Cecilia

[A/N: this will be a backstory.]

***

Azrael rested beside a clear pond on one of the planets within the Universe housed inside the Gale Storm Dimension, a territory under the rule of the Gale Storm Emperor. Suddenly, a shadow viciously attacked him, but Azrael proved strong enough to skillfully dodge the assault. What ensued was a brief but intense skirmish where Azrael dominated the entire fight with his agility and cultivation prowess.

As the shadow attempted various attacks, Azrael moved with an almost dance-like grace, effortlessly avoiding each strike. His movements were a blur of precision and speed, showcasing his mastery over cultivation techniques. The environment around them became a temporary battleground, with Azrael seamlessly incorporating the natural elements into his defensive and offensive maneuvers.

Azrael's confidence grew evident as he countered each of the shadow's moves with calculated steps and fluid evasions. His eyes glowed with determination, and his every action seemed to be perfect and fluid.

In the final moments of the fight, Azrael anticipated the shadow's next move, swiftly closing in to catch it. With a decisive and controlled motion, he seized the shadow, bringing an end to the confrontation. The subdued shadow struggled momentarily, but Azrael's grip was firm and unyielding. As the tension settled, Azrael stood victorious, his demeanor unchanged.

"Is it a female elf?" Azrael questioned as he observed the figure.

"Let me go," pleaded the female as she found herself pinned to the ground.

"You don't have any right to command me, girl," Azrael retorted, pressing her down even more forcefully and slamming her face against the ground.

"!@3!" the female screamed in a muffled voice.

"What is your purpose here? Why did you attack me? Do you belong to those cultivators I annihilated earlier?" Azrael questioned, his tone firm.

The female could only produce muffled sounds.

"Ohhh, excuse me for being rude," Azrael sarcastically remarked, lifting her face.

The female glared at him and said, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Really, now?" Azrael slammed her face to the ground again and lifted his other arm, delivering a strong slap to her buttocks.

"!@#$%!" Once again, the female could only produce muffled screams in response to the forceful actions.

This recurring exchange transpired each time the female proved uncooperative.

"Do you feel like talking now?"

"I-I-I am merely attempting to survive and relieve you of your possessions."

Azrael arched an eyebrow.

Detecting his skepticism, the female persisted, "I am saying the truth!"

"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Judging by the quality of your attire and belongings, seems you have a great status. . Great, I can exploit you as a bargaining chip. HAHAHA."

"AS I ALREADY SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!"

Azrael merely chuckled. Subsequently, a rope materialized in his hand, and with swift dexterity, he bound the struggling female.

"Don't try to break free. It was a gift from a certain creepy old man, and I bet even a Divine Emperor would struggle to break that rope."

In the concealed shadows, a certain 'someone' winced at Azrael's words.

"What is your name?"

The female adamantly refused to respond.

Azrael merely shook his head and retired to a nearby tree to rest.

***

In a regal palace,

"Fear not, my fellow daoist. I, Gale Storm Emperor, will deploy my forces to track down that girl and deliver her to you."

The man's eyes before Gale Storm Emperor gleamed with ruthless determination. "Were it not for her mother, I would have ended her life long ago. She bestowed upon the girl a treasure that prevents even a half-step Saint like me from detecting her."

A Divine Emperor's perception extends far, capable of scanning entire dimensions that house universes. Gale Storm Dimension, though mid-sized, theoretically allows the Emperor and the man before him to locate their target. However, a mystical treasure eludes their senses, complicating the task of using Gale Storm Emperor's forces to search every universe within the dimension.

Despite the man's forceful demeanor and lack of respect, Gale Storm Emperor found himself powerless due to the man's formidable strength. Being a Mid Divine Emperor against a Half-Step Saint, compliance with the man's orders was the only option.

"I must commend you, my fellow daoist. Once you dispose of that girl, achieving the Saint Realm seems imminent. The conversion of the heartless law into the heartless great dao should significantly augment your strength."

"Hmmph, spare me your pointless flattery; you need only fulfill one task."

With that, the man departed.

"Sigh," Gale Storm Emperor sighed in resignation.

***

Azrael continued his journey, bringing the girl along like a prisoner. Weeks had passed, and they found themselves on a different planet. The people around them, initially shocked by the scene, had learned not to interfere with Azrael's business.

"Can you please release me now?" the female pleaded.

"No, I won't let a vicious person like you roam freely beside me."

"Hmmmph," the female could only pout, "Then at least let me taste that meat you are cooking. Although I don't need to eat with my cultivation being high enough, watching you eat meats and fruits deliciously every day is driving me crazy by now!"

Azrael chuckled. He then reached for the fruits near him and brought one close to her mouth.

"What is this?"

"I am feeding you, like a pet."

"How hateful! You could have just released me from this rope."

"Not gonna happen, girl."

"Hmmp," the female could only reluctantly bite the fruit, and she was taken aback by how sweet it was. She bit again and again, and before she knew it, tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Azrael couldn't help but be surprised by this sudden reaction, wondering, [Does she really want to eat that badly that she would cry?]

"I-I-I am sorry for the sudden outburst," the female said after a while, calming down.

Azrael merely looked at her and then sat near her.

"Cecilia. You can call me Cecilia."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I've been really tense these past months, with only the mindset of surviving, without truly understanding the reality out here. I was forced to endure, spending lonely nights watching for dangers, trying to steal and rob just to gather spirit stones for teleportation arrays. All of this has worn me out. Although you were forceful at first—and I can't blame you because I did try to rob you—though you restrained me with this rope, you never took advantage of me. You even talked to me, something I've really missed these past months."

Azrael looked at her, attempting to decipher any hidden motives. However, all he could sense was her sincerity.

Several months had passed, and the two continued their travels, navigating through various planets and encountering different landscapes.

"Why are you still traveling, not to mention venturing into danger zones and forests like this one? Do you truly crave battle that much? All you seem to do is battle monsters," she questioned.

Azrael looked at her and replied, "I am trying to comprehend something."

"And what is it?"

"The Great Dao."

"You?" Cecilia asked. "Don't tell me you are already at the Saint Realm or at least a half-step saint." She said incredulously.

"No," Azrael stood up and walked towards her, tapping her forehead.

"W-what are you going to do to me?"

"With this, I don't need to use the rope anymore. I have developed a technique these past months that restricts someone's actions. Although it doesn't limit your cultivation, it still enforces effective restrictions. If you try to harm me or flee away from me, it would induce pain." Azrael then retrieved the rope.

However, Cecilia seemed not to hear his explanation and flung towards him, not to attack, but to hug. "Thank you!!! You gave me back my freedom."

"Easy, girl," Azrael broke free and flicked his index on her forehead.

"Ouch!!!"

"I didn't free you because I feel pity for you; I just did it because it's getting annoying having to save you every time a monster tries to attack you."

"Even so, thank you."

Azrael only smiled.

The two journeyed through different planets, ventured into danger zones, explored secret realms, and fought side by side. As time passed, more than a year since their initial meeting, a strong bond formed between them. Cecilia's cultivation advanced significantly during this time, while Azrael's comprehension of the Great Dao deepened. 

***

"It's been more than a year since I ordered you, Gale Storm Emperor."

"F-fellow daoist, I-I was doing everything I can." [Damnit, I am using all of my resources to search universes within my dimension.]

"You are not doing enough! Why can't you just announce within your territory that the girl is wanted with a bounty on her head!"

"B-but that wouldn't look good on my name. I am a Divine Emperor, and I can't possibly give special attention to a weak cultivator. It would appear as if a puny cultivator is causing me a headache. Not to mention, she's a beauty; people would undoubtedly think that I am using my authority to seize a beauty for myself."

"I don't care about your face."

BOOOM!!!

"Cough!" Gale Storm Emperor coughed up blood.

[Too strong!]

"Make up your mind now."

"I-I would."

"Good."

Then the man left.