Thanks to Zeshia's careful care Lu Cai's minor injuries recovered quickly after a few days and his dried-up spiritual power was almost replenished to its peak. It was time to say goodbye. Lu Cai thought silently while Zeshia went out to find food. When Zeshia returned he would thank her for the dragon's care these past few days and then perhaps ask her to fly him to the waterfall.
He walked to the pile of Zeshia's treasures and gazed at the broken sword, figuring he'd take it with him when he left; after all it was his only weapon.
He would have to walk the rest of the way back alone.
As he was thinking the sound of flapping wings came from outside the dragon's lair.
Lu Cai paid little attention assuming it was Zeshia's return. But as the flapping wings drew closer his expression suddenly tightened.
"Boom!"
The violent shockwaves bore down on Lu Cai. The tense warrior braced for danger long before it struck quickly dodged.
Unfortunately, aside from his own broken sword none of Zeshia's gems were saved.
Flames engulfed most of the cave. The mountain, shaken by the recent shockwaves, was unstable and small pieces of rock could be heard falling.
Lu Cai's brow tensed as he glared outward—
It was a red dragon slightly larger than Zeshia. Its vibrant color shone dangerously in the sunlight. Its scales resembled burning rubies and its scorching heat could be felt from the flapping of its wings and its exhalation.
"Please calm down! I won't attack!"
Lu Cai raised his hands. Grateful to Zeshia he didn't want to engage in battle with his own kind without understanding the situation.
"Roar!"
But the other side relentlessly attacked Lu Cai again.
Lu Cai's face sank. He couldn't afford to waste any spiritual energy to accumulate strength so he dodged very passively. Furthermore, the cave was high up on the cliff face and a single careless move could lead to a descent into the abyss!
The murderous intent within him gradually grew.
This red dragon refused to communicate brimming with aggression and murderous intent no different from a lower-level monster. Zeshia's lair was nearly burned to the ground. If he didn't kill it... he would be the one to die.
After a few dodgy moves and a brief confrontation, Lu Cai tightened his grip on the broken sword, his expression completely gloomy.
The giant red dragon's abilities were likely fire, heat and sonic shockwaves. According to biological records Western dragons' weaknesses were similar to those of reptiles and snakes...
Forced into a corner, Lu Cai finally landed on a rocky outcrop ideal for leaping.
His muscles tensed, his entire body like a dangerous steel blade radiating a bloody sharpness. He charged with all his might—
The red dragon roared and lunged at him, its long, scaly snout opening, faintly visible as flames flickered!
"Roar—!!!"
The flames blasted past Lu Cai's face, burning off his long, long hair. His scalp tightened and he leaped onto the dragon's back.
Thanks to Zesia he now had a thorough understanding of the structure of a Western dragon's back knowing how to maintain his footing and thrust his sword into its most vulnerable spot.
Sensing danger the red dragon swung its body violently in the air. Lu Cai groaned and was nearly thrown from the air. The exploding scales made it difficult for him to find a foothold and his skin was also severely cut.
No time to delay. A cold glint flashed in Lu Cai's eyes and he raised his sword-gripped hand...
A sudden, violent impact struck from below!
Accompanied by a whistling wind and the dragon's wailing the red dragon's body instantly stiffened!
But he didn't care. The impact tore him off the dragon's back and his body suddenly lost its footing.
Oh no! He fell off the dragon's back!
The scorching sunlight and the flames spewed from the red dragon twisted the air before him into waves of air. His pupils blurred slightly during the rapid fall but quickly focused again.
Thankfully he had worked hard these past few days to recover a lot of spiritual energy.
Lu Cai's expression regained composure. Seeing that the red dragon's silhouette overhead was no longer visible he raised his left palm and swiftly formed a hand seal.
But before Lu Cai could even recite the corresponding incantation a loud, mournful wail echoed overhead. Then the blazing sunlight was obscured by shadows and a silver figure rapidly approached him!
It was Zeshiya.
Lu Cai's expression briefly froze but he didn't loosen his grip.
Quicker than his thoughts, the young silver dragon, Zeshiya's body, practically a sharp arrow surpassed Lu Cai in the blink of an eye.
The next second Lu Cai's body pressed steadily against the dragon's broad back. The overwhelming weight nearly crushed him to the point of vomiting blood but a sense of security also followed, shaking Lu Cai's grip loose in the turbulent ride.
"Lu Cai, are you okay?"
The silver dragon beneath him cried anxiously. Lu Cai twitched his lips ignoring his shattered internal organs. He was fine.
If it hadn't suddenly appeared the red dragon might have been dead.
The silver dragon's speed stabilized. Lu Cai took a long breath. He rolled over and clasped the dragon's back.
"Thank you, Zeshia! I'm fine!"
Zessia didn't reply but instead soared upward carrying Lu Cai!
The dragon's heart beat violently and heavily at the breakneck speed. Lu Cai could clearly sense Zeshia's rage.
The red dragon appeared in sight but before he could react Zeshia had knocked it over!
The fights between extraordinary creatures were far more violent than those between humans. Although Lu Cai had experienced many battles he had rarely witnessed such a shocking scene—especially while sitting on the back of one of the dragons!
"Zesia! You fought me for a human!!!"
The red dragon roared at Zeesia in the dragon tongue. Zeesia showed no sign of weakness, her powerful wings flapping heavily against the air around her. Her voice was muffled by anger:
"Ryan! I told you he's my dragon rider!"
Ryan felt a little guilty. After being swatted back against the mountain wall by Zeesia's wings he didn't charge forward. Instead, he glared angrily at Lu Cai on his back:
"I was just testing him! What if he's not a rider at all but some wicked creature out to deceive dragons!"
Zesia, that fool, had always refused to accept the influence of modern civilization. He had no idea how sinister people are these days!
The dragon's grumbling continued and Zeshia rejected it without hesitation:
"Absolutely not! Look at his sturdy build, his movements so agile, his sword-holding so fearlessly, even engaging you in a relentless battle! What else could he be but a knight!"
Ryan was speechless, unable to refute for a moment.
Finally, it roared stubbornly, "I didn't see it! Have him retrain with the sword! I want to see it clearly!"
Lu Cai didn't know what the two dragons said but later Zeshia angrily retorted something incomprehensible, turned around, laid Lu Cai on the ground and spoke solemnly:
"My dragon knight, your dignity has been challenged and your life is threatened. But rest assured, I will defend you to the death. But now, I need you to prove to my fellow kin that you are worthy of wielding it!"
After speaking Zeshia pointed a claw at the sword in Lu Cai's hand.
Lu Cai was stunned. He had just understood Zeshia's promise to protect him but then he froze. "Prove it. Use it?"
He raised the broken sword and the red dragon slowly flew over glaring down at him with a condescending snort.
Lu Cai's muscles tensed again, ready to pounce and slay the dragon at any moment.
Zeshia nodded his eyes wary as he leaned closer to Lu Cai, fearful that Ryan might suddenly attack.
Lu Cai noticed Zeshia's defense and felt a touch of gratitude but he truly didn't understand the dragon's mindset.
It wasn't a difficult task but it just felt... a bit foolish.
Do all Western creatures yearn to see the magical powers of China?
Lu Cai took a deep breath and gave Ryan a cold look which actually made Zeshia feel a little uneasy.
Knights are proud creatures and this request is a bit far-fetched. But if Ryan doesn't recognize his dragon rider and later joins Grandpa Ode and Chris in disparaging Lu Cai, Lu Cai will be even more embarrassed!
Alas!
It's all my fault. I'm not yet an adult, not yet a brave dragon capable of protecting the knights in my pack!
Ignoring Zeshia's sudden dejection Lu Cai slowly walked to a flat surface further away from the dragon, raised the broken sword in his hand, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The sect's strict discipline. Although they didn't practice swordsmanship, their master and fellow apprentices held a strange obsession with physical training. Especially in a world rife with monsters, a strong physique and graceful movements could help you survive and defeat enemies in more situations.
In such times they always used the sword as a training weapon.
Lu Cai's eyes suddenly opened. The broken sword seemed to be instantly imbued with a mysterious power and even the person holding it seemed to be shrouded in a magical aura.
As graceful as a startled swan, as agile as a flying dragon, the sword was seamless, yet its power was astonishingly sharp—
He channeled only a tiny bit of spiritual energy and after a single strike the sword landed, pointed at the rock and instantly shattered a half-man-high rock!
Red Dragon Ryan's jaw nearly dropped to the ground!
Didn't Chris tell him that netizens say today's knights are all just showboating, completely incompetent?
So what's with this human... oh no, knight, exploding a rock?!?!
The rock shattered, sending a cloud of ash. Lu Cai frowned and stepped aside. Ryan, startled, quickly took a few steps back, his eyes filled with indescribable fear.
Zeshia also jolted awake his thoughts racing:
So this dragon knight is so powerful!!!
"Is it all done?" Lu Cai sheathed his sword and glanced coldly at the red dragon.
Ryan didn't dare speak and nodded blankly.
Lu Cai's brows relaxed slightly, thinking, "As expected, his IQ isn't very high."
After some thought it was time to leave. Otherwise, if another dragon wanted to see him practice with his sword would he stay here like a circus performer?
Lu Cai looked at Zeshia and extended his hand making simple gestures like a bird flying and walking. "Thank you for your concern. Please take me away."
He was actually a little worried that Zeshia wouldn't let him go. Based on experience, powerful, intelligent creatures tend to consider all surrounding creatures their territory.
He couldn't fathom the dragon's mindset. If Zeshia had grown accustomed to him and considered him its property it might not allow him to leave.
Unexpectedly, after a brief pause, Zeshia tilted her head slightly, flicked her tail shyly and softly replied, "Okay."
Ryan: "..."
Although it wasn't clear what was going on, something was wrong with its brother.