When the dragon opened its eyes, the first thing it saw was not darkness, but a dazzling world. And a being like an eternal stone—more steadfast than itself.
The dragon understood in that instant:
Even a stone on the ground could shine against the things in the sky.
The grandeur of the one who gifted it sight burned into its mind in its first moment of true vision. Then a white figure leapt into the scene—tiny, energetic, impossible to ignore.
"So it can see now?"
Xuekui floated beside the dragon's head and tapped the protective layer over its new eye.
The dragon was honest and good-natured. It had no intention of anger—much less of harming the "child" of its benefactor.
And besides, Xuekui was half an恩—if the yaksha hadn't brought Morax, the dragon might've slept under the earth for countless years more.
Morax pulled Xuekui away and asked the dragon:
"My name is Morax. Do you have a name?"
"My name is Azhdaha," the dragon answered, respectful. So it already had a name…
For some reason, Morax felt a flicker of disappointment.
Lately, he'd been wanting to name people—but nothing went his way.
Xuekui's name had been claimed by Guizhong, and now this dragon already had its own.
"You are comparable to me," Morax said. "There is no need for excessive reverence. Though a contract binds you, you are not my subordinate. That would be unfair. From now on, we will address each other as friends."
"Friends…"
Azhdaha repeated the word, understanding its meaning… yet lacking the weight of experience behind it.
"Can you take human form?" Morax asked. "It will make travel easier." Xuekui cut in.
"He was stuck underground the whole time—how could he possibly know?" Morax hadn't even spoken before Azhdaha replied.
"So I just need to become something like you?" "Ha?" Xuekui stared, astonished.
Morax nodded.
"Hey, big guy," Xuekui scoffed, "don't pretend you know things." Azhdaha hesitated, confused.
"Isn't transforming shape… a simple technique?" Xuekui's mouth fell open.
"Don't lie! You never learned arts before—how could you—" Azhdaha's voice was genuinely puzzled.
"Learn? This requires learning?"
"Do you… not know how?" Azhdaha asked innocently. That single question shoved a fist down Xuekui's throat. Xuekui pointed at him, shaking.
"Y-you—!"
Morax's gaze was filled with appreciation.
This dragon could fight outside, and freeze Xuekui inside. Azhdaha looked down, deciding what to become.
He glanced at Morax—then shook his head. Respect.
He turned to the still-jumping Xuekui instead.
Golden Geo light enveloped Azhdaha, shrinking him down into a human shape comparable to Morax's height. The light faded.
A tall man stood there, dressed similarly to Morax's human form. But his appearance—
Snow-white hair, clear features, masculine and strong, muscles subtly defined. It was unmistakably based on Xuekui.
Morax felt like he was looking at an older, stronger Xuekui.
Xuekui landed on the ground and stared at the man who looked seventy percent like him. A deep sense of absurdity rose.
"Why did you turn into me?"
"There was no other reference," Azhdaha said honestly. "And I didn't want to offend my benefactor."
Xuekui shivered.
A Cryo yaksha… feeling cold.
"You copied me, fine," Xuekui snapped, "but do I look this tall?!" Azhdaha blinked his brand-new eyes.
"My true body is large. If I became as small as you, it would feel uncomfortable." Meaning what?
Meaning Xuekui's body was too short to contain such grandeur? Xuekui's eye twitched.
He screamed, yanked out an ice spear, and charged Azhdaha with a wild "Waaah!"
Azhdaha didn't understand why the child was angry, nor why he charged straight in while ignoring the difference in strength.
This mortal world was difficult.
A moment later, Xuekui was face-down on the ground, ass in the air, his expression full of question marks.
He went in…
And got instantly flattened?
He had barely touched "principle"—how did he fall this fast? Why was this Azhdaha as ridiculous as Morax?!
Were dragon-formed beings all monsters? Morax understood.
Azhdaha was honest to the point of frightening—no extra force, no mercy, just precisely enough to subdue the child in the quickest way.
A strength comparable to Morax's, indeed.
When Morax brought Azhdaha and delivered Xuekui back to Guizhong's land, he saw Guizhong waiting from far away.
Morax sighed.
His friend had sunk too deeply into mortal emotion. She looked like a mother waiting for her child to return.
When he came close enough to see Guizhong's displeasure, Morax softened his posture slightly.
"Guizhong—"
"You still remember to send him back?" Morax stalled.
"I let him lead the way. Of course I protected him."
"The last time Xuekui vanished for three months, you didn't say that." Morax fell silent.
Was his friend always this petty?
Unsure what to do, Morax glanced at Azhdaha behind him and felt that Xuekui really was… auspicious.
Not only was Xuekui himself absurdly talented, but ever since meeting him Morax had gained a quasi-adeptus beast and a dragon king.
His luck had improved. Morax teased, half-serious.
"How about you lend him to me for another three months? Let him be a lucky charm to stabilize my fortunes."
Guizhong's face darkened instantly. She grabbed Xuekui's hand and pulled him back into her territory.
"Stay away from that old piece of wood." "Huh? Oh…"
Xuekui didn't understand, but he still agreed.
Morax stood where he was, sighing at the tragedy of friendship.
Friendship, he mused, was like sand on the shore—time's waves rolled through, and it vanished.
He looked at Azhdaha, who wore the same baffled look as Xuekui. Morax patted his new friend's shoulder.
"Azhdaha… remember this. While obeying human order, don't pick up human vulgarity." Azhdaha and Xuekui stared at him, equally confused.
Morax sighed as if mourning something lost. "Especially the temperaments of women."