Liu Qingyuan's Shock

In the Liu Manor of Danyang City, Qila'angsi, upon receiving Gulanxiu's message, instantly tore through the World Ring and emerged into the outside world.

Though Qila'angsi had deliberately restrained his aura, Liu Qingyuan, who was resting, still detected him! After all, this was the Liu Manor, far too close to Liu Qingyuan's location. Liu Qingyuan, who had been engaged in intimate activities with his wife Shui Rou, abruptly halted his movements. Under Shui Rou's bewildered gaze, he dressed in less than a second and rushed to the courtyard where Qila'angsi stood.

But when he saw Qila'angsi's massive silhouette, a flicker of fear crossed Liu Qingyuan's eyes, and he spoke with a slight tremor: "It's you!?" He knew this figure all too well. It had appeared countless times in his dreams over the years. A thousand years ago, during the invasion of the Blood Spirit Grassland, he had been at his peak, slashing down three Insight-Level Wild Beasts in the great battle. Yet at that moment, this very Golden Armor Dragon had casually swiped a claw, striking him down with grievous, near-fatal wounds. For centuries, he had sought countless remedies but failed to heal the injury on his Core Nucleus! Now, this terrifying Wild Beast stood before him again—how could he not feel both fear and hatred?

But then he thought it through. This was Danyang City! Danyang City was packed with experts—over a hundred Domain Level alone, and two World Level powerhouses. If this Golden Armor Dragon made a rash move, it would surely fall here! And since it hadn't attacked on sight, it must have something to say.

"To survive a casual strike of mine that damaged your Core Nucleus—that's quite a miracle!" Qila'angsi remarked with a click of his tongue.

Liu Qingyuan's expression turned grim as he said, "What do you want? I'm warning you! This is Danyang City! If you dare make a move, the experts here will surely kill you. If you leave now, I can pretend I never saw you!" Liu Qingyuan had to be cautious. Though a single signal from him would bring the Golden Armor Dragon's death at the hands of Danyang City's strong, that time was enough for Qila'angsi to strike several times. Liu Qingyuan couldn't even match him at his peak, let alone in his current half-crippled state. At that moment, Liu Qingyuan lamented inwardly that he hadn't yet arranged for his family's safety. If he were alone, he would have already sought mutual destruction with Qila'angsi—after all, he was living on borrowed time, and taking this hated dragon with him would be a blessing.

Qila'angsi laughed and said, "Don't rush! Don't be afraid! I'm here with good news this time! My master left me and this thing behind before he went, saying it can heal your injuries!" With that, he tossed over a wooden box containing the Life Fruit.

Liu Qingyuan caught the box suspiciously and asked, puzzled, "Your master?" Then it suddenly hit him—the previous tenant of this courtyard. He ventured uncertainly, "Brother Jia?"

Qila'angsi nodded. "That's right! I don't know what luck you stumbled into, making friends with a figure like my master. Knowing you were injured, he specially sent me to deliver this to heal you!" By now, Liu Qingyuan had opened the box. A wave of refreshing fragrance hit him—just two whiffs made his body feel wonderfully at ease. He knew this was a rare heavenly treasure. Forgetting decorum, he grabbed the fruit, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed it whole.

As soon as the Life Fruit entered his stomach, Liu Qingyuan felt his Core Nucleus being steadily mended by a cool, life-giving energy. In mere moments, the crack that had plagued him for a thousand years was completely repaired. Tears welled in Liu Qingyuan's eyes. No one knew the immense pressure he had borne over that millennium—his two sons schemed to death, himself gravely wounded and barely clinging to life, all while trying to protect his remaining young son and daughter. The crushing weight had left him breathless. Now, everything was better. He had returned to his peak, and his Domain Level Six strength could reclaim everything lost over the years.

After a moment, he remembered the dragon still there and quickly said, "Forgive me, Brother Dragon! I lost my composure. Where is Brother Jia now? Why didn't he come himself?"

Qila'angsi replied, "Just call me Qila'angsi. My master is cultivating in the Ancient God Ruins and can't return for now. He told me to stay here with you until he comes back. Any problem?" Liu Qingyuan nodded hastily. "Of course, Lord Qila'angsi, you can stay as long as you like. But Lord Qila'angsi, you can't appear in the outside world. That Lord Zhalisi of the Blood Spirit Grassland suddenly died for some reason, and the City Lord of Danyang has launched an expedition against the Blood Spirit Grassland. The Wild Beasts there are now at war with Danyang City. If you're discovered, it would be troublesome!"

Indeed, Danyang City was already locked in battle with the Blood Spirit Grassland, all because Zhalisi's sudden death had left the Wild Beasts leaderless and the news had leaked. As the World City closest to the Blood Spirit Grassland, Danyang City hadn't always been this small! Before Zhalisi's rise, the Blood Spirit Grassland was part of the Danyang World's territory, originally the domain of a Domain City beneath it. But ten thousand years ago, the Golden Armor Dragon Zhalisi suddenly emerged, leading his clan and other Wild Beasts to expand outward. Domain Cities near the Blood Spirit Grassland were caught in the wave and were destroyed one after another over the following millennia. A thousand years ago, these Wild Beasts even broke through Danyang City's defenses, storming in to slaughter. The Golden Armor Dragon Zhalisi alone held off both the City Lord and his wife. Had the Immortal Temple not intervened, Danyang City would have fallen. Since then, Danyang City became the front line—beyond its gates lay the Blood Spirit Grassland, each side bent on annihilating the other. Now that Zhalisi was dead, the City Lord of Danyang seized the opportunity and struck decisively. The fighting raged on. In this situation, Qila'angsi showing his face at the Liu Manor was indeed unwise.

Qila'angsi snorted coldly. "Hmph! So you're still afraid I'll cause you trouble. Don't worry. I'll stay in the World Ring. Just prepare fine wine and food for me every day. Don't bother me unless there's nothing else. Call me when you need my help—my master told me to protect your family during this time!" Without waiting for Liu Qingyuan's reply, he dove into the World Ring.

Liu Qingyuan clasped his hands toward the World Ring where Qila'angsi resided, then turned and left. Once outside the courtyard, a faint smile crept onto his lips, and he murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear: "This Brother Jia of mine is truly mysterious! To make such a powerful Wild Beast submit to him as master—he's definitely no ordinary Cloud Soaring Level ascetic. But thankfully, he bears no ill intent toward our Liu family, and he's saved both me and Jiang'er's lives twice now. When the chance comes, I must repay him well!"