Yasenia felt her body get enveloped in light before she was transported straight to another new space. This time, Yasenia located herself in the middle of a large golden sphere. The sphere had a viscous nature, similar to liquid gold, and was swirling with formation patterns that changed at a consistent pace. There was order within the randomness and intent where chaos seemed to dominate it.
'...That's probably the most profound formation I've ever seen.'
Floating in the middle of the giant sphere, Yasenia noticed three more things. First, in the middle, two large stone steles, carved with unknown symbols, floated side by side. These grey-colored steles were even more mysterious compared to the giant golden sphere.
The last thing Yasenia noticed was between the two floating steles. It was a small white platform with a door in the middle. The door was simple: brown in color, built within a stone arch, and with a golden circular doorknob in the middle.
"Welcome."
While Yasenia floated in front of the three structures, she heard the voice of a man behind her. A man entered her vision. He was neither tall nor short, with defined facial features and long brown hair. His dark eyes and calm disposition gave him a solemn aura, while his gaze carried time-worn weariness. Clearly, unlike his relatively youthful appearance, he was someone with an uncountable number of years behind him.
"Thank you, Senior. May I ask where we are?"
The man's lips arched faintly. "You are rather impatient. Are you in a rush because of what that dragon told you?"
Yasenia paused, surprised. After a few moments of silence, Yasenia spoke carefully. "Senior has consciousness… I was rude. I thought the senior was a remnant soul without sentience."
The man nodded. "It's normal for you to think so. In a way, I am not a willing remnant soul. I am, in a way, a guide and a guardian, while also sharing consciousness with the [Star Breaker Realm Bead]." Looking around, he spoke slowly. "After so many years… I am unsure if I have become it, or if we are still two different existences."
Yasenia didn't answer and let him speak. The man looked back at Yasenia and spoke. "Excuse me for the tardiness. This humble cultivator is the creator of this treasure, or part of him. My name is Sui Xing."
The dragoness cupped her fist and bowed faintly. "This junior is Yasenia Dravory."
"Great." The man spoke, a very faint curve on his lips. "I've been following you since you entered. So, I must apologize."
The dragoness tilted her head, unsure as to why he apologized. He explained right away. "When you entered, I could sense boundless potential from you. So, I thought that you could become our owner." He floated forward, landing on the white platform holding the door. "Sadly, I could sense your reluctance to get involved. Therefore, I actively manipulated the test a little bit."
Yasenia frowned, her mind quickly reaching a conclusion. "The crippling condition… That was not supposed to be a thing."
"You are right." Sui Xing walked toward the door and then turned around. "So, if you are offended, I apologize."
If she said that it didn't bother her, Yasenia would be lying. What she hated the most was being manipulated by others. She disliked it as much as she disliked lies. Nevertheless, her desire to get the treasure was too high. Giving it up just because it messed up with her was ignorant and stupid.
Still, her face had become much colder than before. "Apologies received. Now that I've won the final tournament, what must I do to get this treasure?"
"Two things." The man knew Yasenia was angry, so he didn't procrastinate. "The first thing is to link this treasure to yourself through a drop of blood essence. That way, only by killing you will people be able to steal it."
Yasenia already expected something like this, so she wasn't worried. High-level treasures had their own consciousness most of the time, and they all valued a trustworthy contract between both sides. With a drop of blood essence, the treasure became part of the cultivator through their connection.
"What is the second one?"
Sui Xing spoke faintly. "You must choose whether to make it your individual treasure or a sect treasure."
"Huh?" Puzzlement flashed in Yasenia's expression. "I don't understand. What is the difference?"
"First of all, let me tell you the real purpose of this treasure. Although with what you've discovered, you got most of it right."
"Alright. Go ahead."
Sui Xing crossed his arms and spoke. "The [Star Breaker Realm Bead] is a treasure made to polish your skills. It was created several million years ago in the Divine Realm as a common training room for people in the Divine Realm."
"...What?"
Yasenia's eyes widened, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Wasn't this one of the treasures that the Broken Star Sect used to dominate several continents of the Blue Pearl World?"
The man nodded calmly. "Yes. But the treasures weren't created by them. To begin with, most of the things the Broken Star Sect used to rise to supremacy were treasures found in an ancient tomb of a fallen powerhouse. This powerhouse, my original self, was an Eighth Realm cultivator that fell during the Heavenly Cataclysm."
Yasenia stayed silent for a few moments and asked. "... How many people know of your origins?"
"No one knows other than the previous Sect Master of the Broken Star Sect." Sui Xing spoke lightly. "He was a rather mediocre talent who managed to rise to prominence thanks to a lucky encounter. So, lacking trust, he never shared it with others, even after his death. He created this Secret Realm and left his descendants to their luck. Hence, their decline over the years."
Yasenia's lips twitched. 'That's… sad. If Star Forge and the others hear it, they will be heartbroken. Their previous glory disappeared because the Sect Leader was greedy and never shared his treasures.'
"So…" Yasenia's tail swished as she tilted her head. "What does all of this have to do with your previous question? Sect Treasure and Individual Treasure. What is the difference?"
The man explained. "While it is called [Star Breaker Realm Bead], the name comes from my previous title, not its functions. This bead can, as you've seen, divide your proficiency with skills, body, energy, soul usage, and many more into different levels of copies. The copies are separated into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet colors. Of course, there are a few more, but those colors are the basic steps."
Yasenia's lips trembled. "A-A few more?"
A chuckle escaped him. "There are 1000 steps, and you change colors every 50 steps up to the 500th level. Beyond that, things take a turn, but it is far too early for you to know about it."
Doing quick counting, the colors Sui Xing named would elevate her to the 500th level once beaten. '...Crazy. And here I am, struggling with the bronze copies.'
After digesting the harsh punch to her pride, Yasenia took a deep breath and spoke. "I understand. You can continue."
"Impressive." The man looked at Yasenia, his eyes showing a hint of praise.
The dragoness frowned. "What's impressive? Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all. I am sincere." Sui Xing sighed. "Many young geniuses become offended and depressed once they understand how far they are from reaching the true level of a powerhouse."
Yasenia's frowning eyebrows relaxed as she smiled faintly. "Someone has beaten me down since I was little. I know how far I am from becoming a truly strong person." She added softly. "In the first place, I got this treasure, risking so much, because I want to catch up to that person."
"Then, you should accept the treasure as an individual treasure." Sui Xing finally moved to the meat of the matter. "In the form of an individual treasure, the [Star Breaker Realm Bead] will become tailored for yourself. The copies will become even more precise, and the Bead will understand you down to a soul level and be able to imitate even your specialness."
The dragoness guessed, her eyes thoughtful. "So… If I were to accept the treasure in its Sect Treasure form, the challenge would remain as it is, but others would be able to use it without any particular difficulties. Am I right?"
"Yes." Sui Xing nodded.
Yasenia got thoughtful as the image of her family flashed in her mind. '...What should I do?'
After being alone for a few decades, Yasenia had noticed how different her advancement speed had been. She was already ready to enter the Second Level of the Transcendence Realm, and even her Intent Domains were reaching high levels at speeds that were conceived as impossible. It hasn't even been half a century since she arrived here.
Her heart clenched slightly. 'I want to catch up… But behind me there are my dears.'
During her entire life, Yasenia had felt two chains pulling her body in opposite directions. Angel, Cecile, and the others were right behind her, and she used incredible efforts to pull them together with her. However, after coming here, that chain detached, and the only one pulling her was the chain attached to Tatyana's back.
As a result, her strengthening pace was ridiculous. But now, for the first time since she left them, the missing chain reappeared. The reason was that this treasure was even more ridiculous compared to the Battle Formation she learned.
"Why are you hesitating?"
Sui Xing's voice reached Yasenia, snapping her out of her thoughts. Looking at the man glancing at her in confusion, Yasenia hesitated for a second before speaking.
"I… have a family," Yasenia spoke softly, her aura gaining a warm and tender feeling. "They are all similar in age to me. Until now, using different methods, I've managed to help them keep up with my cultivation speed."
Sui Xing listened silently.
"But… if I get this treasure in its individual form…" Yasenia's final puzzle piece for her cultivation speed to break common sense was in front of her, but she couldn't confidently reach out to get it.
Sui Xing sighed. "Is your trust in them so shallow?"
"Huh?" Yasenia opened her eyes, bewildered. "What do you mean? I wouldn't even be bothered if they grabbed my naked soul with their very hands."
Sui Xing was startled, not because of the tone, but because of the sincerity behind Yasenia's eyes. '... She is not exaggerating. She would truly not feel uncomfortable doing as she said.'
That alone was unthinkable. Giving someone access to their naked soul was placing their lives in their hands. Relinquishing your hold on your naked soul meant that even a mortal cultivator would be able to kill you with a single thought.
Once he heard those words, Sui Xing finally understood why the dragon woman in front of him was hesitating. 'Such deep and pure love… It's not that she doesn't trust her lovers, but that she doesn't want her family to feel inadequate as she becomes increasingly stronger. Even the thought of the idea flashing in her lover's head is uncomfortable for her.'
After thinking for a moment, he asked. "How many people are part of the group you would hate to leave behind in strength?"
Yasenia pondered deeply for a moment. "...Six people."
While she loved her maids and children, she didn't mind becoming stronger than them. Even if she eventually becomes much stronger than they are, her maids will be able to work by her side on different problems. Their value as trustworthy subordinates won't go down even if they lack strength.
Her children as well. Yasenia would protect fiercely, even if a child of hers were a cripple. So, becoming much stronger than them was not a problem.
The problem was Tatyana, Angel, Andrea, Cecile, Evelyn, and Kali. The thought of leaving them behind was hard for Yasenia. 'If I hadn't been forced in the first place, I would still be roaming the world with them…'
"Six… That's a relief."
Yasenia blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Sui Xing smiled. "As long as it is less than 10 people, I can register them at the same rate as you and allow them to use the treasure. More than ten, it would be too difficult, and we would need extra resources."
Yasenia's eyes widened for a second before doubt flashed in them. "Are you lying to get me to accept the treasure first?"
Sui Xing blinked. "Would I do something so petty?"
Yasenia deadpanned. "You changed the rules to trick me into participating."
Sui Xing: "..."
Yasenia: "..."
Sui Xing: "Ahem… You can trust me this time around."
"...Alright. If you lie to me, I won't ever forgive you."