Return of the Dragon Clan

"Oh no, Miss!" Uncle Fu reacted, his face filled with urgency.

"There are still remaining demonic beasts on this cruise ship, and Qin Yao is nowhere to be found."

"I—I'm here."

Qin Yao's voice came through as she supported Yan Zhi's unconscious body, struggling to walk out. "I found Officer Yan unconscious and brought her out."

An Yi quickly stepped forward, taking Yan Zhi into his arms, his brows furrowed. "Poisoned? What happened?"

Qin Yao shook her head in confusion. "I don’t know. She was already unconscious when I found her."

After checking Yan Zhi’s pulse, An Yi’s expression darkened.

"The poison is potent! Lucky she ran into me—there aren’t many in this world who could treat this."

"What happened to Lin Chen?"

Seeing Lin Chen unconscious, Qin Yao tensed up and pressed for answers.

An Yi reassured her, "No danger. Just some injuries. He’ll wake up soon."

Qin Yao let out a slight sigh of relief before adding urgently, "We need to leave now! The ship’s keel is cracked—it’s going to sink."

"Sink?"

Only then did An Yi notice the rising water level.

"No wonder the ship’s course felt erratic—there’s no one at the helm."

"Where are we?" Katies asked nervously.

Qin Yao pulled out a peculiar device from her waist and checked it. "We’re close to the imperial capital’s harbor, but the shore is still a fair distance away."

An Yi patted Hongtian’s head. "Big Hong, it’s up to you!"

"No way, not a chance! You can hang me, but I won’t do it!" Hongtian immediately protested.

Was it kidding? Why should it, a ferocious beast, act as a mount for these mere snacks?

Besides, with so many people and the shore so far, it’d be exhausted!

"One fourth-tier spirit core!" An Yi took out a spirit core—the one from the hippo demon.

Hongtian’s eyes gleamed with greed, but it still refused. "Not even for a spirit core. Swimming in seawater for a whole day? Too tiring."

"Damn it!" An Yi’s veins bulged on his forehead.

This lazy mutt! One fourth-tier core clearly wasn’t enough motivation.

"Fine, I’ll add this!" Reluctantly, An Yi pulled out Chi Xiao’s spirit core.

Hongtian wavered.

But it wanted to push for more—it knew An Yi had other stashes!

Just then, a silver flash streaked through the air.

A silver dragon, straight out of ancient mythology, appeared out of nowhere and snatched the spirit cores right from An Yi’s hand!

An Yi was stunned.

Everyone who witnessed this was equally dumbfounded.

A silver dragon—something only seen in legends—had just materialized on the deck.

Who wouldn’t be shocked?

"Is… is that a dragon?" Qin Yao covered her lips, her eyes sparkling with awe.

Katies nodded. "A dragon. Just like the ones in the books!"

Having studied Chinese mythology, she was familiar with the legendary creature.

Uncle Fu wiped his glasses, astonished. "In my seventy years, this is the first time I’ve seen one."

Hongtian was the first to recover, roaring in fury.

"Damn it, those were MY spirit cores! You scaly thief, spit them out! Spit them out!"

The silver dragon yawned, utterly ignoring Hongtian’s outburst.

"Fine! Let this overgrown lizard carry you all! I’m out!" Hongtian huffed, turning away.

The silver dragon glanced at An Yi and raised its head slightly.

An Yi seemed to understand. "You’re offering us a ride?"

The dragon gave a bored nod, another yawn escaping its maw.

"Perfect! Everyone, climb on and hold tight!"

An Yi grinned, securing the unconscious Lin Chen, Yan Zhi, the cat-eared girl, and Fang Jueming (who was too exhausted to move) onto the dragon’s back.

Then, he helped Qin Yao and Katies up.

Katies sat carefully, releasing An Yi’s hand with a blush. "You… didn’t have to carry me."

An Yi replied seriously, "Safety first."

Uncle Fu looked at An Yi expectantly.

An Yi: "..."

The silver dragon ascended, spiraling toward the imperial capital.

A black dog transformed into a majestic wolf, chasing after them through the air.

"Dragon sis! Wait for me! Wait for me!"

"Holy crap, did you hear? A silver dragon appeared at the imperial capital’s harbor!"

"Don’t listen to that nonsense. These shameless media outlets will say anything for clicks."

In a newspaper office in the imperial capital…

A scruffy middle-aged man sipped his tea, mustering the energy to type out the day’s article.

This wasn’t just any newspaper.

Their audience? Martial artists!

Few would guess that this unassuming office was the headquarters of the Martial Artists’ Alliance app.

Chang Qing’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure how to phrase yesterday’s bombshell news.

The revelations were staggering.

Chi Xiao, one of the Four Demon Lords of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, had been slain by the Night Emperor—An Yi, leader of the Asura Sect.

Gabriel, an SSS-ranked assassin from the Paradise Organization and one of its twelve leaders, had been killed by Lin Chen, the Asura Sect’s "Wolf Fang."

The editorial team had been floored.

Chang Qing took a deep breath.

Chi Xiao and Gabriel were world-class powerhouses.

Who could’ve imagined the Asura Sect taking both down simultaneously?

"The winds are changing," Chang Qing muttered, shaking his head.

The martial world of Great Xia had been stagnant for too long.

He’d watched the Asura Sect grow from an obscure faction into a force capable of reshaping the landscape.

"Hey, has the boss finalized the Heavenly Rankings yet?" another editor asked.

This was huge—they needed the latest updates.

Chang Qing opened the file—and his pupils shrank.

"An Yi: Rank 19 on the Heavenly Rankings."

"Lin Chen: Rank 25."

Both men were stunned.

So high! And on the Heavenly Rankings, no less!

Meanwhile, in a modest apartment on the outskirts of the imperial capital…

"Yun, I’ll wash the dishes. You handle the cleaning, okay?"

A stunningly beautiful girl hugged Long Aoyun from behind, her voice tender.

"Okay," Long Aoyun replied flatly.

The girl pinched his cheeks, smiling blissfully. "I still can’t believe we’re married. It feels like a dream."

"Mhm."

Long Aoyun gave a slight nod.

"Mhm? Mhm your big head! Here, take the broom!"

The sound of water dripped from the kitchen as Long Aoyun began sweeping the living room.

Knock, knock, knock!

The girl peeked out nervously. "Aoyun… could it be my stepmother—?"

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle it."

Long Aoyun’s voice softened, but his eyes turned icy the moment he looked up.

He opened the door.

A thin, black-clad man stood outside.

The man froze upon seeing Long Aoyun.

This apron-wearing homemaker… was the mighty War God of Great Xia? The master of the Pantheon?

Recovering, the man bowed. "My Lord—"

"Not here."

Long Aoyun removed his apron and set it aside.

"Zi Kui, you’re here about An Yi’s group slaying Chi Xiao and Gabriel, correct?" Long Aoyun mused.

He’d been keeping tabs on the Asura Sect. Their rise was nothing short of meteoric—breaking into the Heavenly Rankings’ top thirty in just a year.

Zi Kui, however, shook his head excitedly, whispering, "My Lord, it’s something else. A dragon has appeared—a silver dragon at sea!"

"A… silver dragon?!"

Long Aoyun’s eyes sharpened, burning with intensity.