Sarriel's brow furrowed. This wasn't because she was ashamed about her actions, but rather because she was furious that she would be questioned in this way. Who was Ryu, or anyone for that matter, to question her? She did as she pleased, did she need to give a reason to anyone?
Ryu had already appeared before her, his stature towering and his gaze a biting cold. His own chest was just a mere centimeter from Sarriel's ample bosom, one as sturdy and broad as a rockface and that other as curved, delicate and soft as the clouds, and yet both just as unyielding.
The two felt almost like mirror images of each other, their murderous intent rising into the skies.
"It seems I didn't teach you enough of a lesson the first time." Ryu sneered, his canines glistening beneath the high sun and fluttering snow.
There was nothing laughing or joking about his demeanor. He carried with him the same air of arrogance he did when facing an enemy.
The moment these words entered Sarriel's ears, it was as though she had been greatly provoked.
SHIIING! SHIIING! SHIIING!
A violent tempest of sword qi whipped around her wildly. Ryu could almost hear her blade clambering within her spatial ring, ready to tear through the fabric of reality to make it here and cut out Ryu's tongue for his impudence.
"Do you really think an ant like you stands any real chance against me?"
Sarriel's words were just as bitingly cold. Those who knew a lot about Ryu but very little about Sarriel couldn't help but be stunned. Those here had already witnessed Ryu's battle prowess but even while she was within the Moonlight Blossom Sect, not only had Sarriel hidden her true face, but she had hidden her true strength as well. No one here was aware of her true capabilities.
At that moment, just when it seemed like something was about to erupt, Ailsa lightly cleared her throat.
"Alright, you two. Let's take a breath."
Sarriel's gaze swept toward Ailsa. "Piss off."
Ailsa's gaze remained placid. "I would suggest you watch your tone, little girl. You can consider this me doing you a favor, or else considering my husband's temperament, the fact you would deem to attack to kill his wife would be enough for him to sever all ties with you."
Ailsa knew Ryu too well, he was already on the verge of killing Sarriel. In fact, if it was anyone else, he would have already attacked. But, there were two reasons he hadn't done so yet. The first was because he still needed the information Sarriel had and it was tied to his greatest ambition. The second was because the Sarriel he had grown to have feelings for, the shy and reserved Sarriel, shared the same face as this woman here now. Even as decisive as Ryu was, he still needed a moment to clear that barrier.
However, Ailsa knew that neither of these two reasons would be enough to stop Ryu.
Between his ambition and his loved ones, he would always choose the latter. And, between a façade of a woman and his real woman, there was likewise even less of a choice to make between the two. Given even a split second more, Sarriel would be nothing but a corpse already.
"A favor?" Sarriel laughed coldly. "Do you think I need your pity?"
"It seems that you're intent on throwing this tantrum, but it seems you've forgotten the situation you're in." Ailsa replied without the slightest waver in her gaze. "You're currently standing within a formation that even Sky Gods can't break through and you've infuriated the man who controls it. No matter how powerful you are outside, in here, you're nothing more than the ant you claim others to be."
Sarriel's expression flickered, but she still said nothing.
"I can tell why you're so infuriated. You've spotted a weakness in yourself and want to cut it away, seemingly not realizing that it's not possible. Your cultivation technique is beyond anything I've ever laid my eyes on, but I can tell you with great certainty that there's no changing someone's soul.
"All of these 'tribulations' you've undergone are only showing you different shades of yourself. You still haven't settled down and accepted this yet, that is why your emotions are still so agitated even after digging your way out of your so-called 'valley'."
Sarriel's expression turned dark. "The ignorant truly dare to say anything. You're the mere inferior heel of my superior race but you want to guide me? Worse yet, you want to guide me in a level of technique that your impoverished lands haven't even laid eyes on before? Are you trying to make me laugh to death? Know your limits!
"What do you expect me to learn from a cowardly Faerie who only knows how to rest on the shoulders of a man? Your race is nothing but a legion of dogs and pets on leashes, wagging their tails and hanging out their tongues in hopes you might earn yourselves a piece of meat. I'm disgusted by you and everything that you represent, never deign to 'instruct' me again!"
The harsh cold of Ryu's gaze increased, the murderous intent of his irises snapped into place, the oppressive might of his Dao subtly leaking from his aura. His demeanor seemed to change entirely.
He didn't care about anything Sarriel had to provide any longer. She could just die.
Just as Ryu was about to act, a palm flattened against his chest and gently pushed him away. Ailsa pushed him to the side and stepped forward to face Sarriel, both of their ample bosoms competing for space within the air.
If it was anyone other than his wife who had stepped forward to do this, Ryu would have already disregarded everything. But, right now, all he could do was frown.
Ailsa coldly looked Sarriel up and down, his crimson irises deadpan and unmoved.
"You see yourself as a lofty being ready to transcend the Heavens, but all I see is a little girl who happens to have a little bit more information than everyone else. In fact, you also remind me of a particular little boy who feared nothing and yet was somehow angry at everything.
"Deep inside, you know that I'm perfectly correct. That shy, lovable little girl you were just a year ago is still inside you somewhere. You just don't want to accept it because that also means accepting that the actions she committed weren't as separate from yourself as you'd love to believe.
"Regardless, I do not care. As you've said, I'm just a woman who's quite content with sitting on the shoulders of my husband and basking in his success. But, that also means that I'm greatly invested in ensuring that he does succeed.
"Even if you die now, I have many methods of extracting your soul and snatching the memories you hold so dear to yourself. So, the choice is yours, really. Rein in your attitude and control yourself as an adult should, or you can die and make your contributions to this aimless, lowly woman here after you've long since passed.
"Choose wisely."