The Draconian guards blinked, plainly unprepared for the prisoners to be acquaintances of their emperor. They hurried forward, working gingerly to free the two from the black-iron bindings and peel away the suppressing sigils.
With the seals gone, spiritual energy coursed through Luther at once. He shrugged off the remaining grips, rushed to Jared, and scanned him from head to toe as though confirming the man before him was flesh and blood.
“Mr. Chance, do you know how hard you were to find?!” His words tumbled out. “We waited in the Wastelands for you day and night, wind, sun, not a single hot meal, and you never showed. We thought something happened, that the Celestial Palace or House of Wagner had caught you.”
He paused, threw a shaky glance back at the guards, and his voice quivered. “Then, just as we reached these mountains, before we even got close, a whole swarm of… Of dragons charged us!”
Grace stepped up as well, smoothing her hair and clothes before she bowed. “Young Master Chance, seeing you safe is all we wanted. These days on the road, worry followed every step…”
Jared took in their disheveled state, and warmth flooded his chest.
“I’m glad you’re unhurt.” He nodded lightly. “You’ve had a rough journey.”
After a beat, he added, “Come, let me make introductions.”
He gestured to Hadrian, who still stood behind him with a lowered head.
“This is Hadrian, of the Sky Dragon Lineage, a High Immortal Realm Level Nine cultivator. We’re in Sky Dragon Valley, the Draconians’ hidden sanctuary, and it’s my temporary base.”
Luther and Grace drew in sharp breaths, the shock in their eyes growing deeper.
Draconians?! This place… This is really the secret ground of the Draconians?!
The legendary race truly exists?!
And Mr. Chance is staying here, Hadrian even treats him with such deference…
It took Luther a long moment to wrestle his thoughts back under control. He faced Hadrian, forced a sheepish smile, and cupped his fists. “So… Lord Hadrian… My earlier offense was ignorance, please forgive it!”
Grace mirrored the gesture with a small bow. “Lord Hadrian, we were rash just now. We beg your pardon!”
Hadrian waved both hands quickly, a modest smile softening his face. “No need for formality. Any friend of His Majesty is an honored guest of Sky Dragon Valley.”
Your Majesty?!
Luther and Grace froze in place. Their gazes met for the space of a breath, pupils wide and full of unanswered questions. They turned back to Jared, their silent stare openly asking for an explanation.
Jared caught every ripple on their faces and let a small smile rise. “It’s a long story. Come inside the valley first I’ll go through it step by step.”
“Good, good!” Luther bobbed his head at once. Meanwhile, Grace offered a light nod and held her tongue. Hadrian stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, honored guests, this way, please. Rooms and supper are ready.”
Jared answered with a simple nod, then took the lead toward the valley’s interior. Deep inside Sky Dragon Valley lay an elegant courtyard, Vivian had been resting there for three full days.
The Draconian healing pills lived up to every tale, their power felt almost otherworldly. In that short span most of her wounds had closed, and more than half of her inner force had returned.
She now sat on a stone stool by the window, a plain white gown on her and dark hair gathered with a single white ribbon. A faint pallor still lingered on her cheeks, but her eyes shone far brighter than they had three days ago.
Beneath that brightness, however, lay a thin veil that carried something unsettled and a blade-sharp edge that refused to hide.
Scenes from three nights earlier rolled through her mind without pause, as vivid as moving pictures. She saw her father again, regret burning in his eyes while his dying hand clutched hers, urging her to see Jared and beg forgiveness.
The words “I wronged him… It’s my fault” still rang beside her ear, each syllable cutting deep. She watched every Elder fall, faces set like iron while they shielded her and her family, until they lay in widening pools of blood, bodies gone without a trace.
And she saw Jared, a figure descending like a deity appear at her bleakest moment and place himself between her and every threat.
Would Jared avenge me?
Would he ever absolve my family? Those questions circled without rest, stealing her sleep night after night.
