Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1559. Special Dish.
Previously on Heaven, Earth, Me...
Darla had always been aware of Yasenia's formidable abilities. The fact that Yasenia could effortlessly defeat Darla's peers in a single blow was a testament to her immense power. One-hit kills were simply not feasible unless devastating energies capable of shattering defenses were involved in the attack.
However.
Darla's gaze swept from the receding void and ocean towards the heavens, settling upon the colossal dragon. The creature served as a celestial shroud, its shadow engulfing the world. Its imposing presence and haughty demeanor suggested a desire to eclipse even the heavens, positioning itself above all living beings.
The colossal dragon gracefully moved its neck, its massive head slowly turning in their direction. "Now, is it clear?"
No verbal response was offered, yet the profound silence conveyed more than any spoken word could. Yasenia, observing the evident conviction of these powerhouses, gave a nod and reverted to her human form.
She reappeared clad in her customary, alluring blue dress, her eyes placid as she glided towards Angel, embracing her tightly. "Let's depart. Two other sects remain."
Darla's heart pounded, but this time, she remained silent, merely offering a numb nod.
Throughout the remainder of the day, Yasenia visited two additional locations, carving out two more abysses with her power. Those who survived her breath attack were left to their own fate, as Yasenia disdained pursuing them further. Her purpose was to instill a fear that would deter any future coveting of Evelyn's crown. 'Judging by their expressions, it seems I've accomplished my goal.'
Having achieved her objective, Yasenia turned to Evelyn with a tender expression. "Is there anything else you wish to do in this world, my love? If not, we can make preparations to leave."
Evelyn contemplated for a moment before shaking her head. "There is nothing left. I have no regrets either. If you wish to leave, we can depart whenever you are ready."
Chen Tian, who had been following, furrowed his brow momentarily before letting out a sigh. 'Whatever happens, at least my father wasn't foolish enough to lose his head.' He glanced upwards, noticing that Yasenia hadn't even acknowledged him, clearly not considering him a threat. "Young man, you have a promising future. Do not let this setback deter you."
Chen Tian turned his head to the side, finding Sierra offering him a smile. He returned the smile. "Thank you, Sierra."
With a brilliant flash of light, Yasenia summoned her meticulously repaired flying vessel, and everyone proceeded to board. Yasenia was the last to enter, casting a final glance at Darla's astonished face. "Sect Master Darla. You have become too complacent. Your aptitude and talent are far too great to be confined by this Heavenly Layer."
She harbored no animosity towards Darla, thus offering a single piece of advice. Whether Darla comprehended it or not was of no concern to Yasenia, who boarded the ship without seeking confirmation, Angel cradled in her arms.
Moments later, the vessel accelerated, shrinking into a distant point of light as it ascended into the cosmos. Witnessing the ship's departure, Darla gazed upwards, her usually resolute eyes now holding a hint of uncertainty. The sky she had always known now seemed confining, as if she were a frog gazing up from the depths of a well. 'Perhaps... I have indeed grown stagnant.'
She recalled the fervent drive that had propelled her in her youth, enabling her to ascend among billions of cultivators to reach the pinnacle. At some juncture, however, complacency had set in. 'When did it begin?' Darla wondered. 'Ah. It was after I attained the position of Sect Master... that's when it happened.' In her mind, becoming the Sect Master of one of the world's preeminent sects signified reaching her personal 'peak,' causing the ambition that had once propelled her forward to lie dormant.
'It appears... I must select my successor soon.'
***
As they traversed the vast expanse of space, Evelyn regarded Yasenia with a curious expression. Yasenia, ever attuned to the needs of her loved ones, smiled at her. "Are you wondering why I said that to her?"
Evelyn blinked, then offered a wry smile. "You truly understand me."
Yasenia chuckled, gently setting Angel down before lifting her own precious daughter. Nestled in Yasenia's luxuriously soft embrace, Evelyn sighed in contentment. The sensation of pressing against the dragoness's graceful curves was ineffably blissful.
"The reason is that you appear to hold some respect for her."
Evelyn looked up, surprised. Yasenia playfully nudged her nose with a smile. "Silly girl. Did you truly believe I couldn't discern your reluctance when she addressed you in that manner? It's evident that Darla is someone you revere as your Master, regardless of past events. Therefore, offering her a gentle nudge was entirely appropriate."
These simple yet profoundly honest words caused Evelyn's heart to race. It felt as though this enchanting dragoness of hers existed solely to bring her joy. Evelyn wrapped her arms around Yasenia's neck, burying her face in her throat as she pressed their bodies together. "I love you."
Yasenia beamed with happiness, her arms holding her beloved tightly. "I love you too."
Tatyana picked up a glass, took a sip of the crimson liquid, and licked her lips. "So, are we still planning to seek out Kali next?"
Evelyn tilted her head upwards, curiosity piqued. “Kali?” Glancing around, realization dawned. “Speaking of which, why haven’t you picked up Cecile for the last while?”
Yasenia closed her eyes momentarily, a smile gracing her lips. “Her current mood is quite tranquil. Therefore, I elected to collect her last. My primary concern lies with you and Kali, whose presence I cannot sense nearby.”
Evelyn stroked her chin thoughtfully. “If my memory serves me correctly, Kali and Angel bear your distinguishing mark, do they not?”
Angel's lips formed a slight pout. “My mark is nearly extinguished… I only managed to sustain its activation by drawing upon dragon essence from several tombs and hidden realms.”
Yasenia paused as Angel elaborated, “Infusing it with your residual blood essence proved challenging. The initial attempt nearly resulted in me absorbing it myself, rather than channeling it towards Yasenia’s essence.”
Evelyn sensed Yasenia’s tightly wound frame subtly relax, eliciting a bead of sweat. ‘Had Angel intertwined with another dragon’s blood essence, Yasenia might have initiated a full-scale extermination of their entire lineage.’
Mirrory observed Yasenia’s reaction, letting out a scoff. “Child, mingling with dragon essence is beneficial. It fortifies the blood and the physical form. Honestly, expending those resources merely to maintain your mark’s presence is extravagant at worst.”
A frown creased Yasenia’s brow as she turned her gaze toward Tatyana. “How much longer until our arrival at Kali’s world?”
Tatyana consulted the map, her response measured. “Kali and Cecile’s worlds are situated a bit further out. Consequently… approximately four months. Naturally, if you were to carry us, utilizing your utmost speed, we could conceivably shorten that duration to slightly over two weeks with minimal effort.”
While Yasenia was eager to reunite with her loved ones, she was disinclined to neglect those she had already collected. Furthermore, according to Tatyana’s assessment, Kali and Cecile were experiencing positive developments on a personal level.
Despite hearing “personal level” as a descriptor causing Yasenia’s tail to twitch with irritation, she understood that no significant events would unfold in such a limited timeframe. Thus, she wasn’t compelled to rush with the same urgency she had displayed when accelerating towards Andrea.
“Since that is the case…” Yasenia rose from her seat, releasing Evelyn from her previous position, and proceeded towards the ship’s galley. “I shall prepare a delightful meal.”
As Yasenia passed, Tatyana extended a hand, gently grasping her tail. “Aahn~.”
A delicate and ethereal moan, potent enough to send a rush of blood to the heads of all present, escaped Yasenia’s lips. The dragoness glanced back, her expression a blend of poutiness and undeniable charm. “Why grasp my tail? We can engage in other diversions later, Mother.”
Tatyana emitted a sigh, bestowing upon Yasenia a glare tinged with mild annoyance. “Do you believe I am unaware of your intention to infuse your blood essence into the food as a means to compensate Angel and the other two, given Mirrory’s commentary? Refrain from engaging in such foolish actions.”
Yasenia’s habitually wagging tail stiffened, her eyes betraying a flicker of guilt. “W-Whyever not? I can recuperate it with ease… Moreover, the threats within these worlds are virtually non-existent. A slight depletion in my strength would scarcely affect me…”
Tatyana remained silent, as Angel approached and, to Yasenia’s astonishment, delivered a firm slap to her posterior.
Slap~.
“Hng~. B-Baby?”
Yasenia’s form undulated like a ripe fruit, momentarily halting Angel’s intended words as her blue eyes captivated those sensual waves. Snapping free from the alluring undulations, Angel looked up, her gaze stern. “Cease such behavior. Do you genuinely believe we would find contentment if you were to harm yourself? I recall Kali emphasizing this point quite clearly in the past.”
Yasenia’s tail drooped, her posture conveying defeat, her eyes shimmering with a hint of sorrow.
This singular expression threatened to pierce through all their defenses as effectively as an armor-piercing projectile. Yasenia spoke, her voice laden with guilt. “B-But… I cannot uphold my promise to you otherwise.”
Angel and the others exchanged glances, a moment of bewilderment passing between them. Angel’s brow furrowed briefly. “What promise?”
Yasenia exhibited no offense at Angel’s lapse in memory. Instead, she lowered her body, embracing and lifting her into her arms. “Did I not pledge to discover a method for my mark to remain upon you eternally?”
Angel’s cerulean eyes suddenly widened slightly, the conversation resurfacing in her mind. At that time, a pang of jealousy had struck her concerning Cecile’s soulmate connection, even though Angel herself still harbored Yasenia’s blood essence within her veins. However, the revelation that Yasenia’s mark was temporary and destined to fade had left her utterly heartbroken.
Consequently, Yasenia had vowed to find a way to preserve that mark upon her permanently.
The passage of time had been so significant that Angel had nearly forgotten. Gazing into Yasenia’s soft, adoring golden slit eyes, Angel felt a knot form in her throat for a fleeting instant. ‘…To elicit such a trivial promise from her. I am truly…’
“You are not.”
“Huh?”
Yasenia regarded her with a gentle smile. “You are not acting selfishly. My intention was always to mark all of you, in some form or another. It is simply that I never truly discovered a viable method that did not necessitate the use of my blood essence. Thus, I never broached the subject.” Bestowing a kiss upon Angel’s exquisite eyes, Yasenia smiled softly. “Therefore, do not adopt that guilt-ridden expression. This promise, as with all promises I have made thus far, I am fully prepared to honor.”
Silence descended as everyone observed Yasenia's beaming countenance. Even Tatyana found herself at a loss for words. While her beloved had certain boundaries, a promise made by Yasenia was an unbreakable vow. If she pledged to do something, it was as good as done.
Tatyana reminisced about the assurances of love Yasenia had given her, her heart melting into a tender pool. 'This foolish girl...' she murmured.
With a sigh, Tatyana spoke, "Just once."
Yasenia's eyes sparkled. Tatyana met her gaze. "Only one time. After this, even if the opportunity passes, it won't mean your promise is unfulfilled, but rather that you haven't yet discovered the correct method. Is that clear?"
Our dragoness gently set Angel down, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Understood!"
Then, she was seen departing, her tail wagging with uncontainable joy. It wasn't until two days later that Yasenia reappeared, her complexion notably paler.
Upon witnessing her drained appearance, Tatyana instantly felt a pang of regret.
Yet, this regret vanished like mist when Yasenia presented a delectable Olivier Salad, prepared with her own unique flair. Interspersed with the traditional ingredients like potatoes and mayonnaise were slivers resembling salmon, olives, and savory tuna.
Yasenia carefully stored two portions in her storage ring, her gaze hopeful as she awaited their decision to dine. The group unanimously agreed to commence.
Evelyn and the others raised their forks, conveying the exquisite mixture to their mouths. Immediately, a symphony of flavors erupted. "Good heavens... this is divine," Andrea breathed, yet her fork never ceased its movement. She understood the profound significance of this dish and consumed it until not a trace remained.
Tatyana, however, refrained from eating, reserving her portion for her main body.
Moments later, a fiery surge emanated from Evelyn, Andrea, and Angel's stomachs, compelling them to immediately assume the lotus position. Mirrory, sensing the potent surge of Qi, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Yasenia, you are a dragon-shaped treasure. This concentrated essence alone could overwhelm any lesser boon."
Yasenia let out a chuckle, though a hint of fatigue shadowed her brow. "That is precisely the intention. My hope is that they can grow stronger."
Tatyana sighed once more, rising and settling onto Yasenia's lap. 'If I don't spoil this girl until she's purring like a contented kitten, I'll eat my hat!' she vowed internally.
And so, under Tatyana's tender ministrations, Yasenia became a purring, contented mess.