The next day.
The sun was already high.
At the ferry landing of the Nine Tortoise Isles, the Lu Family had gathered early to wait.
Lu Yuanfang stood with his hands behind his back, Lu Qingwu and several members of the Lu Family's main line behind him. He wore a smile, but his gaze kept straying toward the island's interior.
At last, two figures approached side by side.
Lu Changfeng looked poised in his blue robes, refreshed and full of vigor.
Li Lingyue wore luxurious purple robes, a trace of languor lingering around her eyes and brows, as though she had yet to wake fully.
Lu Yuanfang saw it and smiled inwardly. Keeping his expression composed, he stepped forward and bowed. "Princess, Mr. Lu, may your journey be smooth."
Li Lingyue nodded, took a token from her sleeve, and handed it to him.
"This is my Command Token."
She said calmly, "If anyone from Dragon-Slaying City comes to cause trouble, show them the token and tell them-Liu Ciyuan is in my hands. If they want him back, they can come to Chang'an to negotiate."
Lu Yuanfang accepted it with both hands and bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Princess!"
Lu Changfeng walked to the shore and beckoned.
The golden ring on his wrist suddenly lit up. Lingbo grew against the wind, becoming a golden dragon thirty feet long, coiled in midair. Bright dragon eyes swept over the crowd.
Mu Qinghong gave a long whistle.
A piercing eagle cry rang out from the sky.
An enormous black eagle swooped down, its spread wings spanning thirty feet, and landed beside Mu Qinghong.
It was the Cloud-Howling Eagle.
Everyone set off in their respective groups.
Lu Changfeng, Li Lingyue, and Qing Dai brought Liu Ciyuan onto Lingbo's back.
The golden dragon soared into the air,