"Who are you?"

"Who are you?"

Four eyes met, speaking in unison.

Looking at the child opposite him with his hair tied in a sky-high braid, bare little feet, and wearing a bright red bellyband, Qi Xiu slowly put away the thunder talismans he had been holding in his palm.

Such strong life force.

What is the background of this child?

In Dragon Prison, a place that should spell death, an actual living being had surprisingly appeared.

This was clearly contrary to what Elder Shui had said. After all, according to the Dianchuan Water Monarch, this Dragon Prison had been abandoned for countless years, possibly even several eras ago. In such a long period, not even a Primordial Spirit Boss could survive for that long.

Yet, this child before Qi Xiu, exquisitely carved like pink jade and brimming with robust life force, was very much real and stood right in front of him.

And while Qi Xiu was sizing up this little boy, the adorable, rosy-cheeked child agilely jumped down from the wooden stake, put his hands behind his back, and began circling Qi Xiu with an air of self-importance.

"You trespassed into Dragon Prison! Do you know what crime that is? If the Dragon Court were still here, it would mean at least three thousand years of imprisonment!"

The moment the little one spoke, he unabashedly reprimanded Qi Xiu. After sweeping his gaze over him, his eyes settled on Qi Xiu's back.

"The Dragon Binding Rope? Are you of our clan?"

Without any reservation, sensing the aura of the Dragon Binding Rope on Qi Xiu, the child revealed a hint of surprise and reached out to grab at Qi Xiu's clothes.

Rising to avoid the child's groping hands, a flash of purple passed through Qi Xiu's eyes. His gaze swept over the odd child before him.

Qi Xiu raised an eyebrow, his tone revealing a measure of surprise, "Could it really be so?"

"What 'really be so'? Why are you hiding? Come here quickly! Let me see that Dragon Binding Rope on you."

Seemingly not noticing the playful look in Qi Xiu's eyes, the pink, jade-like child demanded with hands on hips.

"You little fellow, come here."

With a flick of his sleeve, a burst of Vigor shot out, wrapping around the child, and Qi Xiu immediately drew him over.

"Presumptuous! How dare you treat me this way! Someone, come! Bring me my sword!"

Held by Qi Xiu, the child struggled furiously, ceaselessly scolding him and calling for his retainers to capture and charge Qi Xiu with a crime.

With a flick of his hand, a Suppressing Talisman was directly pasted over the child's mouth, sealing his yells.

Holding the child who kept hitting and kicking against his arm, Qi Xiu looked around at this strange place filled with a multitude of plants, a sea of flowers, and countless bright trees resembling lanterns.

Stepping on the soft grass, rustling sounds were unceasing.

Walking to the center of this unusual place, a pool as green and lustrous as jade, alternately churning and calming, appeared before Qi Xiu.

Qi Xiu bent down slowly, lightly touching the water of the pond with his hand.

Thick, scalding hot. Despite the water looking as if it had no temperature, it felt like boiling lava to the touch.

"No wonder you've lived for so long. This is the legendary Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial! You discarded all your cultivation and became something just shy of a common spirit creature. Then you sealed yourself into this mass of Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial. Am I right, Lord Thousand Hands?"

The insinuating inquiry from Qi Xiu made the still-struggling child stop all movement abruptly, his gaze upon the young man before him deep and complex.

Raising his hand to tear off the Suppressing Talisman from the mouth of the one who seemed to be the former head of the prison guards, Qi Xiu said softly, "Such resolute and magnanimous temperament; I, Qi Xiu, am truly inferior to you. Only, there's something I fail to understand. You've given up your hard-won cultivation just for the chance to live, enduring endless ages in solitude here. This must be the most extreme torture in the world."

Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial!

This is a top-grade Divine Object that even Primordial Spirit Bosses dream of. Aside from being able to repair nearly all damage suffered by living beings, it has another incredibly heaven-defying effect. As long as you seal yourself within this Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial, you can halt the consumption of your lifespan and enter a state akin to suspended animation. For some Dao Experts nearing the end of their natural lives, and Primordial Spirit Bosses lacking the confidence to face tribulations, it is a life-preserving Divine Object.

However, the Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial is also consumed over time. The higher the cultivation of the being sealed inside, the faster the Divine Primordial will be consumed. At the same time, after being sealed inside the Divine Primordial, consciousness remains clear. It's impossible to fall asleep by any means, and one is unable to do anything. They can only lie like a statue in the Divine Primordial, slowly enduring the suffering.

"You seem to know quite a bit, young man. Since you have recognized my identity, why don't you put me down at once?"

Slapping at Qi Xiu's arm, Thousand Hands scolded indignantly.

"Heh, my apologies, Senior."

With a light laugh, Qi Xiu let Thousand Hands down, and the two, human and dragon, sat on the ground.

Staring at the fair and handsome younger man before him, Thousand Hands rested his cheek on one hand and scratched his backside. "I don't get it, I really don't. A mere human, how did you make the Dragon Binding Rope recognize you as its master? Kid, what exactly is going on with you?"

Facing Thousand Hands' question, Qi Xiu didn't hide anything and recounted the story he had agreed upon with the old dragon. He simply omitted the critical information that he was a transmigrator.

"Oh? Is there such a thing? Truly, this vast world contains endless possibilities."

Hearing Qi Xiu's explanation, Thousand Hands nodded. The Dragon Binding Rope was a True Dragon Treasure; it couldn't possibly recognize the wrong person. If it was willing to acknowledge Qi Xiu as its master, then that was enough to prove Qi Xiu's half-dragon identity.

After those two questions, both man and dragon fell into a silence of their own.

As he adjusted the bright red bellyband over his stomach, Thousand Hands distinctly felt an almost tangible gaze fixated on him, filled with a strong desire for knowledge.

"Alright, alright, I know what you want to ask."

Annoyed at being stared at by Qi Xiu, Thousand Hands crossed his short, chubby, delicate legs, his eyes uncontrollably revealing a hint of sorrow. "The reason I discarded my cultivation and sealed myself within this Divine Primordial for countless years... ultimately, it was just to wait for an answer."

"What answer?" Qi Xiu subconsciously pressed.

"Why did the Dragon Court abandon us!"

Clenching his fists, Thousand Hands had a complex look in his eyes.

The sudden loss of contact with the Dragon Court, the betrayal among comrades, coupled with the torment of long years.

He had persevered for so long, at the cost of falling from the clouds into the mire, enduring endless loneliness and torment. He just wanted to know why the Dragon Court suddenly abandoned them, not even providing a reason.

Hearing the reason for Thousand Hands' perseverance, Qi Xiu's expression froze, and he straightened his back a bit more, leaning in. "Just for such a reason, you've held on for so long?"

"Isn't that enough?"

Sighing deeply, a world-weary gaze appeared on Thousand Hands' finely sculpted face.

"Back then, the Dragon Court ordered my four brothers and me to guard the Dragon Prison, not to leave without an imperial edict. And we have always been faithful to our mission, never once faltering in our duty.

"After the Dragon Court lost contact, the second, fourth, and fifth brothers believed that the Dragon Court had abandoned us. They left this place, seeking their own paths. Only the third brother stayed with me.

"Later, due to not being able to contact the Dragon Court for a long time, the Suppressing Stones in the Dragon Prison began to malfunction without sufficient Dragon Energy replenishment. After discussing with the third brother, we decided he would guard the upper Dragon Prison, and I would be responsible for watching over these Karmic Dragons. Since you arrived here with the Dragon Binding Rope on you, you must have seen him."

"Hmm."

Qi Xiu slowly nodded. The third brother that Thousand Hands mentioned was the prison guard known as Divine Blade in the side hall. He was the one who, before his death, had slain all the evil dragons in the upper Dragon Prison and stacked their heads into a tower-like monument.

"But as time passed, my lifespan was also nearly depleted. Later, I followed the agreement with the third brother. I executed all the Karmic Dragons! Afterwards, I discarded all my cultivation, gave up my dragon form, and lay down in this Taiyi Rescue Karma Primordial.

"Every ten thousand years, I would emerge from the Divine Primordial, trying to contact the Dragon Court. Today, I've lost count of how many times it's been. And still, there's been no word from the Dragon Court."

Looking at the doll-like figure before him in a daze, Qi Xiu seemed to see a loyal old man with eyes full of the weight of ages and a somber expression. Yet, the hands clasping the banner remained unwaveringly firm.

"The True Dragon Clan has long since vanished. Do you really still want to wait for that answer?"

After hesitating for a moment, Qi Xiu conveyed to Thousand Hands the news of the True Dragon Clan's sudden disappearance, unsure whether they had moved somewhere en masse or if something else had occurred.

Upon hearing this news, Thousand Hands was stunned for a moment, then remained silent for a while. His words, however, came out more resolute than ever: "Wait!"

"Why? The True Dragon Clan may never return, and by doing this..."

"Thank you."

The sudden gratitude from Thousand Hands made Qi Xiu pause, finding it hard to speak and feeling uncomprehending.

"Before you came, through countless years, I had doubted countless times in my heart. Was the Dragon Court dissatisfied with our work? Did they think the Dragon Prison was poorly managed? Or had they forgotten us entirely, no longer remembering this prison or its five guards?

"But now I know the Dragon Court did not intentionally cut off contact with us. They... perhaps had no choice.

"I will keep waiting. We of the True Dragon Clan once reigned over myriad realms. Even if something happened to us, we will surely return one day. I am certain I can wait until that day comes!"

Looking at Thousand Hands, whose eyes were dazzling, Qi Xiu opened his mouth, and it took a long while for him to softly speak, "Is this... blind loyalty?"

He couldn't understand this kind of loyalty that made Thousand Hands forsake his own life, willingly enduring such great torment.

Qi Xiu got up and bowed deeply towards Thousand Hands. "Although I do not comprehend your determination, Senior, such loyalty deserves my respect."

Looking at Qi Xiu, Thousand Hands gave a faint smile, his expression revealing a touch of relief. For all these years, he had given up everything to hold his ground here.

Was it hard? It was hard! Unbearably hard!

Now, to have someone understand his hardship brought a trace of warmth to his heart.

"Not bad, young one. I see your cultivation is still shallow. You must have a compelling reason to risk death by coming to this Dragon Prison. Tell me, if it's something else, I'm afraid I can't help you in my current state. But if it concerns matters within this Dragon Prison, then I still have some means at my disposal."

Hearing Thousand Hands' assurance, Qi Xiu humbly smiled and shared his quest to find the Dragon-Slaying Banner.

"Dragon-Slaying Banner? That's simple. How many do you need?"

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