115 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

### Chapter 115: Realization What is she talking about? Xiang Shi Yan suspiciously eyed Wu Ying, who wore a seemingly friendly smile. Despite being adversaries, she had to admire Wu Ying's terrifying precision in controlling the misty, grey-white humanoid form; if possible, she would really prefer not to fight such an opponent. If Xuan Jiu intended to communicate, Xiang Shi Yan wouldn't mind stalling for time. But what was she saying? Xiang Shi Yan's rapidly processing thoughts were interrupted by a remark from Xuan Jiu, delivered with a smile. She froze, unable for a moment to comprehend — or perhaps unwilling to accept — the meaning behind Xuan Jiu's words. "I felt a natural affinity with Moonlight Lord the moment I saw you. It's a shame our first meeting is in such a crude environment; that's my oversight. However, this cramped space isn't so bad, carrying its own unique flavor. What do you think?" Xiang Shi Yan couldn't help but furrow her brow, "If you're trying to provoke me, there's no need for such theatrics." The mist swirled and paused; Xuan Jiu made an unnaturally eerie smile, akin to a real person, "Moonlight Lord, you're deceiving yourself. Do I look like I'm joking?" Xiang Shi Yan's face flushed red and then turned pale. Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, but they were pressed tightly together, only to release with a hint of color, inviting someone to taste their moist, pink allure. Morality is a subtle thing. Looking at the peculiar being in front of her, Xiang Shi Yan found it difficult to discern any jest in the statements made by the face formed by the mist, with its embedded warm brown eye. Instinctively, she took a step back, her expression indescribable. "Are you planning to speak?" Wu Ying tilted her head, looking at her. Who knew if Xuan Jiu's appearance was modeled after her own body, because her features were not prominent. He relied on He He's eyes to determine their arrangement. That semi-veiled face was undoubtedly that of a beautiful woman. Her thin lips made her seem somewhat solemn and cold, yet when she smiled, there was a hint of playful charm, making her far from detestable and even slightly endearing. Perhaps due to that familiar gentle eye, Xiang Shi Yan often caught glimpses of He He's shadow in Wu Ying's obscure demeanor, which irritated her. "A warrior can be killed but not humiliated," she finally softened her expression a bit, yet her brows knitted, "If you insist on degrading me, Xiang shall only strive to shatter this jade." "Pfft." Wu Ying let out a soft chuckle. This took Xiang Shi Yan by surprise. She had expected that Xuan Jiu might attack her due to her defiance, but she hadn't anticipated that the adversary would find her words amusing, even making Wu Ying bend over with laughter. Holding her abdomen, Xuan Jiu snorted with laughter, "Moonlight Lord doesn't need to put on a tough front. We both know there's no benefit to mutually assured destruction, and whether you can even dissolve my phantom remains uncertain. Should a clash arise, I might not be so lenient with your young disciple." The threat was no longer concealed. With crossed arms, Wu Ying's expression carried a hint of probing curiosity, "Ever since I left Huaihai City, I've been trying to unravel how you knew of my existence and even identified me as a member of the dragon-scaled demon tribe... You must know I have never disclosed this." Xiang Shi Yan's actions that day stemmed from the belief that Xuan Jiu's emergence was inevitable, a matter of time. If revealing her presence to the cultivation world earlier could be achieved, so be it. After all, Xuan Jiu intended to prepare for attacking Huaihai City only after securing her position as a demon monarch. Thus, they had no immediate conflict. However, to her dismay, Xuan Jiu capitalized on a moment of defense slack to eliminate the heads of the three leading families. Since hearing of Huaihai City's catastrophic news, Xiang Shi Yan had been filled with unease—it was a nightmare realized. Silent, she gazed at Wu Ying, who stood leisurely at the cave's entrance. Her life-bound spirit sword trembled slightly, her heart pounding uncontrollably like a drum. Xuan Jiu, with a calm and gentle demeanor, observed Xiang Shi Yan's refusal to speak. After a brief pause, she continued, "Even if you don't say anything, I can roughly guess... You are reborn, aren't you?" Xiang Shi Yan's eyes narrowed sharply at this, more shocking than Xuan Jiu's previous offensive remarks. The memory of regression was her greatest secret, even more so than her demon form. How could Xuan Jiu possibly know? Unless... "For some time now, I often see vague visions, events I've clearly never engaged in. Isn't that peculiar?" How much did she know? If Xuan Jiu's knowledge of the future aligned with her own, then Xiang Shi Yan's sole advantage was extinguished—how could she then contend with her? Lowering her gaze, Xiang Shi Yan replied, "Rebirth? Is Senior referring to the art of soul restoration through borrowing a corpse?" "...Some pseudonyms are but a passing whim, without definitive explanation. Perhaps in this life, I prefer to be called 'Yuan Jiu'? But since Moonlight Lord has given me a name, this will do—it’s a name I quite fancy." As if seeing through the panic beneath her calm exterior, Xuan Jiu smiled soothingly, "No need to panic. What I see is a series of fragmented shadows, unlike your clarity." "So, tell me all that you know." Instantly, the mist coiled around Xiang Shi Yan's body, solid yet ethereal, restraining her limbs like a long-bodied dragon, binding her. The water vapor quickly seeped into her clothing; Xiang Shi Yan's high-grade spiritual garments were rendered useless. Xuan Jiu's phantom, like a spring drizzle mixed with a lingering chill, seeping drop by drop under her garments, claw-like in its grip. "Urgh…" Xiang Shi Yan blushed deeply as Xuan Jiu gently clamped her throat, applying no pressure, yet Xiang Shi Yan involuntarily raised her neck in submission. Gritting her teeth, Xiang Shi Yan glared at Xuan Jiu, whose upper half retained a humanoid form, resembling an affectionate spirit—a fluid mix of mist and water—with which Xuan Jiu playfully grasped her shoulders, whispering in her ear, "Honestly, compared to a human form, I might still prefer a little fox... Can you transform back?" "Mmm—" The woman, caught by the spirit-like haze, unexpectedly found herself chilled by the droplets forming Xuan Jiu's body. Xiang Shi Yan let out a soft cry, her body shivering reflexively. Panting, she snarled through clenched teeth, "Today’s events, Xiang will surely engrave upon her heart!" Her ferocity, though masked in meekness, was indeed endearing. Though Xiang Shi Yan usually exuded an aura of cold dignity and valiance that was quite alluring, her current inescapable shame proposed a different charm altogether. Wu Ying, smiling, guided the corporeal haze across her body, noting, without surprise, the tension in Xiang Shi Yan's muscles, her eye corners blushing intolerably. "Oh, isn't that splendid, sparing me from ensuring you're marked with remembrance?" The fiend shamelessly entwined herself with her. Xiang Shi Yan's breath came unevenly. The ethereal vapor forming Xuan Jiu's phantom threatened to be inhaled by mistake, prompting her to control her breathing, causing her heart to race even more feverishly. As Xiang Shi Yan glared harshly, He He couldn't shake the odd illusion that perhaps her master had resigned to fate—after all, with such a disparity in strength, further struggle seemed futile. So, does that mean it can all happen here? Wu Ying's embedded warm brown eye briefly shifted its gaze away, aligning with her main body, who feigned sleep on Lin Zhao Di's lap. Her molten-gold right eye blazed with an undying passion. Xiang Shi Yan likely hadn't realized the girl behind her watched intently, her gaze layered with difficult-to-read emotion. Before Xuan Jiu could move further, Xiang Shi Yan abruptly caught a distressed whimper behind her—He He's awakening murmur was like a thunderclap in her ears, shattering her pretense of detachment. Her body shivered, as she looked aside with rage at Xuan Jiu, who teasingly neared, a breath of mist liquefying against her ear, heating it crimson. Despite hearing He He's awakening, Xuan Jiu mean-spiritedly voiced regret, "Still the ears of a human... Any sensitive spots?" Her face full of shame and anger, with a countenance of breathtaking allure that was usually untouchable due to her solemn demeanor, Xiang Shi Yan restrained herself from making a sound, lips pressed to whiteness, quivering slightly. Likely unaware of her teary-eyed look that undermined her fiery glare’s intimidation, her eyes reddened at the corners, softening He He's resolve to relent. "The soul imprint technique has long been lost. While I don't know from where Moonlight Lord learned it, that girl is merely of three-spirit roots, yet you care for her so devotedly, even harming your own cultivation to aid her. Such affection is truly enviable," Wu Ying softly mused, her words reaching Xiang Shi Yan's ears clearly, "At news of her peril, you rushed across the land from Mount Yu Cang, braving danger for her safety, even I can't help but be moved." "You..." Xiang Shi Yan forced the word through gritted teeth, laden with anger, yet still unwilling to disclose anything about her own rebirth to Xuan Jiu. Xuan Jiu sighed helplessly, "The world says Moonlight Lord never displays much emotion towards others, except for young girls she finds pitiable. I never paid heed to such rumors, but seeing it firsthand today, it's evident that gossip isn’t always unfounded." The underlying meaning, though unspoken, was clear as day. Xiang Shi Yan, still concerned about her beloved disciple, carefully pondered Xuan Jiu's last words until their true intent sank in. She was so furious she couldn't speak, struggling fiercely but still ensnared by the water's tight grasp. Enraged to the point of trembling, she finally muttered "uncouth," inadvertently amusing Xuan Jiu. "Can't even hurl an insult properly, can you?" the demon teased, "To gift one's soul, even close kin might not be capable of that generosity. How magnanimous you must be, Moonlight Lord, to give a piece of yourself to another so freely. Even if you can now claim your conscience is clear, can you truly say she's no different to you than others?" In Xiang Shi Yan's eyes, He He was indeed different... She bit her lip, yet words of denial spun around her tongue without escaping—this was a truth she couldn’t refute. When she had despaired, resigned to death, He He was the first person she encountered who wasn't controlled by this flawed world. Awakening to grief, knowing she continued to live in disgrace, her first sight was those clear, warm brown eyes. The gentle, doe-like gaze that now adorned this mist-woven demon. She was too late. Perhaps due to her soul's imprint on He He, their connection was indeed unlike any other. Such a bond was more unique and intimate than any other form of affection in the world. Xiang Shi Yan acknowledged she couldn’t merely view He He as an ordinary, fortunate girl saved by her, or just another disciple among many... Yet even she hadn't unraveled her feelings, knowing only she would never harbor inappropriate thoughts towards a young, innocent girl. "Even if you harbor no improper thoughts, won't others view her, favored as she is, as your exclusive treasure? Or — might she think so herself?" I do think that, He He’s malicious smile surfaced. I am Master’s... Yet even having been imprinted as a subordinate, she would not allow Xiang Shi Yan to glance at anyone else, the unreasonable dragon thought internally. What did He He think? Though aware she shouldn't let herself be swayed by the demon's words, Xiang Shi Yan’s mind unintentionally drifted in that direction— A flash of an adoring gaze lingered in her mind, along with soft words, warmth in touch, sincere confessions... No, it shouldn’t be like this, it's wrong. All of He He's affection was merely a result of their soul-bound closeness, attachment from being rescued, admiration born of differing experiences and perspectives, and at most, a fondness for her physical appearance. But indulging He He's youth to seek her young body and soul would be unethical. Would it be acceptable once she matured? Realizing she was earnestly contemplating this, Xiang Shi Yan felt a complex, bitter turmoil within. What was she thinking? Even if He He, with wider experiences, eventually stepped away from her adoration for Xiang Shi Yan, if she still bore affection... She would always remain your disciple, Xiang Shi Yan. Startled by the desire deep within her, she felt repulsed by herself. She should have realized sooner that, for numerous reasons, her pure compassion and affection for He He were starting to morph. When you give, you hope for a return, and although He He offered her defenseless heart in gratitude, it was Xiang Shi Yan's issue to resolve the disturbance this caused. Still silent, Xiang Shi Yan's abundant, turbulent thoughts were unknown to He He. She could sense Xiang Shi Yan's emotions were genuine, but how could she discern whom her master's current disgust was directed at? He He felt a pang of disappointment; while she dreamed that her master might openly admit to grooming her as her little bride — such visions were only dreams. Her full denial did leave He He slightly displeased. Unhappy, she teased even more viciously. "Um... Master?" The girl, weakly resting on her elder sister’s knee, opened confused eyes, the cloth binding her empty left eye socket soaked with blood, painting a pitiful picture. She appeared genuinely surprised, as if she really saw her master’s faint silhouette suddenly appear, weakly calling out. At that very moment, Xiang Shi Yan fell powerlessly to the ground. The restraints released by Xuan Jiu, though the torment lingered on. The mist instantly dispersed, yet Wu Ying didn’t vanish. Instead, the water flow, ever-transforming, seeped entirely into Xiang Shi Yan’s clothing. Her spiritual garments lay heavy and wet, now under the demon’s control, used as tools for mischief, snugly pressing against her. Struggling to her feet, Xiang Shi Yan’s damp clothes clung uncomfortably, cold seeping into her skin. She was aware the mist's true form was a mischievous spirit lurking nearby, giving her the eerie sensation of being embraced closely. She couldn't suppress the tingling sensation racing through her. Resolutely, she stood upright, offering He He a reassuring smile as if nothing had transpired. ### Author's Note: Thank you to the angels who voted or nourished with nutrient solution from 35:58:21 on 2022-05-22 to 35:57:35 on 2022-05-35~ Thanks to the angel who cast the landmine: RY 1; Thanks to the angels who nourished with nutrient solution: Neutrino, Tendo Spring 10 bottles; slowly 2 bottles; Woof woof woof woof woof 1 bottle; Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!