Chapter Thirty-Three: Gains for All

"Your ancestor asked me to save the world, do you believe it?" Mo Bufan said casually to Long Ling'er as they walked.

Long Ling'er was taken aback, then laughed. "Friend Mo, don't joke around."

Mo Bufan sighed helplessly. "See? I told you and you don't believe me. What else can I do?"

Though the old dragon hadn’t tasked him with saving the world, the War Emperor’s dying wish was hardly less of a burden.

Anger flickered across Long Ling'er’s face before she forced a smile.

"I believe you." Suddenly, Zhao Yuan'er, who had been following behind, spoke up, her eyes bright with sincerity as she looked at Mo Bufan, her expression earnest.

Mo Bufan chuckled. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me."

Long Ling'er continued, "Did the Dragon Ancestor leave behind any rare treasures or cultivation techniques of the dragon clan? Those belong to us; if he did, we hope you’ll return them."

Mo Bufan glanced at her as if she were a fool, then shook his head with resignation. "There’s nothing of your dragon clan’s in my possession… To tell you the truth, the Dragon Ancestor’s last wish was simple. He hoped that in my lifetime I could help the beasts trapped in the Abyss of Fallen Dragons escape their suffering, so they’re no longer hunted by human cultivators or used as tools for disciples’ training. Can your dragon clan help with that?"

"Ah?" Long Ling'er’s face showed disbelief and hesitation.

Mo Bufan snorted coldly. "I knew you’d refuse. After all, there’s nothing in it for your dragon clan."

With that, Mo Bufan lost much of his desire to converse with this young dragon. If their paths were so different, there was no reason to travel together.

The old dragon’s other wishes didn’t weigh heavily on Mo Bufan’s mind—they were far beyond his reach for now—but this last one mattered to him. Frankly, he didn’t believe the beasts of the Abyss deserved to be slaughtered; perhaps none of them did. Yet they suffered relentless killing. It was deeply unfair. Now that he was gaining the power to change this, he felt compelled to try. After all, fairness was hardly a bad thing.

Seeing Mo Bufan’s disinterest, Long Ling'er fell silent.

Soon after, the three left the Dragon Ancestor’s Immortal Court. Since they were inside, the protective arrays didn’t hinder them, and their pace was swift. In no time, they reached the foot of the mountain.

The place where the battle had raged between demons, human cultivators, and beasts was now a ruin. The beasts and cultivators had dispersed, leaving only four figures anxiously waiting at the mountain’s base.

These four were naturally Long Ao and Long Tian, the brothers, along with Shangguan Feng and Lu Feng.

Both groups had waited here for hours, anxiety gnawing at them. They had even prepared for the worst regarding Long Ling'er and Zhao Yuan’er’s fates.

Not long before, a woman in white robes had come searching for Mo Bufan. After more than an hour, she’d rushed out, her face streaked with tears, clearly devastated.

All of them recognized the Heavenly Profound Sect. The white-robed woman was unmistakably a senior elder—Shangguan Feng knew her as the sect’s vice leader. Her ability to enter and exit the Dragon Ancestor’s formation unscathed wasn’t surprising, but her grief-stricken expression made Shangguan Feng suspect something had happened to Mo Bufan. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left so abruptly, ignoring them entirely.

The two dragon brothers had similar suspicions but, rather naively, concluded that the Heavenly Profound Sect must covet the Dragon Ancestor’s treasures. Why else would they send an elder so openly? Grieving for their sister, they also resolved to report this to their clan and never let the matter rest.

Fortunately, patience held out, and their deep affection for Long Ling'er and Zhao Yuan’er made them wait a bit longer. At last, Mo Bufan and his companions emerged from the mountain.

Seeing Long Ling'er and Zhao Yuan’er, the four hurried over, scrutinizing the young women anxiously as if afraid they might fall apart at a touch.

Mo Bufan, however, wasn’t in the mood for delay. He cupped his fists in farewell. "Everyone, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Until we meet again."

"Safe travels, Friend Mo," said Shangguan Feng, now even more certain of Mo Bufan’s extraordinary status.

Long Ling'er and the others exchanged glances, then saluted Mo Bufan in turn.

Without further ado, Mo Bufan left, carrying three animals with him as he strode toward the outer perimeter.

The three little creatures were all rather quiet, especially the orange cat, which had slept soundly in its basket without making a sound. If Mo Bufan hadn’t known its true identity as the Dustless Great Emperor, he might have treated it as an ordinary cat. In fact, from then on, he did exactly that. With its memories sealed and all spiritual power gone, there was little to distinguish it from any other feline.

Mo Bufan stopped near the boundary of the four great branch halls. He didn’t plan to leave the area for now, intending to stay until his departure.

The recent upheaval and the Dragon Ancestor’s lingering soul would deter most from entering the Abyss of Fallen Dragons. Few dared approach, and the beasts least of all, making it a safe and quiet refuge.

Still, he didn’t want to remain too close to the heart of the disturbance. The news would have spread, and his own beloved had already come searching for him—others would surely follow. Keeping a moderate distance seemed safest.

***

Meanwhile, the three dragons were deep in conversation.

The brothers recounted their encounter with Song Yuxuan to their sister, while she told them about her experiences in the Dragon Ancestor’s Immortal Court.

Together, they reached a conclusion: the Heavenly Profound Sect must have stolen secrets from the Dragon Ancestor’s court. Why else send both Mo Bufan and that elder? Thus, a grudge was quietly sown between the dragon clan and the sect, and they made two resolutions.

First, they would continue to track Mo Bufan, hoping to uncover how many secrets or treasures he had taken from the Dragon Ancestor and to report back to their clan.

Second, once back among the dragons, they would launch a thorough investigation into the Heavenly Profound Sect, to discover just how much the sect knew of dragon secrets and to reclaim any stolen techniques or treasures.

While the dragons made their plans, Zhao Yuan’er related her adventures in the Immortal Court to her master. Shangguan Feng, amazed and a little envious, realized that even a fraction of the Dragon Ancestor’s power could elevate a cultivator beyond the celestial realm—his disciple’s future was now assuredly extraordinary.

He too made a decision: Zhao Yuan’er must apprentice at one of the four great sects, for only there could her potential truly be realized. Naturally, his first choice was the Heavenly Profound Sect.

***

Once the three dragons had settled their plans, they approached Zhao Yuan’er.

Long Ling'er smiled and bowed. "Sister, I hear you’re a princess of the Yue Lai Kingdom? I’m a princess of the dragon clan. Truly, fate has brought us together."

Zhao Yuan’er returned her smile. "That’s right."

Though headstrong, she was well-versed in etiquette—an upbringing in royalty saw to that.

Long Ling'er laughed. "After all we’ve endured together, sharing hardship and danger, why not become sworn sisters? Surely you won’t look down on me?"

Zhao Yuan’er glanced at her master.

Shangguan Feng’s face brightened. The dragon clan’s strength surpassed even the four great sects. Having such a sister would be a powerful ally. Although Long Ling'er's intentions were clear—she sought the dragon pearl Zhao Yuan’er had absorbed—it was now impossible to reclaim. It was Zhao Yuan’er’s potential that truly mattered.

He smiled. "What an honor, Lady Long. The dragon clan is among the mightiest of all races. Our princess would only be fortunate to call you sister."

Zhao Yuan’er echoed him. "Indeed, sister, I would be more than happy to become sworn sisters with you."

Long Ling’er took Zhao Yuan’er’s hand and led her to the foot of the Immortal Court’s mountain. "Then let us swear our bond before the Dragon Ancestor’s Immortal Court."

Zhao Yuan’er nodded, and the two knelt, exchanged tokens, and became sworn sisters.

Long Ling'er gave Zhao Yuan’er a dragon scale the size of a palm, a protective treasure, while Zhao Yuan’er gifted a jade pendant with healing powers. Both tokens were extraordinary—neither the dragon clan nor the royal palace would bar their bearers.

"Sister, when you have time, come visit the dragon clan. You can meet my father," Long Ling’er said with a radiant smile, holding Zhao Yuan’er’s hand.

"I’d love to," Zhao Yuan’er replied, delight shining in her eyes. She truly wished to see the dragon clan herself. "And you must visit our palace. I’ll have the royal kitchens prepare a feast for you."

Long Ling’er beamed.

"Ladies, this isn’t the place for conversation," Long Ao interjected. "Besides, we have urgent matters to attend to. Why not continue your chat outside?"

Zhao Yuan’er agreed at once, and Long Ling’er smiled in assent. The two set a date to meet outside, and then the three dragons bade farewell to Zhao Yuan’er’s group, hurrying off in pursuit of Mo Bufan.

Shangguan Feng watched their retreating figures, a trace of doubt flickering across his face. Still, he let it go with a smile. The harvest from this journey was already tremendous, and whatever business remained between those three and Mo Bufan was none of his concern.

After all, he was but an Earthly Immortal…