Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1548. Ambush?

Sterila had been experiencing a growing unease recently. Ever since the day a mysterious dragon materialized, the normally tranquil continent had been wracked by extraordinary upheavals. Within a mere week, a staggering twelve sects – eight from the righteous path and four from the demonic – had been utterly annihilated.

This destructive trend, naturally, could not be permitted to continue. Consequently, Sterila swiftly convened a council of leaders, intent on assembling a force to confront and vanquish the malevolent, rampaging dragon.

Standing before numerous esteemed leaders at this very moment, Sterila addressed them with a grave expression. "A true calamity has befallen our world. This entity acts like a force of nature, unsparing even revered immortals. We must stand united and repel this threat."

Surprisingly, there was a notable lack of dissent regarding this proposed strategic alliance. In the past, when Sterila initiated an assault against the Crystal Blood Witch, she had orchestrated the cooperation of six powerful families and over thirty preeminent sects. These factions had pooled their most formidable experts to overcome the absurdly potent Crystal Blood Witch.

However, after their swift retreat when encountering the dragon, driven by apprehension of the unknown, Sterila observed that the dragon’s targets were not them, but rather any individuals or groups who had previously clashed with the Crystal Blood Witch.

As a figure of the righteous faction, Sterila harbored a deep disdain for Angel’s self-serving nature and her profound disregard for life. Thus, she had engaged Angel in combat on several occasions. Initially, Sterila found herself capable of repelling Angel. Yet, at some juncture, the balance shifted, and Sterila began requiring assistance to contend with her.

It was at this point Sterila realized the necessity of seeking external aid to eliminate Angel. Little did she anticipate that her carefully laid plans would be utterly crushed by a colossal claw and an enraged dragon.

While dragons possessed immense power within their native realms, they were typically regarded as formidable wild beasts rather than recognized clans. Therefore, Sterila conjectured that this particular dragon was an ancient being, awakened by Angel to enact her wicked designs.

"Consulting the latest intelligence, the enemy vanguard is projected to arrive at the [Starry Muddy Soul Sect] tomorrow. Their contingent, according to gathered information, comprises three hundred Immortals, each possessing the might comparable to an average Sect Master. They are almost certainly minions of the destructive dragon," a messenger reported.

The assembled leaders listened intently. These were the patriarchs of clans, the masters of sects, and numerous other dignitaries representing nations and kingdoms. Their world was vast, and the sheer number of martial forces was as boundless as the stars in the heavens.

To be recognized as one of the most potent worlds within an entire Heavenly Layer was a distinction not lightly earned.

Sterila rose decisively. "Let us mobilize. We shall intercept this monstrous entity within the [Serrated Blue Jade Mountain Range] and engage it in battle there."

***

Meanwhile, Yasenia’s retinue traversed the skies at a leisurely pace, progressing toward their subsequent destination. Andrea, feeling a surge of curiosity, inquired, "Love, doesn't your anger... How should I put it? Doesn't it grow somewhat desensitized after each act of destruction?"

Yasenia turned her gaze toward Andrea, a flicker of puzzlement in her eyes. "What do you mean, Darling?"

Andrea elaborated, "Imagine you harbor intense hatred for an entire lineage. You proceed to eliminate them one by one. By the conclusion of such an endeavor, might you not feel a certain numbness, a sense of futility?"

Andrea mused that if she herself were provoked, she wouldn't hesitate to unleash her halberd and obliterate an entire sect. However, the emotional experience of entering and indiscriminately slaughtering within that sect would likely differ significantly.

Yasenia furrowed her brow, attempting to comprehend Andrea’s perspective. "I believe... I understand your point?" Yasenia then gently shook her head, offering Andrea a smile. "However, I do not experience that. If ten thousand individuals have wronged me and they scatter across the globe, I will hunt each one down until every last one is eliminated." Her eyes turned icy. "Consider those scoundrels who offended my little fox countless years ago. We dispatched a few, but some still live. Should we encounter them, even if they have ascended to sainthood through subsequent cultivation, I will still end their lives."

Andrea hummed thoughtfully. "I see. Perhaps, as a dragon, your fury and your capacity for empathy remain separate? You can distinguish them distinctly. Thus, you do not begin to feel pity when some of those you eliminate are innocent. You simply vent your wrath until you are content."

Angel interjected, addressing Andrea with a hint of confusion. "But I am like Yasenia."

Andrea chuckled. "You were essentially pampered and raised by her. It's natural you would adopt a similar disposition."

Angel beamed happily, nestling closer to Yasenia, her eyes crinkling with gentle delight. After spending so many days in Yasenia's company, Angel was slowly rediscovering a lost sense of simplicity in her life – a feeling that brought her immense comfort.

Abruptly, one of the maids paused in her duties and approached Yasenia. This particular maid possessed striking pink eyes and matching hair, with two ethereal wings adorned with magnificent purple patterns gracing her back. She belonged to a unique beastkin bloodline, resembling nature fairies but possessing a stature equivalent to a human. Her physique bore a notable resemblance to Angel's, petite and curvaceous.

Yasenia regarded the exquisite maid with a warm smile. "What troubles you, Raciela?" she inquired.

Raciela offered a smile and replied. "Young Miss, as you are aware, one of my elemental affinities is with Fate. I sense a disturbance within the mountain range ahead of us."

"A disturbance, you say?"

Yasenia appeared slightly surprised. Such a matter, if not requiring a significant portion of their combined strength, wouldn't typically be classified as a mere annoyance. She gently patted Raciela’s head. "Thank you, Raciela."

Raciela, her cheeks flushing, nodded with a beaming smile. Angel observed her, then turned her gaze toward the imposing mountain range. "That is the [Serrated Blue Jade Mountain Range]. It contains several rich mineral deposits of [Blue Jade], a material exceptionally suited for crafting Heaven-Ranked formations. I had visited this area previously to replenish my stock of this resource."

Yasenia inquired, "Are there any inherent dangers present here?"

"Typically, none. The most formidable creature encountered is a Blue-Winged Crust Peng, a Level Two Mythical Core Beast. It tends to remain concealed when powerful individuals are present."

Yasenia nodded and addressed Anna, "Please produce a map detailing our current route."

Anna complied, and upon a brief inspection, Yasenia saw that their planned objective necessitated traversing this very section, making it the most straightforward path. "So... an ambush awaits us there."

A mere intimation from Raciela had unraveled the entire scheme. Tatyana, with evident curiosity, asked, "What is your intention? To confront them directly?"

"Why should I?" Yasenia raised an eyebrow. "I am confident in my lack of comparable opponents in this world. However, engaging in a full-scale battle against such numbers might provoke Heaven’s displeasure once more. While I can endure those bolts of lightning, they are rather irritating and bothersome."

Tatyana shrugged, suggesting, "You could always let the maids handle the engagement."

"A valid point," Yasenia conceded with a nod. Then, she let out a soft chuckle. "Where is the amusement in that?" Instead..." All present witnessed Yasenia’s lips curve into a mischievous grin. "Since the significant powerhouses are occupied here, they will likely remain so for some time. Have they not left their respective sects vulnerable? It is time for a bit of looting... or rather, reclaiming what is rightfully ours!"

Instantly, her [Celestial Intent Domain] expanded, enveloping everyone and drawing them into her personal dimension. Mirrory observed her surroundings with a hint of astonishment. "I noticed it upon your arrival, but you have cultivated an Intent Domain possessing its own distinct reality. Quite remarkable. These Intent Domains represent one of the highest forms of cultivation."

Yasenia smiled and looked down. "Have you acquired one such as this, Angel?"

Angel calmly replied, "I have."

Yasenia then turned to Andrea. "And what about you, Darling?"

"I have as well," Andrea affirmed with a nod.

Yasenia's happiness grew upon hearing their confirmations. "Let us proceed!"

Their forms blurred as they shifted through space, rendering them invisible during their traversal.

Meanwhile, Sterila awaited at the designated ambush point. She glanced sideways, posing a question, "Are there any indications of their approach?"

The woman by her side, identifiable by her white hair and enigmatic blue eyes, was a master of Fate. "I sense nothing, Sect Master Sterila."

Sterila then inquired, "Might you attempt a divination?"

The woman inclined her head, a subtle silver luminescence manifesting within her blue eyes. "[Ten Paths Fate Eye]."

Her silver irises strained to pierce through Yasenia’s destiny. As she focused, she found herself in a void of utter blackness. Suddenly, from the seemingly infinite expanse of the starry abyss, two colossal golden dragon eyes snapped open, fixing her with a chilling stare.

BANG!

"AAAH!!"

The illusory projection fractured. The silver-haired woman clutched her eyes, a piercing scream of agony escaping her lips. Sterila stood momentarily dumbfounded. This woman was recognized as the foremost Fate Master in existence, yet she had suffered such a severe backlash.

"I... I cannot see!"

Sterila frowned, offering words of comfort, "If your sight is lost, then so be it. There is no need to torment yourself further."

"No! No! I am blind! My sight is gone! How is this even possible!? No! NO! I CANNOT SEE!"

The nearby cultivators felt a shiver course through their hearts as the true gravity of the situation became apparent. Sterila's surprise deepened. This very woman had, in the past, divined her own fate—a feat accomplished by one of the most potent beings in this realm. Yet, a single attempt to glimpse beyond the dragon's gaze had rendered her utterly blind.

As the woman lowered her hands, Sterila’s heart pounded. The woman’s once captivating and mysterious eyes were now utterly destroyed. Dark fissures webbed across them, resembling a shattered marble surface, with blood continuously oozing from the cracks.

The sight was profoundly unsettling.

Yasenia, traversing through the void, momentarily halted, a frown creasing her brow as she looked back. Angel, cradled in her arms, quickly perceived the subtle shift. "What troubles you, Yasenia?"

The frown vanished from Yasenia's face as she smiled, turning to embrace her child. "Nothing, my love. Merely some minor irritation, which I promptly addressed."

Tatyana cast a look behind her, her crimson eyes hardening slightly. Nevertheless, she was acutely aware of the consequences following an attempt to meddle with Yasenia’s fate. 'Even a cultivator of the Eighth Realm suffered backlash; for a Sixth Realm cultivator to attempt such a thing is to court disaster.'

Tatyana herself would never dare to peer into Yasenia’s Fate strings. She was completely certain that a severe backlash would befall her, and that was even with Yasenia’s passive resistance to her probing.

Thus, after soaring for a considerable distance, Yasenia deactivated the Celestial Intent Domain. She gazed down at the magnificent sect nestled below. 'Let us descend! It is time… to go on a tour of their treasury.'

Witnessing Yasenia’s expectant expression, they all let out chuckles and forcefully breached the sect’s defenses. They disregarded all alarms and eliminated any who dared to impede their progress.

Upon their entrance, Yasenia beheld a colossal mound of coins, her eyes instantly sparkling. 'Marvelous!'

She swiftly moved towards it, plunging headfirst into the glittering pile. Naturally, she did not submerge herself too deeply, finding her posterior and legs flailing awkwardly outside the hoard.

Tatyana erupted in laughter and approached, the others following suit, calmly taking seats around Yasenia's peculiar 'swimming' form. They simply smiled, finding delight in watching Yasenia gnaw on some of the coins as she paddled amidst them.

Andrea selected a coin imbued with potent spiritual energy and tossed it towards Yasenia. The dragoness's gaze sharpened instantly, and she reacted with swiftness.

CHOMP!

A resounding crunch of metal under mastication echoed towards them. 'My darling has excellent taste! This one was quite delicious!'

Tatyana blinked. 'And what about the others?'

Yasenia pouted. 'Although they appear appealing, they lack flavor. So lustrous, yet so bland! It's like... like... a boiled chicken drumstick without any seasoning!'

Tatyana furrowed her brows and promptly retrieved the surrounding coins from Yasenia. 'Do not consume such unpalatable items. Here, Mommy will give you a spiritual crystal to chew. Ingesting that rubbish could harm your delicate stomach.'

Consequently, Yasenia was immediately presented with a high-grade crystal. As she chewed, it exploded with a torrent of refined spiritual energy. Yasenia narrowed her eyes, launching herself into Tatyana’s embrace as she happily munched away.

Far away, amidst the windswept mountain range, Sterila let out a sneeze. 'Why do I sense that something is amiss? It feels as though something is gnawing at the edges of my consciousness.'