Another three months passed. During this time, Feicui Long and the others managed to complete the external warehouse. Feicui Long also built a small construction workshop in the warehouse since it was a decent size for working with rocks, common gray granite blocks, and other materials.
He was also about to finish the path that connected his house to the road leading to the Habsburg Empire. It took longer because instructing the golems was not easy. They had to excavate, build aqueducts to divert the water, fill the structure with cement, then place the blocks, and so on. Even though it was close to the Leechwald Forest, it was actually about 3 kilometers (1.86 mi) away, and all that work took time.
It was quite expensive, especially since they had to hunt several dozen energy beasts, monsters, and others to use their energy cores for the inscriptions. Now, only the final segment was left, which Feicui Long did not need to supervise since, to save time, he had carved the formations into the blocks and the cement long ago.
During this time, Feicui Long jumped from grade 1 to grade 5 of the elemental realm and recently awakened the contracted beast in the Sanctuary of All Races. It turned out to be a celestial dog, which explained why Feicui Long had been tolerated for so long.
On top of that, it was worth noting that Feicui Long could have advanced a bit more, but he had been too busy directing the golems, training with Mariane, Isabella, Gloria, the twins, and Isabella's group. He had also been preparing a new cultivation technique for Mariane since the first technique he created for her, based on his own, had never pleased Mariane. She simply wanted to cultivate his exact technique, despite their combat styles being very different.
Feicui Long, despite being a mixed cultivator, meaning both physical and internal, as well as a powerful dragon, did not actually have melee combat as his main fighting method. On the contrary, he always started battles from a distance, using his superiority along with his mastery of space and time to tear his enemies apart before they even had the chance to get close. Besides that, he also used his control over these two to avoid being hit by attacks, so he rarely engaged in close combat.
Even so, his body and his body refinement technique were not weak. They were at the same level as his internal cultivation, and his body was the strongest in the universe, so it wasn't that he was weak or afraid of fighting in close combat. If he was forced into it, he would use it, or if he felt like doing it, he would, but it was not his first option in battle.
Mariane, on the other hand, despite possessing the Sovereign's Quartet, which, by the way, physically weakens the user with each ability that is part of the Quartet. You can counteract it by training, but you will still be weaker than others unless you use body refinement techniques and treasures to improve it. This effect increases if you possess the full Quartet. This is the reason why many avoid direct combat and prefer long melee weapons like halberds, spears, energy rifles, bows, etc. Mariane is an exception, like Amanitore. Both fight in the middle of the battlefield rather than mounted on their tamed or contracted creatures or behind them, while their creatures provide support.
So, he designed that technique for this unique combat style and for her to be able to improve it herself later. However, this made her hate it. For that reason, he is now directly using his own technique as the base, only modifying it slightly and merging it with his younger brother's technique and another one called the Mind of the Celestial Sovereign. But in essence, it will still be the same technique for her. Although he has actually already finished it, he is just adding the final details and leaving room for her to modify it as she pleases.
He was also educating the girls, the twins, and literally everyone except Mariane, as he noticed they had certain shortcomings. Isabella not so much, but the others did, especially Annie and Freja, who did not know mathematics, and the former barely knew how to read and write. The rest of the time, and for the most part, he spent creating medicines and things to sell. He needed to earn more money to buy more materials and build his fortress.
Having a house was fine, but since it was in the middle of nowhere, he really needed to keep everything safe. To be honest, the energy stones he had, as well as the few energy materials he had purchased, were nowhere near enough.
…
Over these months, Feicui Long had noticed that Isabella had changed a little. She had become happier and kinder, but at the same time, even though he was not good at understanding love, he realized that she had also become much more jealous and possessive of him.
He noticed because every time he was alone with another woman for a while and she saw them, she would appear and interrupt, hugging him from behind or stepping in between them. She even started sitting on his thighs when they ate.
Besides that, she would constantly ask him questions like, "Honey, am I pretty?" or "Sweetheart, I think we should celebrate our wedding as soon as possible."
Even though things had calmed down a bit before, that burning desire they had over three months ago, when they did it several times a day, had returned in the past few days, almost as if she wanted to mark her territory.
But perhaps what worried him the most was her attitude toward Mariane, a defiant attitude that clearly irritated her, as if trying to draw a line against Mariane. However, Mariane was not the type to be intimidated, and Isabella's defiant stance could only mean there was a conflict brewing.
This worried him because, although Isabella was not bad at fighting, in fact, she was quite decent for a mortal with so little time and combat experience, Mariane's combat ability… was monstrous. He would not be exaggerating if he said she had the potential to reach his level, and Mariane was the type who never held back in battle. It was extremely difficult for her to restrain herself.
Feicui Long knew that this attitude was likely due to the wound to her self-esteem and pride caused by the heartbreak with her ex-fiancé, but she had not been like this before… or, well, now that he thought about it, she actually had. When she was Charles, she did the same thing, but in a more controlled manner because she had to pretend to avoid being discovered. Now that she no longer carried that burden, it was obvious she had become more reckless.
He would have liked to tell her not to worry, but he felt that he was not the right person to do so…
So tonight, he is going to talk to Isabella.
…
Feicui Long gets up from the table with the technique ready and goes to look for Mariane directly. He knows she is with Annie. The two have quickly become friends. Honestly, he does not understand how, but it seems that Annie's shy and introverted nature and Mariane's extroverted and direct personality fit together very well. Mariane even teaches her about cultivation from time to time.
On her own, Annie has reached grade 3 of the Elemental Realm, which is quite an achievement considering the terrible technique Feicui Long has given her.
As Feicui Long thinks about this, he finally finds them. They are training, and he says, "Hello, Annie, little Mariane, come here."
Mariane, upon hearing her master call her, jumps up quickly. In just three months, this girl has gone from having no cultivation at all to reaching grade 7 of the Elemental Realm. He is not surprised. Mariane is an absolute monster. Not only does she possess the Sovereign Quartet, but she also has an extremely high talent at Absolute Level Grade 3 or 3 Stars. On top of that, she is a Leader Type - Viscount Rank - Celestial Grade.
Feicui Long clears his throat. "Ehm, look, Mariane, this is the technique I am telling you about. I know you do not like the first one I created for you, but this time it is my own technique, just with a few additions, almost unchanged. Now that you possess my blood, you are able to cultivate it completely. For that, I will prepare a medicinal bath for you. Although now that I think about it, I also have to prepare one for myself."
Mariane's eyes light up when she sees it, and she quickly takes it from Feicui Long's hands.
Upon seeing this, Feicui Long puts on a serious face and pretends to scold her. "Hey! When do I ever teach you to act like that? Not only do you not call me 'my lord,' but you also snatch things from me. Such an ungrateful girl."
Mariane laughs mischievously, hugs him, and says, "But it is Master who keeps telling me that I only have to address him like that in the palace throne room."
Feicui Long lets out a fake sigh and, stroking her head, says, "Alright, alright, you are going to make your master feel older."
Mariane lets out a giggle. Then, Feicui Long takes out a very beautiful necklace that contains his two dragon forms. This necklace is, obviously, one of the artifacts from his previous life. As he places it around Mariane's neck, he says, "Mariane, I am giving you this necklace. You used to wear it when you were young to pass on my messages. I believe you are worthy of carrying it, and besides, it lets me know where you are."
Isabella responds, "It does not matter that it is just an ordinary spatial ring, darling. Anything you give me is an unparalleled treasure to me."
Feicui Long wants to refuse, but Isabella is truly on the verge of tears. Before, she used puppy eyes, but this time, it is real. He can tell that she feels Feicui Long is rejecting her because he does not think she is worthy.
Feicui Long wipes her tears and kisses her. "Isabella, you are so beautiful. I do not want to see you cry. Just wait, please…"
Isabella does not give up and, with a sad voice, as tears run down her face again, she says, "I do not care, darling. If necessary, I would jump into lava for you. P-please, j-just give me a chance, I beg you… Let me prove to you that I am worth it for you, please. I will give you my everything. Every part of me will belong to you. You can do whatever you want with me…"
Seeing how determined she is, Feicui Long cannot refuse her anymore, especially while she is crying. He feels something strange in his heart, that feeling he should not be able to experience is there, pressing on him, and resigned, he says, "Alright, let us use our rings as an exchange…"
That night, Feicui Long and Isabella exchange rings, sleeping in a sweet embrace.
…
Feicui Long then meets with Gloria, as their relationship has improved a bit over the past three months, and today, they are going to hunt a specific type of beast called Blood Pure Beasts, or by their real name, Blood Pure Bull, since there is also another beast that shares the same commonly known name.
This beast is key for the baths he needs to prepare well. Actually, calling it key is an exaggeration, as any blood-attribute beast could serve.
Feicui Long takes his halberd in hand and departs alongside Gloria.
…
The next day.
Feicui Long does not know that this is a grave mistake, as he has left Isabella and Mariane alone…
It is right after Feicui Long departs that Isabella, upset over what she saw yesterday, goes to confront Mariane.
Isabella says, "Hey, Mariane, I know you are Feicui Long's disciple. I do not know how or why, but could you please control yourself a little? I think it would be decent for you, as a disciple, to have some self-restraint and not constantly try to seduce your master."
Mariane does not respond; she ignores her. It is not the first time this has happened anyway.
Isabella gets even angrier and says, "Can you at least pay attention to your superiors? After all, I am still your master's woman. In position, I am still above you."
Mariane continues to ignore her.
Isabella, even more annoyed, grabs her shoulder and says, "Are you deaf, or did my darling take in a girl with problems as his disciple? In any case, I just want you to leave him alone and have the minimum contact with him. I do not want him to be tainted."
Mariane, this time a little irritated, says, "Why should I stay away from my master? You do not even know him well. I have known him my entire life. I have been with him longer. The only reason I do not answer you is because I respect my master's decisions, but let me tell you, I do not consider you worthy of him."
Isabella replies, "I do not need your recognition. After all, he chose this."
Isabella shows her hand with the ring and says, "Now I am the lady of my darling's clan. Your status is even lower than before. A poor girl that my darling picked up is not comparable to me. You even pathetically try to imitate him by changing your hair color. I think it would be best to stop. Do you not think you have already taken enough advantage of his kindness?"
Mariane, who sees the ring, opens her mouth in surprise, but after hearing what Isabella says, this time she feels her rage eating her alive. She has been enduring this brat for three months, but using her master to attack her makes her blood boil.
Mariane jumps up and says, "You… fucking idiot. Fine, if you want me to shut that mouth, I will do it."
Mariane steps closer and says, "I want you and me to fight. If you cannot hold out until the third round, you will have to give up that ring, understand? Do not worry, I will restrain my cultivation to two ranks below yours."
Isabella, angered at being looked down on, says, "Fine, I want to see what you are made of, picked-up girl."
…
Almost everyone is present in this improvised training area that Feicui Long made, though he only cleared a few trees.
Mariane says, "I hope you do not give up in the first round."
Isabella scoffs and says, "For a parasite that takes advantage of someone else, you sure know how to provoke people."
Mariane, with an explosion of power from her leg, reaches her front and launches a kick with her left leg. Isabella barely manages to draw her sword and block the attack.
Without stopping, Mariane punches her stomach with a right hook, lifting her and knocking her down.
In pain, Isabella gets up and says, "Pff, is this all you have? My sweetheart has wasted all his time on you."
Then, injecting power into her sword, Isabella says, "Sky Lion Slash!"
A powerful wind is released in the form of a horizontal slash at close range. Mariane, who is absolutely enraged by Isabella's last comment, infuses energy into her leg and stomps while saying, "EMERALD CLASH!"
This makes her jump into the air. Grabbing onto a tree branch, she redirects herself toward Isabella like a diving bullet and says, "I tolerate you saying things about me, but speaking ill of my master just to attack me is something intolerable."
Isabella quickly responds by sending four attacks at once while shouting, "Sky Lion Fangs!"
Four wind slashes, shaped like fangs, head toward Mariane.
At that speed, Mariane would not be able to dodge them, or so Isabella thought, because at that moment, Mariane says, "Emerald Impact!"
The next moment, a powerful emerald glow bursts forth, shattering the attack as if it were nothing and striking Isabella in the stomach.
Mariane does not stop there. Jumping from side to side, she aims her strikes to be as painful as possible without seriously injuring her or leaving her beyond recovery.
Isabella keeps trying to block what she can and launches a few slashes of her own.
At the end of the second round, Isabella, desperate, launches one last attack: "Oh glorious Sky Lion, let your majestic force subdue your enemies, shattering them into a thousand pieces, SKY LION TEMPEST!"
Mariane shakes her head and says, "I thought you were more. A disappointment."
Then Mariane continues speaking, "You are just a mortal girl playing a game. You don't know what my master has been through, what we have both been through. He is someone destined to stand at the top, and you are destined to remain at the bottom. Two completely separate worlds."
Mariane, angry, asks her a question, "What will you do, Isabella, if one day my master is forcibly taken from you? No, more importantly, what if my master has to use himself to secure alliances with more powerful forces?"
Mariane does not dodge the tempest, nor does she even use an attack. She simply stands still and lets it pass through her before striking Isabella in the face with a punch, then continues speaking, "You don't understand who you are asking things from, who you want to follow your childish whims. You also don't understand everything my master has sacrificed, the suffering that consumes him..."
Then, in anger, she forcefully punches Isabella's stomach again, making her bend over: "A suffering that has left him broken. You can't see it. Why would you? You're the only one who suffers, right? You don't know what it's like to see all futures and know that the death of your loved ones is inevitable. And not only that, but to see yourself die by the hands of those you love. My master is now a broken man, a person who has to live without feelings just to keep going. That is not something any living being should have to endure…"
Then, with a kick, she strikes Isabella's exhausted legs, knocking her to the ground. There, she grabs her against the floor and says, "My master, the most glorious being in this damned universe, gave his life to protect mere mortals! To protect this entire universe! But those ungrateful bastards forgot him. They deliberately ignored that without him, this universe would have fallen! And now, on top of that, he has to put up with the whims of a child playing at being an adult. YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! WHAT THAT RING MEANS TO THE DRAGON CLAN, TO THE SPACE CLAN, AND TO THE TIME CLAN!"
She begins to punch her while letting out her rage: "YOU ARE NOT WORTHY, ISABELLA! YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE EMERALD-GOLDEN DRAGON, OF THE SUPREME DRAGON SOVEREIGN, OF THE MASTER OF THIS MARIANE! HE IS FEICUI LONG!"
Mariane was about to strike with an Emerald Impact when she was stopped by Annie, who pulled her away from Isabella's unconscious body.