Noticing others nearby, Xinlin whispered to Yasenia. "I will take the lead in the conversations. Don't worry. Even if they talk to you, unless you really feel like answering, you can stay silent. Also, there is no need to turn back into your human form. If someone dares to say anything, I am here."
This was totally not because Xinlin adored Yasenia's small dragon form. It was because her human form would be more problematic, or so Xinlin rationalized in her head.
Yasenia readily nodded. Xinlin knew much more than she did about the relationships and personalities of the people who they were about to meet, so she wouldn't act arrogantly and take the leadership spot.
Xinlin glanced around and sent out a pulse of Spiritual Sense. That pulse immediately pinged her mind with everyone else's location and identity. Her expression didn't even twitch; she had already shifted gears to Sect Master.
Still, she communicated with Yasenia through Spiritual Sense. 'There are a few annoying ones, but there are people who are worth interacting with. Stay behind me. I can sense that the Succubi and Gandharva have also come. Thankfully, I can't sense the Incubi nor the Mara.'
Yasenia answered nonchalantly. 'We killed the Incubi group. Do not take them into consideration.'
Xinlin's eyebrow moved slightly, and after giving Yasenia an admiring look, she nodded. 'Understood… Good riddance.'
When their group arrived at the gates, they saw many large groups of cultivators, demons, and divines standing at a certain distance. Yasenia had studied groups and emblems, so she could distinguish many of them. As for Divine and Demon species, Yasenia was even more familiar with those, so there was no need to mention it.
A tiger beastkin with white fur and black stripes looked over and smiled faintly. "Sect Master Jian, it is a pleasure to meet you."
'Sect Master of the Ninefold Mountain Sect. One of the four righteous Supreme Sects. Straightforward and honest. A good man to befriend.''
After sending that quick message to Yasenia, Xinlin nodded with a faint smile. "Sect Master Hu, it is quite a relief to meet you here."
Hu Xingdi laughed, his handsome features pleasant to look at. "You saying that makes my day brighter, Sect Master Jian. Also…" Looking at Yasenia, he raised his straight, sword-like eyebrow. "I can see that you are accompanied by someone surprising."
Jian Xinlin, knowing this man well, smiled faintly. "She would surprise you. I can guess that she can fight against you for a few minutes."
Hu Xingdi blinked and showed a trace of suspicion and disbelief. "Even if you want to put her in my good books, aren't you exaggerating too much?"
Tong Zhuo spoke with the same cold expression he showed the girls at first. "Tiger head, don't let her appearance and cultivation deceive you. I was struck by her attack combination, and she embedded me onto a wall like a decoration. Also, she is a strong fighter like you… but much more elegant, beautiful, and pleasant to watch. Ah. Forget that. She is not like you at all. You are just her inferior version."
Hu Xingdi felt his forehead bulge as he glared at him. "Hey. Why do you pick up a fight every time we meet, ha? If you want me to cave in that annoyingly handsome face of yours, you don't need to say it in a roundabout way."
Tong Zhuo rubbed his chin. "Thank you. You are not bad yourself. It's a shame that your arms are as thick as a woman's thighs. Sigh."
Hu Xingdi snorted. "That's my charm point."
Jian Xinlin chuckled. "Alright, alright. Sect Master Hu, did you find any interesting juniors?"
Hu Xingdi sighed and nodded. "I have, but if what you said is true, I am now feeling a bit despondent. Compared to Madam Dravory, it seems that my findings are severely lacking."
Not understanding that, while being honest, these Sect Masters were speaking in code, the man that Hu Xingdi found snorted and stepped forward. "Sect Master! I don't think I am much worse than Madam Dravory. She might be a dragon, but I am also the strongest talent in my tribe!"
Both Sect Master thoughts aligned quite well this time. 'Just for opening your mouth, you are ten times worse!'
Hu Xingdi glanced back at the over two-meter-tall, muscular man who even dwarfed him, and smiled faintly. "Your spirit is great! I am confident in you as well."
Of course, he wouldn't bash down the talent that would join his sect. So, he shooed him away with a compliment. He just hoped that Yasenia would not poke in her nose and make matters worse. Sometimes, geniuses were too headstrong, after all.
Seeing Yasenia about to speak, Hu Xingdi internally winced. Thankfully for him, she was not about to start a fight.
"I am sure that a talent that Sect Master Hu has personally selected is someone who far surpasses the common genius. His body and temperament are fierce like a bull. A very suitable person for Spiritual Body Cultivation."
Xinlin and Tong Zhuo had to look away to stifle their laughter, while Hu Xingdi made a deadpan expression to not show emotion. Inside, though, he was almost roaring with laughter.
'Thankfully, that boy is not sharp enough to understand the deeper meaning. This dragon is too sharp tongued!'
The massive man looked up at Yasenia and nodded. "It seems that your sight is sharp, Madam Yasenia. As expected of a Dragon. I must ask for forgiveness, as I committed some rudeness previously."
Yasenia smiled faintly, as if she hadn't hidden several daggers behind her earlier compliment. "I am glad the misunderstanding has cleared. Let's allow our seniors to continue their conversation. They haven't seen each other in a long time, so I am sure that they have a lot to share."
Her words were a polite way to tell him to shut up.
Hu Xingdi coughed and used a deep tone. "That's right, Madam Dravory. Thank you for understanding."
Yasenia bowed her dragon head slightly and stepped back.
Xinlin coughed faintly. "Sorry for that."
Hu Xingdi smirked. "No need to apologize."
Xinlin nodded, and they began exchanging information through anecdotes. Yasenia and the other girls listened attentively, so that if anyone missed the double meaning, they could share it with each other.
As they talked, a few other small groups joined their circle. None of them were powerful enough to rival the supreme sects. However, they could be considered powers that Yasenia would need to treat carefully if she were alone.
'There are more Half-Steps than I expected. I feel as if there are more Half-Steps in this world than in the Sky Continent.'
Tatyana commented. 'That was true before you left. Before the Demons arrived, the Sky Continent's energy density was considered low for a world in this Heavenly Layer. The thing is, Sky Continent's Heaven is incredibly strong, so crossing over Tribulations there is much more dangerous, as well as rewarding.'
Yasenia realized. 'So, Sky Continent has quality over quantity.'
Tatyana nodded. 'Do you recall the leaders of the Demonic and Heavenly Sects back in the Sky Continent?'
Yasenia nodded, and Tatyana mentioned. 'Those two are likely stronger than the Emperor. It's just that they are stuck at the peak and can't cross over because they fear the Seventh Realm tribulation that will befall them. Lately, though, they've been preparing to tackle it due to the Demon's threat.'
A trace of surprise flashed in Yasenia's eyes. The Emperor of the Central Area was by no means weak. He was a super-genius-class at the very peak of the world's cultivation level. Naturally, he had almost no match. Yet Tatyana could easily name two individuals on the Sky Continent who surpassed him.
Moreover, she sounded incredibly certain.
As they talked, the leaders' conversation reached a point of interest.
A lanky but scholarly-looking man spoke up. "So, any idea on how to cross the gates? A few individuals tried to fly over, but when they did, they were annihilated by a mix of Sun, Space, and Fate elemental attacks."
Eyes moved toward a woman at the side. She was someone from the Bao Family, one of the four merchant families. Her expertise lay in merchandise focused on formations and alchemy.
Bao Aiquin raised her elegant eyebrow. "If you want a solution, it won't be cheap."
Surprisingly, the one who interrupted was Qinqin. The girl spoke up. "If it is not that cheap, we might have some clues about it that can make it affordable."
Bao Aiquin glanced her way, squinting. "Brat of the Shang family who has not yet reached the status of an elder. What could you do that I can't?"
Shang Qinqin, though, showed an elegant smile. Her confidence came from Tatyana telling her that they could solve it if given some time.
Her beautiful, light-brown eyes were clear and steady. "My personal abilities are certainly limited. However, when has someone of our profession relied on ourselves to solve the problem? I have the confidence that, if given time, we can decode and break through the formations blocking our entry."
Bao Aiquin couldn't let the profitable business she'd almost touched slip away this easily. She considered calling Qinqin's bluff, but her eyes told her Qinqin was 100% confident. Therefore, this time, she had to swallow her pride and attempt to convince Qinqin to profit together.
"That's impressive. Still, I am sure that your actions will cost resources, won't they? Mine do as well. How about we let each group decide who they buy it from?"
Qinqin was incredibly sharp in these matters, so she quickly understood her aim. She wanted to suffocate her silently with prestige. When it came time to choose, Bao Aiquin was sure they would go her way.
This wasn't a problem for Qinqin because she knew the group behind her were absolute monsters. If their combat talent was jaw-dropping, their professional talent was breathtaking.
To Bao Aiquin's surprise, Qinqin nodded. "That works as well. Nobody will be able to blame anyone other than themselves if the choice is theirs."
Her words carried many meanings, so Bao Aiquin glanced her way, squinting. 'This brat… She is good.'
With that settled, Bao Aiquin decided to strike first. 'First impressions matter the most, so I need to be fast.'
"Here are a few formation analyzers and formation-weakening artifacts. If your groups want to enter undetected, you just need to carry these pendants. They are also cheap. You can see the prices here yourself. Moreover, they aren't one-time-use items. You will be able to use them in other locations."
The stall she summoned with a single wave of her hand was elegant, refined, and had a simple structure. The items were set in rows, and Bao Aiquin quickly explained their utility before Qinqin could get a word in.
Most of the group felt that trusting Bao Aiquin was better than trusting Shang Qinqin because of seniority. After all, Bao Aiquin was a well-established member of the Bao Family, unlike Qinqin, who was still an heir candidate.
Shang Qinqin smiled faintly and looked at Tatyana and Angel. Tatyana patted Angel's shoulder. "Go and check. Just be honest. We don't want to become enemies with them."
Angel nodded and walked over. Bao Aiquin noticed her approach and blinked, curious. 'Isn't this girl part of Shang Qinqin's group? Does she not trust Qinqin?'
As for any sinister intentions, that didn't even cross her mind. With Angel's appearance, how could she think the petite girl approaching was a monstrous Formation Talent that even Tatyana herself had approved of and personally taught?
Our Baby's blue eyes gleamed with intelligence as she inspected the merchandise closely.