Jiang Huai was held in Qin Qingyue’s arms as they followed Ao Shuang deeper into the Dragon Palace, finally able to take in the full splendor of the Central Continent Dragon Palace.
The glazed roof tiles shimmered with a gentle watery light, while the jade steps looked as if they were carved from a single block of green stone, so polished they could reflect one’s image.
The coiling dragon jade pillars supporting the dome were not mere lifeless sculptures; the entwined Azure Dragon reliefs seemed to have a faint green spiritual light flowing between their scales, claws, whiskers, and horns, as if at any moment they might stir the clouds and mist, break free from the pillars, and soar into the sky.
The carved corridors and painted beams truly exuded profound heritage, bearing the air of a great clan.
Compared to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace that Qin Qingyue had seized, this place was far more lively.
Along the way, petite azure figures darted past from time to time.
At a glance, they all looked like exquisitely carved young girls, still small in stature.
Tiny, delicate Azure Dragon Horns peeked out from their hair buns, only about an inch long, and they trailed dragon tails of varying lengths, covered in fine azure scales, swaying happily from side to side as they ran.
Whenever they saw Palace Master Ao Shuang, they would stop in their tracks, fold their hands and bow, performing their salutes with impeccable precision.
Their childish faces wore expressions of solemnity at odds with their appearance, and with clear, crisp voices they would say, “Greetings, Palace Master,” before nimbly moving on.
Jiang Huai couldn’t help but sigh,
“No wonder the Central Continent is home to such a great clan—even the young dragons are so well-mannered.”
It was clear that all these young Dragon Race cubs were courteous and proper, full of etiquette.
Ao Shuang glanced back at Qin Qingyue, then at Jiang Huai, her expression a bit strange.
Qin Qingyue couldn’t help but smile, then explained,
“All dragons of the Central Continent are Azure Dragons. After transforming, their forms remain this petite for a thousand years.”
“The dragons you see here are actually all adults, some of whom have lived for who knows how many years—this is simply their form.”
“As for us Black Dragons of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, after transforming, we’re usually about my size.”
She glanced at Ao Shuang, who was leading the way with her hands on her hips, and added,
“Even if a Central Continent dragon cultivates to Ao Shuang’s level, their human form never grows larger.”
Ao Shuang seemed insulted and glared at her,
“Our Azure Dragon clan walks the path of delicacy and refinement, condensing spiritual power into our souls. Unlike you Black Dragons—so tall!”
Imagining a gathering in the Central Continent Dragon Palace where a group of little girls clustered together, Jiang Huai couldn’t help but laugh, recalling the first time he met Qin Qingyue.
Clad in black armor, tall and striking, with imposing Dragon Horns, broad shoulders and a narrow waist—she naturally radiated authority, a true “queenly” figure.
It made for a stark contrast with these petite Azure Dragon girls before him.
As they continued toward the deepest part of the Central Continent Dragon Palace, Jiang Huai asked curiously,
“If it’s like this here, what about the other Dragon Palaces?”
Qin Qingyue’s tone was calm, as if describing something ordinary,
“The South Sea Dragon Palace is home to Red Dragons. Their human forms are all voluptuous mature women—full-figured, but never excessive, like beautiful matrons.”
Jiang Huai was picturing what a Red Dragon’s transformation might look like, when Ao Shuang interjected, her little face showing a hint of distaste,
“The South Sea Dragon Palace isn’t so bad. Though they practice the path of fire, the dragons there are fairly gentle.”
“The North Sea Dragon Palace is White Dragon. Their human forms are all young maidens, with cold, aloof faces, eyes looking down on everyone, and their words as sharp as shards of ice.”
“They cultivate the path of frost, and even their dragon scales look like they’re carved from ice.”
“Last time I went to the North Sea Dragon Palace to borrow a spiritual treasure, their Palace Master kept a frosty face and barely acknowledged me. Such an act!”
Clearly, the North Sea Dragon Palace was not friendly toward the Central Continent Dragon Palace.
“The North Sea Dragon Palace dragons act like that with everyone—distant and mysterious,” Qin Qingyue chuckled, feeling, for once, a sense of belonging. Her mood improved.
She, too, longed to visit the other Dragon Palaces like Ao Shuang did, but who would ever welcome her?
“The West Sea Dragon Palace is Gold Dragon. They’re a bit special. After transforming, their forms can be of any body type, but there’s one thing in common.”
“They cultivate the path of the body, relying on their innate dragon physique. Their transformed forms are always athletic—muscular, but not overly so, well-built and powerful.”
So, clearly muscular, but not exaggerated. Their figures were fit and brimming with strength.
Jiang Huai pondered. Each of the five Dragon Palaces was distinct, but now, the dragons of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace had been scattered everywhere by Qin Qingyue.
“You five great Dragon Races—did you used to live together?” he asked.
“Mm, but that was a long time ago,” Qin Qingyue replied.
It seemed that ages ago, the dragons of the five regions were all one clan. For some reason, they had split, each ruling their own domain.
Along the way, Ao Shuang encountered many Dragon Race elders. Qin Qingyue and Jiang Huai tactfully stepped into the shadows behind a corridor pillar to wait.
They saw a group of Dragon Race elders, all dressed in azure palace robes, appearing as young girls, surrounding the equally petite Palace Master Ao Shuang.
They formed a circle, their delicate faces furrowed in thought, lowering their crisp childlike voices to argue animatedly.
Occasionally, words like “Misfortune,” “Precedent of the East Sea,” “Ancestor of the Immortal Realm,” and “can’t win” drifted over.
In the end, a cluster of little heads huddled together, their expressions heavy, completely at odds with their appearance, and they all nodded, apparently reaching a compromise.
Better to let this calamity take what she wants from the Secret Realm and leave, rather than repeat the fate of the Eastern Sea.
After all, right now, there was no Azure Dragon in the Central Continent Dragon Palace who could achieve Celestial Immortal Form. This Secret Realm was useless to them, and keeping it would only lead to the same end as the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.
Ao Shuang waved her little hand, signaling the meeting was over, and the little girls scattered, swishing their dragon tails as they left.
“Qin Qingyue, I hope this is the first and last time.”
“If you come to rob the Central Continent Dragon Palace again, the seniors of the Immortal Realm will not forgive you.” She warned Qin Qingyue.
Though to Qin Qingyue, this threat was light as a feather.
“If I achieve Celestial Immortal Form, before ascending to the Immortal Realm, I will always protect the Central Continent Dragon Race,” Qin Qingyue promised again.
Ao Shuang shrugged and waved her hand, “No need. It’s good enough if you just don’t come back.”
“Besides, we have a good relationship with Wu Zhaohua of Wenxuan Sect. As long as she doesn’t cause trouble for us, no one else dares either.”
News of Wu Zhaohua’s achievement of Celestial Immortal Form had long since spread throughout the Central State. With such a figure not causing trouble, no other Earth Immortals would dare to.
Otherwise, if she ascended to the Immortal Realm, a group of Earth Immortals ganging up would be a nightmare for them.
At the mention of Wu Zhaohua, Qin Qingyue’s dragon tail tightened even more firmly around Jiang Huai’s waist.
This was not mere possessiveness—it was more like the desperate grip of a drowning person clutching driftwood.
As if, if she let go, the last warmth in her arms would be swept away and devoured by the torrent called “Wu Zhaohua.”
“Let’s go.” Qin Qingyue held Jiang Huai close, following right behind Ao Shuang.
In the dim, flickering corridors deep within the Dragon Palace, Jiang Huai could clearly feel Qin Qingyue’s body growing tense.
Through the cold scales, he seemed to sense the deep unease she was suppressing.
After all, this was a Secret Realm for Celestial Immortal Form—life and death were unpredictable, and even Earth Immortals could not guarantee survival.
Otherwise, why would there be so few Celestial Immortal Forms in this world?
Jiang Huai didn’t try to comfort a Dragon Lord at the peak of the Grand Completion stage with words—such things would be hollow.
He simply, silently, and resolutely raised his hand, laying his warm palm completely over her hand, which was gripping her spear so tightly her knuckles had turned pale.
His fingers threaded through her cool ones, holding tight, not allowing any refusal.
She lowered her eyes, gaze falling on their interlaced hands—those belonging to a mortal, not strong at all.
“Jiang Huai,” Qin Qingyue called softly.
“What is it?”
Jiang Huai turned his head, meeting her astonishingly bright vertical pupils in the darkness.
In the depths of those dragon eyes surged something extremely complex—a ruthless, all-or-nothing determination, and bottomless guilt.
“If… we both make it out of the Secret Realm alive, for the rest of this life, through blue skies and yellow springs, I, Qin Qingyue, will never fail you.”