Darla had known that Yasenia was strong. Yaseniaâs ability to one-shot-kill Darlaâs peers already spoke volumes. Unless destructive energies that could overwhelm defenses were mixed in her attacks, killing someone in one hit was just impossible.
But.
Darlaâs eyes moved toward the void and receding ocean and then shifted them to look up at the dragon, who acted like a heavenly curtain, shrouding the world in her shadow. Her presence and attitude felt as if the dragon wanted to blot out Heaven itself, standing atop every single living being.
The giant dragon moved her neck slowly, the massive dragon head turning their way. âNow, is it clear?â
No one answered, but the silence spoke a thousand times more convincingly than any speech ever could. Yasenia, seeing that these powerhouses had been convinced, nodded and transformed back into her human form.
This time, she wore her usual revealing blue dress, her eyes calm as she flew over toward Angel and hugged her into her arms. âLetâs go. Two other sects are left.â
Darlaâs heart thumped, but she didnât say anything this time around. She just nodded numbly.
For the rest of the day, Yasenia traveled to two other locations and created two more chasms. Whoever survived her breath attack was left to their own devices, as Yasenia would not lower herself to hunt those people.
Her objective was to leave a scar in these peopleâs hearts so that they never coveted Evelynâs crown ever again. âLooking at their faces, it seems Iâve succeeded.â
Yasenia, having completed her aim, looked at Evelyn with a gentle look and asked. âIs there anything else you want to do in this world, love? If there is nothing else, we can prepare to leave.â
Evelyn pondered, and after a while, she shook her head. âThere is nothing left. I also have no regrets. If you want to leave, we can do so whenever you want.â
Chen Tian, having followed, frowned for a moment before sighing to himself. âWhatever. At least my father was not stupid and managed to keep his head.â
Looking up, he noticed that Yasenia didnât even look his way, clearly not taking him seriously. âBoy, you have a bright future ahead. Donât let this stump you.â
Chen Tian looked to the side and saw Sierra smiling at him. He smiled back. âThank you, Sierra.â
With a flash of light, Yasenia summoned her repaired flying ship, and everyone boarded. Yasenia was the last one, looking at Darlaâs shocked face one last time. âSect Master Darla. Youâve gotten too stale. Your aptitude and talent are not something this Heavenly Layer can trap.â
She didnât hate this woman. So, she spoke a single sentence. Whether she heard or not, Yasenia didnât care. So, she didnât even confirm if she had heard before boarding with Angel in her arms.
A second later, the ship accelerated and became a distant light dot, soaring into the cosmos. Seeing the ship fly off, Darla looked up, her usually serious eyes looking a touch lost.
The sky she always looked at now felt⊠cramped. As if she were a frog looking up from the bottom of a well. âPerhaps⊠I have truly become stagnant.â
She recalled that back when she was much younger, she always had a drive to improve. It was this drive that pushed her among the billions of cultivators to reach the very top. At some point, though, she became complacent.
âWhen did it start?â Darla wondered. âAh. After becoming the Sect Master⊠that was when it happened.â
In her mind, becoming the Sect Master of one of the strongest sects in the world was reaching her âpeak.â So, that drive pushing her forward became dormant.
âIt seems⊠Iâll need to choose my successor soon.â
***
Traveling in space, Evelyn looked at Yasenia with a curious look. Yasenia, always sharp when it came to her dears, smiled at her. âAre you wondering why I told her that?â
Evelyn blinked and then smiled wryly. âYou truly understand me.â
Yasenia laughed, setting Angel down and picking up her little girl. Falling into Yaseniaâs endlessly soft embrace, Evelyn sighed in relaxation. The feeling of pressing against the dragonessâs curves was truly blissful.
âThe reason is that you seem to have some respect for her.â
Evelyn looked up, surprised. Yasenia poked her nose with a smile. âSilly girl. Did you think I could not tell how reluctant you looked after she spoke to you that way? Clearly, Darla is someone you respect as your Master, regardless of what happened. So, me giving her a little push is entirely appropriate.â
Those simple yet incredibly honest words made Evelynâs heart thump loudly. It felt as if this silly dragoness of hers only knew how to make her happy and nothing else. Evelyn circled her arms around Yaseniaâs neck, burying her face in her neck as she pressed their bodies together. âI love you.â
Yasenia smiled happily, her arms hugging her dear tightly. âI love you, too.â
Tatyana picked up a glass, drank a red liquid, and licked her lips. âSo, are we still going to find Kali next?â
Evelyn looked up, curious. âKali?â Looking around, she realized. âSpeaking of which, how come you have not picked up Cecile for the last?â
Yasenia closed her eyes for a moment and smiled. âHer mood is quite placid. So, I decided to pick her up last. I am more worried about you and Kali, whom I canât sense closely.â
Evelyn rubbed her chin. âIf I donât recall incorrectly, Kali and Angel should have your mark, right?â
Angel pouted a bit. âMine is almost gone⊠I barely managed to keep it active by absorbing some dragon essence from a few tombs and secret realms.â
Yasenia paused as Angel continued. âFeeding Yaseniaâs remaining blood essence with them was a bit difficult. The first time, I almost made a mistake and absorbed them myself instead of Yaseniaâs essence.â
Evelyn felt Yaseniaâs slightly tense body relax, making her sweat. âIf Angel had mixed with another dragonâs blood essence, Yasenia mightâve gone and exterminated their entire bloodline.â
Mirrory looked at Yasenia with a snort. âGirl, mixing with dragon essence is a good thing. It strengthens the blood and body. Honestly, using those resources to keep your mark active is extravagant at worst.â
Yasenia frowned and turned to look at Tatyana. âHow long until we arrive at Kaliâs world?â
Tatyana looked at the map and spoke. âKali and Cecileâs worlds are a bit further away. So⊠around four months? Of course, if we ride you and you use your fastest speed, we can shorten that time to a little over two weeks effortlessly.â
Yasenia, while she was in a haste to meet her dears, didnât want to disregard the dears she had already picked up. Moreover, according to Tatyana, Kali and Cecile were doing well at a personal level.
Although hearing âpersonal levelâ as a description mark made Yaseniaâs tail twitch in annoyance, she knew that nothing would happen in a short time. Hence, she was not rushing like when she was speeding toward Andrea.
âSince thatâs the caseâŠâ Yasenia stood up, placing Evelyn where she was sitting, and walked toward the shipâs kitchen. âI will cook something nice.â
Tatyana extended her hand, grabbing Yaseniaâs tail as she passed her. âAahn~.â
A soft and celestial moan that made everyone present feel blood rush to their heads left Yaseniaâs mouth. The dragoness looked back with a pouty but charming expression. âWhy grab my tail? We can play later, Mom.â
Tatyana sighed and gave her a half-annoyed glare. âDo you think I donât know you intend to mix your blood essence in the food to compensate Angel and the other two after hearing Mirroryâs comment? Donât do silly things like that.â
Yaseniaâs wagging tail stiffened, her eyes flashing with a touch of guilt. âW-Why not? I can recover it easily⊠Moreover, there is basically no threat in these worlds. Being a bit weakened doesnât affect me muchâŠâ
Tatyana didnât need to speak as Angel approached and, to Yaseniaâs surprise, slapped her butt quite hard.
Slap~.
âHng~. B-Baby?â
Yaseniaâs body rippled like a ripe fruit, momentarily stalling what Angel wanted to say as her blue eyes took in those sensual undulations. Snapping out of the charming ripples, Angel looked up with a stern look. âDonât do that. Do you think we would be happy if you hurt yourself? I thought Kali made this quite clear back in the day.â
Yaseniaâs tail fell, defeated, her eyes looking sad and misty.
This single look almost pierced through all their defenses like an armor-piercing punch. Yasenia spoke with a hint of guilt. âB-But⊠I canât fulfill my promise to you otherwise.â
Angel and the others paused. Angel frowned for a second. âWhat promise?â
Yasenia was not offended that Angel didnât remember. Instead, she lowered her body to hug and pick her up. âDidnât I promise you Iâd find a way to keep my mark on you forever?â
Angelâs blue eyes suddenly widened a touch, recalling that conversation. Back then, she was a touch jealous of Cecileâs soulmate connection, but Angel herself still carried Yaseniaâs blood essence in her blood. However, when she learned that Yaseniaâs mark was temporary and would eventually dissipate, she was heartbroken.
So, Yasenia promised her she would find a way to keep that mark on her forever.
It was so long ago that Angel had almost forgotten. Looking at the soft and loving golden slit eyes, Angel felt a lump at the back of her throat for a moment. â...To make her promise me something so silly. I am reallyâŠâ
âYou are not.â
âHuh?â
Yasenia looked at her with a smile. âYou are not selfish. I also intended to mark all of you one way or another. Itâs just that I never really found a way that worked without using my blood essence. So, I never brought it up.â Kissing Angelâs beautiful eyes, Yasenia smiled softly. âSo, donât show me that guilty look. This promise, I am willing to keep, like all promises Iâve made until now.â
The rest became silent, looking at Yaseniaâs smiling expression. This time, even Tatyana didnât know what to say. Her darling had quite a few bottom lines. Still, one bottom line Yasenia has never broken is her promises. If she said she promised to do something, that meant she would do it.
Tatyana recalled the few promises Yasenia made to her about loving her, and her heart couldnât help but soften in a puddle of love. âThis silly girlâŠâ
She sighed and spoke. âOnce.â
Yaseniaâs eyes lit up, and Tatyana looked at her. âOnly once. After this time, even if it runs out, it doesnât mean you have not fulfilled the promise. It means that you have not yet attained the correct method. Am I clear?â
Our dragoness placed Angel down and grinned. âUnderstood!â
Then, they all saw her leave with a happily wagging tail. It wasnât until two days later that Yasenia returned, her face a touch pale.
Seeing that face, Tatyana immediately regretted it.
However, that regret also became a puff of smoke when Yasenia placed a delicious-looking Olivier Salad with Yaseniaâs own twist. There were even some salmon-like slices, olives, and delicious tuna among the original ingredients like potato, mayonnaise, and other ingredients.
Seeing Yasenia store two portions in her ring while expectantly waiting for them to eat. They all decided to start.
Evelyn and the rest took a fork and placed the food in their mouths. Instantly, a delicious mix of flavors exploded in their mouths. âHeavens⊠so delicious.â
Andrea muttered, but she didnât stop eating. She knew the significance of this plate, so she cleaned it until it was spotless.
Tatyana didnât eat it, though, leaving it for her main body.
A second later, Evelyn, Andrea, and Angel suddenly felt a scorching force burst out from their stomachs, and they immediately sat down cross-legged. Mirrory, feeling the abundance of that energy, couldnât help but sigh in awe. âYou are a dragon-shaped treasure, Yasenia. This mixed drop is enough to crush any other boon.â
Yasenia laughed, even if there was a touch of tiredness between her brows. âThatâs for the best. I hope they can become stronger.â
Tatyana sighed again, standing up and sitting on Yaseniaâs lap. âIf I donât pamper this girl until she is a purring mess, I will write my name backward!â
So, Yasenia became a purring mess under Tatyanaâs ministrations.