Watching Xayah's complete 180-degree change in attitude, Riven beside them silently curled her lips.
This was the most headache-inducing thing about the Joy Factor. Although the Joy Factor didn't forcibly brainwash people, merely enhancing their senses, the problem was that Faen's "specs" were absolutely top-tier. This handsomeness wasn't beauty in the traditional sense, where one look left an unforgettable impression and a single touch turned you into an obsessive succubus constantly yearning for him, wanting nothing more than to be pinned to the ground and pounded right then and there.
...
Alright, those symptoms did develop in the later stages. But initially, especially during the first meeting, it just made people's eyes light up, feeling that he was a pretty good guy, very pleasing to the eye, with nothing unlikable about him.
But based on Riven's experience, this "nothing unlikable about him" was the most terrifying part. Because this seemingly harmless exterior actually made people subconsciously deepen their interactions and connections with him. And considering Faen's myriad methods and tricks, the ultimate result naturally became complete subjugation, turning into this guy's exclusive meat sleeve, a "contrast bitch" who let him take whatever he wanted regardless of the occasion, a pregnancy-bag slut at his beck and call.
Whatever, it's just another sister in bed, another competitor for his favor.
Thinking this, Riven didn't pay it too much mind. After all, the number of times they held massive orgies was relatively low. In most daily situations, Faen adopted the principle of proximity—whoever was nearby was who he played with. With a sharply reduced number of people, working together to share Faen's venting lust was also a science. If they coordinated well, not only was it easier on everyone, but the experience was also much better.
With these thoughts, Riven couldn't help but take a few more glances at Xayah.
Although Xayah herself hadn't noticed, she had already lost all basic guardedness toward Faen. Even when talking, the pair of ears on her head were swaying back and forth, displaying goodwill through body language just like a little dog meeting a friend.
Right now, it was just the goodwill of meeting a friend. But it wouldn't be long before it turned into the fawning of a bitch meeting her master, right?
Thinking of her own bunny suit, Riven shook her head helplessly in her heart once more. This is just how this life is going to be. Can't quit it, can't shake him off, so I might as well just lie flat and let him fuck me. At least Faen is someone who remembers old feelings. Once we have a daughter in the future, it'll deepen our bond and connection in that regard.
After chatting with Faen for a while and feeling he was a pretty good guy, Xayah nodded. But as she withdrew her gaze, her eyes inadvertently fell upon Sona, who was resting in Faen's embrace. Although Sona hadn't spoken from beginning to end, seeing Sona curled up in Faen's arms looking completely clueless and innocent, just looking at her made Xayah feel an inexplicable emotion churning in her heart.
It couldn't exactly be called jealousy... but it probably wasn't envy either?
Not knowing how to describe this feeling in her heart, Xayah could only forcefully tear her gaze away, preventing herself from paying attention to Sona in Faen's arms.
But then again, that girl's breasts are really huge, and her skin looks incredibly soft too. No wonder Faen likes girls like that...
Wait, what am I thinking?
Shaking her head to throw the messy thoughts out of her mind, Xayah took a deep breath and began focusing her attention on Faen.
With Xayah leading the way, the group soon arrived at the avian tribe's territory. Before they even entered, while they were still some distance away from the tribal settlement, a dense crowd of people appeared in their line of sight.
To Xayah's slight surprise, they hadn't even entered the tribe yet, but in Xayah's vision, the tribe's chieftain and elders had already been waiting for a long time. And standing at the very front was none other than the tribe's longest-living member, the Great Elder, who was over two hundred years old.
Upon seeing Faen, the Great Elder asked in a voice like dry bark, "Sir... I heard you were bestowed the Mark of the Twin Dragons by the Enlightened One, Karma? When this old man was young and studying in the Placidium, I had the honor of seeing the Mark of the Twin Dragons. I wonder if you would allow me to behold its past glory once more?"
Though his voice was old, it was filled with solemnity. Seeing this, Faen nodded, then extended his hand, revealing the Mark of the Twin Dragons upon it.
Upon seeing the Mark of the Twin Dragons, the Great Elder fell into a brief silence. He then rubbed his eyes with trembling hands. After confirming he hadn't misread, he spoke in a sorrowful voice, "Wonderful... It's real. It's the true Mark of the Twin Dragons. The sages of the Temple of the Long-Standing haven't forgotten us! The Enlightened One, Karma, hasn't forgotten the Vastaya! The Spirit of Ionia hasn't abandoned the avian tribe!"
As he spoke, the old man was about to kneel, but before he could, Faen reached out and stopped him using condensed water vapor. "There's no need for this, old sir. I am here to help the Vastaya. It is my duty and my mission; you do not need to bow to me. Rather, the fact that, in such a deteriorating living environment, you are still willing to trust me because I hold the Mark of the Twin Dragons from Karma—instead of rejecting and hating me due to past experiences—is already a pleasant surprise to me."
Hearing this, the old man wiped the tears from his eyes, then sighed, "The Vastaya can sense the changes in Ionia more clearly. The Spirit Realm of Ionia, which has been calm for hundreds, even thousands of years, is now churning with turbulent waves. Traces of a tsunami have even appeared on the western coast. This undoubtedly means that all of Ionia is suffering from a calamity. How could I not be understanding of the situation the Enlightened One faces?"
As he spoke, the old man paused, then turned his gaze to Xayah, who was beside Faen, still looking bewildered and seemingly unaware of what was happening. He immediately scolded:
"Xayah! Why are you still sitting beside the Envoy? I heard from the others that you proactively attacked the Envoy! Get down here and apologize at once!"
"Uh? Ah? Me? Apologize?"
Hearing this, Xayah felt a buzzing noise in her head. She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start. Seeing the seriousness in the Great Elder's eyes, Xayah opened her mouth, but ultimately could only lower her head, a wave of indignation filling her heart... She had just been having a pleasant chat with Faen, even laughing and joking along the way. And now, the moment she arrived, she had to dismount and apologize...
Although she was indeed in the wrong, how to put it? Being semi-forced to apologize to a good friend she had just been laughing and joking with made Xayah feel inexplicably humiliated and ashamed.
But right at that moment, Faen spoke up: "Hold on a moment."