Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1685. Central Area and Shang Qinluan.

After forcefully getting into the good graces of Shang Tian, Yasenia prepared to depart and followed to the Central Area. The teleportation formation flashed, their figures vanishing as they moved tens of millions of kilometers inward.

Realm-type worlds were massive. More often than not, they were even bigger than an entire Solar System, transformed into a plane of land, sky, and ocean.

This was not always good, though. The larger the world, the sparser the Heavenly Energy. So, a realm-type world created hotspots of energy, while large areas became unable to even reach the immortal realms due to the energy concentration.

The areas with the most concentration of energy were usually the central area of the Realm-type world. Pockets of pure energy were scattered everywhere, but the Central Area had the best "Average" energy quality.

Yasenia could feel it right away.

The concentration of energy in this place, compared to the outside of the Dravory Dragon Valley, was at least a hundred times more concentrated. ’It is still worse than our valley, though.’

Even Tatyana had praised that location in terms of energy quality. Naturally, the Valley had become one of the rare outside concentration areas for energy. A true cultivation paradise in this world.

Shang Tian had expected them to show surprise at the energy of this place. Most people who visited for the first time became awed at the concentration of energy. Sadly, he saw them look around curiously at the architecture instead.

Evelyn hummed. "Quite low buildings."

Andrea agreed. "Yeah, only a few pagoda-type structures stand out. Most of the place is filled with three- to five-floor structures. Interesting. Is the concentration of population low in this place?"

Kali smiled. "I feel quite nice, though. The structures are mixed with nature. There are quite a few tree decorations and garden areas. Clearly, it is a city deeply connected with nature."

Shang Qinqin joined and explained. "That’s because there is a belief that densely populated areas are bad for Feng Shui. Therefore, cities take up large portions of terrain instead. This city covers around ten million square kilometers."

Evelyn showed a touch of surprise. "The city covers that much terrain? Quite massive. I am guessing that it is divided into many sectors."

"Yes." Shang Qinqin waved her hand, summoning a map with a roughly drawn circular city. The map was somewhat crude on purpose. "We are currently here, in the outer southwest area. The southwest is the merchant territory, controlled by our Shang Family."

Qinqin traced a large area of the circle with her fingers. "The entire central area. This central dot is governed by the Imperial Family."

Qinqin then superficially explained the rest. "The west is focused on alchemy, and the east on blacksmithing families. The north and south are dominated by supreme sects. The north has more demonic cultivators, and the south has more righteous ones."

Their group was not standing in the middle of the street. Since everyone could look over with Spiritual Sense, there was no need to stop to look. Therefore, they were flying low toward the Shang Family state as Qinqin explained.

"As for the Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast, they are all dominated by other merchant families. In total, there are plenty of powers. One Empire, Eight Supreme Sects. Four Merchant Families, Twelve Noble Families, and a few other powers that are not named but have deep influence."

Yasenia pondered and asked. "This is supposed to be the Neutral Area of the world, right? From what I’ve investigated, Divines and Demons cover large expanses of the world."

Qinqin nodded at Yasenia. "Yes. This city is the core of all neutral forces. Even the sects and noble families, regardless of demonic or orthodox practices, are considered neutral. That’s because both sides deal with Divines and Demons alike as long as they don’t go against their beliefs. Our Shang Family does business with everyone as long as there is profit as well."

Yasenia hummed. "You do business with Demons? That’s a dangerous endeavor."

While Yasenia didn’t want to generalize, Demons had shown to be a species leaning more toward negative traits. If Divines were overly self-righteous while blind to their own negative traits, Demons knew about those negative traits and, instead of trying to fix them, sank into them with relish.

Lady First, the Succubus Ancestor Yasenia learned from, was not that much different. Only, the aspect she decided to sink into was lust, but with elegance. Seduction without looking, to put it bluntly, like a cheap streetworker.

That’s why Yasenia liked Lady First. While she treaded on the path of lust, she didn’t sink into the path of corruption.

Most demons were not like that, though. Succubi would charm, deceive, and disguise themselves if it meant snatching someone and sucking their entire Yang reserves. Same for the incubus species.

Therefore, Yasenia was slightly more wary of Demons than she was of Divines.

’Still, offending a Demon is better than offending a Divine. A demon will resent you and try to get you; a Divine would tell everyone that you offended them and try to get you together with the crowd...’

Shang Tian noticed Yasenia’s words and asked. "Has Lady Yasenia dealt with Demons often?"

Yasenia hummed. "Not often, but I’ve been in conflict with them before. Most of the time, it was my looks that attracted them. The last time I was targeted, though, was because I snatched one of their treasures right under their nose. Both Divines and Demons really wanted to tear me piece by piece."

Yasenia snickered, remembering her time in the Blue Pearl World. Shang Tian frowned, and knowing what he was thinking, Yasenia added. "That happened in another Heavenly Layer. So do not worry about being targeted for becoming connected to us. We are completely new in terms of relationships in this world."

The amount of information in that short clarification was enough to make Shang Tian dizzy. "...I understand."

Their group moved quickly through the streets, but as they flew, they were stopped.

"Oh? If it isn’t Young Lady Shang? Have you finally returned after checking on those barren locations? Hahaha."

The annoying voice of a woman reached them, so they all stopped and looked over. Another group of a similar size was gathered there. The woman at the front had some similarities with Shang Qinqin, although her temperament seemed much worse.

Yasenia couldn’t help but compare them in her head. ’Qinqin might be a bit impulsive in terms of romance, but she carries herself with dignity when needed... This woman is basically a Young Mistress from head to toe.’

First impressions were... awful.

Shang Qinqin answered with a smile. "It went excellently. I made a delightful connection with my guest, and we are on our way to visit Ancestor Shang. I must thank you for leaving such an important opportunity to me. Who knew I would be this lucky! Thank you, Lady Shang Qinluan!"

Shang Qinluan, who had expected Shang Qinqin to return a cold and somewhat resentful look, blinked a few times, flustered. Her eyes finally moved to the side, and her jaw dropped. ’W-What kind of beauty is that!?’

A second later, an intense surge of inferiority complex struck her. When someone was just slightly more beautiful, you could feel envy. Yasenia was just so far above Shang Qinluan that she couldn’t even feel envy, only a crushing feeling of inferiority.

Knowing how Shang Qinluan was feeling, Shang Qinqin smiled and spoke. "Sister Qinluan, we will speak later. As I said, Ancestor Shang has asked for an audience. While it is a shame I lost the chance to get those items due to my absence, I got something much more valuable. So, once more, I appreciate you giving away your own opportunity to me. See you later~."

Tugging at Yasenia’s arm coquettishly, Shang Qinqin sneered at Qinluan and spoke. "Let’s go, Yasenia~."

Yasenia nodded silently, not giving that woman a second look. ’Even if that woman found me instead of Qinqin, her only end might’ve been death. So, in a way, Qinqin saved her life.’

Watching them leave, Shang Qinluan almost crushed her teeth in anger. "Find. Out. Everything. About. That. Woman... NOW!"

A few of her attendants flashed away swiftly while Qinluan glared in Qinqin’s direction.

***

As they flew, Yasenia glanced at Qinqin and asked. "Who is she?"

Shang Qinqin explained. "My half-sister. She is just one to two thousand years older than me, so she is a close sister. She was born from my father’s seventh concubine, while I was born from my father’s second main wife."

Yasenia hummed, unconcerned. Powerful cultivators gathering several wives or husbands was something done absolutely everywhere. Even she did the same. Shang Qinqin continued. "While she is older than me, she is less talented. Or so I believe. I mean, she had over one thousand years more than I to develop, and my influence in the Shang Family is larger than hers. My ability to create capital and expand our trade is also better than hers. In everything but age, I am superior. So, she uses cunning methods to keep me down."

Yasenia glanced at Shang Tian. "Does your family not care much about fights or methods?"

Shang Tian glanced at Yasenia and, knowing that Qinqin would blurt out everything either way, he decided to answer. "Is there a problem with that? Survival of the fittest is the basis when it comes to big families. If someone fails because of the other party’s schemes, they would’ve failed for another family’s schemes in the same way. So, it is up to them to reach maturity and find a proper footing to expand their influence."

Yasenia spoke, her tone calm. "I don’t understand why you would teach your descendants to fight each other instead of help."

Shang Tian snorted. "Do you think that catering to thousands of descendants is easy? Your family seems to be starting. I can say with certainty that, when your numbers reach the hundreds of thousands, you won’t say the same thing. As long as they don’t hurt the family, what is the problem with competition? Going to a Secret Realm and dying is the same as being tricked by a family member and dying."

Yasenia didn’t share that view. Even if there were millions, wasn’t it just better to send them to have their own adventures? She was not idealistic enough to say that everyone would get along. However, narrowing their view and focusing on what’s already conquered is the best way to stagnate and have your initial abundant resources become sparse.

’Instead of competing for conquered territory, it would be best to compete for new territory.’

She didn’t comment on it, though. It was true that Yasenia had yet to experience guiding a truly large family. She had guided a large sect and forces. But that was different in essence from guiding those sharing her bloodline.

While speaking about a few more details of the Central Area with Qinqin, they arrived at the Shang Family State.