Chapter 71: Now, Have You Learned Your Lesson?

 

To think that the living souls of the Seven Deadly Sins would grant their recognition to Zoran?

That was putting the cart before the horse.

It has always been the strong who acknowledge the weak, and the Seven Deadly Sins, this so-called set of dragon-slaying tools, were nowhere near worthy of such a privilege.

…

The King of Earth and Mountains had awakened.

Upon receiving the news, Cassell College dispatched two teams. One consisted of Lu Mingfei, Finger, and Chu Zihang; the other was led by Caesar Gattuso, supported by Xia Mi and Chen Motong.

Zoran had no intention of intervening personally. All he required was the Authority; he would simply step in at the opportune moment to strip it away. As for the rest, he would leave it to Lu Mingfei, who had already absorbed the Fire Demon Chi.

As an Elder, there was no need to micromanage every affair, especially when dealing with nothing more than a minor dragon. Lu Mingfei would know what to do.

Of course, more importantly, Zoran was eager to see just how far Shendu’s sliver of Demon Chi could flourish in this world.

Before that, however, Angers delivered another piece of news.

Following the incident in the Ice Cellar, Zoran’s identity had been thrust into the spotlight. Parsi Gattuso had reported his existence in exhaustive detail to the Gattuso family. Angers was anxious to learn more about Zoran, desperate for more leverage when facing the family's scrutiny. After all, it was his own choice to strike a deal with Zoran.

From Chicago straight to China, the dragon-slaying youths were about to raise their blades against the reviving Dragon King.

Zoran was on the same flight path.

The Gulfstream G550, named Sleipnir after the eight-legged steed of Odin in Norse mythology, symbolized its unparalleled speed. It was Angers’ private transport, luxuriously modified to reflect the refined taste of the elegant old dragon slayer.

It had to be said that once the deal was struck, Angers was a man who knew how to commit. He offered every resource at his disposal, all for the sake of his revenge against the Dragon Race.

Inside the cabin, Zoran treated the plush seats, leather sofas, and high-end liquor cabinets as if they were dust, choosing instead to hover quietly in the air. No earthly luxury could pique his interest; the gaze of an Elder never lingered on such mundane trifles.

Within his perception, a faint energy was breaking through Earth’s gravity, approaching at high speed.

Zoran opened his eyes.

It seemed the Gattuso family’s retribution had arrived.

…

As Sleipnir pierced through the clouds, a pillar of flame trailed a wake of turbulence, surging toward the noisy private jet.

The attacker was three kilometers away, piloting an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Thirty seconds prior, he had pressed the launch button for a missile aimed directly at Sleipnir.

Anyone who dared to provoke the majesty of the Gattuso family would face thunderous retaliation.

The pilot reported into his headset, "He's on Angers' plane. That Gulfstream G550 has no interception capabilities. At this range, it's a guaranteed kill."

The person on the other end of the line was a high-ranking figure far away in Rome. Every movement within the College was under their watchful eye; the moment Zoran stepped onto Sleipnir, the plan had been set in motion.

"Angers spent a lot of money modifying that Gulfstream," a voice replied from the other end. "But of course, that is the price he must pay for siding against the family. How is Parsi?"

There was a brief silence on the line.

"He’s completely broken. It’s as if a steamroller ran over him. Every bone in his body is shattered, and he’s hanging on by a thread. The man working with Angers is no ordinary person."

The pilot’s gaze pierced the clouds, looking toward the private jet about to fall.

"Even an Elder could not survive a crash from this height. After all, not even the King of Bronze and Fire can withstand the power of a Storm Torpedo, can they?"

The moment the missile locked on, the revenge was already over. Perhaps the explosion wouldn't completely kill the being known as the Elder, but Sleipnir was currently 11,000 meters above the ground.

Unless the target grew wings, the pilot couldn't imagine any way he could survive a crash from such an altitude. This was the cost of defying the family; no one escaped it.

Even Angers wouldn't dare go this far. The College's principal truly did need to be replaced.

The missile tore through the clouds, charging relentlessly toward Sleipnir.

"Damn it!" A panicked cry erupted from Sleipnir’s cockpit.

A searing flash of fire erupted instantly, dyeing the clouds below a fiery red.

"Mission accomplished." Watching the dot disappear from the radar, the Fighting Falcon banked its wings and headed toward its designated landing site.

"Well done," the voice on the radio replied.

The F-16 moved like a nimble fish, diving into the cloud layer. This was but a fraction of the resources the Gattuso family controlled. In this world, as long as one was willing to pay, nothing was impossible. And the Gattuso family had no shortage of money.

The pilot sighed, preparing to depart.

The next second, his eyes widened behind his flight helmet.

A figure cast a shadow over him through the cockpit's windshield. He instinctively glanced at the radar; there had been no signal from start to finish.

"Damn it! Am I dreaming?!" he shrieked in terror.

"What is it? Report!" the voice on the radio demanded.

"Target not destroyed! He’s appeared again!"

"Where?"

The pilot swallowed hard, looking hesitantly at the human figure outside the jet, moving in perfect synchronization through the clouds.

"Outside the plane... no, he’s standing on the fuselage... Devil take it, I must be dreaming!"

The pilot instinctively checked his airspeed indicator. 1,400 kilometers per hour. This was his current speed, a supersonic aircraft, the absolute pinnacle of modern technology.

A sonic boom cloud clung to the jet like a battle skirt. Even a Dragon King in the flesh shouldn't be able to keep up with this speed.

But the target did.

Like a ghost from a nightmare, he was pressed against the hull of the Falcon, his calm, watery eyes quietly observing the pilot through the glass. This was absolutely not something a human could do. No, not even a Dragon could do this.

And yet, it was happening.

Zoran's shadow loomed over the jet. The supersonic turbulence seemed completely unable to affect him. Dressed in a suit, even his hair remained perfectly in place.

He stood outside the windshield, as leisurely as if he were taking a stroll down a cobblestone path at the College.

Zoran reached out his hand. This Fighting Falcon, which had undergone countless tests to handle modern aerial combat, suddenly began to tremble.

To the pilot’s horror, the Falcon began to disintegrate.

The way it was manufactured, assembled, and joined, it was now returning to its basic elements, being stripped apart piece by piece by an invisible force. It was like a puzzle toy on a table, easily dismantled into countless fragments.

But the aircraft did not crash. The disassembled parts were flying through the clouds alongside him at speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour.

This bizarre sight left the pilot speechless with shock.

In truth, he couldn't make a sound. Without the protection of the cockpit, he remained in his original position, pinned ruthlessly to the ejection seat. Hundreds, thousands of parts hovered eerily around him.

The jet was dismantled, yet he was still "flying."

The immense pressure bore down on his flesh and blood. His brain surged with blood, and his vision went black. The flesh beneath his skin churned, and tiny components sliced fine cuts all over his body.

Bright red blood was squeezed out, spraying backward in the wind, trailing long, seductive arcs. The scene was hauntingly beautiful.

"Report status immediately! Report—!" An urgent roar came from the other side of the call.

The voice came from Rome, inside the luxurious office of the Gattuso family.

"Be quiet. He is sleeping."

A strange, elegant voice drifted through the line.

The office fell into an instant, deathly silence.

What the hell? There wasn't even the sound of wind on the other end; it was as quiet as a basement. If they didn't know the F-16 hadn't landed yet...

"The Elder?"

"Greetings, Frost Gattuso," Zoran’s voice rang out through the call, phantom-like.

"How... how did you do this?" Frost’s voice was low, laced with a tremor.

Zoran did not answer, saying only peacefully: "Look forward, young man. I know where your home is."

Frost stared blankly ahead. Aside from the wall engraved with intricate patterns, there was nothing.

The next second.

A violent tremor struck. A massive sense of crisis descended in an instant. Frost felt as if he were sitting in a falling elevator.

The elevator plunged from the tenth floor to the basement in a heartbeat.

Had the sky fallen?

No, the ground had sunk.

Piercing alarms mingled with dust, rising toward the heavens.

The vibration came suddenly and vanished in a flash. In the midst of the chaotic world, a whisper echoed in Frost’s office. The voice was incredibly piercing, as clear as if it were pressed against his ear.

It said:

"For an elder, you seem to lack a certain necessary respect..."

"Now, have you learned your lesson?"

 

 

Chapter 72: A Family in Crisis

 

Far away, preparing for his dragon-slaying journey in a foreign land, Caesar suddenly received a message. He glanced at his phone, then silently set it down.

"Hey, what’s up?" Xia Mi was currently face-deep in mint chocolate chip ice cream. Her eating habits were remarkably similar to Lu Mingfei’s, with a smudge of pale green staining the tip of her nose.

Chen Motong (NoNo) also cast a glance his way. It was rare to see Caesar wear such an expression.

"It’s nothing," Caesar replied, though the emotions flickering in his eyes were difficult to decipher. "There was an earthquake in Rome."

"Holy crap!" Xia Mi froze, her slender fingers dangling a spoon. "Wait, Captain, if I remember correctly, you’re like the 'Crown Prince' of Rome. Does that mean...?"

Caesar nodded.

"The family was almost completely wiped out. The ground suddenly sank nearly fifteen meters. The losses are incalculable."

His voice was flat, making it impossible to tell if he was being stoic or was genuinely grieving.

For once, Xia Mi was at a loss for words. She lowered her head and went back to cautiously digging into her ice cream. After a long silence, she spoke up: "Well, hey, look on the bright side, Captain. Even if you end up begging on the streets, you’d probably get more change than anyone else. I mean, look at you, you've got the 'it' factor."

NoNo blinked, thinking to herself that Xia Mi really had a heart of iron.

"It hasn't come to that yet," Caesar said, glancing at Xia Mi. "The family’s business interests aren't just in Rome, though they’ve certainly taken a massive blow. My uncle is in the hospital, condition unknown. That man... Pompeii Gattuso... has temporarily returned to take command of affairs."

NoNo’s eyes widened as she searched for the right words. Pompeii Gattuso was Caesar’s father, a stallion of a man and a deadbeat head of the family who usually avoided responsibility like the plague. If even he was being recalled, the scale of the disaster was unimaginable.

Wiped out. It was a heavy, sorrowful term.

The two of them were currently at the stage of discussing marriage; there was no telling how this would affect their future. Caesar took a deep breath, his tone remaining steady.

"Family matters will be handled by family members. We have only one mission."

"Slay the dragon," he said.

His relationship with his family wasn't exactly harmonious, and this wasn't something he needed to worry about personally, it was merely a necessary notification. Furthermore, those who achieve great things must maintain their composure even if the sky were to crumble before them.

However.

There was one specific detail in the family’s message that caught his attention.

"Beware... the Elder..." he whispered the name to himself.

Beside him, Xia Mi’s expression changed almost instantly. She turned her head away, staring deeply into her ice cream, her thoughts unreadable.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world.

The Sleipner was rapidly descending through the clouds. Angers’ private transport appeared perfectly intact, seemingly unaffected by its earlier encounter. The pilot was leisurely smoking a cigarette and humming a tune.

A missile had exploded right next to the Sleipner earlier, and he’d thought they were toast. But it seemed like something had blocked it. Since the plane was fine and he wasn't dead, he figured he might as well get on with his job. It wasn't like he hadn't seen mid-air combat before.

His mission was simple: deliver the VIP in the cabin to the destination. Nothing more. Though, he figured he’d have one hell of a story to brag about to Angers when he got back.

With a heavy roar, the Sleipner descended toward the central hub of the country. All intelligence was being funneled through Angers to Zoran. The awakening of the Dragon King, the arrival of the two teams, and the bounties on the internet hunter markets, Angers held nothing back.

The phone Lu Mingfei used to add Zoran as a friend had been a gift from Angers, a "collaboration present," as he called it. To be honest, when Angers first learned that Zoran didn't own a cell phone, he was more than a little shocked. He suspected the man might truly be an "antique" in the most literal sense.

Six days had passed since their arrival. During this time, everyone, except for Chu Zihang, who was buried in data, had been relaxing and having fun.

The bond between Chu Zihang and Xia Mi was growing stronger. Despite him being an icy, stoic wall, Xia Mi was no ordinary girl. Finger, as usual, was playing the clown; he was a total foodie.

In the other team, Caesar’s girlfriend, NoNo, was wandering the city alone. She had always been impulsive, the same personality trait that led her to rescue Lu Mingfei from his misery at the movie theater.

Xia Mi, acting as the "undercover junior sister," continued to hover around Chu Zihang, occasionally "feeding" the brooding loner who seemed to survive solely on soda and fast food. The crisis back home didn't seem to affect Caesar's psyche; he was undeniably a good man who valued NoNo above all else. Even if the world ended tomorrow, it wouldn't shake his resolve to marry this quirky, witch-like girl.

And then there was Lu Mingfei, the one chosen by Zoran.

From the first day they arrived, he had stayed in underground net cafes, slaughtering all challengers in his domain of expertise: StarCraft. Everyone has a comfort zone where they can find their sense of purpose.

Until tonight, when a girl sought him out. And so, everything began to change.

Even though Lu Mingfei had faced a Dragon King and seen the vastness of the world, he still had to admit he was a "loser" at heart. He was currently wandering through a midnight subway station, using his phone’s flashlight to illuminate the darkness.

Helping his high school crush find her missing ex-boyfriend? What kind of pathetic plotline was this?

Not only had he thumped his chest and promised to help, but he’d actually come to the subway station alone to do it. Sometimes he really wondered if there was something wrong with his head.

But when Chen Wenwen, the girl he had crushed on for three years, appeared before him again in a white dress soaked by the rain, he still couldn't say no. It was always like this: he’d boldly agree to things he shouldn't, only to regret it moments later. He felt like a total failure.

The last place the guy had been seen was the subway station.

"Zhao Menghua? The Great Scholar Zhao?" Lu Mingfei called out, shining his light toward the pitch-black tracks. "Stop messing around out here! Chen Wenwen is worried sick about you!"

He spoke timidly, terrified that something might leap out of the shadows at any second. Lu Mingfei sighed bitterly. He knew exactly what he was: a complicated, awkward mess. But knowing who you are doesn't change anything. He wasn't stupid; he just overthought everything, constantly pushing himself into depths he couldn't control.

Passing through the subway turnstile, the scenery abruptly shifted.

Lu Mingfei stared blankly at the posters from the 70s and 80s plastered on the walls and scattered across the floor.

Did I... take a wrong turn?

 

 

 

Chapter 73: The King’s Arrival Requires Witnesses

 

The Regent Hotel.

This was the staging ground for Chu Zihang’s dragon-slaying team.

As a brilliant, analytical student of the sciences, Chu Zihang had spent every moment since checking in collecting seismic data from across the city. His goal was to calculate the exact location where the Dragon King would undergo its resurrection.

And now, he had succeeded. The newly acquired data points all converged on a single location:

The subway station.

He slung the black case containing the Seven Deadly Sins, the set of alchemical blades, over his shoulder and set off toward his destination without hesitation.

Xia Mi had invited him to a lunch banquet at her home tomorrow at noon. The rain was pouring down in sheets as he opened his umbrella. He might still make it in time, provided he survived the night.

Chu Zihang did not fear death, but if he had to choose, he would have preferred to die on that rainy elevated highway years ago.

…

Meanwhile, in a high-rise luxury suite, a young woman in a white t-shirt and light blue jeans was munching on potato chips. She glanced at her breathtakingly beautiful companion.

"The Boss has vanished. Are you sure what we’re doing still matters?"

"Of course. You’ve already sent the data to Chu Zihang, haven't you?" Mai Sakatoku said, tying up her waterfall of black hair. "Everything is proceeding according to the Boss’s wishes, if we’re treating them as a final request."

The image of that middle-aged man flickered in her mind.

The being who called himself the Elder. He had spared her in the Ice Cellar and inquired about their plans before leaving. He had said she was still "useful," and that time was likely now. Perhaps this was also the Elder’s intent.

They had no reason not to follow through. They would complete every detail of the plan the Boss had laid out before his disappearance.

"Seriously though, why is everyone's gaze fixed on that loser?" Su Enxi, the "Potato Chip Girl," asked while chewing loudly. "It’s like everyone wants a piece of him. But what does a guy like that have that's worth taking?"

"The Boss, Angers, even this mysterious Elder who popped out of nowhere..." She spread her arms in confusion.

Mai remained silent for a moment. "If someone is worth betting on, they must have value. No one can guess what the 'Big Players' are thinking."

She murmured, "But you're right about one thing, Chip Girl. Everyone seems to want something from that loser Lu Mingfei."

"Even the Elder is no exception."

"Get what? Hey, that guy can swat you away like a fly and turn Parsi Gattuso into a cripple with one hand. What could Lu Mingfei possibly have that a being like that would covet?"

"Who knows? Regardless, our mission is just to be good spectators." Mai curled her lip and turned her gaze back to the computer screen.

Tonight was destined to be extraordinary.

…

Chen Motong had vanished into the city without a trace. Caesar tried calling her, but her phone was off. He posted a bounty online: anyone who could find the girl in the red Ferrari would receive an immediate reward.

Eventually, a lucky soul claimed the prize.

The photo sent to Caesar showed the bright red Ferrari parked outside a Station for Subway Line 1, sitting lonely by the roadside.

Caesar didn't hesitate. NoNo was an impulsive girl; it wasn't beneath her to suddenly decide she wanted to try the subway because she was bored of driving.

However, Caesar glanced at his watch. At this hour, all subway lines should have ceased operation. Without another thought, he sprinted toward the station.

Just as he felt in his heart: even if the world ended in the next moment, he would deliver his romantic proposal to this red-haired "witch" and present her with the diamond ring.

All eyes were converging on a single point in this city.

Legend says Fate spins the threads of destiny, and occasionally, those threads tangle at a specific juncture, knotting the lives of everyone together. Whether by chance or by some external force, those threads of fate were now entwined.

The gaze of the world met at one place.

…

"The King’s arrival requires witnesses."

Deep within the subway station, floating amidst the dark shadows, Zoran spoke to the old man on his phone screen.

"So, you’ve confirmed the location of the King of Earth and Mountains’ resurrection? I see all my students racing toward you," Hilbert Jean Angers said, sipping red wine. They were on a video call.

"Indeed," Zoran smiled.

Angers noted the expression. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time the man had smiled in his presence. What could possibly bring joy to the Elder?

"The King’s arrival requires witnesses... Are you referring to Lu Mingfei?" Angers asked.

Zoran’s lips curled slightly, his figure flickering in and out of the strobing lights. "Yes, and no," he replied cryptically.

"So, what am I about to see? My student, Lu Mingfei, transforming into a real dragon to slaughter these pretenders? Is that what you promised to show me?"

He remembered Zoran mentioning "Real Dragons." If he was to see one, it had to be now.

However, Zoran merely maintained his smile. "Yes, and no."

Angers couldn't pin him down. Clearly, he wasn't in the mood for riddles while a Dragon King was about to wake up.

The video call remained active. The phone Angers had gifted him drifted silently through the air, following Zoran's footsteps. Logically, the signal in the subway should have been non-existent, yet the video feed didn't flicker once.

By now, every "qualified" spectator had entered the station. This was a Nibelungen, the mythical land of the dead, the realm of a Dragon King.

…

On the other side of the tracks, Lu Mingfei watched the train depart into the tunnel.

He hopped down from the platform and began walking along the wooden sleepers in the direction the train had gone. By the time he realized he couldn't find Zhao Menghua just by shouting, it was already too late.

He couldn't go back.

As he explored deeper, it felt as if he had stepped into the previous century. Everything suggested he was no longer in the world he knew. He had no choice but to keep moving.

Perhaps there was one other way.

He scrolled through his contacts until he found the friend with the dark purple crescent moon icon. With trembling hands, he hit the call button.

He hadn't expected it to work, as the signal was terrible, and he was a broke student who hadn't even paid his phone bill. But to his shock, the call connected.

"Professor Tso Lan! I’m trapped in the subway station! Help!" he yelled into the phone, terrified.

"Keep walking forward, Lu Mingfei," Zoran’s calm, elegant voice came from the other end.

"Forward?" Lu Mingfei repeated.

"Have you forgotten? You possess power. Or has your history of failure robbed you of your confidence? Also, I asked Angers for your number and paid your bill for you."

Lu Mingfei gripped the phone tight. The man seemed to have anticipated his exact predicament. That initial impression of him as a "reliable adult" wasn't just for show.

He did have power.

But he always seemed to forget. He had already made a deal with Zoran.

He just had a bit of PTSD. The cost of a deal with the "Little Devil," Lu Mingze, was never cheap, while Zoran’s price was something called "Faith."

While he could joke and ask what the heck "Faith" was and if it was even edible, in moments of crisis, he was always afraid. Could he actually afford the price of that "Faith"?

The Little Devil always threatened him, making the "life" traded as payment sound so heavy. Meanwhile, the fire he had received from Zoran felt light as a feather.

But... sometimes, the things that feel as light as a feather carry a weight far heavier than a mountain.

He understood that truth now.

 

 

Chapter 74: The Curtain Rises

 

The audience was on stage; everything was set for the show to begin.

Zoran hung up on Lu Mingfei and reconnected with the silent old man on the other end. A feast was about to commence here, and every qualified soul had been invited to take their seat and bear witness. Not one was missing.

As the master of ceremonies, however, his time to take the stage had not yet come.

…

The Subway Station.

Chu Zihang clung to the tail end of the train, a vehicle that technically shouldn't exist in this world, until it finally ground to a halt after a short journey. He jumped down and followed the tracks deeper into the darkness.

With the Seven Deadly Sins strapped to his back, he moved with the solitary focus of a man accustomed to walking alone. It wasn't until two somewhat familiar silhouettes appeared before him that he stopped and knit his brows.

"Caesar? NoNo?" he muttered.

The figures turned. Caesar’s face was contemplative, though etched with a trace of surprise.

"So you found your way here too, Chu Zihang." Caesar stood tall in the center of the tracks, his boots planted firmly on the black coal cinders.

"I assume you know where we are."

"A Nibelungen," Caesar said lowly. "The mythical land of the dead, the domain of a Dragon King, and the most dangerous place on Earth."

"Correct. We're all trapped," Chu Zihang’s voice was muffled as his gaze shifted to Chen Motong.

It was as if an invisible hand had gathered everyone here; no one could escape. But why were Caesar and his girlfriend here? Was this some bizarre adventure for the young aristocrat and his lady?

Chu Zihang’s eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Where is Xia Mi?"

His voice echoed through the hollow tunnel.

"It seems you have someone to worry about as well?" Caesar chuckled softly.

"I’m right here!"

A soft voice rang out as a shadow nearby suddenly moved. With the sound of pitter-pattering footsteps, a girl in a bohemian-style dress emerged.

Speak of the devil. Chu Zihang’s frown deepened.

"I went to the hotel to find you, but the front desk said you’d left, so I asked around all the way here!" Xia Mi grinned, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

Now, aside from Lu Mingfei and that fellow Finger, the two dragon-slaying teams were nearly complete.

"It seems your team abandoned you, or did you abandon your team?" Caesar tilted his chin up.

This mission was more than a hunt; it was a contest between the Board of Trustees and Angers. Caesar’s team, representing the Board, clearly held the advantage now, at least all three of his members were present. Competing with Chu Zihang was one of the few things Caesar truly relished.

"Um..." Xia Mi suddenly raised her hand. "Captain, may I defect?"

She framed it as a question, but without waiting for Caesar’s response, she scurried over to stand beside Chu Zihang. Two against two.

Xia Mi stuck out her tongue and leaned toward Chu Zihang, saying with a hint of smugness, "After all, I was an undercover agent to begin with!"

"Predictable," Caesar replied, his expression unchanged.

His mind was entirely on NoNo. She lacked a Yanling, making her survival in a Nibelungen entirely dependent on his protection. NoNo, however, seemed nonchalant. She had come for one reason: the being known as the Elder had sent her a message, inviting her to watch a play here.

The title was intriguing: The Molting of the Cocoon, the Ascension of the Dragon. And she was never one to fear death. If he invited, she would come.

Though, so far, the man was nowhere to be seen.

As the two sides faced off, a wail suddenly erupted from the depths of the tunnel, a voice so familiar it was unmistakable.

"Lu Mingfei!" The group's pupils dilated in shock.

"How did that idiot get in here too?" NoNo’s expression turned anxious.

But Chu Zihang was already running, charging into the unknown depths without a second thought.

"Wait for me!" Xia Mi followed close behind.

…

At the very end of the tracks, Lu Mingfei was sprawled on the ground, staring in terror at the massive, serpentine presence before him. It was the neck of the King of Earth and Mountains, Fenrir.

Lu Mingfei scrambled backward, his hands scraping the dirt. Not long ago, he had followed the tracks to their end, finding nothing but a stone wall. Then, a blinding yellow light had dawned from above, the eye of the reptilian colossus.

He was face-to-face with a Dragon King.

For a moment, the sheer pressure of the creature’s presence paralyzed him. Powers, prices, deals, all were driven from his mind by the raw terror of a jump-scare. In an instant, he reverted to the "loser" he knew so well.

Rapid footsteps thundered behind him, followed by a searing flash of light.

"Lu Mingfei! Get back! Hide!" Chu Zihang’s voice boomed like thunder through the tunnel.

The "Killing Machine" didn't hesitate for a second. Upon seeing the Dragon King, he charged. His Yanling: King’s Blaze erupted, the high-risk power manifesting as a field of explosive heat around him.

Behind him, a gust of wind lifted Xia Mi. She hovered in the air like a descending goddess, her Eye of the Storm coordinating perfectly with Chu Zihang’s fire. The intense heat melted the coal and iron tracks into raw energy, which the wind then gathered into a miniature sun, hurling it toward the Dragon King.

This was the way of things between Hybrids and Dragons: no words, only the ancient enmity of life and death.

The light illuminated Lu Mingfei’s face, finally allowing him to see the whole scene. The Dragon King’s lower body was encased in the stone wall, but its neck, tens of meters long, was arched high. The joy in its golden eyes vanished, replaced instantly by something else.

The flames also revealed Caesar rushing in from behind, his "Big Boss," and NoNo standing by the tracks. His crush was waving at him, gesturing for him to get away from the battlefield.

I look like such a dork, Lu Mingfei thought. His pathetic display must have been seen by everyone.

He scrambled up just as the terrifying explosion and shockwave struck the Dragon King. The beast wailed. The scorching heat melted the pile of ignored bottle caps it had been guarding under its neck into black slag. An old television caught fire and was tossed aside by the blast, smashing against the wall, totaled.

The war was on.

Lu Mingfei was momentarily stunned until a hand gripped his arm. NoNo had reached his side and yanked him away from the blast radius. Her strength was surprising; they tumbled to the ground together, the heat singeing their hair.

"Do you want to die?! Leave it to Chu Zihang and the others! What are you doing in the middle of it?" NoNo scolded him, her voice sharp with concern.

Lu Mingfei blinked. For a moment, he felt like that "dead kid" again, being ushered out of the movie theater by NoNo.

"Actually... senior... I have power now," he muttered, pouting.

"Quiet! I know you, even if you had power, you wouldn't know how to use it," NoNo said, dragging him toward safety.

Lu Mingfei felt a pang in his chest. "Senior, did you say yes to the Boss’s proposal?" His eyes fell on the engagement ring on NoNo’s finger. Not long ago, her hand had been bare.

NoNo flinched, instinctively hiding her hand behind her back. Caesar was a romantic to a fault; he had declared that the bravest man should propose to the woman he loved in the most dangerous place in the world, and a Nibelungen was a perfect choice.

She had put on the ring. She shouldn't have felt like a thief, accepting Caesar's proposal was the natural order of things, as natural as eating cake on a birthday. But looking at Lu Mingfei’s crumpled face, she found herself shrinking back.

"I was just asking. No big deal," Lu Mingfei said, waving his hands dismissively.

Before he could say more, a massive tremor shook the earth. With a primal ferocity, the fury of the King of Earth and Mountains swept through the Nibelungen.

Chu Zihang and Xia Mi’s cooperation was flawless, and Caesar’s confidence was no less formidable. Just moments ago, he had obtained the Blood Rage ability from Chu Zihang’s deputy, a dangerous technique that drastically amplified one’s power.

This was a battle of Cassell College’s elite, a showcase of the ultimate Hybrid combat. Others could only watch from the sidelines.

Unseen by all, a figure in a suit floated silently above their heads, observing the chaos below.

"It seems it's almost over. I don't know why, but the King of Earth and Mountains seems to lack the will to fight, and my students are exceptional," Angers remarked from his distant location, his eyes burning as he watched the battlefield through the video feed.

Through Zoran, he witnessed it all. A dragon slayer's war was nearing its end; the Dragon King was about to die. The blood in Angers’ aged body throbbed with excitement.

"No. Not yet."

Zoran’s gaze shifted downward toward the terrified "loser," then back up to Xia Mi hovering in mid-air.

"This is a masterpiece, and the curtain has only just been raised. As an audience member, one must have patience. Wouldn't you agree?"

 

 

Chapter 75: From Cocoon to Dragon

 

A safe distance from the battlefield, NoNo forcibly dragged Lu Mingfei to a spot that looked relatively secure. Unlike the heavy hitters capable of trading blows with a Dragon King, Lu Mingfei was a well-known "loser," and NoNo herself lacked a Yanling. Being too close to the front lines was never a good idea.

"Senior, you're just worried the Boss will get concerned, right?" Lu Mingfei asked, watching the shadows leaping in the distance.

The wrath of a Dragon King sent tremors rippled through the ground. On the tracks, the black coal cinders rose and fell in the vibration, dancing a solitary waltz.

That engagement ring was breathtaking. Caesar had impeccable taste; the ring he’d chosen for his girl was naturally the most unique, high-quality piece in the world. By the firelight of the King’s Blaze, the diamond on the setting emitted a faint, shimmering glow. Diamonds are hard and sharp, much like NoNo herself, a beautiful and headstrong girl.

That glimmer flickered in the pitch-black tunnel, cutting across Lu Mingfei’s vision, slicing open his eyes to reveal the faint shadow of sorrow hidden within. NoNo knew what he was thinking. She clenched her fist; sometimes she really wanted to punch that twisted expression off his face, but she could never bring herself to do it.

She was just as sentimental. She knew she shouldn't give this "dead kid" any hope, yet she couldn't bear to watch him suffer. Back in that cinema in the small southern town, when she saw everyone playing Lu Mingfei for a fool, orchestrating Zhao Menghua’s confession to Chen Wenwen as if it were a prank, the thought of the "loser's" face made her heart feel heavy and damp.

In life, people are forced to make countless decisions. A long life, when broken down, is nothing more than a series of choices. Choose correctly, and all is well; choose wrongly, and you might fall into an abyss of lifelong regret.

Such is the nature of a crossroads.

Lu Mingfei said nothing. He simply clenched his fists and stared at the distant firelight. Kids like him were the most frustrating: they didn't scream or make a scene; they just stood far away, watching you silently, their faces bunching up piteously even when they were the ones wronged. You knew he hadn't done anything wrong; he was just cradling a flickering candle-stub of hope in his heart.

And now, you've put on the ring. You've crushed that tiny flame of a crush into absolute dust.

In the darkness, NoNo ran her fingers through her dark red hair, messing it up. She had a thousand words in her head, but she wasn't the type to offer comfort. Just as she was about to speak, an incredulous cry erupted from the firelight.

"Xia Mi!" It was Caesar’s voice, trembling with terror.

In their line of sight, a dark shadow descended from above, pinning the boy in its grasp to the ground.

The Dragon King at the end of these tracks was one of the twins of the King of Earth and Mountains: Fenrir. Every Dragon King is a twin, one holding the Authority, the other holding the Power. Fenrir was the twin of Power. But he was simple-minded; despite possessing the gargantuan body of a reptile, his mind was that of a four- or five-year-old child. His favorite pastime was playing Texas Hold 'em with the unlucky souls who wandered into the Nibelungen, betting bottle caps, a game he’d learned from an old TV set. His favorite snack was potato chips. And his favorite person was his "Sister."

It felt like forever, but "Sister" was finally back, and she’d brought friends. But Sister’s friends were mean, and even Sister herself seemed different.

With a mournful wail, Fenrir’s exposed neck slumped lifelessly to the ground.

In that exact moment, Xia Mi—no, Jörmungandr, showed her fangs. In the blink of an eye, she transformed from a cute, mischievous girl into the draconic Jörmungandr. With claws and scales, she ambushed the defenseless Chu Zihang from the air and used her Yanling to suppress Caesar.

Next, she only had to consume Fenrir. As a twin Dragon King, she could only become a complete being by devouring her other half. As for the other two, NoNo and Lu Mingfei outside the battlefield, they posed no threat. She had plotted for so long; this was the final moment.

Amidst the dying embers, she cradled Chu Zihang, whispering. She spoke of many things, of "Xia Mi," of the classmates at Shilan High School, and of Jörmungandr. The flames dimmed as the scent of blood filled the air.

Lu Mingfei stumbled toward the stone wall, witnessing a horrifying scene. Chu Zihang was covered in blood, a gaping hole in his abdomen, while the "Junior Sister" Xia Mi, if she could still be called that, stared blankly at the sky. A Japanese blade was thrust through her waist, Chu Zihang’s Murasame. Emotions? Strength? No one could say for sure; it was a mutual destruction.

"Lu Mingfei, where's NoNo?" Caesar asked, panting. He wasn't much better; Xia Mi’s sudden betrayal and the erupting domain had nearly flayed him alive. If not for the Blood Rage keeping him going, he would have blacked out.

As he spoke, a dark red figure blurred past Lu Mingfei’s vision, rushing to Caesar’s side to support him. It was NoNo.

What a devoted couple. Even a Dragon King died at their hands. Any girl would marry a man like that, Lu Mingfei thought. He looked away, his gaze falling on Chu Zihang. Chu Zihang’s eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the draconic Xia Mi, even in his weakened state.

Lu Mingfei withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching. Whether fighting to the death or living in peace, it seemed everyone had someone by their side. So this is what a "winner at life" looks like, he thought. The righteous "witch" and the villainous "sorceress" were both spoken for, while he was still here, shining bright like a third-wheel lightbulb.

The couples radiated blood and warmth on either side of him. Meanwhile, he could only stare numbly at the fallen reptile before him. It seemed if he wanted to "ship" himself with anyone, it would have to be this Dragon King, even if it was already dead.

Lu Mingfei lifted his foot, about to walk toward Chu Zihang, when a black shadow lashed out like lightning, coiling around Xia Mi’s body and retracting it instantly. Chu Zihang’s pupils shrank; his eyes followed the shadow until they landed on the stone wall.

Fenrir slowly raised his neck, taking Xia Mi into his mouth and snapping his jaws shut.

"Sister..." he wailed, a sound between a sob and a cry.

A gargantuan power enveloped the Nibelungen. The terrifying monster had consumed its twin; thus, the Authority of the King of Earth and Mountain was unified.

Hela, Goddess of Death, had descended through fusion.

At that moment, everyone trembled. Perhaps it was out of fear for the Dragon King, or perhaps it was the terrifying twist of Fenrir playing dead only to suddenly reappear. The Nibelungen shook violently as countless Kamaitachi shrieked and swirled through the land of the dead. Despair spread like a plague.

"Run!!!" Caesar and Chu Zihang shouted in unison.

Events had spiraled out of control. The situation was beyond salvage. The fused Hela was invoking its Yanling.

Shiva’s Dance, the ultimate power rumored to have destroyed an entire city in ancient India. Its monstrous form broke free from the stone wall, moving and stretching with the grace of the most fluid dancer. It was beginning the dance of world-ending destruction.

Lu Mingfei felt himself being dragged. Before he could react, NoNo was pulling him with one hand while supporting Caesar with the other, running toward the exit. Chu Zihang summoned his last ounce of strength, standing half-bent before the destruction of the Shiva’s Dance, silent and still.

"I have to go back for Senior Brother," Lu Mingfei said, wrenching himself free from NoNo’s grip. He stood firmly on the tracks.

"Are you crazy? Chu Zihang is buying us time with his life! You’re going back just to die?"

"Boss, Senior." Lu Mingfei clenched his hands, looking down at himself. "Remember? I told you... I have power now."

His voice fell softly, disappearing into the howling winds of the Nibelungen. NoNo was stunned. Nothing had physically changed, yet Lu Mingfei’s eyes were different. Those once timid eyes had suddenly become resolute. It was as if a flame was hidden within them, a flame capable of incinerating everything.

At that moment, NoNo’s phone suddenly rang. She scrambled to pull it out, clicking the message from the Elder. It wasn't just NoNo; everyone’s phone chimed simultaneously with the same message.

The message from the Elder:

"Please take your seats, everyone. The stage is set for the climax!"

In the pitch-black underground, it was as if two spotlights had snapped on. One shone on the dancing Dragon King. The other fell directly on Lu Mingfei.

He turned his back to the others and began walking slowly toward Hela.

The "loser," the "dead kid," the shadow cast by the spotlight suddenly loomed over the entire track.

"Lu Mingfei!" NoNo screamed his name.

The "dead kid" paused. He looked back, his expression one of absolute resolve. In this moment, he was the only warrior brave enough to walk against the tide toward Hela. This loser had never looked so cool in his entire life.

He roared the name, and flames swept across his body, draping him in a magnificent raiment of fire.

"SHENDU!" he bellowed.