Heaven, Earth, Me

During the remaining time of the month, they didn't manage to find many things other than minerals, plants, and other types of treasures. However, Yasenia was sure that there was more to this mountain. She suggested. "Before we leave, should we climb as high as we can and see if I can smell something nice?"

Tatyana agreed to her proposal. "I think it will be okay. We've already investigated the place consciously, so we should have a bit of adventuring spirit and spot other locations to reach in the later parts of the year."

Seeing that everyone had agreed, Yasenia's group used their movement techniques and rushed up the mountain. They had long passed the misty section of the area, and they were currently exploring the middle-upper part of the enormous mountain. Surprisingly, when they looked toward the peak, another layer of clouds blocked their view, leaving them quite helpless on knowing how tall this mountain really was. 

However, for it to be large enough for them to explore for this long, the structure could only be described as gargantuan.

As they ascended the mountain, the cold air of the surroundings increased exponentially. It was high enough that Zephyrith started protesting aloud, her teeth chattering. "Ya-Yasenia, the cold is starting to be a bit too much for me."

The dragoness looked at Zephyrith and couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise. Zephyrith's eyelashes were actually gathering snow from the cold. Not only she but also Ebirah, Andrea, Evelyn, and a few maids were in a similar state. The maids were much more resistant, so they didn't complain yet. Still, the fact that the cold was affecting so many people came as a surprise to her. "No wonder even Sixth Realm cultivators have trouble exploring these mountains."

Zephyrith smiled wryly. "Sorry, Yasenia. I-I didn't plan to become a bu-burden."

Yasenia shook her head with a faint smile. "Don't worry. We were going without taking anything until this point to see how far up was safe. Honey, give everyone the pills."

Kali waved her hand, summoning several dozen gorgeous red pills that floated in front of all of them. Zephyrith took one of them with her index and thumb, and the second she touched it, she could feel her fingers slowly heating up. "What is this pill, Kali?"

The fox threw it into her mouth and smiled. "This is a [Yang Heat Core Pill]. It has the ability to dissipate cold from the body, acting as a furnace inside your body. Ideal for exploring colder regions." Then, she added with a serious expression. "However, this pill is not beneficial. Instead, it is concocted like a poison. If you eat one in a warm or hot environment, you will be at risk of suffering internal injuries. Only in places where cold and yin energy is abundant is it suitable to take this type of pill without side effects."

Zephyrith nodded thoughtfully at Kali's advice. Still, she trusted the fox woman deeply, like everyone else in Yasenia's group. So, without any hesitation, everyone ingested the pill.

The second it melted and flowed into them, they could feel a warm current spreading through their whole body, eliminating the chill that had been stiffening their limbs.

Exploration after ingesting the [Yang Heat Core Pill] was smooth and trouble-free. And, when two weeks were left before the deadline, Yasenia's nose caught the faint scent of something that made her pupils shrink. "This… Wait!"

Everyone stopped and saw Yasenia looking toward the top of the mountain, her nose twitching gently. "This…" Yasenia closed her eyes, focusing all her attention on her nose. "Profound… rich in energy… pure…" The dragoness's eyes opened, and she muttered, stunned. "There is a Natural Treasure at the top of this mountain."

"Huh?" 

Everyone was stunned. Natural Treasures were basically the most sought-after treasures that came from nature itself—treasures that formed after tens of millions of years of nurturing from the energies of Heaven and Earth. 

Fylia looked at Yasenia and then up the mountain with a curious gaze. "What attribute do you think it is, Yasenia?"

The dragoness crossed her arms and shook her head. "I can't tell. It's obviously a Yin-related attribute. But it can be ice, water, darkness… Any yin attribute outside of the primary attribute pool…" 

Tatyana spoke up. "We have no time for that now, Yasenia. We should come back after we are done with our business in the other place. That's our main objective, after all."

The dragoness nodded and smiled wryly. "We've been barely dodging the powerful beasts that roam this place… If we want to go up, confrontation is almost guaranteed."

Cecile commented once. "Perhaps not."

"Hm?" 

Looking at the Moon Phoenix, Cecile suggested. "Why don't we use Fylia's affinity with mist to try and go up the mountain undetected?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

When her name was mentioned, Fylia couldn't help but flinch slightly since everyone looked over at the same time. She was still getting used to forming part of a group, which she didn't do for who knows how many millenia. Cautious about her answer, she explained. "I am not confident in doing that. The creatures that roam this place are really strong, so I don't dare try to trick them. A single mistake will result in our deaths."

Yasenia smiled faintly. "I appreciate your honesty. However, if we really have time, we need to try. We'll be counting on you in the future."

Fylia sighed and nodded. "I'll do my best."

"Okay, we've discovered our future objective. Now, let's return!"

With Yasenia's order, everyone turned around and started a swift descent down the mountain. It took them around a week and a half to reach back to the location where they planned to meet. 

Once there, Yasenia saw Grandma Dan walking toward her with quick steps. Her now younger face was clearly frowning with worry. "Little Yasenia, you had me worried! Why did you have to be so punctual?"

The dragoness couldn't help but tilt her head, somewhat helpless. '... Being punctual is bad?'

Evelyn poked her side, and when she looked at her, the violet-eyed woman made a pointing gesture with her chin. Looking over, Yasenia's eyebrows gained a faint frown that disappeared soon. "Gong Fen and her family…" Looking at Grandma Dan confusedly, she asked. "What are they doing here so soon? Shouldn't they be in the other location?"

Grandma Dan's face looked a bit guilty, but before she answered, Yasenia heard the voice of a young man. His tone was arrogant and condescending, and his gait was similarly annoying. "Are you Yasenia Dravory? The new talk of the city?"

The maids stepped forward in front of Yasenia, and Alaia spoke with a cold and piercing tone. "Who do you think you are to speak to our Young Miss?"

The man looked at the gorgeous azure and yellow-scaled dragon woman maid. The tall and voluptuous body was a sight that could make any person excited. Moreover, the maid outfit that clung to her curves with the armor-like parts added to her charm. 

Feeling the gaze of the young man, Yasenia's group already stamped the "Young Master" label on this person's forehead. 

"Oh~? A simple maid dares to speak to me in this tone?" The man scoffed and crossed his arms, looking at Yasenia. "I want her to be in my bed chambers this night for the offense! If not, you'll know that the Gong surname is not one to be taken lightly!"

Yasenia looked toward Gong Fen, the woman who was trying to pair with Dun Che, and her sharp senses easily caught her mocking eyes. It was clear that all of this was somehow part of that woman's plan.

The dragoness looked at the young-looking man and started walking forward with a smile. Grandma Dan couldn't help but be a bit nervous. After all, according to their deal with Old Gong, only the younger generation was allowed to help.

A hand patted her shoulder and looking over, she saw her husband standing there with a smile. "Don't worry about Little Yasenia. She is not easy to bully."

Grandma Dan placed her hand over his and nodded, feeling her heart reassured. If her husband said it, then Grandma Dan was willing to trust his words. 

"What's your name, young master?"

Yasenia's mellow voice left the man in a daze for a moment. However, seeing the gorgeous and tall being seemingly carved by the Heavens itself approach, he reacted quickly and lifted his chin slightly. "I am Gong Junkai, the ninth elder of the Gong family's third branch!" 

Yasenia laughed faintly, enchanting those who heard her. However, if anyone was looking closely, they would see that her eyes were not laughing in the slightest. "I see. So you are no one." 

"Huh?"

Yasenia stopped in front of the man, looking down as she was half a head taller, and spoke with the same mellow and gentle tone. "You dare to speak to my maids with that filthy tone carrying that miserable status?" Her tail flashed, slashing his arm off. "This is your punishment."

Everyone froze, looking at the situation.

The man blinked twice, confused, and looking down, he saw a stump that was spouting blood at the rhythm of his heart. A terrible pain rushed up his cut arm right into his brain, exploding in a scream of agony.

"AAARGH!!"

The man fell to his knees in front of Yasenia, grabbing his bleeding stump. However, Yasenia was not done with him. She raised her gorgeous and long leg, placing her foot on top of the man's head, and then she stomped down, controlling her strength enough not to cause further damage.

Bang!

The sound of the head hitting the solid ground made everyone's heart tremble. Yasenia looked toward the Gong family people and said, her tone shifting to a cold and menacing tone. "Is sending a dog customary of the Gong family to test your enemy's bottom line? If so, I'll warn you. This time, I'll have mercy and leave it at one arm."

Yasenia then added, her sight locking on Gong Fen as killing intent flooded out of her body. "The next time, I am slaughtering whoever you send to test me. Am I clear or not?"

The Gong family people could feel their hearts shuddering when Yasenia's killing intent reached them. Gong Fen was the one affected the worst, as she almost tripped and fell while taking a step back while cold sweat covered her skin.

"Junior, that's too much."

Yasenia looked over and saw a middle-aged man looking at her with a cold expression. The pressure exuding from this man clearly indicated that he was a Sixth Realm cultivator. Yasenia was not intimidated, though. She answered with a curt tone. "Senior, with all due respect, pardoning this man's life goes beyond what I would usually do. I did so because I respect the seniors of the Gong family, and I don't want to kill your children for such a small transgression. However, I won't take humiliation in the form of someone like this person testing my bottom line."

She coiled her tail around the man and threw him toward the seniors of the Gong Family. "If your juniors try to bother me again, Gong Junkai will be the luckiest of them all."

Then, she turned around and returned to her group.