Chapter Twenty-Five: Seeking the Dragon Spring (Part Two)

Time slipped away like flowing water. For three full days, Ye Heng and his companions had been searching the mysterious lands of the Dragon Kingdom. Sunlight dappled through the treetops, casting patterns upon their weary yet resolute faces, yet it could not dispel the doubts and anxieties gnawing at their hearts. They began to wonder if the legendary Dragon Spring Treasure truly existed in some forgotten corner of this world.

Over these three days, they had traversed vast forests, trekked across treacherous mountain ranges, and even delved into bottomless underground caverns. Every exploration left them exhausted, yet the clues to the Dragon Spring Treasure remained as elusive as blossoms in the mist, flickering in and out of reach.

As night fell, they gathered around a campfire. The flames illuminated their tired faces and the spark of determination in their eyes. Ye Heng took a deep breath, breaking the silence: "Can we really find that treasure?" His voice was heavy with uncertainty about the future, yet it also betrayed a desperate hunger for the challenge.

When Ye Heng finished speaking, the expressions of those around him became complex. Some eyes shimmered with firm conviction, others revealed hidden anxieties, and some remained silent, as if searching for answers deep within their own hearts. After a brief silence, Amy patted Ye Heng on the shoulder, her voice filled with strength: "Heng, since we have embarked on this path, we cannot give up halfway. Whether the treasure exists or not, the process itself is an exercise in growth. As long as we persist, we will eventually find the answer."

As Amy spoke, the glow of the campfire seemed to brighten, reflecting on everyone’s faces and imbuing them with new strength. Ye Heng felt the support and encouragement of his companions, and the uncertainty and anxiety in his heart began to dissipate. He took a deep breath of fresh air and gazed firmly into the distance: "You are right. We cannot give up. No matter how many difficulties and challenges lie ahead, we must face them bravely until we find the Dragon Spring Treasure."

With Ye Heng’s words, an invisible force seemed to rise among them, binding their resolve and faith tightly together. They sat around the fire, every eye gleaming with indomitable light. As the night deepened, the stars shone brightly, as if cheering for their determination.

Amy looked at the exhausted group and said, "Everyone has been tired all day; let’s rest here tonight."

With Amy's words, the atmosphere in the team relaxed. Ye Heng nodded in agreement. He walked aside, began taking dry rations and water from his backpack, and prepared dinner.

The campfire crackled in the darkness, illuminating everything around them. Ye Heng sat by the fire, chewing his rations while discussing the day’s experiences with his companions.

The night in the Dragon Kingdom was beautiful; the stars were scattered like pearls, and the moonlight spilled over the tranquil forest, adding a touch of mystery to this enigmatic land.

Ye Heng stood up and walked to the map, his fingers tracing various paths. They had traversed countless mountains and forests, but the location of the Dragon Spring Treasure remained a riddle. Yet, they seemed to have forgotten something. Ye Heng took a deep breath and paused his finger on a lake surrounded by mountains.

"This," he said, his voice firm, "might be our last hope. The mountains around this lake form a ring, as if guarding a great secret. Look at how these peaks rise and fall—at the deepest point, there are four peaks. Ancient texts record that the Dragon Kingdom’s Divine Dragon Tribe utilized the principles of Yin and Yang, and these four peaks correspond to the cardinal directions."

"Traversing these mountains is easy, but reaching the center of the lake is the true challenge."

Amy asked, "Heng, what makes you so certain that this is the location of the Dragon Spring Treasure?"

Ye Heng’s gaze lingered on Amy, his eyes deep and distant. He spoke slowly, his voice low and resonant, carrying the weight of historical vicissitudes: "I was fortunate enough to read a passage of Dragon Kingdom history in the fourth level of the Martial God Library. The Dragon Kingdom—a name familiar to all today—was, in the distant past, a powerful empire that ruled the world."

"It was a strange nation. While it was called a country, careful study reveals it functioned more like two, with kings and emperors on both sides. The Dragon Kingdom was divided into two powerful races, entrenched at opposite ends of the empire, constantly poised to tear each other apart. On one side were the Demon Dragon Tribe, who worshipped force and war, believing only immense power could maintain the nation's unity. On the other were the Divine Dragon Tribe, who pursued peace and wisdom, believing them to be the true bedrock of the nation."

"The Demon Dragon Tribe, with their bellicose nature, frequently invaded the Divine Dragon Tribe. They were like a black gale, sweeping through with death and destruction, making the entire continent tremble. Yet, no matter how fierce the Demon Dragon Tribe was, they could never breach the defenses of the Divine Dragon Tribe."

"Behind the Divine Dragon Tribe stood a one-in-a-million deity—the Dragon Emperor. He was not only the guardian god of the Divine Dragon Tribe but the only Supreme Divine Dragon in the entire world. He possessed infinite dragon power, combining wisdom and strength, and his presence made the Divine Dragon Tribe an impregnable fortress."

"However, the Dragon Emperor knew that despite the power of the Divine Dragon Tribe, humans were the primary inhabitants of this continent. Though human life was short, lasting barely a century, their wisdom and creativity were boundless. Yet, their strength was relatively weak; without the protection of the Divine Dragon Tribe, they would become targets for the Demon Dragon Tribe."

"Thus, the Dragon Emperor decided to impart divine dragon power to the humans of the Divine Dragon Tribe. He hoped that through these chosen humans, the power of the Divine Dragon Tribe would be passed down, granting them the ability to protect themselves and dictate their own fate. These chosen humans were known as 'Divine Dragon Envoys,' and they would shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting both humanity and the Divine Dragon Tribe."

"Among these envoys was one supreme figure: the Emperor of Men. He was not only the leader of the Divine Dragon Envoys but the leader of all humanity. Possessing wisdom and power that surpassed common men, he was the hope of humanity and the pride of the Divine Dragon Tribe."

"Under the aggression of the Demon Dragon Tribe, the dragons of the Divine Dragon Tribe and the Emperor of Men fought side by side. Relying on divine power and human wisdom, they repelled the Demon Dragon Tribe’s assaults time and again. Their heroic deeds were sung throughout the continent, becoming icons in the hearts of countless people."

"Yet, the aggression of the Demon Dragon Tribe did not end; they remained restless in the shadows. The Divine Dragon Tribe and the Emperor of Men knew that the path ahead remained fraught with challenges and danger. But they also believed that as long as they remained united, no matter the difficulty, they could overcome it and protect the peace and tranquility of this continent."

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Ailu suddenly stood up. Applause erupted like a rushing tide as she praised him without reservation: "Not bad, not bad! You are truly knowledgeable!" Her eyes shimmered with admiration and appreciation for Ye Heng, as if she had witnessed some miraculous feat.

Amy turned, her gaze as sharp as a blade. She demanded coldly: "You, a traitor to the Martial God, what are you being so arrogant about?" Her voice carried an unquestionable majesty, as if she intended to crush Ailu’s defiance in one stroke.

Ailu was undeterred. She curled her lip and retorted: "My mouth is on my face, not yours. Why should I care what you think?" Her tone was provocative and unruly, as if she were engaged in a fierce duel with Amy.

Amy was momentarily choked by Ailu’s retort, her eyes widening as she searched for a rebuttal. However, Ye Heng stepped forward at this moment, waving his hand to signal them to stop.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing," Ye Heng said, his voice peaceful and firm. It possessed a magical quality that instantly softened the tense atmosphere.

Though the mood eased for a moment, the bickering soon reignited. Both sides were like ignited flames, burning brighter and hotter, completely ignoring Ye Heng’s words. Their emotions ran high, as if they needed to pour out all their dissatisfaction and anger, entirely disregarding Ye Heng’s presence.

Ye Heng looked at them, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

Just then, Aishi’s voice rang out like thunder, filled with majesty and power: "Enough! Have you argued enough? This is not the place for your squabbles!" Once Aishi spoke, the scene fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to her.

"True enough, arguing with her is just a waste of time. I’d rather sleep; we’ve all been exhausted for days, and it’s a rare, beautiful night with good weather." Amy decided not to dwell on these vexing matters. She wanted to spend this precious night relaxing, so she turned and walked toward her tent. She lay on the bed, closed her eyes, and felt the softness of the mattress and the comfort of the pillow, a sense of indescribable satisfaction welling up within her.

She then added, "To be safe, let’s keep this one in the ring for now."

Just then, she remembered the interdimensional ring. She smiled slightly: "To be safe, let’s have this one sleep in the ring for now." She knew that although the ring was primarily for storage, the space inside was relatively stable and would cause no harm to the creature.

Ye Heng watched Amy’s peaceful sleeping face, feeling a pang of concern for Ailu. He walked over to Amy and asked softly: "But interdimensional rings are for storing items, is it really okay?"

Amy opened her eyes slightly and looked at Ye Heng: "Oh, don't you worry. That one is tough as nails; she won't die. Besides, my ring isn't just an ordinary storage ring—it has mountains, water, birds, and beasts. It's a small world of its own."

Ye Heng looked around, seeing that everyone had already drifted into sweet dreams. He smiled faintly and decided to find a quiet place to enjoy this rare moment of peace. Walking on the soft grass, he chose a corner far from the group, gently veiled in moonlight, and sat down.

Dewdrops on the grass shimmered with crystalline light under the moon, like countless stars fallen to earth. Ye Heng closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, feeling the gift of nature. In this quiet night, his soul felt washed clean, becoming pure and tranquil.

Gradually, a wave of sleepiness washed over him. The grass was covered in a layer of silver moonlight, like a soft silver blanket. Ye Heng lay down, feeling the warmth of the moon and the softness of the grass, as if he were in a dream world. His eyelids grew heavy, and his breathing steadied.

"What, not going back to the tent to sleep?" Aishi walked over and sat down gently beside Ye Heng, her voice like a soft breeze in the night—gentle and filled with concern. Her gaze lingered on his face, trying to read his heart. Her long black hair drifted in the wind, and the moonlight on her face added a touch of mystery and tenderness.

Under the starry night sky, every star seemed like an old friend. They had accompanied him through countless silent nights and witnessed his transformation from an ordinary boy into the hero of the Martial God Nation.

He smiled faintly, turned to look at Aishi beside him, and whispered: "Shi'er, you should go back to the tent to rest. Leave me here for a moment of quiet."

He waved his hand, signaling that she needn't worry. His voice was filled with resolve and confidence: "I'm not tired, really. Besides, how could I miss this beautiful night and the starry sky?"

He turned his gaze back to the stars, his face showing a look of intoxication. He breathed in the cool air, as if feeling the vitality in every wisp of the night breeze. He smiled softly and continued: "The Martial God Nation doesn't have such beautiful stars and nights."

Aishi leaned slightly against Ye Heng’s shoulder, her hair flowing like a waterfall, emitting a faint, clean fragrance. She reached out her other hand and gently stroked Ye Heng’s face; the tenderness of her fingertips seemed to touch the softest part of his heart.

"Silly, how could you not be tired?" Aishi’s voice was as beautiful as celestial music, filled with deep care. Her eyes shimmered with firm light. "During the great battle against Senior Sister Ailu, you were brave and fearless; the credit is yours. You took the most damage; you blocked countless attacks for all of us. You were also the one who took me in. When I was most helpless, you reached out a hand and gave me a new home."

Aishi’s words brought a slight moisture to Ye Heng’s eyes. He held her hand tightly, as if to merge her into his very life.

"You are tired, Ye Heng," Aishi said softly. "Tonight, let me accompany you so you can have a good sleep. I will guard your dreams; I will provide your peace. You have given too much for us; it is time to rest properly."

Amidst Aishi’s soft whispers, Ye Heng’s eyelids grew heavy. He leaned against her shoulder, feeling her warmth and care, his heart filled with peace and contentment. He knew that no matter how many difficulties and challenges lay ahead, as long as Aishi was by his side, he could bravely face everything.

The night deepened, and the stars shone brilliantly. Aishi sat quietly by Ye Heng’s side, her eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve. She knew that no matter what the future held, she would guard Ye Heng without hesitation, facing every challenge together with him.

That night, the moonlight was like water, and the starlight was like a dream. Ye Heng fell into a deep sleep in Aishi’s company, his face filled with peace and serenity. Aishi watched over him in silence, building a solid barrier for him with her tenderness and care.