Ao Yuelan gave people a few moments for them to look at the sky-shrouding scroll. The scroll was ancient-looking but pristine in appearance. It felt as if it blended with the world, creating a faint connection toward all who had decided to participate.
After giving everyone a little while, her voice boomed once more, reaching all corners of the continent. "The tournament to challenge the [Treasure Holder] starts now! To be qualified enough to challenge her, you will have to pass two filtering levels. Once completed, those who passed will be able to compete for the enticing [Star Breaker Realm Bead]!"
Even if Ao Yuelan knew that the treasure was a secondary concern, she, as the announcer, needed to keep up the script. "The [Treasure Holder], as everyone now can well see, has talents beyond comprehension. Still, most of you will ask yourselves, what if her talents are not up to par? What if her strength is lacking? Therefore, she will participate in the filtering events together with everyone else."
One of the demons asked aloud. "What if she fails?"
Ao Yuelan looked down and smiled coldly. "Child, do not interrupt, or I'll disqualify you. This is the first and last warning."
The pressure on her voice as she spoke was boundless, making all participants feel as if the world was about to collapse around them. Thankfully, Ao Yuelan only wanted to scare them a bit, so no one was injured.
"Lord Yan Huang, the exalted Flame Sky Emperor, has brought out one of his precious treasures for the second filtering event. One that even mortal children can enjoy. Hence, I do urge those who had the guts to participate as mortals to persevere."
Yasenia blinked and looked at him. "What is it?"
Yan Huang smirked. "Impatient girl, can't you wait for Ao Yuelan to finish?"
The dragoness harrumphed and looked at the arena again. Ao Yuelan continued. "Let's explain the rules for the first tournament trial. In this one, you will be thrown into an illusory world. Inside this illusory world, there are no rules. Remember, though, all spectators will be watching. So, be sure that you don't do something you will regret later."
Everyone gained subtle looks, but no one complained. Once this information had settled in, Ao Yuelan continued. "Your objective inside the illusion is to survive. You must survive for one week. Those alive by the end of the week will be able to pass on to the second trial."
Yasenia furrowed her brows, glancing at Tatyana. "You were part of the creation of these trials, right? Don't you know that I will be like a massive beacon for everyone inside?"
Tatyana glanced at Yasenia and smiled. "I know."
Our dragoness was rendered speechless by the nonchalant answer. Then, she sighed and continued listening. Ao Yuelan could see the various expressions of everyone gathered, but she didn't care much. "Before you enter the illusion world, you can give one person an [Awareness Tablet]. If that person thinks that you are in deep trouble or about to encounter something unspeakable, they can break that tablet and take you out of the illusion. Give this tablet to the person you trust the most."
Yasenia saw a small beam of light speed toward her, stopping right before her. There, a green and violet tablet appeared, around a finger long. The material looked like crystal, and once she touched it, she realized that it was incredibly fragile.
After observing the tablet for a while, she passed it to Tatyana without hesitation. Ao Xianlan pouted and hugged Yasenia tightly from behind. "Why not me? Give it to me."
Feeling the impossible-to-ignore presence of two very large soft mountains pressing on her, Yasenia's lips twitched. "Aunt Xianlan, my mother is the one who understands me best. I think she should hold it."
"No! I want it!"
Seeing the unexpected childish display from the giant dragon woman, Yasenia hesitated for a second. Honestly, she wouldn't mind giving her the tablet. Still, among everyone present, only Tatyana was someone she could trust with everything. To placate the dragon ancestor, Yasenia floated up and gave Ao Xianlan a peck on the cheek. "Let Mom have it, please."
Ao Xianlan blinked a few times and then smiled like a flower. "Alright, if little Yasenia insists, then I can't help it."
Tatyana snorted. "Shameless."
Every other dragon very much wanted to agree with Tatyana, but didn't dare to! Don't let her gentle and pampering side when interacting with Yasenia fool you. This ancestor was usually cold-faced and brutal toward things that bothered her.
After the [Awareness Tablets] were shared among everyone and given to respective guardians, Ao Yuelan resumed her speech. "I can see that some of you have not given the tablets to anyone. If that's the case, keep them by your side. We will protect your real bodies, so you don't have to worry about someone breaking them while you are inside. Were that to happen, the offender will be executed."
The last sentence startled everyone. However, they soon understood the severity of the punishment. This event was prepared by the Flame Sky Emperor and supported by the Dragon Clan. Moreover, the number of top forces participating was sufficient to make even those arrogant juniors tread cautiously so they wouldn't offend the wrong people.
Yasenia recalled the first grand tournament she participated in. At that time, they also used an illusory world. It was also the first place where she experienced "death." Recalling that memory that felt as if it happened an eternity ago, a look of nostalgia appeared on her face.
Ao Yuelan smiled. "Now, for the reward for survival. Everyone who manages to survive inside the Illusion World for a week will have a chance to step into the [Flame Sky Ancestral Lake]."
Yasenia blinked. The name by itself was something that couldn't be ignored. After all, it carried the very title of the ruling emperor. Clearly, this was a priceless treasure.
Ao Xianlan was surprised, glancing at Yan Huang. "You are truly generous."
Yan Huang chuckled. "We can afford to spend some resources from time to time, can we not? Moreover, I'll be gaining quite a few favors through this. It's not that bad of an exchange."
Curiosity brimmed inside Yasenia's eyes, her golden eyes locked onto Yan Huang. The man's lips twitched a few times. He was experienced, but this woman's gaze was too intense and heart-pounding. Even a Demigod of his caliber could feel butterflies flutter in his stomach. "Ahem. Little Yasenia, if you look at me so intensely, I will blush."
Yasenia deadpanned. "What a cheap way to avoid answering. I am doubting if your previous confessions were real."
The man didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 'Do you think I would even use this treasure if you were not participating?'
Of course, he didn't say that. He just showed a wry smile.
Ao Yuelan continued. "Now that everything is explained."
"Huh?" Yasenia complained. "What explanation! She said nothing about that lake."
Tatyana stifled a laugh. "That's why I told you to learn about the common sense of the Blue Pearl World, didn't I?"
"Oh! Right, let me summon magical time between my endless training hours to study the history of the Blue Pearl World."
The answer was so full of sarcasm that some people flinched.
"Ah, no. I have a better idea. The next time, I will take time from our Dual Cultivation sessions. That's much better, isn't it, Mom?"
Tatyana didn't need to hear anymore to bend under practically no pressure. "The Flame Sky Ancestral Lake is a place that stimulates bloodline, constitution, and cultivation. It uses [Flame Sky], a Natural Treasure that has evolved beyond this Heavenly Layer, to cleanse all impurities and boost cultivation. It is, in a way, comparable to your usual refining bath, but with effects thousands of times more effective."
Everyone looked at the woman with disdain while Yasenia nodded a few times. Tatyana explained a bit more. "The lake is divided into nine levels. Within each level, there are several minor realms as well. Try to go as deep as you can. I won't tell you which layers belong to which realms. Just try to go as deeply as possible."
"Alright."
Yasenia nodded, not minding her hiding that information.
Yan Huang noticed that peculiarity and became interested. 'I wonder how deep she will go. The first two layers are for mortals. The first layer covers the first three realms, and the second layer covers the fourth and fifth realms. These limitations are separated within the fire boundaries. The next three layers are for Transcendence Realm Cultivators. While the last four layers are for Seventh Realm cultivators.'
This was one of the main treasures the Flame Sky Empire used to nurture its cultivators. Using it to temper other young geniuses was beyond generous, and as he had said, he could use this moment to gain favors from other powers.
Depending on how he used these favors, Yan Huang wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
"Alright, now that everything is set, you will all enter the illusion. Please gather at the center."
Yasenia was about to stand up when she felt Ao Xianlan's arms tightening and pulling her back into her embrace.
"What's wrong, Aunt Xianlan?"
Ao Xianlan smiled. "Stay here. You don't need to go there. The formation will not feel any strain even if you don't leave our side."
"Huh? Why?"
Seeing puzzlement flash in her eyes, Ao Xianlan asked, curious. "Aren't you afraid of someone doing something to you?"
Yasenia's puzzlement only increased, showing honest confusion. "Aren't you, Mom, and Uncle Yan Huang protecting me? What can happen?"
Being on the receiving end of Yasenia's usual blind trust, Ao Xianlan was somewhat overwhelmed. She was not used to receiving such pure feelings of reliance and trust. Her heart melted, and she smiled. "If you think like that, then there is even more reason for you to stay here. In my arms, you are the most protected."
Using her hand to place Yasenia's head on her chest, Ao Xianlan tenderly whispered. "Close your eyes, little Yasenia. Sink into the illusion, and Aunt Xianlan promises that she will take good care of you."
Yasenia did as told, finding a comfortable position as her tail hugged Xianlan's waist. Soon, the formation started, and Yasenia's consciousness was pulled into the illusion world.
Extremely powerful cultivators created this formation, so even those with illusion experts among the participants were unable to see through it. The world around them was perfect, replicating even the tiniest details.
Looking around, Yasenia noticed that she was in the middle of a forest. Instead of exploring, she moved her Celestial Energy, sank into her dantian to interact with her treasures, and checked that everything was working correctly.
She had too many special treasures that might not work, but thankfully, everything worked perfectly. 'Impressive. Whoever the illusion masters that helped create this are, their strength is something far surpassing anything I can imagine.'