At Conqueror's Holdfast, the towering white towers gradually disappeared into the lush mountain shadows.
Behind the castle, a rushing stream cut through the emerald valley, winding toward the distant Summer Sea.
Luxuriant grass covered both banks, dotted with nameless wildflowers.
Far from the bustle of towns, this was a paradise where the Great Dragons played, and a place where Liu Qian enjoyed rare moments of leisure.
On a broad, gentle slope beside the stream, Liu Qian sat on the ground, relaxed.
Several exceptionally beautiful women surrounded him, their gazes all fixed on the three enormous figures frolicking in the shallows ahead.
Blooddance was the most active, rolling and thrashing its massive body in the shallow water, sending great sheets of silvery spray splashing over Silverfall beside it.
Silverfall gave a disgruntled growl and elegantly raised its neck, trying to avoid this undeserved calamity. Its long, sharp wing membranes spread slightly, refracting a dazzling halo of light.
Duskwraith, with its deep, dark-purple scales, seemed the quietest of all.
It lay on a huge cobblestone in the middle of the stream, its purple slit pupils half closed as it lazily watched the little fish darting beneath the surface. Occasionally, it reached a claw covered in fine purple scales into the water, stirring a ring of ripples.
Ynys Yronwood sat a little farther off to Liu Qian's right, her arms around her knees. The breeze lifted a few strands of her long golden hair, and her clear blue eyes followed the three Great Dragons with wonder, tinged with curiosity and excitement.
"They're truly incredible, every one so different, so beautiful."
She sighed softly, then unconsciously smoothed the creases in her skirt. After witnessing the Great Dragons' power, her dreams of becoming Queen took on a hazy anticipation.
*How wonderful would it be to