Chapter 729 Return
Mira wasn't quite sure what Rhydian meant, but she guessed that she wanted to test her new power.
"Alright." Mira nodded, "Let's go test your strength. While we're at it, you can get used to your human form."
Looking Rhydian up and down, she realized that the beast woman was standing there, stark naked. Mira didn't notice it before as she was more concerned with Rhydian's strength and cultivation than anything.
She had a very athletic and toned figure but still retained an hourglass shape. But what caught her eyes were the two melons on her chest. They were full and firm, yet perky and round, almost perfect. They had to be at least D or E cup, but they didn't sag at all.
'They look like they won't move around much in battle, but we should still wrap them up in cloth just in case. As for clothes…'
Well, Mira didn't have much on her other than a few outfits she'd bought with Maria and Dominique. So, she just tossed her an extra Sect robe.
"Put that on."
Rhydian caught it but looked at Mira in confusion. "W…Why?"
"Because it'll be annoying if you don't."
What could Rhydian say against that? Begrudgingly, she put on the Sect robe, even though it was too small for her. However, since they also had to accommodate her wings, they ended up ripping the outfit quite a bit.
With the sleeves ripped off, her muscular arms were exposed, the material was tugged tight around her bust, and her midriff was bare due to the shortness of the garment. Even with the multitude of rips and tears to allow for her wings, the robe barely provided enough coverage. But for now, it was enough.
"Don't complain. We'll get you some clothes later. Preferably ones that can transform with you when you switch back to your beast form." Mira said before Rhydian could say anything.
'Maybe I'll check out the FLDIL store. I have quite a few points racked up now.' Mira thought but put that to the side. Now wasn't the time for shopping.
Rhydian merely grunted in acknowledgment, her attention focused on adjusting to her new form. She moved experimentally, her steps sounding like a rampaging rhino, belying the raw power Mira knew she held.
Mira then suggested they move deeper into the forest, where Rhydian could unleash her powers without care for the surroundings. They made their way through the dense forest, Rhydian navigating through the trees and shrubbery with growing expertise, her new form moving with the same instinctual prowess she'd exhibited as a beast.
Once they reached a small clearing, Mira took a step back, motioning for Rhydian to proceed. "Now, let's see what you can do," she said, her gaze focused and expectant.
Rhydian nodded, spreading her large golden wings wide. She crouched, her muscles coiling in preparation. Then, with a powerful flap of her wings, she propelled herself into the sky, disappearing among the towering trees and into the clouds.
Mira and Hana watched in awe as leaves and dust swirled in the wake of Rhydian's ascent. For a moment, they stood there in silence, waiting for her to reappear. And she did, moments later, swooping down from the treetops and landing in the clearing.
As Rhydian landed, the ground beneath her feet cratered under the force, and a gust of wind rippled through the forest, causing the trees to collapse and waves to emerge in the lake. Mira couldn't help but be impressed. Rhydian's strength had indeed increased significantly after her breakthrough.
Just a few simple moves could cause such destruction. Her weight alone was already more than what the ground beneath her could bear.
She then moved through a series of attacks, showcasing her power and speed, before finishing with a powerful roar that echoed through the surroundings, killing off all the weaker beasts and scaring the rest. Mira couldn't help but smile at the display of strength. Rhydian was adapting to her new form quickly, proving that she wasn't a Golden Empyrean Winged Wolf for nothing.
Once Rhydian finished her demonstration, she looked toward Mira, a question evident in her eyes. Mira gave her a nod.
"Good job, Rhydian," she praised, a smile playing on her lips. "You've adapted to your new form much faster than I anticipated."
Rhydian gave a satisfied grunt, acknowledging Mira's compliment. However, even as she stood there, her eyes were still filled with a hunger for more power and improvement. This transformation was only the beginning. She had become stronger, but there was always room to grow. Especially now that she had two forms.
She'd seen how powerful Mira was with her weapon, armor, and techniques. If she could master both her human form and her beast form, she'd be unstoppable across both races!
'Then, I'll be one to ride on Mira's back as we fly across the sky! Hehehe~' Rhydian's fantasies ran wild as thoughts of pummeling Mira into the ground, riding her like a bull, putting a leash on her, and more surfaced in her mind.
These thoughts were accidentally transmitted to Mira, who proceeded to kick Rhydian in the back of the leg. However, when her foot landed, the beast woman barely moved, merely stumbling forward due to a lack of balance.
"Hmm?" Mira cocked her head, a smirk growing on her face. "It seems our little wolf has grown quite a bit."
Rhydian turned back to face Mira, rubbing the back of her leg yet grinning wide. "K… Kick. Weak." she teased.
Mira's smirk widened as she took out her scythe, giving it a few twirls as she stared at Rhydian. "Grown arrogant, have we? What do you say we put that new body to the test?"
Rhydian nodded and readied herself, her claws extending and her fangs growing. She adjusted her stance, seeking optimal balance and stability. She almost instinctively went on all fours but stopped herself at the last minute as she wanted to learn how to fight like other humans.
Both their auras flared and clashed against one another, causing the ground beneath them to quake.
Mira tightened her grip on her scythe and prepared to lunge at Rhydian, but-
"STOP!" But Hana's shout broke the tension.
"What are you two doing?!" She yelled. "Are you trying to kill me?! If you want to fight, that's fine, but at least drop me off somewhere safe!"
Since all the momentum was lost, Mira sighed and put away her scythe. While she really wanted to fight Rhydian right here and now, Hana was right. They'd most definitely kill her, even when she was protecting her.
Hana was just a mortal, just the ripples from their clash were more than enough to rupture her organs. Although Mira was strong, her Qi wouldn't be all that helpful against Rhydian's brute strength. Not to mention, her instincts told her that she wouldn't be able to spare much thought in an all-out fight against the wolf.
"...We'll settle this when we get back to the Sect," Mira said, to which Rhydian nodded and restrained her aura.
Hana sighed in relief, but she was dripping in sweat as if she'd just run a marathon.
'I'm going to die. I'm seriously going to die! Not from some random thug or beast, but because of my 'caretaker'! Just take me back to the Sect! Please! I don't want to be here anymore!' Hana wanted to cry but had no tears.
She seriously thought about starting her cultivation journey now instead of when she was a young adult so that she could live. Although she'd be stuck in a child's body for a long time, her life was worth more than her looks.
"Alright, we've had enough fun. It's time we go back to the Sect. There's still plenty that needs to be done there." Mira announced. Rhydian's ears drooped, and her tail stopped wagging as she wasn't ready to return. On the other hand, tears fell from Hana's eyes as she thanked the heavens that she would live to see another day.
Mira picked up Hana, holding her close to ensure she wouldn't get injured as they made their way back. It seemed Rhydian's demonstration had caused her more distress than they anticipated. Mira frowned at that. It reminded her that despite all the power she had, she was still dealing with a young child. She needed to be more mindful in the future.
Rhydian grumbled a little as she glanced back at the clearing, her gaze still hungry for more battle. But with Hana's well-being at stake and since Mira had things to do, she swallowed her enthusiasm and followed Mira and Hana back towards the Sect. Her golden wings unfolded behind her as she flew with them.
After all, they had a long way to go, and although she was eager to push her new powers to the limit, she knew there was a time and place for everything. And right now, it was time to get back to the Sect.
They made the journey back, Hana clutching onto Mira with a death grip while Rhydian took up the rear. Her senses were still finely attuned to the surroundings, ready to react in an instant if any threats showed up.
However, their journey back was largely uneventful, with no beasts daring to come near, undoubtedly deterred by the aura of raw power that Rhydian was unconsciously emitting.