The golden light of late afternoon filtered through the ancient canopy of Tarturas, painting the forest in hues of amber and green. Aleanna strolled lazily through the woods, her golden serpent coiling beside her while Tianlong floated overhead, his presence as imposing as ever.
"Honestly," Aleanna said, her tone light. "This forest is gorgeous, but it's been too quiet. I'm starting to miss a little excitement."
"You should be careful what you wish for, Aleanna," Tianlong rumbled, his voice like distant thunder. "The peace here is a gift. Trouble will find us soon enough."
Aleanna smirked and shrugged. "Trouble's never a problem when you've got this much charm and power."
Unbeknownst to her, Tianlong's words were about to ring true.
A small group of human cultivators crept through the underbrush, their eyes scanning the dense forest. They were a motley crew—five men and two women, each armed with weapons and artifacts. Their leader, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, motioned for them to halt.
"This is it," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Tarturas, the Forest of Legends. If even half the rumors are true, we'll leave this place as heroes."
"And rich," another added, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Rare beasts, treasures… it's all here."
The leader smirked. "Keep your eyes sharp. Anything with a pulse could kill you here."
They pressed on, their footsteps cautious. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves. But as they rounded a massive tree, they froze.
In the clearing ahead stood a young woman. She was unlike anything they had ever seen—her radiant beauty was otherworldly, her skin glowing faintly in the dappled light. Her long, shimmering hair seemed to catch the breeze even when there was none, and her eyes held an ethereal light that made the air around her feel electric. Beside her was a golden serpent, and above her hovered a majestic dragon.
The group gawked in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the vision before them.
"She's… she's a heavenly spirit," one of them whispered, their voice filled with awe.
"No," the leader said, his tone a mix of reverence and suspicion. "She's something else. But whatever she is, she doesn't belong here."
Aleanna, fully aware of their presence, turned toward them, her expression one of bemused curiosity. "Well, well. What do we have here? Trespassers?"
The cultivators stiffened as her voice carried across the clearing, melodic and commanding all at once. The leader stepped forward, clutching the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" he demanded, though his voice faltered under her piercing gaze. "What are you doing in this forest?"
Aleanna tilted her head, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? This is my home, after all."
"Your… home?" The leader hesitated, his hand tightening on his sword. "Impossible. No human could survive in Tarturas."
"Who said I was human?" Aleanna replied, taking a step closer. Her divine aura rippled faintly, brushing against the cultivators like a wave of warmth. "You're standing in my territory, and I'd appreciate an explanation before I decide whether or not to let you leave."
The cultivators exchanged uneasy glances. Her presence was overwhelming, her beauty distracting, and her confidence unsettling. But envy began to stir in their hearts. Who was this girl to command such power? And why did she carry herself as though the world belonged to her?
The leader scowled, his jealousy flaring. "You may look divine, but no one commands us. Men, prepare yourselves. If she's hiding something valuable, it's ours."
Aleanna blinked, surprised by the sudden hostility. "Oh, you're serious?" she said, her tone tinged with amusement. "You're really going to pick a fight with me?"
The cultivators didn't answer. Instead, they unsheathed their weapons, their auras flaring as they readied themselves for battle. The leader raised his blade, pointing it at Aleanna. "This forest is dangerous, girl. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself at the mercy of those stronger than you."
Tianlong snarled from above, his golden eyes blazing. "You dare threaten her?"
The cultivators flinched at the sound, but their leader stood firm. "A dragon… even better. Imagine the riches we'll gain from taming you."
Aleanna sighed, shaking her head. "You're making a mistake, but hey, don't let me stop you."
Before the leader could respond, Aleanna's golden serpent lunged forward, its massive form coiling protectively in front of her. Tianlong descended, his mighty wings stirring the air as his scales shimmered like molten gold.
The cultivators faltered, their courage wavering under the combined might of Aleanna's companions. But the leader, driven by envy and desperation, shouted, "Attack!"
The clearing erupted into chaos. The cultivators charged, their weapons glowing with spiritual energy as they unleashed techniques meant to subdue their enemies. But Aleanna barely moved, her expression bored as she raised a hand. A pulse of divine energy erupted from her fingertips, freezing the attackers in their tracks.
"What… what is this?" one of them stammered, his body trembling as Aleanna's aura washed over him like a tidal wave.
Aleanna stepped forward, her gaze calm yet unyielding. "This is what happens when you underestimate someone out of your league."
She flicked her wrist, and the cultivators were thrown backward as if struck by an invisible force. They landed in a heap, groaning and disoriented. The leader struggled to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You… you think you're untouchable?" he snarled, lunging at her with his sword.
Aleanna didn't even blink. She caught the blade between two fingers, her divine energy melting the steel like wax. The leader stared in disbelief as his weapon disintegrated before his eyes.
"You're lucky I'm feeling generous," Aleanna said, her tone light but edged with warning. "Leave this forest. Don't come back."
The cultivators didn't need to be told twice. Scrambling to their feet, they fled into the trees, their shouts of terror echoing through the forest. Only the leader lingered, his pride keeping him rooted in place.
Aleanna sighed, stepping closer. "Look, I get it. You're angry, and you feel small. But trust me, picking a fight with someone like me won't fix that. Go home, rethink your life, and maybe you'll learn something."
The leader hesitated, his expression torn. Finally, he dropped what remained of his weapon and stumbled after his comrades.
As the forest grew quiet once more, Tianlong landed beside Aleanna, his golden eyes narrowing. "You let them go too easily."
Aleanna shrugged. "They weren't worth the trouble. Besides, it was kind of fun putting them in their place."
Her serpent hissed in agreement, and Aleanna laughed, her radiant beauty glowing brighter as the tension faded. "Well, that was a nice warm-up. Let's see what else this forest has in store."
And with that, the Most Holy continued her stroll, leaving behind a clearing marked by her effortless dominance and the humiliated cultivators who would never forget her.