"A dragon?"
Ning Shuyu was startled, looking at the obedient white-haired girl before her.
"What did it look like?"
Dragons, as spirits of heaven and earth, were extremely rare, but came in many varieties. Different types of dragons also had physical differences. Knowing this, she might be able to determine what magic Mu Qinglan was suited to practice.
"Blue scales, white horns, golden..."
Mu Qinglan spoke softly, while recalling the appearance of the final boss from version 4.0 of "Destiny."
Although the game's main storyline was a bit problematic, thanks to the excellent presentation of the boss battle, Mu Qinglan's impression of that dragon was quite deep, and she remembered it clearly.
And as the girl's delicate voice continued, the confusion on Ning Shuyu's face grew heavier, until at a certain moment, it turned into indescribable shock.
'How is this possible?'
Ning Shuyu was perplexed.
Why was the dragon Mu Qinglan described so similar to the Imperial Spirit Sect's guardian beast, that blue divine dragon that controlled wind and rain?
Her first reaction was that Mu Qinglan was lying.
But upon careful thought, it wasn't possible.
Because in these decades, that dragon had rarely taken action, serving more as a deterrent stationed at the sect. Even on the rare occasions when it did act, it would hide behind the thick clouds it summoned, and no one could see its full appearance clearly.
Let alone accurately describe its characteristics.
But why was this happening?
Was it an unknown member of the same clan as that dragon, or...
"Sister Ning... I only remember this much... Is there a problem?"
The gentle, placid voice called Ning Shuyu back from her distraction. She looked up and realized that the girl opposite her was watching her carefully, her eyes clear.
As if worried she had said something wrong.
"It's nothing," Ning Shuyu patted her head, comforting her softly: "I just thought of something."
"Little Qinglan, stay here for a while. I'm going to check some ancient texts. I don't remember the information about dragons very clearly, so I need to look it up."
"Mm."
Hearing this, Mu Qinglan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Ning Shuyu hadn't found any flaws, so she could continue with her fabrication.
After all, that principal character was trapped in the Abyss and couldn't come out anytime soon.
After speaking, Ning Shuyu gave a brief instruction and then hurriedly left.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
The white-haired girl still sat in place. After a long while, she picked up the tea and slowly took a sip, looking very obedient.
But if someone were to look from below, they would clearly see that her blood-red eyes definitely carried a hint of cunning from her successful plan.
"She really... values it."
Mu Qinglan shook her head slightly.
In the game, after players reached a certain reputation level within the Imperial Spirit Sect, they would unlock a piece of information—the Imperial Spirit Sect was protected by a divine dragon that formed a contract with each generation's sect leader.
That dragon was second-rank and had made quite a splash in later plots.
But Mu Qinglan knew that the dragon she had just described was completely different from the one at the Imperial Spirit Sect. Although the two were extremely similar, that version's final boss was a genuine first-rank divine beast.
It could summon wind and rain, move mountains and fill seas.
If it hadn't been trapped in the Abyss, gradually going mad, it wouldn't have ended up as a version boss being hunted down by all the players on the server.
And the plot also hinted subtly.
The dragon of the Imperial Spirit Sect seemed to have some indescribable relationship with that boss, a very close one.
This gave Mu Qinglan an opportunity to profit from it.
That ancient dragon was now trapped in the Abyss, unable to communicate with the outside world. Even if it could communicate, without the power of a first-rank star, no one could retrieve it from there—at least the Imperial Spirit Sect didn't have that ability.
So—
As long as she could provide this information and have that dragon hear it, she would definitely gain the attention of the Imperial Spirit Sect.
Even gain their support.
Regarding this, Mu Qinglan had a clear conscience.
After all, she hadn't lied, and had even provided important information, hadn't she?
—That ancient dragon was indeed there.
It's just that those of second rank couldn't enter.
○
The National Teacher's mansion was divided into front, middle, and back courtyards, each with different functions.
In the middle courtyard, a certain hall.
"Do you recognize the dragon she described?"
At one side of the hall, by the table, Ning Shuyu looked at the small dragon perched on the indoor rockery and asked with confusion: "Prince Qi's daughter rarely goes out and has no channel to come into contact with your clan. She shouldn't be lying."
"Mm, from what you've said, I can roughly guess who she's talking about."
The blue divine dragon frowned, puzzled:
"But how is this possible? She should have been missing for a long time..."
"Who is it?"
Ning Shuyu looked up at the dragon.
The dragon member said conflictedly: "It's my mother, but I haven't seen her for a very long time."
"Your mother?" Ning Shuyu was stunned: "From what the child said, the place she saw seems to be the Abyss. Should I accompany you to explore?"
"Not necessary," the dragon shook its head: "We are both only second-rank. Going to the Abyss is too dangerous; there's no need for you to accompany me. I'll go alone next rainy season."
Dragon cloud and rain techniques were usually strongest during the rainy season. From her words, it wasn't hard to tell that she cared quite a bit about this news.
Ning Shuyu sighed helplessly: "Do you think I would let you go alone?"
"..."
"By the way," the dragon member looked puzzled, "how did she recognize my mother? Without you mentioning it, I wouldn't have thought she was in a place like the Abyss."
Ning Shuyu's expression softened, showing a smile:
"She saw it during her awakening. You know that we magicians see some strange things during awakening. The more mysterious, the higher the talent it often represents, and the better the effect on spiritual power refinement."
Being able to see a first-rank true dragon, what did that indicate? Even without saying it, the other party understood.
Just in terms of talent—
Mu Qinglan was definitely not inferior to them!
Perhaps even slightly superior!
"I see..." The dragon paused, her expression becoming much more solemn. "A genius? Then we must give her a thank-you gift..."
○
Pop—
A black-haired girl squatted by the pond, expressionlessly popping the bubbles from a fish's mouth.
A formidable genius?
Jiang He involuntarily glanced over, feeling somewhat curious.
According to what they said, that genius was now in the back courtyard, just about a hundred meters away.
But thinking that she would need to greet her first, and might even be recognized, Jiang He shrunk her neck, a hint of retreat flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Better not.
○
"Sister Ning..."
The white-haired girl looked up, a hint of unease flashing in her ruby-like eyes, timidly asking: "What I saw shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Of course not."
Seeing the worry on the girl's face, Ning Shuyu, who had just returned, quickly reassured her:
"You just have too good of a talent, that's all. As long as outsiders don't know, there won't be any problems. Besides, you've helped us so much. Even without your father's connection, the Imperial Spirit Sect would fully protect you."
Ning Shuyu spoke while taking out an exquisite wooden box and opening it.
Inside was a golden hairpin.
The hairpin wasn't large, about the size of an index finger, with several small golden flowers on it. It looked like a branch just broken off from a blooming golden tree, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.
"For a while, you'd better not go out. Wait until the assassination matter settles down. Take this. This hairpin has a protective spell instilled in it. After infusing spiritual power, it can temporarily summon a dragon spirit, which should keep you safe."
As she spoke, she carefully pinned it to the girl's hair.
And the moment Mu Qinglan's fingertips touched the hairpin, her gaze suddenly intensified.
Because the system screen had automatically popped up:
[Dragon Summoning Hairpin]
[Accessory (Gold)]
[Effect: Can block attacks below sixth rank (once per week). After infusing spiritual power, can summon "Dragon Spirit" for temporary control (once per month, both effects strengthen with level increase)]
["This is proof of the friendship between the Imperial Spirit Sect and the Dragon Clan"]