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The young mortal man swore to his wife that a dragon had danced through the sky, singing and laughing with joy.
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Hua Qingqing and Long Tianyu rejoined the group, their hands tightly clasped together. The others noticed immediately, subtle smiles forming on their faces. No one said a word, not even Xiao Chi, who normally could not resist a tease. The group began walking back toward the square where the sect members would be waiting. The anticipation hung heavy in the air. Even after everything that had happened that day, Long Tianyu did not know the names of the Golden Windblade Sect members.
The square was vast, filled with thousands of people, many just there to witness the event. Families were gathered, parents holding children, elders standing quietly at the edges. Teenagers walked about, saying hurried goodbyes, their expressions a mixture of excitement, fear, and uncertainty. None knew what their future held or if they would ever see each other again. Among them, the group moved together.
The group spoke quietly, sharing words, laughs, and memories. Wang Shuren spoke last, his voice gentle but firm. "Remember everything you have learned. Remember the teachings of Teacher Song Ming. Do not forget Xincheng, and when you can, visit us. But do not worry about us at home. Focus on your cultivation. Me and Lihua will tell everyone here what happened, and I wish you could see their faces," he said, chuckling.
The group nodded in agreement, hearts warmed by the words. Wang Shuren and Wang Lihua turned their attention to Wang Mei, embracing her for a long moment. Tears glistened in their eyes as they held her, reluctant to let her go. The weight of goodbye pressed down on everyone.
Hua Qingqing and Long Tianyu took a deep breath. This moment felt heavier than any they had experienced before, even more so after their quiet time by the river. Their hands squeezed each other's briefly, silently sharing strength. Long Tianyu leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her. Hua Qingqing pressed her small hands against his back.
"Hey," she said softly, a small smile teasing her lips, "you better not change too much while we are apart. What if I don't recognize you?"
"I won't but what if you turn into a demon while I'm gone? How would I know it is you?" Long Tianyu teased, grinning mischievously.
"AHH!" he shouted suddenly, startling several nearby people. Hua Qingqing had pinched him sharply.
"How dare you call me a demon! Is this your idea of romance?" she said, her voice muffled against his chest as she pressed herself closer, still smiling.
Long Tianyu laughed and tightened his hug. He always tried to make Hua Qingqing laugh, even when things are sad or serious.
"We will see each other soon, alright?" he whispered, his voice low and sincere.
"Mmm, promise," Hua Qingqing replied, her eyes closing briefly as she held him closer.
For a long moment, they remained like that, letting the world around them fade. Time seemed to stretch and bend, allowing them one final shared heartbeat. Eventually, they separated, their hands lingering for a moment longer before reluctantly letting go. Loneliness pressed against them as they began walking toward their separate paths. Nine individuals were about to forge their destinies, stepping into a world far larger and more dangerous than any they had known.
Long Tianyu approached the section of the square where the Golden Windblade Sect members waited. The entourage was the group that arrived on a massive eagle that had descended from the sky, wings casting long shadows over the crowd. Five sect members were present, standing tall and composed, and six other teenagers who had been chosen by the sect clustered nervously beside them.
Xie Wuji, the teenager from the Xie clan, wore the classic flowing white robes adorned with cloud patterns. His frown deepened as he laid eyes on Long Tianyu. He could not understand why someone younger than all of them appeared so confident, so unshakable. A part of him felt fear, a foreign emotion for someone of his stature. The other teenagers selected by the sect kept their distance, their nervousness clear.
Long Tianyu approached with a wide grin, attempting to break the tension. "Hey kids, you can call me your eldest brother, alright?"
Xie Wuji nearly stumbled forward again. This was the second time that day he felt overwhelmed by this young man who was younger than him. Who was this hooligan? They did not know each other, yet he commanded attention with ease. Xie Wuji nodded lightly, words failing him, only able to nod.
The man who had been seated calmly on the podium, cleared his throat, drawing everyone's focus. The children stiffened, alert. "I am Mu Qian, an inner disciple of the sect," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "These are your senior brothers and senior sister."
He gestured to the others. "Jin Dao, Tian Zhan, Qiao Long, and Hua Yan. They are outer disciples who joined before you. We will depart immediately for the Golden Windblade Sect."
The group followed him, moving toward the massive eagle. The creature lowered its wing, creating a ramp-like slope for them to ascend. Long Tianyu hesitated slightly. Though he had seen eagles before, nothing had prepared him for being so close to one this large. In his mind, eagles were small, agile creatures. This one dwarfed any expectations. He needed to adjust his mindset as soon as possible.
Mu Qian instructed them carefully. "Sit here. Hold onto the protruding grips along the eagle's body. The sect members assigned to these beasts come from the Beast Hall. Should you need to travel long distances, you may earn their favor or pay them in spiritual stones."
Spiritual stones?Beast Hall? Long Tianyu thought. He decided to ask later what that was.
He seated himself on the eagle, taking a long, lingering look at those he was leaving behind. Wang Shuren, Wang Lihua, Chen Jie, Nong Xuanfeng, Xiao Chi, Jin Lian, Lin Yue, Song Xue, Wang Mei. His eyes lingered finally on Hua Qingqing. Their gaze met, and a silent conversation passed between them. No words were spoken, yet both knew exactly what the other felt. A small, fleeting smile formed on both their faces.
Then the eagle's wings unfurled, flapping powerfully. Dust swirled beneath them, and the crowd's murmurs rose in a crescendo as the enormous creature lifted from the square. Moondragon City shrank beneath them, its streets, towers, and river glittering in the fading light. The wind rushed past, tugging at robes and hair, and the eagle soared higher, heading toward the horizon.
Long Tianyu gripped the eagle's handles, feeling the vibration of its wings beneath him. The sect members sat composed on the eagle, calm as if the air itself could not affect them. Jin Dao and Tian Zhan exchanged brief nods with Long Tianyu, silent tests of observation and judgment. Qiao Long maintained a faint smile, and Hua Yan's serene eyes swept over them, assessing each member of the newly chosen group with quiet curiosity.
The eagle glided effortlessly through the skies, passing clouds that glowed faintly in the moonlight.
The eagle flapped its wings again, catching a strong gust of wind, lifting them higher above Moondragon City. The distant lights below shimmered like scattered stars, a reflection of the ones in the sky above. Long Tianyu looked up at the moon, thinking of Hua Qingqing. I wonder when she looks at the sun, if she will think of me... Long Tianyu thought.
As the city faded behind them, Long Tianyu felt a strange mix of excitement and longing. Adventure awaited.
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End of Volume 2 - Moondragon City