Chapter 313

Yin Feijing cast a resentful glance at Ye Yu.

To be honest, leaving the Southern Barbarian Continent and coming to the Central Continent was merely an excuse to meet Ye Yu.

The matter of the true dragon was something she had stumbled upon by chance and used as a convenient reason to seek him out.

But now, it seemed Ye Yu was far more interested in the dragon than in her.

Her first instinct was to refuse.

What, you expect me to share just because you ask?

Yet, before the words left her lips, Ye Yu’s gaze fell upon her, and she swallowed them back down.

Forget it—this man clearly had her figured out.

Unwilling to risk another round of playful punishment, Yin Feijing begrudgingly began recounting the news about the dragon.

A few days ago.

Several witnesses reported seeing a true dragon soaring near the Six-String Mountains of the Central Continent.

A five-clawed silver dragon, its body barely a hundred zhang in length—not particularly large by dragon standards—but its draconic aura was unmistakably pure.

Wherever it passed, beasts prostrated themselves in submission.

Even from ten li away, the oppressive presence of the dragon could be felt.

The next day, the story began to spread.

A few powerful cultivators decided to seek out the dragon for themselves.

But upon entering the Six-String Mountains, none of them returned.

Instead, the air was filled with the sound of dragon roars and fierce echoes.

Upon hearing this news, Yin Feijing had immediately thought of Ye Yu.

Out of gratitude for her past experiences in the Lan Kingdom, she decided to share this information with him as a way of reciprocating his kindness—or so she told herself.

After hearing the story, Ye Yu frowned.

It’s already been several days? Will the dragon still be there?

While Ye Yu pondered, he failed to notice Yin Feijing’s sidelong glance, her cheeks faintly flushed.

Reciprocity? That was a thin excuse.

What truly mattered to Yin Feijing wasn’t the dragon but Ye Yu himself.

The dream realm had left an indelible mark on her, so much so that one night she had caught herself fantasizing about a moment shared with Ye Yu—embracing one another, their tails entwined.

The thought alone nearly drove her mad.

What is wrong with me, imagining such things out of the blue?

But this only deepened her urgency. She had to confirm whether Ye Yu had a fox tail or not.

Running into him mid-journey had seemed like fate, but after trying every method, Ye Yu appeared to be neither a demon nor a nine-tailed celestial fox.

So what, then, was the truth behind the scenes in the dream realm?

And why, since that dream, had Ye Yu seemed increasingly attractive—so much so that she could hardly look away?

Gan Zhizui is so lucky to have him,

Yin Feijing thought, not for the first time.

And that woman on the spirit vessel yesterday?

Also his.

It was infuriating.

Ye Yu’s sudden voice broke her reverie.

“Let’s go!”

Startled, Yin Feijing stammered, “N-no! That’s not… Don’t overthink it!”

The refusal spilled out instinctively, but as she registered the odd look on Ye Yu’s face, she quickly softened her tone.

“Uh… What did you just say?”

Ye Yu rolled his eyes.

What’s wrong with this girl? Has she hit her head?

Shaking his head, he motioned for her to follow as he prepared to leave for the Six-String Mountains.

Before departing, the two sought out Yin Zhi to bid farewell.

However, Yin Zhi was taken aback and offered parting words laced with innuendo.

“Leaving already? Why not stay the night?

You’re holding back, aren’t you? It’s fine. I’ve already dismissed all the guards and attendants. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest!”

The expressions on Ye Yu and Yin Feijing’s faces became instantly colorful.

"Enjoy yourselves"?

What an utterly baffling choice of words.

“We’re just friends!” Yin Feijing blurted out in embarrassment.

Yin Zhi, assuming the two were still in a lovers’ quarrel, didn’t press further and allowed them to leave at their leisure. He assured them that the gates of the Lan Kingdom would always remain open for their return.

Yin Feijing nodded awkwardly and fled the palace with Ye Yu in tow.

On the way to the Six-String Mountains, Yin Feijing found herself offering an explanation.

“Yin Zhi’s just a senile old man. He mistakenly thinks we’re Dao companions. Don’t take it seriously!”

Ye Yu shrugged. “I don’t mind. Let’s pick up the pace. We need to arrive before nightfall.”

Summoning his sword aura, Ye Yu carried Yin Feijing and accelerated.

The news of the dragon’s emergence was already several days old, and Yin Feijing’s information wasn’t exclusive.

Undoubtedly, many others were aware by now.

If the dragon had moved elsewhere or been slain, their journey would be for naught.

Time was of the essence.

Ye Yu pushed their speed to the limit, and Yin Feijing, standing behind him, wore a complex expression.

His response had been curt, devoid of ambiguity, focused solely on the dragon.

It left her feeling inexplicably despondent, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

Could it be… that I’ve truly fallen for him?

She sighed softly, her melancholy hidden from view.

Half an hour later, the two arrived near the Six-String Mountains.

By now, the area was teeming with cultivators—over a hundred, each no less than at the Nascent Soul stage.

Hovering midair, they all gazed intently toward the horizon, making no effort to conceal their presence.

Ye Yu frowned.

With so many gathered here, even if the silver dragon were real, it wouldn’t show up.

This was practically a textbook case of “startling the dragon.”

Couldn’t they at least try to stay hidden?

The truth, however, was more complicated.

These cultivators weren’t fools.

They knew their presence might scare off the dragon.

But in any crowd, there were always a few reckless individuals.

Some openly floated above the clouds, determined not to miss the dragon’s arrival.

No amount of persuasion could change their minds. They believed others were trying to deceive them and steadfastly clung to their approach.

Thus, as more people abandoned stealth in favor of visibility, those hiding in the shadows decided to follow suit.

If no one else is hiding, why should I bother?

They reasoned that if the dragon fled, it wasn’t their fault.

This lack of coordination led to everyone openly monitoring the area.

Besides, the dragon hadn’t been seen for days.

No roars. No aura.

Some speculated that the dragon had already left.

The remaining cultivators, increasingly relaxed, planned to leave if the dragon didn’t appear by the end of the day.

After all, pursuing immortality and ascension took precedence over waiting endlessly.

At that moment, Ye Yu felt a familiar spiritual pressure.