Na'er looked into those pitch-black eyes, and an inexplicable shudder ran through her body. She clenched her teeth.
When Leng Yaozhu said their destination was the East Sea, she had already sensed trouble.
She figured that anyone worth Aunt Leng making the trip in person must have considerable talent.
As it happened, starting half a year ago, strange fragments of memories had surfaced in her mind whenever she dreamed.
After half a year of accumulating them, she had gained a rough understanding of her situation.
She also understood the... "mission" she had originally been meant to shoulder.
And roughly where her other half, the one who had given her that "mission," was.
She knew perfectly well that once her other half recovered and discovered her betrayal, the first thing she would do was merge Na'er into herself!
After that, Na'er would no longer exist in this world. All that would remain was the cold, heartless Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena.
Na'er refused to accept that.
She could not bear to leave Su Xun and Aunt Leng, who treated her so well, or all those delicious foods, much less the wonderful things she had already experienced.
To hell with that stupid mission!
I, Na'er, am a perfectly law-abiding human now!
Emotions surged wildly within Na'er. Gradually, the trace of fear in her eyes faded. Her silver eyes widened, filled with stubborn defiance as she stared fixedly into Gu Yue's fathomless gaze.
You rotten silver dragon!
If you want to swallow me up, I'll fight you until the dragon dies and the net tears!
No one gets to take Su Xun, Aunt Leng, or delicious food away from me!
If you dare bully me, I'll have Su Xun beat you to death!
Thunk-
"Ow! Aunt Leng, what was that for?"
Na'er turned an aggrieved look toward the cool, elegant Aunt Leng beside her, puffing out her cheeks.
Leng Yaozhu said irritably:
"What are you doing? I didn't bring you out here to make a fool of yourself. Why are you staring at her like that?"
Na'er felt even more wronged and hurriedly whispered:
"Aunt Leng, look! How do that brat's eyes look anything like a good person's?"
"I reckon she's some old witch in disguise. She's really nasty!"
"Why don't we hurry back? This East Sea place... is bad luck!"
Seeing Na'er carrying on like some superstitious crank, Leng Yaozhu flicked her forehead again.
"I think you've had it too good lately. Go on, keep talking that nonsense!"
"Besides, she's quite talented. Once she grows up, she could become Little Xun's right-hand woman alongside you."
"Be nice in a moment, understood? Don't use my status to bully her."
Na'er paused at those words, then a sudden gleam lit up her eyes.
Oh!
That's right!
That rotten silver dragon hasn't recovered her strength yet, and the people with her don't dare expose themselves either.
With Aunt Leng and Su Xun backing me up, why should I be afraid of her?
Heh heh!
A mere little silver dragon. Laughable, utterly laughable!
Just watch your queen train you properly! If I tell you to go east and you dare go west, I'll slap you across the mouth!
And if you still won't submit, I'll toss you to Su Xun as a bed-warming maid and have him buy me a delicious meal!
Na'er savored her lovely little fantasy, already beginning to swallow her saliva again.
Unsurprisingly, Leng Yaozhu put her in her place once more.
Only then did Leng Yaozhu bring Na'er down to land in front of Pei Hai and the others.
"Your Eminence Heavenly Phoenix!"
Pei Hai bowed respectfully. Three years ago, Leng Yaozhu had left in a hurry with Su Xun, but afterward, she had naturally given him a substantial reward.
That had made him even more loyal. Whenever a prodigy appeared, he reported it immediately.
Beside him, Demon Dragon Douluo, with her voluptuous figure and uncanny aura, also bowed.
"I am Ji Zi, rank ninety-one, with the title Demon Dragon."
"I have long heard of your illustrious name, Your Eminence Heavenly Phoenix. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to meet you today. It is truly an honor."
"Unfortunately, Yue'er's father is still in secluded cultivation. Otherwise, he would certainly have come to pay his respects in person."
As Ji Zi spoke, she signaled the black-haired girl beside her with a glance.
Gu Yue took a small step forward and bowed.
"I am Gu Yue, a junior. My martial soul is the Elemental Master. My respects, Your Eminence Heavenly Phoenix!"
Leng Yaozhu nodded lightly to everyone before her gaze finally settled on Gu Yue. She asked:
"A mutated martial soul?"
Ji Zi stepped forward.
"Your Eminence has a discerning eye. My martial soul is the Demon Dragon, while Yue'er's father's martial soul is the Black Dragon. By all rights, Yue'er's martial soul should never have been this so-called Elemental Master."
"Strictly speaking, Elemental Master is merely a name Yue'er chose herself."
"Her martial soul's true name should be the Seven-Colored Dragon."
Seven-Colored Dragon?
Leng Yaozhu frowned slightly, searching through the Spirit Pagoda's records on martial souls in her mind until she finally settled on one name.
She looked at Ji Zi questioningly.
"The Rainbow Dragon?"
According to legend, the Rainbow Dragon bore the title of queen of the dragons. Whenever one appeared, it would follow only the strongest dragon, becoming the Dragon King's mate.
However, almost all dragons possessed powerful innate combat strength. Only the Rainbow Dragon was an exception.
It had neither a powerful body nor terrifying innate soul skills.
Yet it possessed the greatest spellcasting power, which was why the Rainbow Dragon was also known as the Spell Dragon.
Ten thousand years ago, there had apparently been a Soul Master with a Rainbow Dragon martial soul whose support abilities could rival those of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
But likewise, just as with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, once a Rainbow Dragon martial soul reached seven rings and all seven colors were complete, advancing even one step further became exceedingly difficult.
The name Seven-Colored Dragon was undoubtedly unfamiliar to her.
The only similar name Leng Yaozhu could find in her memories was the Rainbow Dragon, and rainbows happened to have seven colors as well.
Admiration appeared on Ji Zi's face.
"As expected of the Spirit Pagoda's deputy pagoda master, Your Eminence's insight is far beyond that of ordinary people."
"Indeed, Yue'er's Seven-Colored Dragon martial soul is a mutation of the Rainbow Dragon."
"Unlike the Rainbow Dragon's abilities as a 'Spell Dragon,' the Seven-Colored Dragon commands the power of seven elements and has also granted Yue'er an exceptionally strong talent for spiritual power."
"So, whether for Yue'er's own talent or the legendary auspiciousness of the Rainbow Dragon before its mutation, I humbly dare to ask Your Eminence to take Yue'er as your disciple."
With that, Ji Zi bowed deeply to Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu reached out to stop Ji Zi, then looked at Gu Yue, feeling rather odd.
She understood that the "auspiciousness" Ji Zi mentioned actually referred to the Rainbow Dragon following only the strongest dragon.
This was a wish for her to become the strongest being in the Spirit Pagoda.
But the first thought that surfaced in Leng Yaozhu's mind was...
Little Xun's talent is already unrivaled. If I lure this auspicious mutated dragon into becoming his wife as well, won't he have heaven's timing, favorable terrain, and harmony among his people all in place to reach the very pinnacle?
Then her gaze quietly swept toward Na'er, who was circling Gu Yue and sizing her up, plotting who knew what in her heart.
One silly dragon warrior to do the fighting, and one Seven-Colored Dragon strategist to ease Little Xun's burdens.
Big Bai and Xiao Bai command space and light, and can also guard him on either side along his path.
This lineup is simply perfect!
The corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth lifted slightly, and she could not help quietly humming to herself.
She felt it would be hard to find another teacher as good as her anywhere under heaven.
If my dear disciple knew all the painstaking thought I'd put into this, wouldn't he exhaust every ounce of effort to please and delight me?
Before you continue