Han Yasheng looked around while explaining everything as usual. However, at some point, someone stole his gaze. It wasn't Yasenia, but Tatyana.
Tatyana's vibe had changed quite a bit since they last met. Nevertheless, he wouldn't forget one of the women who had actually, at some point, been with him for a few thousand years.
It had been several tens of thousands of years ago, but he still recalled her. The reason was that, after Tatyana left, he actually regretted it tremendously.
Back then, Han Yasheng had been scared of Tatyana. As someone searching for love, Tatyana had, at first, tried to be quite loving, but it felt… robotic. Moreover, when she got angry, she was terrifying.
The number of people who died because of Tatyana was so many that Han Yasheng couldn't even count them. So, eventually, he couldn't really bear her ruthlessness and slight madness, and left.
'Was it during that time that Tatyana created that massive zone?'
Han Yasheng and very few others knew that the origin of the massive Coliseum was actually a woman from a completely different world. Once she set it up and left some managers and formations, Tatyana felt no more value in the world and left for good.
That was a very long time ago.
(Author note: Some of you guessed this about the arena, and I don't understand how. Like, there were absolutely no clues other than some very passing ones in, like, the first 150 chapters! I am flabbergasted. Do you have an eye in my notes or something!?)
'But… her realm is strange. Did she advance so little after all this time? I recall that she was an incredibly absurd talent.'
His voice flowed out constantly, but since it was almost automatic for him, most of his focus was on Tatyana… and then Yasenia hugged her from behind with a suggestive look.
His voice almost cracked for a moment. '...What does that dragon think she is doing?'
Yasenia's face, body, and characteristics have become something widely known everywhere in Central City. Considered the new contender for the top beauty of the continent, Han Yasheng not hearing about her would be strange.
What he knew was that Yasenia had wives instead of husbands. At first, he was confused as to why such a thing was so widely accepted. It was only after he learned that Yasenia's tail seemed to be more than a tail that he became speechless.
Forget sizes, Yasenia's was secretly ranked as the "biggest" by the Young Ladies because, well, her dragon tail was well over two meters long. Even if her partner was over 20 meters tall, that tail was more than enough to send them to heaven and back!
Regardless, what was important was that Yasenia was something very new to the relatively stale Central City. A woman who targeted women, was ridiculously attractive, and, over everything, could continue the bloodline with women no problem.
For many men, Yasenia was more of a threat than other men.
Han Yasheng was never unconfident. He was considered one of the most attractive men for a reason. Even his strength and position were incredibly high. So, if he wanted someone, he was sure he could get them.
That confidence took a slight hit after he saw Yasenia. Since he was paying attention, he had managed to hear some low mumbling from Yasenia, and even her voice was comparable to his.
A mellow, attractive feminine voice full of suggestiveness. A voice that, with a very slight touch of purposeful raspiness or depth, would be able to melt men and women alike.
What was worse was that the dragon woman was hugging his past lover in a very intimate position. Clearly, their relationship was far from simple.
For him, who had always considered himself someone who could get anyone and never be stolen from anyone, it was deeply unpleasant. His gaze moved toward Yasenia, and his eyes flashed with a scheming look.
'If I just enchant that dragon, Tatyana will leave her as well. I can use that to approach Tatyana again.'
He finished speaking, and as he moved to approach Yasenia, he noticed a strangely tense atmosphere. Looking around, it wasn't only him, but many others who were glancing the dragon's way.
A voice full of elegance and royal presence echoed around. "Oh my, who knew that my guest would attract the attention of so many people."
Han Yasheng glanced up and saw a massive carriage pulled by nine gorgeous golden phoenixes. The phoenixes were low-level Transcendence Beasts, but they were still full-fledged, powerful beasts.
'The Empress…?'
The Empress didn't open the carriage or point at anyone in particular. "Ordered by His Majesty, the Dragon of the Empire, I have come to attend the Royal Hunt and act as a witness. I hope no one makes a mistake and thinks their tricks will play out fine. Remember, this is the Royal Hunt, not the Noble Hunt. I hope that this knowledge is deeply etched into everyone."
Almost every time the Royal Hunt happened, an accident happened. There were people who used these rare months in the wild to trap and trick their opponents, making it look as if they had died to wild beasts. If one was thorough enough, it would be almost impossible to test and prove them guilty. So, it was a moment of excitement for treasures, but also extreme care because of ambushes.
Yasenia couldn't help but glance silently at the carriage without an expression on her face. That comment was incredibly malicious, as long as the Empress had communicated with someone before. Even if she didn't, only stupid people would fail to guess who the mystery guest was.
Reacting now to those comments would be a mistake. So, instead, she just looked at her Ancestor Shang and walked over. "It is an interesting event. I have never participated in something similar. It is like an open Secret Realm exploration."
Ancestor Shang glanced at Yasenia with a raised eyebrow, immediately knowing her purpose. He internally shook his head but still answered with a faint smile. "The Royal Family has great planning, after all."
Yasenia smiled and nodded. "Indeed. They know perfectly well how to move people with just a few words. It is always awe-inspiring."
Their conversation sounded harmless, but to the spectator, the oddities stood out. While it looked as if Yasenia and Ancestor Shang were praising the Royal Family, their words contained hidden daggers.
Schemers, manipulators, sweet-talkers, etc. All those adjectives were slyly added in a way that made it impossible to point them out.
Han Yasheng took this chance to appear in front of Yasenia with a handsome smile. "Madam Dravory is indeed insightful, although she has been here for a century or two. Has your family chosen a guide for the event? If it is not too much, I would like to volunteer. Accompanying a group of talents is always a delight."
Many Young Ladies glanced their way. Their previous and new heartthrobs had suddenly gathered and began speaking amicably! What if they ended up together and left nothing for them? Some of them became so confused that they began biting their handkerchiefs.
Yasenia answered with composure and no signs of being swayed by Han Yasheng's looks. "It would be a delight. Sadly, if I were to accept, I can already hear the gorgeous Young Ladies of the capital crying. Therefore, I will refrain instead. Those ladies don't deserve to go through a bad experience because of my greed. I am sure Ancestor Shang has already prepared a group to help Qinqin and me."
'Since this old man wants to milk all my worth, I have to retaliate in kind, don't I? Even if you have nothing, you will have to create it now.'
Ancestor Shang gave Yasenia an amused side-glance. 'Clever little dragon. You really know your way around with words.'
"That is indeed the case. Shang Tian, ask the third group to assist Young Yasenia and Young Qinqin. They must follow only like shadows, though. Nothing else."
Shang Tian blinked. 'Wasn't that group prepared for Shang Qinluan?'
Still, if Ancestor Shang spoke, he needed to obey. "Understood. I will do so at once."
Meanwhile, Shang Qinluan, who had been watching the absurd spectacle of back-and-forth between massive individuals and Yasenia, frowned, confused. 'Huh? Wasn't the fourth group meant to go with Qinqin?'
She even managed to sneak a spy inside the fourth group. And, indeed, she was correct. Ancestor Shang changed it because he felt that Yasenia's group would need a stronger group.
As for the first and second groups, they were meant to accompany the elders and top powerhouses of the Shang Family, like Shang Tian and the like.
Han Yasheng kept smiling as he looked back and forth between them and spoke in a low, attractive voice, trying to tickle Yasenia's soul a little. "Then, beautiful Madam, I will take my leave. I will be eagerly waiting for our next encounter."
As he was admiring the few squeals caused by his voice and attitude, he didn't expect Yasenia to answer in kind. For the first time since she arrived, Yasenia channeled her charm into her voice and lowered her tone just a touch.
"While I am quite busy, I do hope that Lord Han will welcome me properly next time. With your age and knowledge, I am sure I will be able to learn plenty. Have a nice hunt, Lord Han."
The Young Ladies who had been squealing at Han Yasheng all froze and stared at Yasenia with mouths agape and blushing faces. 'W-What kind of celestial voice did I just hear!?'
Forget tickling, Yasenia's voice felt as if it penetrated straight into their brains and pleasantly massaged the pleasure-hearing spots. Some even felt their legs tremble and weaken, barely able to support their own body weight.
Unlike with Han Yasheng, though, Yasenia's effect struck 100% of the people. The men all had to look away and shift their waists to hide their awkwardly stiffened lower halves.
As for the Demons and Divines, the top-tier ones had to hold back some of the young ones from dashing forward due to a loss of control. There were several incubi and succubi present who were staring at Yasenia with eyes as if they wanted to swallow her whole, and not in an aggressive way.
'Either way, the Empress already pointed my way. I might as well make the best out of it.'
When was a precious treasure the most unattainable?
The first option was when it was hidden. If no one knew about it, there was no way of knowing how to get it, or if it even existed.
Then, if it was a known treasure? There were two options.
First, it already belonged to a supreme powerhouse, and no one dared covet it. Yasenia couldn't replicate this condition.
What was left was… A treasure that belonged to no one, but everyone wanted. A treasure so precious that all coveted it. For such treasures, having them became a curse in itself.
After all, you would be acquiring what everyone else wanted, becoming a massive target. Yasenia aimed for that. 'If everyone wants to have me, it will be the same as no one wanting me. Let's see which fool tries to get ahead of themselves when everyone else is holding back.'