Right when Yasenia ordered everyone's slaughter, Zephyrith appeared in front of Yasenia and spoke. "Lady Yasenia, please spare the Steel Back Wolf Race. I know that they've offended you greatly. However, most of them were just coerced by Fu Lang Zu's tyranny. There are many reasonable people between the groups."
Yasenia's raised hand that would signal the start of the slaughter when it fell stopped. Her draconic eyes locked on Zephyrith, and the Fate Wolf felt insignificant for the second time in her life, the first being her first encounter with Tatyana.
Because Yasenia was still using her Celestial Skills, her aura was amplified by several levels, and just a look from her would bring with it pressure worthy of her status as a Peak-level Ancient Beast.
Yasenia asked. "Give me a good reason other than some are good people. You understand that if I try to conquer this race during the war that is about to unfold, it can become a weak link, don't you? You are not stupid, Zephyrith. I know because it is one of the reasons I never really opposed Sierra's romantic love for you. I can see that there is a wise and calm woman in you."
The dragoness squinted. "However, your current plea is not too wise or calm. Give me a reason, benefits, or something that can convince me. Don't try to poke at my compassion because there is none of it in me."
The coldness radiating from the golden slit eyes was more than enough to tell Zephyrith that she was not bluffing. Zephyrith commented. "There are several envoys of other races, some allied with your party, which are in opposition of this happening. What makes you different from Fu Lang Zu if you just invade and slaughter everyone you don't like?"
Yasenia laughed. "Different? The only difference between Fu Lang Zu and I is that we are on opposite sides and the importance we give to those close to us." Yasenia leaned forward, making their noses almost touch. "Zephyrith, don't misunderstand me for a righteous ruler or a gentle monarch. While I am just toward those who follow me, I am a ruthless murderer to those who don't. Selfishness is in me, and my empathy for others is very limited. I, Yasenia Dravory, am not a good person. Never was, never will be."
The dragoness straightened her back when she saw Zephyrith's red eyes trembling and stated. "If I am left alone, you won't know of my name. If I am constantly bothered, even if billions must die until people understand not to mess with me, I will kill and create an ocean of blood and with corpses spelling my message out to the world."
"Sigh. Do you need to be so extreme, junior?"
The dragoness looked skyward and saw the old man who accompanied Fu Lang Zu toward the trial, accompanied by seven other people. In total, there were five old men and three old women.
Their presence darkened the sky, showing that all of them were peak-level Epoch Cores that had reached the limit of their cultivation, trapped in that level not because they lacked talent but because the World lacked resources.
They were the true powerhouses of this world. Cultivators who had truly reached the limits of strength one could have in Distancia.
Yasenia didn't dare underestimate them and grabbed Zephyrith by the waist, flashing back and standing in front of her army. Not for a second would she face all those alone.
"Oh? Afraid?"
The old wolf smiled, his wrinkly face gaining a few extra folds. Yasenia nodded. "Naturally so. When seniors of your level appear, this junior is not arrogant enough to think she can face them."
All eight wolf seniors looked deeply at Yasenia, and one of the old women sincerely praised her. "Intelligent and talented. Hardworking and cautious. Her feet are firmly planted in the ground while her sights are firmly locked in the sky. Yet, while looking up, she never disregards the ground she is standing on."
One of the oldest-looking elderly wolves spoke with a chuckle. "Even Lord Distancia failed to reach her level in a few regards."
The wolf that first spoke agreed. "I was also impressed the first time I saw her. Sadly, she is our enemy."
"Is she?" Asked one of the female wolves. "Junior, are you sure you can't discuss this with us?"
Yasenia asked, not deceived by their praise. "Would you have discussed it with Fu Lang Zu over there if he tried to slaughter all of my people?"
Another old wolf commented. "Junior, you are too hasty. It is the truth that we have failed to control the development of the last few years. But, you must understand that we were in closed-door cultivation. Knowing about the intricate things while being isolated is difficult."
The dragoness nodded. "Fair." Yasenia looked at the senior who came to the World Summit. "However, this senior has been out of seclusion since before the World Summit. He should've had many opportunities to inform all of you and rectify Fu Lang Zu's doings. He didn't. He decided that he must become my enemy because I was threatening his race."
Yasenia added. "Quoting his exact words during the World Summit, 'While it is the truth that you have been wronged, sadly, my race's alliance is with those who want to oppose you.'" The dragoness asked. "Aren't those words a declaration of his confidence that the other side was much stronger than mine, and hence, allying with me would be foolish and not worth it instead of others?"
The dragoness's lips arched coldly when she saw their faces change. "You are all still treating me like a junior, thinking that I could've forgotten or that I don't understand the underlying meaning in your words. You are wrong. I understand deeply what you mean. I understand deeply that you want to jump ships because mine looks better now, and I understand that you are trying to use words to confuse my heart and mind, trying to make me look unreasonable and rash. However, you are failing to understand that my plans have been devised and revised for a long time."
The dragoness laughed when she saw their cold faces. "A bunch of cunning old men and women think that because they are older than most, you will be able to deceive and convince me when you've denied my requests to be left alone for years already. You didn't know about it? Lies. All lies. Do you think that I will believe that you are all completely isolated from mundane politics? That Fu Lang Zu would have so much courage to attack other races with seniors of your level without having your backing and approval?"
Yasenia shook her head and looked at the struggling Zephyrith. "Although, I can make a small exception." Everyone looked at the dragoness with curiosity, and Yasenia suggested. "The Fu family will be slaughtered." The dragoness was ruthless. "And I mean all of them, without exception. I don't care if they are women, men, elderly, adults, children, mortals, or cultivators. I want the Fu bloodline annihilated without a trace from the world."
One of the elders answered, his anger booming around. "WHO WOULD ACCEPT THAT!?"
Yasenia looked at him and continued. "However, I can forgive the rest of the Steel Back Wolf race as long as Zephyrith becomes the Matriarch of the entire race with unconditional support. As proof of our alliance, Zephyrith will become Sierra Dravory's mate, wife, partner, or however, you might want to call their union."
Zephyrith's face gained a blush. "W-Wait, I didn't accept this!"
Yasenia slapped her face with her tail and looked at her coldly. "Zephyrith, I am not playing games. Stop being shy about your feelings in this situation. We are speaking about the survival of an entire race. Do you want your girly heart to come in the way of billions of lives?"
Zephyrith shut up and realized her blunder. Things had moved so quickly and unexpectedly that she had lost herself in her own thoughts for a moment. She took a deep breath and bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Lady Yasenia. I accept your terms!"
The dragoness relaxed her expression and looked back at the seniors. "So, one family for the prosperity of an entire race. At least a few hundred thousand, at most a few million lives, in exchange for the prosperity of billions of lives. Do you, seniors that call themselves [Guardians] of the Steel Back Wolf Clan, accept these terms?"
At this moment, the Demon Race Envoy jumped forward and shouted with a righteous tone. "I, the Demon Envoy object-"
"[Shooting Star]."
BOOM!
Before he could speak further, his body disintegrated as an enormous white star fell from the sky and exploded in the place he was standing, leaving nothing but a crater behind.
The dragoness looked at the rest of the Envoys and stated with a terrifying cold tone. "If I am interrupted again, all of you will die. So shut up."
The people who had been fawning over the Demon Race Envoy became terrified at Yasenia's fearlessness toward the Demon Race. At first, when that envoy stepped forward, they all thought that things would become complicated. Yet, to everyone's surprise, the dragon woman slaughtered the Demon Race Envoy as if he was representing an insignificant group.
On the envoys' side, a man with a black cloak walked toward Yasenia's group in silence. The dragoness noticed the aura of the undead coming from him, so she ignored him. The gesture was clearly his race siding with her, so she didn't spare more than a side glance to them.
Looking at each other, envoys from a few races moved, and while others wanted to interrupt them, the threat of Yasenia instantly killing them was ever-present, scaring them enough that they could only grit their teeth.
Meanwhile, the senior wolves looked at Yasenia with deep eyes, many thoughts going through their heads. "You know that two of us are from the Fu family, right?"
Yasenia's face continued to be indifferent. "And? Two out of eight top powerhouses for a prosperous future."
One of the elderly women, an elder of the Fu Clan, shook her head. "You don't seem to understand that those conditions are unacceptable."
Yasenia raised her eyebrow and smirked mockingly. "Are they?"
The elderly woman frowned. "What do you-"
STAB!
Her eyes widened as she looked down at an elegant and beautiful sword piercing her heart from the back. Looking behind her, she saw one of the other elderly women with cold eyes looking at her. "They are, in truth, quite reasonable. You were so focused on protecting your clan that you failed to analyze those behind the young dragon woman."
The Fu elder coughed blood and spread her spiritual sense toward those behind Yasenia, focusing on the fifty women with maid outfits.
The second she looked at them, all the maids looked back at her, and a terrifying chill spread from the bottom of her soul. 'W-What? 16 Peak-Level cultivators?!' That was not the worst part. Some of the non-peak level cultivators felt as threatening as those who were, like the pure white small woman with a sword at her waist.
The second she crossed eyes with her silver gaze, it felt as if her entire body was being poked with swords.
The other elder of the Fu clan was actually the elder who went to the World Summit. His gaze was locked on Yasenia for a few seconds, and he eventually laughed. "Really, as I said back then, how I wish someone like you were my granddaughter instead of the useless pup that has been devoured by heart demons." He smiled sadly and looked at the sky. "What a shame, what a shame. Times change quickly, and as a new era comes, another goes. The powers that were strong in the past become obsolete. And, the balance once built by those weak powers crumbles."
He looked back at Yasenia and smiled. "To be fair, Yasenia, I expected you to be much more ruthless, but before that, I expected you to be a bit less aware. It seems that whoever your tutor, master, mother, or father is, they did an excellent job in teaching you."
The old man asked. "Say, Junior. Can I at least be sent to the reincarnation cycle in battle?" He looked at the dying elderly woman and sighed. "Dying just like that feels quite bitter."
Yasenia spoke indifferently. "As long as you swear that you won't blow yourself up or sacrifice yourself to bring down others with you, I can agree to let you die in battle. It won't be a fair battle, though."
The senior grinned. "Good enough."
Then, he shot toward Yasenia while summoning a pair of claws. His aura surged, making the sky tremble under his might, and his entire body became younger as pure energy rushed along it. His pure white hair gained a few dark strands as his scrawny build got fuller and healthier.
Yasenia ordered. "Selena, Clara, Eira, kill him."