Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 5
Previously on Heaven, Earth, Me...
While awaiting Anna's arrival back in the study, Countess Tatyana handled paperwork. Upon hearing the knock, she swung open the door and ushered Anna inside. “Have we located the cultivation technique [Convergence of the stars]?”
Anna replied with respect, “Yes, the third-rate sect Constellation Palace possesses it. They've demanded that we marry little miss to their palace young master if we desire the technique. Despite my repeated persuasions, they've remained haughtily stubborn, refusing to budge on their terms.”
Tatyana paused her tasks and gazed at Anna with an icy grin. “Did they actually utter those words? Did you reveal our identity and propose alternative treasures?”
Anna responded with a scoff, “It appears the sect's young master spotted little miss during her outdoor practice and took a strong liking to her. Lady Tatyana, recall the boy who pestered little miss three months back and ended up thrashed by the guards.”
Tatyana pondered briefly before the memory surfaced. She shook her head in dismay. “Indeed, those pampered second-generation brats are the absolute worst.”
After a moment's reflection, she declared, “I'll handle this myself; it's meant for Little Yassy, and failure isn't an option.”
Suddenly, another knock resounded at the door, revealing a pair of golden slit eyes tinged with red peeking from the edge. Tatyana and Anna beamed warmly, inviting Yasenia in. “Mom! Are you teaching me about the world's powers today?”
Tatyana wrestled inwardly but refused to miss this chance, replying, “You'll learn with Anna today. Mom must fetch something and might be gone for several days. Sorry, little Yassy.”
Yasenia blinked in astonishment. Understanding and perceptive by nature, she noted this marked the first time her mother ventured out for over a few hours since her birth.
Sensing a crucial matter brewing behind the scenes, she held back any protests. Turning to Anna with a grin, she exclaimed, “Hehe, you're my captive today and must instruct me on the world's powers!”
Anna dramatized her response, “Oh no! This can't be! Lady Tatyana, rescue this hapless servant from her doomed destiny!”
Yasenia burst into laughter, prompting Tatyana to roll her eyes helplessly. Rising, she enveloped Yasenia in a tight embrace, advising, “Stay vigilant these days and never wander alone! This world gleams beautifully on the surface, yet perils hide in the shadows where you least suspect.”
Yasenia nodded solemnly, using her tail to boost her height, wrapping around Tatyana's neck for a cheek kiss. “Don't rush on my account. I know Mom's powerful, but as you warned, dangers ambush unexpectedly. Stay safe, Mom. I love you.” She flashed a radiant smile.
Tatyana and Anna appeared momentarily stunned, then beamed with pride, reflecting on how intelligent their little Yassy, the little miss, truly was.
After farewells, Tatyana departed, summoning Richard to ensure utmost security.
Richard stood at 180cm tall, always wearing a gentle smile toward household members or allies. Known as the smiling devil, he granted death as mercy to any threatening his master or loved ones.
His build was muscular without excess bulk, featuring sharp angles, sword-straight eyebrows, and brown eyes that softened with his smile. His short, curly chestnut hair added to his appeal.
He wed Dr. Ava, and their two-year-old son Oliver, older than Yasenia, completed their family.
Dr. Ava, at 160cm, exuded sternness with her perpetually grave stare. Serving Tatyana for years as her physician, she excelled in healing, alchemy, and combat prowess.
Her neat bob of chestnut hair framed piercing icy blue eyes.
The couple's young son Oliver inherited their chestnut locks and his mother's blue eyes. Even young, his easygoing nature shone; he aspired to match his father's strength, safeguarding friends and kin.
Tatyana spotted Richard at the gate. He bowed gracefully, inquiring with a soft smile, “What command does the Lady issue to this butler?”
Tatyana acknowledged him, stating, “I'll depart with some forces to secure the [Convergence of the stars] cultivation technique. Heighten vigilance against foes striking in my absence. If needed, trigger the one-time killing array and remain indoors until my return. Yasenia's safety overrides all.”
Richard replied gravely, “Rest assured, Lady Tatyana. Everyone here prioritizes what's vital. I'd sacrifice my life before allowing harm to touch little miss.”
Tatyana nodded and departed, adding over her shoulder, “You're the house's second strongest. I can't afford to lose a reliable right-hand like you. Protect yourself too—you've a young son now.” She vanished around the bend toward the barracks.
Richard reentered the manor. Contemplating hidden threats to little miss or his boy, a gentle smile curved his lips, though his eyes gleamed coldly without mirth.
Back in the study, Anna and Yasenia launched their lesson. “Little miss, first understand this world spans endlessly. The powers I'll describe hold sway in our region.”
Little Yasenia nodded, prompting Anna to proceed, “To begin, our world lacks a single name, called variably by ancient cultures. We do name continents.” Yasenia nodded comprehendingly.
Anna explained, “Sky Continent is ours, encircled by four lesser ones: Black Tortoise to the north, Azure Dragon east, Phoenix south, White Tiger west.”
“Each smaller continent falls under one first-rate sect and kingdom's rule, mirroring their names: Black Tortoise Sect and Kingdom of Water, Azure Dragon Sect and Kingdom of Earth, Phoenix Sect and Kingdom of Fire, White Tiger Sect and Queendom of Metal. Their sects boast attribute-free techniques of great potency.”
“Second-rate sects abound, third-rate ones countless. Fourth-rate are mere schools, like the Azure School by the capital, weak spots for recruiting into main sects. Criteria for rankings... you'll grasp upon cultivating, little miss.”
Yasenia queried eagerly, “When do I begin cultivating?”
Anna answered solemnly, “Cultivation demands a fully mature body due to stringent starts. Ages of research confirm this; every epoch's experts agree.”
Yasenia probed, “If maturation lags, doesn't that disadvantage them?”
Anna responded evenly, “Little miss, our world thrives on inequality. Mortals cling to 'fairness'; cultivators follow scant unwritten laws: seniors spare unprovoking juniors; agreed death duels proceed uninterrupted; reputation reigns supreme—humiliation often trumps death. Tread carefully ahead.”
Yasenia frowned in confusion. “Humiliating others suits villains, but... is it truly so severe?”
Anna intoned gravely, “A cultivator's heart must stay firm climbing realms. Instability births heart demons, hurling one to demonic paths—madness, bloodlust, or horrors beyond.” Yasenia shivered.
Anna soothed her, continuing, “Today's finale: our continent's top powers. Brace yourself, little miss. They include Quilin Sect and Queendom of Nature; Rising Talent Academy, aka Rita State; Moon, Sun, and Star Empires; Medicine Valley and Thousand Poisons Valley; Heavenly Sect and Demonic Sect.”
Yasenia nodded earnestly, though inwardly she mused, ‘I'll need repeats later; so many names!’
Spotting her thoughts, Anna chuckled softly, “Little miss, you're merely five. Plenty of time before maturity to master these.”
Yasenia bobbed her head wisely. “Time does haste; step by step, I must achieve to be waste!”
Anna erupted in laughter, “Hahaha.”
She scooped up the girl, feeling the tail coil securely around her waist, then amended, “Haste makes waste; step by step to wisdom, little miss! Bedtime now; it's late.”
Yasenia's cheeks flushed apple-red, drawing bites of temptation, as she nodded.
Aboard a massive battleship, Tatyana commanded her forces toward Constellation Palace, radiating chilling murder. ‘How dare they bargain with my precious girl. Unchecked fury might make me detonate.’
Male soldiers deemed Constellation Palace idiots! ‘Coveting a technique when Lady Tatyana offered superiors? Targeting little miss seals doom!’
Female troops seethed, ‘Daring eye our little miss! Death! Death! Death!’
Four days later, they reached Star Dome Valley, Constellation Palace's lair. Dismounting, Tatyana stored the ship in her spatial ring. Her 132 troops—66 males, 66 females—formed the Yin-Yang Attack Formation.
Females embodied Yin, males Yang. Tatyana unearthed this in an ancient tomb, yielding vast boons and an inheritance amplifying her then-terrifying might.
Projecting her voice with energy for all to hear, she announced, “Countess Tatyana of Moon Empire here to confer with your sect leader.”
Moments passed before a bass voice replied, “Why visit our humble spot personally, Countess? Come inside to chat? Your followers wait out.”
Tatyana sneered, her will-infused tone quaking space, “This eminence grants one final warning. Haul your pathetic self before me, lest I raze your Constellation Sect!”
Unification realm weaklings collapsed bleeding from orifices. Superiors knelt crushed by vocal pressure.
Within, a dashing middle-aged man drenched in sweat screamed mentally. ‘Such power from her! Empire Counts hit early-mid Transcendence, right? She's a monster masquerading as human! Her cultivation eludes me!’
Awakening, he bolted out, inwardly damning his lustful son's folly. ‘A 5-year-old? Marriage later seemed fine, but now...’
“Countess Tatyana, mere mix-up. Tea inside? Your group enters too (Joke—with her alone dooming us, what's a few more?).” Tatyana withdrew her aura, easing breaths.
“Prepare what I seek by my arrival. You squandered talks. Now, my offer settles it grudge-free. No more wasted trips to your sect.”
Sect master bobbed frantically, “Yes, yes.” Via communication jade, he ordered the protector elder to fetch [Convergence of the stars] to the main hall.
Arriving, the protector awaited scroll in hand. Tatyana unrolled it amid tea service.
Her spiritual sense verified authenticity. “Trip bore fruit...”
Stowing it spatially, she eyed the master coldly, “Usually, I'd not press... but coveting my treasure crossed lines. Summon your son. He'll forgo intercourse 500 years—his penalty. For the scroll...”
Musing, she summoned 20 cubic meters of silvery Meridian Cleansing Water into a bath vessel (400 cubic meters remained spatially), “Bathe to purge meridian impurities for swifter cultivation. Serves 200; use sagely.”
Sect master eyed it, sighing inwardly, ‘Decent, yet pales prior offers... beggars can't choose.’
A youth entered, “Father, you summoned?”
Chill gripped him like icy abyss. Spotting crimson murder-vowing eyes, he thought, ‘This beauty terrifies like a fiend!’
“Son, meet Lady Tatyana, mother of that Moon Empire girl you eyed. This time—”
Excitement overriding fear, the fool cut in, “Future mother-in-law! Hello, I am—” *Bang!* Father, horrified, smashed him wallward!
Sect master faced Tatyana's tempestuous glare, weeping inwardly, “L-Lady Tatyana, youth's ignorance... forgive this slip?”
Her scowl deepened, halting him. “Punishment upgraded: 1000 years.”
Despair gripped; no tears flowed. He yielded dispiritedly, pondering, ‘Millennium sans heirs... another kid?’
Post-rites, Tatyana rushed troops homeward, craving, ‘Four days sans my treasure! Yasenium withdrawal hits hard!’
Accelerating, they hit mansion in three-and-a-half days, finding environs strewn with cadavers.