In the crowd around the Death Saintess' procession, there was one woman whose eyes were darkened. Her eyes only reflected the figure of the tall and incredibly alluring dragon woman. 'What right does she have?'
Only Heaven could bear witness to the time and effort she put into becoming the Death Saintess's first disciple. 'I, Ling Suya, am not someone who can get easily trampled by a newcomer!'
Regulating her breathing, the woman approached the procession and bowed elegantly. "Lady Death Saintess, it is a pleasure to meet you here."
Xing Jimie blinked, not expecting anyone to approach. However, when she looked to the side, her faintly disapproving expression quickly eased up. "Little Ling, why are you here? I thought you were out on a mission."
Ling Suya smiled softly, ignoring Yasenia. "This disciple heard from an elder that Lady Death Saintess and the others found what they were searching for. So, feeling curiosity, I rushed to finish the mission and returned as fast as possible."
Xing Jimie hummed and nodded. "As expected of one of the most talented disciples of our sect. You are diligent and capable." She then asked, her eyes unfathomable. "Still… Who was this senior who told you about this secret communication?"
Ling Suya's smile didn't falter, but she was sweating inside. 'Is that a matter of anger? Should I sell out that senior? However, it was difficult to connect with a high-level senior to give it up half-heartedly.'
After a few instants of thought, Ling Suya smiled and answered. "Lady Death Saintess, this little one heard it in passing. I ask not to punish them, since this little one would feel burdened."
"Punish?" Xing Jimie showed a faint but cold smile. "I never said that, did I? You are overthinking things, Little Ling. You are also… Overreaching."
"Forgive me, Lady Death Saintess." Ling Suya bowed almost ninety degrees. She was cursing at herself for being too hasty. 'If it weren't because of the sense of crisis that dragon woman gave me, would I have committed such a low-level mistake?'
When she straightened her waist, her eyes couldn't help but move to look at the silver-eyed Dragon woman, a trace of resentment flashing in her eyes.
At that instant her emotions overflowed for a little bit, Ling Suya noticed the dragon woman's eyes move over. The cold light flashing in the depths of the silver-colored dragon's eyes froze her for a moment, her soul feeling a strange chill.
Thankfully, the dragon woman looked away right as she looked over. Her tensed body relaxed, but alongside that feeling of relief, a more profound sense of shame emerged. 'That dragon woman…! How dare she intimidate me!'
Xing Jimie ignored Ling Suya's small actions and spoke to Yasenia. "This is one of the most talented disciples of our sect. She has managed to reach the peak of the mortal realms by her 120th year. Now, after around 240 years of preparation, she might tackle the Heavenly Tribulation at any moment."
Ling Suya smiled, showing a proud look as if showing off.
Meanwhile, Yasenia was feeling weirded out. 'What is wrong with this woman? First, she looks at me resentfully. Now, she is fluttering her wings like a proud peacock…'
She commented lightly. "Is it because her heart is not stable that she has yet to challenge the tribulation?"
Ling Suya froze, while Xing Jimie showed an appreciative look. She asked, confused. "How did you notice?"
Yasenia barely held herself from rolling her eyes. She, instead, answered flatly. "Her emotions are all over the place. While I don't believe that cutting off emotions is the way to achieve immortality, as that feels like an empty path with only a destination and no journey to experience, I do think that gaining control over the more superficial emotions is necessary."
Xing Jimie showed another look of shock, not expecting such a profound insight from this young woman. You must understand that the grand majority of cultivators think that cutting as many emotions as possible and merging with Heaven and the Dao was the quickest way to become stronger.
Young people imitated that, and eventually it became the most mainstream way to teach and cultivate. For Yasenia to achieve immortality while following the path she recited spoke volumes of her talent and vision. Also, of her upbringing and ideas shared by none other than Tatyana.
Xing Jimie was critical of Yasenia; she wasn't blinded by that feeling. Therefore, she was not stingy with praise. "That's a great mentality. Ling Suya, you should internalize the words Yasenia just said. Not only you, but all those who were listening."
The people around made a silent bow, while Ling Suya almost crushed her teeth by gritting them together. She wanted to show off in front of the Death Saintess, but she ended up giving the spotlight to the annoying dragon woman who stole her position!
Yasenia spoke calmly, neither happy nor unhappy about those who showed admiration towards her. "Should we move on, Lady Death Saintess? I want to see what you wanted to show me."
Xing Jimie nodded. "Let's go."
Ling Suya coughed, catching their attention again. "That. Lady Death Saintess, as you know, I am really eager to one day come under your esteemed tutelage. For that, I've been working tirelessly. Therefore, could I take this chance and ask if you are willing to accept that offer?"
Yasenia's clever mind flashed when she heard those words. Instantly, she understood what was happening. Her eyes flashed with disdain as she looked at the woman. 'No wonder she was so strange. She is jealous of me. With that easily corruptible mindset, I don't have to do anything. The Immortal Heavenly Tribulation will devour her whole.'
Xing Jimie frowned for a second, noticing something amiss. Of course, unlike Yasenia, who had a third-party perspective, Xing Jimie had known Ling Suya for a few decades. Their relatively close relationship blinded her from seeing the ugly feelings underneath Ling Suya's facade.
Not thinking much about Ling Suya's strange behavior, she pondered and nodded lightly. "Alright, follow us. Still, I need to focus on Yasenia today. So, you follow silently from behind. You might learn a thing or two if you observe how Yasenia behaves.'
Ling Suya smiled and nodded. "That will be my pleasure."
Yasenia ignored the slightly smug glance that Ling Suya directed towards her. Instead of thinking of stupid people, her hands gently caressed her stomach, and soon, happy feelings bubbled inside her, making her tail wag cutely.
Xing Jimie noticed it, an imperceptible smile appearing on her cold lips. Still, she ignored it and guided the group towards the training area. "Yasenia, you've entered the Transcendence Realm not too long ago—"
"What!?"
Ling Suya's exclamation made Xing Jimie frown. She chided her. "Ling Suya, don't interrupt unnecessarily."
Not noticing the girl's turbulent mind, Xing Jimie continued. "Either way. As I said, you are currently developing through your Beast Path, right? You are a dragon, after all."
Yasenia answered through mental communication to Xing Jimie. She didn't want that Suya girl to know more than the bare minimum. 'Lady Death Saintess, while I tread the Beast Path, I am also advancing in the Spiritual Path.'
Xing Jimie blinked twice, confused about more than one thing. 'Are you communicating mentally because you don't want anyone else to know?'
'That's right. I do not trust others knowing such important details.'
'I understand.' Xing Jimie then tried to clarify her next doubt. 'From what I know, beasts can't practice the human path, or any other path for that matter. How are you able to do so? Does it not hurt your foundation?'
Yasenia shook her head, still answering via mental communication. 'The thing is, my birth had problems. During my infancy, I was more a Beast Human than a complete dragon. This was a big disadvantage, but where there is danger and misfortune, there is also opportunity. After a few lucky encounters, I was able to reform my beast core without losing my beast-human ability to practice human paths.'
Xing Jimie couldn't help but show surprise. 'No wonder you were able to reach the Sixth Realm in your infancy! How could a dragon be so advanced in cultivation otherwise? You can cultivate actively.'
Yasenia nodded, while the Death Saintess showed a pondering look. "No wonder, no wonder… If that's the case, then I need to change quite a few things. Let's change directions."
They all followed silently, not asking about the sudden silence and change of plans. Clearly, Yasenia and Xing Jimie spoke secretly.
Ling Suya frowned, but she followed without question. After a while, she was confused. 'Hm? Isn't this the human cultivator area? Why are we here when that dragon woman is a beast?'
Xing Jimie spoke to Yasenia. "As I was saying earlier. You've just entered your Sixth Realm. While you managed to stabilize the foundation, you need to do much more than that. The most important step is understanding the use of energy and your ability to use the energy from your surroundings, beyond that residing in your dantian. Taking advantage of your environment is what separates mortals and immortals… Well, beyond the difference in raw strength."
Yasenia nodded. Her new skills all followed this principle. 'Hm… perhaps, I can bring back a few of my mortal skills in the future. I only need a bit more practice and understanding.'
She liked her new set of skills, but she did miss a few—for example, Day and Night.
As Xing Jimie explained a few things, she pointed around them. "This arena was created with complex formations that create illusory opponents. You will train against my phantom for ten hours here. Try not to get beaten too badly."
Yasenia blinked and asked, confused. "Isn't it better to use my new treasure? It has this function but specialized for myself, right?"
"If you do that, I can't see." Xing Jimie commented. "While self-learning with a treasure of that degree is quick, you will end up rushing into a wall. Instead of blindly slamming your head against walls again and again, wouldn't it be better for me to look at your fighting and guide you? There are many solved mysteries, so rediscovering them yourself is a waste of time."
The dragoness pondered and agreed. "Alright. I have not had any proper guidance since I entered the Sixth Realm. So, this will be interesting."
"...No guidance?"
Yasenia nodded.
Xing Jimie's eyes shone strangely. 'No guidance, and she already has a peak Level 2 Intent Domain and another powerful Level 1 Intent Domain? Why is she so abnormal!?'
Strangely, Xing Jimie felt pressure as a teacher. 'If my lessons hurt her more than help her… I would probably never forgive myself for leading astray a talent like her.'