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Chapter 874: Ritual Starts.

Nyxeris looked at Tatyana confusedly. Tatyana commented. "How old is Yasenia, Nyxeris?"

Nyxeris was silent, but everyone here knew Yasenia\'s age. Tatyana smiled. "She is that young, and she has strength comparable to that of your \'Future Leader.\' That\'s not all; you\'ve seen how she takes care of things, you\'ve seen her ability to govern, and you\'ve seen her growth firsthand." 

Tatyana persisted. "Let\'s forget about Yasenia for a moment. Let\'s speak about Soluna." 

Nyxeris asked with a frown. "What\'s wrong with her?"

Tatyana asked. "From what I\'ve heard and discerned, Soluna was born in the fifth realm, right?"

Nyxeris nodded. "Yes."

Tatyana lifted an eyebrow. "Three thousand years later, she is still in the first level of the fifth realm." 

All the spirits became silent as they looked at Tatyana. Tatyana asked, leaning on her hand. "Moreover, Soluna herself has said that there are no clear indications that she can start advancing her cultivation level after trying for 3000 years." Tatyana shrugged. "Even if you say that she took three-quarters of that time to understand herself and that she only began cultivating in the last quarter of her life, that\'s still 750 years of cultivation without results." 

Nyxeris defended. "Us, spirits, take much longer to cultivate."

Tatyana didn\'t deny it. "That\'s correct. If spirits could cultivate as fast as mortal creatures do, the entire universe would be dominated with spirits. Similar to dragons, your kind is usually limited by your own immeasurable potential and inability to quickly assimilate it. Those who do…" Tatyana looked at Yasenia with a smile. "Become creatures the Heavens don\'t like that much and try to eliminate with terrifying Heavenly Tribulations." 

Nyxeris asked, feeling a bit impatient. "What does all of this have to do with our conversation?"

Tatyana smiled, as if she had been waiting for this question. "Everything. It has to do with everything we\'ve talked about. Why? Because, I ask you, what would happen if Soluna became Yasenia\'s contracted spirit? If she is successful and becomes tied with Yasenia\'s energy and, in short, her overall being, what will happen?" 

The spirits became thoughtful as they looked between Soluna and Yasenia. Even they were tempted by Yasenia\'s energy purity. So much so, that after the tribulation, they all had to hold themselves back from going forward and cultivating the residual energy left behind by Yasenia.

Imagining Soluna being able to feed on Yasenia\'s energy, they could already imagine that the bottleneck Soluna had been suffering because of her special constitution would shatter like fragile glass before a metal hammer. 

To be honest, it was not like any of them had thought about it after they were aware of Yasenia\'s nature. There was a reason why they allowed Soluna to interact freely with Yasenia, and it was Yasenia\'s uniqueness. The Celestial Energy contained in the dragoness was an invaluable treasure for any being, even beyond the spirits, that was related to those elements. 

Moreover, while Celestial Energy seemed to be the energy that resulted from the fusion of Sun, Moon, and Star energies, it was something much more complex, not that Yasenia nor anyone present was aware of that yet. 

Tatyana\'s logic was seamless and powerful, and her words and rhetoric questions were almost undeniable. Once the pros and cons were evaluated, the spirits couldn\'t deny that becoming Yasenia\'s contracted spirit had nothing but positives for Soluna. 

Did they want their Spirit World to flourish without outside influence and create an only-spirit society? They wanted to. The reason why these six were chosen in the first place as Soluna\'s "bodyguards" was their unusual acceptance toward the Spirit Society that other spirits didn\'t have. 

Yet, at the end of the day, they couldn\'t match up in terms of negotiating power nor eloquence when facing the Death Empress. 

All their arguments were methodically and meticulously sliced apart as Tatyana placed several counter-arguments that not only benefited them, but appeared as the best way forward. 

Tatyana\'s intention was not to deceive them; as a ruler, she understood that while deception was a strong tactic, it would usually backfire with due time. If she had lied to the long-lived spirits, even if it was not now, they would have gained a lifetime long grudge that would go on for generations in a few hundred thousand years when they realized. 

Angering a creature with a practically infinite lifespan was not a good thing since the longer a creature lived, the harder it was for its feelings to be changed and influenced.

Once someone gains the ire of a long-lived creature, that hate can persist for hundreds of millennia and more. 

So, Tatyana was trying to play politics and buy favors without hurting Yasenia\'s opportunity: Soluna becoming her companion. 

The conversation continued for a few more hours, with constant back and forth between the six spirits and Tatyana. The rest of the girls listened to the diplomatic masterclass Tatyana was pulling off from the side. 

By the end of the conversations, not only were the spirits not against Soluna becoming Yasenia\'s spirit, but Embera even thought that any other course of action would be a wrong one, as it would damage Soluna\'s development. 

Yasenia couldn\'t help but admire the way Tatyana took the lead in the conversations. It was similar to her way of doing things but, in the end, very different.

Yasenia was generally aiming for long-term objectives, but it felt like her view was narrow compared to her mother\'s. While she was planning for her sect\'s future, looking at it from around one to two thousand years ahead, Tatyana\'s view stretched much further. 

She could discern some politics and talks between Tatyana and the Spirits, the actions of which could last for several generations and create positive and supportive relationships.

Embera suddenly asked. "What\'s this tapping sound…?" Following the source, she saw Yasenia\'s tail wagging up and down as it hit the couch. 

Yasenia\'s face remained neutral, but her tail couldn\'t hide the admiration she was feeling for her mother, making for quite a contrasting but adorable situation. 

The girls had to hold their laughter, understanding how much Yasenia wanted to adore and pamper her mother with love at that moment. 

Embera blinked a few times, showing a perplexed look, but ignored it and looked at Yasenia. "I want to hear it from you. Tatyana\'s words have already convinced us, but I want to hear what your intention is in contracting Soluna."

Yasenia shook her head. "Nothing deep. If Soluna hadn\'t asked first, I would\'ve probably never approached her. However, if we speak about companions, I can\'t really think of a better one than Soluna." Yasenia smiled. "Once she becomes my companion, she will become part of my family. Hence, she will be someone I will strive to protect, nourish, and care for. If Soluna\'s future is to be the Spirit World\'s ruler, then I shall support her in that endeavor."

Nyxeris rubbed his chin and asked. "Now that I think about it, Soluna, what are the risks of becoming Yasenia\'s contracted spirit?" 

Soluna blinked and spoke briefly, her double voice echoing around. "Death." 

The six spirits paused, and Soluna smiled. "If I fail, Yasenia\'s energies will assimilate me. So, I would die. A true death for a spirit."

Embera and the others didn\'t say anything but looked between Yasenia and Soluna a few times. After a few moments, Embera spoke. "If that happens, we are leaving this place, and all talks will be void. Plus, never come near our Spirit World, or there will be consequences."

Then, she turned around and left with the rest. 

Yasenia looked at their back and wasn\'t surprised. To be honest, she expected a much worse reaction. However, it seemed that their nature as spirits and Tatyana\'s talk had mellowed their reaction to the best outcome.

Soluna took a deep breath and looked at Yasenia with a serious expression. "I want to become your contracted spirit, Yasenia Dravory. I want to spend the rest of eternity as your companion and aide while you become my support and strength. Would you accept this proposal?" 

Yasenia looked at Soluna with a similarly serious expression and answered. "I, Yasenia Dravory, accept your proposal, Moon and Sun spirit, Soluna. You shall become my companion, and in turn, I shall become your strength, shield, and spear. We will support each other for a lifetime until the fire of my life is extinguished by the unforgiving rivers of time." 

Soluna smiled radiantly and extended her hands, grabbing Yasenia\'s face. 

The girls raised an eyebrow as Soluna approached Yasenia and closed her eyes. Seeing as Yasenia answered without a doubt, they waited and trusted their lover.

As expected, unlike what it had appeared to be, Soluna\'s and Yasenia\'s faces tilted forward, and their foreheads touched. 

Once they did, the aura around them shifted, and the space seemed to freeze as a wave of profound energy surrounded the entire house.

The shift in the energy flow was momentaneous as Soluna\'s body dissolved like a sand structure falling into the water. 

From the tip of her limbs to her torso. She slowly disintegrated into mystical and ethereal particles. 

Around them, a massive formation circle spread around, pushing everyone and everything outward. Of course, with the maids around, Flame and Kaleina were safe. Still, the entire living room was disintegrated as a clear space was created around them. 

After the spirit disintegrated, only one thing remained in the place where Soluna previously stood. 

A sphere of pure Moon and Sun energies. 

Spirits had several growth stages, similar to cultivators. Their fifth realm was called the Spirit Core Harmony Realm, where spirits formed the first physical manifestation of their existence. 

The realms before the fifth were the following: Spirit Embodiment Realm, Essence Fusion Realm, Soul Resonance Realm, and Elemental Dominion Realm. 

After overcoming those realms and creating a physical core that harmonized their elements with their surroundings, spirits gained incredible strength and control over their attributes. 

Now, this core was out in the open in front of Yasenia. The weakest and most fragile parts of Soluna were all exposed, and the dragoness was free to do as she pleased. 

Other than the aforementioned reasoning, spirits feared contracts because of the vulnerability inflicted upon them during the event. 

Yasenia gently extended her hands and surrounded the palm-sized core with them. Her energy gently circulated around her entire body, creating a space where the fragile core would feel much more comfortable. 

Soluna was honestly afraid. When the contract started, it was not her will to lose her physical body. Instead, the process that had started forced her to do so as she lost control over herself.

The loss of freedom was penetrating and all-encompassing, making her doubtful about her choice for a second. Yet, the second Yasenia\'s hands surrounded her core, every one of those thoughts ceased as peace enveloped her.

The energy around the creature holding her core was so cozy and welcoming; she felt as if she was in the cradle of her birth and was about to be born again. 

Yasenia brought Soluna\'s core toward her navel and pressed it against her skin, right above where her Dantian used to be. Her actions were slow, patient, gentle, and caring. 

The formation below her emitted several rays of light and arched and fell on them, enveloping them in a multicolored spectacle. 

Then, the core started to melt into the dragoness\'s body as if Yasenia\'s skin was made of water. 

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Author: And so, it begins~. 

Tatyana: Hm. Your cliffhanger dao is advancing at a spectacular pace. 

Proofreader Ayan: We\'ve been hanging for days! Hmph.

Author: Thanks, hehe.

Author: Anyways, let\'s start~. I summon you!

Randomplant: It has been a while! Hello~.

Kali: Welcome back. 

Randomplant: Thanks. Well, this question is for someone who knows~.

Author: You, readers, really like to throw questions to the air, don\'t you?

Randomplant: Hehe. Anyways, how many times more difficult is Yasenia\'s tribulation? The heavens increase the difficulty by X3, so it would be 3+3+3. But the gods increase that by X3 in her first method of cultivation. Does that mean it is 3+3+9? Or what would it be like? 

…

Randomplant: Hm?

Tatyana: We don\'t know.

Randomplant: Huh?

Tatyana: Do you think we are strong enough to understand how a creature that hasn\'t been born before reacts to a mix of heavenly anger and god inheritance? A dragon at that?

Randomplant: Now that you put it that way… 

Tatyana: I mean, we could somewhat guess, but no one knows for certain. For example, I can guess that her next tribulation will have between 60 to 120 Tribulation Soldiers, but that estimate is like saying that she will be attacked by lightning. 

Randomplant: Hahaha, that\'s true, I guess. 

Tatyana: So, while I would love to answer that question since that means I can help my little treasure more, we really can\'t.

Randomplant: Fair. Thank you, Tatyana.

Tatyana: No problem, child. 

Author: And that\'s all for today~. Bye-bye~.

Proofreader Sarah: And I had such a nice equation that was broken because the Author wanted a nice number of Soldiers for Yasenia\'s latest Tribulation QWQ