In the heart of New Beijing district, where pagodas blended seamlessly with towering skyscrapers laced in holographic guild emblems, stood the Lan Family Estate far away from all the chaos in a serene place. It was a fortress of opulence, guarded by enchanted barriers that only those of pure Lan blood could pass without invitation.
Lan Meiling, the prized jewel of the conglomerate, glided through the marble halls like a dragoness in her domain. Her raven twin braids swayed with each step, and her beautiful chenogasm—freshly pressed with golden threads depicting coiling serpent like dragoness—rustled softly.
Today was no ordinary day. It was the monthly family conclave, where the women of the Lan dynasty gathered to discuss matters of their empire: guild investments, dungeon conquests, and the ever-delicate web of alliances.
Meiling's lips curled into a faint, disdainful smile as she approached the Jade Pavilion. *These gatherings are tedious,* she thought. *But necessary. One must remind the lesser branches of their place.*
The pavilion's doors slid open with a whisper of qi-infused mechanisms, revealing a grand chamber adorned with silk tapestries and glowing spirit stones. At the head of the long ebony table sat her mothers—three formidable women who ruled the conglomerate with iron fists wrapped in velvet.
Lan Xinyue, the First Mother, was a vision of stern elegance, her silver-streaked hair pinned in a crown-like updo who was also Meiling's mother. She was the head of the Guild Sirius, which was the main reason why Lan family put their attention on land of Norbata from their mainland.
Beside her was Lan Ying, the Second Mother, sharp-eyed and calculating, known for her mastery of financial sorcery. Some called her the lady of coin because they belived she was the goddess of fortune reincarnated as a human.
And finally, Lan Hua, the Third Mother, the youngest and most vivacious, with a laugh that could charm anyone or shatter them.
Arrayed around them were Meiling's sisters: the eldest, Lan Xue, 25 and already a vice-director in Guild Sirius; the middle sister, Lan Rui, 22, a fiery warrior who led raid teams into high-level dungeons; and the youngest besides Meiling, Lan Jiao, 17, a mischievous prodigy in artifact crafting with her unique power simillar to what Second Mother pocess.
Flanking the table were the aunties—Auntie Fei, a rotund woman with a tongue sharper than any blade, overseeing intelligence networks; Auntie Ling, slender and poisonously sweet, handling diplomatic marriages; and Auntie Bao, the enforcer, whose muscular frame belied her role in "resolving" family disputes.
And then there were the men. In this world where women wielded the true power—commanding guilds, forging empires, and bending powers to their will—the men of the Lan conglomerate served as consorts, cooks, or mere ornaments.
Meiling's fathers—corresponding to her mothers—hovered at the edges: Father Wei, a soft-spoken scholar who managed the household archives; Father Jun, a handsome but timid healer who tended to the family's wounds; and Father Ming, the most outspoken of them, a former dungeon scout now relegated to training the younger ladies of family.
Other male relatives, like Uncle Tao (Auntie Fei's consort) and Cousin Li (a distant branch), stood silently, ready to pour tea or fetch documents.
"Meiling, my blossom," Lan Xinyue called out as Meiling entered, her voice like polished jade—smooth yet unyielding. "You're late. The stars align for no one's whims, not even yours."
Meiling bowed gracefully, her fan snapping open with a flick. "Forgive me, First Mother. The academy's trivialities delayed me. Be it lesser rules of academy, I must obey so I don't tarnish our family's reputation.."
Lan Ying chuckled, her eyes narrowing. "Trivialities? Or perhaps a boy you've been eyeing? I heard there is an unnaturally charming boy in your class. Ren, was it? Our spies whisper of his figure. Are you interested about him sister?"
Meiling showed no interest but her tone showed a slight change . "Interest? Preposterous. He is but a curiosity, Second Mother. A flea that deserve not be crushed easily. Nothing more."
Lan Hua leaned forward, her painted lips curving into a teasing smile. "Oh, come now, little flower. We've all had our fleeting fancies. Remember my dalliance with that Korean guild heir? But do be careful—men are tools, not treasures. Use him wisely, or discard him."
The sisters exchanged glances. Lan Xue, ever the poised one, cleared her throat. "Mothers, perhaps we should focus on the agenda. Guild Sirius reports about the new dungeon is the main concern and I expect Mother Xinuye has more to say about it,"
She tapped a manicured nail against the table, her silver-streaked hair catching the light of the glowing gems embedded to walls. "Let us begin," she said, her voice commanding silence. "Guild Sirius and NDA has uncovered critical intelligence regarding the new dungeon gate in District Twelve. Xue, report."
Lan Xue, the eldest sister, rose with the poise of a seasoned vice-director. Her white and blue robes, emblazoned with the Sirius crest, shimmered faintly, a testament to the quality of the silk woven into the fabric. "The gate appeared without warning," she began, her tone crisp. "No mana spikes, no precursor anomalies. It's unprecedented. Our sensors indicate it's at least S-Rank, possibly higher. First Mother was already on-site, assessing the situation with the NDA and can testmanet to all these data."
A murmur rippled through the pavilion. Auntie Fei's eyes gleamed with interest, her plump fingers drumming on the table. "No mana spikes? That's no ordinary gate. Could it be an artificial construct? A rival guild's ploy, perhaps?"
Lan Ying, the Second Mother, leaned back, her sharp eyes glinting like polished coins. "Unlikely. The NDA's Dungeon Response Division has sealed the area, and Amanda Marquez herself is overseeing operations. If it were a guild's doing, her intelligence networks would've sniffed it out by now. No, this feels… ancient. Like the gates from the First Era."
"What guild can do such ploy Ying...no offence dear, but not even we can do that," Lan Hue muttered, while covering her mouth with a fan.
Meiling's fingers tightened around her fan. The First Era—when dungeons first tore through the fabric of reality, spilling monsters and treasures into the world. The Lan family had risen to power in those chaotic days, their ancestors mastering the art of dungeon conquest and forging Guild Sirius into a titan among guilds. If this gate harkened back to that time, the stakes were higher than anyone had anticipated.
Lan Hua, the Third Mother, twirled a lock of her auburn hair, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Ancient or not, it's an opportunity. The Dungeon Clearing Tournament was approved last night. The betting booths are already raking in billions. If Sirius takes the lead in clearing this gate, we'll solidify our dominance for another decade."
"An expedition led by me and our elite of Sirius will take place until we clear this dungeon. I expect financial and intelligence support from you my sister," Lan Xinyue muttered standing up, as if she was about to conclude the meeting, but seeing that her presence was needed for other matters she couldn't help but sit back with a sigh.
Meiling listened, her mind racing. The mention of the gate stirred something in her—a hunger, not just for glory, but for answers. The academy's archives had countless tales of First Era gates, their cores pulsing with raw, untamed power. If this gate was truly S-Rank or higher, its core could be a game-changer for the Lan family's empire and for herself. Or a catastrophe, if mishandled.
She was not yet allowed to join any expeditions, so she knew she would have to quickly finish her time at the academy and join Guild Sirius. But knowing how much her elder sister, Lan Xue, hated her, she also knew that things wouldn't be easy.
As the conversation shifted to the next topic, Meiling braced herself, a familiar dread coiling in her chest like a serpent poised to strike—the loathsome subject of marriages, the bane of her family gatherings, promised yet another throbbing headache.