Comforting the Medical Pavilion's Heart, Awakening the Sacred Dragon Path

Leaving the Dean's office, Long Jinyu did not hesitate, turning his steps toward the medical district on the east side of the Medical Pavilion.

As he passed through the corridor, the scent of disinfectant intertwined with the bitter fragrance of medicinal herbs.

Nurses along the way stopped their carts, and young physicians looked up from their medical records; when their gazes met his, they all revealed a reverence that bordered on adoration.

"Dean Long."

He smiled in response without slowing his pace. These silent salutations carried more weight than any clamorous cheer.

He first stepped into the quiet courtyard where Yan Rong and Huang Yue were recuperating.

The two elders were playing chess under an ancient tree. Seeing him, Yan Rong pushed the board aside and stood up, his voice resonant: "Dean, why have you come?"

He flexed the arm that had once been severely injured; the wound that had once been deep enough to reveal bone now held only a line of pale pink, new flesh.

Huang Yue meticulously returned the pieces to the box with gentle movements. When she raised her eyes, they held a knowing smile: "The affairs of the Pavilion are complex; the Dean should rest more."

Long Jinyu walked a few steps forward, stood before the stone table, and bowed solemnly: "Elder Yan, Elder Huang, thanks to the two of you turning the tide and holding back the powerful enemy during the fierce battle the day before yesterday, the Medical Pavilion remained safe. Jinyu is here to thank you both!"

Huang Yue hurriedly offered a gesture of support, smiling gently: "The Dean is too kind. Protecting the Medical Pavilion is the duty of my husband and me. It is the Dean who repelled the evil ones and resolved the crisis in Shrek City; that is the true, monumental achievement."

"Indeed."

Yan Rong chimed in, looking at Long Jinyu with eyes full of admiration, "The Dean's divine might is something this old man admires. However..."

His tone shifted, carrying a hint of concern, "Has your body fully recovered? With such consumption, you must not leave any hidden dangers behind."

"Thank you both for your concern, I am already fine."

A warm current surged in Long Jinyu's heart, and he then looked apologetic: "Speaking of which, this disaster was ultimately caused by me, implicating you both in injuries and putting the entire Medical Pavilion in danger. Jinyu truly feels uneasy."

Yan Rong waved his large hand, speaking heroically: "Dean, do not say such things! Evil Soul Master are the common enemies of the continent. If they dare to come, we dare to fight! Being able to share your burdens is this old man's honor!" Huang Yue also nodded gently, her gaze firm.

"Elder Yan... is right."

Long Jinyu followed their lead, then flipped his hand to produce two jade bottles, placing them on the stone table: "This is the 'Dragon Blood Heaven-Returning Pill', which provides a small boost for consolidating one's foundation and nourishing the essence. I hope the two elders will not decline."

The jade bottles were translucent, and one could faintly see the pills within glowing with a blood-colored luster. Yan Rong and Huang Yue exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes. This item was far more than a "small boost." This gesture was far heavier than the pills themselves.

"This..."

"Accept them." Long Jinyu's tone was gentle but brooked no refusal, "The pillars of the Medical Pavilion cannot afford any mishaps."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and confirming that the two elders' injuries had basically healed and only required rest, Long Jinyu took his leave and headed toward the barracks of the Yanhuang Guard.

Compared to the tranquility of the elders, the camp of the Yanhuang Guard appeared much more vibrant.

Before he even approached, he could hear the shouts and the sound of weapons cutting through the wind from the training ground. In the field, those with minor injuries were already sweating profusely, while those with serious injuries were mostly watching from the sidelines.

Upon seeing him, all sound came to an abrupt halt.

"Dean!"

"Master!"

The titles varied, but the reverence was identical.

Liu Tao rushed over upon hearing the news, accompanying him at his side. Long Jinyu's expression was soft as his gaze swept over the crowd, seeing several familiar faces as well as a few team members wrapped in bandages with slightly weaker auras.

He walked up to a tall team member whose arm was still in a sling across his chest, accurately calling out his name: "Zhu Zetao, I remember you. During the last attack by the Evil Soul Master, you held off two Soul Saints by yourself."

The man named Zhu Zetao trembled violently, his face flushing with excitement as he puffed out his chest: "Yes! Dean! It was... it was my duty!"

Long Jinyu patted his uninjured shoulder, and a pure, gentle life energy quietly flowed into him, accelerating the healing of his wounds. "Well done. The Medical Pavilion is proud of you."

He then walked toward several other seriously injured team members, saying nothing more, only extending his hand to rest it gently on their wounds.

Soft green light flickered—not the large-scale 'Dragon Bath Spring Rain', but a precise and efficient injection of life energy. The wounded felt a warm current flow into their limbs and bones; the pain and stagnation in their wounds dissipated rapidly, and even their spirits were invigorated.

"Thank you, Dean!"

"I feel much better!"

Expressions of gratitude rose one after another.

Long Jinyu looked at all the Yanhuang Guard, his voice clear and carrying across the entire field: "In the battle the day before yesterday, you were all brave and fearless, resisting the powerful enemy to protect the peace of our Medical Pavilion. I, Long Jinyu, will keep it in my heart! All participants will have their contribution points doubled, and those injured will receive additional compensation! From now on, my 'Nine-Colored Dragon Valley' will never treat any brother who sheds blood and sweat unfairly!"

There were no flowery words, only the most practical of promises.

The field fell into a deathly silence, and then, it was unclear who first struck their chest, producing a dull thud. Immediately after, everyone performed the same action.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

There were no cheers, no slogans. This uniform chest-beating salute was the highest respect and vow of a soldier.

After pacifying the crowd, Long Jinyu looked at Liu Tao and asked: "Where is Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao?"

"Miss Ma went to visit Tang Ya earlier; she should be walking by the lotus pond in the backyard right now."

He turned and left, the silent yet fervent gazes behind him lingering for a long time.

Passing through the moon gate, the backyard lotus pond lay quietly in the afterglow of the sunset.

Ma Xiaotao stood with her back to him at the end of the winding corridor, her fiery red hair fluttering slightly in the evening breeze. As she watched the koi playing in the pond, her figure revealed a rare sense of tranquility.

Just as he was about to step forward, his brows twitched. He sensed a familiar and powerful aura rising from the depths of the Medical Pavilion, rapidly approaching their location.

The next moment, the space at the entrance of the courtyard seemed to distort slightly, and a figure appeared out of thin air.

It was Tuoba Xi!

At this moment, he was a completely different person from before. His figure seemed taller and more robust, and the aura surrounding him was as vast as the sea, unfathomable.

The pressure he exerted, which was originally just formidable, now carried a sense of brilliant sanctity, faintly accompanied by the sound of a dragon's roar.

It was not merely strength, but a nobility and pressure rooted in his very bloodline, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly and the light to brighten in his presence.

His gaze instantly locked onto Long Jinyu, and he strode forward with long, purposeful steps. With every step he took, his aura retracted a fraction. By the time he reached a distance of ten feet from Long Jinyu, the oppressive pressure had been completely reined in, leaving only a composure as steady as a mountain.

He knelt on one knee, bowed his head in salute, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice filled with heartfelt reverence:

"Tuoba Xi, I thank the Young Master for your grace! I have not failed your mission and have successfully emerged from seclusion!"

Not far away, Ma Xiaotao was also drawn by the commotion and turned her head abruptly.

Feeling the pressure radiating from Tuoba Xi, which far exceeded that of an ordinary Titled Douluo, a flash of shock crossed her phoenix eyes.

When her gaze fell upon his posture—so incredibly respectful, even bordering on devout—she looked at Long Jinyu's back with a complex expression.

Long Jinyu looked at the reborn Tuoba Xi, sensing the surging soul power fluctuations within him, which seemed to stand firmly on the threshold of level 95, and nodded slightly, signaling for Tuoba Xi to rise.

"Very good. It seems you have initially adapted to the power of 'this era'."

He suddenly shifted the topic and asked, "Elder Tuoba, if I recall correctly, your previous Martial Soul was the White Armored Earth Dragon?"

Tuoba Xi responded immediately, his tone filled with irrepressible excitement and gratitude: "The Young Master is wise! That is correct! Thanks to the Young Master's great fortune and the gift of the sacred object, my Martial Soul has evolved. It is now—the Platinum Holy Dragon!"

As he spoke, a pure and sacred dragon might naturally leaked out; though he retracted it instantly, it was already extraordinary.

"Platinum Holy Dragon... Not bad."

A hint of approval flashed in Long Jinyu's eyes, and then his expression became profound. "Since your Martial Soul has become a True Dragon, your journey now has one more destination and one more responsibility."

His gaze swept across the distance, as if seeing the map of the continent: "Within the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire, there are two major dragon-type sects. One is the Heavenly Dragon Gate, whose members mostly possess True Dragon Martial Souls, pure bloodlines, and high self-regard; the other is the Earth Dragon Gate, whose members primarily use sub-dragon and earth-dragon type Martial Souls, and their foundations are also quite remarkable."

He looked at Tuoba Xi, his tone calm yet pointed: "As the Sect Master of the Holy Dragon Sect, your understanding of dragon-type Martial Souls is far beyond that of ordinary people. Ten thousand years have passed, and the world has changed; the flow of bloodlines is unpredictable. On this journey, you might as well visit the areas around these two sects and make contact. Perhaps... you may even find descendants of your own bloodline, who knows."

Upon hearing this, a sharp light erupted in Tuoba Xi's eyes, followed by an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude.

He had originally thought his sect had been completely annihilated; he never expected the Young Master to have considered even this deepest desire of his! This kindness and the grace of being recognized were far more moving to his soul than any gift of power.

He clasped his fists tightly, his voice trembling slightly with emotion: "Young Master... your subordinate... your subordinate thanks you for your great kindness! This grace... Tuoba Xi will never forget it for all eternity!"

Long Jinyu gave his final instruction: "Hmm, remember: watch more, listen more, and think more. One month from now, I will be here, waiting for you to bring back a true world, and... your answer."

"Your subordinate will certainly not fail the Young Master's expectations!" Tuoba Xi saluted solemnly once more, his gaze as firm as iron.

Only then did Long Jinyu turn and walk toward Ma Xiaotao, who had been standing quietly under the veranda.

Tuoba Xi watched him leave, and not until his figure disappeared did he slowly straighten up. Looking toward the direction of the Heaven Dou Empire, a soaring battle intent belonging to the Platinum Holy Dragon and the heavy sense of mission were intertwined in his heart.

He did not linger. With a flicker of his body, he transformed into a streak of light and left the Medical Pavilion silently, merging into the vast and unknown new world.