My Celestial Ascension Chapter 929 929: Vampire Customs

In the guest quarters of Ashveil Castle, Anna Grace and the rest silently watched Yuan's clear progression toward Isolde. They had all foreseen this development after seeing how Isolde acted near him before.

'The Vampire Countess surprisingly surpassed Nerith…My recent daughter-in-law proves quite daring by leading Yuan to her chamber,' Anna Grace mused, a playful grin crossing her face.

'It seems Princess Nerith has been outpaced by Isolde…' Mireya commented with a broad smile as she retracted her Divine Sense.

The situation was now fully apparent to her; no further observation was necessary. Yuan was deeply engaged, and she had zero desire to disturb him.

'What do you mean by that, Lady Mireya?' Nerith inquired, puzzled by her statement.

Mireya gazed straight at Nerith with a mischievous grin and replied, 'I mean your bond with Yuan. Don't you fancy him too?'

'What?!' Nerith was utterly taken aback, her cheeks turning a vivid crimson immediately.

'I-I…uh…I don't know what you're talking about…' she stuttered, her tone quivering from sheer mortification.

In truth, she hadn't completely grasped her own emotions. She couldn't boldly declare her love for him, but whenever she gazed at him or recalled him, her heart pounded wildly.

'Come on, Princess Nerith. No need to conceal it from us. We already sense your affection for our husband,' Kitsura teased, her face brimming with playful intent.

'Yes, denying it is pointless. It's blatantly clear to us,' Julie chimed in with a sly smile.

'Oh? So Princess Nerith harbors feelings for the young master…What a fascinating twist,' Selvariel chuckled lightly.

Nerith's cheeks burned even hotter, and she found it impossible to face their eyes. She wished she could burrow into the ground and vanish.

'This is utterly humiliating…Now they all know…What should I do?!' she wailed inside, overwhelmed with shame.

The ribbing persisted, leaving Nerith to suffer it quietly, too rattled to utter a word.

—

Beneath the stunning moonlight outside, Yuan and Isolde lingered close, the serene evening serving as a silent observer to their intimate exchange.

Their kiss had concluded moments earlier, and Isolde had slowly eased in his company. Proximity to him felt effortless now, like second nature.

The prior unease had dissipated entirely. For the first time ever, she experienced an odd yet soothing sensation—being truly valued.

Yuan settled onto the ground and tenderly drew her onto his thighs, encircling her waist with one arm as she draped an arm over his shoulder.

'I never dreamed I'd develop feelings for someone and end up in his arms on the very same day…It seems like a dream,' she whispered, gently raising his chin while her red eyes locked with his.

Yuan let out a soft laugh. 'You know, I once daydreamed about wedding a vampire. Seems I've turned that fantasy into reality.'

'Don't tease about matters like that at a time like this, Yuan,' Isolde responded, giving his chest a light pat, even as a smile graced her lips.

'I'm serious,' he countered before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

After a short silence, she continued, her voice gentler yet more resolute. 'Since I've decided to remain at your side…it's fitting we formalize it.'

'In vampire tradition, we exchange blood to unite as spouses. But as a human, you can't consume mine, though I can take yours,' she detailed, fixing her intense stare on his throat, scarcely holding back the urge to sink her teeth in.

'I see…I’ve encountered such rituals in texts, but I never believed they were real,' Yuan murmured, evidently taken aback.

'It is real. Vampires differ greatly from this world's other peoples, and our customs are profoundly unique too,' she answered steadily.

Yuan inclined his head, then after brief reflection added, 'Still, you can't partake of my blood. Not yet—it would end you.'

'And why is that?' She regarded him with bewilderment, failing to see how his blood could endanger her.

Yuan drew in a steady breath and held her eyes with a subtle grin. 'Whatever I share next stays between us. Not a whisper escapes.'

He pulled out a yellow talisman from his system storage, etched with a basic concealment array to seal any sounds within.

'What is this?' Isolde questioned, examining the talisman with intrigue.

She detected a subtle hint of Spiritual Energy emanating from it, wholly alien to her knowledge.

'It's a Rank-2 talisman holding a simple concealment formation. Just safeguarding us, since my revelation could upend this whole continent,' Yuan clarified before triggering it.

'Does something like this truly exist here?' Isolde whispered in astonishment as an unseen shield enveloped them.

'This world holds countless wonders that initially defy belief,' Yuan stated kindly. 'But comprehension turns them mundane.'

'This talisman qualifies as one. It's an artifact forged by cultivators—single-use only.'

'T-This is astonishing…I’ve never encountered anything similar. I believed Qi merely bolstered our physiques or sharpened our arms,' Isolde expressed, her worldview seemingly shattered.

Once she composed herself, she probed further, 'So…what precisely defines a cultivator?'

'A cultivator shatters mortal limits to embark on the immortal path, challenging the heavens,' Yuan answered.

'Cultivators wield might to cleave the heavens with blades or part oceans. As cultivation advances, strength and longevity expand. Enduring for hundreds of thousands—or millions—of years ceases to be fantasy.' He murmured tenderly, fingers gliding through her red locks.

'What?! Are you speaking truthfully?' She gaped at him, completely astounded.

'Naturally. Why deceive you?' Yuan beamed and affirmed. 'Cultivators navigate voids, grasp stars bare-handed, and obliterate planets in one blow. Countless have achieved it.'

Isolde fell mute. She sensed her existence had been shrouded in naivety, akin to one confined to shadows forever.

Concepts of traversing voids, claiming celestial bodies, or demolishing realms appeared implausible—yet his assurance rang true.

'If two mighty cultivators clashed,' Yuan pressed on gravely, 'a whole realm might crumble under their force.'

Isolde pondered deeply, the vastness of his words evoking wonder mingled with dread.

At last, she faced him solemnly and inquired,

'Are you…a cultivator?'