Someone I Hadn't Seen in a Long Time

Useless things.

That's a very straightforward statement.

But this is true for the Dragon Clan, especially True Dragon.

They are born with the hardest scales and the sharpest claws.

Therefore, in their eyes, Artifact Refining is a very low-level activity.

Only weak races need to rely on external things.

Qin Wangchuan paused, then finally looked up.

In the candlelight, Long Yue wore a thin gauze dress, looking more... attentive than ever before.

She was exceptionally beautiful, with a cool and serene beauty, like the first snow falling on Lone Peak under the moon.

But at this moment, those eyes burned with a fire completely incongruous with that face—not seductive, not provocative, but something much more direct.

Like karmic fire burning in the abyss, the colder the face pressing down, the hotter the fire.

But Qin Wangchuan was focused on something else entirely.

He put down his pen and turned his whole body towards her.

"How much of what you're saying is true, and how much is false?"

The candlelight cast a shadow on his profile, obscuring his expression.

"The same thing happened last time. That Dragon Attendant Ritual clearly didn't require touching the horns, did it?"

He paused.

"Opening the angle is also true."

"I have consulted your clan's records, but there is no relevant record."

After he finished speaking, Qin Wangchuan just stared at her.

Long Yue didn't seem to show the unease that had been predicted.

On the contrary, he had a completely honest expression.

"The bloodline within you does indeed need to be awakened, especially since you don't like to manifest your Dragon Form."

"The previous rituals were necessary, but touching the horn was indeed my personal preference."

"As for opening the angle, that's an even more important process."

Long Yue spoke, she slowly approached.

The candlelight cast a long, slender shadow behind her.

She walked right up to Qin Wangchuan, bent her knees, and slowly knelt down.

Her snow-white thighs gleamed warmly in the candlelight, her calves bent behind her, her full buttocks resting lightly on them.

A posture of complete subjugation and utter lack of threat.

"Does the Dragon Lord know why there is no record of horn opening in the Dragon Clan's records?"

She looked up, the candlelight flickering in her eyes.

"Because it has another name— 'Horn-Crossing Ritual'."

When she said this, Long Yue spoke very softly, as if afraid of startling something.

He leaned forward, getting even closer.

Qin Wangchuan lowered his head and raised an eyebrow.

Horn-Crossing Ritual.

Even without having read the relevant text, one can roughly understand the meaning of these two characters.

The two horns meet, and the two dragons unite.

It's the wedding ceremony.

So, was the previous one considered a marriage?

"Even if Long Yue is hiding something, please rest assured, Dragon Lord."

"Like this Undying Mark."

I would never have any intention to harm you or disobey you.

"Whether internal or external, physical or mental, this body or will, I will completely belong to you, and be at your disposal."

"I can tell you about those customs slowly."

"All..."

She looked up at him.

Those eyes were calm as still water.

But something is clearly hidden beneath the surface.

Qin Wangchuan looked up and met a pair of eyes that seemed calm, yet clearly held a deep well of emotion.

--

No one knows what happened that night.

It was only the second day.

Long Yue walked out of the room, her legs trembling.

After walking a distance while holding onto the wall, he finally couldn't hold on any longer and slowly slid down to the ground against a pillar.

She closed her eyes, her chest heaving, and it took her a long time to calm down.

Looking around, thankfully, this was Divine Son Hall, and no one was around.

No one saw her like this.

Except for one person.

Qin Zhaoer sat on the eaves of a rooftop in the Divine Son Hall, her chin resting on her knees, just watching.

After watching Long Yue slump to the ground for a while, she slowly got up, supporting herself on a pillar.

Those thighs were still trembling slightly, unable to stop.

Looking at that usually aloof face, there was something indescribable lingering there.

But Long Yue is still Long Yue.

In just a moment, she noticed that gaze.

Looking in that direction, he was slightly taken aback when he saw it was Qin Zhaoer.

Then, he bowed in greeting.

The movements were still standard, but when he stood up, his legs buckled again.

She steadied herself, turned, and left.

Qin Zhaoer did not respond, but her gaze followed her the whole way.

Especially on the dragon's horns and neck, which were marked with strangulation marks.

There's no need to guess; you can tell at a glance what she went through last night.

Qin Zhaoer felt neither anger nor resentment.

Only melancholy remains.

"Qin Wangchuan... Wangchuan..."

"You're surrounded by more and more women."

What should I do?

She raised her hand, rested her chin on it, and continued to sit on the eaves, lost in thought.

Day three.

Qin Wangchuan set off back to the Academy.

On this day, Long Yue did not come to see him off.

"Sister Long Yue didn't come?" Ye Jianwei asked in confusion.

"You've come here several times before."

Qin Wangchuan smiled knowingly at this.

"She's probably fast asleep."

"Sleeping soundly?" Ye Jianwei his head, looking puzzled.

That's for sure.

Qin Wangchuan was gentle towards Ye Jianwei.

But it was completely different for Long Yue.

Firstly, because she prefers that more direct feeling.

Secondly, it was intentional.

You still dare to tempt me.

If I say I'll make you unable to get out of bed, I really will make you unable to get out of bed.

Soon, the Flying Ship set sail.

In just a short while, they had covered thousands of miles.

On the way, Qin Wangchuan continued to study the basic forging method book.

Although it is considered basic, it encompasses a wide range of topics, and it takes a considerable amount of time to truly master it.

Ye Jianwei waited outside, taking the opportunity to hone his zither skills.

As he was playing, a servant suddenly approached from the side and whispered:

"Grown ups."

After listening, Ye Jianwei's expression changed slightly.

Without hesitation, he immediately came in to report:

"Young Master, it seems Miss is nearby."

"Li Qingluan?"

Qin Wangchuan uttered the name with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

It's been a long time.

"Right."

"A thousand miles to the left, a Grand Competition is being held at Wunian Mountain."

"The young lady is right there."

Qin Wangchuan closed the book and stood up.

"Let's go take a look."

"Yes!"

Ye Jianwei was equally excited.

She hadn't seen her mistress for a long time either.

The Flying Ship turned and changed direction.

They sped off towards that Immortal Power — Wunian Mountain.

Wunian Mountain.

The once-in-a-millennium Wunian Ranking is today, and the decisive battle is about to begin.

The arena atop the mountain hangs above a lake of the heart, surrounded by layers of viewing platforms, densely packed with people.

A cursory glance suggests there are no fewer than several thousand.

Many Prodigy gather here, regardless of their origins or backgrounds, all vying for a place.

Those who reach the summit will receive a No-Thought Bodhi Fruit, and will also be allowed to sit in meditation under the Bodhi Tree at the top of the mountain for ten days.

Under the Bodhi Tree, all worldly thoughts vanish, Dao heart becomes clear and serene.

Consuming a Bodhi Fruit can enable a cultivator to achieve mental unity and directly enter a state of enlightenment.

At this moment, the battle is reaching its climax.

On the arena, two figures slowly came to a stop.

Li Qingluan stood in the center of the field, holding the Qingluan Sword.

Her opponent was Chu Yuan, a member of the Chu Clan.

Although not a monster like Chu Wujiu, his swordsmanship was equally domineering and fierce.

In the previous few rounds, several renowned Prodigy had already fallen to his blade, and his momentum was at its peak.

"Goddess Li, please forgive me!"

Chu Yuan shouted in a deep voice, and his aura suddenly surged.

He gripped the knife with both hands, and dark red patterns appeared on the blade, as if blood was awakening within it.

"It's appeared! Living Battle Intent!"

Someone in the stands gasped in surprise.

The Chu Clan's fighting spirit is not an illusion, but can truly be materialized and added to weapons.

Chu Wujiu didn't use it before because the weapon in his hand was the Heaven-Opening War Halberd!

The Dao Path, but the Heaven-Opening Dao.