Chapter Fifteen: Han Yuanshan

The village was tranquil, a few children laughing and playing beneath the sprawling shade of a massive tree at the entrance.
Suddenly, a resounding dragon’s roar shattered the calm. The children froze in place, mouths open in silent awe, as a golden dragon unfurled its mighty wings and glided down to the village entrance, stirring up a cloud of dust.
The commotion brought everyone out of their homes. When they saw the dragon, their faces blanched with terror. No one could comprehend why such a magnificent creature would appear in their humble, forgotten village.
Within the gathering crowd, an old man’s expression shifted as he caught sight of the dragon. He hesitated, intending to slip away, but after a moment’s pause, remained rooted to the spot.
Fire Dance was the first to dismount. As soon as her feet touched the ground, a clear, lively girl’s voice called out from behind, “Wow, Sister Fire Dance, it really is you!”
She wore a coarse, floral dress and little shoes edged with lace, each adorned with pink woolen pom-poms that swayed gently in the breeze.
Her hair was tied in two ponytails, and her rosy cheeks were still flushed from running. Wide, expressive eyes gazed up at Fire Dance with delight.
“Little Qing!” Fire Dance scooped the girl into her arms, planting kisses on her soft cheeks. “Tell me, did you miss your sister?”
“I did! I wait for you at the village entrance every day!” Little Qing pecked Fire Dance on the cheek, her big eyes blinking curiously at the dragon. “Sister, what kind of spirit beast is that? How did you come back riding it?”
Fire Dance laughed. “This is a dragon belonging to a friend of mine. Isn’t it magnificent, Qing?”
“It’s huge! Next to it, I’m just a tiny speck,” Little Qing replied, her childish words drawing laughter from the villagers.
Leng Tian and the others entered the village. Through introductions by Fire Dance and Flame Dragon, the villagers finally relaxed and exchanged their wariness for awe, their gazes brimming with reverence as they looked upon Leng Tian.
A Dragon Warrior! The villagers cast envious glances at Fire Dance and her companions, amazed that their journey had brought them into the company of such an extraordinary figure.
To those who had never ventured far from home, a dragon was a sacred being—and one who could ride a dragon, a Dragon Warrior, was worthy of worship.
Approaching the old man, Fire Dance and her companions greeted him warmly, “Master, your disciples have returned!”
A gentle smile softened the old man’s usually impassive face as he patted Fire Dance’s head. “It’s good to have you back. It’s good to have you back,” he said with fatherly affection.
His gaze turned to Leng Tian. “Aren’t you going to introduce our esteemed guest?” he prompted his disciples, then bowed respectfully to Leng Tian. “I am Han Yuanshan, at your service.”
“There’s no need for such formality, elder. Please, just call me Tian,” Leng Tian replied, quickly stepping forward to help Han Yuanshan stand. These disciples were as close as siblings to him; he could not accept such deference.
“Master, this is my big brother; there’s no need for all that,” Fire Dance said, taking Han Yuanshan’s arm with a playful pout.
“Your brother?” Han Yuanshan’s eyes flickered with surprise.
“Come, Master, let’s go to your house, and I’ll explain everything,” Fire Dance said, escorting the old man home with the others.
Once Fire Dance had finished her story, Han Yuanshan’s heart was filled with both fear and relief. If not for Leng Tian, he might have lost his beloved disciples.
Even more gratifying was that his disciples had sworn brotherhood with this remarkable young man. Such a bond was a blessing, for at least now his disciples would have someone powerful to rely on in the future.
“Master, I have good news: my brother is going to help us break through our current boundaries and ascend to the Heavenly Rank!” Fire Dance’s words left Han Yuanshan utterly stunned.
“What did you say? Did I hear that correctly?”
“It’s true, Master. Big Brother really will help us break through,” Flame Dragon confirmed.
Han Yuanshan turned to Leng Tian, his lips trembling with excitement. “Is this true?”
Leng Tian nodded. “It is.”
With confirmation, Han Yuanshan was moved to tears of joy. He had never imagined his disciples would achieve the level he had pursued his whole life.
His disciples comforted him, wiping away his tears. At last, Han Yuanshan gave them instructions: “Go prepare food and wine. Tonight, we celebrate to our hearts’ content!”
The group responded happily and set about their tasks. Leng Tian stayed with Han Yuanshan, and it wasn’t long before a table was laden with food and wine.
They drank together until dusk. In the end, Leng Tian was given Fire Dance’s room for the night. She shared her home with Xiao Ke, as both their parents had passed away years before.
The house was simple but spotlessly clean, filled with all kinds of potted flowers, their fragrance freshening the air.
There were three rooms; Fire Dance arranged for Leng Tian to have the largest. She and Xiao Ke busied themselves tidying up, changing the bedding for fresh—though patched and worn, everything was meticulously laundered.
With a hint of embarrassment, Fire Dance said, “I’m sorry, Brother, this is all we have.”
Leng Tian smiled warmly. “Silly girl, do you think I care about such things? You are my most precious treasures.”
Moved to tears, Fire Dance nodded. “Thank you, Brother!”
Leng Tian gently wiped away her tears. “Go rest, little one. Tomorrow, I’ll help you advance in your cultivation.”
Fire Dance agreed, and she and Xiao Ke returned to their room. Leng Tian extinguished the candle, sat cross-legged on the bed, and reflected on all that had happened since he arrived in this world.
After a moment’s thought, he summoned from his storage ring the crimson orb he had obtained from the abyssal cavern. He did not hurry to claim it, but put it away again.
My cultivation is still weak, he thought. I must find more rare treasures to further my strength. I’ll pass the Ninefold Heaven-shaking Technique to Fire Dance and the others. Now that we are family, I must treat them sincerely. In this life, I, Leng Tian, will live with brilliance.
He focused his mind inward, observing the azure greatsword suspended above the river of true energy within his core. He tried to probe the blade with his consciousness but gained nothing concrete.
His awareness slipped right through—it felt both present and intangible, eerily elusive.