Ultimate Fighting

TL: GoldenLung

Huang Yuanlang said, "Yes. The Head issued the order to recover them, but didn't set a fixed price for Space Origin Crystals. The message is obvious—it's not an absolute order. Those holding them will hoard them for profit; the only ones truly in a rush are the Spaceborne Clan."

"Oh." Bai Xiuxiu nodded and didn't press further.

Huang Yuanlang asked, "Do you have any plans for the future, Sister Xian?"

Bai Xiuxiu glanced at him. "I've already joined your family, haven't I? Shouldn't it be about what plans you have for me? What do you want me to do?"

Huang Yuanlang chuckled. "With your extraordinary talent—wielding both ice and darkness—you are among the most gifted even in the Higher Dragon ranks. Becoming a Dragon Knight is only a matter of time. Naturally, the family hopes you'll keep advancing and one day become a figure as glorious as the Mokong Dragon Knight, a protector of our clan. In return, the family will spare no effort in supporting you. Since you signed the contract last time, you've already been one of us."

Bai Xiuxiu nodded. "So how should I train?"

"Not in a rush," Huang Yuanlang said with a smile. "Let's finish eating first. I've already informed my father of your return. He's asked me to bring you to meet him tonight. He'll make arrangements then."

"Mm."

After lunch, Huang Yuanlang didn't linger. He showed Bai Xiuxiu around the property, introduced the residence, and then left.

The castle-like building was indeed huge, with many rooms.

Bai Xiuxiu's own quarters alone had two bedrooms—one for resting in human form, the other for her dragon form.

The main bedroom was suffused with abundant life energy. Strange patterns etched into the floor seemed designed to gather life force, channeling it naturally into the room. The concentration of life energy was so high it rivaled that of the Sea God Lake's waters.

Bai Xiuxiu brought Lan Xuanyu and the other two into her room, shut the door, and they carefully inspected the place. Once certain there were no surveillance devices, Lan Xuanyu released ripples of four-colored light, silently forming a barrier around the room to mask their presence.

Since cultivating the Nirvanic Divine Lightning, Lan Xuanyu's elemental control had grown even stronger.

"What's the plan for tonight?" Bai Xiuxiu asked him.

"We don't yet know Huang Yuanlang's father's exact situation," Lan Xuanyu replied. "But drinking that Dragonblood Tree sap today worked in our favor—it let him basically confirm your identity. I expect his father will test your strength tonight. You'll need to hide any abilities unrelated to the Abyssal Frost Demon Dragon, but you can show some close-combat skills. We'll go with you, though I'm not sure we'll be allowed inside. If we can, great. If not, we'll stay nearby, ready to respond."

"I'll have Little Treasure monitor your situation with divine sense. If your cover is blown, detonate this." He handed her a Dragon's Wrath.

"Even a god-rank powerhouse will have to retreat temporarily from that. I'll appear at your side immediately to get you out."

He turned to Yuanen Huihui and Tang Yuge. "If Xiuxiu's identity is exposed, I'll have you get out of the blast range right away, then cause chaos in two separate areas of Fenglong City. Once I've rescued her, I'll lure the city lord away and meet you at Elder Shu's location. Don't hesitate when the time comes."

"Isn't that too dangerous?" Yuanen Huihui asked.

"I'm confident we can get away," Lan Xuanyu said. "My Silver-patterned Blue Silver Grass's sixth soul skill is spatial element control—I can teleport within a certain range. I also have a weapon you don't know about, the Emerald Demon Warship. It's extremely fast—fast enough that even an average god-rank won't catch it.

"Of course, all this is only if we're exposed. Ideally, we won't be. Ordinary god-ranks can't detect us, but if we attract the attention of a Celestial Dragon or a Dragon Knight-level being, escape will be far harder. Xiuxiu, I'll stay in touch through Little Treasure. Keep playing the cold, aloof role—less talk means fewer mistakes."

"Got it." Bai Xiuxiu nodded.

The residence Huang Yuanlang arranged for her was spacious and well-equipped. The twin master bedrooms, with their special runic patterns, made the life force incredibly dense—perfect for cultivation.

She had the servants arrange rooms for Lan Xuanyu and the other two as well, though in truth they all gathered in her quarters to cultivate and absorb the life energy.

A day on Celestial Celestial Dragon Planet was long. When night fell, Huang Yuanlang didn't come personally but sent his subordinate Elaysion to drive the dragon carriage to escort Bai Xiuxiu to the City Lord's mansion.

Bai Xiuxiu again brought the three along and boarded the dragon carriage.

As the carriage glided smoothly along, Lan Xuanyu looked at her sitting in front of him, feeling a touch of tension.

The most crucial trial was about to begin. Only by passing it would the gates of Celestial Celestial Dragon Planet truly open to them, and Bai Xiuxiu's identity be fully secured—vital for their future infiltration. But failure would mean total loss; once discovered, they'd be in deep trouble.

Now, it was up to Bai Xiuxiu's performance.

Before long, the dragon carriage stopped. Elaysion gestured invitingly: "Lady Xiu, please."

They stepped out to see a colossal castle.

It resembled Bai Xiuxiu's residence, but at least ten times larger. Huge statues flanked the towering walls—representations of major Dragon-Horse Galaxy species, likely meant to show the place's inclusiveness.

The main road was wide enough for the carriage to drive straight in, but it stopped at the gate. The central doors were wide open, with several figures standing inside—all in human form.

At their center was a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man, his face bearing six or seven parts resemblance to Huang Yuanlang. He wore a gold long robe cinched with a belt, his short hair bristling upward, his whole being seeming to emit a faint golden radiance.

Huang Yuanlang stood beside him, dressed in formal attire.

Flanking him were several others—men and women—appearing younger than him, their eyes filled with curiosity.

At the sight of Bai Xiuxiu in her white gown, Huang Yuanlang's eyes lit up and he strode forward quickly.

"Honored Xiuxiu, this way please. Let me introduce you." He led her before the middle-aged man. "This is my father, the City Lord of Fenglong City, Huang Daoqi."

Bai Xiuxiu gave a small bow. "Greetings, City Lord. I'm Xiu. Thank you for welcoming me personally."

From the moment she appeared, Huang Daoqi's gaze had been studying her. Hearing her words, he smiled slightly. "A truly beautiful young lady—it's no wonder Yuanlang speaks so highly of you. Every Higher Dragon is one of Celestial Celestial Dragon Planet's brightest stars. We're honored you've joined the Royal Clan. As clan leader and elder, it's only proper I greet you the first time. But next time you come, I won't—because this will be your home, and family needs no such formality. Come, let's speak inside."

With that, he made a welcoming gesture toward her.