Half a day later.
Outside Chang'an City, on Ba Bridge.
Lu Changfeng stood upon the dragon's head, letting the fierce wind fill his robes.
Lingbo slowed, an enormous draconic body looming in and out of the clouds, startling the merchants and travelers below into looking up, wondering what auspicious omen this might be.
His gaze passed over the towering city walls and settled on the layered wards, markets, and palaces within.
After half a year away, Chang'an was still a bustling tapestry of prosperity.
Behind him, Bai Qianqian stood barefoot on the dragon's back, nine snow-white fox tails swaying gently in the wind. Her beautiful eyes were round with astonishment as she gazed at the magnificent city before her.
"This... is the capital of the Central Plains?"
Though she had witnessed countless wonders in Hongfang, she had never seen a mortal city so vast and magnificent. Its wards and markets were laid out like a chessboard, its walls and palaces towered high, and people, carts, and horses streamed through its streets. Everything was utterly unlike Hongfang's ethereal, immortal grace, imbued instead with the rich, vigorous bustle of mortal life.
"Yes."
Lu Changfeng smiled faintly. "This is Chang'an, the center of the world."
"It's so big... so many people..."
Bai Qianqian murmured, then tugged excitedly at his sleeve. "Changfeng, can we go down and walk around? I want to see!"
Looking into her sparkling eyes, Lu Changfeng smiled. "All right."
He gently patted Lingbo's horn. Understanding him, Lingbo gave a low rumble and slowly descended, landing in a secluded grove outside the city.
Holding Bai Qianqian's hand, Lu Changfeng emerged from the trees and stepped onto the main road leading to the city gates.
Along the way, Bai Qianqian's fascination never once waned.
One moment, she pointed at a roadside tea