Chapter 134: A Dragon?

Chapter 134: A Dragon?

In the early morning, the secluded area was rich with various energies. Mist intertwined with colors, enveloping the forest in bands of light. Zhao Qinghan approached the lakeside, her slender silhouette highlighted against the vibrant luminescence of the forest mist, creating an ethereal beauty. She fixed her gaze on the pale golden creature lying on the ground, mulling over it. Before entering this secret land, she had studied various records, some compiled by explorers and others excerpts from archives detailing the medicinal herbs and exotic beasts.

"It's a Croc-Dragon hybrid!" She shot Wang Xuan a glance, incredulously amused. To think he'd relegated such a creature to mere 'alligator' status. But what astonished her more was how Wang Xuan had, with his fists, managed to break the bones of this formidable beast. Although it hadn't died, it looked to be on the brink.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

"A dragon? That can't be!" Wang Xuan expressed genuine surprise. Running his hand gently over the golden creature, he mused, "If this truly is a dragon, every inch of it would be a treasure."

Zhao Qinghan was left speechless, observing Wang Xuan tenderly caressing the massive creature as if petting a dog or stroking a cat. "What are you doing?" she finally asked, bemusement evident in her voice.

"I've never even tasted alligator meat before," Wang Xuan admitted candidly. Growing up, he led a simple life, with nothing extraordinary. Now, in contrast to Zhao - a woman accustomed to opulence - he displayed no hint of inferiority, his interest clearly piqued by the creature before them.

"When we return, I'll treat you to all kinds of feasts," Zhao Qinghan responded, her tone softening as she recalled his past feats.

"If this is indeed a dragon, its meat would be incredibly nourishing," Wang Xuan mused, thinking of the high praise dragon meat received in various accounts. He turned to Zhao Qinghan with a curious tilt to his head, "Can you cook?"

"Why?" Zhao Qinghan had an inkling of what was coming but still nodded. "I've occasionally cooked, just to test my skills."

"Great! We won't wait to return then, let's roast the dragon!" Wang Xuan circled the creature on the ground with an enthusiastic glint in his eyes.

Feeling a bit out of her depth, Zhao Qinghan hesitated, "I've only ever cooked basic dishes. Never grilled meat for anyone. You'll have to make do."

"As long as it's cooked through," Wang Xuan replied optimistically. He imagined it would be better than the charred game he'd eaten in the Cloudy Highlands.

However, he had not lost sight of the main task. The most valuable item here was the five Spirit Nourishing Lotuses in the lake. To avoid any mishaps, he intended to dive in and collect them.

"There's another Croc-Dragon in the lake. Be careful," Zhao Qinghan cautioned.

A golden shadow loomed ominously beneath the water's surface, casting cold, menacing glances at Wang Xuan. After witnessing the fate of its companion, it dared not approach the shore.

To Zhao Qinghan's surprise, Wang Xuan began removing protective gear. He took off several steel plates that were a few inches thick from his chest and back.

"How heavy must that be?" she wondered.

And there was more. From his arms and legs, Wang Xuan removed thinner plates. "Such thorough protection," she marveled silently, recalling her earlier comment about him being hard to the touch. No wonder, he was practically armored!

Once disarmed, Wang Xuan, with his short sword in tow, prepared to dive. Without those heavy plates, he would not sink straight to the bottom.

"It's too dangerous," Zhao Qinghan voiced her concern. Fighting underwater was a completely different challenge compared to land.

"Don't worry. These Croc-Dragons are still juveniles, pitifully weak. Like that genetically enhanced creature, they're just for show. Paper tigers," Wang Xuan assured.

"There's definitely something going on," Wang Xuan replied, concern evident in his tone. "I just heard a deep, thunderous response from downstream." His face paled as a second booming growl reverberated in the distance.

While Zhao Qinghan had not achieved the level of a Master to perceive distant sounds, her instincts were sharp. She quickly surmised, "Could there be an even more powerful dragon lurking below?"

Given the ancient records, the crocodile dragon was no ordinary creature; it was transcendent, setting it apart from common beasts.

"Let's go!" Both Wang Xuan and Zhao Qinghan exclaimed in unison, realizing that staying was no longer an option.

After gathering the five mystical plants, Wang Xuan couldn't resist slicing off a chunk of the dragon's meat with his short sword, still fixated on its purported "restorative" properties.

Every member of their expedition team carried a specially crafted "collecting bag" designed to hold such treasures without letting their fragrant aroma escape and attract unwanted attention.

Zhao Qinghan, seeing Wang Xuan's unwavering focus on the meat, rolled her eyes and urged, "Come on, let's move!"

"Right!" Agreeing, they both sprinted into the forest, running as fast as they could. Wang Xuan didn't even bother to pack up the steel plates; there simply wasn't time.

From the distant river, a deafening roar boomed, so powerful that it sent waves surging hundreds of meters into the air. A "Majestic Dragon" was indeed present, its roar causing thunderous echoes throughout the mountains.

A thick golden light streaked upstream towards the lake. "It's a giant!" Wang Xuan exclaimed in awe. He trusted Zhao Qinghan's words – this creature belonged to a class of dragons that, once matured, transcended the ordinary.

He realized that the massive dragon was beyond his current capabilities. It had surpassed ordinary lifeforms, ranking at least among the enigmatic, higher-tiered beings.

Waves rose to the sky as a monstrous dragon, spanning over thirty meters, burst forth from the river. Its aura was filled with malice, a testament to the countless creatures it must have slain. Its roar resonated so powerfully that all creatures in the vicinity were paralyzed with fear.

Wang Xuan, clutching Zhao Qinghan's hand, raced through the forest. They had already covered several miles, but it became apparent that Zhao Qinghan couldn't keep up with Wang Xuan's pace. He was practically dragging her along, and she nearly collided with trees on several occasions.

From behind, a massive figure appeared atop a mountain, casting a menacing gaze in all directions. With a swing of its tail, it shattered a cliff, shaking the entire landscape.

Peering through the trees, Wang Xuan stole a glance back and was met with the sight of the fearsome creature on the distant mountain peak. Goosebumps covered his skin. The transcendent dragon was hunting them!

"Qinghan," he whispered urgently, "you can't keep up like this. I'll carry you."

Panting heavily, with her chest heaving, Zhao Qinghan shot him a glance. Had he just belittled her?

Without waiting for a response, Wang Xuan scooped her up and sprinted even faster. Their immediate survival was the priority. The dragon was an undeniable threat, capable of annihilating any expedition team.

Resting on his back, Zhao Qinghan hesitated for a moment before correcting him, "Don't call me 'Little Zhao', especially not in front of Wu Yin and others. In our circle, it's considered... disrespectful, even offensive."

Wang Xuan instantly made a connection. "So, is 'Little Zhong' a classic example?" However, he soon realized his blunder.