The Dragon’s Plight and a Promise Kept

The opening of the secret realm’s entrance interrupted everyone’s conversations.

“Everyone, the gate will only remain open for a limited time, so please return quickly.”

Heeding the Sect Master of the Star-Moon Sect’s urgent reminder, no one dared to delay, and they all surged towards the exit.

“Yes, well done. You’ve all worked hard these past few days. Go back and rest now; I’ll wait here a bit longer for Third Elder and the others.”

The Third Elder the Sect Master referred to was the portly elder Zhen Aoyu had been impersonating.

As the victim, Xia Yi naturally knew that the Sect Master would never see Third Elder and his companions emerge.

Given Zhen Aoyu’s nature, it was highly probable that the two had met a grim fate, yet this incident had served as a stark warning to Xia Yi.

As the protagonist, Zhen Aoyu possessed the ability to fight above his cultivation level; even at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, he could make a late Foundation Establishment Third Elder vanish, which was truly terrifying.

‘Fortunately, he didn’t use that method against me, or this trip to the secret realm would have been far more perilous.’

Xia Yi glanced at the Book of World Cleansing and the Pure Immortal Spiritual Root within his mind, a shiver of ‘post-fear’ running through him.

Book of World Cleansing:

Fei Miaoyun (Purification Value): 100%

Reward: Vast Righteous Sword Intent (Complete)

Elemental Flower Enchantment (Fully Bloomed): Current Dual Cultivation Acceleration Rate 100%

Of course, after this battle, Zhen Aoyu was temporarily incapable of causing any more trouble.

More than him, Xia Yi was currently more concerned about Pei Yunxiang’s condition.

For just as he had emerged from the secret realm, the aura emanating from the scales on his chest had inexplicably withered.

If these scales truly belonged to Pei Yunxiang, then her current situation was undoubtedly dire.

A pang of anxiety tightened Xia Yi’s heart at this thought.

Disregarding all else, he cradled Fei Miaoyun, channeled his spiritual energy, and sped off in the direction the scales indicated.

****

“Such pure spiritual energy!”

“Indeed, and not only that, but I fear this young man’s strength already surpasses ours…”

“……”

“……”

The powerful aura Xia Yi unleashed in his haste to travel made the two Foundation Establishment elders beside him exclaim in involuntary awe.

Yun Yang and Niu Zhai, on the other hand, dared not utter a single word, terrified their masters would compare them to that monstrous talent, Xia Yi.

“Look at Xia Yi, then look at yourselves. He has such exceptional talent yet remains so diligent, rushing back to consolidate his cultivation. What about you two?”

“Exactly! From today—no, from this very moment—your cultivation time will be doubled. Now, run back from here!”

“Six.” ×2 

However, what they feared most came to pass; with a ‘child of another family’ (TL Note: A common Chinese expression referring to someone who is always held up as an example of perfection by parents or teachers) as their senior brother, Yun Yang and Niu Zhai felt their future days had suddenly become extraordinarily bleak.

****

“Almost there, Master, you must hold on…”

As he drew nearer, Xia Yi grew increasingly certain that these scales belonged to Pei Yunxiang.

With every step closer to his dwelling, the scales’ resonance intensified.

Before long, Xia Yi returned to the foot of Spirit Sword Peak, yet the scales’ guidance had not ceased.

“Not at home?”

Xia Yi’s brows furrowed deeply; without even a moment to set down Fei Miaoyun, he decisively continued to sprint with all his might in the direction the scales indicated.

Meanwhile, Pei Yunxiang was confronting an elder of the Star-Moon Sect.

At this moment, Pei Yunxiang had manifested her true form: dull, incomplete dragon horns, and a slender dragon tail, one section broken, hung limply behind her.

Beneath her torn daoist robe, damaged, charred scales were exposed, and Pei Yunxiang leaned on her spiritual sword, gasping for breath.

Her golden vertical pupils stared intently at the one confronting her.

“Hahaha, Pei Yunxiang, you are indeed a true dragon! I never imagined that I, Guang Pengyi, would possess such fortune, to encounter a true dragon gravely wounded and incurable.

Pei Yunxiang, I will give you one last chance. Become my spirit beast, and I will spare your life!”

However, Pei Yunxiang’s response to Guang Pengyi was a fierce dragon claw.

“Hmph, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning to reject a polite offer only to face a harsher consequence). A true dragon is, in the end, merely a demonic beast. Since you wish to die, then I shall grant your wish!”

Casually deflecting Pei Yunxiang’s dragon claw, Guang Pengyi reactivated the Demonic Refining Array.

For this attack on Pei Yunxiang, he had made thorough preparations: an aura-shielding array, the Demonic Refining Array, and luring Pei Yunxiang into the trap under the pretext of offering Xia Yi a profound Foundation Establishment method.

He had even specifically chosen the day when the Sect Master would be busy receiving those returning from the secret realm to make his move.

This dragon-slaying plan, three years in the making, could be described as utterly perfect.

Three years ago, while trading medicinal herbs with Pei Yunxiang, he had inadvertently discovered her identity as a true dragon, and one seemingly gravely wounded and incurable!

From that moment on, Guang Pengyi had been planning today’s actions, using his identity as the Grand Elder of the Star-Moon Sect to continuously provide Pei Yunxiang with convenience and preferential treatment, thus gaining her trust.

Today, his diligent efforts had paid off; he was on the verge of acquiring all the materials from a true dragon.

He had accounted for the opportune moment, the advantageous terrain, and the favorable human factors; with victory practically assured, how could he possibly lose? (TL Note: “飞龙骑脸” (fēi lóng qí liǎn) is a Chinese internet idiom, originally from StarCraft, meaning overwhelming advantage or a guaranteed win, like a ‘dragon riding on one’s face’ in a game, implying a crushing victory.)

As the Demonic Refining Array operated, the demonic energy within Pei Yunxiang continuously drained away, severely restricting her power.

Furthermore, already gravely wounded, she had to divert a portion of her demonic energy to suppress the continuously spreading power of her old injuries.

Under such circumstances, facing Guang Pengyi, who was also at the Grand Completion of Foundation Establishment, her ability to persevere for so long was already remarkable.

Indeed, apart from that young vagrant who had saved her and willingly shared his food and clothes with her in the bitter cold, not a single one of these cultivators was truly good.

Pei Yunxiang gritted her pearly teeth, retrieving a severely damaged dragon pearl that retained only a faint glimmer of light at its core.

“A dragon pearl! You mean to self-detonate?! You madwoman!”

As Pei Yunxiang activated the dragon pearl, an aura of destruction immediately surged forth, palpable and ominous.

Terrified, Guang Pengyi activated multiple layers of defense and increased the power of the Demonic Refining Array.

Even when faced with the dragon pearl’s self-detonation, Guang Pengyi was unwilling to abandon this rare opportunity.

“Yi’er…”

Deep reluctance filled Pei Yunxiang’s vertical pupils; having been betrayed by her kin and gravely wounded.

It was Xia Yi’s unwavering care for her, who had been like a corpse, that gave her the courage to live until now.

Even though that period was painful, it remained Pei Yunxiang’s happiest time.

She had even promised to become Yi’er’s Dao companion, but alas, fate had other plans.

“I broke my promise, didn’t I…”

Just as Pei Yunxiang was about to activate the dragon pearl’s self-detonation, a familiar voice echoed.

“No, Master. Since we made a promise, we must keep it. We will always be together, just like before.”

Immediately afterward, a sword light, dazzling, pure, and condensed to its utmost, containing the entirety of Vast Righteous Sword Intent, cleaved through all the arrays, swept past Pei Yunxiang, and illuminated her exquisitely beautiful face, streaked with tears, surprise, and disbelief.

“Ah!!!”

The brilliant sword light illuminated Pei Yunxiang, yet plunged Guang Pengyi into despair.

All his defenses were like paper before this sword light, utterly incapable of stopping it.

With a shriek, one of Guang Pengyi’s hands was ground into dust by the sword light.

“Yi’er, you…”

“It’s alright, Master; just leave this to me. Please take care of yourself and Miaoyun here; I’ll be back shortly.”

Taking the deeply unconscious Fei Miaoyun, and sensing the extraordinary, powerful, and pure aura emanating from Xia Yi, Pei Yunxiang nodded reassuringly, retracting the dragon pearl back into her body.

“Yi’er, be careful…”

“Okay…”

Nodding firmly under Pei Yunxiang’s gentle gaze, Xia Yi turned, his eyes icy as he looked at Guang Pengyi, who was attempting to treat his own wounds.

At this moment, the Book of World Cleansing in Xia Yi’s mind turned to its second page.

Book of World Cleansing:

Pei Yunxiang (Purification Value): 100%

Reward: Extreme Yang True Flame, Alchemy Compendium One (1/3)

Progress of clearing Evil Cold Yin Fire erosion: 1%