A strange tension settled in the air as two figures locked eyes.
One, a towering young man, still growing into his power. The other, a small, unassuming elder with an air of quiet authority.
One had completely white eyeballs with a single black dot in the center.
The other had completely black eyeballs with stark white pupils.
Two opposites. Two warriors in different eras of their lives.
They simply stood, studying one another.
Butler An was old yet carried himself with the ease of a young man. His body, though lean, was firm and well-kept. Unlike most dragons Tao had encountered, he had no visible horns—only a smooth, bald top of his head, encircled by a thick ring of silvered hair, forming something akin to a bowl.
The silent standoff lasted but a moment before Butler An cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "I greet the young master."
Tao blinked, then awkwardly mirrored the motion. "Nice to meet you as well."
Dai Long, watching the exchange, laughed inwardly at the clear contrast between them.
Glancing around, Tao noticed there was no one else present. Turning back to his father, he asked, "So… what now?"
Dai Long's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Now? Now, you go and rest." His voice carried a note of amusement. "Because bright and early tomorrow morning, your training begins."
He paused, then added with a hint of mischief, "And trust me… you'll need every bit of sleep you can get. You won't have much of it in the future."
Tao felt an involuntary shiver crawl up his spine at his father's ominous words. Something about the way he said it made his instincts tingle in warning.
Dai Long continued, "I'll send you back first. I still have a few things to discuss with Butler An."
Tao gave a small nod. "Alright then."
Dai Long's grin widened slightly, and before Tao could brace himself, the world warped around him once more.
Then—just like that—he was back in his room.
Still disoriented, he exhaled sharply. "I will never get used to that…" he muttered.
But whatever. That was a problem for future Tao. Right now, he had one goal—sleep.
He stripped off his robe, tossing it against the same spot on the wall as before. Just like last time, it clung to the surface as if the wall itself held onto it.
Not questioning the strange properties of his clothing, Tao turned and dove into the bed.
The moment his body sank into the impossibly soft mattress, he felt as if he were floating among clouds.
Comfortable. Weightless. His mind began to drift, and his thoughts grew sluggish.
His final thoughts before slipping into unconsciousness were like dying sparks of a flame.
"What kind of training is in store for me tomorrow?"
"I can't wait to see what this new body is truly capable of…" A flicker of excitement sparked in his chest.
But that was a concern for tomorrow.
For now—sleep.
And with that, Tao drifted into a deep, dreamless slumber.
….
"You know," Butler An began, his tone laced with lingering doubt, "when you claimed he had the Extreme Dao Foundation, I didn't truly believe you. I thought you were just trying to rile up your brother and the rest of the dragons present."
He exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around his wooden cane.
"But as I gazed upon him..."
He paused, his expression shifting into something far more serious. His sharp eyes locked onto Dai Long's, searching for something beneath the surface.
"As I looked at him, I saw it. The aura of it—rolling off his very flesh and soul."
A hint of shock crept into his voice.
"I trust you have taken the proper precautions in concealing it," Butler An warned, his voice dropping lower. "Because there are those who can sense it. Smell it. And if they do…"
His words trailed off, but the implication was clear.
Dai Long merely smirked.
Seeing that expression, Butler An's patience snapped. His voice came in a low growl.
"Do you even understand the danger he's in? Do you know how many people would kill to capture him? To dissect him—to study every inch of his body and soul? Or worse… to steal his foundation from him?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, you're far too calm about this."
Dai Long's smirk faded.
"Let me stop you right there, General."
The shift in his tone was subtle, but it carried such weight that Butler An fell silent.
"I know what I did," Dai Long continued, his voice firm and unyielding. "And I did it for a reason."
He stepped forward, his gaze drifting toward the vast expanse of his realm. The very air around him seemed to thrum with restrained power.
"Firstly, it was to draw out the rats—those who have burrowed into the Dragon Realm, whispering in the shadows, serving our enemies like obedient mounts."
A sharp glint flickered in his red eyes.
"And secondly, it was to place great pressure upon Tao. To temper him—to forge him into something greater. So that one day, he may stand above all. So that he may become the greatest Dragon Cultivator since the first progenitor of our race."
Pride radiated from him, his presence burning like an unshaken flame.
And as Butler An took in the sight, he felt something deep within him stir.
How long…? How long had it been since he had seen Dai Long like this?
A hundred thousand years? Maybe more?
The drive. The fire. The sheer, unbreakable will.
It was back.
A small, unconscious smile crept onto Butler An's face, drawn in by Dai Long's renewed vigor.
"Besides," Dai Long added, his smirk returning, "I know you saw it too."
He turned back to Butler An, eyes sharp with amusement.
"The boy is a monster—one of untold measure, just waiting to be unleashed."
Butler An exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
"I won't deny it," he admitted. "That child's potential is immeasurable. And what's more—he hasn't even begun cultivating yet."
His voice dropped lower.
"But there's something else… something even more concerning."
Dai Long remained silent, waiting.
Butler An's gaze darkened.
"His eyes," he said. "How did that Supreme Demonic Essence seep into them? How is he even alive after being tainted by something so pure and sinister?"
Dai Long's expression remained unreadable.
Butler An continued, "Right now, it's manageable. Most can look him in the eyes without issue. But as his strength grows… even those with powerful souls won't be able to withstand his gaze."
His fingers tapped against his leg. "That twisted charm will become truly terrifying."
A beat of silence passed.
"If properly trained, and properly used…" Butler An mused, "the young master could end battles without ever lifting a hand. With just a single look."
He inhaled deeply. "It is both a wondrous and terrifying thing, Sage Dai."
Dai Long gave a slow nod. "Yes. But for now, he does not need to know that."
He finally turned, casting Butler An a sidelong glance.
"You only have one job," he said. "Train him. To the absolute best of your abilities. Do not coddle him—his the type that will resent you for it."
"Be firm, but fair."
With that, Dai Long exhaled, his decision final.
"That settles it." He nodded toward the horizon. "Your room is in the usual place."
And then, before Butler An could respond—Dai Long vanished.
Not a ripple in the air. Not a sound.He was simply gone.
Butler An stood there, overlooking the vast sky, the view stretching endlessly before him.
"Guess I'll just roll with the dice."
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"I wonder how my little granddaughter is doing…?"
His fingers tapped against his cane in thought.
"Perhaps I should introduce the young master to her," he murmured. "Hmmm… food for thought."
Then, in a flash of red light…he, too, disappeared.
And the wheels of fate continued to turn.