Heavenly Battle Mountain boasted beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate, especially comfortable in spring.
The three sat around the Vine Table on the summit. Their conversation covered more than what had happened since Stoneborn and Hui Mian arrived in the mountains. They also discussed Dragonkind, with Xiao Yong and Old Vine sharing their previous impressions and experiences. Along the way, Yi Shuyuan learned about Xiao Yong's cultivation, from his first awakening of intelligence to the present.
"So that old Flood Dragon never actually attacked? How did his aura compare to the dragon you fought?"
At Yi Shuyuan's question, Xiao Yong nodded solemnly and answered.
"Unfathomable! Just one glare from that old Flood Dragon left me feeling terribly oppressed. He must have cultivated for a very long time, and the other two Flood Dragons clearly obeyed his orders."
Holding his Folding Fan, Yi Shuyuan rubbed its ribs against his chin, gazing thoughtfully at the teacup on the Vine Table.
A gentle breeze blew across the summit, rippling the tea in the cup, where a few tea leaves still floated.
Yi Shuyuan stared as though lost in thought. Xiao Yong was about to speak, but the old man beside him gently tugged his sleeve, signaling him to remain quiet for now.
The two waited silently beside Yi Shuyuan as he pondered. When their eyes happened to follow his gaze toward the teacup, both felt their hearts give a little jolt.
The tea leaves in the cup-or rather, in the tea itself-gradually transformed as they rose and sank, becoming several tiny Flood Dragons. They tumbled up and down within that little cup, even whipping up wind and waves.
The Flood Dragons rode the surging waves, rolling up "towering breakers" and raising their heads to roar at the sky, though no sound emerged from