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Few days later... after finding the scrolls, containing a bunch of ancient knowledge including spells and etc...

That night, Fang and Yinghua decided to take a night stroll near the gardens of the palace; he enjoyed looking the beautiful wind chimes and plants growing there, the two watched the bright star lights and the night sky, filled with stars. It was peaceful and the garden had no one around--seemingly perfect time for them to be alone and a bit private too. "Beautiful isn't it?" Fang asked his partner, as she stared the flowers. Those flowers had reminded her father, Jun, her younger brother Jinfeng and mother Mingxia when the times were still sunny and pure, but soon it won't going to last forever. Maybe, her whole life path will be different. Fang wanted her happy and seeing her making a sad expression... he couldn't resist. She leaned against him as she felt a tingling, warm feeling before he gently put his arms around her waist. "This may sound foolish, but I can't stop thinking about you," he whispered softly. "Since the very first time that we've met."

Yinghua was caught off guard--she could feel her heart thumping and racing within her chest, just by being next to him. Fang raised his hand and brushed the side of her face to the jaw and then the neck, sending shivers through her whole body. She looked at the sight, she missed this so much. "Really?" she asked him, earning a chuckle. "I'm feeling the same way..." she looked at the night sky again, his smile widen.

"Life would be rather sad if there's no beauty and love... so to see my whole world filled with hope, is absolutely a miracle. My life had changed because I met you, Yinghua."

Fang was giving Yinghua a chance to change her life; giving her a choice not to fight all alone anymore, not to suffer the darkness with no light guiding her. Although fate can be evil, and could strike and lash its venom of insanity, but this was not the real place to find the truth. The gentle breeze keeps calm and the cherry petals continue fall, everything seemed blurred and even she didn't respond, "I guess, maybe everything will end too. If anything happened to me, the only one that I never care is surviving," Fang stated, embracing her. Yinghua was stunned--he was right, that living for so long can't lead her into happiness. There's a need of fulfillment and meaning not to leave herself hopeless.

Despite there are people who are trying to comfort her, was it all in the world never had changed the past years gone. "The war that caused the people to suffer, leaving their friends, families and everything... is unbearable," he muttered, closing his eyes for a moment. Still there, and nothing could've spared from anything that can led to an intense sorrow. Even what these people had left, some of them mourn, and regret for not solving anything. Like it's the end of an era, like it had lost hope and future, is shattered. Yinghua nodded, putting her hands on his shoulders. He felt a sudden warm feeling emerged from his mind, she gave her a chance--a life that not needing to survive at all. It needs to find a light that can guide them, not leave them astray. And so, Yinghua was about to break. "It must be painful, knowing that you were abandoned and left alone, right?" Fang assumed when they turned at each other's gazes, her eyes widened. Their eyes were blurry after exchanging their emotions towards them--how long they wanted to forget the darkness that kept lingering on the past.

The moonlight is their key to reveal the truth.

"That's what the military trying to say, never... abandoned your hope. Don't abandon the little things, without hope; everyone will have no purpose to live. They had to grasp these moments, rather than leaving no traces," he finished. Hope, just as much Yinghua had believed, he was so genuine and so righteous. He is sincere. He only have the confidence to grab the chances, not abandoning his duty. In that, her brokenhearted seemed to have been fix and shine. "Thanks, for believing in me," she thanked him, this time... her face became redder, the words flowed out from her lips. At first, their friendship grew and yet... they still did have an emotions within, though they have met a few times and fighting alongside together, trying to escape from danger which they ended up not understanding their true feelings at first. "At least, your life is filled with joy when my parents were still alive... no wonder the Xue and Zhou clan have the closest relationship..."

Few days later...

Meiying was staring at the waterfall in the forest with the parasol on her hands, she admired the beauty of it which was like an oasis when she sighed a relief. "Lady Meiying, you ought not to leave the city... it is dangerous," the maid, Yufen was telling to her master as she looked worried of Meiying's decisions. However, the latter replied. "Ah-Yufen, I'm not a child anymore. Whoever finds me here..." Meiying gave a smile, a charming smile. "... will have what's going to be coming on them... can you leave me for a moment and I will head home," she promised that and, thus, Yufen agreed before departing. But then, Meiying felt a sharp gaze at her back; trying to ignore it.

Zilian stood there since the half-human Dragon prince couldn't help but keeping his eyes on her presence, is she real or he did saw a ghost for the first time. Qingshan told him everything about the war, Xanadu suffered its own hell of its years against a mighty enemy like the Dark Dragon. After Qingshan has been separated from her older sister Huifang--the Fire Dragon who should be avoided at all costs, good thing she hid the scrolls for the empire so they can find the Philosopher's Stone to stop the madness. Zilian wondered about Meiying for a bit, why is this human princess never leave his head and causing the wild chain of thoughts.

He remained silent, but doesn't mean the memories can left his mind. "Zilian, I know you're there."

Meiying called him as she turned her face at him, who suddenly jolt in surprise. Did he saw a ghost or something, well... he could transform from his full dragon form to his current hybrid form. She puffed her cheeks at him, annoyed. "Why did you following me everywhere?" she asked angrily, not pleased with his sudden appearance. A gust of air blew between their paths, before Zilian hummed. "Meiying, your presence... made me relaxed, even though your spoiled personality always the same. As your close friend, I only watch over your safety," he said, her eyes widened. When she face him, a smile escaped on her face. A smile of the princess who not acting in a way she suppose to do, is because of his kindness? "Meiying, my concern was only because... I truly care of you, I've lost so many dragons during the battle," Zilian declared.

Meiying twirled her pink parasol that has silver materials, which is why no Dragon kins able to come closer to her besides the friendly ones. Those Dragons who belong to Dark Dragon had already felt enormous and powerful energy from the Great Warriors unlike the past, before they don't have silver materials to nullified the magic which preventing them to attack Sui-Feng when they approached her. Zilian reached his hand towards the human princess' hands, holding it softly. Meiying froze in her place, her cheeks getting red in embarrassment. "Princess, your duty is making sure you had your fun or happy moments, but you must continue to step on your path, for you to gain more strength and wisdom. My dear human, I hope we can be friends forever," Zilian proposed to her, earning a slow nod.

Her face heated up, a sincere and romantic words that came out from his mouth. This is the first time he did that. 'W-What? He lived in Xanadu city like more than a month already and... t-this feels weird. No wonder the citizens spoke highly of him like father too, not to mention his friendly manners, his intelligence, his hard-working traits and caring side,' Meiying thought. She knew there's something different about him, no matter how he thinks he's as if a different person. Zilian chuckled seeing her reaction and the warmth air between them, but having to turn into a pleasant evening with a long look. "Y-You need a place to stay, other than in the forest. F-Father can provide one for you, since he's an Emperor... after all."

Meiying stuttered a bit which caused a warm chuckle escaping from his lips, the atmosphere is like a cloudy day with a fluffy grey clouds and the yellowish green rain forest around the area with a couple of trees all over the ground. His blue eyes fixed towards her beautiful pink ones as both are not letting go their locked gaze at each other's. "I-I want you to know that I'm the one who's being under pressure and... I never knew you are also someone I've met in my dreams," Meiying told him, he gasped before understanding her words. "Hmm? You can explain me when we got the privacy," Zilian responded with a small smile. 'When will the truth be revealed?' she pondered. Unknown to them, Yinghua and Fang were watching quietly and blinking for several seconds.

"Okay... how long are we gonna stand here? Is this a date or something," Yinghua finally speak, folding her arms and pouted in annoyed. Fang twitched with a vein bulged at his face, while his palm was covering his mouth. She wondered that Fang is strangely unusual today, a guy who was not serious as always. "Maybe, you're wrong... since they only knew each other for like, a few weeks right?" Fang told her, still staring and they ignored by Meiying and Zilian. "Let's give them the space," he added, the two had turned away.

Once they started their journey to find the answer of their missing families; their paths becomes stronger and determination grown inside their hearts. Sui-Feng entered the abandoned castle where she and her comrades tasked to find the clue about Philosopher's Stone, which is located in the South Zhongjing city far away from Xanadu City; it was quite abandoned where no one knows what happen to the whole town. "Feels a little bit unsafe to make it quiet, what happen to this place?" Chifeng asked, Naran was examining the map before closing his eyelids and facing him with a glare. "I've researched this, apparently... this territory was actually cursed," he responded as everyone was just gave a stare.

Yukong look around her surroundings as she sensed something, she can only noticed the strange yet frightening spiritual-formal energies all around the castle. Chifeng frowned, folding his arms as he look around the view. "It should be Dark Dragon's doing," he muttered, before he saw the black miasma that made him unleash his sword Báisōng (White Pine) and manifested ice and slashed it in no time. He looked back towards the other members who were a bit amazed about the slaying of black matter. 'What the hell is going on?' Taiyang thought, his eyes remained closed. Jingshen unsheathe his polearm Dānfēng (Red Maple), releasing its wind-like powers and swung it towards the black matter where it absorbed those entities in a blink of an eye. 'This is quite troubling, the negative energies around this place doesn't feel right,' Sui-Feng thought, also releasing her own gunblade and slicing a large one--until a silhouette figure of the dark beast stood ahead of them as it was very clear that it's a large wyvern.

Naran unleashed his sword-like switchblade Yèlán (Night Orchid) and made a constructive barrier while fighting them, but unfortunately one of them nearly made a fatal slash to his sides and Jinghua leaped up high and pulled him away from the beast, stabbing it with her chi-bolts. Chifeng was facing an additional Black Wyverns and Sui-Feng and Baiheng helped him fighting the creatures; there's several shadow figures that are similar to Borisians--a wolf-like Black Beasts without any extra parts or wearing a armor. Jinghua slashed her sword Sānqiào (Three Bridges) against the enemy, and Yukong used her magic to reduce them. Taiyang snapped his fingers, forming a fire energy to blasted the hellhound-type creature and dodging the hell-flame blast using his martial arts-like fighting skills.

"The fuck are these shit doing here? I can sense some of these entities are the souls," Naran said, giving him a bewildered look. When they arrived at the end of the destroyed chambers, the atmosphere is cold and harsh--almost similar to an iceberg. "Let's head upstairs, I remember this place. It's Grand King Lu Ten's former castle," Baiheng whispered. Once they saw the dark-looking castle itself, the group's face turned into awe and amazement, to think an actual castle was used to be an ancient landmark. "Who cares? This castle was under our control," Naran growled as his weapon glowed in red aura.

Taiyang open his eyes, noticing some areas were almost crumbling by the miasma's dark smoke and strong particles. "Stand back, this is far too dangerous than ever," he said. Yukong, Sui-Feng and the duo, Jinghua and Baiheng went away. It wasn't long when the ground began to cracked. They could see and heard something heading their direction, which they were readying their weapons.

They were surprised seeing a gigantic skeletal dragon appear and the skeleton's jaws snapped as it roared loudly; their eyes widened in shock. Another big skeletons appeared out of nowhere, making Jinghua squeaked a little. "Okay, don't tell me... there's a lot of these dead bastards, fighting them will kill us all," Naran presumed, making the others thinking as well. "Now we know, the damned monster's true-self lies within..."

"Alright, who's in charge of killing it?"

"Me."

Baiheng spoke with a calm tone, unleashing his sword Ruǎnhuā (Flower Instrument) as he swung the wave of plum blossom petals at the large and bulky skeletal dragon, unleashing its strong scent to kill the cursed creature. His sword is made of pure flowers and silver materials that could kill a demon, destroying the beast's head in an instant before the skeletal dragon roared as the swarming petals engulfed the dead figure and exploded. He was considered the strongest of all Chief-Generals, yet having a mature personality like Jinghua. He was a serious person on the same level as his partner, and his dedication and loyalty towards the Emperor were incredible.

Another skeleton-like creature went against them, before Jinghua swung her sword Shuǐyuè (Water Moon) that creates an illusion of a moon and water which fooled the creature--the illusion she made is either false or harmless; and the creature ended up being hit hard. Jinghua let out a nod with her calm expression, she was a master of an illusion tricks and such, enough to get many people into trickery and mind games despite her tranquil and rather serene disposition.

Baiheng and Jinghua often stuck with each other or a team because of their calm and serious personalities, and both were also efficient in fighting while defeating the fiends. And even the enemies were afraid of the two, especially the way they stared their eyes into the enemy's. Yukong looked around the area with her sharp eyes, her vulpine ears perked up as she sensed the deadly powerful and malevolent aura that is resonating far away. "Sui-Feng, the last floor up there has a powerful aura of dark-force... a strong one too," Yukong told to the latter, Sui-Feng nodded as she grinned. "My time has come!"

The creature was guarding inside the bedroom, it was large. Naran let out a hum as he twirled his sword around and glancing at the skull of the beast--Taiyang snap his finger, creating a vortex up and dragged the beast off into the air--before Naran unleashed the thunderous power in the form of light-blue aura surrounding his body, dashing around the entire creature at his incredible speed and he kicked down the reptilian-like dragon before his foot shattered the chest as a crack.

Next, it was an epic battle; Naran was using his agile and swift kicks alongside a precise sword skills and his knowledge against the Black Beasts; Sui-Feng unleashed her awesome fighting styles and dual gunblade weapons Yuèguāng (Moonlight); shooting and slashing the large dragons along with Yukong used her wind powers to literally tore through the large dragon's scaled skin and made a tear on the beast's neck with her catalyst.

"Now let's go, we're on a quest here, jackasses."

Naran coldly finished that line when he didn't even waited for a couple of his allies to respond and Sui-Feng took the scroll when she met up with the others to finish the mission, but a voice alerted the members. It was a small gray fox with a white golden ball attached to its tail and following them. This vulpine was once known as the messenger of the Sky Fox clan, Jingshen narrowed his eyes when he noticed the strange pattern upon its pelt. Since both Sui-Feng (with half-mutated power of Borisian and no vulpine tail), Taiyang and Yukong are part of the Sky Fox clan--the most prominent clan that became allies with the Xanadu empire and sharing a same ancestral lineage with the Sky Wolf clan.

Vulpines and Borisians have always been the hated rival since eternity and never made to understand each other, but they could rely on to be an ally. They can be able to feel and sense anything no matter the truth and lie, as well as the situations always lead to a secret discovery of mysteries. "Woah, a real fox here?" Sui-Feng asked, approaching the fox as she went into sitting position. And the fox understood what the woman mean, her teal-blue orbs met with the golden ones. "Be careful, Sui-Feng."

Yukong reminded her, she is well-aware of the unusual message carried by the fox. A blue orb is shown to be a sign of a warning--it tells about an eclipse having an absolute value and one must made up their decision on overcoming the said eclipse. Yukong looked down, is an eclipse means the beginning? The sky fox then licked the human woman's hand when her hand was caressing the ears that was fluffy. "Alright, come here, we got something for you."

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Taiyang ordered as he approached the small pet and throwing the purple and black-colored berries, making Chifeng grimaced. "Hey, are you trying to poison it or something?" he said, not taking his eyes off from them. Naran chuckled, following his tracks. "Well, looks like your animal skills aren't nothing, Taiyang."

Jinghua merely frowned at his words, her calm demeanor hasn't changed for so many years, as usual. When the fruit was swallowed, Taiyang gasped; seeing the orbs fell off from its tail as it grew larger and smaller until it transformed into an image. The image was none other than the people they were seeking to rescue, it was Jun and Cheng. 'I see... it was an illusion from Dark Dragon which allows their allies and the Black Beasts to copy those people appearance, and their allies use this trick and giving false hope to the soldiers they almost tricked,' Baiheng concluded in his mind. If Jun and Cheng were found dead, that explains why they buried the bodies--perhaps knowing the victims are still alive. But, their bodies said to be frozen according to the witnesses, did they really defrost the corpses as flesh bodies before they made their escape?

They swore to kill the enemy in no time, or else Xanadu will fall under their tyranny.

"So, this is where it started."

Same Time in the Royal Halls...

Ruqian watched both Yinghua and Fang are reading the scrolls from what they gathered, he, Zihao and Yiyang had to keep an eye on the duo and their action. Just in case, if anything happens. The members from the Heavenly Imperial Quintet is preparing themselves for the next mission. Yinghua was looking very closely upon the scroll as she and Fang read the cryptic ones and all, carefully memorize it. Afterwards, they came back home to made the conclusion, while Ruqian was coming with them since he won't allow the two to be alone without an army at least. "What did you two found?"

Yiyang asked when she approached them, Zihao remained calm yet no emotions was visible. "Everything is... fabricated, the bodies were actually... not who we think it is," Fang answered. There's been a strange report sent by the hidden sect, from the old times. And this information could somehow linked to the previous war. "I mean, there's so many death threats here," Yinghua added, making a sweat drop. "Yeah, they are. Like you were right that there will be zombies," Yang cried comically, leaving them being very disturbed to the point like;

'Where did he even get it wrong?!' and 'He always likes that, huh?'

As both Fang and Yinghua shared the tea for a break and to do a cleanse for their minds, Yunjiao was still gazing at them--her envy just won't leave her for a bit. Ever since those two had become a Chief-Generals, her current rank as a Captain isn't enough--even though the position of becoming part of Twelve Imperial Pillars weren't available; she'll do anything even if the task is dangerous and or even risky. Meixiu shook her head, worrying that Yunjiao might do something that will even worse than an assassination attempt.

But, what will be her actions... once the truth revealed?

Yang was plotting an attempt how to tease Yunjiao who was distracted for a second as he peeked on her back, thinking a way that is kinda ridiculous or stupid, but nonetheless still fun. "Come on, are you seriously gonna drag us in your next stupid schemes?" Lingshan asked him, as she scolded at his typical nonsense schemes and wild imagination. He told the members who he was working together with the group was unknown and all other three rolled their eyes on him before leaving him--while Yang is going to plan to tease Yunjiao, much to her misery. "Pfft, how lame. And here I thought the two always had feelings towards each other," Yang grumbled.

"What?!"

Yunjiao snapped angrily as her cheeks flushed red when the people were giggling in silence, she saw everyone seems to notice her predicament. She felt irritated, and embarrassed. Did she reveal her own secret? Blushing in intense heat of embarrassment, she hid her reddened face while pouting her lips. "Just move on already, Yunjiao. You know his choice already. There's no chance the man could fall in love with a brat like you," Mingyu spoke calmly when he was playing with his zither, causing her to lower her head. She could hear the sound of the strings, as she lifted her head before disappearing at her chamber.

The other Chief-Generals has returned to the palace, they discovered one of the first scrolls was from the Xuanhuan sect and how it has been affiliated to the two heroes; Xue Jun and Zhou Cheng were the members and based upon the records; the group worked together with a lot of trustworthy warriors and the emissaries who came from the kingdoms or regions in Xanadu. "Any news regarding on these two's 'deaths' yet?" Zihao asked, checking the scroll and Baiheng folded his arms.

"No sign of deaths, we can't detect Lord Jun and Lord Cheng's traces."

Baiheng informed as Ruqian frowned. "That's mean, someone would must've use disguising themselves as that in order to fool the people--based upon the info we know on these murders, is their modus operandi," he concluded, making both Yinghua and Fang gritted their teeth and frowned deeply at his words. "A few moments ago, I suspected a military spy after I captured the suspect. No one can't afford having to leak Xanadu's strategic information including the Great Warriors' identities and background," Yinghua muttered and Fang. They never wished to hear that sounds or knew their family's fates, however they aren't given that they won't backed off on things. "We found a scroll by chance near the cliff or something, something really suspicious are going on and it's all made by a monster. Perhaps, a dragon-like reptile," Chifeng said, he reported in a short period.

Yinghua paled in realization, as she breathed in difficulty. "A dragon was responsible for this massacre? It must be the Dark Dragon who sent them into chaos for its amusement, by taking the human form," she growled. Thus, Fang approached her when he noticed her expression changed from horrified into anger. She clutched her fist, looking up to the night sky where the moon shines above the surroundings. "Calm down, a sign of rage can't make any way how to overcome the crisis," Sui-Feng calmly said, she knew herself very well. That single word made Yinghua twitched her fingers and looked away. "It was all clear, since those Black Beasts are considered as their weapons, while the mindless creatures served a part in building an army," Baiheng coldly pointed.

Somewhere...

There was a frozen iceberg located in a certain lake that makes the people shivered in chill, the creatures were roaming aimlessly around the area. Waiting. Because, the gate's core is somewhere hidden within this location. A frozen pillar which was somehow blocked or melted already. Until, a pair of glowing crystal-blue eyes can be seen before the view had turned away. Making a move while the mist and cold air surrounded the area. Zilian definitely knew this area, the Ice Dragon of Khagan Empire named Saran who's responsible for the large icebergs and frosty land--had a deep hatred for the Dark Dragon's imperial ruler. He wouldn't ask any aid from the other Dragon clans, the last of the Ice Dragons, the only one who remain unreachable.

"Alone without a will, only a mere and pathetic pawn that is being controlled."

Saran said silently as his figure appeared out of nowhere, standing on top of a large boulders when Zilian hovered ahead of the area. He was a tall young man with a long teal-colored hair, his cold icy-blue eyes like a gentle yet dangerous wolf staring right at his prey, his skin are very white and pale. His attire consists a black coat with green plates--accented with white and tan colors and matching the color scheme of the Dragon insignia he wore--which is green with a red-edged, similar to the Emperor's and a few clans. "Saran," Zilian muttered. It surprised him, Saran's life is full of riddles as the most intelligent Ice Dragon could read all sort of energies and determine the living states. "Did you escape from Yiren and Huifang too? How spectacular."

Zilian said with sarcastic tone, raising his head while Saran smirked smugly. Unlike Yiren and Huifang, he was the one and only Ice Dragon could suppress their real form and control their mind. They lived for millions of years and their lives is filled with secrets and truth, and Saran's ice powers are in a league of its own; his power level is far surpassed his brothers. "They're annoying, besides the Dragon King is still sealed away so your father won't disturb us--how come you're siding with humans, hm?" Saran asked, as a large icy lance appears on his hand. There's no way he could be bribed by humans, it will gonna lead him and the dark Dragon's clan to their path of destruction. "It's better than having to kill them, you can't just watch without doing anything or you may destroyed the whole entire time."

"Qingshan became mortal, huh? She's such a weak dragon, being a younger sister to Huifang does not mean she's equal to her. Humans are nothing but foolish and boring specks of dusts, let's say I can destroy them now? Hmm, I shall."

Saran tilted his chin before waving his free hand without a blink, Zilian made a dash but the distance was too far. He was sent being thrown away by the powerful waves of water that was used against him. "Pathetic, don't tell me Xanadu is becoming your another weakness. Like hell, nope," Saran said, calmly yet his tone are menacing as his coldness would send a shiver to those who experience or worst can sent directly towards their fears.

Zilian swung his sword, deflecting the attacks made by Saran. His weapon is made from ice crystal-blades, strong and very sharp. The latter easily predict his incoming moves, before shooting a snow sphere. Seeing it was too late, the icy sharp substance hit him in no time and sending him flew until collided towards the boulder.

Grunted, he stood there. Despite the body was cut, his regenerating powers easily heal the wounds in a matter of seconds and the swords was fixed in no time. Saran spat some saliva on the ice, facing Zilian who remained stoic and silent. "I know you're weak, I can use my dragon form and make your dad or the useless dragons understand our ways..." Saran said, feeling a smirk formed upon his pale lips. Yes, this power can easily ruled all over Xanadu and make it into the ruins. "You see, it would be easy if we all cooperated... wouldn't you think, Yuan Zilian?"

"Shut it."

Zilian muttered, throwing his icy dagger towards the enemy. The dagger successfully cut Saran's left leg as he gasped in pain, while Zilian's deep blue eyes slowly turned into a more murderous ones.

One must not forgot about Saran's mischievous nature is his fighting spirit, he can't fully trusted him or else Saran's idea will put a lot of innocent people in danger and their fears would escalated next time they couldn't defeat the black beast. He'll face any consequences, including betraying the dark Emperor and the alliance between a few dragon clans to help destroying Xanadu in his heart. No matter what happens, he won't shed any tears, he was willing to do anything to prevent the disasters from happening.

Meanwhile at the same night...

Meiying was all alone in the middle of the hallway, as she walked across the court when she remembered what Zilian meant to her. She decided to head towards the forest for a fresh air, Yufen was stopping her for a second. "Please, your highness... we are worried," Yufen insisted, earning the sigh from the young princess. "Do not worry, and besides I like to sit alone by myself every now and then... and sometimes enjoying the birds singing," Meiying told her as the old woman's expression went anxious and worried. "Just once..." she reassured, and Yufen nodded with a sigh and bowed.

After Meiying found the seat, she managed to avoid the guards who were patrolling around the palace while the others guarding inside. Then, she headed out and twirled her parasol--heading to the forest as she let out a soft sigh. Until, she entered the icy area--making her shivered and look around. "What? Why is it so cold?" she asked. Until, Meiying saw a male Ice Dragon lunges towards her and she bashed him with her parasol out of shock--causing Saran to yell in pain. The silver material made his skin a little bit bled, gritted his teeth. Meiying screamed while Zilian darted towards the area where his eyes are focused on his brother, feeling both furious and protective over the human princess.

Saran glared at Meiying, planning his revenge. "You stupid bitch," he cursed and nearly sent a massive snow shard attacked Meiying who saw her life flashed before her eyes when Zilian rushed and made a somersault, blocking the ice sphere before letting a glare on Saran. His blue eyes glared on his brother's and growling, this is the first time Meiying witnessed such a real battle between ice dragons but cannot believe that some dragons are indeed exist in this world. "You bastard, how dare you attempt to kill this human?!"

Zilian roared angrily while the former was slightly scoffed, giving him a disdainful gaze. "Pathetic, besides why are you protecting them in the first place?" Saran growled, before Meiying sat there in fear. "You protect this weak dragon girl?" she repeated as his tone become more irritable. "Yes, she's a friend!" Zilian answered firmly while his palms remained holding Meiying's; despite her body are still shaking. Just thinking of those people he knew and his family's whereabouts, he realized the truth and the reason behind their isolation and secrecy. 'Good, no more reason to lie further.'

"A weak and useless reptilian creatures like you are not at all worthy to get a friend or a mate, can't you listen your enemies talk?! Just face reality that you're are nothing but a failure for ruining my greatest plan. Oh, poor Princess Wu Meiying here... or, should I say... Meimei," the young Ice Dragon slyly said as he pointed his finger at her, making Meiying scowled at him. "Your father, mother and brother are such a disappointment, can you understand, Princess Wu Meiying...?"

"Don't do it, bastard!"

Zilian snarled in sheer anger, his cold cyan eyes glared deep into Saran's emotionless icy blues. When he stood up with the sword in hand, the ice floor are forming frost. Meiying sat there quietly, watching him unsheathe the sword out before moving forward. Have she thought of being vulnerable and unable to fight? Her protection is this pink parasol, given by her father that has silver materials; it could kill any Dragon kins whoever tried to attack her. "Don't... think I will spare you, Zilian. I despise you for your refusal," Saran cruelly stated, releasing a small yet sharp ice dart upon the blade. Zilian merely raised his guard, deflected the attacks. His sword, glows in yellowish green energy and the light blue aura are circulating all around his body. "Meiying, don't worry. I won't let Saran lay a hand on you..."

Meiying heard him which she growled, she saw Saran was about to attack her until she used her parasol to whack his head while Zilian landed his punches on him.

Zilian summoned a shard of ice, stabbing it to the ground to blind the enemy's vision. Saran roared loudly, he was struggling as he was unable to see clearly on his surroundings. A dragon's weakness is both silver... and gold materials, humans use it for their benefit and can defeat them with ease--most warriors and Imperial soldiers have silver and gold weapons capable to destroy the whole tribe or clan at least. He would lost to the prey which has no power-level in terms of fighting. But, how can humans had very strong internal energy as well as external energy due to their strong wills.

It was proven in the ancient myths; about Xanadu's ancient age where the Dragons were exiled to another dimension or realm and escaped from Xanadu by using portals, leading them into the vast land to settle down. Hearing the commotion, Meiying then found herself embraced by Zilian in a protective yet tight grip and her eyes went opened to see the damage. Saran was laying on the ground, panting heavily with both swollen eyes but he gritted his teeth in vain. "Fuck... Zilian, since when you're ever become this strong? With or without humans," Saran questioned and managed to get himself stood up, slightly stumbling before he was able to leave the area. His limping state suggests the blood dripping off from his wounds.

Once the duo spotted his now-evaporated physical appearances, they made a sigh of relief.

They stared each other; Zilian saw the tears staining her cheeks and some streaming out from her hazel orbs--he rubbed her cheeks, caressing and wiping off the tears off. 'Gentle, is he always nice like that? And thank the heavens that... he saved me,' she mentally contemplated. Meiying lifted her head, surprised to see a genuine smile upon his face and her cheeks were flushed red in embarrassment when he embraces her body closer, wiping off her tears.

"You should be careful, or else I'm unable to forgive myself," he murmured, his eyes were suddenly filled with the tender love. That's a first time Meiying has seen him act like that, once the latter lowered his hands on her shoulders and facing him. Inaudibly gasped in surprise, she didn't know what she just saw. "Zilian... you idiot, you almost leave me," Meiying sniffed, she could felt his palm held her hand gently. Still rubbing her wet cheeks with his thumb. "Sorry, you're safe in my arms. Now that's all mattered to me," Zilian said warmly.

"But, since we already grown a relationship--I want to say thank you. You had my back, and I'm always had yours."

"Okay, I will say. You are a total sweetheart."

"I need you, dear... I'm glad you're a girl like you because I don't want to marry a brat. Not, considering that many princes and nobles had eyes on you," he added, resting his head upon her right shoulder. "Meiying!" she heard the Emperor who was her father shouted, coming with the other Great Warriors as she turn around to see them. Fuyin saw his daughter was okay, before the Emperor glanced at Zilian who was protecting her the whole time. "Don't hurt him, he saved me after I ended up going into the forest alone," Meiying cried, shielding Zilian behind her when the Emperor had approached her. The others watched in awe, seeing her actions towards the half-human Dragon prince with an expression mixed of both worry, disappointment and guilt upon her pretty face.

Fuyin glanced down to see the blade protruding towards the ground, before looking at the young duo who went a few feet apart from the Emperor. "Meiying, child, I made a big mistake in thinking you're just an innocent spoiled princess. But, you're also a selfless girl who cares about her friends and loved ones... despite the times you rebelled against the law," Fuyin muttered while his fists trembled before turning away. Empress Xiao catch up on them as she saw her daughter Meiying is okay, so she hug her tightly. Chengxun was relieved that his older sister is okay, he saw Zilian bowed to them. "My sincere apologies for making an attempt to kill you both, but I'm doing it... to get the Philosopher's Stone so I can retrieve my human mother's soul and--"

"Stand up."

Fuyin ordered which Zilian wasn't objecting and a sign of humility shown on his face, is the Emperor is actually forgiving him or temporarily? Meiying could see his eyes are saddened; most humans or higher beings got terrified whenever his blue icy orbs change into a murderous one. Zilian simply looked at the Great Warriors with a grave gaze on his face, his demeanor doesn't made anyone being creeped out. "Yuan Zilian, you're half-human, correct?" he questioned, which he nodded back. "I see... allow us to give you the hospitality in the palace, don't be selfish on walking further on the other side," the Emperor suggested. The Great Warriors nodded, they noticed the duo had become acquaintances.

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