The island was comparatively large, but that didn’t make it safer, though. More space meant that more powerful beasts could take more territory within it. Yasenia was not worried about it. After all, her own bloodline and strength made it so that other beasts would not come in her way.
Only very few beasts with high-bloodline levels would dare attack her. Naturally, if Yasenia tried to steal a treasure they were guarding, those truths would change.
When she arrived near the shore, the dragoness could sense dozens of auras approaching like hers. ‘This will be quite a mess. The number of cultivators is quickly increasing. If the treasure takes too long to appear, it will not be about individual prowess but group strength.’
When she thought about it deeply, her mind became calm. ‘I have a few cards I can play. Even if I can’t get the main treasure, I might be able to make a decent profit either way.’
Yasenia streaked through the dense jungle, her aura acting as a deterrent for beasts. It only took her a few seconds to arrive at the location of the treasure.
Nevertheless, when she was approaching, many auras came crashing down from all directions.
“HALT!”
Yasenia complied but secretly took out a [Profound Energy Shield Talisman]. When she stopped, she noticed three people appearing in front of her.
The two men and one woman wore white robes with orange edges. The mix of colors was somewhat tacky, but the design made them look classy and pleasant. Yasenia’s eyes flashed when she saw such a characteristic design. ‘They are from the [Radiant Flow Sect].’
Thinking of Lidia, she decided to act properly with them. Her aura softened slightly, and she bowed once. “Seniors of the [Radiant Flow Sec], I am Yasenia Dravory. I came here after noticing the spike in energy; there are many others coming in this direction.”
With this, she presented her identity and also warned the three of them that she was not the only one coming. It was clear to any person with some intelligence that she was trying to be amicable with them.
The leader of the group noticed and nodded. “We know. Sadly, we are not the only ones here. We’ve called for reinforcements, but it will take a while for them to arrive.” After looking at Yasenia’s calm golden slit eyes, the man spoke carefully. “If you don’t mind, would you like to ally with us until then? We could make some use of fellow daoist Yasenia’s strength. Of course, we won’t be stingy and compensate you after the fact.”
Yasenia would usually not accept that kind of offer. She preferred to watch from a distance and extend her claws when opportunity arose. Nevertheless, her intention of making friends with the sect was more prevalent. ‘My chances of getting this treasure are slim either way. I might as well focus on my second objective.’
“That would be my pleasure,” she then added with a smile. “Still, my compensation will not be cheap.”
The woman behind the man crossed her arms and smiled faintly, her look challenging. “That would be the case as long as you make some kind of contribution. Do you think you can make enough to back up those words?”
The dragoness didn’t notice malice, but more competitiveness from her. Therefore, she matched the woman’s look. “Words mean nothing in this situation. I’ll speak with my actions later.”
“Ho~?” The woman raised her willowy eyebrow and nodded. “That’s great. I am Meng Lihua, the [Radiant Flow Sect]’s Right Protector. This stubborn man over here is Ma Tianhao, the Left Protector.”
Yasenia’s eyes flashed with hidden surprise. ‘Protector? They must be near the peak of the Transcendence Realm outside of the sect. For someone of this caliber to have entered the Secret Realm… Were they aiming for this treasure?’
“Oy. Did you forget about me, Lady Meng?”
The woman gave the slender and playful-looking man a side glance. “No. Knowing you, the second I present you, you will try to flirt with Yasenia. I would rather have an extra ally than gain an enemy.”
The man started sweating. “L-Lady Meng, I might be a woman-loving man, but I am righteous in my lust! Only beautiful and willing girls will end up gently hugged in my embrace!”
Yasenia’s lips twitched, a faint chuckle escaping her. ‘He speaks like Evelyn. A fun character.’
“Oh!” The man heard Yasenia’s very covered chuckle, and his eyes glittered. He went to one knee, extending his hand forward. “Gorgeous lady. My honored name is Chen Youle! This little one is mesmerized by your laugh, voice, and beauty. Please, let me pursue you!”
Meng Lihua deadpanned at him, sighing and speaking to Yasenia. “Forgive him. He is usually like that.”
Yasenia didn’t mind. He was direct, but his gestures were clearly measured and at a distance so that she didn’t feel uncomfortable. ‘Hm. Perhaps it is because his personality resembles Evelyn, but I don’t really hate it.’
Yasenia spoke while shaking her head. “Do not mind much, Lady Meng. I am desensitized to people’s pursuits. His way of doing it is refreshing and amusing compared to the grand majority.”
Chen Youle’s eyes twitched. ‘A-Amusing…’
Meng Lihua’s lips arched faintly. “I see. Then that’s alright.”
The man, Ma Tianhao, spoke solemnly. “Those annoying guys are here as well.”
The other two looked where the man was looking, and Yasenia finally had a chance to look around. The first thing she checked was the people Ma Tianhao was wary of.
‘Demonic sect people.’
A single look was all it took. They were gaunt, with sickly pale skins, and a dark Yin aura surrounded their bodies. “Who are they? They feel like someone from a sect that deals with souls.”
“Oh?” This time, the indifferent Ma Tianhao showed a glint of interest. “That’s an accurate statement. They are from the [Ghost Flame Sect]. The six people you are seeing there are all quite powerful outside the sect… I didn’t expect them to get information about this item as well.”
‘Ghost Flame Sect… That’s one of the sects that Mo Yun and Star Forge told me to be wary of…’
Yasenia looked towards the middle to check on the treasure.
In the middle of a cleared area, a fist-sized yellow bead floated quietly above the ground. This bead was emitting powerful Star Energies, distorting the space around it. Yasenia squinted her eyes. ‘That bead… It’s a truly powerful treasure. It is at least a Supreme-ranked treasure… It might be even higher.’
“May I ask what that treasure is?”
Chen Youle looked at Yasenia strangely. “You… Have you been in secluded cultivation for ten thousand years? First, you don’t know the [Ghost Flame Sect], and now you don’t know about the [Star Breaker Realm Bead]?”
Yasenia was startled at the name. She commented lightly, ignoring his first sentence. “That sounds imposing. What does it do?”
Her gaze was fixed on Chen Youle, showing a bit of feminine softness as she asked. The man’s heart tickled at Yasenia’s gaze, and he opened his mouth to speak. “W-Well, that bead is—”
Yasenia’s lips arched below her veil. ‘I didn’t expect him to be so easy to convince through the woman… Is he romantically attracted? That would explain it. At least, I have confirmed that their relations are not simple. Moreover, the woman seems to hold the reins of that relationship.’
“Thank you, Lady Meng.”
Meng Lihua smiled back. “Don’t be so stiff. Since you are with us, and I can tell that you are quite a young dragon. How about you call me Sister Meng?”
Yasenia showed a proper junior appearance and nodded, purposely revealing a barely detectable admiration. “I will, Sister Meng.”
“Great.” Satisfied, the woman began explaining. “That [Star Breaker Realm Bead] is the artifact that made the past [Broken Star Sect] so powerful. It is a bead with a trial inside. This trial is available for all creatures up to the third level of the Transcendence Realm. If you overcome the trial, you can receive guidance from an expert in your energies, affinities, etc. It’s a miraculous treasure that any sect would want.”
Yasenia felt that the story about this bead didn’t end there. However, Meng Lihua had already revealed some functions, so pushing here would only make her appear rude and inconsiderate.
“Thank you, Sister Meng! I can understand why seniors such as yourself have come to the Secret Realm now.”
Chen Youle nodded twice. “Right, right. There are also other treasures… Basically, the seven fragments of the Broken Star Inheritance. I heard that there is an Immortal Battle Formation—”
“Chen Youle.” Ma Tianhao glared at the man. “Your mouth can fit whales inside. Since it is so big, close it for a while.”
Yasenia held back her laughter. She didn’t expect the serious man to stab Chen Youle with words so harshly.
After learning about the situation, Yasenia planned in her head how to benefit the most in this situation. ‘Can I somehow get the item? Probably not…’ There was a hint of greed in her heart. But she understood that the situation must align perfectly if she wanted to get it.
The first and most important condition was that no one found out she had the treasure. Unless that first condition was checked out, Yasenia didn’t dare to get this treasure-shaped calamity.
While waiting, the treasure was emitting increasingly stronger energy waves. It was clear that the treasure was up to something. ‘...It won’t explode, right?’
Stealthily taking a look at the three seniors, she didn’t notice any nervousness. This allowed her to relax.
‘I wonder how I can bring out information about Lidia from them? Asking directly is too suspicious. I guess I’ll have to use indirect methods… The figurine I bought will come in handy.’
While she was pondering, she felt several presences approach—they were other people of the [Radiant Flow Sect].
“Right Protector! Left Protector! We are here!”
Around 12 people, all Transcendence Realm powerhouses, landed by their side.
‘Compared with the rest, they are not lacking at all. The groups I can detect all consist of ten to twenty Transcendence Realm cultivators.’
She could also see the [Astral Death Sect], but she decided to ignore them for now. While she was pondering, she saw a woman step forward.
This woman’s beauty was extraordinary, and behind her, two pairs of beautiful, white, feathered wings shone brightly. ‘That’s… a Throne Cleansing Realm Divine. I didn’t see them, so I expected them not to appear. I guess they just don’t like to do things publicly.’