Dragon Communion

When Lu Mingfei returned to the Church of Elleh carrying the Dragon Heart, which had stopped beating and was mixed with fragments of rock, Galle was still fiddling with the huqin-like instrument in his hands.

The nearest Site of Grace to Lake Agheel was here. To teleport back to the Church of Dragon Communion, Lu Mingfei had no choice but to return once more.

The red-capped merchant looked up, casting Lu Mingfei a slightly surprised glance before casually lowering his head again.

Ever since training under the old knight, Lu Mingfei's perception had improved by leaps and bounds. Even the slightest movement could not escape his notice.

Naturally, he caught Galle's fleetingly strange expression.

"What is it?"

Lu Mingfei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Oh my," Galle said unhurriedly, "it's nothing much.

It's just that there was an Exile Knight dressed like you on the nearby cliff a moment ago. I thought it was you, but his build didn't seem quite right..."

Lu Mingfei froze for a moment, then asked:

"Was that knight carrying two greatswords on his back?"

Galle sighed, looking troubled.

"Oh, customer, now you're putting me in a difficult spot. Galle was already brave enough not to hop on his donkey and flee immediately. How would I dare stare for too long..."

Lu Mingfei casually gathered 50 Runes and tossed them at Galle.

"Oh my, oh my." Galle smacked his forehead, making his little red cap tilt askew. "Now that you mention it, I do remember. He really was carrying two greatswords..."

Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes at him. Merchants of the wandering people did indeed have a tradition of selling information, but that did not stop Lu Mingfei from despising this crooked merchant...

Then Lu Mingfei raised his head, his gaze passing over the church's crumbling walls toward the nearby cliff.

The view there was wide open, overlooking all of Lake Agheel.

"Old man..."

He murmured to himself.

By the time Lu Mingfei teleported back to the Church of Dragon Communion, the sun was already setting, dyeing the courtyard full of headless dragon statues golden.

He stepped into the ruins and paused slightly.

Before the altar, which had been empty until now, stood that familiar suit of silver-white heavy armor.

"Master...?" Lu Mingfei called out instinctively.

A familiar snort came from within the gaps in the armor. The old knight turned around and carefully examined Lu Mingfei's battered armor, its right shoulder scorched black. He could not help frowning as he said coldly:

"You brat. Hunting a small-to-medium Flying Dragon and you turned your armor into this state. Don't tell me you expect to find a blacksmith in the Lands Between at a time like this to repair it...

Light armor isn't easy to come by. Strip one off someone, and that's one less left..."

Lu Mingfei shrank his neck like a mouse before a cat. His earlier high spirits vanished without a trace.

Then he remembered what he had done today, and for some reason, his confidence returned.

He craned his neck, trying to argue with the old man, though he clearly lacked conviction.

"Old man, you can't blame me for this. That dragon was just too fierce... Besides, I unleashed the complete Stormcaller today..."

His voice grew softer and softer.

"Kneel properly."

The old knight suddenly barked.

Lu Mingfei dropped to one knee by reflex.

Silence.

After a long while, those large hands clad in iron gauntlets gently rested on his bloodstained head.

"You did well."

The old man's voice was still as rough as stone, but it carried a rare trace of gentleness.

"You finally look a little like a knight."

Lu Mingfei froze.

He looked up and saw the old knight's weathered face, uncovered by a visor. His gaze was sharp beyond measure, yet already clouded with age. The iron-clad hand resting on Lu Mingfei's head was heavy, but warm.

"...Old man?"

"Shut up."

The old knight withdrew his hand and turned toward the altar.

"Bring me the Dragon Heart."

Lu Mingfei hurriedly rummaged through his storage space and pulled out the strange Dragon Heart, nearly as large as a pumpkin. Its red flesh was mixed with stone. Though it had long been dead, Lu Mingfei faintly felt as though it was still pulsing, as if unwilling to die just like that.

The old knight took the Dragon Heart and placed it in the groove at the center of the altar. The groove had a bizarre shape, as though some claw had forcibly gouged it out. Scarlet Dragon Communion Power flickered across it, gathering into an unknown pattern.

"Kneel."

Lu Mingfei blanked for a moment. He looked up at the old knight, then down at himself—he was already kneeling.

"I said kneel before the altar!" The old man began blowing his beard and glaring again.

Lu Mingfei obediently knelt before the altar.

The old knight stood at his side, gripping the sword hilt with both hands, its tip pointing downward against the ground.

"The Dragon Communion Ritual was originally created by the ancient Dragonlord Placidusax to incite mortals to slaughter Flying Dragons. It is also a presumptuous act by mortals coveting the power of dragons."

The old knight's voice was solemn and low, like muffled thunder.

"But you are different. Dragon blood already flows within you. This is a return, not plunder."

"However," he slowly shook his head, "that is merely this old man's opinion. You may still fall into endless desire.

Other than those with unwavering will, who can barely resist such desire, every mortal without exception either dies on the path of dragon hunting or eventually becomes an ugly Magma Wyrm, reduced to prey for Dragon Communion warriors."

"Yet," he suddenly fixed his gaze on Lu Mingfei, "the power of Dragon Communion is undoubtedly formidable. From ancient times until now, Dragon Communion warriors have roamed the Lands Between, their brave prowess praised by all.

I have told you all the benefits and harms. Today, you will make this choice yourself."

Unexpectedly, Lu Mingfei nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Lu Mingfei had always been indecisive, but he chose to believe in the old knight and Lu Mingze.

"Is that so?" The old knight paused, seeming somewhat relieved, yet also as though he had recalled events from years past.

After a long time, he said faintly:

"If you one day fall into the path of Dragon Communion and come to resent it, then resent me."

"I've said all there is to say. Do you want to eat it directly, or transform it through the ritual?"

In such a solemn atmosphere, Lu Mingfei was caught off guard by the question.

He hesitantly looked at the enormous Dragon Heart. At the thought of having to swallow it bite by bite, he could not help feeling nauseated.

A moment later, he made his decision:

"...I'll transform it instead."

"For a knight's first ritual, I would recommend eating it... But since you have made your choice, it should be carried out."

The old knight nodded.

"Put your hand inside."

Lu Mingfei did as instructed.

Dark-red patterns suddenly lit up across the altar, spreading outward from the groove like blood vessels. The Dragon Heart began convulsing violently, then slowly dissipated, revealing the core of its power.

"If it hurts, scream." The old knight glanced at Lu Mingfei. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Before Lu Mingfei could respond, the Dragon Heart on the altar suddenly exploded, turning into a dark-red stream of light that surged toward him. It felt as though a red-hot branding iron had pierced through his chest.

Scorching dragon blood raced through his veins, and every inch of his body cried out in agony.

"Urgh—!"

He clutched the armor over his chest tightly. His Golden Eyes ignited beyond his control, while fine black scales surfaced over his body in layer after layer.

In his daze, he seemed to hear the sound of shackles shattering, along with the old knight's muttered whisper:

"I've never seen anything like this..."