Volume One: Wild Youth Chapter Eleven: Fallen into Dust, Still Longing for the Spring Breeze

The dragon's regal gaze seemed capable of piercing through the shackles of time and space itself, bearing down upon Lin Changtian through the Eye of Heaven and Earth, even as the youth stood shrouded in mist. Behind him, the form of an immortal grew ever more solid, his beard and brows trembling. Yet, under this draconic might that could crush countless world-walkers, not a hair on the boy’s head was harmed.

The Eye of Heaven and Earth regarded the battlefield with its cold, impersonal scrutiny.

The dragon's whiskers quivered, and the ancient divine creature’s eyes filled with fury towards heaven and earth. With a resounding roar, its majesty swept far and wide, cowing the realm-walkers and monsters of the Bohai domain. All living things within the surrounding lands seemed on the verge of kneeling, their meagerness thrown into stark relief by the dragon’s splendor.

The azure dragon bellowed in triumph at the heavens, as if boasting that all things created by heaven and earth now lay prostrate at its feet. Even the Eye of Heaven and Earth seemed to shrink from the dragon’s might, gradually dissolving into the skies above Bohai. Yet, in its final moments, Lin Changtian slowly opened his eyes and met the dragon’s gaze for a fleeting instant. In that single heartbeat, the dragon, only just now the world’s sovereign, suddenly seemed startled and bolted in panic, as slippery as an eel, its dignity utterly lost.

The great ones among the world-walkers exchanged baffled glances, unable to comprehend how a dragon that had been so imperious a moment before could now be so abject. Nonetheless, the lingering weight of its presence left their hearts pounding. Seizing the chance, both world-walkers and great monsters hastily departed in all directions.

For a while, Bohai returned to perfect calm.

Within the forest, Lin Changtian stretched lazily, watching the dissipating mists. He exhaled in relief and resumed his search for Yu Baili. Before long, the two met. Yu Baili scrutinized Lin Changtian and asked, “Did you stumble upon any opportunities?”

Lin Changtian pondered. Aside from dozing off in the mist, he hadn’t really done anything noteworthy. But if he dared admit as much, Yu Baili would surely drag him back to school by force.

So, Lin Changtian composed himself and replied earnestly, “I was searching diligently for fortune in the fog, but it was pitch-black, and I accidentally tumbled off a cliff and lost consciousness. In my daze, someone seemed to whisper in my ear. When I awoke, I felt utterly transformed, as though reborn. I leapt up the cliff, and that’s when I ran into you.”

“That was a sheer cliff—how did you simply leap back up?” Yu Baili pressed.

“People have different constitutions. Once, when I was extremely angry—”

“Enough,” Yu Baili interrupted. “I’ll soon see if you’ve changed.”

Without waiting for Lin Changtian to react, Yu Baili swung a fist at him. In the blink of an eye, Lin Changtian found himself pinned face-down in the dirt.

Yu Baili looked down at him with exasperation. “Your lies are so stale even the neighbor’s kindergartener wouldn’t use them in make-believe.” As he spoke, just as he was about to haul Lin Changtian up, a sudden curiosity struck him. Instead, he pressed Lin Changtian back into the earth and began to search him up and down.

“Can you stop groping me?” Lin Changtian shouted, his face dark with embarrassment.

Yu Baili finally set Lin Changtian upright, eyes shining as he scrutinized him. After a long moment, just when Lin Changtian was growing uncomfortable, Yu Baili finally spoke. “Your foundation is nothing like before. Your talent now meets my standard.”

At this, Lin Changtian grew excited and folded his hands behind his back. “I told you, didn’t I? I’m heaven’s favored child. I can stumble upon fortunes just by wandering about. Now, how do I compare to that mongrel from the Northern Region?”

Yu Baili suddenly seemed to regret his words; the gleam in his eyes vanished. He regarded Lin Changtian coolly. “You’re truly something else. When it comes to being a troublemaker, no dog can match you.”

Lin Changtian ignored his sarcasm, laughed aloud, and strode away. But before he could get too smug, Yu Baili grabbed him by the collar and whisked him off toward the school, looking not unlike the eel-like dragon from before.

...

“We’re almost there. Get ready,” Yu Baili said, glancing at the limp Lin Changtian dangling in his grip.

At these words, Lin Changtian’s expression became composed. He lifted his head skyward, his calm demeanor restored.

“Brother Lin!” Kui Sheng rushed over, overcome with emotion, and swept Lin Changtian into a bear hug, tears streaming down his face. He scarcely noticed that his beloved Lin Changtian was being squeezed breathless. Xu Yong and Chen Ziliang, watching the reunion, both sighed in relief.

The Master approached Yu Baili, eyes crinkled with a smile, but said nothing. Yu Baili’s lips curled in a faint smile, which he quickly suppressed. “If I could choose, I’d rather be greeted by a lovely young lady,” he said solemnly.

The Master shook his head, chuckling. “What’s wrong with an old man? Even in the mortal world, I’m on the welfare roll. Some young women do fancy old fellows, you know. But you—always looking so unapproachable—who would want to show you their charms?”

Yu Baili snorted and turned to address the group, clearing his throat with gravity. “The calamity at Bohai is likely over, but don’t celebrate just yet. Opportunity and risk go hand in hand. The threat of monsters will only continue to manifest. Those chosen by heaven must train diligently and strive to become true world-walkers. For those who haven’t awakened, don’t lose heart. Now is the time for opportunity—the future is unwritten.”

As he finished, the crowd’s expressions shifted in a hundred ways.

Among those blessed by heaven, some wore looks of pride, others of self-importance—worldly airs they could not conceal. Only a scant few stood calm amid the bustle, silent and unperturbed; Chen Ziliang and Xu Yong were among them.

The awakened ones soon drifted away, and those who remained were immediately surrounded by classmates who’d rarely spoken to them before, making awkward attempts at camaraderie. Chen Ziliang and Xu Yong, however, were left in peace—the former was too fierce, the latter as reticent as Lin Changtian. Had it not been for his awakening, no one would remember Xu Yong’s name. The two were happy for the respite and soon found the rotund friend and Lin Changtian, gathering together for a chat. If not for Lin Xiaoxi perpetually trailing Chen Ziliang, the others might have enjoyed themselves more. Still, knowing they now served as third wheels, the three exchanged knowing smiles, which only puzzled Chen Ziliang.

“So, what path will we take from here?” the fat one asked, feeling lost.

“With power comes the duty to uphold justice. Let’s set a small goal: one day, we rid the world of Yu Baili, that root of all evil!” Chen Ziliang declared, his face full of indignation.

“I’ll follow Lin Changtian. Wherever he goes, I go,” Xu Yong said quietly, looking at Lin Changtian.

Lin Changtian regarded him curiously, recalling how their paths always seemed to cross while wandering. His expression darkened with suspicion, but Xu Yong merely adjusted his glasses with resignation. “It’s not what you think. My preferences are normal.”

Lin Changtian narrowed his eyes, but before he could retort, Yu Baili hoisted him up again, surveying the group. “There’s a place that might suit all of you. I wonder if you’d care to accompany me?”

“Where?” Xu Yong asked.

“The Northern Frontier.”

The group exchanged uncertain glances, offering no immediate answer. Seeing this, Yu Baili pinched Lin Changtian hard, reminding him he had no real choice. Resigned, Lin Changtian glanced at Yu Baili with a hint of grievance, then began to rally the others with enthusiasm.

While the survivors consoled themselves after their brush with death, Lin Changtian alone was passionately plotting their future.

Before long, a fresh cohort of young pioneers, full of hopes for the Northern Region, was assembled.

Lifelong employment, house and car provided, dependable retirement—Yu Baili smiled. In all his years in the Northern Region, he’d seen plenty of grand promises. But it was rare to see someone handed a blank canvas and paint their own dreams upon it.

After all, in the Northern Region, aside from the old men keeping each other company, the rest had never even seen a whisker.