Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1557. Do You Want To Keep Testing My Bottom Line?

Beyond the city limits, Evelyn’s former mentor adopted a stance of patient observation, arms crossed. Awareness of their pursuers had dawned upon her, prompting a decision to await their approach without initiating any verbal exchange. Time was a factor they possessed. Though the Demonic and Righteous factions were embroiled in conflict, a common occurrence across many realms, outright aggression was uncommon. A delicate equilibrium persisted, ensuring that without direct instigation, the leaders of these opposing sides would refrain from engaging in battle.

Chen Tian’s father, his brow deeply furrowed, cast his gaze downwards, anticipating his son’s arrival. A complex mixture of pride and vexation churned within him regarding his offspring. Among his progeny, Chen Tian undoubtedly stood out as one of, if not the most gifted. Yet, inexplicably, his son had strayed, developing affections for an individual marked as a criminal! While Evelyn was not a fugitive at the time of their initial encounter, her subsequent change in status had led Chen Tian’s father to believe his son would relinquish his infatuation. To his surprise, instead of disengaging, Chen Tian had adopted a protective stance towards her! This turn of events left him profoundly disappointed, not to the degree of wishing harm upon his son, but sufficiently so that he contemplated bestowing the patriarch's mantle upon another, even if less naturally talented.

Shortly thereafter, Evelyn and her companions emerged, confronting a formidable assembly of over five hundred cultivators from the Sixth Realm. Evelyn’s conspicuous appearance, devoid of any disguise, elicited glares from the majority of the leaders present.

Yasenia registered the hostile stares but remained silent, mentally cataloging each one. Meanwhile, Evelyn’s gaze met her former mentor’s, her expression a tapestry of conflicting emotions. Did she harbor resentment for her mentor’s directive to hunt her down? Evelyn would not dispute harboring suppressed ill feelings. However, concurrently, she comprehended the underlying rationale, rendering her current emotions far removed from outright animosity.

“Master Darla.”

Darla’s response was cold, her eyes devoid of emotion. “Cease addressing me as such, Evelyn. You made your decision, and you must now bear its consequences.”

Evelyn’s countenance shifted, adopting a more somber hue. She let out a sigh before articulating, “Have I not conveyed to you on multiple occasions that the crown is a component of my inheritance? Relinquishing it is simply not an option for me.”

Darla countered, her tone utterly placid. “Does its claim to yours rest solely on your assertion? Is it permissible to seize something, then declare it yours by virtue of personal desire? Evelyn, I did not take you as a disciple with the intention of witnessing you engage in theft.”

In a certain sense, Darla and her faction occupied the morally sound position. Speaking objectively, Evelyn was in the wrong regarding the unfolding events. Alas, the path of cultivation rarely adhered strictly to notions of right and wrong. Frequently, decisive action was necessitated, irrespective of conventional moral compasses.

Evelyn shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. “Mentor… Sect Master Darla, I offer you but one piece of counsel. Depart. You are outmatched against us. Should you make an unwise decision today, I will be unable to guarantee your safety.”

This advisory served as Evelyn’s final gesture of goodwill towards Darla, a remnant of their shared past. Upon her arrival and subsequent admission into the sect, Darla, recognizing her exceptional talent, had accepted her as a personal disciple, bestowing upon her a generous allocation of cultivation resources. It was this very talent that subsequently enabled Evelyn to uncover the secret of the crown and secure it. Naturally, bolstered by her lineage, Evelyn was aware of a significant possession of “Hers” situated within this locale, a crucial factor influencing her initial choice to join Darla’s sect.

Upon overhearing her, a nearby sect master erupted in indignant laughter. “Even now, you persist in fabricating justifications. Evelyn, you pilfered our most potent artifact, and yet you posture with righteousness. You are nothing more than utter dregs. Your demise is deserved!”

Yasenia could tolerate the condescending gazes directed at Evelyn, as they were mere visual affronts. She could restrain herself during the discourse, even when these individuals harbored covetous desires for Evelyn’s possessions stemming from Evelyn’s historical connections. However, to insult her cherished companion?

Yasenia, positioned at Evelyn’s side, turned her attention towards the offending sect master and declared with icy disdain, “Eliminate that individual. His very presence offends me.”

It was at this juncture that the assembled multitude finally acknowledged Yasenia and her retinue. Until this moment, they had deliberately suppressed their auras to facilitate Evelyn’s unimpeded dialogue with the opposing leaders. Their presence had been noted, yet they had not commanded significant attention. This subtlety was attributable to Yasenia’s progressively refined mastery over charm energy and the inherent capacity of each maid to meticulously conceal their individual presences.

As Yasenia uttered her command, the sect master scoffed, “What can you possibly—”

From behind him, Doriel and ten additional maids materialized, their expressions unyielding. Before the sect master could even react, their blades plunged into his body. Swiftly, they retrieved him, presenting him to Yasenia.

Darla, a witness to this swift and brutal display, felt her composure falter. It was not the astonishing speed of the maids, though that was indeed remarkable. Rather, the source of her profound shock stemmed from observing these maids bypass their meticulously constructed formation as if it were non-existent, to achieve their lethal objective! ‘How could they possibly accomplish such a feat? Are they not ensnared within this very sealing formation?’

Yasenia examined the fallen body before her, quickly securing a spatial ring and disintegrating the remains with a soft exhale of her dragon flames. “Hmm… rather meager. Did this person stash their belongings within their Sect?”

Evelyn blinked, a slight twitch at the corner of her lips. “Ahem. Yasenia, my dear, could you perhaps refrain from killing for a moment?”

Yasenia turned to Evelyn, her expression one of a pout. “But he insulted you.”

Evelyn offered a smile, a mix of exasperation and warmth flooding her heart. “Just… grant me a moment. Alright, love?”

Observing Evelyn’s expression, the dragoness naturally complied. She nodded, earning another smile from Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Darla found herself captivated by Yasenia, falling into a daze. Yasenia, sensing Darla’s attention, ceased her deliberate restraint on her aura, yet did not unleash it fully either. She maintained a “normal” state.

However, even this state was devastatingly alluring.

Evelyn’s voice cut through Darla’s stupefaction. “Sect Master Darla. As you have witnessed our strength, I feel compelled to issue a warning. While I harbor some resentment for your past persecution, I genuinely wish to avoid witnessing the demise of so many. Aside from the <Waving Thunder Cloud Sect>, the others among you have not ventured too far.”

Yasenia recalled Evelyn’s gaze from that time and narrowed her eyes.

Darla voiced the very question on Yasenia’s mind. “<Waving Thunder Cloud Sect>? What exactly did they do?”

Evelyn simply shrugged. “The rest of you were after the crown. Only that particular group sought to make me subservient. As you are aware, the Waving Thunder Cloud Sect harbors a Dual Cultivation branch within.”

The instant Evelyn finished speaking, the surrounding air seemed to thicken, becoming heavy. Seeing Yasenia’s expression darken like a storm, everyone present gulped in apprehension.

While Yasenia would certainly be angered if others desired her lovers, those who harbored desires for Evelyn were considered far worse. This was because Yasenia was unaccustomed to her beloved being coveted by others. Evelyn had not always been a stunning beauty, and thus, gazes directed her way were rarely of a romantic nature.

Consequently, when people lusted after Evelyn, Yasenia’s emotions would churn like a tempest. It was a fury almost as potent as when someone coveted Cecile.

The sole reason Chen Tian wasn't instantly annihilated was the subtle fondness Sierra and Zepheryth seemed to hold for him, indicating he wasn't entirely without merit. This factored into her restraint, curbing the immediate murderous intent.

But now? There were no such constraints.

“Where is that sect located?”

Yasenia inquired, her voice carrying a chilling edge that sent shivers down even the maids' spines. Evelyn, though surprised by this explosive reaction, felt a secret burgeoning joy within.

Like a child pointing out the one who wronged her, Evelyn shamelessly lifted her finger and indicated a specific direction. “It’s them!”

All eyes shifted towards a group of twelve individuals. Among them was the alluring woman who had spoken during the meeting.

The charming woman prepared to speak. However, before she could utter a word, Yasenia raised her leg and brought it down with force.

BOOM!

The sealing formation shattered effortlessly under Yasenia’s impact. In the following instant, she stood before the charming woman. Though now face-to-face, the woman’s beauty seemed to dim considerably in comparison.

Those who had been captivated by her suddenly regained their senses, as if doused with cold water. The disparity in stunning beauty between the towering dragoness and the woman was simply that vast.

“I shall offer you a single chance to retain your life. Reveal the masterminds who intended to capture my Evelyn, and I will spare you.”

The woman looked up at the dragoness, who stood more than a head taller, her teeth beginning to chatter uncontrollably. She barely registered that Yasenia’s golden, slit pupils had fixated upon her, much like a predator pinning its insignificant prey.

“Th-th-they are fr-from the sec-cond b-b-branch.”

A cultivator of the dignified Sixth Level Transcendence Realm, reduced to a fearful stammer. Should anyone on this planet hear of this, they would dismiss it as a preposterous jest.

Yet, faced with such terrifyingly absolute oppression, not a single person present found the woman’s reaction to be out of line. Darla stepped forward to interject. “You are one of those mysterious individuals who arrived some months ago, correct? What was your objective?”

Yasenia turned her gaze toward Evelyn’s former master, her eyes devoid of any warmth. This was the woman who had, in essence, denied Evelyn her treasures and subsequently caused her immense suffering. To be frank, had Evelyn not shown some clear affection for her, the one trembling before them would have been Darla, not the charming woman from the Waving Thunder Cloud Sect.

“My objective was to retrieve my wife, Evelyn. I was unaware that my wife was being relentlessly pursued. While the urge to obliterate half this world with a single punch is strong, I shall exercise restraint. Inform me, where is this woman’s sect? I shall direct my frustrations there instead.”

As Darla prepared to respond, a dark shadow materialized behind Yasenia, thrusting a sword towards her back.

“Die, [Earth Phantom Thrust].”

The assailant, a member of an assassin Sect, believed he had successfully caught Yasenia off guard.

Yet, just as he was about to unleash his power, Yasenia’s tail began to move. Launching an assault from behind Yasenia? That was far from a blind spot.

“[Celestial Sunder].”

A brilliant azure light materialized behind her, engulfing the man who had attacked Yasenia, instantly vanishing him from existence.

Yasenia’s gaze remained fixed on Darla, her lips curling into a frigid smile. “I, too, wish to know the identity of that individual and his sect. Their continued existence is no longer necessary.”

Darla pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with profound turmoil. The sheer force unleashed by Celestial Sunder had been so immense that it had momentarily fractured space behind Yasenia, birthing a colossal black void that was now slowly mending itself.

“Inform her.”

Darla registered Evelyn’s words. Turning her head, she saw Evelyn shaking her head. “Sect Master Darla, this situation transcends your capabilities. Revealing the truth will merely involve two sects. I will instruct her to exercise restraint and minimize collateral damage. Trust me, even if every single expert in the world were to assemble, you would still be utterly defeated by her.”

A hesitant question arose from the crowd. “What if that attack represented her absolute limit—”

“[Celestial Sunder].”

The individual who had dared to speak was mercilessly extinguished, Yasenia’s golden eyes never leaving Darla’s face. “That makes it three sects. Do you intend to continue provoking my limits?”

An unnerving silence descended upon the gathered individuals, the sound of their own heartbeats echoing in the oppressive quiet, their minds gripped by sheer terror.

Standing to the side, Chen Tian’s father experienced a wave of profound relief, grateful that he had managed to restrain himself from speaking. He, too, had erroneously assumed that Yasenia’s [Celestial Sunder] was some kind of ultimate, unrepeatable technique.