Chapter 301: Hualong City
Ning Xiaochuan had been traveling nonstop for half a month. The Double-headed Stone Beast was naturally swift, and after being nurtured in the Mystic Beast Manual, it had grown even stronger. After half a month, they were already incredibly far from the Imperial City, separated by a distance of over 5,000 kilometers.
"Based on our travel speed, we should have already reached the Qingmeng Domain. It’s unlikely the Cloud Marquis or the Crown Prince will pursue us any further."
Both the Cloud Marquis and the Crown Prince were important figures in the imperial court. Without a special mission, they wouldn’t leave the Imperial City for long.
Ning Xiaochuan recalled the Double-headed Stone Beast into the Mystic Beast Manual and entered an ancient stone-built city, intending to purchase some Profound Medicine and food.
This ancient city was located in the northern part of the Qingmeng Domain, bordering the Muteng Forest. Compared to the Imperial City, it wasn’t particularly prosperous, but its history was long and storied. Many powerful Martial Artists had passed through here, leaving their marks.
"I heard a young prince from the imperial court almost succeeded in taming a small Winged Dragon, but in the end, he failed. An adult Winged Dragon appeared, spewing flames that set an entire mountain range ablaze. The prince’s forces suffered heavy casualties."
"Taming a dragon is no easy feat. Even subduing a Dragon Elephant is already an impressive achievement."
After purchasing Profound Medicine, Ning Xiaochuan sat in a restaurant to have lunch and overheard people discussing topics related to "dragons" and "Dragon Elephants."
Some talked about how the young master of a certain sect had tamed a Dragon Elephant, while others spoke of a great general from the imperial court battling a Savage Dragon and eventually making it his mount.
Hearing the word "dragon," the Small Red Dragon grew restless. It crawled out from Ning Xiaochuan’s sleeve, perched on the table, and listened intently to the Martial Artists’ conversations.
"Taming a Dragon Elephant is relatively easier—just overpower it with strength, and it can become a mount. But a true dragon is different. True dragons possess intelligence surpassing even humans, with innate draconic pride. They only choose Martial Artists of exceptional talent as their battle companions," said an elderly man.
"However, the dragon race has signed a thousand-year pact with the imperial court. Only those affiliated with the court are permitted to enter the Dragon Valley to seek true dragons as mounts, and even then, the success rate is extremely low."
"Still, with enough luck and sufficient power, it’s still possible to tame a true dragon."
The Small Red Dragon sat on the table, leaning against a large plate, its tiny claws clutching a wine cup. It took a sip of the strong liquor, smacking its lips in satisfaction, reluctant to put the cup down.
"Qingmeng Domain… Could we have reached the edge of the Muteng Forest?" Ning Xiaochuan was slightly surprised.
The Muteng Forest was the largest primeval wilderness in the Yulan Empire, covering most of the Qingmeng Domain and spanning thousands of kilometers. The area was sparsely populated, dense with ancient trees, and dotted with many ancient ruins.
Most importantly, over 70% of the true dragons in the Yulan Empire resided deep within the Muteng Forest. This was a territory demarcated by the dragon race, where they reigned supreme.
Apart from dragons, the Muteng Forest was also home to numerous Dragon Elephants and ferocious Mystic Beasts. Some of these beasts were powerful enough to carry entire mountains on their backs and even engage in combat with true dragons, making them exceptionally fierce.
"Oh, brother, your mystic beast battle pet looks very much like a Divine Dragon," a portly man said with a smile as he sauntered over, waving a folding fan with an air of self-proclaimed elegance.
His face was round, his eyebrows thick and black, and his eyes as small as mung beans. Without any courtesy, he sat down opposite Ning Xiaochuan and stared at the Small Red Dragon on the table, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his pupils.
Ning Xiaochuan said, "Really? Have you ever seen a Divine Dragon this small? This thing is just a muddle-headed beast—nowhere close to a Divine Dragon."
"Ooooh!"
The Small Red Dragon naturally understood Ning Xiaochuan’s words and was visibly annoyed. It stood up on its hind legs, clutching a wine cup, looking as if it wanted to hurl it at Ning Xiaochuan. Its expression seemed to say, You’re the beast! Your whole family is beasts!
The fan-waving man was even more delighted by this sight. "I am Shi Jinyu. May I ask your name, brother?"
Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Ding Xiaosan."
Shi Jinyu chuckled. "So it’s Brother Ding! I’ve long heard of your great reputation. To be honest, I’ve taken quite a liking to your little beast. Would you be willing to part with it and sell it to me?"
"Ooooh!"
The Small Red Dragon gnashed its teeth and flung the wine from its cup straight into Shi Jinyu’s face, splashing him thoroughly.
"Giggle-giggle!" The Small Red Dragon burst into laughter, rolling around on the table in amusement.
Ning Xiaochuan grinned. "As you can see, Brother Shi, though Little Red is just a beast, it has developed intelligence. I absolutely cannot sell it."
Shi Jinyu wiped the wine from his face with his sleeve, not angered in the slightest—in fact, he seemed even more pleased. "Brother Ding, don’t refuse so quickly. The price is negotiable."
Shi Jinyu could tell the Small Red Dragon was extraordinary and was determined to buy it at a high price.
Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Brother Shi, there’s no need to say more. Little Red is already my companion. No matter how high the price, I won’t sell it."
"Wow! What an adorable little dragon! It really is a dragon!"
A young noblewoman, about sixteen or seventeen years old, entered the restaurant. A string of Mystic Artifact bells hung from her golden waistband, her skin snow-white, her eyelashes long, and her eyes bright. She immediately noticed the Small Red Dragon and hurried over.
Her cultivation was impressive—her speed so fast that she appeared beside the table in an instant. Her bright eyes fixed on the Small Red Dragon, the delicate bells at her slender waist tinkling nonstop.
Behind her followed over a dozen Martial Artists—some were young and handsome prodigies, while others were white-haired elders of the martial path, each exuding an extraordinary aura that awed the other Martial Artists in the restaurant.
The expressions of these Martial Artists were filled with reverence, their demeanor humble in the presence of the young noblewoman.
It was clear—this girl held an extremely high status, and her background was anything but ordinary.
"Zhang Linxi, the Guardian Elder of the Cuiyun Sect! He’s a martial overlord of the older generation who hasn’t been seen in decades. He actually came here!" A shocked exclamation rang out in the restaurant, immediately sparking heated discussions among the Martial Artists.
"Mo Chaolong, the top genius of the Mo Family! He’s one of the few elite talents among the younger generation, nearly unmatched in the Qingmeng Domain!"
"Wang Daoyi, the Grand Elder of the Yanhua Sect! Another old monster who hasn’t walked the world in years!"
"What exactly is this young noblewoman's identity? Why are Zhang Linxi, Mo Chaolong, and Wang Daoyi all following behind her? The experts of the three major factions in Hualong City have actually become her entourage?"
The Cuiyun Sect, Mo Family, and Yanhua Sect are the three most powerful factions in this region, renowned far and wide, with countless formidable experts. Other rogue Martial Artists can only look up to the disciples of these three great forces.
Someone whispered, "I heard this young noblewoman is from the Tianyin Sect, the direct disciple of a prominent figure there."
"What? The Tianyin Sect? No wonder."
In the Martial Path world of the Yulan Empire, sects are as numerous as trees in a forest, with no fewer than ten thousand Martial Path sects. Some of the most powerful among them are no weaker than the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.
The Tianyin Sect ranks second among the myriad sects of the world, holding immense prestige in the Martial Path world, comparable to the influence of the Golden Roc Prince's Manor in the imperial court.
When disciples of the Tianyin Sect travel, experts from local sects naturally come to escort them.
Though still young, the girl already possessed rosy lips, pearly teeth, almond-shaped eyes, and peach-blossom cheeks—clearly destined to be a beauty. An aura of spiritual energy surrounded her, her skin as translucent as jade, her eyelashes delicate and long. Her golden pupils fixed on the Small Red Dragon with evident fondness as she said, "I want to buy this little dragon. Name your price."
Ning Xiaochuan replied firmly, "Not for sale."
The Small Red Dragon, its belly round and plump, lazily waddled across the table, picked up Ning Xiaochuan's wine cup, took a sip, then sneezed, spraying Shi Jinyu’s face with wine.
The Tianyin Sect’s young noblewoman grew even more enamored. "I’ll offer one Mid-Grade Profound Stone. Will you give it to me?"
"I said no, and I mean no."
Ning Xiaochuan placed a Large Silver Coin on the table to settle the bill, grabbed the Small Red Dragon by its tail, and prepared to leave.
A young man in dark green martial robes blocked his path, his voice cold and stern. "How audacious! For Miss Nie to take a liking to your mystic beast battle pet is a fortune you wouldn’t earn in several lifetimes. Don’t be ungrateful."
Ning Xiaochuan had no intention of arguing with them and strode toward the restaurant’s exit without looking back.
Mo Chaolong’s expression darkened. In the Mo Family’s territory, someone actually dared to disregard his face.
Miss Nie of the Tianyin Sect was the disciple of a Martial Venerable, her status exalted. Mo Chaolong had long sought to curry favor with her, hoping to win her affection and claim the beauty for himself.
Since Miss Nie fancied that Small Red Dragon, Mo Chaolong naturally had to help her seize it.
"Whoosh!"
The Ancient Sword Mystic Artifact on Mo Chaolong’s back flew from its sheath, wrapped in Profound Qi. In an instant, it slashed out fifteen Sword Qi Shadows.
Mo Chaolong was the foremost genius of the Mo Family’s younger generation, his Martial Path cultivation profound. Having never tasted defeat since childhood, he held considerable fame throughout the Qingmeng Domain.
Ning Xiaochuan’s steps grew heavy as the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi around him swirled into a vortex, deflecting Mo Chaolong’s sword strikes and shattering them into wisps of dissipating Qi.
Turning his head, Ning Xiaochuan glared fiercely at Mo Chaolong. "This time, I’ll let it slide. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Mo Chaolong laughed mockingly and said, "What big words! Don’t think you’re impressive just because you have some strength. I’ve seen too many people like you. To be honest, I only used 10% of my power just now. If I unleashed my full strength, you wouldn’t stand a chance."
"Then come and try," Ning Xiaochuan replied.
"Brother Ding, you mustn’t fight them. The Mo Family’s influence in Hualong City is immense. Endure for now, and the storm will pass. Take a step back, and the world will widen," Shi Jinyu stepped forward, trying to mediate.
"Young man, just sell that Small Mystic Beast to them. You can’t win against them. Even if you defeat Mo Chaolong, can you defeat the entire Mo Family? And even if you defeat the Mo Family, can you defeat the Tianyin Sect?"
"When your strength isn’t enough, you should endure. Don’t risk your life over momentary pride."
Many people advised Ning Xiaochuan, as they could see he was still young and from out of town. A single misstep could cost him his life at Mo Chaolong’s hands.
The Mo Family was vast and powerful, with a long heritage and countless experts. Killing one or two Martial Artists was nothing unusual to them.
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