Yasenia slowly opened her eyes, a golden flash of light piercing out for a moment as she did so. Then, she exhaled, a cloud forming from her breath. She lifted her front leg, flipping it around and clenching her claw.
The moment she clenched, the shockwave made the surrounding area tremble from her immense strength. 'Ho~, not bad, not bad at all.'
While she said so, her lips were arched in delight. She had completed this breakthrough from a low to a mid-level Sixth Realm Immortal much more perfectly than she ever anticipated.
"Other than the leap from Half-Step Fifth Realm to Transcendence, this should be the longest I've taken to break through while actively trying to push forward."
She calculated that she had taken over 50 years to break through from Level 3 in the Sixth Realm to Level 4. The time spent was truly… unimaginable for her previous self.
"I guess I am also starting to notice the jumps I will need in energy to break through. I can feel that to break through once more, I'll have to accumulate for a very long time. So, I can't remain still. I need to continue to search for treasures and other sources of energy that can push me forward."
King Ying, hearing her mutterings, asked. "How old are you, little one?"
Yasenia's eyes flashed with a hint of mischievousness. "Oh? How old do you think I am, King Ying?"
The golden dragon pondered and commented. "You should be… 1,200 years old? Something like that, right?"
Yasenia laughed. "Yes, something like that. Anyway, King Ying, it is time for me to leave. Tell me what I need to leave behind for the next [Emperor Dragon Pearl] to be formed."
King Ying shook his giant dragon head and pointed at the center of the formation. "Channel your Dragon Strength over there and leave behind a bit of your blood. This treasure doesn't need that much of the participant compared to the others because it is too complex."
Yasenia focused and did what he asked, channeling the new [Tyrannical Cosmos Dragon Suppression] on the place while cutting her arm with her claw. It actually took some effort; her scales were a bit too tough to be easily damaged.
Seeing Yasenia struggle to hurt herself was something King Ying felt was quite absurd. 'How sturdy is her defense? Is she made of Heavenly Materials or something?'
After King Ying manipulated the formation, he nodded. "Alright, you can go away now and leave me behind here with this annoying dragon's roars. Sigh… Well, just a few million years more, and I will be able to soar again. Nothing too complicated."
Looking at this senior, Yasenia very slightly bowed. "Thank you for your efforts, King Ying. I hope our paths can meet in the future."
King Ying raised his scaly eyebrow and smirked. "Little girl, trying to flirt with this King? You better not, or I won't be able to resist! Now, go back."
Before Yasenia could resist, she felt the space around her body twist, and an instant later, she was flying atop the entrance to the true area of the Sovereign's Echo Cavern.
Looking down below one last time, Yasenia sighed and smiled, shaking her head. "These four seniors are all unique, but all worth respecting. I wonder, will we meet again?"
She spread out her wings, and with a powerful flap, her body transformed into a blue phantom, soaring to the sky.
"This trial took only a bit over two years. I guess it is the trial I am the most suited for, so it's not a mystery as to why." She purposely left this one for last for that reason."
Now, she had managed to complete everything she had wanted to. Four trials completed, her realm has reached the fourth level, and her Intent Domains have similarly been improved. Moreover, her baby was safely delivered, and she was now stronger than ever.
"This journey to the Dragon Clan has been a success."
It took her just a few days to cover the distance back to Ao Xianlan's cave. Once she arrived nearby, she noticed Ao Xianlan giving her permission, and she landed with ease inside.
Everyone was in human form, so Yasenia transformed back as well. She landed with grace, her revealing blue dress fluttering with her gestures and carrying enthralling etherealness.
Lady First looked at Yasenia's temperament with a hint of satisfaction. During these years, she had taught Yasenia a few skills and other concepts, and the dragoness had absorbed them like a sponge. Her talent for seduction skills was, without a doubt, top-notch.
'If she were a succubus, she might've substituted me in just a few thousand years.'
Lady First chuckled inwardly, knowing that it was impossible for that to happen. After all, Yasenia, while seductive, carried purity within. She only got close to those she loved and would not interact with those she didn't.
Tatyana, holding Yasenia's egg close to her chest, approached with a smile. "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Yasenia."
Yasenia nodded and looked at her four maids. She noticed a trace of weariness in their eyes. She was a bit confused. "What happened? Why so tired?"
The four of them trembled a little, giving Tatyana a sideways glance. While Yasenia had been training these past few decades, Tatyana had not been idle. She had been training these four in the arts that all of Yasenia's personal maids knew.
She was not merciful in the slightest, regardless of their good relationship with Yasenia. The times they thought they would die during these last few decades were enough to still feel the shadow of death whispering in their ear.
Still, the results were miraculous, to say the least. All of them had broken through at least one level, and their Intent Domains had also made comprehensive transformations. Plus, they had learned the battle maid arts Tatyana imparted to all of Yasenia's personal maids.
Although their souls were incredibly weary and full of tiredness, they had become strong enough to slap their previous selves to death in one casual strike.
Luan Feixue, while she had not gone through a similar tempering, Ao Xianlan, Tatyana, and even Lady First took it upon themselves to teach her some things in Yasenia's absence. The little girl benefited tremendously!
She was not a heavenly genius, but her diligence made up for some of the natural gap. During these few decades, Luan Feixue managed to reach the seventh level of the Dantian Spiritualization Realm, Epoch Core Realm, and the Mind Core Realm, while also pushing her Intents to the Eighth Level, just a step away from perfecting them.
This advancement speed was no worse than that of some geniuses from the top sects!
Cai Xue coughed and smiled. "Do not worry, Young Miss. We were training during your absence; that's why we look slightly tired."
Yasenia hummed, giving Tatyana a quizzical look. Tatyana chuckled. "You didn't think they would become your maids without any specialized training, right?"
"Of course I didn't." Yasenia smiled. "The reason I wanted them to become maids, in the first place, was to make them stronger. Still, I thought that the things needed for them to complete the trials were all back in the Sky Continent. That's why I was confused."
Tatyana raised her elegant eyebrow. "While that's true, you wouldn't think that the one who created those training areas would not know how to apply them to a small group of four?"
Seeing Tatyana look at her like that, Yasenia shook her head and stepped forward, hugging her and squeezing the egg between them. She lowered her face, giving her a kiss. "I didn't mean anything other than showing some surprise. Sigh, you are sometimes like a proud peacock, always flashing me with your feathers, wanting to impress me."
Tatyana chuckled. "With the most beautiful winged creature in front of me, I can't not flash my feathers to charm it, right?"
"Incorrigible." Yasenia tapped her nose. Then, looking at Ao Xianlan and Lady First, she approached and made an honest, full bow. "Master, Aunty Xianlan, junior has nothing but gratitude in her heart for all the good that you've given me. In the future, if I have the strength to help you, I will return this favor."
Lady First and Ao Xianlan approached. First, Lady First raised Yasenia's body, and then gave her a soft and gentle hug. "Silly girl. It was my wish to impart my techniques to you. There is nothing to feel gratitude over. Just remember to practice them appropriately; otherwise, when you return, I will punish you succubus style."
Yasenia returned the hug, but hearing Lady First's final sentence, she was torn between curiosity and fear. 'Should I slack a bit to know…? No, I must not fall into temptation!'
After Lady First stepped back, her eyes flashing with a hint of laughter at Yasenia's conflicted looks, Ao Xianlan took her place.
The three-meter-tall dragon woman with curves explosive enough to make Yasenia look slender crouched down and buried Yasenia in pure softness. "I will miss you, little girl. I am so happy to have known you."
Yasenia separated from Ao Xianlan with a bit of effort, looking up with soft eyes. "Thank you for protecting me and giving me such precious resources, Aunty Xianlan. I love you tons!"
Ao Xianlan couldn't hold back and began tearing up a little. "Ugh… I don't want to let you go. Sigh, this old woman can still get so attached to someone else. So troublesome."
Yasenia laughed, giving her a big kiss on her cheek. "We will see each other soon, Aunty Xianlan. Protect yourself well; also, this is everything I've learned from the four trial grounds."
Then, while being tightly hugged by Ao Xianlan, Yasenia explained all her experiences, her interactions with the four seniors, and even her few guesses about their origin and such.
Ao Xianlan listened attentively, caressing Yasenia's deep black hair from time to time.
After her explanations, it was time to say goodbye. Of course, Ao Xianlan and Lady First didn't separate instantly. Instead, they accompanied Yasenia out of the Dragon Clan and in the direction of the Astral Death Sect.
Only when they arrived there did they say their final goodbyes.
Meanwhile, Yasenia took a deep breath, and her heart began beating with excitement. 'It is finally time.'
Yasenia smiled widely. "Dears, be prepared. I am coming for you!"