Far from Yasenia's training place, individuals from myriad powers gathered near the capital of the Flame Sky Empire. This event, which was announced only a few years ago, caught most of the mid- to high-level forces by surprise.
Many people were unaware of what this was about, so they asked around.
"You don't know? There was a secret realm a few years ago, and the main treasure got stolen by a junior cultivator. There are now quite a few powers who want to fight for it."
"Huh? Why would they do that? Isn't it much easier to just kill that junior cultivator?"
"Do you think they wouldn't have done that if they could? The background of that cultivator is terrifying."
"How terrifying can it get? While I don't know what this is about, I know that the Demons, Divines, and other similarly strong super-powerhouses are participating. Is she from the 1st continent or something? The direct descendant of the Emperor?"
"As if. If that was the case, these powers wouldn't even dare squeak in front of her."
"Her? So it is a female cultivator."
A woman at the side squinted. "Do you have a problem with that?"
The man was speechless. "Did I say that I have any? I was just confirming."
Another man at the side asked, curious. "Is she beautiful? Since she was able to steal the treasure, she must be a big-muscled woman, hahaha!"
A younger cultivator snorted. "What do you know? She might be a supreme beauty for all we know!"
"Tsk, tsk. All of you are still short-sighted. From what I've heard, my sister's cousin's brother's grandpa saw her before. He said that she is the most beautiful woman in the world."
A woman spoke, her tone full of jealousy. "Ha! I am now eager to see that 'supremely beautiful' woman then. I wonder if she can hold a candle to our sect's holy maiden."
"Heh. There is an age limit to participate in this tournament, though. Does that holy maiden even qualify? I also heard a bit, and let me tell you, that cultivator is a monstrous genius. I heard that she is a second-level Transcendence at 500 years old."
"What!?"
Many people screamed in shock, unable to swallow this news calmly.
"Look over there!"
Someone pointed, their eyes full of worship! The group that had unconsciously gathered to discuss the matter glanced over and noticed a man with long golden hair and a solemn look. His similarly golden wings gave him a divine appearance, making others feel inferior.
"That's the junior elder from the Light Divine branch. I heard that he achieved Transcendence at 400 years. He is considered a supreme genius."
"Hm? How old is he now?"
"I am unaware, but his cultivation is already at the 5th level of the Transcendence Realm. A true monster among his peers."
A woman called out to that Divine fearlessly among the group. "Senior brother!"
The man paused and looked over, his indifferent expression showing a faint smile. "Junior Sister. I didn't know you were here."
The woman who strutted forward was the same one who spoke jealously before, and many glanced at her with a frown. "I was trying to get some information. Well, they are not really reliable. How can that dragon be prettier than Senior Sister?!"
The disdainful tone made the man shake his head. "Don't underestimate her. Have you even heard what the conditions to participate are? Only those who are less than ten times her age are able to take part in this tournament."
The woman was not stupid, so she knew what this meant. No one would be sane enough to put that condition. After all, a 1,000-year-old would be going against 10,000-year-olds. The factor of 10 in the increase was just ridiculous when competing fairly.
"That's why I am angry, Senior Brother! Isn't she too arrogant? Even if she loses, she can always hide under that fact. This is a cowardly way to give up her treasure. She is just using this chance to make herself known and gain some fame!"
The man sighed and ruffled the woman's hair. "Junior Sister, what if those words were not said out of arrogance? I am unsure if I will be able to participate, much less your Senior Sister, who is a bit older than I am."
"What!? You are just 3100 years old! How could you not participate!? I heard that the dragon is a second-level Transcendent. I don't care how talented she is; it is impossible to be younger than 500 years old! After all, she is a dragon. Dragons don't mature before that age!"
The Senior Brother didn't say anything, but his expression was still solemn. When he came here, he was told repeatedly by the grand elders that he should never underestimate her. After all, he heard that the woman defeated Lady Astarea and even befriended Lady Lataria. Those two were people he looked up to because, in the same realm, they were basically unbeatable.
Yet, these two fell short when compared to that mysterious dragon woman when fighting while being restricted inside the Secret Realm. This told the Divine everything he needed to know. 'That dragon is far from simple.'
He even heard that some powers from the Dragon Clan had moved to observe and protect that dragon girl secretly. They were placing tremendous importance on the girl, as if she were going to become their precious treasure.
"This tournament… I have a bad feeling about it."
Hearing his mutter, the junior sister was silent. She refused to believe that his instinct would be on point. But all hints pointed to the dragon woman being extremely ridiculous.
A few weeks went by after that, and eventually, the day for the tournament arrived. The number of top powerhouses gathered at the location was so great that local residents felt unnerved. Even when this was the Flame Sky Empire, one of the strongest powers on the Blue Pearl World, the people walking around the streets were anything but normal.
Flame Sky Emperor glanced at everything with a hum and looked to his side. His smile was gentle, and on his excessively gorgeous face, it made almost all women feel their legs soften.
Of course, most did not mean all, and the one who was on the receiving end was one of the few who were not charmed by it.
"Are you ready, Little Yasenia?"
Yasenia frowned a bit, feeling somewhat apprehensive. "Are you sure it is okay, Uncle Yan Huang?"
The Flame Sky Emperor nodded. "Don't worry, I will protect you. If any of them dare to make a move, they will regret it dearly."
Tatyana, at the side, squinted. "Hey. I know you like her, but she is MINE, understood?"
Yan Huang glanced at Tatyana and raised his eyebrow slightly. "Why? Do you feel threatened? You should place a bit of confidence in your lover and daughter, should you not?"
Yasenia glanced at them with a smile. While she understood the Flame Sky Emperor's feelings, the man had been nothing but respectful. Yes, he was gentle towards her, and he took care of her, but he never imposed it on her. If Yasenia were to tell him to keep a distance seriously, he would do so without hesitation.
Therefore, Tatyana had nowhere to grab this Emperor. Moreover, he lent her his help and even guided Tatyana when she first arrived at Blue Pearl, making her owe him. So, among the many people in Blue Pearl World, Yan Huang was one of the few who had earned some respect from the Death Empress.
While Tatyana and Yan Huang bickered, Yasenia felt an aura of deathly energies. She didn't feel threatened, though. After she looked to the other side, she tilted her head up and smiled. "Hello, Uncle Graveyard."
The Graveyard Emperor laughed happily. "Are you doing well, Little Yasenia? Any nervousness?"
Yasenia didn't hide it. "While I am not nervous for the tournament, there are too many powerhouses that are much stronger than me. Only now that I can somewhat feel how truly strong they are do I realize that I am basically helpless to resist if something happens."
The Graveyard Emperor nodded. "I understand. But don't worry. That treasure of yours is tempting, but only for relatively weak powers. Most top-tier powers in the world have their own inheritance. Besides the Divines, Demons, and Dragons, the people you'll see participating are from top sects. The rest are not even qualified for it."
"I see…" Yasenia then tilted her head. "Then… Why are those top powerhouses participating?"
"They are curious." The Graveyard Emperor showed a smirk.
Yasenia was quick to connect the dots. "Ah… It seems that the condition Mom proposed was still too exaggerated."
Tatyana pinched her waist, making Yasenia hiss in pain. "You dare doubt your mother? See how I spank you later!"
Yasenia quickly pleaded for forgiveness. "Sorry, sorry… ouch! You can punish me later as you wish, so stop pinching!"
Tatyana snorted and then smiled, rubbing the place she pinched. "Alright, this age is perfect. After all, if I say something like five times your age, there won't be competitors. If that happens, all the sects will feel scammed. After all, you are too much of an anomaly. Instead, when I say it ten times, I leave them with no excuse. Even if you reveal your age, and for some reason, there are no participants, who would dare complain? Ten times the age for participating! That's something only crazy people would agree on."
Yasenia understood that logic. "When something is better than you, you can feel jealousy. But if the gap is ridiculous, then you will feel awe instead. Right?"
"That's the logic behind it, yes." Tatyana tiptoed a little and patted Yasenia's head with a smile, making the dragoness's tail wag happily.
Yan Huang squinted and snorted. Tatyana looked over and showed a victorious smile. 'This is something you will never do! Get used to feeling like that.'
The Flame Sky Emperor rolled his eyes in annoyance.
The Graveyard Emperor spoke. "Alright, it seems that things are prepared. The tournament style will be quite peculiar, so wait until we explain it to everyone."
Yasenia had no problem with that. Regardless of the type of tournament, she was confident in being the ultimate winner. Her last two months of training, while short, gave her plenty of inspiration.
Now, she was eager to show off her strength to the world. 'This is probably the first time I can go all out in front of everyone without worrying about the consequences.'
How good did that feel? She had always been careful about what she revealed and what she didn't, fearful that she would catch the eye of someone she shouldn't. Now, though, her backing was no less strong than that of other people of her generation.
'Prepare yourselves. You are about to fight a battle-hungry dragon.'
A wild smile stretched on her lips.