The Heavenly Fire Empress, Huo Ling'er, who was initially overwhelmed with emotions, slowly wiped away her tears after hearing the Northern Empress Leng Ruoxue's sarcastic remarks.
The past could not be changed, but the future had to be considered. Leng Ruoxue's words were nothing more than sour grapes. If she fell for it, she would indeed be foolish.
Huo Ling'er smiled at Leng Ruoxue, "Sorry, I lost my composure. I never realized how deeply Master loved me!"
She emphasized the word "love" with extra intensity.
"Rubbish! Stop deluding yourself!" Leng Ruoxue retorted, though she understood the truth, she refused to admit it out loud.
"Am I deluding myself? I think it's you who's deluding herself!" Huo Ling'er scoffed.
"You think Master could ever fall for someone as arrogant and unreasonable as you?" Leng Ruoxue shot back, unwilling to back down.
"I'm arrogant and unreasonable? You're describing yourself!" Huo Ling'er countered.
"Wretch! Are you looking for a fight?"
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"Bring it on!"
"…"
The two kept bickering back and forth, refusing to yield. The Lunar Yin Empress Wen Yaxian could only intervene, trying to mediate between them.
The onlookers were dumbfounded. Even the exalted Empresses could quarrel like common shrews. It was a bit disillusioning but also enviable. If two Empresses fought over them, they would die happy.
Above them, the Jade Pool Empress looked down on the bickering pair with disdain. As expected, these low-born women fought over a man, disgracing the title of Empress.
The Dragon Empress, however, remained emotionless, her gaze fixed on Xiao Fan within the Haotian Mirror. She knew what was coming next—her time with Xiao Fan. Remembering those moments caused her heart to ache once more.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Huo Ling'er raised her sword toward Xiao Fan, her hand trembling with pain and sorrow. Why Xiao Fan? Why!
"Do it," Xiao Fan said calmly.
Huo Ling'er closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ground shook, as if something enormous was approaching rapidly.
"That's... a dragon!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in shock.
Everyone turned to see a colossal silver-white dragon, covered in scales, charging toward them. The dragon seemed unaccustomed to its body, tilting and crashing into buildings with each stride. But its speed increased, and soon it took to the sky.
The crowd scattered in panic. They were already weakened from the Heavenly Fire's eruption, and now faced this legendary beast. Instinctively, they avoided the dragon, knowing even a slight collision with its massive body could cause serious injury.
Xiao Fan recognized the dragon's true identity—it was the dragon girl. She seemed out of control and was heading straight for him.
He glanced at Huo Ling'er, knowing she couldn't handle this.
Huo Ling'er also recognized the dragon girl but was too late to react before a force knocked her aside.
In that instant, the dragon girl reached them, swallowing Xiao Fan whole before flying away.
"No!" Huo Ling'er leaped on her sword to give chase, but the royal elder stopped her. The dragon emitted a powerful aura, clearly of high bloodline. Chasing it might be futile and dangerous. With the kingdom in ruins, they couldn't afford further losses.
The dragon girl flew with Xiao Fan in her mouth until she was exhausted, reverting to her human form and fainting.
Xiao Fan carefully cradled her, filled with confusion. She shouldn't be able to transform yet. Perhaps the Heavenly Fire's explosion triggered her bloodline, forcing the transformation for protection.
If so, this was bad. The dragon girl, being half-dragon, half-human, might become a mindless beast if her consciousness was overwhelmed by the transformation.
She was deeply attached to him and saved him even in her dragon form. Only he could save her, restore her true consciousness.
Determined, Xiao Fan decided to take her to a remote place to prevent further loss of control from harming others.
Days later, in a secluded valley.
The dragon girl finally awoke. Transforming had drained her energy, causing her to sleep for a long time. Her eyes, now red, showed a wild, beastly nature.
Fortunately, Xiao Fan had prepared, binding her in advance.
"Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhh…" she screamed, her bloodthirsty eyes fixed on Xiao Fan.
"Do you recognize me?" Xiao Fan asked gently.
"Ahhh! Ahhh!"
She didn't. Xiao Fan was prepared for this, knowing it wouldn't be easy. He was ready for a long battle.
"Have something to eat." Xiao Fan offered her some cooked meat and vegetables.
The dragon girl struggled, knocking the food aside, her eyes showing a primal hunger. She wanted raw, bloody meat.
Xiao Fan knew this but wouldn't give in. Feeding her raw meat would only enhance her beastly instincts, hindering her recovery.
Still, she needed a bit of blood to calm her emotions initially. With this in mind, Xiao Fan slowly took out a dagger.