Chapter 169: The source of the problem
"Wait... I'm actually tied up?"
Holy Maiden Aeliana's expression shifted slightly as she looked at the ropes wrapped around her body.
She quickly tried to channel her spiritual energy, attempting to break free with a sudden burst of power.
However, she soon realized that not only was she completely unable to break the ropes, but even her spiritual energy was gradually being suppressed by the golden bindings.
The overwhelming pressure that had been holding Timothy down had already dissipated.
Seeing Timothy slowly starting to move again, a trace of panic finally appeared on Aeliana's beautiful face.
A rope that could restrain someone as powerful as a Holy Emperor—what kind of divine artifact was this?
"Heavenly-level? No, even a Mythic-grade artifact shouldn't be able to do this!"
To make matters worse, Aeliana was already dressed lightly, and the ropes were tied in a rather... compromising way.
As she struggled, her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red.
She never would have imagined that something could exist in this world that could restrict a Holy Emperor-level being without any spiritual energy or formation to back it up.
And then, something happened that made Aeliana even more anxious.
She watched as Timothy slowly walked toward her, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Holy Maiden, I believe it's my turn now."
"I was just joking earlier, Timothy! Calm down, okay?"
Aeliana's face turned pale, and she was clearly in full-blown panic mode.
The room was dimly lit, with flickering candlelight casting shadows on the walls. Find your next adventure on m_v l|e'm-p| y r
She was tightly bound, and the situation felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter!
But no matter how much she pleaded, it did nothing to stop Timothy's advance.
Her delicate face grew paler, and her tear-filled eyes could only watch as Timothy lifted her skirt and then... raised his hand.
"No!"
The room echoed with Aeliana's embarrassed and helpless cries.
And then...
Ah...
Ah... ah...
Ahhh...
Much later, Aeliana limped out of the room, her hand rubbing her sore backside.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Timothy with a mix of resentment and a hint of indignation at being so thoroughly humiliated.
"So, you used that powerful artifact to tie me up just so you could spank me?"
"Of course. What did you think I was going to do, Holy Maiden?"
Timothy smiled as he gazed at her.
"I wasn't thinking anything!" Aeliana immediately retorted, her face flushing red, feeling like her dignity had been utterly shattered.
It was one thing to be spanked by Sylvia.
But to think that Timothy would also spank her!
As a Holy Maiden, her pride was completely crushed!
If this keeps up, won't there come a day when the two of them gang up on me?
This is just too much!
At that moment, Aeliana suddenly noticed that the golden rope Timothy had used to bind her was slowly dissipating.
The overwhelming spiritual energy that seemed capable of binding anything had completely vanished, dissolving into the air.
"No wonder it was so powerful—this rope is a one-time use!"
Holy Maiden Aeliana couldn't help but marvel at the realization.
She had never seen such a miraculous artifact before, and if it weren't for this strange rope, she wouldn't have ended up in such a humiliating situation.
"Wait a minute!"
Aeliana suddenly flashed a smug smile as she looked at Timothy, a crucial thought dawning on her.
Since the rope could only be used once, that meant Timothy no longer had anything that could restrain her!
Maybe she could even get some payback for the humiliation she just endured!
"Timothy, Timothy... I never thought you'd slip up like this~"
A mischievous glint appeared in Aeliana's eyes as she prepared to make her move, her hand glowing with energy.
But before she could act, Timothy casually pulled another Binding Immortal Rope out of his spatial ring.
He had received two ropes as a reward for completing two missions, and this one hadn't been used yet.
"How do you have another one?!"
Aeliana's confidence evaporated in an instant.
Her backside was still stinging, and she took a step back, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll always keep a rope handy just for binding Holy Maidens, so don't get any funny ideas," Timothy said with a smile.
"Damn it!"
Aeliana couldn't believe it. Just when she thought she had found a weakness, Timothy had countered her again.
But feeling the lingering pain in her rear, she didn't dare try any more tricks.
"Timothy, I swear I'll get you back for this!"
Tears glistening in her eyes, Aeliana pouted and turned to leave.
But Timothy stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"What are you doing... You're not going to tie me up again, are you?"
Aeliana's voice trembled with lingering fear as she crossed her arms protectively over her chest.
"Of course not. I don't have any weird hobbies..."
Timothy sighed, but his expression quickly grew serious. "I've figured out what caused the Blossoms of the Seven Emotions to malfunction."
"You found it?"
Aeliana's surprise was evident. Despite using the restrictions within the Blooming Sanctuary and conducting a thorough investigation, she hadn't been able to find anything.
The power of the Soulborn Eye was truly astonishing.
"What was the cause?"
"The Dragon Blood Formation. It was responsible for disrupting the Blossoms of the Seven Emotions and nearly throwing the Blooming Sanctuary into chaos."
Timothy's words left Aeliana stunned.
"The Dragon Blood Formation?!"
She had heard rumors about it.
Holy Emperor Thunderflame had captured the Ocean Dragon King to use him as a component for the Dragon Blood Formation.
A formation that could use a Dragon King as a material was bound to be incredibly sinister.
Since Timothy had slain Holy Emperor Thunderflame, there hadn't been any more news about the Dragon Blood Formation.
But it made sense that only such a bizarre formation could silently sabotage the deeply hidden Blossoms of the Seven Emotions.
As they spoke, Aeliana suddenly turned her gaze toward a distant hillside, several miles away from the Blooming Sanctuary.
In an instant, her figure transformed into a streak of light, and she appeared on the hillside.
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion echoed through the air, though no one knew what had happened in the distance.
But the overwhelming divine power emanating from that direction was a testament to Aeliana's immense strength.
Moments later, Aeliana returned to Timothy's side, letting out a sigh. "The person who was secretly observing us had some kind of spell on their body. The moment I reached them, they self-destructed, their soul completely obliterated—not even a trace of their spirit remained."
She opened her hand, revealing a single, pristine white feather.
"To be able to destroy the soul of a spy before a Holy Emperor could act... It seems the Dragon Blood Formation is indeed as sinister as they say.
But..."
Timothy smiled faintly. "I've already found the source of the problem with the Blossoms of the Seven Emotions."