Chapter 328: Roaring Rivers and Icy Omens

Lead clouds churn as flying snow roars!

Mighty rivers surge, waves piling high!

Snowflakes as large as a hand drift down from the clouds.

Within Daocheng, numerous Bizarre Temples stand. Even along the great cosmic river, scattered temples cross its path—so even in the dead of winter, the water never freezes.

Nine-tiered Yellow Dragon, Xuanmu Flying Eaves, and treasure ships tear through the river, summoning roaring tides!

Like a colossal beast imposing itself on the water, the stream splits to the sides as the treasure ship moves forward; invisible shockwaves ripple outward, tearing the icy water into a flurry of snow powder.

Inside the treasure ship’s pavilion, a spacious chamber awaits.

Ornately carved wooden windows, each shut tight and embellished with intricate designs, and an interlocked, ancient-style roof, speak of old times. This room is prepared for Li Che—a dedicated space for him to craft wood carvings.

Precious spirit wood has been arranged throughout the room; all of it carefully provided by the Qianyuan Divine Sect for Li Che’s practice.

Upon learning that Li Che would soon head for the Divine Capital, Gongshu Jingjun began preparations a month ago, gathering rare spirit wood. She planned for Li Che to hone his Divine Eagle technique en route, so that upon arrival he could secure the special status of Imperial Watch’s distinguished minister.

That status is highly exclusive—only those who have reached a semi-Saint level from various fields can claim it. Yet, even a semi-Saint is not guaranteed this honor.

Each appointment is decided by the Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch alongside two Deputy Inspectors. If even one dissents, the title cannot be awarded.

But Li Che’s journey is merely a trial. If he truly becomes a special minister, it will also grant him the qualification to apply for the Four Sovereign Ranks’ spirit wood!

The Imperial Watch and the Temple Guardian Division, as the two premier forces under the Great Jing Court, rank among the top three Divine Sects. With the support of the court and abundant resources behind them, their influence is extraordinary.

Not to mention that even the First General of the Temple Guardian Division and the famously calculating Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch, let alone the other two Generals and Deputy Inspectors, are among the mightiest warriors in the realm.

For instance, Tie Shancai’s father holds the position of Second General within the Temple Guardian Division and, like Lü Taibai, is a dual-listed powerhouse at both the Divine Profiles and the Heavenly Gate. Meanwhile, a charcoal stove burns quietly indoors, its heat rising like the warmth of spring.

Though the treasure ship rocks slightly, it hardly affects Li Che. A warrior of his caliber remains unfazed even on water—never seasick. Seated in a grand chair, Li Che toys with the carving knife in his hand as his gaze settles on the Divine Eagle Sculpture he retrieved from a jade box.

The Divine Eagle is shattered and crisscrossed with cracks—this was once the past Dharma form of the great master Huang Mei of Xiao Lingyin Temple.

Lü Taibai’s sword qi was so overwhelming that it cleaved the Holy Hand Divine Eagle into countless pieces. After reclaiming the wooden carving, Lü Taibai spent considerable time extracting the sword qi that had corroded it, reforming it into a new Divine Eagle.

That is why Lü Taibai did not immediately let the Underworld Yama, who had once grievously injured Huang Mei’s past form, reclaim the Divine Eagle. Li Che, meanwhile, remained absorbed; the carving knife danced nimbly between his fingers, slicing through the air with a whooshing sound—then, with a sharp crack, he firmly clutched it.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. “Yue Huanglong…”

By eavesdropping through the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che overheard a conversation between Yue Huanglong and Yan Jing. He learned that Yue Huanglong had informed the powerful of the Dragon God Clan. In truth, it hardly surprised Li Che that the Dragon God Clan was stirring trouble.

After all, the clan had lost both the Dragon Queen and the Dragon Son, and one daughter had even been wed to Ji Mo Li.

For the Dragon God Clan, identity is everything.

And Long Zi Ao Lie, by achieving the martial Saint level as a Dragon Son, is critical to the clan’s future.

The Dragon God Clan is naturally physically formidable thanks to their innate bloodline, yet breaking through to the martial Saint level is no easy feat—just look at how arduous it is for the Dragon Queen Ao Yuxin.

Thus, the loss of Ao Lie, that Dragon Son…

How could such a loss not wound the Dragon God Clan deeply?

So when Yue Huanglong mentioned that the Dragon God Clan might soon dispatch a Titled Dragon King, Li Che found it entirely expected. “A Titled Dragon King…”

“That would be an existence on par with absolute peak elites, not just ordinary second-rate peak warriors, but truly first-class, like Yue Huanglong or Monitor Hong Shifo,” Li Che mused while reclining, deep in thought.

“Yet one Titled Dragon King may not be enough… Who dares to block the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s treasure ship?” “After all, the Sect Leader personally escorts it…”

Li Che’s brows furrowed.

Something about Yue Huanglong struck him as cunning—there was certainly a scheme at play.

Regarding the conflicts between the Great Jing Court and the Divine Sect, Li Che had heard about it from Fang Han Shu while studying at Lü Taibai’s bamboo tower. Every Path City’s Taoist head was not arbitrarily chosen but handpicked by the National Teacher Xie Yunshen.

All work under his will—to suppress the expansion of the Divine Sect and to prevent the kind of unbridled dominance once seen at Qitian Temple! And it has been quite effective.

Not only the Qianyuan Divine Sect, but among the eleven Divine Sects, except for the uniquely autonomous South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest and the Talisman Temple’s Purple Mansion, all others have felt the suppression to some degree.

“Yue Huanglong must have allied with other strong forces… The Lie Shen Pavilion? Corpse God Sect? Or perhaps Ji Mo Li’s faction? Even Xiao Lingyin Temple?” Li Che’s brows knit as he listed the forces feuding with XiXi.

A quick count revealed that there were indeed many groups harboring grudges against the little girl. Poor thing… she’s made plenty of enemies.

Unlike her honest and amiable father, Li Che mused as he closed his eyes briefly.

His mind drifted back to the vision of Big XiXi fluttering like a dream butterfly—a moment soon replaced by a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Any force that threatens his daughter must perish!

Perhaps they sensed Li Che’s resolve.

Within his chest, each Dao Fruit began to pulsate fiercely. “Titled Dragon King…”

Li Che narrowed his eyes and, raising his hand, pointed to his brow.

Blood and flesh split as it expanded sideways; the Star Plucking Gaze shone brilliantly! Vrooom——!

The Cosmic Chessboard surged above his head, coiling over the nine-tiered Yellow Dragon Xuanmu treasure ship before suddenly unfurling, swelling with the wind to blanket heaven and earth!

Hundred zhang, thousand zhang! A hundred miles, a hundred miles!

Li Che’s eyes opened and closed as if he were situated at the central seat of the chessboard—the very origin of energy. Hold on a moment.

Dragon King… Divine Capital… Great Divine Capital.

The political and power center of the Great Jing Court.

Dominating the land, even when covered by ice and snow, nothing could dim the radiant brilliance of the Divine Capital stretching across the skies. Its prosperity eclipses that of any Path City.

Crisscrossed by blue stone-paved Long Streets, spacious even in the midst of heavy snowfall, the city teems with people by the countless. A garden dusted in fresh snow blankets everything in white.

A youth with the poise of a calligrapher stands in an octagonal pavilion, his head large and his hands behind his back as he gazes at the glimmering white roofs, lost in thought and memories.

Vrooom——

An elderly man draped in a black robe emerges from the snow, his silver hair swirling in the wind. “Your Highness.”

Mo Lao’s gaze falls on a suddenly imposing Lu Chi, whose features now hint at royal blood. Lu Chi regains his composure and looks back at Mo Lao, expressionless.

“The Qianyuan Divine Sect’s contingent for the Pan Tao Victory Festival has departed. They should reach the Divine Capital in about half a month.” “Li Nuǎnxi is among them.”

Mo Lao relays the news to Lu Chi, knowing that Lu Chi has been waiting for this very message.

Lu Chi’s normally impassive eyes glimmer faintly. “They’re coming?”

At the mention, Lu Chi’s eyes light up, his icy expression melting into a smile. “In just half a month we shall reach the Divine Capital… I can finally see that little girl again.”

Lu Chi’s gaze softens.

But soon, pain flickers across his face.

Recalling XiXi’s words severing their ties, his heart aches as though cut by a blade. “It’s all my fault… mine alone…”

“I wonder if we’ll ever be friends again?” A trace of anguish lingers in his eyes.

He exhales slowly.

“Though this vast Divine Capital nurtured me, here…I have no friends. Not one.

Everyone seems to want my head… When can I ever call anyone friend?” Lu Chi murmurs bitterly.

Mo Lao stands silently by, letting out a soft sigh.

“Mo Lao, did they take the water route? Up the Grand Canal from the Great Yunhe to the Divine Capital?” Lu Chi inquires.

Mo Lao nods. “Taking half a month from Lingnan Path to the Divine Capital is only possible by water… “Safe?”

Lu Chi fixes his gaze on Mo Lao.

Mo Lao hesitates a moment before replying, “It seems safe enough… especially with Lü Taibai himself escorting. But…”

Lü Taibai furrows his brow. “But what?”

Mo Lao thinks for a moment and bows slightly. “I’ve heard… the Dragon God Clan has dispatched a Titled Dragon King, probably to avenge their fallen Dragon Son.”

“Also, over at Xiao Lingyin Temple, the great master Huang Mei has led a procession of temple children to the Divine Capital. It remains uncertain if they will merge with the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s group along the way.”

“And… King Ping Luan Ji Mo Li’s forces have already set out for the Divine Capital,” Mo Lao continues in a somber tone.

At the news, Lu Chi feels an oppressive force like a rolling dark cloud. “This Pan Tao Victory Festival at the Divine Capital… promises to be more lively than ever.”

Lu Chi murmurs to himself.

Mo Lao’s silver hair flutters as he declares, “This time, the Pan Tao Festival is not just any contest. Of the eleven Divine Sects, apart from the uniquely autonomous South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest and Talisman Temple’s Purple Mansion, the other nine sect leaders will attend in person.”

“To negotiate the detailed plans for the assault on Qitian City.”

“The Grand Inspector’s calculations predict that the Bizarre Temple of Qitian Temple will soon revive… so they have summoned all the sect heads to clear out the myriad demons occupying Qitian City before its resurgence.”

“Moreover, with so many leaders present, the Empress has increased the rewards for this Pan Tao Festival—she even offered the ‘Three-Thousand-Year Western Queen Mother Pan Tao’ as a prize…”

“Thus, whether it’s the Young Dragon Festival or the Heroes’ Festival, the competition will be fierce—not only to avoid losing face but also for those two ‘Three-Thousand-Year Western Queen Mother Pan Tao’ rewards…” Mo Lao intones gravely.

Lu Chi inhales deeply, his eyes hardening. When strong figures gather, inevitable turmoil will ensue.

Lu Chi had been keeping a close watch on events in Daocheng. “I just hope this doesn’t affect XiXi…”

Suddenly, Lu Chi turns to the hesitant Mo Lao. “Mo Lao, is there any other news?” Mo Lao considers before replying, “I’ve received another tip, but its veracity is uncertain.”

“Speak.” Lu Chi commands.

Without further hesitation, Mo Lao says, “I’ve just learned that Lü Taibai’s once-personal third disciple… might join forces with the Dragon God Clan’s Titled Dragon King to target the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s treasure ship.”

Lü Taibai’s personal third disciple?

Lu Chi suddenly ponders. “The one who betrayed Lü Taibai and the Qianyuan Divine Sect?”

Mo Lao nods, his voice tinged with regret.

“This person… possessed unparalleled martial and divine talents—a preternatural martial Saint foundation and an innate celestial aura. Lü Taibai once treasured him, even grooming him as a potential young sect leader. Alas…

“For reasons unknown, he betrayed Lü Taibai.”

“He even turned against Lü Taibai, inciting a deadly feud…”

Lu Chi did not fully grasp the reasons, but his expression darkened.

“For someone so intimately acquainted with Lü Taibai, daring to confront him directly shows he’s confident in his ability to defeat him.”

“I suspect his defection to the Corpse God Sect means his target now is Li Nuǎnxi.”

Targeting… XiXi?!

Before Lu Chi could probe further,

a guard clad in armor appears from the garden, bowing as he kneels. “Your Highness, the Noble Consort has arrived.”

Hoot—

On the vast expanse of the Grand Canal, roaring waves beat relentlessly, stirring a thin, rippling tide!

The massive nine-tiered Yellow Dragon Xuanmu treasure ship, now merging with the Grand Canal, suddenly picks up speed.

Compared to the broader surface of the Grand Canal, the treasure ship surges with untamed momentum.

Over the canal, thick mists billow like cascades of fragrant incense, sometimes coalescing into drifting smoke ribbons.

Snow from the sky seems to melt into pea-sized droplets, ripping through the air before cascading down onto the canal in a torrential roar. Countless water droplets burst on the deck of the treasure ship, sizzling like drops on a hot pan.

On deck, only crew members wearing bamboo hats and cloaks remain, scrambling to pull ropes and rush about.

Inside the ornate, carved hall, curtains flutter softly in the wind.

Seated in his chair, Li Che’s ink-garbed robe billows with every breeze.

After a long while, he opens his mouth to exhale and slowly opens his eyes.

“Five days have passed… and there’s not a hint of movement?”

“What about the Titled Dragon King?”

“Our flowers have long withered…” Li Che murmurs while reclining.

In the end, waiting for a Dragon King brought nothing but silence…

Li Che senses the presence of Yue Huanglong and Yan Jing trailing along. As the treasure ship enters the canal, their forms seem to hesitate, then finally, after a moment’s indecision, they follow.

It appears they, like Li Che, are waiting for the Dragon King—a spectacle to behold. But…

The ships sail into the Grand Canal, and the Dragon King remains absent. It seems they’ve all been stood up.

Even Li Che cannot shake the feeling that something is amiss.

“This old Dragon King… could he be brewing something big?” Li Che’s expression grows grave.

The Cosmic Chessboard expands further, now reaching a maximum span of a thousand miles—a greater range than before, albeit at a greater cost of energy.

But Li Che’s now imbued with the Soul of Breath Retention Transformation, his cultivation far surpassing his past. The Cosmic Chessboard surges into the clouds, weaving paths across the heavens!

It covers the lonely, snowy banks of the Grand Canal as if capturing every mountain and stream. Hm?!

Suddenly, Li Che narrows his eyes, pausing as the Chessboard reveals that about eight hundred miles north along the canal, an invisible killing intent bursts forth—a gash in the celestial dam, torrents of water surging, silencing every creature in the forest.

Killing intent… so potent?

Li Che rises from his chair, ending his training for the day. He slowly strolls out of the chamber, steps measured as he reaches the railing of the treasure ship. Below him, torrential rain cascades in sheets, turning the canal’s waters into a tempest of fury!

It seems as though someone has deliberately altered the heavens to unleash this relentless downpour.

Even a Divine Nucleus Cultivator with potent Soul of Heaven will find their senses affected by such a deluge. This torrential rain is meant to disrupt the detection and probing of those souls.

Yet for Li Che, it is negligible—he relies on the Cosmic Chessboard, not his Soul.

Within the Chessboard’s perception, the killing intent eight hundred miles away cannot hide.

A dense miasma of death and decay, almost materializing as a sinister, stagnant dragon, churns upon the Chessboard as water and rain barrage him with their forceful clamor.

He exhales slowly, “Corpse God Sect…”

Feeling the terrifying, all-too-familiar aura emanating from the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che mutters, “You again…”

“Persistent and unafraid of death, aren’t you?” His voice drops to a chilling monotone.

“To think that the Corpse God Sect, even when confronting Ji Mo Li, would dispatch so many formidable warriors to the banks of the Grand Canal.”

“The Corpse God Sect dares to orchestrate such a grand scheme far from Jizhou…”

Li Che narrows his eyes.

“King Ping Luan… are you out of your mind?” he thinks. “How can a king of the Great Jing Court allow the wicked of the Corpse God Sect to mobilize so effortlessly, without even a shred of pressure? What kind of king are you?”

From the recurring appearances of Corpse God Sect villains, Li Che is convinced that Ji Mo Li is in deep trouble.

Gazing out at the rain-drenched scene, with only the roar of the downpour for company, Li Che turns and walks away from the railing.

He enters the grand hall, which bustles with activity as children, forced indoors by the rain, play around. His eyes immediately lock onto XiXi, and he pauses.

He sees XiXi, furrowing her brows and straining in concentration while engaged in a fierce game of Go with Monitor Hong Shifo. Each move is a battle, each play hard-fought.

Monitor Hong Shifo, having left the Imperial Watch in Daocheng, is traveling to the Divine Capital with the group.

Since their intense game of Five-in-a-Row—an evenly matched contest with XiXi—Monitor Hong Shifo has been unable to forget it, coming every day to challenge her.

“Father!”

XiXi, tilting her head in concentration, suddenly brightens at the sight of Li Che. Hurriedly, she stands and waves; in her haste, her little belly knocks over the Go board, scattering pieces everywhere.

“Oh no, the board’s been knocked over! XiXi, the Emperor was just about to win—what a pity! Let’s set it up again.” XiXi exclaims in dismay.

Monitor Hong Shifo’s beard trembles with anger as he points at XiXi, his fingers erratically moving. His “Four-Piece Annihilation” and “Twin Dragons Chasing Pearls” have been ruined!

That little girl…

truly, a worthy match for him!

Even her manner of toppling the board mirrors his own style!

Yet Monitor Hong Shifo deeply feels the pent-up frustration of being outplayed. Li Che smiles gently, approaching to tousle XiXi’s hair.

“Don’t give Monitor too hard a time—enough for now,” Li Che says warmly.

XiXi immediately grins widely, hands on her hips, “Oh! I understand!”

Monitor Hong Shifo, red-faced and fuming, retorts, “Li Che, what nonsense are you spouting? How could I be bullied by a little girl like you? Come on then—let’s play three hundred more rounds! Whoever loses goes without dinner tonight!”

Monitor Hong Shifo bellows, rallying XiXi for another intense game of Five-in-a-Row.

“Hmph! Bring it on! Emperor XiXi shall leave you in tatters!” XiXi declares, her resolve blazing.

Li Che gives her head a fond rub.

Within his chest, the Chess Sage Dao Fruit trembles subtly—soon, it sends a warm surge flowing into XiXi’s body. After all, if it is called Chess Sage, it cannot be limited to merely the role of Gaode Chess Sage.

Li Che smiles knowingly, glancing at Monitor Hong Shifo before heading toward Lü Taibai’s quarters. Once he departs,

XiXi, fired up, resumes her spirited game with Monitor Hong Shifo.

Her chubby little hand reaches into the Go box; her original pincers, reminiscent of a chicken’s claw, shift slightly…

Her index finger and thumb deftly and elegantly pick up a piece, sliding it across the board with a crisp tap as it lands precisely at the center—a move as imposing as a sky-splitting strike! XiXi’s eyes sparkle. “Yes! That’s the feeling…

Oh! My hand has a mind of its own now!”

Monitor Hong Shifo’s expression darkens. As a seasoned veteran, he suddenly feels an overwhelming pressure akin to a mountain’s weight.

He glances at the pieces, as if they too are trembling in anticipation, confronting the formidable talents of little XiXi—a sensation reminiscent of facing a top-tier national Chess Sage. Damn it!

Just then, Li Che, wiping down Lü Taibai’s sword, catches his eye.

It seems Lü Taibai has also noticed that the treasure ship on the Grand Canal is not entirely safe. He is busy cleaning his treasured Taibai Sword, awaiting the moment to strike. “This time… the Taibai Sword is sure to shed blood.”

Lü Taibai, head bowed and focused on wiping his sword, speaks—clearly addressing Li Che.

“A message from the Underworld has arrived… Eight hundred miles away, agents of the Corpse God Sect are lying in wait. Their force is formidable. Judging by the density of death and decay, it appears even stronger than the Corpse God Sect forces once concealed outside Shendiao Ridge.”

Li Che speaks in a low tone, no longer holding back in front of Lü Taibai.

Lü Taibai looks up, his eyes glimmering mysteriously. “Eight hundred miles away? Even the Underworld can detect details so far?”

Even Lü Taibai cannot help but marvel at the Underworld’s intelligence—it truly is first rate among all forces. The Corpse God Sect’s ambush is clearly laid out.

Yet every ambush by the Corpse God Sect is seen through by the Underworld. “It appears there is a Corpse God…”

Li Che contemplates, the crushing aura of death and decay from eight hundred mountains away pressing heavily on him, “Corpse God?”

Lü Taibai squints slightly. “Also…”

He pauses as he wipes the Taibai Sword.

“I have also learned that the Dragon God Clan dispatched a Titled Dragon King. However, for some unknown reason, that old Dragon King has yet to appear. And, three hundred miles away, two figures follow our treasure ship. Our Sect Leader… you can probably guess who they are, right?”

Lü Taibai grips his sword hilt, and with a low hum, his long sword spins as his eyes flash with an unusual light.

“The Titled Dragon King of the Dragon God Clan has come for Ao Yuxin—or perhaps for the fallen Dragon Son, Ao Lie… How can the Dragon God Clan, already past its prime, risk dispatching a Titled Dragon King for just one Dragon Son?”

Lü Taibai narrows his eyes.

“It must be Ji Mo Li’s doing… The Dragon God Clan’s fate is now intertwined with his schemes.”

Lü Taibai laughs coldly.

Li Che is momentarily taken aback, uncertain of Lü Taibai’s meaning. Clearly, there are hidden details he has yet to learn.

Lü Taibai sheathes his sword. His white robes billow, his silver hair streaming. Even his silver eyebrows lift as he smiles at Li Che, “Back in the day, if Ji Mo Li had lost his son, he would have been slaughtered by that peerless spear-wielder on the spot in Daocheng…

But now, though he lost his son, he has not taken any action—bottling up his fury. It seems Ji Mo Li’s ambitions are vast indeed.”

Lü Taibai steps forward and walks beside Li Che to the railing, both watching as rain hammers down relentlessly on the canal. With eyes closed for a moment, Lü Taibai’s Taibai Sword trembles subtly within his wide sleeves, emitting a sharp, cold, poetic hum.

“In this rain…”

“I smell blood…”

“My sword is awakening.”

Lü Taibai’s eyes open wide as violent sword light flares within them.

Li Che, surprised, admits, “That’s… the scent of Dragon Blood…”

Lü Taibai exhales deeply,

“The Titled Dragon King of the Dragon God Clan… should be on the move.” Li Che’s eyes flicker with realization.

He recalls how, on the journey from Jingguang City to Daocheng, there were rumors of the Dragon God Clan attempting an ambush. In the end, both the Corpse God Sect and the Lie Shen Pavilion had been stood up.

Li Che had once believed that the Dragon God Clan’s warriors might change their minds. Now he sees… they’ve all turned to trash.

A twitch at the corner of his mouth betrays his thoughts.

Could it be that the Dragon Blood Wine he once drank at the restaurant was made this way?!

His mind delves into the Cosmic Chessboard as he pushes it to its extreme.

If the Boss and the Dog were to act, the Chessboard might not perceive them—it would have to switch to a sweeping, probing mode.

At last…

On the surface of the canal, five hundred miles away, Li Che sees a vast expanse of deep red silently spreading like a bloom from another world…

Boom——!!!

Waves surge relentlessly; scorching blood and vitality course over the canal. For hundreds of zhang, the water turns blood-red. A lone boat drifts, isolated.

Waves crash, then abruptly settle into a calm, still surface. On the lone boat’s deck, a small stool and a figure clad in white remain.

The Boss, holding a rolled paper, extracts tobacco from his pouch with a bamboo tweezers, spreading it evenly before rolling a cigarette. He lightly taps it on his hand.

“Hey, Dog—take it easy! Don’t hog all the Dragon Marrow. That stuff is meant for XiXi’s restorative ‘Dragon Marrow Lotus to Strengthen the Bones’—if you ruin the Dragon Marrow, forget about a good meal.”

Just then, as the Boss lifts the cigarette to light it, he notices in the distance a massive Big Black Dog, its huge form tearing apart a terrifying, oppressive piece of Dragon Corpse flesh.

He hurriedly shouts.

The Big Black Dog, its body marked with patterns resembling molten rock, freezes at the shout. Its paw lifts to scratch its head.

Then, it cautiously uses its paw to snap off a massive dragon head, sending a cascade of blood like a waterfall into the canal—scalding and hissing, evaporating the water into a white, misty surge.

Soon, with a buzzing sound, its claw flashes a razor edge. It begins to deftly slash and carve at the scales and flesh on the canal’s surface.

Suddenly, the Dog’s movements halt.

Its dark, almost black eyes, round like dates, shoot upward to the sky. It tilts its head slightly.

Its fangs spread in two neat rows…

Stained with a few strands of old Dragon meat, its sharp teeth glisten.