Chapter 16: The Dragon Clan’s Dominance – A… Young Dragon?

Wu Shao spent a full three days before finally reaching Green Pine Town.

He kept Yan Si’s warnings in mind, proceeding with utmost caution along the way. He steered clear of crowded areas and periodically summoned the lingering undead fragments to confirm Xuzhi’s direction.

The map in his possession was terribly outdated as well—many roads had changed long ago—and since he couldn’t revert to his giant dragon form to fly straight there, it had cost him some extra time.

A giant dragon’s massive frame and dense magical power made it far too conspicuous, ill-suited for stealth.

This lead on Xuzhi might not even connect to dragon breath at all. With no better avenues to pursue for the moment, however, he had decided to check it out anyway.

Wu Shao never imagined that new developments would arise on his very first day in Green Pine Town.

He gazed toward the distant outskirts beyond the town, shock etched across his face.

That was… dragon breath?

Experiencing dragon breath firsthand was worlds apart from the mere intensity readings and coordinates logged in magic stones.

Over the nearly hundred years the dragon clan had dwelled on Dragon Island, hope had faded from guarding those dragon eggs to bitter disillusionment. The island itself had grown stagnant and lifeless.

Most giant dragons spent their days holed up in mountain caves, slumbering for months on end with no regard for the wider world.

Wu Shao could scarcely recall the last time he had sensed dragon breath from one of his own kind.

Yan Si had headed to Central City, while Xing Huai had declared she would roam freely on her own. The communication device sat silent—this dragon breath could not belong to either of them.

An unfamiliar dragon from the clan truly existed on Cangyuan Continent, and he had located it so swiftly!

Excitement surged through Wu Shao in that instant. He longed to shift into his giant dragon form and soar over immediately to uncover the truth.

A nearby vendor noticed his odd expression and asked with concern, “Everything alright? Feeling under the weather? Care for a cup of fruit tea…”

Wu Shao came to his senses, shook his head, and hurried away.

The town teemed with ordinary humans, interspersed with low-tier beast tamers. Any rash action would draw unwanted eyes and complications.

Yan Si had cautioned them upon departing Dragon Island: all searches must remain covert.

Back when they had fled Cangyuan Continent, they had taken every last clan member and dragon egg with them. Unfamiliar dragon breath manifesting here was anomalous in the extreme—perhaps a trap laid by some faction to draw them out and pinpoint Dragon Island’s location…

With no eggs hatching, the clan had no young dragons left. Best to keep that fact from the other races.

Wu Shao slipped out of town and raced toward the source of the dragon breath without delay.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Green Pine Forest.

The Giant-Tooth Bird shuddered faintly and promptly abandoned its aggressive posture.

It retreated half a step and bowed its head, submitting to the dragon clan member before it.

Drawn inexorably by the Myriad Beasts Stone’s persistent pull, four or five more magical beasts of varying sizes emerged from the surrounding underbrush, mirroring the Giant-Tooth Bird’s deference.

Subdued by the dual pressure of dragon breath and ice magic, the creatures dared not twitch a muscle.

The Little Dragon Hatchling warily surveyed the area, softening his ferocious scowl just a touch. He settled onto Coal Ball’s back and flicked his dragon wings. “Wu!”

Hmph, at least they had the good sense to stand down after a taste of his dragon breath.

Ming Shuang harbored a flicker of doubt even as relief washed over him.

He had devoured plenty of magic stones lately, bolstering his strength somewhat, but he was hardly invincible yet.

So many magical beasts cowed by his ice magic this time—yet the Giant Scorpion last time had resisted, draining his power until he collapsed into a long faint.

In the rear, Baldy witnessed the scene with bulging eyes, quaking like chaff in the wind.

Events had spiraled far beyond anything he could fathom. Terror and bewilderment twisted his features; he could not grasp the why of it all.

As Xuzhi turned back toward him, Baldy surrendered utterly, dropping to his knees with a thud.

“I was wrong… please, spare my life…” Trembling violently, he fumbled off his two storage bags. “These are… mine…”

Xuzhi extended a hand to claim them, severing their bond to the owner with a pulse of magic before inspecting the contents.

Baldy offered no resistance, nor dared he entertain any. When Xuzhi pocketed the bags, a desperate hope kindled within him.

But the next instant, a golden gleam flashed, slicing through his throat.

Blood erupted in a spray as he crumpled into the weeds.

Ming Shuang whipped his head around at the sound of the fall.

Xuzhi had already positioned himself behind Coal Ball, concealing the corpse. He scooped up the Little Dragon Hatchling with a steady arm.

“Let’s get out of here first,” he said. “We’ve made too much noise.”

Green Pine Forest lay open to all, and nearby beast tamers would soon detect the magical beasts’ odd behavior and come investigating.

Xuzhi scanned the surroundings. The Myriad Beasts Stone’s aura had finally ebbed, drawing over a dozen beasts to the site.

Under the dragon clan’s oppressive presence, they comported themselves with perfect docility, lingering as if awaiting orders.

This was the dragon clan’s command over magical beasts.

Xuzhi’s eyes roved across the gathering, pondering whether to select one now and test ingesting fresh magic.

At his current peak of 5th Tier, the subject needed to be 5th Tier or higher.

As he weighed his options, yet another magical beast drew near.

A Gale Wind Bird—tall and slender, its white feathers gleaming lustrously—approached, though its state appeared amiss.

It skimmed low through the air, swaying unsteadily while tossing its head in shrill cries. Unfazed by the dragon breath, it plunged straight at them.

Spotting the black taint in the Gale Wind Bird’s eyes, Xuzhi reacted in a flash. He conjured a magic barrier with an upraised hand, shielding the Little Dragon Hatchling in his arms as they fell back.

The Gale Wind Bird slammed into the barrier mid-dive. Translucent golden ropes unfurled from within, coiling around its form.

With a bang, it plummeted to the ground, shrieking and thrashing.

Startled by the abrupt assault, Ming Shuang huddled closer into Xuzhi’s chest—yet curiosity drew his gaze upward.

Contact with the ambient ice magic seemed to clear the Gale Wind Bird’s mind as the bindings held.

Panting raggedly, black vapor bled from its eyes and plumage. Its screeches softened to piteous whines, prompting the other magical beasts to edge away warily.

The Little Dragon Hatchling’s blue-gold heterochromia eyes went wide. “Wu?”

What ailed this magical beast?

Xuzhi’s face darkened. “It’s been possessed by miasma fog.”

Likely freshly afflicted—not yet flagged by the Miasma-Clearing Team, not fully enraptured in rage, yet lured inexorably by the Myriad Beasts Stone.

The Little Dragon Hatchling stared in blank confusion.

Ming Shuang knew nothing of miasma fog, but the black aura reminded him of the Giant Scorpion from before.

This time, though, he understood the Gale Wind Bird’s desperate call.

Agony wracked it; it sought release… it beseeched his aid.

On pure instinct, the Little Dragon Hatchling twitched the tip of his tail. Pinpricks of frost materialized, enshrouding the Gale Wind Bird.

The effect proved immediate. The creature quieted swiftly, its black emissions paling as its pupils reverted to pale brown.

Xuzhi observed in silence, his eyes narrowing faintly.

Early-stage possession allowed some beastly resistance, true—but miasma fog burrowed deep, festering until it consumed its host in cataclysmic release.

Never had tales spoken of it purging so cleanly.

Ming Shuang, seeing the darkness vanish, assumed recovery—until he noted the Gale Wind Bird’s persistent collapse, its life force ebbing.

Anxious eyes lifted to Xuzhi. “Aowu?”

Xuzhi ran a hand along the Little Dragon Hatchling’s spine, pausing before replying. “The miasma fog has ravaged its body. It won’t last.”

Fact of the matter: countless attempts to cure afflicted beasts had failed, none staving off the inevitable outburst.

Still, this Gale Wind Bird held potential utility.

A 6th Tier wind system beast.

Xuzhi withdrew to a clearer thicket nearby, stationing Ming Shuang beside Coal Ball.

“Stay put,” he murmured. “I’ll take a look and return shortly.”

Ming Shuang yearned to accompany him, but Coal Ball emitted a warning “wu” and interposed its bulk.

Coal Ball eyed Xuzhi with guarded suspicion, as though fearing collateral harm to Ming Shuang.

Even Coal Ball forbade it… Inner turmoil and bafflement churned within Ming Shuang.

He watched Xuzhi close in on the Gale Wind Bird, kneel, and dissolve the golden restraints.

Moments later, Xuzhi rose and rejoined him.

Scooping up the Little Dragon Hatchling, he gazed down evenly. “Time to go.”

Their delay had stretched too long; departure was imperative.

In parting, Xuzhi instructed Coal Ball to ignite another blaze.

Coal Ball nodded, inhaling deeply as it had in the mining district—devouring the residual ice magic and dragon breath in the vicinity.

The corpses? Coal Ball glanced aside to spy a massive python slinking near. It gulped Baldy’s remains whole and vanished into the brush.

The other three bodies had likewise disappeared; the beast tamers’ companions were nowhere to be seen.

With no further traces demanding erasure, Coal Ball swept its claws. Black flames erupted in a roaring inferno.

Dragon breath faded. Ming Shuang nestled tight in Xuzhi’s hold as the assembled magical beasts scattered.

~~~

When Wu Shao arrived, only smoldering black fire greeted him amid the trees.

Face grim, he unleashed dark magic from his palm, smothering the blaze.

Yet the site lay scorched barren—no sign of any soul remained.

Wu Shao drew a deep, steadying breath, muttering curses under his breath.

A step too late… This humanoid guise proved woefully inadequate!

Magical beasts abounded here. Soon enough, he would seize one as a mount.

Wu Shao forced himself to calm down and surveyed his surroundings.

The flames burning here resembled those in the valley’s mining district, leaving scorched black marks on the ground.

The dragon breath had vanished without a trace as well, as if deliberately erased. Without careful probing, it would have been impossible to detect.

However, Wu Shao still sensed a fresh trace of undead aura.

He strode forward and came to a halt at a certain spot.

With a cast of Necromancy, a wisp of faint gray mist coalesced into form. Baldy’s undead spirit appeared utterly terrified, clutching its head in a silent scream of agony.

Wu Shao frowned. “Settle down.”

The man had died only recently, but with no corpse present, the summoned undead aura was too faint, and its memories might be damaged as a result.

Wu Shao raised his hand and placed his palm against the undead spirit’s forehead.

—Besides this man, there had been three other beast tamers… They had set their sights on a particular target but ultimately failed.

A sudden turn of events had instantly reversed the battle. This included the Myriad Beasts Stone being crushed at the end, along with the magical beasts it had attracted.

Though the images were extremely blurry and the faces unrecognizable, Wu Shao could barely piece together what had happened.

Finally, during the period when the undead spirit’s emotions surged the most intensely—its terror at its peak—he glimpsed another magical beast.

The creature was small, its body seemingly a silvery white. In the damaged memory, it appeared like a soft, glowing orb.

Wu Shao’s brow twitched, his breathing inexplicably tightening.

And in the moments before the undead spirit perished, none of the magical beasts drawn by the Myriad Beasts Stone had attacked the humans they encountered.

Instead, the beasts trembled and shuddered, turning docile as lambs in an instant.

It was as if… they had sensed dragon breath too.

Wu Shao’s eyes snapped open. With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the undead spirit.

He had detected the dragon breath, so it stood to reason that the nearby magical beasts could as well. The situation made perfect sense.

But why did that small silvery-white glow feel so much like…

A young dragon?

…Was that possible?

It had been so long since a dragon egg had hatched that Wu Shao had nearly forgotten what a young dragon looked like. Moreover, without a corpse, the memories summoned from the undead spirit were unclear.

Yet there had been no sign of an adult dragon clan member in those memories.

Could it have been the last human? Perhaps he had taken a human form and disguised himself, just like Wu Shao.

Wu Shao tried to force a calm analysis, but his mind was filled with visions of that tiny glow.

If it truly was a young dragon…

Then who was the human by its side?

In the end, Wu Shao couldn’t stay calm. He took out his communication device and sent Yan Si and Xing Huai a full report of all the clues, along with his speculations.

The three dragons were far apart, so the device allowed only text communication.

Before long, two replies came in.

Yan Si: “Calm yourself first. Proceed with caution—Cangyuan Continent spawning a strange young dragon has near-zero probability. Watch for traps.”

The corner of Wu Shao’s eye twitched. He badly wanted to transmit the undead spirit’s memories to Yan Si and see if he could stay calm himself.

Xing Huai: “Didn’t I tell you so? Oh right, Astrology has already pointed me in the right direction. I might find the young dragon before you do.”

Astrology, with its one-in-twenty accuracy rate? Wu Shao’s face remained expressionless as he pocketed the communication device.

At that moment, an unfamiliar aura approached from afar. It seemed to be another beast tamer who had noticed the disturbance here.

Wu Shao flashed away, hiding in the shadows. He summoned other undead fragments and questioned Baldy’s undead spirit about the direction the final human had fled.

~~~

In the early afternoon, Xuzhi returned to the Mercenary Hall.

He turned in his completed commissions, collected his pay, and bought a few things from the shop next door.

He returned all his remaining commissions. When the staff tried to ask why, they turned around and saw only the wooden badge he had left on the counter.

The wooden badge had been wiped clean of its mark, reverting to an ownerless item.

Once outside the town, Xuzhi headed to the outskirts and found Coal Ball waiting behind a tree.

With no one around, Ming Shuang extended half a claw from inside Xuzhi’s coat and hooked onto his hand.

Xuzhi pinched the claw and said, “We’re going to Netherworld Mountain.”

Ming Shuang froze for a moment, then peered out in surprise and excitement. “Hm?”

Was it real?

“We need to leave here as soon as possible,” Xuzhi explained in a low voice, “or there’ll be even more trouble.”

The four dead beast tamers surely had other companions who knew of their plans.

Now that they were dead and Xuzhi had returned to town unscathed, it would raise suspicions.

Even though he was indeed the one who had killed them.

All the same, he could no longer stay in Green Pine Town. He had earned plenty of commissions over the past few days and taken Baldy’s two storage bags—his savings were more than sufficient.

Most importantly, he had successfully acquired Tier 6 Wind Magic.

The three types of magic now coexisted stably within him, boosting his strength further.

Ming Shuang had told him in dreams over the past few days that he wanted to go to Netherworld Mountain. This was the perfect opportunity to leave Green Pine Town.

Then Xuzhi took out a teleportation stone from his storage bag.

It had belonged to Baldy, with coordinates set precisely for Netherworld Mountain. It could also teleport to equivalent locations from there.

Baldy had mentioned joining a group heading to Netherworld Mountain. He had likely prepared this in advance for emergencies, to escape directly from within Netherworld Mountain if needed.

Xuzhi hesitated over whether to use it for travel.

Too much had happened in the forest: four dead beast tamers, a newly formed miasma-possessed magical beast dispersed by Ming Shuang’s Ice Magic—not knowing if it would reform. On top of that, Coal Ball’s final blaze had destroyed the bodies. It was hard to avoid drawing attention, so leaving quickly was best.

Xuzhi glanced at Coal Ball. “Come here.”

Uncomprehending, it inched closer ever so slowly.

Xuzhi bent down and scooped it up.

Coal Ball nearly bristled in fright. Suddenly, its vision blurred.

The magic array in the teleportation stone activated, enveloping Xuzhi and his surroundings.

In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished from the spot—including Ming Shuang in his arms and Coal Ball in his grasp.

The area remained utterly still, with no one noticing the anomaly in the corner.

After a whirl of dizziness, Coal Ball opened its eyes to find itself in an unfamiliar place.

It immediately struggled free of Xuzhi’s hold, shot him a glare, and retreated a step away.

Xuzhi paid it no mind. He looked around, while Ming Shuang curiously poked his head out, glancing left and right.

They stood in a forested mountain area, the vicinity empty and quiet, without a single soul in sight.

Xuzhi probed outward using the Golden Crow’s ability and frowned slightly. “This place doesn’t seem very safe.”

The teleportation stone lacked precise coordinates and had apparently carried them straight through the outskirts of Netherworld Mountain.

He could sense lingering auras of numerous mid-to-high-tier magical beasts in the area—not ideal for lingering or resting.

After confirming the direction, Xuzhi picked up Ming Shuang and headed down the mountain.

Coal Ball patted down the fur on its body and followed behind.

Not long after they left, the ground trembled faintly. A crack suddenly split open.

A red bird poked its head out from the hole in the earth and sniffed around.

It faintly caught the scent of a familiar fire-type magical beast, mingled with an unfamiliar human’s. The red bird’s eyes filled with puzzlement.

Had Coal Ball submitted to a human?

The red bird leaped out of the hole, shook out its feathers, and decided to follow quietly and take a look.

~~~