Clouds churned beneath a blaze of light. Crimson feather-like scales covered the dragon's flame-colored body, and molten patterns ran across its majestic human face as it gazed indifferently upon all living beings.
Within its scarlet eyes, two fiery suns seemed to burn, holding the force of ten billion nuclear bombs and enough light to illuminate countless worlds.
As it appeared, time seemed to stick fast and slow to a crawl. All sound fell away. Only this sacred being remained between heaven and earth, along with the voice reciting the Heavenly Emperor's edict, word by word.
"What is that?"
"A human face and the body of a snake—or a dragon? Lady Nuwa and the great god Fuxi are supposed to look like that, but it doesn't seem to be either of them. His Majesty the Yellow Emperor may hold an exalted rank, and the edict suggests he currently rules the Heavenly Court as god of all gods, but surely even he couldn't summon those two great gods with a single edict. They're creator gods, after all."
"A human face, a dragon's body, and fire all over... Isn't that Torch Dragon?"
"The Classic of Mountains and Seas says: 'The god of Bell Mountain is named Torch Shade. When he opens his eyes, it is day; when he closes them, it is night. His breath brings winter; his exhalation brings summer. He neither drinks nor eats nor breathes, and when he does breathe, it becomes wind. His body stretches a thousand miles, east of Wuqǐ. He has a red, human-faced serpent's body and dwells beneath Bell Mountain. Beyond the northwestern seas, north of the Red River, lies Zhangwei Mountain...' That's it. It has to be Torch Dragon."
"Torch Dragon? If it really is Torch Dragon, why did the true dragon summon him? Is