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Meiying slowly open her eyes as she look around her surroundings, she flinched that she was in the cave of the Dark Mountain. As she grabbed her parasol beside her, she remembered that when she fell asleep--someone abducted her from the palace when nobody are facing their backs. Just a few minutes before the announcement happened, was it really the end of their dream? The princess grew saddened and depressed at the discovery of this area. 'Father... Mother... Brother... I know you were waiting for me, but... can I go back to you?' she wondered in her mind, making her heartache more and even her eyes are tearing.

Just when she was about to get up and find a way out, she could hear some footsteps approaching. As she tried to recall the map around the mountain and a secret shortcut out, but then when she saw a figure coming closer. Her eyes widened in shock and didn't believe it at all! It was Chief-Commander, whose eyes are glowing as an indication that he's somewhat... off. His eyes went blank was making Meiying grew fear and her body was backing away from him. No doubt about it, he's definitely the one and not a clone.

"Tell me, girl. Who the strongest of your siblings?"

When he asks her, his deep voice was like an awakening from his slumber when his eyes glared daggers at her; watching her movement as she began to shake and sweat dripping from her forehead. She clenched her fists, before she realized something... which she barked. "Oh, I get it now! You're trying to mess with my family's stability... well, I'll make sure my parents will give YOU the beating you deserved after what you've done!" Meiying bravely retorted, standing her ground and pointing her finger at his direction. "And by the way, your clone self will regret serving the enemies--it won't last long," she added, keeping a taunting smirk on her face. "Father was so kind to bring you to the military because of YOUR father, Chief-Commander Zihao... but your obsession with immortality will destroy him!"

"As if I give a fuck."

He moved close to her as he had a creepy smile, Meiying shrieked that he walked quickly to her direction. Then, Zihao grabbed her hair as it caused her pain and shock, she almost hit his face and he let go but she fell down flat on her back. The pain sent her growling to his face, even Zihao looked disgusted and didn't care her that much. She stand up again, holding her parasol as she grumbled. "Your late-father is scared that Fang and Yinghua's parents find out about your clan's schemes of obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, by assassinating almost half of Xue and Zhou families. You are the product of his experiment, not an experiment of god-playing child," she warned, narrowing her eyes.

"Ha! Talk about the heroics and justice... like it will work! Good lu-"

Until she kick his crotch, forcing him to kneeled in his pain and felt something broken. "Yeah, I know that. You're quite a good manipulator, sending all of the Chief-Generals to avoid their suspicion... no wonder, one of the Dragon kins gain an access during that announcement of yours and turn that area into rubble," she interrupted, and clapping her hands. "Good job, you think I'm just a spoiled damsel in distress? Wrong."

'That's her... the one of them.'

Zihao smirked, seeing she was standing upright and making a defensive pose. "Ah, getting brave aren't we? Such a shame you won't win against me," he said, as Meiying keep an eye on him. "I heard stories about you, Chief-Commander Zihao... you're one of the heroes who does a lot of Cultivation--or the quest for immortality since the Dragons are being greedy just for power. Am I right or not?" she recalled. "Yup. Damn good hearing, girl," Zihao admit, placing his sword over his shoulders and grinned in an unpleasant manner. "I had a dream... of wanting to avenge Xanadu Empire, or perhaps.... living in the paradise without end," he stated.

Meiying twirled her umbrella around her hand before resting it on her left side. It's no doubt, all thanks to Zihao's mastermind manipulation and his insane goals that almost led them on the wrong path or way from the truth. Her anger increased, why is her fate so ridiculous and unfair? But, she behaves like a spoiled princess with tantrum--to cover her true personality.

"... how... horrible."

Until, he suddenly appeared in front of her before she almost hit him, even Meiying stumbled a little--barely dodged his grab. Zihao saw that she moved aside to deflect and countered his action. 'Her expression tells it all, as if she's hiding her kindness. Are all of these mean nothing? What a spoiled brat,' the villain mused, until he let out a laughter. And indeed, he predicted her moves as she was planning her attacks. "If you're gonna try running away, it will be less interesting," Zihao told her, laughing at her. However, Meiying was never falling into his trick. "But knowing your 'smiles' and actions... you have no choice but serve him, not the other way around..."

Zihao trailed off, before he yelled when she hit her parasol against his nape--the silver material made his skin almost burnt and exposed his bones for a split second. His body fell on the ground, not a part of his hair was burned--except his mouth area was bleeding and his bare chest slightly smoking. Meiying was horrified, the whole time... she's aware of the truth. "So... you're lying to your allies and tricked them?"

"......"

The Black Beasts was no ordinary creature either, they used someone's remains as a living body--making them appear weak but deception can destroy everything. They were so crafty and sneaky as no one realized the trickery inside the people who were brought to death, nor Xanadu Empire's surroundings or beyond--if the situation they made worse. "You know the answer already, Princess Wu Meiying."

The voice crept her, but she wasn't letting him get off too easy. "Heh, so I am assuming that Dark Dragon made you his puppet, huh? Well, your little secret will reveal sooner than later... bitch," she uttered at the end, making him growled. "I've come so far, no one will deny that... least, not even you!"

Zihao snarled as his eyes changed to yellow eyes, he was becoming part of the black and yellow-colored Dragon kin. First he started to become larger, then his skin color that was originally brown--turned into a charcoal-skin and his hair grew out to an extend and spikes similar to a hedgehog are attached to his spine. He hissed when Meiying aimed her parasol at him, making Zihao step back a little. Meiying took a chance to attack, slashing and spinning around due to his defense is invulnerable. "Since you don't care what's right and wrong, are you?" she asked in a monotone manner, he growled. Meiying slowly walking away as she looked back, the same sad expression are shown--it was clear to her: this war was meant to occur.

"Let me state this..." Zihao muttered, reverting back into his human form. "Zhang Xiu died long time ago, my grandfather killed him--but indirectly getting the miasma through the scroll. I thought my grandfather didn't destroy it... but, my father choose to pass the remaining scroll for the Empire," the Chief-General told, while the princess walk her own way down from the mountain. What was she supposed to say, when she doesn't knew the past backstory--maybe her uncle or grandmother could've explained enough.

She never seen Dark Dragon's true-form, rather she was trapped in a cage where her sight and movement could hardly detected. "The Dragon King was sealed thanks to YOUR father's scrolls, together with the other three Heavenly Rulers of Zhongjing, Luohan and Taishan! Emperor Wu Fuyin, your father--prevented me from entering the forbidden places," Zihao shouted, but Meiying let out a breath and thought there would be an evil side living within them as part of an essential plot.

"I have a plan, I will wipe away everything that remain... and I'll start with you."

He pointed out, as a sudden wave of a powerful crimson bolt engulfed her body without warning. "Fuck!" she snapped, shielding the eyesight with her umbrella. It caused her to kneeled on the ground, leaving a dust and debris flying around. Zihao began to running towards her, to strike her like an animal or a murderous maniac. "NEVER RUNNING AWAY AND EXPECTING GOOD THINGS WILL WORK, WHEN DESTRUCTION IS NOTHING BUT YOUR PATHETIC END RESULTS!"

Meiying can do it, she's taught by Zilian not to be a weak person, and remember the moments her father teaches her how to fight and the skills. But the pain strikes again, and Zihao's rage drove him mad than ever. This dragon power...

Meiying, Zilian and their friends.

Suddenly, her hazel-brown orbs were glowing in pink color, forming an energy sphere from her palm and released a powerful beam, damaging her enemy's body and he began to back away, clutching his side when a heavy wound slashed through his chest and nearly burnt to crisps. With no mercy, she did another beam upon her enemy and unleashed a large smoke smothering her along the whole area. However, nothing yet done. As she saw her parasol morphed into a pair of pink fans with pink gem-like beads, she look up as she smiled grimly--she always wanted to show off her traditional dancing skills if someone asking her.

With her eyes kept it's pink color. She make a pose in a zen formation, taking a deep breath when she starts. 'She really did that... which means she is the final one...' Zihao wondered, watching her dance slowly around the snow-covered area which leaves her footprints. When her fans collided with each other, a powerful wave of petals covered the entire mountain, every flowers in the roots must have been bloomed by her willpower. This is too dangerous, Zihao will have no choice but using his ultimate technique against her. He started to made a dash, running towards her when Meiying faced him and he closed his eyes and prepared himself.

Meiying made a graceful jump and twirl around as she spun in the air, unleashing the glowing energy before throwing it down which cause a large amount of explosion. After she did that, since Zihao was not on the site--she fell down comically with a shocked expression. "What... DID I JUST DO?!" she screamed, before she facepalmed and let out a sheepish chuckles while Zihao was nowhere in her site. "Meiying!" she heard Zilian shouted, going to her place. "W-Wah!" she let out in a panic tone, sitting up as she watched him settled down after hovering on the air and transformed back into his human form. "How about you guys, I..."

"Worrying too much."

Zilian told her when he walk towards her, she nodded with a nervous smile as they turned to look at the view. The people were trying their best to defend the cities from being looted or attacked by those two dragons who stood far away, the smoke had cleared. Zihao was growling as he landed before them, injured yet regenerating. Not even an inch too far when the trio noticed him, Meiying leaped towards him as she took her parasol. "Fuck off, now."

She hissed, preparing her stabs as her umbrella is light and sturdy enough to deal him damage. However, this time, the Chief-General finally got his moment. "Are you kidding me?" Zilian snorted at him as his fists were showing a few sparks of ice shards, ready to attack him.

The Dark Dragon stood ahead of them and made a hiss while facing the duo with a pissed-off look. Suddenly, a pillar of flame erupt from underneath the ice and leaving the duo surprised as the ice began to form something. Soon, another three pillars of flame erupted before them and giving form to another three beasts that makes a total number four. When the pillar of flame ended, it revealed the other four forms. In addition, they just didn't realized that two smaller beasts were standing behind Zihao and their size were about medium. "You think you can stop me from awakening your father, Yuan Zilian?"

Zihao spoke after he cleared his throat, before a voice was calling him. "Zihao, don't make your actions regrettable," Baiheng spoke as he stood beside Sui-Feng, she was grinning as she was thrilled to face them and fighting off the strong beasts. Soon, the other Chief-Generals arrived but Yinghua, Fang and Ruqian were on their ways to deal with the Emperor's problem and that is retrieving the last one scroll for the family which hidden with mystery; as Zihao thought the fused scroll contains more answers, meanwhile the scroll hidden somewhere else and once found. "Hmph, knew it. No wonder you idiots have found what's the treasure about--destroy it in pieces. But... it won't be easy, fool."

"However, I don't think we're seeing the Philosopher's Stone for long."

"Exactly."

Sui-Feng responded with her hands folded, her cocky personality will give Zihao an agonizing painful loss. "Zihao! Did you know all of this?!" Naran angrily yelled, making him turned towards his direction. "Chief-Generals, go handle the rest. Master Baiheng and I will handle this together with Princess Meiying... and Dragon Prince Zilian," Sui-Feng declared, grabbing a dual gunblades and snapping her fingers.

"Zilian, Meiying..."

Baiheng said his words, his presence behind the couple and making Meiying understood. "Right."

Zihao clenched his fists, watching the two Great Chief-Generals landed on the ground from the cliff--facing the Chief-Commander. Meiying told Zilian about her emotions and worries. He was aware and accepted them, for a short moment. She wanted to confess to him, which made him surprised when she embraced him into her arms and confessed her feeling. "Let me help," Meiying whispered.

"... you're welcome."

Seeing both of them hugged, Baiheng thought it's probably time to find her courage. With Meiying keeping an eye on the incoming threat, she felt herself the emotion needed to bring her desire. "What, thinking about Jinghua already?" Sui-Feng teased him, seeing Baiheng retained his cold and apathetic personality. "Don't get distracted now!" she responded with snort, firing a few shots at the dragon at bay, trying to push him as he sighed. "Yes, in a couple of days after today. Go and help the others," Baiheng recalled, turning his back from them. His gaze went over to the Chief-Commander, he already have his plans set into motion.

"Hmph. All of this is the matter of choosing the right moment."

Meanwhile, Yinghua was securing the Philosopher's Stone inside the chamber together with the Jade Natatorium which connected and the door where the said stone's secrets lies was almost cracked, indicating the Dragon King's revival. At first, she was on a mission where Fang will climb up, unlock the door and threw her his rope where Yinghua will grab ahold and was secure hanging on the cliff with their sheer strength. And yet, it wasn't supposed to have secret entrance underwater. She look around the area with the other Chief-Generals, seeing the Emperor, Empress and Meiying's younger brother Chengxun are still in healing process in the Jade Natatorium. "Zilian told us to stop the revival of the Dragon King."

Fang informed as he bashed his sword against the Black Beast beside him, avoiding the claw strike which Ruqian swung his blade of his sword towards the enemy's throat. "Yeah, since we're here with the other Chief-Generals--we have to either guard or keep away the people!" Chifeng shouted. He spin and blasted energy bullets towards the enemies when they notice them. The battle has begun, destroying the enemy as a means of preventing the upcoming war.

Back at the castle where the duo fighting, Zilian and Meiying can see the Dark Dragon's transformation getting bigger and Baiheng and Sui-Feng looked not surprised. "Uhh... is this your first time dealing with ferocious creature like this?" Meiying asked, noticing a smirk came from Sui-Feng's lips. "Chief-Generals have killed a lot of huge ass monster like this--the fucking big one, because I don't even think there's a huge ass giant that won't have trouble because they're small. We've already been beaten the dragon-sized enemies, that's a huge change here," she clarified, slamming her fists as the giant dragon continue growing larger. "Fang defeated Haishan, Yinghua defeated Taotie, Naran defeated the Revenger of the Tempest," Zilian finished, and Meiying pondered how much battles these people do. "How about Master Baiheng?" she asked.

"He... is the master of those."

Baiheng have killed several monsters and dark creatures too, beating powerful villains like the other Chief-Generals. He glanced at Sui-Feng's smirk while clenching her fists with a cocky and taunting expression to Zihao, somehow it made the dragon was getting enraged more than ever. Meiying readied her parasol and glaring at the monster fiercely, while Zilian can feel his knuckles hurt, and making Baiheng hummed calmly. "Both of you, leave this matter to us. Also... summon Master Fang and Master Yinghua here, in order to prove them as one of the Great Heroes like us. I shall evaluate their performance," he informed, and they obeyed.

Zihao roared as they were charging against the two high-ranking Great Warriors, before both of them jumped as Sui-Feng launched her dual gunblades against the large serpentine-like body and ambushing her teal-yellow burning flames with the blue ones, causing the Dark Dragon screeched--getting hit and hiss in pain. Baiheng swung his katana, as the swarming plum blossoms began to bloom and wrapped the dragon by inflicting the petals' poison before Sui-Feng swung up before she jumped down the creature's head with a giant dragon blade is imbued with the green chi upon. She sliced the Dark Dragon's neck, forcing him retreated and his neck regenerating his part's flesh and scales.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Regeneration?"

Sui-Feng questioned with a smirk, grabbing the handle and landed on the ground alongside her comrade. "Since they're immortals, they're impossible to destroy physically," Baiheng stated, seeing the Chief-Commander recovered from the attack and smirking when he thought about his chance. Since he have a couple of weaknesses, once the three are found--then he's done for. "So many armored scales, he intentionally let the weaker foes take out the obstacles," Sui-Feng snorted.

Sui-Feng's smug is the least that Zihao can tolerate, though he can't resist the temptation of crushing them to oblivion. 'The only way to stop them is to distract them or disarming their techniques,' Baiheng guessed, avoiding the dark clash of spell as they continue the battle. On the other side, Fang and Yinghua were talking to Taiyang, Yiyang and Ruqian until they saw Meiying and Zilian are here. "Fang, Yinghua! Master Baiheng and Master Sui-Feng summon both of you for a test!" the princess informed, leaving the two thinking of anything odd. And before any seconds away, their minds were in shock of their memory. "Crap, how come we forgot... THAT?!" Yinghua gasped, Fang was having the same reaction. "Well, since today's very busy... but why they summoned you two early? It's very fucking weird..." Yiyang spoke, watching the duo were making a quick speech together.

"Alright alright, switch places with us! Both of you handle the sealed Dragon King, we'll see about the people down below!"

Fang shouted before he and Yinghua nodded at one another, as Zilian and Meiying gave their signal to clear the entrance to the Jade Natatorium, opening their eyes and ran as quickly as possible. Soon, Fang and Yinghua arrive in the area over the snow mountains. Sui-Feng kept doing her attacks when Baiheng was doing an offense/defense since he barely move from his position and only blocked some of the attacks. Zihao attempted to snatch the duo but, Yinghua aimed her gunblade and shot a few rapid bullets. When the bullets are touched, they become large beams and crush the enemies alongside Fang that swung his sword and managed to let out a small blood and causing the enemies to be knocked out for the meantime, holding his gunlance on his left hand. "Sorry we're late!"

The duo shouted; Yinghua can't waste any second she made to tell a joke, instead their duty is important. "Hmph," Baiheng hummed, looking at the two as he stated. "In order to become a full-fledged Great General, you have to prove yourself that you're born to conquer. So, Master Sui-Feng... deal a move which are stronger than your own. See how far these two will work on me," he announced, seeing the Chief-General let out a grin and ready to fight like an actual devil. Fang and Yinghua stood united and prepared themselves in a zen stance, seeing the Dark Dragon growled.

"Huh, you guys are damn interesting. Too bad, my focus isn't on you. One of the four pillars shall be ready, so I can awaken the Dragon King to slaughter all of you!" Zihao hissed, spitting out a huge and ugly black mist from his mouth. Yinghua shoot several pink-colored cherry blossom energy towards the black cloud and exploding the cloud. "We're planning to do our best and defend from the other side while you guys take care of the enemies here. Especially... this motherfucker can put Dark Dragon to sleep," she said before Sui-Feng was closing her eyes and releasing herself. "Hmmm, speaking of it... it sure doesn't look tough, just a piece of ordinary big snake-scaled punk," Sui-Feng trailed, kicking several more bones which broken into two or more bones.

Fang always admired Baiheng who was the savior of his clan's crisis because of Black Beasts attack, the nobleman of Weiying clan since he can remember a few days after his birth--his father would tell him the story. Meanwhile, Sui-Feng is famous among Baiheng's group since they defeated a Great Beast named Musabera of Khagan Empire and protected the city from invasion of Black Beasts and Maras who destroyed several of its citizens. Yinghua on the other hand, can't help but thinking this war is meant to happen... because what Zihao stated made sense.

"Master Baiheng."

Baiheng heard Fang addressed him, listening with his back was facing him while in defensive pose. "I wanted to ask you something, Sir... about something from the past events from Khagan Empire? Was the King from one of the Three Kingdoms... trying to hide it to everyone?" he asked, holding his gunlance with his two hands. Baiheng was silent, his eyes opened and turned away with a sigh. "Sadly, it's true," Baiheng replied, before they engaged in a battle against the Dark Dragon--while conversing casually as if nothing happen and avoiding the bashes. "Not all rulers are perfect, nor are they innocent. One day, long time ago... just for power... just for wealth... for the hatred and loathsome, corruption exists in the name of their victory and lost."

"History repeats itself because someone was the puppet master of their lives. And, you two were the products of a puppeteer," Baiheng added, while Zihao threw another deadly move which hit the mountain. Yinghua was listening as she slashed her gunblade together with her mentor Sui-Feng, forcing the enemy to pushed back from the mountain. "Is the fact hidden from them? I must've seen the evil inside ourselves as a human being, because no doubt... the past life and the past events creates the end goal and the future... without much exception. Or some people do," Baiheng warned, hearing the roars of the ancient monster filled with malevolent shadows. "I must admit, not all laws are perfect--even if I'm a law-abiding citizen of Xanadu Empire. Even killing someone who have similar objective and mission like us, we will never learn and we will only try to deceive others with fake compassion," he finished his words, as the three managed to attack the Dark Dragon.

Yinghua was shocked, the secret of the true monster has been revealed. Fang frowned, holding her shoulder. "Right, there will be evil existing inside the people... we cannot let this happen as long as we don't want another war occurred! After all, Xanadu have tons of civilizations that supported and respected us... the leaders, people, scholars... even young kids admired us! I bet there will be a day our enemies are falling for sure," she finally spoke, clashing her sword and gunblade with Sui-Feng as her mentor grinned at her. Her confidence never changed.

"Then... Shall we test our powers out?!"

Fang was excited about it, a great event like this makes him satisfied. Yinghua laughed with confidence. "Yes we shall!" she retorted, facing the large enemies ahead of her and using her barrier and smashing several corpses which was floating using her hands combined with a powerful swing of her fist, forming a powerful radiance which caused several dozen zombies were destroyed. Yinghua shot her powerful spiritual bullet--a burst of various energy to the dragons which causing a bit massive damage upon their bodies.

Sui-Feng had enough, and prepared her attack. Without wasting time, she whistled when the two are at her right and left side. Yinghua can see a form of a light gate behind her--showing a magic circle on the other side which Baiheng noticed it was a form of Sui-Feng's most dangerous technique, Raging Moon Heavenly Gate. "Fang, Yinghua--whatever things you will fight, go on head."

Baiheng broke their guard and got both of the couple's attention. With the few swings, Fang released a large amount of power energy shards from his gunlance. Then, his mentor Baiheng unleashed his most dangerous technique; Censure of the Plum Blossom. It is a technique developed through the Art of Heaven; capable of combining together elements of the other seven Supreme Arts. It allows the practitioner to combine his power with those of his fellow warriors. Each martial arts, skill, specialization and masteries are considered in the formula as each Art were different, thus the Great Chief-General were known for their strength and techniques.

No wonder, becoming a Chief-General also requires a lot of mastery in Arts of Heaven--an art of alchemy that controls the ancient elements to their whims, and giving them an unlimited power. Yinghua's jaw dropped, no wonder they have to learn more about their ability and Fang grew immersed by that beautiful beams.

After the flashy effect's explosion, they were taken a slight damage from the Dark Dragon's body. Baiheng almost huffed his breath, his comrades sensed it--as the huge beam came forth. "It's now, use your powers--it will enhance your attacks greatly," Baiheng commanded the young pair, and Yinghua have known some hints. Yinghua close her eyes as she concentrates on her Art of Heaven element--Spring Plum Flower that she made on her own, before she jumps and spiraling against the beast's face, slashing repeatedly using her sword and gunblade swiftly. She then combine both of her energy in order to finish off, seeing several crystals are materializing which increased her strength.

Yinghua manage to break the skin, but the beast began to regenerate again with the addition of the Black Beasts coming near and fighting their enemies. Zihao let out a proud laughter, as Yinghua growls. Fang unleashed his Art of Heaven element known as Virtuous Beauty--before he made constructive strikes with his sword and soon shooting his gunlance against the black creatures, When he stand beside Yinghua, she looks calm and composed as they watched the Dark Dragon growling in anger by double strikes.

On the other side, Meiying visited the area where the sealed Dragon King was--seeing Zilian's father who was chained within the pond and she can see how monstrous the Dragon King is. She hold Zilian's arm so she can comfort him from fear and rage, and look up to the Dragon King. Even though it was sleeping, the power were immense. "Meiying, don't get too close to him. If you do, you might..." Zilian stuttered, leaving Meiying worried.

"Zilian, I know it's impossible to fight the monster. Not one human alive can become immortal and get unstoppable powers, maybe there's something this Dragon King is hiding... maybe Zihao and his late-father got deceived," the young princess speak, keeping her attitude. "That's not the case, though."

They heard Yiyang's voice and turn to their direction, seeing Taiyang, and Naran are walking. The three were wounded, and also Ruqian stand in front with a smirk and a blood on his lips. "I just beat Zihao's men, I missed killing criminals from inside and my skills went better than before," he remarked, making Yiyang just rolled her eyes. "Yeah, talking about the villains. Who did the assassination?" she asked, Taiyang hummed with his eyes closed--looking to the view. "I gathered some of the Zihao's allies, you might find this shocking--one of them is... Yinghua and Fang's friends," he whispered, making Meiying shocked. "What? How come? Who was it?"

"Not now, because we need to deal with this motherfucker since soon... he's going to awake," Taiyang responded, shutting down Meiying's response. "Wakey wakey, bastard," Naran taunted, stomping the edge of the pond and the chains are struggling to break free which Meiying gasped. Somehow, Ruqian was wondering how was he sleeping without so much distractions. There was a silence, before Zilian sighed. "I can wake him up, after all... he's my father," he explained.

"Alright, you can do it," Yiyang replied, stepping back for a short moment. After the final nod, Zilian decided to wake him up in his sealed state within the pond, lowering his head in prayer and the sacred chants. Then, the pond began to crack; water and ice began to burst before the heavy figure emerge in massive streams, scattering ice. While Meiying and Yiyang was amazed at the powerful aura the Dragon King possessed, Naran was silently watching and Ruqian thought he's something bigger. Everyone looks up and saw the fully awakened Dragon King emerged from the pond. The serpentine head resurfaced with several chains that sealed him, clinking when they rubbed against one another.

But the Dragon King looked different since his hair is no longer spiky and messy, rather the long white mane on the creature's back is reaching its end. If it were 3,000 years ago, his visage have turned awfully fierce like the sea dragon he resembled of--pale azure, blue orbs and several armored scales were covering around his face. "Don't underestimate his capabilities, because right now... not all can do damage him and healing abilities."

Taiyang warned, watching the creature let out a hiss as it raised and lowered its neck while restrained by the chains, glaring at the young half-dragon with rage. "My son... why did you return with these humans? Do you think that will be enough to defeat me?!" the Dragon King's deep voice echoed, his voice was laced with ancient venom and malevolence. But somehow, the atmosphere became solemn. "Even with your incredible power, not even the Gods can save your precious city! In order to avoid the destruction of Xanadu Empire and gain my power, all you have to do is unlock the treasure box using the key, and you can do anything you can," the elder dragon continued.

Zilian remained silent, looking as his face was not the same. The tone of his words felt like 'hopeless'. Meiying was horrified, however Zilian wouldn't answer him. The Princess never knew him, so she chose not to step in nor distract. "Why should I do what you wanted to do, father? I thought the Philosopher's Stone's destruction put our lives at risk! So why did I return? Why did I helped our enemy?" Zilian suddenly yelled, breaking his cold composure. His father's reaction turns to anger, his expression turned foul. "You dare to oppose me, coward?! Fool, the key was passed down from Emperor Wu Fuyin when I didn't realize the traps placed inside the secret library, so all I have to do is lure the Wu clan to forcefully break the seal and get rid of a few minions inside to retrieve the scroll!"

The elder dragon growled, beginning to slither towards him. If Zilian could answer with a shout, Meiying and Yiyang were thinking what was the most dreadful secret to kept forever, but one is hidden for a mysterious purpose. However, Zilian aim his palm and made an ice beam, hitting the elder dragon. "I won't let you repeat of the war," the half-Dragon prince retorted, having a sneer. Meiying felt very disappointed and furious, still keeping her cool demeanor as she prepared her parasol and hold it close. "How dare you... defying me and using your Ice power against me? Not only the girl can manipulate your mind, but also turning you into a weakling, what a shame."

"Even so, I made a decision!"

With his son's response, the Dragon King can't help but burst into anger while listening to him. "There, when I receive your command for the first time--I was just following what you said. Until, this princess..." Zilian trailed off, looking at Meiying before he continues. Meiying look up and they glance at each other. She is truly a beautiful princess, and meeting her changed Zilian's heart and his mindset. "... she was the reason that not all humans are scary, she reminds me... of my human mother. This, what's most important and what I truly need."

"... are you seriously becoming an ally of the humans? No matter how many times I want to understand, you've betrayed my trust of escaping and making a living with them!" his father hissed, raising his claw and trying to grab him. Meiying was planning to lend a hand but Yiyang restrain her arms and the Dragon King look down to see the silver-haired human-dragon, clutching his fist tight as he tried to reason the elder dragon. "And yet, look at our world--we kill everything and left ruins, that isn't our goal. Even you were angry by the Gods' decision, it was normal. We..."

"Enough, I don't want to hear it! Time after time, I failed... and will never found my missing wife! As if I like being a man, I want to become something that is greater than a human! Unlike you... are ignorant and blinded."

The Dragon King was furious, before the chains suddenly torn apart--probably after they got weaken since it can only hold off the physical form. His words sting Zilian's eyes, filled with regret and remorse of his actions that he made after he went back to his senses. "Goddamnit, we shouldn't have trusted Zihao on this shit-fest! That manipulative little, blackmailing bastard is behind ALL OF THIS!" Naran cursed under his breath, everyone agreed except Ruqian. "Don't make that assumption yet, Naran. I know why the seals are weakened, Zihao intentionally accompanying his Majesty along the Kings of the Three Kingdoms long time ago... he did sabotage the seal in order for his freedom," he corrected him, recalling his encounter with the Chief-Commander long time ago. "He promised me to cease my immortality from this curse, yet... he fucking lied. He's really, in a difficult predicament."

"Is that so?"

They stopped before seeing the elder dragon rose from the rubble as the whole area until Taiyang take out the Philosopher's Stone, wishing for the seals to be returned. Zilian's ice barrier, and chained in blue electric, it's a heavy damage enough to break the stone but remain strong and intact. "Your barrier was a total defense, but not invincible. With a quick touch, this will keep you weak and paralyzed. Hehehehe... don't worry, not yet--at least your potential aren't use it on me yet, hahahaha!" Zilian's father laughing, Yiyang clenched her fists while growling a bit, but calm down and sighed.

Soon, the spirit-like elemental chain connected the Dragon King's hand appeared and wrapped the Philosopher's Stone that he swiped using his snout before tossing it. Ruqian used his blade to deflect his elemental claws while Taiyang was watching carefully at the Dragon King's mannerism; Taiyang then blocked his bites and trying to immobilize and slash their arms off by locking their arm. As the elder dragon launched a fire attack which hitting Yiyang and Naran, Meiying dodge and counter his attacks.

'This doesn't look good, especially those three did attempt to defeat him. Just a scratch might be enough to sent us falling into doom,' Ruqian thought, narrowly avoiding his punch and tail hits. "I might have to use this," he said, his red eyes flared as he grinned--his bloodlust in killing emerges as he unleashed his sword Bǐànhuā (Equinox Flower); he laughed maniacally as he made deep cuts on the Dragon King that could paralyze him and a massive amount of lightning crackles from his blade. This type of technique shall become forbidden because... it won't heal quickly. Meiying's parasol created powerful whirlwind energy which disrupting the Dragon King's movement--throwing one of her fans and the electric bolt coming forth while the fan homing on their target.

"I ruled all elements, why is this happening?! My soldiers are dead, the others will deal with the other two..."

Zilian's father fumed, his rage kept increasing but Meiying have to destroy him so her partner can avoid this chaos without any sacrifices--as he needed to activate the seal once more after it was damaged, getting tired. On the other side, Fang and Sui-Feng were slashing the Dark Dragon's body off, sending him flew as Yinghua fired another bullet and Baiheng made another swarm of pink blossoms against the whole dark creatures.

"He's too strong, this is what happens when we're not strong enough to beat him!" Fang shouted, shooting his own bullets at the enemy. Yinghua's eye twitched and she let out a grin--ignoring his statement. "Hmmph! Zihao will lose, and suffer death. My hands are really, getting sore from this--" the four of them froze when they saw something ahead, a huge blast that somewhat... distracting Zihao.

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