Chapter Thirteen: Sworn Brotherhood

With just a few gulps, the entire spirit beast was devoured! Licking the last traces of meat from the corners of its mouth, even its dragon teeth gleamed brightly. “Master, is there any more?”

“There’s none left. Didn’t your mother say that whatever we can eat today, we shouldn’t leave for tomorrow? Once you’re full, take us on our way!” Leng Tian replied sharply, motioning for Huo Wu and the others to climb onto the back of the great dragon, Max.

“Dragon, fly, fly!” No sooner had Huo Wu settled onto Max’s back than she urged him to take off, touching here and patting there, her face alight with excitement.

A resonant roar split the air as the dragon’s mighty wings lifted them high into the sky. Huo Wu cheered, her wide eyes gazing down. Yanlong and Xiao Han, too, were beside themselves with excitement, watching the vast, undulating mountains rolling beneath them.

Leng Tian appeared calm, smiling quietly at everyone’s exhilaration. The scene filled him with warmth. As for flying through the sky—once, at the height of his power, he had roamed the world, able to teleport wherever he wished in an instant.

“Brother! From now on, let’s often ride Max together and watch the sunset just like this, all right?” Huo Wu’s cheeks flushed as she boldly hugged Leng Tian’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder and gazing at the mountains aglow with the setting sun, her voice gentle.

“As long as you wish, we can.” A tender smile spread across his face. Leng Tian savored the moment—it was wonderful to have a little sister who could be so affectionate.

Yanlong and Xiao Han both wore satisfied smiles as well.

At the mountain’s edge, the sun left behind only a patch of fiery clouds, painting half the sky red. The golden dragon carried all four of them above the endless mountain range, creating a scene of serene beauty—a perfect moment frozen in time.

With another resounding roar, the golden dragon soared into the sunset, bearing its passengers toward the distant end of the mountains.

The group sat in silence, watching the land’s final burst of color before night descended.

As if a thought occurred to him, Leng Tian broke the silence. “I wonder if your companions have emerged from the mountains by now.”

“Brother, let’s have Max fly lower. We can search as we go—perhaps we’ll come across them,” Huo Wu said, a trace of worry on her face.

“All right!” Leng Tian ordered Max to descend, and the dragon glided just above the treetops. The four of them lay prone on Max’s back, scanning the ground below as they flew.

Though Max slowed his flight, their speed remained swift, and as they traveled, they saw no sign of Xiao Ke and the others.

Concern began to show on their faces. As dusk fell, Max finally carried them beyond the mountains. “I see them—they’re over there!” Huo Wu suddenly pointed downward, alerting the others.

Looking in the direction she indicated, they spotted two figures sitting atop a hill. As they drew closer, they recognized Zhi Xuan and Xiao Ke, who had left earlier and were now staring up in terror at the low-flying dragon.

“Xiao Ke, we’re here!” Huo Wu called, waving to reassure them.

“Ah! Sister, we’re here!” Xiao Ke jumped up, overjoyed, then cried out in disbelief, “Heavens! A dragon… Sister… How could this be? Zhi Xuan, do you see this?”

Zhi Xuan stood frozen, oblivious to Xiao Ke’s exclamations, as Max’s enormous body descended onto the hilltop.

Huo Wu leapt to the ground and ran to them, embracing Xiao Ke tightly. “You had your sister so worried.”

“We’re all right, sister. After escaping the mountains, Zhi Xuan and I waited here for you. When you didn’t return, I was so scared…” Xiao Ke’s voice quavered as she began to cry.

“There, there, don’t cry. It’s my fault. Let me tell you some good news—look, we have a dragon now! See? Over there!” Huo Wu comforted Xiao Ke, guiding her gaze to Max.

Zhi Xuan and Yanlong embraced warmly. “Well done, lad—you’re a true man,” Yanlong praised, giving Zhi Xuan a hearty punch.

“Heh…” Zhi Xuan scratched his head sheepishly and grinned.

Leng Tian watched the heartfelt reunions with a gentle smile.

Huo Wu brought Xiao Ke over to Leng Tian. “Xiao Ke, this is my brother. From now on, he’s your brother too. He saved us and tamed the dragon—amazing, right?”

“Hello, brother, I’m Xiao Ke. Thank you for saving my sister and the others,” Xiao Ke said sweetly.

“Ha, Xiao Ke, you’re adorable.” Leng Tian patted her head and turned to Huo Wu. “Let’s rest here for the night. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

“All right, I’ll do as you say.” With that, she led Xiao Ke to see the dragon.

Yanlong introduced Zhi Xuan to Leng Tian. The men soon fell into lively conversation. Leng Tian suggested they spend the night here, and everyone agreed, immediately searching the area for what they needed.

Leng Tian told Huo Wu, Xiao Ke, and Max to stay together while the others went off to gather supplies. With the dragon present, Huo Wu and Xiao Ke would be safe.

Little did he know, Huo Wu took Xiao Ke onto Max’s back and had him fly them up to see the stars.

Leng Tian just shook his head with a smile and went off to search for food.

The moon hung in the sky, smiling serenely, while the stars crowded the Milky Way, winking down upon them.

The six sat around a campfire. With no spirit beasts nearby, Leng Tian had caught only some ordinary wild game. They enjoyed the savory meat, chatted about the beauty of the night sky, and filled the quiet night with laughter and joy.

Leng Tian took out fine wine he had stored long ago, and the men drank heartily. Huo Wu and Xiao Ke sat aside, sharing secrets, occasionally covering their mouths to giggle at the men’s drinking contest.

“Brother Leng, why don’t the six of us become sworn siblings tonight?” Yanlong, his face flushed with drink, raised the suggestion.

“Agreed! Tonight, we pledge ourselves as sworn siblings.” Leng Tian took up the wine jug, using his inner power to force a drop of golden blood from his finger into the wine, and then passed it to the others.

Each in turn added a drop of their own blood, except Xiao Ke, who was too frightened to prick her finger—she was only at the initial stage of gathering energy and couldn’t force her blood out.

Leng Tian smiled, a fine blade extending from his fingertip as he gently pricked Xiao Ke’s pale finger, drawing a drop of blood to add to the jug.

There, on the hilltop, all six knelt on one knee, right fists pressed to their hearts, gazing up at the night sky. Swearing before the heavens, they drank the blood wine and vowed to become sworn siblings, brothers and sisters for this lifetime and beyond—never to abandon one another, not seeking to be born in the same year, month, or day, but only to die in the same year, month, and day. Should any break this oath, let them be struck down by divine retribution, never to be reborn as humans!

With that, their bond was sealed under the starlit sky.