Hua Xianle

Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Xingchen had not been lying when he said that the Guardian of Baoshan Sanren’s mountain was a dragon. However, what he failed to mention was that this was no ordinary dragon. This was Qīnglóng, the legendary Azure Dragon of the East. Though these days, the famous dragon preferred to be known as Yong, a dear friend of Baoshan Sanren.

Yong was long enough to span an entire river, with scales the same shimmering blue as the night sky. His horns, sprouting from his head and along his spine, were multi-colored jewels that looked like an aurora in the shimmering light. His horns were long and curled, silvery gems hanging off of them like stars. His eyes were a bright gold, like pools of the purest sunlight, and his whiskers were as white as clouds in the springtime.

Yong rarely showed himself these days, preferring to rest in the hollow of the mountain among his hoard. Treasures of all kinds littered the floors of his cave, but perhaps his greatest treasure of all was the woman who often meditated with him. An immortal who collected strays as he collected precious jewels, one who sought solace from an uncaring world. They were kindred spirits, and it was the name she gave him that he now called his own.

While he considered himself retired, Yong could not change his status as one of the strongest spiritual beasts in existence. As such, he could feel the change in the air as something of immense power began to ascend the mountain.

“Baoshan,” he called out to the woman meditating in the middle of his cave.

The woman opened her eyes to reveal glowing silver orbs staring back at him.

“What is it, Yong?”

“You should go and get ready to greet your incoming guests. I can feel young Xingchen, along with two strong cultivators, and a fourth that cannot be ignored.”

“Oh?” That last part made Baoshan perk up, a teasing glint in her eye. “Just who has Xingchen brought that is special enough for you to express interest for the first time in your grand existence?”

Yong did not rise to the bait. Instead, he lifted his head, his whiskers writhing in the air as he did his best to feel out this newcomer.

“Their energy is brimming with youth, and yet has the same edges to it as a hardened soldier. There is also something familiar about it. If I had to make a comparison…” His gaze fell on his old friend. “I would say that it is on a frequency similar to your own.”

Baoshan frowned at that.

“You know as well as I that my daughter is the only blood family I have left. Not only is my Cangse far from being a youth, but I doubt anything could make her return to the mountain. No doubt that brat of mine is wreaking havoc for all of those pompous sects.”

“You doubt me, Baoshan? I’m insulted.”

“In this instance I do. As I said, I have no other blood relations outside of Cangse, and we both know that she is barren.”

Yong sighed, remembering the day Baoshan learned of her daughter’s ailment. She had been inconsolable for nearly a month, and it had broken the dragon’s heart to see his treasured friend hurting so. However, he could not shake this familiarity he felt from the approaching visitor, his instincts insisting that they were tied to Baoshan in a filial way. Perhaps the other ties he was sensing could explain that connection somehow.

“Baoshan, there is something else about this one that you must know. Be warned, what I am about to tell you will come as a shock.”

At that, the immortal woman couldn’t help but scoff.

“I have seen much in the many centuries I have walked this plane of existence. There is very little this world has to offer that can still surprise me.”