed to have subtly changed. The invisible sense of oppression caused by Yera's "divinity" and "majesty" seemed to have lessened somewhat.

Encia, who had been somewhat reserved and cautious because of Yera's presence, relaxed considerably. Looking at her brother Su Rui, who was still being held in Yera's lap but seemed somewhat dazed from their earlier "confrontation" and whose face was still flushed, the mischievous and curious glint in her eyes shone again.

Volume 18, Chapter 1247: Enshia Secretly Tests the Waters

Ensia quietly slipped off the low couch, barefoot, and stepped onto the soft carpet. Like a kitten about to steal food, she tiptoed closer to Yera and Suri.

Yera seemed to sense her approach, glancing at her with her golden eyes but neither stopping her nor making any comment, as if tacitly approving of her actions.

Encia, having received tacit approval, grew bolder. She moved closer to Yera, tilted her head up, and gave Yera a sweet, ingratiating smile. Then, her gaze fell on Suri's profile, which was so close to hers, still flushed and slightly puffed up from her earlier excitement and embarrassment.

Suri's brother looks kind of cute when he's angry, doesn't he? Especially his fluffy ears, which are trembling slightly because of his excitement, and the redness at the tips of his ears is particularly noticeable.

The thought of teasing her brother Su Rui sprouted in Enxia's mind like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. She remembered the scene in the greenhouse during the day when her brother Su Rui clumsily comforted her and let her cry in his arms, and she also remembered his amusing appearance of being embarrassed and powerless to resist when he was "harassed in all directions" by Lady Yela just now.

She reached out her little hand, with a hint of probing and a touch of mischievous excitement, and gently poked Surina's cheek, which was particularly clear and flushed with a healthy blush because she was sitting sideways on Yela's lap.

Soft, warm, and feels... nice.

Suri was still immersed in the complex emotions caused by Yella's reaction when a cool finger suddenly poked his cheek. He subconsciously frowned impatiently and tilted his head slightly to the side, trying to avoid the annoying touch. At the same time, he let out a low "hmm" sound filled with deep displeasure.

Seeing that he merely turned his head away without reacting more violently (like slapping her hand away like Lady Yela did), Enshia grew bolder. No longer content with poking his cheek, she traced her fingers up Suri's cheek, finally reaching his furry animal ears, which were still trembling slightly from his turbulent emotions.

She mimicked Yera's actions, gently pinching the tip of one of Suri's animal ears with her fingertips. Her movements were even gentler than Yera's, carrying a girl's unique curiosity and a touch of playfulness as she gently kneaded the soft, sensitive downy hair on the ear tip.

"!" Suri's body shuddered violently as his sensitive ear was "attacked" again! A familiar current, a mixture of tingling and slight itching, surged through his spine. Almost reflexively, he shook his ear more forcefully and impatiently, trying to shake off the annoying finger, while letting out a clearer, warning growl from his throat: "...Don't touch!"

However, Encia seemed completely unfazed by his utterly ineffective "warning." Instead of letting go, she found Suri's agitated reaction even more amusing. She even reached out her other hand to try and pinch Suri's other ear, or to knead his cheeks, which were slightly puffed up with anger.

Suri became even more irritated by Ensia's increasingly audacious behavior. First came Yera's "mental oppression" and "physical confinement," and now Ensia's "physical harassment" and "curious manipulation." He felt like a mouse that had fallen into a pile of cats, being "played with" by this group of women (and a goddess) in turn, with no dignity whatsoever.

A profound sense of powerlessness and a "what's the use" attitude welled up within him again. Struggle? He couldn't break free from Yera. Rebel? To harm Ensia? He couldn't bring himself to do it. Reason with her? He couldn't reason with Yera, nor could he reason with Ensia, who was clearly just "playing around."

Since resistance is futile and escape has also failed...

Suri took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He no longer tried to avoid Encia's curiously playing fingers, nor did he struggle futilely against Yera's "imprisonment." He simply closed his eyes again.

Then, under Yelana's calm gaze, under Ensia's curious and excited eyes, and under Ensia's gentle gaze, which held a hint of helplessness and amusement, yet also seemed somewhat indulgent—

Suri adjusted his position on Yera's lap to make himself more comfortable (though the position itself was rather embarrassing). He tilted his head back slightly, resting it at the junction of Yera's cool, soft neck and shoulder. His silver hair, slightly disheveled, brushed against Yera's delicate, perfect jawline.

Then, as if using up all his strength, he completely relaxed his body. No more tension, no more struggle, no more trying to maintain that pitiful pride and defenses. He was like a tired large feline that had finally given up all resistance and decided to lie down and let himself be petted, softly surrendering all his weight to the cool and stable "cushion" (Yela) behind him.

He even let out a barely perceptible, faint nasal sound, like a sigh. Then, his breathing gradually became steady and long.

He... fell asleep.

Or rather, it's "playing dead".

On Yera's lap, under Ensia's curious "harassment" and Ensia's gentle gaze, Suri, in an almost "giving up" attitude, chose the most direct way to escape—sleep.

Out of sight, out of mind; if you don't feel it (pretend), you won't feel ashamed. Since you can't change the situation, just accept it, and then... fall asleep. When you wake up, perhaps all this terrible, shameful, and inexplicable experience will be over.

Suri closed his eyes tightly, trying to regulate his breathing, attempting to truly fall asleep, or at least, to enter a sleep-like state of unconsciousness. He could feel Ensia's fingers curiously poking his cheeks, kneading his ears, and even trying to pinch his nose (which he instinctively turned his head away from). He could feel Yera's cool breath on the top of his head and the side of his neck. He could feel Ensia's gaze still gently resting on him.

But he didn't care anymore.

He was like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, except this time, he buried his whole body in the embrace of "Iceberg" (Yela). As long as I "sleep" soundly enough, you can't "play" with me.

Yera looked down at the silver-haired boy in her arms, who seemed to have instantly entered a "dormant" state, his breathing becoming even, and he had even deliberately relaxed his body, burying his face in the crook of her neck. The almost imperceptible, nearly "playful" light in her golden eyes seemed to become more pronounced. She could even feel Suri's deliberately slowed breathing and his slightly trembling long eyelashes, trying to prove that he was "asleep."

Volume 18, Chapter 1248: It's bad if there's no interaction.

She didn't speak again, nor did she do anything to "harass" Su Rui. Instead, the hand that had been resting on her knee slowly rose and then, very naturally and gently, landed on Su Rui's head, softly stroking his soft, messy silver hair with a soothing, slow rhythm.

The movements were gentle, carrying an indescribable, almost indulgent, meaning.

Encia was even more excited to see that her brother Suri had actually "fallen asleep," and that Lady Yela hadn't stopped her, but had even "joined" in the "petting the cat" activity. She carefully stopped poking Suri's face and, imitating Yela, used even gentler touches to stroke Suri's fluffy, wonderfully soft animal ears and his soft, relaxed hair.

Enya watched this bizarre yet inexplicably harmonious scene unfold before her—her younger sister, like a curious kitten, gently touched the "sleeping" Suri; Lady Yela, in an almost protective posture, held Suri and gently stroked his hair; and Suri, like a large cat that had been stroked comfortably and was now lying down to be petted, curled up in Yela's arms, "playing dead"...

The subtle bitterness and displeasure she felt from the overly "intimate" interaction between Yera and Suri seemed to be replaced by a softer, more complex emotion at this moment. Helplessness, amusement, indulgence, and perhaps... even a trace of faint warmth that she herself hadn't noticed.

She sighed softly, shook her head, and stopped dwelling on those complex emotions. At least for now, Sia was beside her, smiling happily. Suri… although her situation was “pitiful,” she didn’t seem entirely “suffering.” And Lady Yera… Enya’s gaze fell on Yera’s calm, serene, yet subtly gentle and beautiful profile. The awe she felt for this ancient being seemed to be mixed with a different kind of indescribable understanding.

The sky outside the window had already brightened considerably without anyone noticing. The dawn's light finally tore through the thick clouds, casting a golden glow through the bedroom windows, intertwining with the warm firelight from the fireplace, and bathing the strange yet cozy scene inside the bedroom in a soft halo.

Enxia played with Suri's ears and hair for a while, then seemed a little tired, or perhaps she felt that her "sleeping" brother Suri wasn't so "fun" anymore. She yawned slightly, rubbed her slightly sore eyes, and then, like a tired kitten, snuggled up to her sister, sat down next to Enxia, ​​and gently rested her head on her sister's shoulder.

"Sister, it's dawn..." Enxia's voice carried a hint of weariness and reluctance.

Enya put her arm around her sister's shoulder and patted her gently, her eyes tender: "Yes, it's dawn. Sia, you should go back now."

Although reluctant, Encia knew she had to return before dawn and before the people in the manor discovered her disappearance. She nodded, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Suri, who was "sleeping" in Yera's arms, and whispered, "Then... Brother Suri..."

“Lady Yela will send him back,” Enya said softly, her gaze also turning to Yela.

Yera's golden eyes calmly met Enya's gaze, and she nodded almost imperceptibly, as if in agreement.

Enshia was relieved. She stood up, walked to Yera, and bowed respectfully to her, her little face full of gratitude and admiration: "Thank you, Lady Yera, for letting me see my sister. And... thank you for taking care of Brother Su Rui."

Yera did not respond, but only glanced at her indifferently.

Enxia didn't mind. She took one last look at the "sleeping" Su Rui, a hint of a smile and reluctance flashing in her eyes, then turned around and followed her sister, quietly leaving the bedroom.

Silence returned to the bedroom. The only sounds were the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace and... Su Rui's deliberately slowed, yet still slightly tense, long breaths.

Yela looked down at the silver-haired boy in her arms, who was still pretending to be asleep, but whose eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly because Enshia had left. A barely perceptible, almost knowing light flashed in her golden eyes.

She didn't immediately "wake" him up, nor did she make any further moves. She simply maintained the position of holding him, quietly watching the sky outside the window grow brighter and brighter, like an ancient, unchanging ice and snow sculpture embracing a treasure.

Suri, who was pretending to be asleep, breathed a slight sigh of relief after feeling that Enya and Enshia's presence had completely disappeared, but his body remained stiff, and he dared not move an inch. He could feel Yela's gaze, which seemed to be on his face. That calm and unwavering gaze made him feel more...uncomfortable than any touch.

He could only continue to "sleep," while silently praying: May dawn come soon, and may this absurd "night tour" and "torture" end soon...

The warm fire in the fireplace bathed the bedroom in an orange-red glow, dispelling the occasional chill seeping through the window cracks and the last trace of unease in the long winter night. A faint, comforting scent of herbs filled the air, mingled with the warmth of the baked furs and blankets, and… an indescribable, homely, tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Enya and Enshia, the sisters who had been separated for so long, nestled together on the soft low couch, talking in hushed tones. Enshia, like a little bird with its floodgates opened, chattered away about the interesting things that had happened at the manor, about the gentleness her brother Silver Grey occasionally showed, a side different from his usual stern demeanor, about how wonderful the storybooks that had just been sent from Victoria were, and even about the few peculiar plants she had secretly planted in the greenhouse—plants she had traded with a merchant from the south, which were said to produce small blue flowers.

Enya listened gently, occasionally responding softly or asking a question or two. Her gaze mostly lingered on her younger sister's face, flushed with excitement, her eyes filled with an overwhelming tenderness and affection. To hear her sister speak, feel her warmth, and see her vibrant, lively spirit was the most precious solace in Enya's long and lonely years on the sacred mountain. She greedily absorbed this warmth, trying to etch every single moment deeply into her heart.

However, as night deepened, the fire in the hearth gradually dimmed, leaving only the warm glow of the embers. The worries of the past few days, the adventurous mountain climb in the dead of night, the excitement of the reunion, and the current sense of relief from complete relaxation washed over Enxia like waves. Her voice grew softer, the pauses between her words lengthened, and her once bright blue eyes began to mist over with weariness; her eyelids drooped as if weighed down by lead.

Volume 18, Chapter 1249: The Warmth of Weight

“…Then, my brother…” Enxia’s voice grew softer and softer, the last word almost turning into a muffled murmur. Her little head, little by little, finally rested completely against her sister’s warm shoulder. Even and long breaths rose softly, carrying the unique, unguarded peace of a child.

She fell asleep.

Enya felt the sudden, warm weight on her shoulder and listened to her sister's soft breathing. The last taut string in her heart finally relaxed. She carefully laid her sister down so she could sleep more comfortably, then picked up a soft blanket and gently covered her sister, tucking the corners in. Only after doing all this did she breathe a sigh of relief, gazing tenderly at her sister's sweet sleeping face, as if she couldn't get enough of looking at her.

Just then, a faint noise seemed to come from the other side of the sleeping quarters.

Enya looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Suri, who had been sitting on Yera's lap in an extremely intimate (and controlling) manner and then seemed to have "fallen asleep," seemed to move slightly.

Suri was indeed "awake." Or more accurately, he had never truly "fallen asleep," but had only drifted into a brief, restless slumber under the suffocating situation and Yera's gentle, almost hypnotic caresses. Now, perhaps because the bedchamber had become quieter after Enshia fell asleep, or perhaps because a tension still lingered in his subconscious, he groggily awoke.

The moment his consciousness returned, the first thing Su Rui felt was that cool yet firm embrace, and the undeniable, strong sense of confinement around his waist. He snapped back to reality, his body stiffening almost reflexively.

He carefully and very slowly raised his head, glancing at Yela behind him out of the corner of his eye.

Yera seemed to remain in the same position, her eyes slightly lowered, golden eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath her eyelids. Her breathing was even, her face calm and expressionless, as if she too had fallen asleep. But Su Rui knew this was merely an illusion. Whether this "ancient will" truly needed to sleep like a mortal was still unknown. He had no doubt that if he made the slightest "movement," those seemingly sleeping eyes would instantly open and firmly "lock" onto him.

He dared not make any large movements, only slightly turning his eyes to observe his surroundings. Then, he saw Enya and Enshia, already asleep nestled together on the low couch opposite him. The two sisters slept soundly and peacefully, as if completely isolated from the wind, snow, and disturbances of the outside world.

A thought, like a spark igniting in the darkness, instantly ignited in Su Rui's heart—opportunity!

Enya and the others are asleep! Yera... seems to be "asleep" too (or at least pretending to sleep)! Does that mean he can take this opportunity to sneak away? Leaving this "terrible" bedchamber, leaving Yera's side, and finding a corner to hide in is better than being "held" like this, unable to move, and having to endure that suffocating sense of shame!

Once the thought arose, it sprouted wildly like weeds. Almost impatiently, Su Rui began to carefully try to move his body. Little by little, he tried to free his waist from the seemingly casual yet rock-solid embrace of Yera's arms. The movements were so slight as to be almost negligible; he held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest, afraid of disturbing the "ice sculpture" behind him.

However, just as he shifted his waist slightly, almost managing to escape the confinement of that slightly cool arm—

"woke up?"

Yera's calm, sleepless voice, like an ice bead falling onto a jade plate, suddenly rang in his ears.

Suri's body stiffened abruptly, as if frozen in place, all his movements instantly halting. He stiffly, bit by bit, turned his head, meeting Yella's golden eyes, which had opened at some point and were now quietly watching him.

His eyes were clear and bright, showing no trace of sleepiness. They reflected the last flickering light of the fire and his own face, which was filled with embarrassment and panic at being caught.

"..." Su Rui opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat dry and unable to utter a single word. The escape plan was ruthlessly nipped in the bud at the very first step.

Yera seemed unconcerned about his current predicament, nor did she question his attempt to "escape." Her gaze swept indifferently over the two sleeping sisters on the low couch opposite her, before returning to Suri's face.

"Tired?" Yela asked again, her tone exactly the same as before.

Suri shook his head almost immediately and forcefully. He had just "slept" for a short while (though the quality was extremely poor), and with his mind still in a state of high tension, he was wide awake. He just wanted to leave, to get as far away as possible from this capricious and bizarre "ancient will"!

"Not sleepy," he answered listlessly, his voice a little hoarse from nervousness, but his tone was firm. Not sleepy at all, he just wanted to leave this "place of trouble" immediately!

Yera remained noncommittal about his answer. She didn't speak again, but simply held Suri and slowly stood up.

Suri tensed up again at the sudden movement, instinctively grabbing the fabric of Yella's shoulder. This time, Yella didn't carry him away, but instead, in this face-to-face, almost embracing position, she took a step, holding him, and walked towards the huge French window of the bedroom.

"What... are you doing? Put me down!" Suri protested again in a low voice, trying to struggle, but Yera's arms were like iron hoops, making all his struggles futile.

Yela ignored his protests, holding him as if he were a weightless treasure, and walked steadily to the huge French windows. Outside, it was the darkest and most violent moment before dawn. The blizzard that had raged all night showed no signs of abating; instead, it grew even more violent. The gale, like an invisible giant hand, churned the heavens and earth wildly, swirling goose-feather snowflakes high into the air and then slamming them down, frantically pounding against the thick glass windows with a dense and terrifying crackling sound. The whole world was swallowed up by a chaotic, roaring white, as if the end of the world had arrived.

Suri was stunned by the sight outside the window, momentarily forgetting to struggle. He could clearly feel the thick glass windows, supposedly able to withstand extreme cold, creaking and groaning under the onslaught of the gale and snowflakes. In this weather, let alone descending the mountain, even stepping out of the temple gates would likely result in being swept away instantly or completely disoriented.

Volume 18, Chapter 1250: Heavy Snow Blocks Roads

"The blizzard is getting worse." Yera's voice rang calmly in Su Rui's ears, as if stating a fact unrelated to herself. Her gaze pierced through the raging blizzard, looking towards the chaotic distance, and in the depths of her golden eyes, a kind of ancient and vast light seemed to flash by.

Suri's heart sank. An even bigger blizzard... This meant that his plan to slip away at dawn was completely ruined. In this weather, leaving the temple was tantamount to suicide. He was trapped here with this "terrible" Yera and the two sleeping sisters.

A strong sense of powerlessness and irritability welled up in Su Rui's heart. He looked away, no longer wanting to look at the despairing scene outside the window, nor at Yela's calm and expressionless profile.

However, Yera didn't seem to have any intention of letting him go. She held Suri in her arms, stood by the window, and silently watched for a few seconds the wind and snow outside that seemed to be swallowing everything. Then, she lowered her head and looked at Suri, who looked somewhat dejected and powerless in her arms.

Suri could feel Yella's gaze, almost tangible, fixed on his face. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid that overly focused stare.

Just then, Yera did something that caught Suri completely off guard.

She leaned forward slightly and lowered her head.

A cool and soft touch, with a scent as clear and pure as ice and snow, yet seemingly imbued with the essence of countless years, gently landed on Su Rui's... forehead.

It was a kiss.

It was very light, very faint, like the finest snowflakes, falling silently and landing on the skin, bringing a fleeting coolness. Yet it also seemed to carry some indescribable weight, and a kind of... ancient and tranquil power that could soothe all restlessness.

Su Rui froze instantly. His mind went blank, and his body stiffened like an ice sculpture. All his thoughts and emotions seemed to freeze and vanish in that moment. He could only feel a slightly cool, soft touch on his forehead, as clear as a brand.

Yela... kissed him?

Although it was only on the forehead.

But what... what is this?! The previous hugs, ear rubbing, and tail touching (corresponding location), while embarrassing, were at least within the realm of "intimate contact" (or "playing") that Su Rui could understand. But this kiss... although it was only on the forehead, carried a completely different, more private, more... indescribable meaning.

Suri could even feel Yella's cool breath gently brushing against the stray hairs on his forehead, bringing a slight shiver.

The kiss didn't last long, perhaps only a fleeting moment. But for Suri, it felt like an eternity.

When the cool touch left, Suri was still frozen, staring wide-eyed at Yera's beautiful and serene face so close to hers, as if she were seeing her for the first time.

Yera, however, acted as if she had simply done something perfectly ordinary. Her golden eyes calmly met Suri's gaze, which was filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of barely perceptible panic, her face devoid of any extra expression.

Then, while Suri was still reeling from the shock of the "forehead kiss," Yera, holding him, turned around, no longer looking at the wind and snow outside the window, and strode towards the archway leading to the bedroom deep within the palace.

Suri was not jolted awake from her petrified state until she was carried by Yella through the archway and into the more private, simply furnished yet antique-style bedroom, where she saw the enormous bed in the center of the room covered with thick white fur and soft carpets.

An ominous premonition, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed him.

"Wait! Yera! What did you bring me here for?!" Suri's voice rose in fear, and his struggles intensified. He frantically tried to break free from Yera's embrace and escape this "dangerous" area. "Put me down! I'm not going in!"

However, Yera ignored his struggles and protests. She carried Suri steadily to the large bed. Then, to Suri's horrified gaze, she bent down and, with the gentleness of placing a fragile jewel, gently laid Suri... on the inside of the bed.