Chapter [B4] 9 — Dragons
Dragons. Loads and loads of dragons. They swam through the skies, directing the clouds at their command, swimming through the gusts of wind and calling lightning as they pleased. They swam through the streams and rivers, causing whirlpools and climbing waterfalls. They coiled upon the earth, becoming with it as life flourished around them. Even the seemingly mundane creatures had draconic Qi in them, and were filled with vibrant life energy. Hares, deers, foxes, birds, almost everything was serene and in order in the middle of these roiling peaks, a little paradise cut off from the rest of the world.
So many kinds of dragons filled the valley and it was a breathtaking sight that made me pause just to take it all in.
When I finally snapped back to myself, I glanced around to try and see if I could spot the Azure Dragon anywhere. The Divine Beast was huge, larger than any other dragon and just its presence alone should be like a beacon of Qi drawing the attention of everything towards it. But if the Azure Dragon was intentionally trying to hide itself, as I suspected it likely was, then things were going to be a bit more difficult.
“Let’s head inwards and see if we can find a way to the tallest peak,” I said, and the group followed behind me as we began to make our way down the snowy peaks. The snow melted rather quickly under the sun as the temperature began to rise rather rapidly. I let Labby out who seemed glad to have not had to deal with the snow and cold, as she took in a deep breath, soaking in the Qi rich air.
“This place smells familiar… it smells like the dragon that taught Labby,” she said.
“You’ve been taught by a dragon?” Yan Yun asked, surprised.
“Labby has! She rode the big dragon all the way up to the skies and then beyond, to go to the lunar court!” Labby exclaimed proudly. “She even learned the dragon’s tempest that day.”
Yan Yun’s eyes widened. “That was you?” She said, recalling the time when the dragon had flown over the spirit herb tournament.
I recalled the time period as well. Back then, I’d been going through my own trial… when I’d first found out the truth about myself and my past, and found Chi. It felt like so long ago now. Had it truly only been a year?