The two four-armed giants, both at the middle-level Epoch Core, asked with a thundering voice.
"Present yourselves!"
Even though they were middle-level, their height made the aura around them very imposing. Their strong bodies, large weapons, and armored bodies added to their presence, making them look like living buildings with weapons.
Still, Yasenia didn't see them as too large because even though she was very small compared to them in her human form, she would dwarf them with ease in her dragon form. So, when mentally comparing, she used her dragon form's size.
She answered calmly and steadily. "I am the Astral Sky Sect Master. Our group is the Astral Sky Sect group."
Both giant guards looked at a large stone plate on their hands and looked at the guest list. Once they found the Astral Sky Sect on the list, they both approached the giant gates and began pushing them open with a shout.
"THE ASTRAL SKY SECT HAS ARRIVED!"
Their loud and deep voice rumbled, spreading throughout the entire mountain.
The gates fully opened with a loud gong-like sound, and both guards spoke. "Astral Sky Sect, you are welcomed into the [Mountain Of The Coast City]."
Yasenia cupped her fist in respect and walked inside.
After entering, one Ethereal Soul elder, a young-looking woman but with a few centuries on her back, asked with a whisper to her friend. "Why don't they check more deeply? Is it okay to let us pass without proving our identity?"
Her friend whispered back. "Once inside, there are many who will know us. If someone dares to impersonate us, they will probably be hunted down or at least discovered before they can cause any lasting damage. Moreover, with how much trouble Sect Master has been causing recently, it would be hard not to know her."
The young-looking woman chuckled. "That's true."
Contrary to Yasenia's expectations of a prosperous city, there weren't many buildings. Moreover, the city was also relatively small, with enough space to house not more than 100,000 people.
In cultivation terms, that was barely considered a city. It was more similar to a big town than anything else.
Yasenia lifted her eyebrow, curious. 'What the deal with this mountain? I've heard that there are five like this one, but are we really going to conduct the World Summit here?'
Looking around, Yasenia saw that there was nothing like an arena or even a place wide enough for mid-level Epoch Cores to fight comfortably. The buildings were similarly humble, lacking any grandeur a place like this one should have.
Tatyana saw through her confusion and explained. "This mountain must be something more than just a place. It might have significant cultural value. In places like these, having the least amount of influence is usually best to avoid affecting the Feng shui of the place."
Yasenia acknowledged and sighed. "Honestly, Feng shui is one of the things I understand the least. I can assess it in simple places, but if you asked me to discern the Feng shui of this entire mountain, I would be lost."
Valeria chuckled. "That's normal, Yasenia. Feng shui is the art of perceiving the energies, fate, natural auras, and even luck of a certain place. If someone younger than 1,000 years old who hadn't been dedicating their life to understanding feng shui could discern the feng shui of this entire mountain, then they would be sought after by major sects even in the high-heavens."
Yasenia blinked. "I see."
Valeria extended her explanation of what feng shui was used for. "With deep knowledge of feng shui, you can find spots like the mountain basin we've located our sect, you can find spiritual ore veins or see the signs of one being nearby, you can read signs of secret realm opening, you can change the aura and energy creation of an entire biome without using formations, and you can even give a sect or power Heavenly Luck. Heavenly Luck is a very elusive concept that some cultivators don't believe it exists. I'm on the side that Heavenly Luck might exist, but our actions can't influence it, regardless of how deep your understanding of feng shui is."
The girls who heard her nodded, internalizing this information.
Evelyn pointed somewhere in the distance and commented. "Look at that."
The girls looked over and saw a massive door embedded on the mountain's side. Kali tilted her head, her fluffy fox ears flopping to the side adorably. "Should we go there?"
Yasenia patted Kali's head and caressed her fox ears, almost making her purr. "Let's look around first," she said.
Yasenia spoke aloud, turning so that the sect members could see her. "If any of you want to go shopping, I'll give you 50 minutes. Then, we'll gather here again. Once we finish the World Summit and come out, we can stop for longer if most of you want to."
With her words, around 160 people divided and went to spend their money. There were many famous shops, like those from the top powers and worldwide merchant groups.
From Yasenia's girls, Angel, Kali, Andrea, and Evelyn moved out, leaving Cecile, Tatyana, and Yasenia behind.
Naturally, five maids followed each of them for security, leaving the remaining 30 maids with Yasenia.
Tatyana asked. "Where should we go?"
Yasenia pointed at the side. "There is a shop there with chairs; it must be a restaurant or something similar."
Tatyana and Cecile looked over, and Tatyana smiled. "That's a jiuba. A place to gather socially and ask for drinks. It's similar to a bar you've seen before. Only, it's more specialized in alcohol."
The dragoness walked over out of curiosity while the rest of the people who didn't leave visited nearby shops instead of going full-on exploring. Some even moved to a place at the side and sat cross-legged, relaxing and speaking with people they knew.
Yasenia sat on one of the tables with Cecile and Tatyana, placing Kaleina and Flame at her sides. The chairs were for humanoids, so Kaleina had to coil herself and lean on the table.
A person wearing robes approached with a smile. She was quite a beautiful and elegant woman, her entire body exuding grace.
"Hello, dear customers. Is this the first time coming to a place such as ours?"
Yasenia blinked and smiled. "Very sharp. That's right, I'm new to a place like this. What can we order?"
The woman nodded and began explaining. "This is a place with different kinds of beverages as our main attraction. We also have some snacks to accompany them. Do you want a recommendation, or would you like to look at the menu?"
Yasenia pondered and looked at Cecile and Tatyana. "What do you think?"
Tatyana shrugged, and Cecile commented. "Does this wine work on cultivators?"
The woman nodded with a smile. "Naturally. We are proud to be the number one wine-makers in the entire world. If our wines can't make you drunk, then we won't even receive payment!"
Cecile's eyes shone with fighting spirit. "Bring the strongest one, then."
The woman's eyes flashed, and she smiled with a nod. "What would the two other guests want? Something similar to accompany your companion?"
Kaleina tugged Yasenia's arm. "What about us, Mommy?"
Yasenia patted her head. "I've prepared something myself. Here, a fresh fruit juice."
She took out two glasses, one easy to drink for a dragon, with an added mouthpiece to suck, and the other being a normal vase for Flame.
Then, Yasenia looked at the woman with a smile. "Sorry for that. While I don't like it a lot that you discerned my sweetheart's competitiveness and provoked her to buy your most expensive drink probably, I'm curious, so I'll let it slide. Give me the same."
The elegant hostess's smile faltered, her back becoming soaked in cold sweat. She instantly apologized. "I'm sorry, madam. It was this one's mistake for being too presumptuous."
Yasenia smiled at her. "No problem. Just carry the drinks over. What about you, Tatyana?"
Tatyana shrugged. "Let's have the same."
Yasenia's eyes went to her stomach, and she asked. "Are these beverages dangerous for pregnant women?"
The hostess shook her head. "I can swear that they aren't."
Yasenia smiled and commented calmly. "That's good. If something happens, I'll annihilate your entire bloodline, business, and everything related to it. I'll make you and the people at the helm of this business understand what the sentence 'wishing for death' means."
With a smile uglier than crying, the hostess quickly backed off and went to fetch the drinks.
Cecile blinked, curious. "Was that necessary?"
Yasenia shrugged. "I don't know. But better be safe than sorry."
Tatyana laughed, her red eyes softening with love. 'Has she forgotten who I actually am because of her worrying about me?' She leaned on her elbows, placing her chin between both her hands. 'Sigh, her overprotectiveness is so adorable.'
Kaleina and Flame looked at everything calmly.
It didn't take longer than a few moments to set up their drinks. The cup for holding the beverage was transparent, so the girls could see a bluish drink adorned with fruit floating on top of it and condensation droplets around the glass.
It looked quite appetizing at first glance.
Yasenia picked it up elegantly and gave it a small sniff. Her pupils dilated for a second, and she raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."
Tatyana paused and looked at Yasenia curiously. "Now that I think about it… This is your first alcoholic beverage?"
Yasenia blinked and nodded. "That's right. I usually drink fruit juice, water, or something of a similar nature. I've never drunk fermented fruit juice."
Tatyana's eyebrow rose as her red eyes locked on Yasenia with interest. "Well… Go on."
Yasenia, who was about to take a sip, paused, looking at Tatyana strangely. "What's wrong."
Tatyana smiled widely. "Nothing."
Cecile looked back and forth between them, similarly confused. She took a big gulp and frowned. "Is this supposed to feel… hot?"
Tatyana chuckled. "Yes, it's normal."
Cecile nodded, her peerlessly beautiful face still scrunched. "It doesn't taste that good, and the sensation is uncomfortable. How can people drink this as if it were water?"
Yasenia took a gentle sip, her eyebrows similarly scrunching. As a Spiritual Cook, she could appreciate the drink more, even if she didn't dab a lot in the drink preparation side of the profession.
Still, she felt that it was not good flavor-wise. "This drink doesn't follow any balance in the flavors. I'm surprised if this is their best drink."
Cecile nodded, and Kaleina asked. "Mommy, can I take a sip?"
Yasenia shook her head. "No, the fermentation on this drink has created something that can make a person feel dizzy. You are a bit too weak to drink something at this level."
Kaleina looked at the blue drink and nodded. "Well, if Mommy says it's not good. It probably is not good."
Cecile asked. "Should we finish it?"
Yasenia nodded. "It's not completely unbearable. Having this kind of experience from time to time it's not bad."
Yasenia didn't want to deal with it for too long, so she elegantly began drinking the whole glass. The upward tilt was just enough for Yasenia to drink without making her look as if she was chugging it.
People paused as they saw Yasenia's elegant neck slowly gulping down the drink. Some people licked their lips and swallowed, feeling their throats getting dry as a strange arousal was ignited in them.
After she drank it, Yasenia slowly placed the drink down and leaned on the armrest. "Well, that was that."
Tatyana laughed after taking a sip on her own. "Well, they are good drinks, not because of their flavor."
Yasenia tilted her head, asking. "Then, why?"
Tatyana looked at them intently, but after a few moments, she saw no strange reaction from them. 'Hm… Is this one too weak to take effect?'
Honestly, Tatyana would be surprised if Yasenia or Cecile could get drunk from something like this. Still, she had a small hope of seeing them drunk.
Sadly, it seemed that today was not the day. 'Well, it is what it is.'
Tatyana smiled and answered Yasenia. "Well, it's more about the effects of the drink and why it should be continentally praised."
Yasenia tilted her head. "Effects? Do you mean getting intoxicated? Doesn't that only happen to mortals? How could a cultivator's liver fail to purify such a weak toxin?"
Tatyana nodded. "There are some drinks that can do so. This place is, as you said, somewhat disappointing."
Yasenia asked thoughtfully. "Should I create wine?"
Tatyana's eyes lit up. "That would be nice."
Yasenia nodded with a smile. "I've avoided it for now because creating a good wine takes many years. However, I can start now for the far future."
Flame asked curiously. "How many years?"
Yasenia looked at her and answered. "Well, I would need around 1,250 years for a good low-level Heaven-Ranked wine. With the help of my ring, I can reduce that to 15 months or so."
Flame blinked a few times. "O-One thousand years?"
Yasenia laughed. "That's right."
Flame asked, incredulous. "T-Then, what about peak-level Heaven-ranked wines?"
Yasenia remembered what she had read and commented. "I think it was around four times as much? So… nearly 5,000 years."
Flame looked at Yasenia's empty cup and asked. "What level was this drink?"
Yasenia answered. "Around mid-level Earth Ranked? From the ingredients I tasted… It should've taken around 160 years to make it."
Flame made a small "oh" sound, completely flabbergasted. 'And this drink was not good for Aunty Yasenia? Did Aunty spoil my tastebuds with her food?'
Flame was suddenly nervous about eating other food other than what Yasenia cooked.
"Yaseniaaa!!"
When she heard that distinctive voice, the dragoness chuckled, having a sense of Deja-vu.