Volume Two: The Soaring Dragon of the Ninth Heaven Chapter Five: Fate's Encounter

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At the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, the White Dragon led Yaoguang straight to the Hall of the Dragon King. “Father, I have returned.”

“My son!” The Dragon King was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing his child’s return. Turning to Yaoguang, he bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Honored Immortal, for saving my youngest.”

Before he could kneel, Yaoguang quickly stepped forward to support him. “That cannot be. It’s true I am a respected immortal, but I am also a person. Please, there is no need for such courtesy. White Dragon, I have fulfilled my trust and returned you safely. Oh, and now you are an Immortal of the Upper Realm—your father can be at ease.”

“You have ascended to immortality?” the Dragon King exclaimed in surprise.

“I owe it all to the Honored Immortal,” White Dragon replied, looking at Yaoguang with deep gratitude.

“My thanks to you, Honored Immortal. Should the Dragon Clan of the Eastern Sea ever be of use to you, you need only ask,” the Dragon King declared fervently.

“Certainly. By the way, here is your spirit pearl—I have completed my task and now return it to you. Immortal White Dragon has been restored, and my own merit is fulfilled. There are too many worldly entanglements; I will take my leave.” Yaoguang cupped her hands in farewell.

“Farewell, Honored Immortal.” White Dragon received the spirit pearl and bowed.

As Yaoguang turned to leave, she heard White Dragon’s voice behind her. With a graceful wave, she departed without looking back.

Leaving the Eastern Sea, Yaoguang returned directly to her villa, switched off her phone, and collapsed into bed, exhausted. She would think about everything else after some much-needed sleep. The celestial banquet was being arranged by others, so there was no need for her to worry.

Her sleep was not entirely peaceful. In her dreams, she found herself by an unfamiliar shore, saving a white serpent with two small horns—though whether it was a snake or something else, she could not tell. It was all hazy and confusing. Half-awake, she couldn’t recall the details and didn’t dwell on them, simply turned over and continued sleeping.

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While Yaoguang slept soundly, the atmosphere in the Dragon Palace was heavy. The old Dragon King gazed at his son and sighed, knowing it was time to reveal certain truths.

“My son, are you acquainted with the Honored Phoenix Immortal?” he asked.

“I am not, but she seemed strangely familiar, as though I had met her somewhere before. Yet no matter how I try, I cannot remember,” White Dragon replied, feeling that something elusive flickered in his mind.

“What do you think of the Honored Phoenix Immortal?” the Dragon King pressed.

“She is admirable. How to describe her… She is inscrutable. With demons and spirits, she is ruthless; with mortals, she is merciful; with immortals, regardless of their status, she is always humble. She has many faces—each truly her, and yet not wholly her. She is difficult to fathom. Yet one thing is clear: she is someone worthy of friendship, the sort to whom one could entrust their back,” White Dragon analyzed earnestly.

“Do you know what I promised as a return gift when I asked her help this time?” the Dragon King asked.

“What is it?” White Dragon inquired.

“To have you remain by her side.” The Dragon King didn’t wait for his son’s reply, continuing, “By her side is a male immortal who practices the magic of the Underworld. He was once her lover and companion. Ten years ago, during the calamity of the Ghost Sect, he fought as a key defender and perished, his body destroyed, his soul devoured by evil spirits and dragged to the Iron Enclosure Mountain. Fortunately, the Lord of the Underworld intervened and preserved his soul. The Phoenix Immortal used half her cultivation and spirit to guide him into the immortal path, achieving his current state. Yet he can only wield the magics of the Underworld, unable to ascend to the higher immortal realms, and cannot unite with the Honored Immortal. This is the deepest thorn in her heart, a secret not publicly spoken of in the celestial world. If you remain by her side and form a bond with the male immortal, he can cultivate alongside you, drawn by your dragon’s aura. He would then be able to practice upper-realm magics, enter the higher immortal path, rebuild his spiritual body, and walk in sunlight. One day, he could become a god and reunite with the Honored Immortal—not just in spirit, but hand in hand. To the Honored Immortal, you are a lifeline. She is fully aware of all this, yet said not a word when returning you. I heard from the local land spirit that the Lord of the Underworld hoped she would keep you, but she chose to respect your wishes.”

“So there’s such a connection… but the Honored Immortal never hinted at it,” White Dragon replied.

“Her silence is for your sake. You are of the dragon clan, an upper-realm immortal, guardian of the eastern waters. If you remain here to cultivate, your ascension to godhood is within reach. But if you stay with the Honored Immortal and cultivate alongside her male immortal, you would become an attendant immortal. The path to godhood would be much more arduous, requiring not just cultivation but immense merit—a task not accomplished overnight. Her reticence is for your future,” the Dragon King said, his eyes full of gratitude.

“Father, I am willing to go to the Honored Immortal’s side and aid the male immortal,” White Dragon declared.

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“Are you certain?” The Dragon King hadn’t expected his son to agree so readily.

“Father, if not for the Phoenix Immortal, I wouldn’t have merely failed to ascend—I wouldn’t even be alive. I would have ended up neither human nor ghost. My successful ascension is thanks to her taking the brunt of the tribulation thunder for me. That thunder was unimaginably fierce; even she coughed blood from its force. Had I faced it, I would have been reduced to dust. To become an immortal under such circumstances would be a fool’s dream. Her kindness is too great for mere words to repay. Now that she needs me, how can I refuse? Moreover, she never once mentioned any of this, a mark of the highest respect. In her eyes, there is no distinction of rank, only right and wrong. To befriend such a person is one of life’s greatest joys. Besides, she is the Honored Immortal herself. Though she still has a mortal form, she has endured one hundred and eight heavenly thunders to ascend. To serve as her attendant immortal is a rare opportunity, offering many trials and the chance to help sentient beings and win renown across the four seas. This is far more exciting than simply becoming a god. From every perspective, it benefits me. To speak candidly, everyone knows that the male immortal is her reverse scale—helping him is helping her. Should the Eastern Sea ever require assistance, she will not hesitate. Her power is unquestionable, and her attendant immortals are all exceptionally skilled. Her Phoenix Spirit Mountain is a domain even the heavens defer to. So this is an opportunity with no downsides. I must go,” White Dragon finished his analysis, watching his father’s response.

“She took the tribulation thunder in your stead. My son, the Honored Immortal has saved you twice now,” the old Dragon King sighed.

“Twice? What do you mean?” White Dragon was puzzled.

“Three hundred years ago, when you transformed from a python to a dragon, you were struck by a rare thunderstorm and gravely wounded on the banks of the Weak Water River. That place is inaccessible to most immortals. I sent people to rescue you, but they never returned. In my desperation, the newly ascended Phoenix Immortal passed by, used a hundred-spirit herb to save you, and returned you to the Eastern Sea. That herb can restore spiritual essence and only grows once a century—an incredibly rare treasure. Thanks to it, your immortal marrow was reborn. The immortal who saved you in your memory was none other than the Phoenix Immortal. Without her and her herb, you would have died long ago, never to become the Immortal White Dragon you are today.” The Dragon King sighed again. “After you returned, I searched for this benefactor but to no avail—until you were captured this time, and I asked the Lord of Fate to learn the truth.”

“It was her who saved me. Her… Father, I must go to her at once and remain by her side. Please take care, Father—I will visit often.” After bowing deeply, White Dragon left for the mainland, his heart brimming with happiness. At last, he had found his savior.

Meanwhile, the white fox Bai Ling’er of Qingqiu, once recovered, could no longer sit still. She ran to the Fox Emperor, knelt, and begged to become Yaoguang’s attendant immortal. Her reason was simple—repaying a debt of gratitude. Her argument was even simpler: Taoying’s marriage into Qingqiu was a tremendous favor from the Honored Immortal. Peach blossom spirits were rare and precious, especially a thousand-year-old one. As a return gift, the Honored Immortal asked only for peach blossom wine, not the alluring fruit, which was no small temptation. Everyone knew how hard peach blossom wine was to make, especially the finest thousand-year-old vintage, and that particular orchard had been brought by Taoying herself. When Bai Ling’er was forced to consume human flesh, not only did the Honored Immortal not blame her but saved her and took the tribulation thunder in her stead, even suffering injuries. How could such kindness go unreturned? Besides, Phoenix Spirit Mountain was surely no lesser than Qingqiu—why else would even the heavens defer to it? Serving as the Honored Phoenix Immortal’s attendant meant more training, helping all beings, rooting out evil, winning renown, and gaining more solid immortal power than mere solitary cultivation. It was a boon for herself and for Qingqiu. Finally, the Honored Immortal was simply a wonderful person—she loved being near her.

After Bai Ling’er’s impassioned plea, the Fox Emperor laughed and praised her for her maturity, while the Fox Queen beamed with delight.

So Bai Ling’er went to bid farewell to Taoying, promising to bring the Honored Immortal to Qingqiu to visit. Taoying was so moved she could barely contain herself. Then, with dozens of bottles of peach blossom wine in tow, Bai Ling’er set off for the human world in high spirits.