Qin Qingyue nearly choked on her breath.
She stared at Wu Zhaohua with wide Dragon Eyes, her crimson pupils filled with bewilderment.
*Was this really the time?* Life was hanging by a thread, and the future was uncertain, yet she was actually thinking about competing over this?!
‘Am I not the older sister? Are you?! Just because I said a few words to you, don’t actually go thinking you’re the older sister.’
Refutations swirled in her throat, but under Wu Zhaohua’s cool, indifferent gaze, Qin Qingyue found herself unable to speak them.
At the edge of the desolate and silent forbidden zone, two women of peerless beauty and heaven-reaching cultivation stood together.
One was smiling while gritting her teeth, while the other asked her question as casually as a drifting cloud.
“What? Is that question so difficult to answer?” Wu Zhaohua followed up calmly.
At the same time, she lightly shifted the arm Qin Qingyue was holding, making a motion to pull away.
However, she found that the other woman’s arm was like an iron hoop, clutching her exceptionally tight.
Wu Zhaohua’s heart was as clear as a mirror.
She knew exactly how aggrieved and reluctant Qin Qingyue was to bow her head to her at this moment, and this realization brought a flicker of satisfaction to her heart.
Who told this Black Dragon to place so many obstacles in her way, both openly and secretly? She had almost completely blocked any possibility between her and Jiang Huai.
Now the tables had turned. The situation forced her hand, and seeing her endure and compromise like this allowed a bit of the resentment Wu Zhaohua had accumulated over a long time to dissipate.
“Oh, come on! Why bother distinguishing so clearly between older and younger sisters?” Qin Qingyue snapped back to her senses.
The affectionate smile on her face was almost impossible to maintain, but she gripped the other’s arm even tighter.
She raised her other hand and patted Wu Zhaohua’s shoulder as if the two of them were close comrades-in-arms who had known each other for years.
“What is the most important thing right now? It is to hurry inside, find a way, and then go back to save Jiang Huai!” She forcibly pulled the topic back on track, her tone sincere.
“Even if we argue over who is the older or younger sister right here, if we don’t see Jiang Huai, isn’t it all for nothing? What would be the point?”
She leaned close to Wu Zhaohua’s ear, her voice carrying a coaxing tone. “I know that in your heart, you cannot let go of him.”
“Since that is the case, we should work together with one heart to overcome the difficulties before us.”
“Once we see Jiang Huai, let him decide. Let him speak, alright? At that time, everything will be easy to discuss!”
As she spoke, she half-pulled and half-dragged Wu Zhaohua, naturally hooking her arm as they stepped toward the Chaos Forbidden Zone that radiated an ominous aura.
Her posture was so intimate it seemed as if they shared a life-and-death friendship.
Qin Qingyue was indeed a dragon who was extremely skilled at judging the situation and maximizing her interests.
In her core, she had the outgoing, proud, and somewhat domineering nature of a Dragon Lady, but 100 years of setbacks, hardships, and the Curse of Misfortune had long since polished her into someone who could bend and stretch, possessing resilient endurance.
On the other hand, the seemingly reserved and cold Wu Zhaohua was the one who would lose control of her emotions at certain times.
Wu Zhaohua allowed herself to be pulled along.
Her cool gaze fell on Qin Qingyue’s profile as the dragon woman struggled to maintain an air of sincerity. She remained silent for a moment.
She could see that Qin Qingyue was being insincere, and she could hear the stalling and empty promises in her words.
However, she also understood that now was indeed not the time to get entangled in details.
“Just remember what you said today,” Wu Zhaohua finally said softly, no longer struggling.
Qin Qingyue breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, knowing she had passed this hurdle for now. She nodded hurriedly. “Of course, of course!”
Wu Zhaohua said no more.
With a flick of her wrist, a clear *clack* of a sword rang out as her habitual Archaic Long Sword left its sheath.
The blade was crystal clear, reflecting the gray sky and emitting a stern, inviolable Sword Qi.
Dressed in clothes as white as snow, she stood in this desolate land.
Her black hair fluttered without wind, and her body surged with Sword Intent.
Her temperament was cold and lofty, carrying a sense of absolute determination.
Seeing this, Qin Qingyue’s expression turned solemn.
She released Wu Zhaohua’s arm and took half a step back.
The Black Dragon Long Spear appeared out of thin air in her hand, its shaft wrapped in dark gold dragon patterns, emitting a low Evil Dragon’s Roar.
Deep Black Armor instantly covered her graceful yet powerful body.
Her Dragon Horns appeared, and her Dragon Tail coiled.
The powerful pressure belonging to a Black Dragon spread out, contending equally with Wu Zhaohua’s soaring Sword Intent.
One person and one dragon, one white and one black, one holding a sword and one grasping a spear.
They shared a single look at the edge of this desperate land.
There was no need for more words; their eyes held only an understanding of the dangers ahead and absolute fearlessness.
In the next moment, their figures turned into two streaks of light, charging forward.
It felt as though he had been floating in a vast, warm Ocean World for far too long. Jiang Huai’s consciousness was like scattered puzzle pieces. As time flowed silently, those pieces were gradually picked up and assembled by an invisible, patient hand, restoring the original pathways and shapes bit by bit.
No matter how chaotic his memories were, his physical sensations remained clear.
It was as if he were soaking in the most comfortable hot spring.
From his four limbs to his meridians and internal organs, and even deep into his exhausted Soul, he was wrapped and nourished by a gentle, life-filled heat.
This warmth dispelled the chill deep in his marrow and soothed every inch of damaged pain.
Even in his deepest stupor, it gave him a rare sense of peace.
Finally, his consciousness struggled out of the muddy swamp of chaos and began to return.
The first thing to recover was his hearing.
“…lift your claw for a moment.” A familiar, slightly helpless but still gentle female voice rang out. It was Chi Lian.
“Oh.” A muffled but strangely obedient response followed. It seemed to be Chi Huang.
“Clan Leader, please lift your claw as well.” Chi Lian’s voice rang out again.
“Mm,” another female voice responded with a hint of laziness. It was Chi Hong.
“The tails need to be raised as well. Both of your tails.”
“Move a little. Don’t get in the way of me wiping my husband’s body.”
Then came two responses that sounded almost simultaneous: “Oh.”
Next came the rustle of fabric rubbing together, followed by the faint sensation of a damp, soft cloth lightly wiping across his skin, felt through a warm covering.
Jiang Huai struggled to open his eyes, but the intense light made him feel dizzy.
“Hmm?” A soft grunt of surprise sounded. It was Chi Hong’s voice, and she seemed very close.
“Jiang Huai? Are you awake?” Chi Hong’s voice was filled with pleasant surprise as she leaned in even closer.
Jiang Huai struggled to take a few breaths. The rising and falling of his chest finally brought more of his consciousness back. With a sudden surge of effort, he finally forced his heavy eyelids open a crack.
The stinging light made him reflexively want to close them again, but through his blurred vision, he could already see the familiar canopy of the bed and a mature, pretty face filled with concern and joy close by. It was Chi Lian.
On either side of her face, two small dragon heads covered in crimson scales poked out.
Two pairs of red Dragon Eyes were staring at him without blinking, full of expectation.
“This… is…” He tried to speak, but he found his throat as dry as sandpaper.
His voice was hoarse and weak, carrying a heavy sense of exhaustion that made it almost impossible to form a sentence.
“Husband Lord! You’re finally awake!” Chi Lian said excitedly. Immediately after, a soft, slightly cool hand gently grasped his wrist. “Don’t be in a hurry to speak. Your body is still very weak.”
Chi Lian’s eyes were a bit red, but her face held unconcealed joy and relief. As she held Jiang Huai’s hand, she explained softly, “During these days, Clan Leader White Dew and Sister Su formulated many celestial medicines to nourish your Original Source and heal your flesh.”
“I have been wiping your body every day, coordinating with the Dragon Essence from the Clan Leader and the Miss. Look, your skin and flesh have gradually started to grow back. I believe that after some more time, you will surely recover to how you were before.”
She released his hand and picked up a soft towel from the side, continuing to wipe his arm with extremely gentle movements. Her tone was incredibly tender. “Do you feel particularly uncomfortable anywhere? You must tell me.”
Jiang Huai nodded very slightly. He wanted to say, “Thank you for your hard work,” but only a faint gasp of air could leave his throat.
He had no choice but to give up. His gaze slowly moved, looking at the two red dragons still tightly coiled around him on his left and right.
“Jiang Huai!” Chi Huang’s voice rang out first, sounding clearly cheerful.
Her red dragon head leaned closer, and her smooth, slightly cool scales lightly rubbed against Jiang Huai’s cheek, bringing a slight itch. “You’re finally awake! Truly, thank you so much this time!”
Beside the gratitude in her voice, there seemed to be some other emotions mixed in.
Such intimate contact made the newly awakened Jiang Huai feel a bit at a loss. His body was weak, and he had no strength to dodge, so he could only allow the warm dragon whiskers to sweep across his skin.
Chi Huang, however, felt a surge of secret joy. She had waited for so long, carefully transmitting her Dragon Essence, all so that she could make Jiang Huai feel her presence and closeness the moment he woke up. She wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip by.
“When you were sent back, your body was ice cold, and you kept calling out that it was cold,” Chi Huang explained quickly, her tone soft. “That’s why we’re helping you stay warm like this. How do you feel? Is there anywhere inside that still feels chilly? If you’re uncomfortable, you must say so. Master and I are both here.”
She tried her best to make her voice sound more considerate, her Dragon Eyes watching Jiang Huai without blinking. This was the first time the Holy Maiden of the Crimson Dragon had ever cared for someone.
Jiang Huai nodded lightly again, his gaze carrying inquiry and gratitude as he slowly looked toward Chi Hong on the other side.
Chi Hong’s dragon head also lowered slightly as she gazed at him. “Young Master Jiang Huai, Chi Hong will never forget this great kindness of saving my life. If you had not fought to save me, I fear my Soul would have already returned to the Nine Phantasms, and my life would have ended. This kindness is as heavy as being given a second life.”
Hearing this, Jiang Huai struggled to shake his head. The movement was small, but the meaning was clear — there was no need for such thanks.
However, Chi Hong seemed determined to express her gratitude clearly and continued in a low voice, “You need not decline.”
Seeing her Master begin to offer thanks, Chi Huang was afraid Jiang Huai’s attention would be entirely stolen away. She hurriedly interjected again, her tone carrying a spoiled sort of concern. “Jiang Huai, are you warmer than before? Are you thirsty? Do you want to drink some water first?”
She tried hard to find a topic to attract his attention.
Just then, the door to the quiet room was suddenly pushed open.
A figure dressed in black martial attire walked in hurriedly; it was Zhu Siyao. She had clearly come in a rush, as her hair was a bit loose, with a few stray strands sticking to her smooth forehead. Upon receiving the signal from Chi Lian that Jiang Huai had awakened, she had immediately dropped everything and rushed over regardless of the consequences.
When her gaze landed on that pair of eyes on the bed — eyes that had finally opened and, though still dim, now possessed spirit — Zhu Siyao’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Immediately, her eyes turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, and moisture filled those eyes that were usually bright and stubborn.
Step by step, she walked to the bedside, her movements even a bit stiff. She slowly sat on the edge of the bed that Chi Lian had vacated.
Her gaze seemed glued to Jiang Huai’s face.
She looked at him carefully and greedily, from his still-sunken eye sockets that were now covered with some soft tissue, to his high but no longer so gaunt cheekbones, and finally to his pale, cracked lips…
Although he looked much better than the terrifying, skeleton-like appearance from before, and his flesh had indeed grown back under the nourishment of the spirit medicine and Dragon Essence, he was still thin to the point of being out of shape.
His cheeks were hollow, his chin was sharp, and his entire being radiated the fragility of someone who had yet to recover from a major illness.
Zhu Siyao felt as if her heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, feeling both sour and painful.
‘You…’ She opened her mouth, her throat choking up.
In truth, she wanted to say, ‘Don’t do this again next time. Don’t turn yourself into this state again. It breaks one’s heart to see it. If something really happened to you, what would the rest of us do? Are we supposed to wash our faces with tears every day?’
But as the words reached her lips, she suddenly stopped herself. She quickly realized how pale and weak those words were.
Was this kind of thing something Jiang Huai could completely decide for himself? Could she really tell him not to save White Dew or Chi Hong? Obviously not.
Zhu Siyao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging urge to cry and the overwhelming fear from the aftermath.
She tried to make her voice sound stable.
“It’s good that you’re okay.”
She reached out and touched Jiang Huai’s face, her movements cautious as if she were holding a fragile treasure. “You really scared me to death.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Chi Lian, who was watching quietly. Her tone regained some of its usual order, though it remained soft.
“These past few days, thanks to Sister Chi Lian’s meticulous care, she hasn’t left your side for a moment. In a while, when Sister Su and Clan Leader White Dew get the news, they should come over immediately as well.”
She didn’t say a word about the two red dragons on the bed who possessed such a strong presence, acting as if they were just two warm, crimson-red brocade quilts.
In her view, such matters were better left for Jiang Huai to handle himself once he was feeling better.
Jiang Huai felt the slight coolness coming from Zhu Siyao’s palm.
He wanted to smile at her to put her at ease, but the corners of his mouth only pulled upward with great effort, forming a weak but gentle arc.
This smile, however, caused the tears Zhu Siyao had fought so hard to suppress to well up again.
She hurriedly looked away and blinked rapidly to force the moisture back.
“Rest well.”