Heaven, Earth, Me

Yasenia's group gathered at the entrance of the Dan Mansion together with both Dan Elders and a few other seniors and juniors from the Dan Family. Between them, Yasenia could recognize a few who had spoken with her. 

The juniors participating included Dan Che and many others, for a total of 300 juniors. Yasenia was quite surprised by the numbers. Grandma Dan explained, "Each group of five juniors has a senior in the high level of the Dantian Spiritualization Realm." 

Yasenia hummed. "So, only seniors that have managed to change their energy into solid are participating. What about Half-Steps and Transcendent Realm cultivators?" 

Grandpa Dan commented. "We will be guarding the surroundings while the juniors explore. If there is danger, we are the ones who must tell the others to start retreating and defend their retreat. The biggest risks of these two places are the traps that might appear and the beasts that live in the extreme environment. The environment is very dangerous as well, but it's a much more controllable factor… Well, most of the time." 

The elderly man patted his leg with a sigh. 

Yasenia was curious, and she asked softly. "Grandpa Dan, how did that happen, if you don't mind me asking?"

Grandpa Dan commented shortly. "A combination of the three things. A powerful beast, a trap, and wild weather. I was half unlucky, half too arrogant." 

"I see."

Lord Dan's voice spread around, reaching everyone. "We are departing now. Stay close to your assigned seniors and listen to their words." Looking around, he nodded and waved his hand, enveloping everyone with his powerful Sixth Realm energy. "Let's depart."

Then, everyone felt a pull and flashed through the sky at a terrifyingly high speed. Yasenia allowed herself to be pulled with the others. They had built enough trust during these months for so much. Still, she had her guard up at all times. 

After a few minutes of travel, they finally arrived at a crossroad. They landed on the ground, and Lord Dan spoke. "It is prohibited to fly from here onward. We'll continue our journey on foot. Today, we are going to investigate the [Moon Swallowing Mountain]. We've divided the days among the Gong family, and their family will explore the [Deadly Magma Cave] first. After three months, we'll change locations, and it will be our time to explore the [Deadly Magma Cave]. When another three months pass, families will be allowed to explore either site for six more months until we close the Forbidden Lands for the next decade. Understood?"

Lord Dan looked toward Yasenia's group, as his vocal explanations were directed at them more than anyone else. Yasenia and the others nodded. Evelyn hummed. "Three months in the [Moon Swallowing Mountain], three months in the [Deadly Magma Cave], and then six months exploring either…" Evelyn frowned. "That's too little time, no?"

Yasenia sighed. "Indeed. But we can't really ask for a longer stay. If we fail to find what we want, we'll need to think of another way of entering here."

Angel blinked, pulling Yasenia's dress. "We won't wait a decade?"

Yasenia smiled. "I wouldn't mind, but I don't want to wait ten years for a chance that might never come. Andrea needs to get that inheritance as fast as possible." 

Andrea spoke softly. "We can wait, Love. I don't mind."

Yasenia shook her head. "We can't. We are getting too involved with the Dan family. I don't mind it much, but the other families are not the same. We are not a negligible force. Ten years is enough for other families to consider us assimilated by the Dan family, and whatever conflicts people have with them will fall on us, too."

Evelyn smiled. "I bet that if Grandma Dan asked for help, you would actually not ignore it."

The dragoness hummed. "I can't really deny it. However, if any of you is put in too much danger by my forwardness to help, I would rather find another way to do things."

Cecile spoke softly. "You as well. Don't accept if you are put into danger."

"Got it." Yasenia smiled faintly. Then, she pondered. "This world is massive, no? It feels larger than Distancia." 

"It is." Tatyana smiled and said. "This world is at least ten times larger than Distancia."

"Woah." Evelyn closed her eyes and muttered. "So, this World is the size of a star?"

"Why do you think some people call their world 'star,' Evelyn?" Tatyana chuckled. "Worlds are called planets, continents, stars, worlds, and even planes or realms. This is not because they are one, but because their size or form makes them look as one." 

As they conversed, they felt the temperature around them plummeting. The freezing cold that started changing the environment in their surroundings was such that they began to feel cold even as cultivators. Andrea muttered, her breath creating a cloud. "This coldness is so penetrating."

Angel extended her hand and saw a snowflake slowly landing on her palm. Looking upward, she muttered. "It's starting to snow."

Lord Dan spoke, his voice commanding. "People below the Dantian Spiritualization Realm, start wearing the enhanced [Fiery Robes] under your own robes. Also, don't walk under the trees; keep your guard high. 

Yasenia looked at Money, the only person in their group who had yet to reach the fifth realm, and asked, "How are you feeling, Money?" 

Money answered with chattering teeth. "I-I-I-I a-a-am f-f-f-fine."

Everyone deadpanned. 'You are clearly not!'

Yasenia looked at Ayanduin and asked, curious. "Do you have anything to protect her from the cold?"

Ayanduin looked at Money and asked, confused. "Why haven't you put on the [Fiery Robes] I bought from the Dan Family?"

Money blinked and waved her hand, adding a layer of clothes below hers. "I-I w-wanted to t-t-test how cold it go-got."

Ayanduin and Gu Chen looked at her for a few moments, not knowing what to do with her. Gu Chen looked at his wives and asked. "How is everyone doing?"

They all answered sweetly at once. "We are doing fine, Lord Husband."

Their small chorus made a few from the Dan Family turn to look, and many gave Gu Chen a stinky eye out of jealousy.

After crossing the forest without problems, they all arrived at the base of the large mountain. Yasenia and the rest looked up, but a layer of grey clouds hid the enormous mountain. Other than that, the scenery was completely white, as even the trees were white due to the constant snow and cold of the area. 

Lord Dan said. "The layer under the clouds is considered the safe area. Here, the strongest creatures that you'll find are groups of mid-level King Beasts."

Yasenia told everyone in her group. 'King Beasts are the same as Legendary Core Realm beasts.'

Lord Dan pointed upward and continued. "Beyond the clouds, the chance of encountering an Emperor Beast is much more probable. If you even feel the aura of such a creature, flee. They are not worth the fight." 

Yasenia explained again. 'Emperor Beasts are the same as Mythical Core Realm beasts… Meaning, Sixth Realm beasts.'

Lord Dan looked at Ayanduin and Gu Chen and spoke. "The mountain is sturdy enough to resist our attacks. However, try to be careful with the surroundings and don't cause an avalanche. The snow of the [Moon Swallowing Mountain] is especially cold. Being buried in it can kill Unification Realm cultivators in a few minutes."

Gu Chen hummed. "Can't we fly to avoid the avalanche?"

Lord Dan shook his head. "Gravity is too high around the mountain. You'll feel it as we approach. Only us, Sixth Realm Cultivators, can fly in that place without feeling burdened."

Ayanduin frowned. "Then… Won't Unification Realm cultivators feel it impossible to even walk?"

Lord Dan smiled. "They can walk, but it will indeed be a bit complicated." 

"Understood."

After that conversation, Lord Dan said. "Now, we have three months. Then, we'll meet here." Lord Dan planted a Flag with the Dan Family symbol. The flag then pulsed, sending an energy signal to all of them, and disappeared from sight.

Lord Dan explained. "This is a [Location Flag], the formations in it make it invisible to everyone who hasn't seen it being planted. However, for us, it will be intuitive to know where it is. In three months, I want everyone here."

Yasenia checked on him. "What if we haven't returned in time?"

Lord Dan spoke. "We usually have half a month of leeway. Whoever hasn't returned by then will be considered dead or lost."

The dragoness nodded. "Understood." Looking back, she asked. "Have you heard? Here in three months, not a second later. We will wait as much as the Dan family, so if any of you don't return by then, I'll consider you dead."

Tengliu clicked her tongue. "So ruthless, Little Yasenia."

Yasenia smiled. "Then, return safely, and don't make me do ruthless things."

The harpy smiled and nodded. 

Lord Dan shouted. "Start the expedition!"

With his shout, the different groups separated and rushed outward. Yasenia's group also split; the only ones left were our girls and maids. Well, they were still a group of over sixty people.

Yasenia looked at Cecile and smiled. "Well, go ahead and guide us. This place is basically made for you." 

Cecile smiled faintly. Instead of being cold, she had been feeling at home. The extreme Moon Energy was nourishment for herself thanks to both her constitution and bloodline. Cecile looked around and finally looked upward. "Let's go up."

Evelyn laughed. "As always, straight to the point."

Andrea grinned. "It has been a while since we were alone with this group!"

Evelyn commented. "Now that you say it… We really haven't explored places with just our group for a long time, have we?"

Kali smiled softly. "Did you expect us to explore the world's rivers and mountains with our recently born children?" 

Evelyn sighed. "Don't remind me of them… I have been missing my precious Skye…" 

Angel muttered. "I wonder how they are doing?"

Tatyana commented softly. "They are probably missing us as well. However, they'll come around. They are strong children and have been raised correctly."

Mirrory smiled. "The question is, will they raise the following generations correctly as well?"

Yasenia smacked the Mirror on the back of her head. "Don't say such things!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Mirrory blinked twice and raised her eyebrow at Yasenia. "You are quite gutsy, little girl."

The dragoness smiled. "You are like family already. Isn't it natural to be gutsy with family?"

Mirrory paused for a second before smiling. "Okay, little girl. I'll let it slide this time, but if you do it again, I'll interrupt in the middle of your little fun with Angel."

"Hahaha." Yasenia clicked her tongue. "Then, it won't be me who you'll need to deal with~."

Mirrory felt her robes being pulled twice, and looking down, she saw Angel smiling at her. "Don't do that, Mirrory. I'll get angry~." 

Mirrory somehow felt somewhat intimidated by her cute smile, and she decided not to be mischievous during their private time.