A Month's Worth of Work

"Ji Jun, that isn't the only problem."

"The spiritual energy in our Dragon Palace has declined, while it has risen in the nearby waters and even on land. I suspect the Dragon Palace is leaking spiritual energy..."

"We can't rely on people for this. You'll have to pay close attention yourself."

The Shell Maiden spoke anxiously, but just as she reached this point, a heavy object landed outside the palace with a thud.

She darted over to investigate, but a gust of wind swept past her. The Young Dragon, who had lately been lounging on the bed and refusing to move, shot out faster than thunder could reach the ear!

The moment she left the hall, she saw she had guessed right: her teacher really had sent down something delicious. She gave a cheer and lunged straight for it.

The monsters' corpses all had their heads separated from their bodies, but the Dragon Maiden did not mind in the slightest. Her tiny body swelled to several times its size, and she opened her dragon mouth. One after another, the corpses slipped down like meat jelly. She ate them neatly, without a trace of blood.

By the time the Shell Maiden came out, only the last monster's corpse remained. The rest were already in the Dragon Maiden's belly.

Under the Shell Maiden's complicated gaze, the Dragon Maiden swallowed the last monster, then looked up, still unsatisfied, waiting eagerly for more food to fall.

Only when she realized no more was coming did she sigh. Now a rounder Young Dragon, she flew back listlessly.

"Hm?" Just then, though no monsters remained, a stream of white mist descended. It seemed both mist and Cloud Aura, enveloping the Young Dragon. She drew a deep breath, as though drinking sweet dew, stretched, and let out