The journey to the Lan Family house was not long. They left early in the morning after having something to eat and arrived a few minutes later. The terrain of the Lan Family's property was large, with houses not too large, and focused on a more natural compound full of personal houses. Only a few luxurious buildings could be seen on the side. Yasenia guessed they were used for guests or welcoming high-level individuals.
The most startling detail was that the Lan Family had a medicine mountain behind their property. This mountain was covered in protective formations and also housed a myriad of medicinal plants. 'As expected of a medical practitioner family. That large mountain is probably not natural and, instead, is a treasure of some kind.'
She could feel the strange flow of energy, while the rich scent of a high-level treasure tickled her nose even from her current distance.
"Halt!"
As Tatyana, Yasenia, and Cai Xue approached, the two guards in front of the gate stopped them from entering. Yasenia smiled at them, her draconic mouth arching softly. "Hello, two gentlemen. We've come here to see the sick elder of your family. We have a previous appointment with your family's Lan Shuyuan, granduncle of Lan Qingsu."
The two guards were surprised for a moment that the one speaking was the dragon, not the woman riding it. After a second of thinking, one of them asked, squinting. "You say that. However, do you have any proof?"
Yasenia nodded and raised one of her front limbs. The ring lodged around one of her beautiful golden horns shone briefly, summoning a single talisman. "This is a communication talisman Lord Shuyuan gave me before. He told me that if I wanted to visit, I should use this."
One of the guards recognized the talisman, but he still needed to make sure. So, he asked, his face much more relaxed than before. "May I take a closer look? There are some markings on personal items like these for us to confirm their authenticity."
Yasenia moved the talisman with her energy and chuckled. "It seems that your family encountered some problems in the past. The security is very tight."
The guard smiled awkwardly. "Yeah… Something like that." After taking the talisman, he nodded and quickly returned it. It didn't even take two minutes for the guard to finish the scan.
"This is indeed one of Grand Elder Shuyuan's talismans. Would you like to use it or do you prefer if we go ask for him? Either way is fine. Nevertheless, this talisman won't serve you the next time you want to enter. So, it will only remain as a way for personal communications."
Yasenia was once again surprised at the strictness. And since it would become partially unusable, she chose to use it. "I'll use it. Otherwise, it will be gathering dust in my ring for the rest of my life."
The guard smiled and nodded. "Please do… Um. May I know your names?"
Yasenia nodded her dragon head. "My name is Yasenia Dravory, and the one on my back is my mother, Tatyana Dravory. The girl walking by my side is my personal maid, Cai Xue."
Tatyana faintly nodded while Cai Xue bowed slightly. "Then, Madam Tatyana, Lady Yasenia, you both may enter inside and wait in our reception room together with your maid."
While he was extremely curious about how a human could give birth to such a beautiful dragon, he remained professional and refrained from asking.
The gates opened, and Yasenia walked forward, her head glancing at the beautiful surroundings. The entrance terrace was large, with a beautiful white rock path bordered by neatly arranged flowers.
Each of the flowers was a Peak-level Heaven-Ranked treasure, and yet, they were used as nothing but decoration. This spoke volumes about the Lan Family's wealth and history.
About ten maids were walking around the front area, tending the lush gardens and precious flowers. A single look told Yasenia that these maids were actually peak-level Mortal Cultivators. This knowledge made her sigh with emotion. 'A few Heavenly Layers below, each and every one of these would be a Sect Master with endless influence. Here, they are nameless maids keeping up a simple garden.
'Truly, the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure is nothing but accurate.'
After taking a right onto a forking path, Yasenia's group arrived in front of a luxurious building. The gates were large enough for Yasenia to enter in her dragon form, so she didn't bother changing back. It was very comfortable to be in her dragon form, so unless necessary, she preferred staying as such.
Still, once they entered, Tatyana jumped down from her back. Seeing Yasenia look over with puzzled eyes, Tatyana smiled and extended one hand up to rub between Yasenia's eyes. "I can't be on your back all the time, can I? Since you've decided to be low-key, it could be taken as a disrespectful action."
Yasenia reluctantly nodded. "... Later, mount me again. I really like Mom's weight on my back. It makes me feel comfy and complete."
Tatyana laughed, kissing her lowered snout. "Good girl. I love you."
Yasenia wagged her tail happily.
Meanwhile, Cai Xue took a few special towels and cleaned Yasenia's claws one by one to avoid staining the floor with dirt. Yasenia obediently accepted Cai Xue's care.
After using the talisman, the conversation was relatively brief and to the point. So, the dragoness waited patiently, sitting while curling up with Tatyana in the middle. Her head accurately rested on Tatyana's lap, while our Death Empress stroked the dragon's large head and gorgeous horns.
"Oh? You really dared to come over asking for compensation?"
A woman's voice interrupted their peace, prompting Yasenia to open one eye and look over. Walking towards them, a woman with long red hair and beautiful features was approaching.
"Lan Qingsu?" Yasenia didn't bother raising her head as she answered. "It has been a while. It seems that you are still acting as boldly as ever."
Lan Qingsu crossed her arms and snorted. "Yasenia, you know that I discovered that Blazeflower earlier. Why are you so insistent? Isn't it just one mid-level Transcendence Ranked herb?"
Yasenia didn't skip a beat as she answered. "Since it is so worthless, why rob it from my hands? If I hadn't yet dug it up, you'd still have some argument. However, you literally stole it while I was clutching the flower." Raising her head slightly, she squinted. "Today, I'll get my compensation, and no one can stop me."
Lan Qingsu was slightly angry, but she didn't overreact. She harrumphed. "Petty woman."
Yasenia smirked. "I am a dragon; petty is my middle name."
"Don't be so proud of such a strange thing!"
Yasenia laughed at her rebuke. Honestly, she didn't really resent her much. Still, what if the Blazeflower had been a plant she needed for something essential related to her survival? Lan Qingsu's actions were a direct provocation, and she wouldn't just swallow the insult.
After that small tirade, Lan Qingsu noticed Tatyana and quickly changed her attitude. Yasenia was someone of her same generation, or so Lan Qingsu thought due to their similar strengths. However, the red-eyed smiling woman was clearly a senior. So, she bowed respectfully. "Sorry for showing such an unsightly figure, Senior. Yasenia and I have some disagreements, but it is nothing that can't be solved."
Tatyana's eyes flashed with pleasant surprise. 'Oh? She isn't a Young Miss. Is she acting like she is because she lacks friends, and she hit it off with Yasenia?'
She nodded at Lan Qingsu's answer and answered softly. "I am Tatyana Dravory, Yasenia's mother. There is no harm with juniors arguing with each other. Although…" She raised her eyebrow and smirked. "I would love to know a bit more detail about you robbing my daughter's treasure."
Lan Qingsu's lips twitched. 'W-Why is this senior making things difficult for me!? I don't know how to answer!'
Thankfully, she didn't need to.
"Lady Tatyana, please don't tease my grandniece. She is shy and somewhat awkward with the way she expresses herself."
Lan Qingsu sighed in relief and turned around with a smile. "Granduncle Shuyuan!"
Yasenia also bowed faintly. "Elder Shuyuan, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Lan Shuyuan was a middle-aged-looking man with a high level of strength. A single look from Tatyana could make out that his actual level was that of a Level Eight Transcendence Realm Cultivator with a rather powerful Intent Domain. Still, the aura of alchemy around him overshadowed his strength.
'A powerful alchemist.'
That was Tatyana's first impression of Lan Shuyuan. Lan Shuyuan spoke a few pleasantries and guided them toward the sick elder's building. "While I doubt that Junior Yasenia's acupuncture will be able to heal our Elder, there is no harm in trying. Still, we have yet to discuss the compensation you want if you are successful, right?"
Yasenia leisurely walked in her dragon form. She commented. "Back then, I did say that if I were successful, your Elder would very much want to reward me themselves. I still abide by that thought."
Lan Shuyuan looked at Yasenia with a bit of disapproval. "Junior, I understand that you are a bit angry at Little Qingsu. Nevertheless, I believe that one must understand when to push and when to retreat."
Tatyana didn't interrupt. After all, the Lan family had been quite understanding until now. Moreover, Lan Shuyuan's words were not out of pocket. Yasenia also knew that, so she smiled. "I do understand, Elder Shuyuan. This time, though, I do not have anything that I want urgently. Therefore, I can only hope that whatever they offer will be to my liking."
Lan Shuyuan's eyebrows relaxed, and he understood. "So that's the case. It seems that I did judge you too hurriedly."
Yasenia nodded, and Lan Qingsu decided to join. "What type of Acupuncture technique do you practice, Yasenia?"
"I am unaware if this technique is known here, since I found an ancient text back during my travels. Still, it does seem to be a very high-level technique. The technique's name is [Yin-Yang Acupuncture Resonance Manual]. Have you heard of it?"
Both Lan family members tilted their heads in confusion, clearly unaware of it. Lan Qingsu commented. "Is it a good thing or a bad thing that we don't know it?"
Lan Shuyuan smiled. "Perhaps it is a good thing. An unknown technique has unknown results, which might lead to unexpected outcomes. Of course, if we ever think that you are hurting her, I want you to understand that we might be a bit brusque while stopping your treatment."
Yasenia nodded. "As long as the damage is not permanent, I am willing to accept it. Nevertheless, do not be too heavy-handed. Otherwise, Mom will become quite angry."
Tatyana chuckled. "If you do any permanent damage to my Little Treasure, my hand might slip~."
Strangely, both Lan family members felt their bodies break out in cold sweat at that casual comment.