Alchemy Commission.
Dragon Lady's Palace.
Outside the window, a fine rain fell, splashing into a hazy mist.
The sunlight shone at an angle, refracting into a seven-colored stream of light on the windowpane.
A small purple dragon girl sat curled by the window, her chubby little hands pressed against the cool glass, her clear eyes looking at the world outside with envy.
Small flowers that had just bloomed after the rain were dotted with water droplets.
She wanted to go out.
She wanted to step in the small puddles on the bluestone pavement.
She wanted to pick that blue iris that was blooming most vibrantly.
She wanted to run on the grass after the rain and let her whole body be covered in the fragrance of the earth.
But the Chief Alchemist said there were bad people outside who would kill her.
So, she could only sit here, day after day, year after year, looking out the window.
In her arms, she held a small medicine mortar, with the pestle in her chubby little hands, grinding the fragmented medicinal herbs back and forth.
"I really want to go out and pick flowers."
The little dragon girl blinked, burying her longing deep in her eyes, and lowered her head to continue grinding medicine.
"Mhm—"
"I have to grind it well, or the Chief Alchemist will be angry."
The little dragon girl puffed out her cheeks.
Grind, grind, pound, pound...
Until her wrists felt sore and her fingertips felt hot.
Suddenly, her whole body trembled.
A chill surged up from her spine, instantly spreading throughout her body.
The little dragon girl gave a violent start, and the pestle in her hand fell into the mortar with a 'clang.'
She turned her head sharply, and at some point, a figure had appeared in the room.
White hair fell like snow to her waist, and she wore a plain robe as white as frost. The longsword in her hand was not yet unsheathed, but it already glinted with a piercing cold light.
The woman stood quietly in the shadows, watching her silently.
"!"
Bailu's pupils shrank abruptly, and her breath hitched.
Nimbly dropping the mortar, her small body bounced up like a startled young animal and scrambled behind the tables and chairs.
Her small hands rubbed together tremulously, and small sparks of lightning 'zizzed' and crackled in her palms.
"You... you! Are you here to kill me?"
Bailu spoke with a sob in her voice, yet she forced herself not to back down.
"..."
Skirk's heart gave a violent tug.
What on earth has this poor little thing been through all these years?
The first thing she thought upon seeing her was that someone had come to kill her.
In the group chat, Jingliu was clicking frantically.
['Jingliu' is requesting to enter your world. Do you agree?]
Skirk swept a cold glance over it.
[Refuse!]
[Frozen Violet Melon]: "If you keep making noise, I'll turn it off and won't let you see Bailu anymore."
Finally, the frantic notification sounds stopped.
Jingliu would only cause trouble if she came; if her Mara-struck state was triggered, Ryuga would have to step in again.
She didn't want any unnecessary complications.
"This is for you."
Skirk gently placed the small flower she had just plucked on the table.
On the pale purple petals, there was still moist dew, shimmering with a soft luster.
"A flower?"
"Aren't you here to kill me?"
Bailu froze, the lightning at her fingertips trembling slightly.
"Why would I kill you? You're so cute."
This was the first time Skirk had smiled sincerely.
Bailu was stunned, and the lightning quietly dissipated.
Cute?
Since she could remember, it seemed only her maid had ever said that to her.
Yuanli.
Before she could react, Skirk slowly turned around and walked toward the wall with silent steps.
"You should be free very soon. A new High Elder will come to take you out."
After saying that, her figure flickered and she had already appeared outside the room.
Skirk wanted to stay a bit longer, but footsteps sounded in the corridor.
Outside, the rain had stopped.
Inside, Bailu stared blankly at Skirk's back outside the window, her heart suddenly warming.
She really wanted that kind of ability.
That way, she wouldn't be trapped here.
In her ears, the sound of footsteps was already drawing near.
Bailu snapped back to her senses, ran a few steps, and hurriedly stuffed the flower into the deepest part of the medicine cabinet.
Then, she scrambled to pick up the mortar and pestle, pretending she had been diligently grinding medicine all along.
The sound of grinding medicine resumed: sha-sha, sha-sha.
"Miss Bailu."
Yuanli pushed open the door abruptly.
"Phew~ It's you, Yuanli. You gave me a fright."
Bailu let out a light breath, her small hand patting her chest.
"What's wrong?" "I thought it was the Chief Alchemist."
"Did you spill the medicine again?"
Yuanli gave a laugh, stepped forward quickly, and knelt down to carefully pick up the medicinal herbs scattered all over the floor.
Halfway through picking them up, she suddenly stood up.
"Oh, that's right! Miss Bailu, a new High Elder has come to the Luofu!"
"Supposedly, it's an outworld Vidyadhara who received the blessings of dual divine dragons."
"Once she becomes the High Elder, I believe Miss Bailu will be free very soon."
Yuanli spoke rapidly, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and sparks of joy burst from her eyes.
"Ah?"
Bailu opened her mouth, staring blankly out the window.
Was what that person said true?
...
Aurum Alley.
"Preceptor Taoran, respectfully welcomes the High Elder!"
The sudden shout made Pardo's cat tail puff up in fright.
Can even jumped three feet high, letting out a 'meow' and glaring fiercely at Taoran, her tail held ramrod straight as she hissed.
"Taoran?"
Ryuga glanced over. Mhm, it was the elderly version from the PV story, not the young version with horns and mutated arms.
"Does this gentleman know of me?"
Taoran was stunned.
Judging by the relationship, since he was standing so close to the High Elder, could he be the High Elder's man?
"I don't know you."
Ryuga turned his head away.
Taoran was choked by the response. If you don't know me, why did you use a questioning tone?
"Hmm?"
Aponia slowly turned around, still biting into a skewer of Qiongshi birds.
Her eyes, as calm as an ancient well, were as still as deep water, as if untouched by the world's dust, giving only a light glance without a hint of a ripple.
"Calling me?"
Her gaze was a bit bewildered.
Ryuga let out a 'tsk,' his mouth twitching slightly as he nearly burst out laughing.
Beside him, Elysia was also pursing her lips, looking like she was desperately holding back.
Aponia's acting was truly masterful.
She put on a perfect front of being dazed, bewildered, and seemingly weak and easily bullied.
"That's right, you are the High Elder."
Taoran was so excited his whole body was trembling.
It was his first time seeing a High Elder with different colored horns.
Heterochromatic dragon horns?
One as pink as the morning glow, the other as blue as the vast sea.
The dragon horns shimmered with a faint light, making her face appear even more cold and ethereal.
The pink and blue dragon tail swayed lazily behind her, its tip creating ripples in the air.
"!"
Taoran's whole body shook, his knees went weak uncontrollably, and he fell to the ground with a 'thud.'
Though it was undignified, he was quite excited.
This High Elder before him was indeed completely different from the rumors, with heterochromatic horns and a dragon's majesty that made the depths of his marrow tremble.
It was like a heavy abyss, pressing down on him until he could barely breathe.
"Ta-Taoran pays respects to the High Elder!"
With a 'bang,' Taoran prostrated himself on the ground and spoke tremulously and devoutly.
"Isn't our Luofu's High Elder Bailu?"
"Bailu is still here, and they're already changing people?"
"Bailu? Who's that? Never heard of her."
"I heard she's just a child."
The crowd's discussions rose and fell, instantly causing a stir.
Some elderly Vidyadhara even had tears in their eyes, murmuring words like 'blessings of the Dragon Ancestor.'
Tsk! Ryuga sighed inwardly. Just based on dragon horns and a tail, she can be the High Elder without even asking about her background or origin? Aren't they afraid she's a fake?
How big-hearted or blind are the Vidyadhara?
But on second thought, he understood.
The former Imbibitor Lunae, Dan Feng, was capable of both fighting and healing, with strength that surpassed everyone on the Luofu, second only to General Teng Xiao and the Sword Champion Jingliu.
It could be said to be the most glorious era for the Vidyadhara.
Unfortunately, the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae caused the heavens to collapse and the earth to rend.
Dan Feng was forced to undergo the shedding of scales and rebirth.
Bailu only inherited the power of healing, and her dragon's majesty was completely lost.
The current Vidyadhara have declined and desperately need a powerful High Elder to serve as a figurehead.
As for where the High Elder came from, they didn't care.
The bloodline was the proof, and the dragon's majesty was the evidence.
As descendants of the same Permanent Dragon Ancestor, this could not be faked.
"Oh."
Aponia spoke plainly, then turned around, her dragon tail giving a light flick as she continued to sample the delicacies.
"Uh, please manifest your dragon form, High Elder."
Taoran was choked again. Why was this High Elder so dazed?
But with that dragon's majesty, her strength should be very great.
Dazed?
That makes her even easier to control.
"..."
Ryuga desperately held back his laughter, nearly losing his composure, and winked at Aponia, signaling that her acting was already sufficient.
Any more would be overdoing it.
"Dragon form? Transforming into a dragon?"
Aponia's back was to the crowd, her voice like wind brushing against fine gauze, soft and gentle, as if coming from a distant dream.
"Yes, please reveal your dragon form, High Elder."
Taoran shook his head and respectfully held his breath.
Behind him, a group of Vidyadhara all knelt down, their voices rising in waves: "Please reveal your dragon form, High Elder!"
"You are disturbing my meal."
"Also, is the current Luofu High Elder called Bailu?"
Aponia slowly put down the Qiongshi bird skewer and gave a light huff.
"For disturbing your meal, we will naturally accept punishment."
"As for Bailu, we have never acknowledged her. If you reveal your dragon form, then you are the true High Elder of our Luofu Vidyadhara, and she... will no longer be."
Taoran's forehead touched the ground as he spoke tremulously.
At this moment, no one was speaking up for Bailu.
Because at this time, Bailu was still trapped in the Alchemy Commission and had never even come out for a consultation, let alone anything else; even among the Vidyadhara themselves, not many had seen her.
Her situation was essentially the same as Nahida's.
Locked away.
One played with toys, the other ground medicine.
"Fine."
Aponia gave a low sigh and slowly stood up.
In an instant, her whole body was ignited with a gathering flame of pink and blue.
Then, two dragon roars rang out, clear and resonant like the tide hitting the shore, echoing over Aurum Alley.
The flames surged, and two giant dragons broke through the fire and flew out.
One was like the deep sea, the other like the morning glow.
The two dragons circled, their scales shimmering, their massive dragon bodies long and winding, circling over Aurum Alley like a Taiji diagram as they flew.
As the dragons' eyes opened and closed, a dragon's majesty spread, without a hint of murderous intent.
A boundless serenity descended from the heavens, making people submit with joy in their hearts. "!"
Taoran looked up, completely dumbfounded.
The entire Aurum Alley was also stunned.
Dual dragons?
One body manifesting two forms?
This was unprecedented and had never happened before.
Though it was very unconventional and special, she was definitely a descendant of the Dragon Ancestor.
The aura of the bloodline could not be mistaken.
This was wonderful; the Luofu Vidyadhara had finally welcomed a true High Elder once again.
"Keng—"
After two clear dragon roars, the dual dragons slowly retracted their momentum, circled down, and finally merged in front of everyone.
The flames subsided, the radiance was internalized, and she turned back into Aponia.
Ryuga let out a 'tsk'; the appearance woven by "Protean Jak'Sho" was quite good.
"Pays respects to the High Elder!"
"Please follow me to the Vidyadhara quarters, High Elder, to ascend to the position of High Elder and lead our Luofu Vidyadhara to regain our glory!"
Taoran suddenly knelt on the ground, his forehead hitting the bluestone pavement heavily as he spoke devoutly.
Behind him, the clansmen all prostrated themselves, their shouts rising like a tide.
"Welcome the High Elder!"
"Welcome the High Elder!"
Aponia did not respond, but simply turned quietly to look at Ryuga.
"Then let's go."
Ryuga agreed, and only then did Aponia nod in acceptance.
Taoran's heart gave a violent jolt.
He realized once again the status this companion held in the High Elder's heart.
It seemed he would have to win over this gentleman first in the future.
...
Dragonshower Hall.
In front of the statue of High Elder Yubie, Fenghuan, Suguang, Taoran, and Xuepu stood side by side with a group of elderly Vidyadhara guarding Scalegorge Vidhyadhara.
Ryuga, Elysia, and Pardo, holding Can, accompanied Aponia.
When the last Vidyadhara elder entered the hall, Aponia manifested her dragon form once again.
However, she did not 'transform.'
The dragon shadow of the Dragon of Serenity circled the ceiling of the hall, its scales and claws lightly raised, its dragon roar silent yet piercing directly into the soul.
The Vidyadhara's hearts shook, and they couldn't help but kneel on the ground.
"The Dragon Ancestor bears witness; a new High Elder has descended upon the world."
The dragon form was shaped by intent, manifesting a true shadow.
It was very strong.
At least even Dan Feng could not achieve this.
At this point, no one dared to question Aponia's qualification to inherit the position of High Elder.
The succession ceremony began, solemn yet not overly complicated.
After nine prostrations and the burning of incense, and once the prayers were recited, the Dragon Ancestor was notified in the name of the High Elder, and the ritual was considered complete.
"Since the High Elder ceremony is over, Preceptor Taoran, I remember you saying that for disturbing my meal, you would accept punishment, right?"
Aponia changed her soft tone, suddenly turning around and sweeping a cold gaze over Taoran.
There was no anger in her eyes, only a bone-chilling indifference.
"Uh, I... indeed said that."
Taoran's heart tightened, and he had an ominous premonition.
"Then, I bestow upon you the punishment of the Heart-Flame Scorch."
As the words fell, Aponia's pupils suddenly lit up, as if a spark had been ignited.
A beam of fire burst forth, piercing directly into the center of Taoran's brow.
In an instant, Taoran's eyes bulged, and pink and blue flames surged from them, coiling like venomous snakes around his nerves, making a 'zizzing' sound as they burned.
With a scream, Taoran's body shook violently and he rolled on the ground, his hands clawing desperately at his head, feeling as if his soul were being torn away inch by inch.
"Aaaaah!"
Shrill screams echoed through the hall, making one's hair stand on end.
The Heart-Flame rose from his eyes, transforming into a distorted image in mid-air.
"Preceptor Taoran, please let me go, let me go... ah—"
A young Vidyadhara woman was chained to a stone platform, her limbs spread wide, her face covered in tears.
Taoran's figure appeared beside her, holding a bone knife and grinning like a ghost, carving out the girl's spinal marrow inch by inch, with blood splattering and bone fragments flying.
The girl breathed her last in extreme agony, passing into rebirth amidst the intense pain.
Soon, one crime after another appeared in the air.
Each and every one was a monstrous crime.
The group of elders turned as pale as death, cold sweat pouring down.
"Stop! Even if a Preceptor has committed crimes, they should be handed over to..."
One Preceptor shouted in anger.
In the next instant, Aponia looked over, and that glance was as light as the wind yet as heavy as a mountain.
The Preceptor's body suddenly stiffened, as if struck in the chest by a giant hammer, and his body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, hitting a stone pillar in the hall heavily.
With a 'crack,' his ribs were completely shattered, and his body slid to the ground, dead on the spot with his eyes wide open.
The hall was deathly silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Taoran was still wailing.
The Heart-Flame burned more and more intensely, and his soul was completely incinerated, leaving only a hollow shell.
Aponia looked down at him and gave a cold judgment: "In life, you carved people up for medicine; in death, you shall also serve as medicinal material."
Taoran never expected that the High Elder he had gone to such lengths to bring back would take his life.
Next, Aponia looked at Xuepu.
"Xuepu."
"No... no! I didn't! I never did that!"
Xuepu stumbled back, his face as white as paper.
Unfortunately!
The same Heart-Flame, the same judgment, the same ending.
Aponia executed the four Preceptors—Fenghuan, Suguang, Taoran, and Xuepu—one after another.
To be continued…
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