Li Qingshan monitored Yu Xiaogang's meridians while watching Sanpao's transformation. Only after confirming that the medicinal power was still working as intended did he feel a little more at ease.
"Rebirth from the bones up really isn't easy." As he watched the golden scales on Luo Sanpao's back grow clearer, anticipation deepened in his eyes.
"Sanpao is a detached martial soul. If he really can evolve into a Golden Sacred Dragon..."
At that thought, a scene unconsciously surfaced in his mind.
Above a vast sea of clouds, a Golden Sacred Dragon flew with its wings outstretched. Li Qingshan stood near the front of its back with his hands clasped behind him, Yu Xiaogang and Dugu Bo flanking him as mountains and rivers streamed away below.
"Roaming the continent on a dragon with two disciples in tow wouldn't be bad."
But the thought lingered for only a moment before he gathered his focus again and returned his attention to Yu Xiaogang.
Meanwhile, at the gates of Heaven Dou City.
Two powerfully built young men entered the city with the flow of people.
Both were only around twenty. The older one wore a composed expression and surveyed his surroundings as soon as they entered. The other had sharp features, and his strides carried an unmistakable edge.
They were Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.
Following the direction in which the Seventh Elder had pursued his quarry, the brothers had made inquiries along the way. At last, they confirmed that the young man who called himself Love Sword Douluo had gone to Heaven Dou City after severely wounding Tang Lie.
Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had recently recruited a sword-wielding Titled Douluo, and its grounds lay near Heaven Dou City. Naturally, they had to investigate.
Whether it was merely a coincidence or someone had used the name of a Titled Douluo to strike at the Clear Sky Sect remained uncertain. Their father had instructed them to establish what had happened before discussing anything else.
"Big Brother, how do we find him now?" Tang Hao asked quietly.
Tang Xiao looked at several inns beside the street with carriages parked outside and said:
"We'll find somewhere to stay first, then split up and ask around. That man was traveling by carriage with a boy. Once they reached the city, they would have needed somewhere to stay."
"What about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"We'll investigate them too." Tang Xiao considered it. "First, we need to establish that Titled Douluo's title and when he joined the sect. If even those details don't match, there's no need to keep watching them."
Tang Hao's eyes shifted. "In that case, I'll pay them a visit in Father's name."
"Rather than asking around outside, we might as well go straight to their door. We're both among the Upper Three Sects. Surely they wouldn't even refuse to let us in."
Tang Xiao stopped, his brow slowly furrowing.
It was certainly a direct approach, but they had yet to uncover the truth behind the Seventh Elder's injuries. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really was involved, wouldn't going there be like a lamb walking into a tiger's jaws?
"What if they really did it?" he asked his younger brother quietly.
Yet Tang Hao showed not the slightest fear as he replied:
"I'm not going there to fight. If I openly pay them a proper visit, would they really dare detain me out of a guilty conscience?"
He raised his chin slightly and continued:
"Big Brother, I'm not afraid. Seventh Uncle was wounded so badly. Since we've come down the mountain to investigate, we can't be too scared even to take a look just because they might have a Titled Douluo."
Tang Xiao felt somewhat helpless.
He knew his brother's temper. If Tang Hao went alone, he might manage to speak patiently at first, but if he heard something he disliked, there was no telling whether he would clash with someone.
After a moment, he slowly exhaled. "You can go, but I'm going with you."
Tang Hao immediately smiled. "Even better."
Tang Xiao, however, warned him earnestly, "We'll first visit as guests and learn what we can. Don't start questioning them about the Seventh Elder the moment we meet. Whatever you hear, don't rush into a fight."
"All right. I'll listen to you."
Only after he agreed did Tang Xiao feel a little reassured.
The two asked someone by the roadside for directions, then changed course and headed toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect outside the city.
Several hours later, inside the inn.
Half a day had passed since Yu Xiaogang took the Sacred Dragon Creation Pill.
Outside the window, the sky was darkening, and lamps had been lit inside the room. Yet an even brighter layer of golden light continued to shroud the area around the bed.
Yu Xiaogang sat cross-legged, his clothes soaked with sweat. The hair at his forehead clung to the sides of his face, and his complexion had grown noticeably paler.
Luo Sanpao's appearance had also changed dramatically.
His round body gradually elongated. Fine golden scales covered his neck and back, his limbs grew slender, sharp claws emerged from his toes, and his tail extended behind him.
Most striking of all was the now-distinct outline of a dragon's head, though his body remained small and still carried the immaturity of a young beast.
Dugu Bo watched in astonishment.
Had he not witnessed it himself, he would never have been able to connect the young dragon before him with the little round-headed, short-legged creature from earlier.
Just then, two bulges of golden light suddenly rose from Luo Sanpao's back.
Li Qingshan's gaze sharpened, and he said gravely, "Xiao Gang, this is the most critical moment. Keep your mind steady. What comes next may hurt even more."
"I... can hold on."
No sooner had he spoken than Luo Sanpao abruptly arched his body.
"Luo-!"
The outlines of two immature dragon wings slowly emerged from the golden light!
Yu Xiaogang shuddered. He felt two forces tearing at his shoulders and back at once, the pain catching his breath and nearly interrupting the flow of his soul power.
"Keep holding on!"
Li Qingshan pressed a hand to his shoulder and channeled soul power into him to protect his meridians.
Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth and began circulating the medicinal power again. Sanpao dug all four claws into the floor. The wings on his back tried to spread several times, only to retract halfway through each attempt.
Every struggle left Yu Xiaogang trembling all over with pain.
Yet he never once asked to stop.
A trash martial soul. No future...
He had heard such remarks far too often. Now his teacher had found medicinal ingredients for him, refined them into a pill, and stayed here to protect him. No matter what, he had to endure this final step!
Forcing himself to bear the swelling pain, Yu Xiaogang once again sent the medicinal power outward along with his soul power.
The next moment, Luo Sanpao suddenly raised his head, and his wings finally spread open!
Golden light flowed from the roots of his wings through his entire body, bringing his scales into sharp relief. His dragon head, claws, tail, and pair of small wings finally came together into a complete form.
A young dragon, golden from head to tail, appeared before them!
"Is this... a Golden Sacred Dragon?"
Dugu Bo instinctively stepped half a pace forward, his eyes filled with wonder. The aura spreading outward even stirred an unusual response from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor within him.
Sensing the change in his martial soul, Yu Xiaogang asked with growing hope in his voice, "Teacher, did I succeed?"
Li Qingshan did not answer immediately.
Although the dragon's form had emerged, the medicinal power within Yu Xiaogang was still gathering toward his martial soul.
Suddenly, a dazzling point of golden radiance lit up on Sanpao's chest. The scales all over his body began to shine, enveloping him completely in the blink of an eye!
Dugu Bo hurriedly shielded Dugu Xin, while Li Qingshan also activated his soul power to protect Yu Xiaogang on the bed.
"Rooar-!"
A young dragon's cry suddenly resounded through the room.
A brilliant beam of golden light shot into the sky, passing through the top of the inn and plunging straight into the darkening heavens!
Within the golden light, the young Golden Sacred Dragon slowly raised his head. His form was already clearly visible, yet the radiance surrounding him suddenly began drawing inward.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang's soul power began circulating faster once more.
Seeing this, Li Qingshan's brow, which had only just relaxed, furrowed again. He stared into the golden light and murmured:
"Wait..."
"Something seems wrong. Why is he changing back again?"
Before you continue