“What are you doing? This sword can only cut through space—it can’t do what he’s thinking!”
Ao Yao writhed between Ji Xi’s peaks, her tiny dragon body tumbling over and over in that soft, fair valley. Her dragon claws scratched wildly, her dragon tail lashed furiously.
She tried to break free from Ji Xi’s arms, but Ji Xi simply kept her arms loosely folded, locking Ao Yao in place, unable to move.
Ji Xi chuckled softly, rubbing Ao Yao’s dragon head with her fingers.
“Who told you to warm-nurture this sword? Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“This is wartime. This sword has a huge purpose. For so many generations, we wished we could use it but couldn’t. Little one, how dare you say it shouldn’t be used?”
The implication was clear.
Even though Jiang Huai’s strength was insufficient for now, with the help of this sword, they could give it a try.
However, the sword had to be formally warm-nurtured, not the way Ao Yao had done it before.
“No! I already said he’s a profligate man. How can you still want this?” Ao Yao grumbled.
Her entire body curled up between Ji Xi’s soft, fair peaks, her dragon head buried in that warm valley, leaving only half her tail sticking out.
She drooped her head, looking like a kitten caught by the nape of its neck.
Jiang Huai’s face began to turn pale.
The pallor did not appear suddenly, but spread little by little from his cheeks down to his neck.
His breathing grew heavier, the rise and fall of his chest more pronounced. He looked much weaker.
The only reason he could see Ji Xi now was that he used her essence blood as a medium, constantly consuming his own essence blood to maintain it.
Every breath, every second spent here burned his life force.
If he delayed any longer, he might once again become as gaunt as before.
Ji Xi naturally noticed this. Her expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, she grabbed Ao Yao from her chest and tossed her aside, then handed the short sword to Jiang Huai.
The sword spun in the air several times, its blade gleaming with a faint cyan light under the starlight, and finally landed in Jiang Huai’s palm with a slap.
“I’ve already told the little dragon the method. How you proceed depends on your negotiation.”
“Take care of yourself, little Jiang Huai. I want to see you again next time.” Ji Xi smiled lightly, waving her graceful hand.
The space trembled, the world spun around. Jiang Huai closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was back in the familiar secret realm, surrounded by the dense, deep yellow thick earth qi.
He looked at his own palm.
That hand had lost all color—a sickly white showing blue veins.
“Are you all right?” Cang Jing approached, concern written all over her features.
She reached out to support him but stopped halfway, finally just lightly touching his arm.
Jiang Huai took a deep breath. The small world inside his body began to circulate. “I’m fine. I’ll be okay after a rest.”
Relying on the small world inside him, his recovery was naturally rapid. There was no need to worry.
Hearing this, Cang Jing relaxed a little but fell silent, her gaze shifting to the azure dragon short sword at his waist.
Jiang Huai glanced at Ao Yao, who was hiding her head nearby. He walked over with a smile, rubbing the short sword in his hand.
“Sister Ao Yao…”
“Tell your big brother Jiang what method Senior Ji taught you for warm-nurturing?”
Ao Yao backed up a few steps, her dragon eyes wary as she stared at Jiang Huai. She suddenly snatched the short sword from his hand and hugged it to her chest, grumbling.
“Profligate man. I think we should break up.”
“What warm-nurturing? Let’s just go back.”
Hearing that, Cang Jing grew anxious. She stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Saintess Ao Yao, please help us.”
“Our Yellow Dragon Clan will never forget this favor.”
Ao Yao clutched her sword without speaking and shrank back again.
“What exactly is the warm-nurturing method? Even if you don’t want to help, can’t you at least tell me?” Jiang Huai approached, bent down slightly, and crouched to meet Ao Yao’s eyes.
“If I tell you…” Ao Yao’s face contorted with hesitation, struggle, and shyness.
She seemed caught in a dilemma.
Seeing this, Jiang Huai said gently, “This short sword is yours. You have no deep bond with Cang Ling. I won’t force you.”
“If you really find it difficult, I won’t push you.”
“Just tell me what the method is. That way I can think of something, and maybe we can solve the problem.”
Ao Yao still held the sword without speaking. Her turquoise dragon eyes slanted at Jiang Huai, as if to say, “Keep pretending.” She stomped her delicate cyan embroidered shoes, making small sounds.
“Fine. If you really don’t want to, then forget it.” Jiang Huai sighed, stood up, and turned to Cang Jing.
“I’ll think of another way to rescue Cang Ling. The situation is urgent. Let’s go save Qin Xuange first.”
“She can communicate upward with the Immortal Realm. I can ask my Madam or Wu Zhaohua for help.”
No matter what, this scabbard had been warm-nurtured by Ao Yao for years in a place that was hard to describe. The decision naturally rested with her.
But regardless of the outcome, Jiang Huai would do his utmost to bring Cang Ling back.
Cang Jing’s eyes dimmed.
She lowered her head silently, her amber eyes filled with gloom.
The chance to save her younger sister was right in front of her, yet she was helpless and let it slip away.
If only this sword had been warm-nurtured by her instead.
Seeing Jiang Huai turn away and catching the desolate look in Cang Jing’s eyes, Ao Yao couldn’t help calling out.
“What’s your hurry?”
“Can’t you ask again?”
Jiang Huai paused, then quickly darted back to Ao Yao’s side. He crouched down again to meet her eyes and smiled. “Still negotiable?”
Ao Yao rolled her eyes, then frantically rubbed his cheeks, baring her teeth. “How are you supposed to beg me? Why won’t you even beg?”
“Am I supposed to just hand it over? At least give me a reason.”
Jiang Huai let her knead his cheeks and grinned sheepishly. “Please, help me out, little dragon.”
“The reason—isn’t it enough?”
Ao Yao gave a light snort, then actually pulled out a half-cylindrical jade tube from her bosom.
The dice were also jade, with six faces exquisitely carved, each bearing delicate pips.
The dice and jade tube were beautifully crafted, emitting a faint spiritual aura—obviously one of Ao Yao’s treasured possessions.
“What you calculated is just logic—logic for saving her sister. That’s not a reason.”
“Do you even know what a reason is? A reason is something you say that lets me follow my heart and do it.”
Jiang Huai suddenly understood. Perhaps some people were like that—they wouldn’t volunteer; they needed the other party to give them a reason before they would act.
Even if that reason was absurd and laughable, they would still stick by you because of it.
Ao Yao skillfully closed the jade tube and began shaking the dice.
Her movements were fluid, smooth, and continuous. The jade tube flipped up and down in her hand, the dice clattering inside with a crisp, rhythmic sound.
A smile curved at the corner of her mouth.
“Come on. Gambling with me.”
“If you win, I’ll let you warm-nurture the short sword. If you lose, I won’t help you.”
“Not only will I not help you, but I’ll also settle the score for how roughly you drew the sword.”
“Come on.” She grinned at Jiang Huai’s reddened cheeks.
Cang Jing opened her mouth but finally swallowed her words.
Jiang Huai was dumbfounded. This little dragon was truly addicted to gambling—she even wanted to bet on something like this.
The crisp sound rang in his ears as the dice clattered inside the jade tube until they stopped.
“I’m not using spiritual power to cheat or any tricks. Guess—big or small?” Ao Yao asked with interest.
The moment gambling was involved, it seemed she forgot all other troubles, focusing only on the game.
“I… I guess big.” Jiang Huai thought for a long moment before answering.
“Then I guess small.”
Ao Yao immediately opened the jade tube.