While going back, Yasenia looked at Ghana and said a single sentence. "Ghana, you are making a lot of mistakes lately."
Ghana sighed. "Yasenia, unless you can rival Tengliu one way or another, I can't wholeheartedly be your subordinate. Her orders will always be above yours. Every harpy, or well, every beast human with a powerful clan, will think similarly. Most beast humans join external clans, sects, or groups to create alliances, gain experience, and then return to their main clans."
Ghana looked at Yasenia and sighed again. "You are still a bit young, but gaining our complete loyalty to even go against our own race will take a while if you ever manage to do it."
Yasenia looked at Ghana with squinted eyes. "Ghana, the fact that the number indicating my age is low doesn't mean that everything I've done until now is invalidated. I've proven my worth, wit, and ability to create what I have not because of my age but because of my capabilities."
Yasenia stated powerfully. "Don't think that any of you are above me because of age. If Tengliu weren't physically strong enough to suppress me completely, I would only be slightly disadvantaged against her today, not to mention in a few years. Moreover, think of who is unblocking your talent, who is increasing your bloodlines, and who is creating treasures powerful enough to increase all of your talents."
Ghana realized her mistake and nodded. "Sorry, it's just a shock to know you are only forty-five years old. I was wrong."
"I'm young and have many things left to learn, but do not treat me like a child. Few people can treat me like a junior and outsmart me without problems."
Yasenia didn't say anything more and decided to increase her guard a notch against them. 'I was too relaxed with them, it seems.'
When they were about to enter their house, Yasenia left a single sentence before going straight toward Tengliu's location.
"Cancel the bathing event with all of you a month later. I was too rushed."
Ghana looked at Yasenia speeding in the distance and sighed again. 'It looks like Matriarch Tengliu's actions have much more influence than I expected on her. Well, I'll have to regain the lost trust with hard work.'
Ghana went toward her office, but she couldn't help but feel sad. 'She probably won't joke around with me anymore, right?'
Another sigh was heard before the brown-feathered harpy disappeared.
When Yasenia arrived, she was greeted by the clan members.
Yasenia saw their gazes be much more respectful and frowned. 'This is not true loyalty, but respect because of another. Tsk, although I understand why Ghana couldn't and wouldn't stop Tengliu, this visit has made it impossible to make them loyal to me above their race.'
Yasenia pondered. 'I should find another race to fill the seniority spot with the harpies slowly. I don't want to wake up one day and have my Astral Sky Clan's top staff suddenly be against me without a backup. The lamias should be good for now, so I'll begin giving them a bit more authority.'
After going through the main Hall and a few corridors, they arrived at the main living room.
Tengliu was sitting there quietly, being served by four harpies.
One of them was massaging her shoulders, another feeding her some foods of her clan, and the other two grooming her feathers.
Our dragoness didn't see their faces being reluctant at all, and they looked quite happy. 'As expected.'
"Yasenia, you've arrived earlier than I expected. The auction should still be ongoing, right?"
Yasenia rolled her eyes and sat on the couch facing Tengliu.
"Whose fault do you think it is, Tengliu?"
Two of the harpies frowned at her unconsciously. Our dragoness called her like that on purpose, and this confirmed her guesses.
Tengliu snorted. "Tsk, bad-mannered brat, didn't I tell you to call me Senior?"
Yasenia smiled. "Sure, if you want to be called old, I won't hold back, senior Tengliu."
Tengliu flinched. "Hey, I'm just one thousand five hundred years old."
Yasenia deadpanned and didn't answer.
Tengliu coughed, remembering that the person before herself was not fifty yet.
Yasenia sighed and directly asked. "Anyway, why did you come here?"
Tengliu smiled playfully. "I came to inspect if you were treating my girls right. You are all quite happy, right?"
"Yes, Matriarch Tengliu! Lady Yasenia treats us excellently."
Yasenia leaned in her hand and asked. "So, what do you think?"
While asking, Yasenia used the Fortress formation in her mind to see what Tengliu had been doing.
'She has visited almost all parts of the mansion. Thankfully, I arrived before she went to visit the humans. However, she has observed Angel, Andrea, and Evelyn closely in silence. Hm? She has talked with Coraline?'
Tengliu nodded and answered. "Better than expected, honestly. But I heard you killed three harpies?"
Yasenia's eyes flashed coldly. "Yes. And I will probably kill a few more. Do you have any problem?"
Tengliu's looked at Yasenia's cold eyes and frowned. "Can't you give me face?"
Yasenia sneered. "Which face? Do you think I don't know why you came to my clan without my permission? Tengliu, I'm not retarded, nor do I have mental problems. By the way, those four with you are fired from my clan."
The four harpies froze in place, unable to comprehend what just happened.
Yasenia continued coldly. "Not only them but each harpy you've talked to besides Ghana will also all be fired from the clan."
Tengliu's face became dark. "Yasenia, don't be like that."
Yasenia barked a laugh. "Why not? I can rule this clan without your harpy race without a problem. I was giving them special treatment, but all has become a puff of smoke because of your little visit. Good job, Tengliu."
Tengliu opened her mouth, but she couldn't speak.
In her mind, although Yasenia was powerful, she guessed that the harpies were influential for her quick success.
She was wrong, and she didn't expect her to be so decisive.
Yasenia turned toward Tatyana and asked. "How many harpies have been in contact with Tengliu?"
Tatyana gave the number. "Seventy-seven have been close. Tengliu has spoken to twenty-three. She has been in close contact with ten, including the four that are currently here."
Yasenia nodded. "Good, three hundred harpies were a bit much. Cut the numbers in half. Give the lamias the posts that are vacated. Make them take the test and eliminate the bottom half."
Tengliu spoke. "Wait, wait. Yasenia, don't be hasty."
Yasenia looked at Tengliu. "What do you want? Those I killed were an example of what would happen, Tengliu. If they do something similar, their fate will be the same no matter what you say. I gave too many benefits to the harpies because I liked them, but I was basing myself too much on emotion. Being ruthless is best, so I'll do things normally. If they are worth it, they'll be able to stay. If they are not worth it, they'll leave. Like everybody else."
"Can't you give me face and be more lenient?"
"Face this, face that. Can I eat it? Is it tangible in any manner? We are already allies based on interest. Even if my clan has zero harpies, you'll still be my ally. Will you not? The benefits and cards in my hand are too powerful."
"Moreover, If I agree to give you face. You perfectly know that other leaders will use this moment against me in the future. My clan treats its members better than others do. However, since the treatment is above other clans, the punishment will also be above others."
Tengliu frowned and crossed her beautiful white wings before her. "You are too stubborn on wanting things to go your way."
Coraline appeared, grabbing Ebirah's hand. "What if she is stubborn? I told you not to play small tricks. You didn't listen."
Tengliu looked at her and said coldly. "Coraline, do not interfere."
Coraline sat beside Yasenia and expertly placed her cute daughter on her lap. "Why shouldn't I? Yasenia's potential is clear to both of us. You wanted to test her bottom line. Congratulations, you've noticed no bottom line but an upper line. Did you really think she would flinch if you stated about the deaths of your harpy clan members? Tengliu, you've completely misjudged your opponent this time."
Tengliu sighed and looked at Yasenia with a complicated expression. "Will you really expel those girls?"
Yasenia's cold face gained a smirk. "You are not stupid, only one thing can make things not change, and you know it."
"You are too cunning for your age!"
Tengliu used her energy to make her voice be heard across the entire estate. "I'm Tengliu, the Matriarch of the [Storm Feathered Harpies]. After conversing amicably with Lady Yasenia, I've decided that her words are my words for all harpies here. As long as they aren't unjust or forcing orders, you must listen to her as if it were me."
Tengliu crossed her arm-wings and snorted. "Happy?"
Yasenia smiled calmly. "Well, much better. Tatyana, do not expel those harpies. However, do replace them with lamias if they are better suited for the works."
"Oy!"
Drasha slithered inside with her mother and Ghana.
"Do you have a problem with it, Tengliu?"
The one who took the initiative to speak was Drasha's mother, a mature purple-colored lamia.
Tengliu blinked. "Even you are here, Luscia?"
Luscia smirked. "Yep, quite a lovely place, to be honest. We, the lamia race, have finally found a place worthy of being attached to~."
Tengliu was stunned. "Are you joking? Not even the [Nine Golden Body Sect] library was tempting to your race. They are one of the bigger collectors of knowledge!"
Luscia smiled and slithered to Yasenia's other side, sitting there and patting Yasenia. "Well, this girl has offered us interesting things, so I'm eager to support her as long as she doesn't go against my morals."
Tengliu grumbled at Yasenia. "Can you stop giving me all these surprised?"
Yasenia grinned. "Well, get used to it. I'm not easy to mess with, Senior Tengliu."
Tengliu threw her body without care into the soft couch. "Whatever, whatever. You win this time. Who has the guts to cut their workforce in more than half suddenly? Aren't you afraid of crippling your operations? Moreover, you've blatantly stated that you've killed children from my race and that you'll kill more if the situation commands it! Aren't you afraid I'll become irrationally angry or something?"
"You are too out of the norm!"
The four harpies around Tengliu were a bit nervous and looked at Yasenia. "L-Lady Yasenia, are we still expelled?"
Yasenia shook her head. "No. No one is expelled. Your matriarch's order is enough for me to spare all of you. However, expect a demotion."
"Ruthless child." Further complained a certain grumbling white-feathered harpy.
Yasenia didn't bother answering. Well, she almost couldn't because Luscia hugged her and tenderly patted her head like a child.
Her purple and thick lamia tail slowly coiled around her body, making her lips twitch.
All the people present, besides the four harpies around Tengliu, knew her actual age, so she didn't really resist the affection of a woman close to two thousand years old.
"Little Yasenia, you are so comfortable to coil around~. So soft and good smelling, fufufu. Even this old woman is getting tempted."
Yasenia chuckled. "Don't joke, Senior Luscia."
Luscia pouted and hugged Yasenia's head into her ample bosom. "I'm not joking, little Yasenia. You are too cute~."
Luscia turned toward Tatyana and frowned. Tatyana interrupted her. "Wait, you four, leave."
The four harpies around Tengliu nodded obediently and left.
"Now, you can speak."
Luscia protested. "How did you make her? Tell me who the father is. I want one myself!"
Drasha's eyebrow twitched. "Mother, you are already at an age, isn't your fertility almost exhausted? You've given birth to twenty-seven children. I think it is not bad."
Coraline was surprised. "Twenty-seven? How did you do it?"
Tengliu asked. "At least both of you have children."
Coraline was disdainful. "Have you ever tried child-making sex?"
Tengliu actually nodded. "About two hundred and fifty years ago, but there was no result. While rising girl Ghana and a few others, I had the itch to create a little life myself. I was not successful."
"So, Tatyana. Spill the beans. Who is the father?"
Tatyana snorted. "As if I would allow another person beside her to impregnate me."
The seniors almost choked. Tengliu said. "No, I mean. I don't really care if you want to create a family line instead of a family tree, but there must be a beginning, right? She wasn't created through Heaven and Earth right into your womb!"
Tatyana smiled. "Actually, she was. She has no father. Or, well, the heavens are her other parent? Not that they like her. Sigh, so irresponsible. The Heavens got me pregnant, and then they tried to kill their child through tribulations."
Tengliu snorted. "If you don't want to say it, just say so."
Luscia nodded. "Right, I was asking out of curiosity. You can always say you don't want to share."
Coraline added. "Well, it doesn't really matter. He is probably not here anymore. After all, Tatyana is aiming for Yasenia."
Tengliu. "Oh, maybe it is a she!"
"What do you mean?"
"You both don't know? Yasenia has a dick."
Yasenia, who wanted to interrupt Tengliu, was a step too slow. 'Sigh… Woah!?'
"S-Senior Luscia!?"
Yasenia wanted to use the formation to escape, but she was interrupted. "M-Mom!? Stop interrupting my use of the formation to escape this situation!"
Tatyana laughed as she saw Luscia use her tail to dangle Yasenia upside down and lift the panties.
Luscia exclaimed. "Wow, such a beautiful penis… not! Child, why do you have a penis?"
Coraline was using her hands and spiritual sense to block Ebirah's eyes, but she couldn't help but sneak a few glances.
Tengliu smiled. "Oh? I didn't know you had a great specimen down there. You probably can reach the womb quite easily."
Yasenia was annoyed and answered. "I can pierce your womb if I want to!"
Tengliu opened her legs and used her fingers to spread her lower lips. "Oh? Come here and try it."
Yasenia was speechless. "Please, act like a proper leader of a race, and do not spread your pussy in public!"
Tengliu laughed aloud.
"Senior Luscia, I would really appreciate it if you didn't touch me."
Yasenia wasn't angry with Luscia because, unlike with Tengliu, there was no seduction behind it, just curiosity.
"Oh, dear. Sorry, I was just a bit mesmerized. It also smells quite well."
Drasha snapped out of her daze and scolded. "Mom! Stop being a pervert! I know those eyes, and I don't want to call someone like Yasenia Mother."
Luscia sighed.
She flipped our dragoness and sat Yasenia on her lap again without any effort. "Such a shame. She would be a good Mom~. Yasenia, it seems like you and I are impossible. I only accept those who all my daughters agree with, after all."
Yasenia, who had no ability to fight back a middle-level Epoch Core realm cultivator, could only sigh and lean in her arms obediently.
Tatyana saw Yasenia's frustrated face and finally helped Yasenia. "Okay, give her back to me."
Yasenia finally escaped and threw herself in her mother's protective embrace. "Mom, these bad women want to steal your daughter, and you are here, laughing!"
About all the seniors here muttered simultaneously.
"So cute~."
Yasenia snorted and snuggled in Tatyana's embrace.
Tatyana smiled softly and kissed her lips. "You've done an outstanding job this time."
Yasenia smiled and felt relaxed. Tatyana's embrace was like a safe haven for our dragoness.
She buried her face in her neck and heard Tengliu ask something.
*******************************************
Author: Long chapter with many things happening!
Angel: I was scared at the beginning.
Yasenia: Why were you scared, baby?
Angel: The tension between you and Tengliu was too high…
Yasenia: It really was. Well, everything went nicely. Not perfect, but I can't really complain.
Evelyn: The clan is growing quite a bit.
Tatyana: She is doing a great job using the tools she has. That's for sure.
Author: Starting summoning of today's dear! I summon you!
Randomplant: Here I am!
Author: Alo~.
Randomplant: Well, this is my question. Mirrory, Valeria, and Tatyana, this question is for you. What kind of injury can be considered permanent in a cultivator? And is it permanent because there is no way to repair it or because it is too difficult to repair?
Mirrory: Permanent? It depends on how the injury is done, right?
Valeria: Yes, but the easiest to answer is Dantian injuries.
Tatyana: Unless it is destroyed, a damaged dantian can recover slowly, right?
Mirrory: But it's too slow and difficult.
Valeria: Soul injuries are also similar, right?
Tatyana: Yes. The soul can be quite fragile.
Mirrory: A few substances can inflict something like Kali's scars on the soul while being almost permanent.
Tatyana: But… Is there a genuinely permanent injury for high-level cultivators?
Mirrory: Hm…
Valeria: Can't think of one besides dantian destruction.
Mirrory: Even if they are blown apart, as long as the soul is strong enough, they can reconstruct the entire body besides the dantian.
Valeria: The soul can be healed with precious and very, very rare treasures. So, it can't be considered permanent.
Mirrory: I mean, if we are speaking like that. There are miraculous medicines that can regrow a new dantian. However, the cultivator must cultivate it from zero most of the time.
Valeria: Right. They exist, although they are so rare that many places take them as myths.
Tatyana: Death?
Valeria: Injury…
Tatyana: right.
Randomplant: So, the conclusion?
Valeria/Tatyana/Mirrory: Depends.
Randomplant: …
Author: Hahaha, we'll end it here. Bye-bye, little lurkers!