NOVPUBA majestic black dragon descended before them, its scales shimmering like midnight oil under moonlight, wings folding with a low, thunderous thump that rattled the fur around them.
Instantly, White Fur, tail twitching, snapped into battle mode.
Without hesitation, she scooped all three, Shan Yifeng, Liu Mei and Little Aoki up with a single sweeping tail and plopped them securely onto her back.
Her fur fluffed out like a divine shield, ears perked, eyes narrowed, ready to maul first and ask questions never.
Liu Mei blinked, now perched atop White Fur's back like a startled kitten.
She shook off the sleep, rubbing her eyes with her sleeves before straightening her back with all the seriousness she could muster… which, given her bedhead and pouty cheeks, wasn't much.
"White Fur… don't you think maybe we can ta—"
"No!" White Fur snapped, voice sharp as a whip.
Liu Mei pouted. "Huh?! But I didn't even finished saying yet…"
The black dragon snorted, then laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the chamber like distant thunder.
"No, no, little human," the dragon said, amusement rich in its voice. "You're far too weak to even think of taming me."
He leaned in slightly, eyes twinkling. "Relax. I'm not here to fight."
Liu Mei blinked, lips still puckered mid-protest. "I wasn't going to tame you…" she mumbled, glancing sideways. "But like… maybe just ask nicely…"
Even Shan Yifeng groaned and buried his face in White Fur's back again, while Little Aoki let out a soft snore, entirely unbothered by the divine-level drama around him.
White Fur did not lower her guard.
You're a funny creature," the dragon continued with a bemused tone.
In the blink of an eye, he shifted forms, once s majestic dragon, now a tall man with flowing black hair, obsidian eyes, and a noble bearing that made even the wind hesitate.
His presence was overwhelming, like a mountain that had learned how to walk.
But his face appeared utterly blank, as in, no smiles nor a frown. Just… a majestic emptiness. An expressionless face.
"Wow, you're handsome," Liu Mei declared, eyes sparkling like she had just discovered a limited-edition snack.
"Thank you," the man replied with the emotional range of a wall, offering her a simple nod like he was accepting a delivery.
Liu Mei tilted her head, suddenly enlightened. "Ah, I get it. I can't tame you because you're a human! Master always says we shouldn't take slaves—unless they volunteer and sign the work contract."
The dragon raised a brow. "No, no. I said you can't tame me because I'm stronger. And more powerful. Than you. And I'm also a dragon, not a human."
Liu Mei opened her mouth to retort but Shan Yifeng, who had been silently watching, slapped a hand over her mouth before disaster could strike.
"Lord Dragon," he said quickly, voice calm but eyes twitching, "what can we help you with?"
The dragon glanced at him, pausing just long enough to raise tension like a kettle about to scream.
"Hmm. I want her."
"No," Shan Yifeng said instantly, body moving before his brain could.
The dragon turned his head, his gaze now colder, heavier. "Boy, you don't know what's at stake."
Shan Yifeng stepped in front of Liu Mei without hesitation.
Liu Mei beamed, hugging his waist from behind. "Hehe~ Junior Brother, are you going to protect me? Aww, you're so good to me~"
Shan Yifeng turned pink and shoved her away. "Be serious! And I'm the older one! You're just my senior sister because Master found you first!"
Liu Mei only giggled harder, clearly unrepentant.
White Fur, completely done with everyone's nonsense, curled her body tighter around them like a protective fortress.
Little Aoki peeked out from under her belly, crawled up, and hugged both Liu Mei and Shan Yifeng at once, then gave the dragon the fiercest growl he could muster.
The dragon paused… then laughed. A real, deep, rumbling laugh that shook the dust from the sky.
"You remind me of my daughter," he said, eyes softening just a fraction. "I need you to ascend the stairs and take the dress for yourself. And you, boy… I can sense a dragon seal on you. I'll help you unseal it. Your bloodline will become stronger. What do you say? Deal?"
Shan Yifeng narrowed his eyes, not immediately answering. "And what do you get from this?"
"Cautious," the dragon nodded in approval. "I just want the girl to have the dress. She reminds me of my daughter… and I hate seeing her so vulnerable."
Liu Mei suddenly planted her hands on her hips, glaring like a righteous bun goddess. "Hey, Uncle Dragon! I'm a Legend Rank cultivator! The only weakling here is Junior Brother! And only I get to bully him! Not you!"
The dragon blinked.
While Shan Yifeng stood frozen, eyebrows twitching as he stared at Liu Mei.
"What... What did I do? I'm on your side!"
Liu Mei bobbed her head cheerfully to the side, as if that made perfect sense.
"It's okay, Junior Brother. Uncle Dragon won't hurt you."
Shan Yifeng opened his mouth, then closed it, looking betrayed.
The dragon, now smiling faintly for the first time, turned to the large white fox curled protectively around the group.
"You have quite the master." he said.
The fox blinked once, then sighed. "Yeah. She's my master."
The dragon tilted his head knowingly. "Figures. Did you even have a choice?"
Before the fox could answer, Liu Mei jumped in, stomping her foot like a child denied candy.
"Hey! Don't leave me out of the conversation! I want the dress! I deserve it!"
The fox flicked an ear and finally responded, "Maybe I did have a choice… but she's—" the fox hesitated, then offered something soft, almost proud, "—perfect."
Then, turning to Liu Mei with a warm gleam in her eyes, the fox added, "Or maybe not. But she's what I'm stuck with. And I'm okay with that."
The dragon chuckled, the first hint of warmth flickering across his stoic features. His gaze settled on Liu Mei, now brimming with determination and puffed-up pride.
"I'm the Azure Sky Dragon, Midas Touch," he said, his voice gentler than before. "You carry the Azure Sky Seal within you. I can bless it and awaken its potential for you."
