Chapter Nine: The Dragon Is a Creature Like No Other

Leng Tian looked at the woman before him, a little shy yet exuding an undeniable, valiant spirit. He felt a stir of emotion within. “It’s all fine now. Let’s leave this place,” he said.

By now, Yan Long and Xiao Han had regained consciousness. After hearing Huo Wu’s account of what had happened, both turned grateful eyes to Leng Tian. “Thank you!” they said in unison, their voices sincere.

Leng Tian smiled mildly and waved off their thanks. “No need for courtesy. My name is Leng Tian. May I ask for your names?” He glanced at them expectantly.

“My name is Yan Huo Wu, but you can just call me Huo Wu!” She straightened her disheveled clothes, forcing away her embarrassment, and introduced herself with composed candor.

“Yan Long.”

“Xiao Han.”

The two greeted Leng Tian in the manner of warriors, bumping their fists with his. “A meeting is fate. Let’s leave this place together,” Leng Tian suggested, seeing that they were unharmed.

The group nodded in agreement and set out as companions, making their way out of the mountains.

“Um... Brother Leng, did you come to the mountains alone in search of spirit beasts as well?” Huo Wu asked after some conversation, her shyness nearly gone.

Leng Tian was taken aback by the question and hesitated, not knowing how to answer. After a moment’s thought, he replied with a wry smile, “It’s a long story. In any case, I’m not here for leisure, that’s for certain.” He laughed it off, offering no further explanation.

Yan Long and Xiao Han had already noticed Huo Wu’s unusual demeanor but simply exchanged knowing smiles, choosing not to expose her. “Oh,” Huo Wu said, realizing Leng Tian didn’t wish to say more and tactfully dropped the matter.

“By the way, Brother Leng, something happened in the mountains a couple of days ago. Whenever I recall that night, I can’t help but feel terrified,” Yan Long admitted, genuine fear in his eyes. Seeing Leng Tian’s expression remain unchanged, he continued, “Since you’ve been in the mountains so long, did you discover anything unusual?” Both Huo Wu and Yan Long looked at Leng Tian with anticipation.

Leng Tian thought it over, then decided it was best not to tell them the truth. He smiled apologetically. “To be honest, I was indeed in the mountains that night, but the sudden pressure that appeared was so overwhelming that I fainted on the spot. I remember nothing after that.”

The group showed signs of disappointment, but continued chatting as they walked. “Weren’t there two others with us? Shouldn’t we look for them?” Leng Tian remembered the two who had left earlier.

“Don’t worry, Brother Leng. We’re following the path they took!” Huo Wu pointed to a large tree and said, “Look, that’s the mark they left behind.”

Leng Tian followed her gesture, and sure enough, there was a carved arrow on the trunk. He shook his head and smiled. “Well, it’s been a while; if they’re not worried, there must be a reason. I’m just being overly concerned.”

They continued on.

As they walked, Huo Wu and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with longing. In truth, they were eager to know what level Leng Tian’s cultivation had reached. But in the world of martial artists, it was forbidden, even taboo, to recklessly probe another’s cultivation.

If Leng Tian had truly reached the Sky Rank, he could help them break through their own bottlenecks. Yet this was no easy matter—every martial artist treasured their cultivation techniques and would never reveal them to outsiders.

Leng Tian was keenly aware of the shifting expressions on their faces, but since they kept silent, he too pretended not to notice and simply focused on the road ahead.

Yan Long and Xiao Han both looked at Huo Wu, clearly hoping she would be the one to broach the subject. Huo Wu nodded, steadied her emotions, and called out to Leng Tian, who was walking ahead.

“Brother Leng, wait a moment!”

Leng Tian stopped, turning a questioning gaze on her. Meeting his eyes, Huo Wu grew nervous, momentarily forgetting what she meant to say.

“You called me, miss. Is there something you wish to discuss?” Leng Tian saw her hesitation and realized they had a request, one that likely involved him directly.

Yan Long, seeing Huo Wu falter, decided to speak himself. “Brother Leng, the truth is, we’d like to know whether your cultivation has already reached the Sky Rank.” He looked at Leng Tian, face taut with anxiety.

Leng Tian was bemused. If that was all they wished to know, why the nervousness? He answered simply, “Early Sky Rank.” He smiled. “Really, why so tense? It’s not such a big deal.”

“Actually, Brother Leng, we have a request,” Huo Wu said earnestly.

Leng Tian responded with an easy smile. “Go ahead—what is it?”

Now that the moment had arrived, Huo Wu did not hesitate. She laid out their difficulties and entreaties in full.

“I see,” Leng Tian said after a moment’s thought, his face turning serious. “Your request is not unreasonable. I can help you. But there’s one condition: the cultivation technique I teach you must never be passed on to outsiders. Can you promise me that?”

The three were overjoyed. Xiao Han spoke fervently, “Brother Leng, rest assured, we will never forget your great kindness. As for leaking the technique, you may be certain: here and now, we swear a solemn oath—should we betray your trust, may heaven punish us, and may we never again be counted among humanity!”

All three knelt on one knee, placed their right fists over their hearts, and swore to the heavens their honor as martial artists.

Leng Tian nodded to himself. In truth, he had made a significant decision. Newly arrived in this unfamiliar world, without a single confidant, he possessed the peerless “Heaven-Gazing Sutra.” Yet if he only taught them up to the Profound Entry level, there would be little harm, and in doing so, he might gain a few genuine friends. Why not?

Most importantly, Leng Tian felt these three had good character. At least in times of peril, they had risked their lives for one another. Such loyalty and righteousness were rare and precious; to befriend such people was a joy in life.

Moved by this thought, Leng Tian felt a warm sensation in his heart. His own origins were sorrowful—within the depths of his soul dwelled memories from three lifetimes, each one marked by tragedy. Not until this third life, when fate finally smiled upon him, did he, through talent and relentless effort, break the world’s limits in just two centuries.

Yet for all his glory, he was deeply lonely. Family was a foreign concept to him, and in three lifetimes, he had never known the warmth of kinship. It was a feeling he longed for.

Looking at Huo Wu, Yan Long, and Xiao Han, Leng Tian’s expression softened. “I have a suggestion. Since fate has brought us together, if I pass on my technique to you, you would be, in a sense, my disciples. But I have no desire to take disciples. Why not become sworn siblings instead?”

The three were momentarily stunned, then excitement spread across their faces.

“Brother Leng, do you mean it?” Yan Long, ever forthright, asked eagerly.

“Of course,” Leng Tian replied sincerely.

“Xiao Han would be honored.”

“Hooray! Now I have a big brother—let’s see who dares bully me from now on!” Huo Wu exclaimed in delight.

“But isn’t Brother Yan already Huo Wu’s brother?” Leng Tian asked, surprised by Huo Wu’s joy.

Yan Long gave an awkward laugh. “Brother Leng, you may not know: though we share the surname Yan, there is no blood relation between Huo Wu and me.”

“Brother Leng, Yan Long’s family moved to our village after us. We grew up together, so I consider him and Xiao Han my elder brothers, but we aren’t actually related,” Huo Wu explained with playful cheer, now completely at ease around Leng Tian.

“Since we’re to become sworn siblings, why not include two more?” Xiao Han suggested, a thought occurring to him.

“You mean the two who left earlier?” Leng Tian caught his meaning.

“Exactly.”

“Oh yes, Xiao Ke and Zhi Xuan! Brother Leng, let’s include them too!” Huo Wu pleaded, her wide eyes shining.

“Very well. Once we find them, we’ll swear our bond together,” Leng Tian agreed readily.

“In that case, we can form our own mercenary group and travel the continent together, seeking adventure!” Huo Wu declared, elated that her long-held dream might come true.

Yan Long and Xiao Han exchanged satisfied smiles.

“A mercenary group? Is that some kind of organization?” Leng Tian asked, unfamiliar with the term.

Huo Wu blinked at him in disbelief. “Brother Leng, don’t tell me you’ve never even heard of mercenary groups!”

The other two looked equally astonished—mercenary groups were as well known as martial artists themselves. How could Leng Tian not know?

At that moment...

A piercing dragon’s roar echoed from afar.

They all looked up to see a colossal spirit beast soaring toward them from the horizon, its wings unfurled. Even at a great distance, the creature’s dazzling pale-gold scales shone with a metallic luster. Each beat of its wings stirred up invisible blades of wind—a sight both awe-inspiring and fearsome.

The sight of the beast changed the expressions of Huo Wu and her companions; a single, terrifying name surfaced in their minds: “Dragon.” This massive spirit beast was none other than the king of all spirit beasts, a dragon.

Leng Tian, with keener eyesight than the others, saw it more clearly and was left puzzled. “What kind of lizard is this, with wings and a dragon’s head? It’s a complete mishmash! How could a true dragon have such descendants? Was some celestial dragon perhaps drunk one night…”

[End of Chapter Nine: The Dragon—A Creature of Many Forms]