It is impossible to set off immediately. After making sure that this is still Earth Lu Cai relaxed for a while and fell into deep thought again. Thirty years ago, dark matter exploded and the catastrophe caused serious pollution to the planet where humans live. Dark matter changed the particle structure of countless lives, indirectly causing a major biological mutation. There are also life forms that have emerged directly from the dark matter realm. They are unlike any species humans have ever encountered. Possessing immense vitality and corrosive power they are rapidly overrunning the Earth posing a threat to human survival.
For unknown reasons, Dragon Island has hidden its traces in this turbulent world leading Lu Cai to discover that it has surprisingly suffered little erosion.
Even the spider that attacked him that afternoon despite its enormous size hadn't yet allowed Lu Cai to detect the presence of dark matter.
This is a rare paradise, perhaps Earth's last pure land.
But if Lu Cai left without fully recovering his spiritual power he might be torn apart by the hordes of monsters waiting outside.
Zeshia waited a moment feeling a little uneasy. Was he being too unrestrained?
Shouldn't a self-respecting male dragon go home with a human after just one request?
After a struggle, Zeshia let out a low controlled cough.
"But now isn't the right time, Lu. We still need more time to get along or my tribe won't accept us."
Tribe?
Lu Cai was stunned. "And other dragons?"
Zeshia belatedly realized she'd let the point slip and quickly corrected herself:
"I'm saying we dragons have our own noble code. Just like eloping lovers, even if we're happy we'll never find spiritual redemption."
Seeing Lu Cai's skeptical expression, Zeshia's expression tightened, her neck almost raised to the sky.
It must not let its knight discover that it had a group of unreliable fellows. Not only did they lack any dragon spirit they were even addicted to the internet!
Internet addiction! Listen, is this what a mature dragon should do?
Lu Cai frowned, feeling strange but he didn't point it out.
The existence of Western dragons was already shocking and after Zeshia's unexpected encounter with him hiding their own tribe was perfectly normal; it was a form of protection.
So he didn't dwell on it. Instead, following Zeshia's earlier words he asked as clearly as possible:
"Can I see a quiet place and a place to leave?"
He needed a quiet place to practice and replenish his spiritual power as quickly as possible ensuring he could fight again before attempting to leave.
Although he was eager to return his reason prevailed over his impulse. If something happened to him it would be a greater loss for the Foundation.
Seeing that Lu Cai didn't pry further Zeshia breathed a sigh of relief and admired his knight even more.
He was truly a gentleman!
Then, it lowered itself graciously inviting the rider to mount its back once more.
This time it would definitely avoid another flight accident!
Zesia was a clever dragon learning from its failures and correcting them for the next attempt. Lu Cai also clearly noticed that this flight was much better than the previous one which was a straight line followed by an S-shaped swirl.
Zesia's wings were sturdy somewhat similar to those of a bat, supported by thick bones and covered in a membrane of fine scales. Sharp horns adorned the edges, likely weapons used by dragons in battle.
Zesia carried Lu Cai from the lakeside soaring steadily through the sky. This time, Lu Cai was much bolder, his eyes wide open and his neck slightly stretched to survey his surroundings.
The moonlight faded and the dawn light already spread across the eastern horizon painting the rocks and vegetation with a magnificent hue. The nocturnal animals in the valley gradually began to hibernate, replaced by the chirping of birds in the forest.
This was a vast majestic island. Lu Cai had no doubt it was large enough to support a vast herd of Western dragons.
Zesia slowed down turned toward a gaping waterfall not far away and shouted to Lu Cai:
"See? That's the connection between Dragon Island and the outside world! But you must know that under normal circumstances humans cannot pass through here. This is a test from our ancestors!"
But fortunately, my knight you have overcome numerous obstacles and reached this place!
Lu Cai was a little disheveled by the wind and the roar of the waterfall was loud. He only heard the word "outside world." Squinting at the waterfall he could indeed faintly sense the interplay of energies there—
Just as he had expected, some invisible barrier protected the valley from external encroachment.
He was in a good mood, grateful to this friendly dragon and a rare smile flashed across his face: "Thank you!"
He smiled, he smiled, he smiled!!!
He understood that he was praising him and he spared no effort to show his favor!!! Zeshia's heart instantly went numb and he barely flapped his wings.
Luckily, he quickly regained his composure glanced at the startled knight and feigned composure saying,
"No thanks, just a joke."
Lu Cai chuckled and gently stroked Zeshia's neck like a puppy rewarding a master.
It was hard but reassuring.
Zshia's heart trembled with excitement and he couldn't help but flap his wings whistling and dashing towards the nest!
Lu Cai hadn't anticipated the other party's sudden excitement. If it weren't for his intensive physical training and his quick grasp on the dragon's back he would have been thrown straight off!
When daylight had almost fully broken Zeshia carried Lu Cai back to the lair and explained:
"This is my lair, the safest place for you. If you need some quiet time I'll leave for a while waiting for your recovery."
It probably knew what Lu Cai was up to. Twolegged beasts are fragile; even a strong dragon rider is just flesh and blood. Lu Cai needed to rest and recuperate.
Besides, after a long day of hard work it needed to forage for food, bringing back something human-edible for its rider.
Lu Cai jumped off the dragon's back and placed the broken sword where the dragon had begun offering it.
He probably understood the dragon's request for him to rest quietly, turned around and nodded gently: "Thank you."
What a polite gentleman! I like him very much.
Zesshia let out a deep laugh from his chest, raised his neck, turned proudly and flew out of the cave.
...She really looks like a little princess, Lu Cai smacked his lips.
But he wasted no time scanning his surroundings before finding a relatively flat corner to sit cross-legged in meditation.
He was a disciple of the Tianshi School, an orphan his master had found among the dead. It was said that before the dark matter explosion Taoism was in decline and nearly wiped out.
Unexpectedly, dark matter completely altered the laws of existence. Cultivators previously in decline suddenly discovered that in an environment rich in dark matter powerful Taoist techniques once found only in ancient texts could be used in reality.
As a result the best of the sect were recruited by the official foundation embarking on a perilous journey to slay monsters in the darkness.
It's somewhat amusing to say that because the monsters' power had significantly increased in recent years and the pressure on the foundation was mounting. Lu Cai had to take an unconventional approach and consider the sect's summoning formations.
This method was familiar; his master and fellow practitioners had all used it. The most common method was to summon extraordinary Taoist creatures such as phoenixes or greedy wolves to aid in battle. Some even had the wildest idea and joked about summoning a dragon.
What had he replied then?
He glanced at his fellow practitioner and said, "Before the dragon's whiskers fully emerge from the formation your spiritual power will be drained."
But now, thinking back on that silver dragon named "Zeshia, My Dragon," Lu Cai felt he was still young back then.
A large forest is a good place to find dragons.
A day passed in a flash. After Lu Cai completed a cycle of breathing exercises to stabilize his dry dantian, Zeshia happened to fly back.
It held a large canvas bag in its mouth emblazoned with a large Tesco logo. Lu Cai's eyes twitched.
These large shopping malls have lost many of their stores since the world order was disrupted and only a few still maintain a stable supply of goods.
He wasn't sure when or where Zeshia had found these supplies.
Or perhaps there was another possibility: the dragons of Dragon Valley had secret connections with the outside world.
But none of this was something he should be considering right now. Zeshia was defenseless against him and he couldn't overtake a group that threatened it... at least not yet.
He inhaled returning to his dantian, slowly stretched his limbs, stood up from the ground and walked over to Zeshia. The beautiful silver dragon proudly pushed the canvas bag toward Lu Cai.
"Even the bravest knight needs to satisfy his hunger."
Then it stared intently at Lu Cai wondering what kind of food he would ultimately choose.
When it went to find Chris and Ryan they had actually mocked it for picking fruit for humans!
The resolute knight stranded in the wilderness didn't he need his dragon to harvest this kind of food which was full of sugar and water?
And it even said its knight would definitely choose the strange flour product wrapped in the transparent bag!
Excessive!
But now, it stared at Lu Cai with extreme nervousness.
Lu Cai first picked up the transparent bag and looked around, which made Zeshia's pupils narrow into slits. Lu Cai then put the transparent bag down.
Lu Cai took out another bunch of bright red fruit and asked Zeshia, "Is this okay?"
Zesia almost couldn't help grinning. "Of course."
Lu Cai didn't notice the dragon's subtle movements only silently breathing a sigh of relief.
Luckily, there was still fruit to eat; that bag of bread was twenty years past its expiration date.
Then Lu Cai found something so black in the canvas bag that its origin was unrecognizable. After a moment's hesitation he stretched out his hands and formed two small wings flapping them.
Is it a bird?
Zesia hummed then nodded with uncommon pride.
"I know humans don't eat raw meat and the noble dragons won't force you to eat it so, I roasted it for you in advance."
It was a close call; he almost leaked information about Ryan, the fire dragon.
Lu Cai was genuinely shocked, unsure whether to marvel at the dragon's thoughtfulness or the poor quality of the fire.
But after much hesitation he was in dire need of protein so he could only tear open the burnt parts and eat the cooked meat inside. He had eaten more terrible food than this. The unseasoned and burnt meat was a surprise in the wild.
Zeshia was stunned as he watched the human eat all the food he had prepared with his own hands. He remembered Ryan's harsh words just now: "People nowadays will never eat such garbage." He was suddenly overwhelmed with emotions. He suddenly had the urge to give all his best to his knight!