My Celestial Ascension

"Flying?! Are you saying they can actually fly? Are you serious?" Heidi shot up from the sofa, her face etched with disbelief as she struggled to process what she had just heard.

The middle-aged woman shook her head with a knowing smile. "I assure you, Young Lady, I am not lying. Everything I've said comes straight from the rumors surrounding this mysterious Hunter Party known as the Celestial Blades. Many witnesses claim to have seen them soaring freely through the skies."

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "A few months ago, the King of the Windfall Kingdom launched an expedition into the Forest of Never Return. Their mission was to eliminate the Corrupted Creatures that had overtaken the heart of that cursed place—a forest so dangerous even hidden families like ours avoid it."

Heidi's eyes narrowed as she listened intently.

The woman continued, her voice steady, "The expedition was a disaster for most. Scores of hunters and soldiers perished, torn apart by powerful magical beasts. Among them were rare creatures—monsters thought to have vanished thousands of years ago. Yet, amidst this chaos, the Celestial Blades emerged as saviors."

"The leader of the Celestial Blades?" Heidi asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "What did he do to earn such acclaim?"

"Not just the leader," the woman clarified, her smile growing wider. "His wives, too, displayed unparalleled strength. Together, they defeated monsters above SS rank, some even surpassing SSS rank—a feat unheard of. These were not ordinary creatures, Young Lady. These were ancient, nearly extinct beings that should not even exist in this era."

Heidi's jaw tightened, her mind racing as she considered the implications.

"The Celestial Blades didn't stop there," the woman added, her tone dropping ominously. "They eliminated all the Corrupted Creatures within the Forest of Never Return—wiping out their entire nest. Other hunters barely managed to kill a few fleeing beasts, while the Celestial Blades unleashed a devastating attack that obliterated everything in their path. The force of their strike sent shockwaves across cities and villages hundreds of miles away."

Heidi sank back onto the sofa, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief. "A single attack… that powerful? Enough to send shockwaves across such a vast distance?"

The woman nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Such power is beyond comprehension, even for our clan. The stories have captivated the entire continent, and their fame continues to grow."

Heidi sat in stunned silence, her mind whirling. "If these rumors are true," she finally murmured, "then this leader of the Celestial Blades is no ordinary man. And neither are the women who stand at his side."

"Did you find out who used that attack? The Celestial Blades have many members; it could have been any one of them," Heidi asked, her curiosity evident in both her tone and expression.

The middle-aged woman grinned widely before replying, "Well, I did manage to dig up a few details from the Hunters after showing them a generous amount of gold coins. Once they saw those coins, they spilled everything like parrots."

"You're always so reliable, Veni. That's why I trust you the most. You're loyal, resourceful, and indispensable to me," Heidi said with a pleased smile, her tone warm but tinged with authority.

Standing up from the plush sofa, Heidi walked over to the corner of the room, where a bottle of wine was neatly arranged. She poured two glasses—one for herself and one for her most trusted servant.

Veni had been with her since the day she arrived in this world. When Heidi was a clueless child, it was Veni who cared for her, guided her, and supported her every step of the way. To Heidi, Veni was more than a servant; she was like a second mother, showering her with a love and care her own mother never did.

As the youngest child of the Clan Matriarch and Patriarch, Heidi had grown up frail and without the talent to compete for the position of successor. Despite her unremarkable start, she blossomed into a beauty—a flower stunning to behold but laced with venom. Outwardly, she appeared charming and elegant, drawing admiration from all who met her. Inwardly, she was calculating and ruthless.

But to Veni, Heidi was still the gentle, playful little girl who had once clung to her skirts. Their bond was one of deep, unspoken affection, neither woman needing words to express their love for the other.

"By the way, did you get their names? The members of the Celestial Blades?" Heidi asked, smirking as she handed Veni a glass of wine and gestured for her to sit on the sofa beside her.

"Other than the leader's name, I couldn't get much. Not many people have spoken with them directly, save for a select few," Veni replied, shaking her head.

"I see… That's fine. It's not your fault," Heidi said with a soft smile. "Tell me, though—what's the leader's name?"

"He's called Yuan. No family name, Young Lady," Veni answered quickly.

"Yuan," Heidi repeated, letting the name linger on her lips. "What a unique name. It suits someone so intriguing. I'd like to meet him if he's here in the city," she murmured, clinking her glass with Veni's before taking a sip of her wine.

—

"Uncle Gordon, do you know of any good restaurants in this city? Somewhere fitting for my status, where we can enjoy a lavish meal before heading to the auction venue?" Denise asked as he glanced around the bustling streets of the Imperial Capital, scanning for a place worthy of his refined company.

"There's a well-known establishment just around the corner," Gordon replied, his voice steady as his sharp eyes surveyed the crowd. "They cater exclusively to those with powerful backgrounds—nobles and wealthy merchants, mostly. Shall we have a look, Young Master?"

"I see… Let's go there, then. If I don't like it, we can always find another place. Besides, walking with such lovely ladies is quite enjoyable," Denise said with a playful smile, pulling one of the women at his side into his embrace and wrapping an arm around her waist.

The beautiful lady giggled, leaning into him as she gently pressed her chest against his arm, then planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Witnessing this, the other three women looked visibly jealous.

'This bitch! Look at how clingy she's being. Why doesn't Young Master Denise pay attention to us? We have curvy figures and big breasts too!' the three women thought, irritation flickering across their faces as they watched him pamper another.

Shortly, they arrived at a lavish restaurant. The front of the establishment was stunning, with a grand fountain adorning the entrance. Luxurious carriages were parked neatly to the side, and a dedicated area was reserved for guests to secure their transports. The security was tight, ensuring that only those with the proper status could enter.

As Denise and his entourage approached the entrance, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind, freezing them in their tracks.

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"Oh my, what a delightful coincidence! Am I seeing things, or is this truly the mighty Young Master of the Drake Clan? What an unexpected surprise," the voice said, dripping with mock cordiality.

Turning around, Denise and his companions saw a handsome young man approaching, accompanied by a small entourage. At his side was a striking woman, confidently clinging to his arm with a radiant smile on her face.

"Well, if it isn't the Young Master of the Silver Clan. Considering today is the Grand Auction, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised to see you here," Denise replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Despite the underlying tension between the two, their words carried an air of civility. To onlookers, it appeared as though the Drake Clan and the Silver Clan shared an amicable relationship, though nothing could be further from the truth.

"So, are you here to dine as well, Young Master Elias?" Denise asked, arching a brow.

Elias Silver, one of the prominent successors of the Silver Clan, was well-known for his clan's unique magic. The Silver Clan specialized in Metal Magic—a rare and powerful ability that allowed them to manipulate metal at will. They could encase their bodies in metal armor or shape it into devastating weapons, making them formidable opponents.

The Silver Clan guarded their magic fiercely, keeping their techniques and formulas shrouded in secrecy. To preserve the purity of their bloodline and maintain exclusivity over their unique abilities, the clan adhered to a controversial practice: intermarriage within the family. Siblings, cousins, or other close relatives often wed to ensure that no outsiders could gain their coveted magic affinity.

This practice made the Silver Clan one of the most insular and enigmatic families in the realm. While their methods were effective in maintaining their power, it also fueled rumors and whispers among others, further adding to the mystique—and unease—that surrounded them.

"That's right. I was getting bored staying cooped up in my room all day. It was starting to irritate me, so I decided to come here. I've heard this restaurant is quite popular among nobles," Elias Silver said, chuckling as he spoke.

"Well, I heard the same. That's why I'm here—to enjoy a pleasant evening with my lovely ladies," Denise replied, a soft smile gracing his face as he pulled the women beside him closer, his arms wrapping around them.

"As expected of the Young Master of the Drake Clan—you're always chasing after beautiful women. Truly predictable," Elias said with a laugh, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"Well, I can't help it," Denise said with a lighthearted chuckle. "I'm someone who appreciates beauty, and, wouldn't you agree, beauties appreciate me too." He glanced at the ladies in his arms and asked, "What do you think, my lovely ladies?"

"You're so handsome and charming, Young Master Denise!" one of the women exclaimed, her cheeks flushed a deep red as she pressed her chest against him in an overtly seductive manner.

"That's right! Young Master Denise is the most handsome man in the world. Every woman should appreciate him," another chimed in with a wide grin, leaning in close and rubbing her body against his arm.

Elias couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the display. He found Denise's antics amusing, though he kept his amusement hidden behind a polite smile.

'This fool will get himself killed one day because of his obsession with women... I just hope his stupidity doesn't interfere with my business here,' Elias thought to himself.

"Well then, I'll leave you to your evening. It was a pleasure seeing you, Young Master Denise," Elias said smoothly, excusing himself before turning to enter the restaurant.

"The pleasure is mine," Denise replied, though the twisted smile on his face betrayed his true thoughts. Without missing a beat, he followed Elias into the restaurant, his entourage close behind.