They chatted a little longer.
Ning Ninglong insisted that Li Ping'an stay for dinner.
Li Ping'an said he had made an agreement with the boatman.
He would return when the sun set.
There was still some time left.
Li Ping'an said, "Turtle God Lady, you are about to become an Orthodox God, yet I have not given you a congratulatory gift."
Ning Ninglong said, "You are too kind, sir. How could I accept a gift from you? Speaking of which, I owe my achievements today to you.
Had you not slain that beast back then, I fear my soul would have long since been utterly destroyed."
Li Ping'an said, "You may not want one, but I cannot give you nothing.
It is just that, after traveling for so many years, I have no treasures on me.
So let me resolve a worry for you, Turtle God Lady."
"...Hmm?"
Ning Ninglong froze.
"Since it is a Flood Dragon..." Li Ping'an hesitated a moment, forming a Hand Seal with both hands.
"Roar-!!"
A dragon's roar resounded through the hall.
"I'm out!!"
The Third Young Master threw his head back and roared.
Ning Ninglong's mind shuddered.
Rumble, rumble-!
Thunder seemed to rumble in her ears.
A figure with a white dragon's head flickered, wreathed in azure lightning.
Hard scales covered his body, gleaming with a cold light.
"I'm free! I'm free!"
The Third Young Master turned toward Li Ping'an, pulled a face at him, and stuck out his tongue.
"I'm off!"
With that, he vanished into thin air.
A dragon could grow large or small, ascend or conceal itself.
When large, it raised clouds and breathed mist; when small, it concealed its scales and hid its form; when ascending, it soared through the universe.
When hidden, it lurked beneath the waves.
Li Ping'an