After they were all on the same page, Andrea suggested leaving the cave. "Let's go out. It's almost dawn; we should be able to move easily."
They all nodded, and Yasenia and Kali lazily left Tatyana's and Valeria's embrace. Yasenia yawned, opening her mouth widely and showing her sharp teeth. Evelyn looked at Andrea and laughed.
Andrea was confused. "What's so funny?"
Evelyn smirked, "Be careful where you put your precious thing. Those teeth look quite sharp."
Andrea was stumped.
Yasenia snorted and said. "Look." They looked and saw the sharp teeth suddenly retracting, leaving her toothless.
They blinked twice, stunned at Yasenia's peculiar skill. Angel whispered with a squeal. "So cute!"
Andrea was confused. "Why can you do that?"
Evelyn smirked. "Of course, it is so she can suck your D-"
*Bang!*
Cecile answered, ignoring the backflipping woman. "Dragons can hold their progeny in their mouth. Dragons are tiny and weak at birth; hiding their sharp teeth to avoid injuring their children is one reason. Another is to prevent their teeth from getting stuck if they bite something and allow them to swallow big prey. Although unusual, they can dislocate their jaw to consume other beings like snakes. Once a dragon swallows a prey, it is almost guaranteed death since its stomach acids can digest everything."
Tatyana nodded in praise. "You've learned quite a lot under Clara's teachings. I'll give her a rise."
Cecile nodded and said coolly. "She is an excellent teacher."
They all left the cave and traveled toward a nearby city. It wasn't too far away, and with Cecile's navigation prowess and the seniors' experience, they reached another city really fast.
Evelyn saw that this city was bigger than the previous one, so she said. "There should be strong powers in the city. What do we do once we enter? Do we join a sect or a merchant group? What should we do."
Their heads turned toward Yasenia. Although they had their own ideas, Yasenia was their leader, and they also trusted her judgment a lot. "We can join a power. Although creating ours would be nice, we shouldn't be able to compete with the top powers until some years go by. My idea is the following."
Yasenia explained. "First, we create a new clan to gain influence. We use our advanced techniques, treasures, and material wealth to gain a foundation. Then, if the opportunity arises, we should ally with one of the strongest factions but leave ourselves a way out. To do so, we should make other groups understand our value without looking too threatening in the power balance."
"We want people to look at us and think: 'They are a group with a high latent potential, but they are not a threat at the moment.' That way, we can slowly and secretly build our strength, expand our influence, and make ourselves a hidden power before they realize it. If we manage to do so, we won't be taken by surprise if something were to happen. Moreover, we will be able to stay neutral and avoid most conflicts. What do you say?"
They all looked at Yasenia, impressed. Angel muttered. "Wow... So powerful."
Tatyana chuckled. "You actually think like your mom. This makes me happy."
They looked at Tatyana and realized that it was true. This woman, titled [Death Empress], had been slowly building up her power in the Sky Continent, allowing her to gain so much influence that no one dared to offend her rashly. One day, she even took one of the most important landmarks in the Continent, the [Sky Piercing Tower], to herself and the other superpowers had to retreat.
Ebirah looked at Yasenia, and although she was young, she had been trained in politics and other aspects since she had memory. Therefore, after hearing her unfiltered thoughts, she understood most of Yasenia's traits in a political situation. Cunning, ruthless, manipulative, ambitious, scheming, prudent, and intelligent. A threat to anyone dealing with her.
She shyly approached Yasenia and used her claw to grab her wing. Yasenia turned her head and smiled. "What's wrong, little Ebirah?"
The lobster put a serious face, don't ask me to describe a lobster putting a serious look, and asked. "Can you join my faction?"
"Are they strong?" It wasn't Yasenia but Cecile who bluntly asked. Ebirah turned toward Cecile. Perhaps, between all the girls, the indifferent and aloof phoenix woman was the one Ebirah feared the most.
Cecile's eyes seemed only to register one thing: Yasenia and what Yasenia cared about. However, little Ebirah showed courage and raised her pincers with pride. "Of course! We are the second strongest Crustacean race!"
Cecile lifted an eyebrow. "And how is your strength on a continental scale?"
Ebirah voiced proudly. "We are part of one of the third biggest groups, the thirty-three clans! Moreover, our [Sun Engulfing Ore Lobster] race is ranked fifteenth, just behind the [Island Ruin Mantis Shrimp]!"
Cecile didn't speak again.
Andrea knew that she would have to face the parents of her little companion sooner or later, so she decided to convince Yasenia. "I think we should agree. Ebirah's influence will help us not begin from the bottom of the chain. Moreover, as long as she inherits the power from her parents, we'll have a powerful ally."
Yasenia smirked and said. "You don't have to convince me, Andrea. We'll be lenient with little Ebirah's race. Even if they don't agree to be our allies, we won't be their enemies unless they do something unforgivable.
Sierra saw another city in the distance and said, "We are approaching the city walls, be careful with what you say."
They all nodded and discussed a more specific plan via Spiritual Sense.
The architecture was similar to the other city, using [Living Dirt] to create walls and houses. The roofs were still primarily circular, but this city seemed to have more variety looking at it from the outside.
After they placed themselves behind the last person in the queue, they waited for their turn. Having learned of their previous experience, Yasenia, Cecile, and Kali led the others, and Andrea, Angel, Evelyn, and Tatyana acted humbly.
Valeria and Mirrory had hidden inside Kali and Angel, and Sierra and Ebirah walked behind the ground. Sierra's enormous body was quite eye-catching, so Ebirah wasn't noticed by anyone.
Like before, some merchants approached. This time, they spotted Yasenia easily because she was walking at the front, so many of them approached, trying to buy her.
Cecile frowned, displeased, but Kali answered easily. "She is our prized Beast. A young dragon of unknown species. Her price is not something you can afford. We are going to the capital to sell her and gain the most profit."
One merchant bunny woman said, "Do you think you will be able to reach the capital? It is too far away from here."
Kali smiled and released her aura at half-strength. A soft wind rose and hit everyone present. The wind was soft, but the presence that it carried was not.
They felt their chests tighten as the veiled fox-woman looked at them with those profound verdant green eyes.
This action was more than enough to deter all of them, and they all took a step back, returning to their groups. Cecile snorted, but Yasenia just rubbed her head on her stomach and let out a calming purring sound. Cecile's entire being relaxed as she petted Yasenia.
There weren't any extra incidents this time, and they made it to the gate. At the entrance, there were two guards. Their body was very tall, and they were very muscular. Both of them were from the Minotaur race.
One of them looked at them, and one of them shouted with vigor. "State your intentions in the Koran City!"
Kali looked up and said softly. "We've come here to sell our treasures. They are very high level and quality. However, it is our first time coming to the prestigious Koran City. We would be delighted to have a map of the city."
The minotaur felt nice having his city praised and said. "With the size of your wolf, I recommend entering through the West gate. This gate can't open to its size. If you want a place to rest and a map, we recommend the Barbed Hotel. Very good place with a stable big enough for your beast. Moreover, the beverages there are strong and delicious!"
Kali nodded and asked, "How much will it cost to enter the city?"
"One hundred flawed Parus for each of you and one low-grade Parus for the wolf."
They stealthily looked at Ebirah, and she nodded in approval. Tatyana also said, her tone respectful, "Master, he is quite generous. You should accept."
Kali felt strange being called Master by her mother-in-law, but she nodded nonetheless. However, they didn't have any money. Kali thought for a second, and she took out a [Blood Purification leaf], something beneficial for Beast humans. "One leaf for each of you should be enough to pay our entrance."
The minotaur on the right frowned, making his bullhead look ferocious. "Although we accept goods for the same value, I don't recognize this spirit plant."
Kali said, "It is called [Blood purification Leaf]. Very beneficial for beast humans."
The other guard was more knowledgeable and said. "Take it. Those two leaves are enough to allow them to enter."
Hearing his companion say that, he nodded. "Here, nine entry jades. Don't lose them, or you will have to pay again."
Kali picked the eight green jades and one blue jade. After looking at them for some seconds, she hid them in her ring and smiled. "Thank you, I hope you have a nice and peaceful day."
Then, our girls turned and walked toward the West Gate.
When they were far enough, the other guard approached and said, "We've struck the jackpot! This herb is an extinct herb that helps increase the purity of our bloodline. Those below the Beast King Bloodline rank can increase a whole level with one leaf! A true treasure. Let's take one each."
They were good friends, so he didn't complain and gave him one of the ten centimeters long red leaves. Each of them opened their mouth and gulped it.
Thanks to the leaf, this pair will soon climb the military ladder from guards to city soldiers. The pay was one hundred times higher and conditions much better, allowing them to live more lavishly.
Evelyn didn't know about that leaf, so she asked curiously. "Was that leaf precious?"
Kali shook her head, "I have the whole tree in my ring. One leaf is nothing. I was hoping to enter with one hundred of them. Who would've thought that two of them were enough."
Angel asked. "Then, why did you take out two of them?"
Kali patted her head and explained. "I wanted to know how many of them I would need. I expected them to reject the two leaves and give me a number. However, they unexpectedly took them."
"Oh. They are very silly, hahaha." Little Angel giggled. Kali smiled and looked toward the West gate in the distance.
If the two guards had known their conversation, they would have spat blood and died of regret. Thankfully, they lived happily in their ignorance.