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Meiying watched the Great Warriors from the distance, the princess couldn't care less as she twirled her parasol and left the Training Arena and heading towards the bridge of the river in the Forest of Cultivation. She observed the waterfall while standing on the bridge, before she heard an unfamiliar music--drawing her interest. "Who is this sound coming from? This seems like classical Chinese Music," she said, wondering who is this musician in the end. She was about to go there before her body collided by the incoming Zilian's chest, he looked down with his glowing light blue eyes--which seems filled with rage that Meiying gasped loudly, trembling with the fear that stung her mind.

"Oh, it was you."

Zilian commented, holding the zither on his side; he just couldn't forget her when he heard Meiying had planned to help him although Yinghua was hesitant. He had never imagined how their meeting could end the war faster, too fast for him to make a move. "Princess, have you considered my proposal?" he asked, but there was no traces of anger and hatred, instead a smile formed on his masked face.

"A-About Philosopher's Stone..." she stammered, before he hold her hand and pulled her for a private and secret talk outside the palace grounds. The strange relationship between the Mara Prince and the princess grew over the span of several weeks, of course no one managed to find out the truth yet. "Alright, stop that," Meiying barked, giving him a nasty look. "Once you calm your anger, I will do my part and help you kill the Four Heavenly Rulers."

Her sharp tongue slapped him, although he knew better. He was in disbelief, feeling his pride was slammed harshly by her words. "Seriously, you gotta be kidding me here, woman."

"I'm not YET a woman, fool."

Both of them was having a glaring contest, trying to one-up each other. Meiying looked at her surroundings, while still humming a cheerful tune. She smiled mischievously, before poking his nose. How was Meiying not scared of him when her only protection was an umbrella in her hands? But, somehow her smile is warming enough to melt his ice-cold heart, there's no greater sadness than not knowing when one might see a person again. If he was planning to kill her, then so be it. He did not hesitate, killing those people isn't an issue for him. "Meiying, I came here because... a certain kin of me trying to force me to kill you," he growled, watching the birds flew towards the rivers.

Her face darkened as her smile fell off her lips, and realized he was more than met the eye. "But, for some reason... I couldn't do it," he uttered, walking a bit as his blue-and-white attire flowing by the gust of the wind. His hands formed a clenched fist, as Meiying just shook her head; realizing that his reason was twisted but pure. "Is it because..." she said, raising her finger at him before poking his ribs. "You don't want to kill me?" she asked, receiving his piercing gaze, which made her a bit intimidated with him.

"Besides, why did you seek for the Philosopher's Stone? Is there another reason?" Meiying asked, tilting her head and smiled at him. This time, he averted her eyes away from her--as if he was hiding something. "Zilian!" she whined like a spoiled child before his mask showing the glinting blue eyes, with a dark shade of sea blue glinting.

He didn't know whether she has the power to see through him. Is it really possible?

Since she first saw him, there's a piece of him she felt intrigued by; familiarity. There's a mysterious air on him, a dark magic aura surrounding him like the clouds. She pondered, is it just a coincidence that she bumped into him and he did save her life? Zilian was gazing upon her beautiful face, suddenly the thought of asking her to be his bride crossed his mind. Could it be that his desire of finding a human woman is slowly replacing the revenge?

"Because... no, not a chance," he said quietly, his fingers reaching his temples and rubbed his head furiously. 'Yiren... that bastard, I hope he didn't come...' he thought, one of the fellow Dragon kin he wanted to avoid is him--since he's a law-abiding person, he will definitely doing something to him if he found out the information. "It's you, Zilian? Finally, after what it has been years," an unknown voice said, his emotionless and indifferent voice echoed. Zilian widened his eyes in horror, trembling upon his feet before he look behind him. "Yiren...?"

"You?!" Meiying jumped in shock as she gasped. The man had arrived was tall and possessed a broad yet athletic figure, wearing a black mask. He has a black short messy hair with his bangs almost covering golden-colored eyes, wearing a black robe and Chinese hanfu. He has numerous scars across his face, the color was faded into red-brown tone and the old wound was reopened. What horrifies her was that he was holding a long straight sword. "Leave us alone, Yiren. This woman have nothing to do with you."

"Get behind me, Princess Meiying," the Prince of the Mara ordered the Princess of Xanadu, using a nonthreatening manner so he doesn't trigger her defense. She instantly get behind him and still hold her parasol, trembling on her feet upon sight of the intruder. Despite the fact of the last time she meet Zilian, he does seem completely different now. "Zilian, your father keep asking us about you," Yiren said, showing no expression and emotions. Zilian stared at his friend, the tension grew deeper as they never make a move in order not to cause commotion and start a fight. "What do you mean?" he snarled, he was no fool but smart, very smart compared to his younger brother. "What were you doing the whole time, why don't you come back?!"

His face was pale when Zilian explained that he had spent most of his time wandering the lands to find a Philosopher's Stone, he had no chance to spend time with his family since he left at the age of six. Zilian was confused, hearing Yiren had been protecting his family from outside--wanting to see how his father was doing after long time when Zilian set out to search the Philosopher's Stone. "No way, it can't be the Princess who has the stone with her, right?"

The atmosphere was silent, but hearing that her life might be in jeopardy--her first instinct is to alert the Celestial Families. "I don't even know where that is," Meiying huffed, aiming her parasol at that made Yiren stepped back--those silver materials that forged into a parasol can instantly harm him. Meiying knew the effects of these items towards the members of the Mara, however, only certain people have no effect towards them because their bloodline was mixed between human and Mara races; since her mother was a celestial spirit and the father was a royal emperor.

"Do not try to hurt this woman," Zilian ordered him, grasping Meiying's wrist as she whimpered--making him released her immediately. "I didn't remember your manners towards her was like this," Yiren grunted as he hissed on pain, he cursed under his breath. Since the discovery that he doesn't have the powers of the Mara and his strength was quite a different power that unknown, it seems Meiying have something called the Crest of Anathema inside her. "I'll be wherever I am, even if that means I have to lose some part of me to follow you," Zilian snapped, the clouds of the midnight sky became thicker. Yiren knew Zilian has always been that powerful, who do wonders in terms of spells and curses. His words have power that could control the entire energy force in the body, one of the dragons he met was Zilian.

However, Yiren disappeared on sight.

Meiying was confused, what the hell was that? But the next moment, she received a loud scoff from him. "Great, the problem started once he found you with me," he barked, his sudden change of tone made her astonished. "What did I do?!" she said, unable to fathom why is he being so stubborn and arrogant. "You still care about them, even though they treat you like this?!" she added. Zilian didn't say anything and instead he look at the other way, after all that was not the reality for him. "You really fool around with the royalty, don't you?" Zilian barked. Meiying was furious after that comment, an angry growl escaped her lips as she kicked his thigh but she accidentally slipped by the water underneath her. "Ah!"

Meiying closed her eyes, before she felt that she didn't fell--a lean and muscular arm caught her. Surprised, she looked up at him as he stared at her, he had the strangest combination of blue-and-white Mara symbols he displayed and a sort of hypnotizing gaze in his blue-gold eyes; reminding her of the cold gaze he had that night. Despite the situation he had shown no sign of hatred or rage, his words have no mockery and instead concern. All of the things she had ever seen on him was him; she sensed no evil intent from him, as if she decided to welcome him into her world. The realization sent her mind back to reality as Meiying was thinking hard about the new changes within herself and the changes in the ones around her, especially when this time the conversation was starting to turn sour.

"Have I ever mentioned the real reason why did I wanted the Philosopher's Stone?" Zilian asked, pulling her up until her feet stood firmly on the ground. "That thing belongs to me, Princess Wu. Don't waste my time here, or... this nation will fall down. Even without me. Knowing they can't protect you against my clan, and kill you."

The calmness of his demeanor had been disturbed, making Meiying realized he is no different than that of a stranger. "Without me, you mean?" she asked him sharply, but Zilian didn't say a word. "That's why my late human mother gave me a complete piece of stone. I give her, a part of it in exchange of her promises," he said, closing his eyes in sadness. She caught a glimpse of pain, barely visible beneath the carefully guarded and emotionless mask of indifference. "Zilian..." she muttered, feeling concerned. Zilian is reluctant about helping his clan, even though his power is incredible. But, one of his clan members did reveal one of the clan's secret plan to him--they are planning something extraordinary bad but he also had sworn an oath not to tell anyone of the real nature and the secrets. But, he knew she deserves the truth about him. "I have something to tell you..."

"Princess!"

Hearing the echoing voices, Zilian has no time left to spare and rushed off--jumping upwards using his speed. While climbing the rocks, he couldn't ignored her pleading calls. "Zilian!" she yelled. A gust of the wind blew in the trees as Meiying stared at the black-clothed silhouette which jumped and disappeared into the horizon. The two Great Warriors approached her, before one man informed. "Your younger brother asked you to return immediately," he said, giving her the scroll which was tied up by a piece of red string. She gave a glare when he is now far away and yet, still able to irritate him. "Tsk, fine."

On the other side, Yinghua made an acrobatic jump, her figure spinning in the air and threw her two daggers at the same time as her sword--pierced through a dummy. She breathe heavily, rolling her eyes at the dead dummy. "That's insane."

Her eyes fell on the targets, without she holding her longswords, she rushed towards the targets and attacking while moving fast. Fang watched her intently, his arms folded together as he leaned against the wall. Knowing his childhood friend, she knows how to take up a challenge and have an adventure on her own. There's a big difference from how she behaved as a young lady, she has attitude to match her boldness and her impulsiveness trait along with her temper.

He can't help but wonder if Yinghua have any regrets.

Before their eyes met, smiling warmly at her. While noticing him, she laughed heartily. Fang chuckled, knowing that there's a bond between them. Without they realized, the training area was once their place for sparring or for them to sharpen their skills every time. Yinghua sat on the edge of the steps of the fountain, smiling in cheerfulness. "I can't wait for the promotion, being a Chief-General is pretty crazy. The power, the perks, hell yeah." she said as she smirked, her eyes glinted with excited before she stood up and walked forward, the lights reflecting on the plates on her shoulders from her hanfu.

"Our job isn't that easy, and besides we have our responsibilities," Fang explained, although his enthusiasm is a somewhat bit above the ordinary. "Though, the work load would feel off once Yang joined the Division. Or else, we will have our time in division for doing fun things," Yinghua snorted sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She sat down on the edge of the fountain, drinking the water from a silver jar with carved details engraved on the surface.

Yinghua had entered the room with him behind her, as they continued to be under each other's thumbs with constant banter. Sometimes the two Chief-Generals could not help but be sarcastic with each other, it is a daily duty not only for him, as each of the army will be having a responsibility to deal with their respective work and their troops or Division. "Fang, if by chance I never return again... please continue on what I failed to do," she said, smiling to him as she hugged the sword near her chest and her hands clasped around it.

Hearing that, Fang feels so... weird. Perhaps she is the one who's saving him, her words are always the reasons for him to live on, making him to strive for one more step. She was so important than the others he knew and admired, a confident she doesn't need and a smile she does care. "Come on, promise me, alright?" she asked, before she yelped when he grabbed her right hand gently and hold it tightly in his grip. "I... I can't understand why you trusted me, Fang Zhou."

"Because I trust myself on you," he replied, smirking at her; she gasped silently.

"The Great Warriors are the heroes that shall do extraordinary deeds and strive to do their best, but you are making me uneasy... by saying this," Fang stated, facing his troubled colleague. Yinghua gripped his wrist which caused him to take in a deep, sharp breath of pain. He narrowed his eyes--unaware how did her strength could grow a lot stronger after each workloads she had to do. "So, Yinghua... if I die, you have to survive, not losing control," he said, his calm green-grey colored eyes was facing Yinghua's violet-blue eyes. Her eyes was filled with a lot of intense emotions, wondering and pondering over what she is planning. "But, if we could... we can die together," she blurted out without thinking.

The look of shock appeared in Fang's face, he was taken aback with her words. He didn't want her to die, if their story ended like that. Because of their closeness, it is causing some trouble on their Division of their troops. If she did that, he definitely won't let her go. Even though, they were not engaged in their dream courtship... yet. 'Yinghua, you are... my destiny.'

Few hours later...

Yinghua was patrolling around the town of Xanadu with the other Great Warriors, she spends 12 hours of guarding and now she's beyond tired. "Captain Xue, do you need rest?" the soldier of Heaven Knights asked her, she shook her head and waved her hand at him. "Oh no, no. I'm okay. You all should take a rest first, after all I have a stamina from being the sparring partner with Captain Zhou," she assured. She stopped walking and turned her head, watching the crowd was preparing the festival that will started tomorrow in the afternoon. To be honest, she and her comrades were pretty excited about the great party when this festival begun for all of the Xanadu's Heavenly Jade Military. She wondered, can the others attend this celebration? They should, if they want a break... then they should!

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"This seems boring, should I grab a sweet dumplings from there," she grinned as she walked towards the stand, but the familiar man she wants the most caught her eye and instantly approaching him. Fang stood next to the tree when he was looking over his shoulder, seeing her sleepless violet-blue eyes filled with fatigue. "Good day to ya, Captain," Yinghua greeted as she rested her elbow at his shoulder, he only chuckle.

"You seem busy. Wanna take a break from this?" Fang asked her, pointing at the festival. Yinghua just let out a smirk and hummed, looking at the view. "Nah, I'm quite good in this line of work actually, thanks to you."

Fang can tell she was exhausted, so he made her sit on a bench outside the post's area where they were on duty for, slowly sitting beside her as he heard her sigh in exhaustion. "Look, hey. These are too much," Yinghua whined, rubbing her arms softly. Fang rolled his eyes as he placed his fingers against his chin, thinking. "However, I'm interested in the rumors I heard from one of our colleagues," he said, making her raised her eyebrow. "What rumors? Interesting, spill the melons," Yinghua chimed, putting her hands behind her back. Fang pulled a little scroll from his long sleeve, showing her a strange rumors. "It's about Yang, he seems... having a crush with my little sister."

Yinghua was surprised, she know Feihung quite well because this adorable little child is also admired Yinghua for her skills. Feihung was around Yang's age since they both are... eighteen years old, and Fang is... quite protective. "My sister is such a cheerful and innocent type, although I couldn't believe it. But, you sure are, no wonder that you used to bother me," he teased. Yinghua turned her head away, clicking her tongue before Fang chuckled lightly. "My younger brother Jinfeng is more annoying, not only he had the same age as little sister of Yang's which is seventeen--but he is always interested in seeing our sparring every day and he is training to be Sky Knights soon."

"Ah, true. Is it possible that they are really together?"

Fang closed his eyes and he seems to be in a deep thought, Yinghua's face cringed on his expression. He has a calm yet serious demeanor he's displaying to everyone, his hardworking attitude inspired her. Although Yinghua herself prefers not to interfere anything that related to his private matter, except for this rumors. Fang released a growl like sound before grabbing her collar and glared, making her grinned. "Stalker, you sure loved watching me training back then, aren't you?" Fang said sternly. He's back at it again, with the scary accusations that almost made her faint. "What, you got a problem?"

Yinghua teased with a snarky tone, before she felt his hands reached her shoulders, whispering something. The pressure began to build, resulting her sweating. But, it was awkward when his face was close to her, she didn't know what is his intension. "Captain, what are you-- oh wait... No, no, no. STOP!" she panicked, blushing as his face is close to her neck. She didn't realize what did he just do, teasing her like a prank but for him it was true. In order to humiliate her, Fang likes the way she squirm and protest his teasing techniques. "Should I stop this?" he chuckled, putting his forehead to her.

Yinghua would have shouted with indignation, but with his closeness and his voice rumbled close to her neck, his chin grazing the hollow of her throat and the nape of her neck. "Not in public, Fang! It is worse than the time you purposely drop the plates, knowing that it fell on top of me," she whined, closing her eyes while her cheeks glowed scarlet.

"Fang-gēgē!"

Feihung greeted her older brother Fang happily as she walked beside Jinfeng; Yinghua's younger brother, although one was an older and the other was a little bit younger. Yinghua shrieked when Fang used this opportunity and grab the poor Great Warrior's waist, before hiding her with his own body and gestured to their respective siblings.

"Guess what, Yinghua-jiějiě is here. But... she's a bit busy right now."

Feihung tilted her head cutely, seeing her respected older brother's childhood friend not moving a muscle made her a bit concern. Yinghua had to hide her face and looked down, her black hair covering the whole view and her palms sweating profusely as she was panicking. That close, too close! Her chest began to race, pumping faster that before, she can feel the blood's pulse in her throat. She definitely can feel the thumping heartbeat ringing her ear, beating at the same pace as the quickened rhythm of her own heart.

"Don't worry, Yinghua... I'll take care of you."

There is something in his words, something about the way he said it made her head spin and left her feeling weak. All her thoughts were leaving her, replaced with the slow way he'd put his right hand to her waist as his breathing tickle her neck. He can't do this, because it's not part of the teasing policy when the deal was being compromised. "Let's just leave them, Feihung. Jiějiě is kind of sick, don't disturb her," Jinfeng whispered, pulling the red ribbon that tied his jet black hair, in neat and long style reached his lower ribs. If she hadn't gotten rid of the sudden jolt in her system, she'll find it rather amusing to find her own brother covering up for her like this. "Okay!" Feihung said happily, still having her innocence as Yang told them to come over here.

Fang lean towards her right ear, touching the base with the tip of his nose--making her body stiffens, along with the shock. "Now, they had gone," he said in husky voice before laughing. Yinghua is a bit frightened, her heart beaten faster--something uncontrollable within her mind made her lose her ability to speak. Then a soft, gentle nose brushing her ear and neck while the hot, moist breath blows just below her ear--then he put his left hand to the bridge of her ear.

Is this right or wrong? Now she couldn't fight the idea in her head, they were both together and now she'd accepted his feelings. When their bodies close to one another, it didn't felt awkward nor made her uncomfortable. A little noise is heard, a whimper that caught his attention from her. "Captain, what are you doing?"

Her knees felt loose that nearly collapsed, only his hand is there to keep her standing upright. They just stare at each other, until Yinghua returned the same treatment as she felt his lips curving up, and smiled. "Are you testing me?" she asked, not minding his closeness on her since they have known each other.

"Will it be alright to make you to fall for me, then?"

Yinghua smacked his face that made him laughed, releasing her as she tried to calm down from the flush on her face and ears--even her body feels so hot just by being too close to him. "Your advances had a slight effect on me, it's ridiculous how far you'd gone," she whispered, glaring at him. In return, he received a light punch on his shoulder. Laughter will never get bored hearing from him, at least. He was her better half and only wished to maintain their relationship until the time permits it so, until one cannot no longer watch over her. But, only if the threat is removed and everything will back as normal... or will it?

Meanwhile, Meiying was inside her bedroom--looking at the hand mirror to observe her own reflection as the moonlight shine upon her. Something is quite strange and familiar about Zilian that making her quite convinced he is no ordinary man. Not only that, her young mind is full of many things he said, but among those are only those relating to her. These feelings that are beyond her understanding made her confused and afraid at the same time.

"Lady Meiying, is something the matter?"

The female attendant; Meixao asked her as the Princess shook her head, placing the mirror aside. Meixao bowed as she looked at her and tilted her head, she will not ask what happened unless her Highness would call her or needed any help. Meixao opened the heavy wooden door and left the room, leaving Meiying was thinking deeply on her bed. "I don't understand, why did I met a man like him..." she mumbled, not paying any attention to the noise outside which are in pairs and giddy children running around.

Tomorrow night, the party will start, and the night can get a bit chilly. Sensing her little feet became cold, she walked to the window. The city was coming alive, tonight is a busy market, full of people doing everyday kinds of activity; singing or dancing in their own homes. So, she grabbed her pink parasol and headed out from the bedroom. Wu Fuyin saw his daughter came out like usual, swinging the umbrella as he wondered how far is she going to travel as her mother Wu Xiao was concerned of her well-being. "Meiying, where are you going?" he asked, but his daughter ignored him. Now, this is interesting to be more questioned by him, there must be some answers she won't reveal in front of him yet. "Let her be," she told her husband, making him sighed. "She has my personality, though... Chengxun is basically almost his own older sister like Meiying."

Feeling the wind upon her skin, Meiying breathed in the fresh, natural air. Then, she encountered Zilian who stood there in front of her as she yelped out of surprise. "You scared me!" she panted, relieved that it's him. He didn't respond, looking at her with a wide and blank stare. "Why did you look at me like that? Is there something that the matter?"

Zilian narrowed his eyes and gazed at the view of the Kingdom of Xanadu, it was at sunset and the temple is already filled with many decorations. "Princess, there is something happened within my clan right now," he began, fidgeting on his fingers. Meiying raised her eyebrows before approached him. "Don't tell me..."

"Yes, I heard that kin of my clan talking with a woman," he muttered, quickly walked across the cobblestone pathway to see the view from a distance. "What woman?" she asked, making him turn around to face her. "I bet you know who is Yang Huifang, does that ring a bell?" he asked, it made her silent when she heard that name.

Meanwhile, the mysterious man with black mask who was Yiren landed on the ground in the Dark Mountain--tossing the black mask off from his face and revealed his amber-colored eyes. "Damn it, Huifang... I need your help," he grumbled, turning around to see a female woman who was actually a Fire Dragon.

Yang Huifang; a young woman with beautiful and youthful face coming out from the steaming river that was boiling high, which no human can pass except her. She has a long dark brown hair with long bangs framing her forehead and her ruby-red eyes, she has porcelain complexion and slender built. Huifang is haughty, sadistic, self-centered, competitive and narcissistic woman, her goal is to find a strong adversary to prove herself which she believed that she can fought anyone and show no remorse to anyone. She happens to be nonchalant and loves using her fire-elemental abilities. Her body is actually forged by flames, hence why she was indifferent by her state of nakedness that didn't bother her.

Huifang came out from the steaming river with her bare body, folding her arms while ignoring the black-haired young man with light complexion and golden-colored eyes who was looking away from her. "What is it now, Yiren?" she asked, speaking with her alluring but stern voice as she snapped her fingers--making herself armed with her robe consists of red long-sleeved hanfu with high collars, adorned with silver body armor on her torso to her waist as she wears a black shorts and thigh-high armored boots with back heels--putting on her black fingerless gloves with red nails and her hair was tied into ponytail; leaving her long bangs fell loose and framing her forehead.

Yiren tried to look away from his compatriot, he accidentally saw her bare form of skin. Even the steaming river was enough for the Dragon Clan to take their form, and despite the boiling and scorching water touching her scales on her ankles, her slender legs and long hair--it does nothing to her because she was born of fire itself. "Zilian is a traitor, what happened to him? Why he let Wu Meiying live?" he questioned, folding his arms.

Huifang tilted her head as she put her hand under her chin, standing beside her tall companion. "How about those two Great Warriors... you know, the iconic pair which are made by a heaven?"

"Of course, you idiot. It's the perfect time to come and say hello to them... no, screw that idea," Yiren grumbled, kicking the dirt on his boot. Huifang looked at him while cracking a cold, death-filled smile; almost psychopathic and didn't bothered by him. "Then I'll fight them, no matter what," she spat, jumping upwards and spreading her red wings. Those crimson-and-white colored feathered wings slowly pushed her upwards before she flew above the vast sky, which Yiren follows up and fly. "This is going to be interesting."

Next week, the Imperial City was waking up with its bustling activity with the civilians and workers gathered around at the teahouse for preparing the banquet for tonight, as the party will be start when it is ten o'clock in the evening. Both of the Great Warriors sat on the bench near the pond where they did had their training session here, eating and drinking the refreshing tea to the afternoon. Yinghua yawned when she was listening to Mingyu playing his harp again, she was sitting beside Fang who was reading his book again while Fang continued their conversation they didn't finished yesterday; "Everyone else were working in the town, Feihung took care of the celebration with Yang and your own little brother Jinfeng were helping them in decorating the main street," he explained, making her blinked twice.

"Eh, let them be. After all, they did did their jobs too well," she argued, leaning back on the bench. Yunjiao was lying on the grass, followed by Huojin who wanted to sleep in the daytime--earning the glare from their Captain. "So, are you for our promotion next week?" he asked, since they have to find the Jade Natatorium somewhere in the Heaven's Gate Mountains. "Oh man, finding the lost item that almost everyone can't found it for centuries? That's easy," she boasted, stretching her arms.

"Yeah, have you ever been there? Heaven's Gate Mountains was located at South district, the area consisted many canyons and cliffs. It was hard, right?"

Their words made Mingyu went silent, putting away his zither. The wind blew softly in the breeze, Yunjiao moved closer to Huojin; due to the bright sunlight piercing her eyes while still sleeping. "You all, do you hear that?" Mingyu's asked, receiving worried glances from them. The leaves flew and passed them as the clouds slowly moving into the ocean, the lake shimmers from the sunlight making the world has the perfect balance. The birds that are singing and flying and everything around was still, sound is so pure. "I do not feel it," Fang said, standing up and walk as if he was bored. "Some dragons in there aren't very fond with strangers, don't make a fuss like usual. Keep an eye on each dragons we fought last time, especially Yang Huifang."

Yinghua nodded, recalling that woman she fought against from last time--she couldn't believe she was faced with the burning flames. Recalling Huifang's face was actually shocking when their blades clashed as it turned into a golden color due to her incredible power; before she got kicked backwards but she manages to fly and escape. Huifang was the cruelest dragon that Yinghua had ever met in a lifetime, even Fang was feeling frightened upon her fiery rage whenever she felt anger. However, he must be calm because Huifang do not wish to burn everything down unless she's provoked. It has been 3 months, but the duo haven't forgetting what they have felt and the meeting with Zilian; it has always been on Yinghua's mind as she was curious.

Meiying look around before she glanced back at Zilian who was facing his back at her, before she twirled her parasol. "Yang Huifang? Is she a Dragon kin like you?" she asked, hiding her feelings about them. He gave a slow nod, he knew Meiying didn't care what business those things go, even though he admitted she was an intelligent and clever lady. "Yes, she's kind of rival of mine. Our family are enemies, so..." he explained, opening his eyes which was revealing to her his mixed emotions. "Why do you think I became a traitor to them? A lot."

"W-Wait, so that means you're--"

Zilian immediately covered her mouth but with gentle way he used his hands, just in case Meiying noticed something. He didn't realize his action made her feel the pulsing heat racing faster and her heart was going to combust, her body froze. "Keep your noise, Meiying. You might bring danger towards us."

Those hazel brown eyes glared at him with nervousness, her soul seemed to be engulfed by the strange feeling--realizing her small hands felt his as she trembled and let him guide her as he keep his guard up. The city gate is wide open that both of them passed through, she narrowed her eyes before getting out of his grasp and he can tell she looked terrified. Zilian was confused, is this her scared expression he found? Now, this was rather amusing. "S-Sorry..." she stammered, looking back up at him. 'No, what was I thinking?!' Meiying thought, seeing her reflection on the river.

Zilian was emotionless; not showing anything at all that he just averted his gaze, shrugging his shoulders.

'What is this feeling...?'

He was unsure of why did his mind thinking of an option--baiting her to fall into this strange emotions toward him. "A-Anyways, I just want to let you know that my father's loyal Captains will be getting their promotion, but I don't know when will they stop your father and the Dark Dragon in your land," she said, Zilian turn around and tilted his head. Heaven's Gate Mountain, maybe it was the place where the the Great Heroes--also the Sky Knights resides and were working together as allies. "I see... so they all will be Chief-Generals from their division in the army, not bad at all," he muttered quietly.

Meiying was worried over these two; Fang and Yinghua, because they're the top-ranking Great Warriors and the Emperor's closest advisers. Which, the location was the most toughest but one of the most suitable and secluded places. They should need someone who are brave enough to face the elements nature provides. "I can help you, but please... you have to gain my parents' trust, they're the rulers of Xanadu so... please, try your best," she begged. Zilian exhaled deeply and he can read her words, unlike him. Usually, he can tell if the person tries to scheme him or betrayed him.

There must be the way to save the Philosopher's Stone, from the wrong hands like Zilian's own father he just betrayed--even his own kin he just did to them.

"In return, you will agree with my deal?"

The night has fallen and everyone celebrates, fireworks exploded above the night sky.

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