The Dragon's Heart flared to life once again. The power Ying Li had once abandoned now surged back into her body, and beneath the waters she moved as if on solid ground.
The Guardian Dragon regarded her, its voice resounding in her mind.
"Ying Li, if I am not mistaken, you died more than ten years ago."
The Guardian Dragon could sense the lives of those who carried its bloodline. The Dragon's Heart was proof of that bond, and when one of its holders died, it knew.
Ying Li was stunned that it had sensed her death, then quickly replied,
"In the outside world there is another dragon. My husband, Xu Wenwu, stood before it and wished for my resurrection."
The Guardian Dragon's eyes widened fully, its immense gaze bearing down on her. Ying Li felt crushing pressure weigh upon her chest.
"An outside dragon?"
Summoning her regained power, she drew an image of the dragon of the seven Dragon Balls in the lake's depths.
The Guardian Dragon studied the shimmering outline. Its appearance was indeed that of a dragon, but the ability to revive the dead—even one long gone—was staggering.
"Guardian Dragon," Ying Li asked softly, "do you know this one from outside?"
The dragon shook its great head.
"I do not. I must guard Ta Lo and keep the Soul-Eaters sealed. But if you see this outside dragon again, invite him here to Ta Lo."
······
Back in Ta Lo Village, Ying Nan presented two garments, one crimson and one silver, both forged from dragon scales.
"I always believed you would return. These are gifts I prepared for you."
Xu Wenwu was surprised. He knew the dragon carp contained immense energy; anything made from its scales bore power, weapons for strength and armor for defense.
Shangqi and Xialing exchanged glances, then spoke together.
"Thank you, Aunt Nan."
"Go on, try them on," Ying Nan urged with a smile.
The siblings carried the armor away. When only Wenwu remained, Ying Nan turned to him.
"Tell me of this outside dragon."
Wenwu thought for a moment, then took out a sketch he had made on the plane and handed it to her.
She gasped at the sight.
"So this is the outside dragon… it looks vast enough to blot out the heavens!"
Wenwu's eyes grew distant.
"When it appeared, the world itself changed. Its body was colossal—I'd say five hundred meters at least."
"Five hundred…" Ying Nan whispered in disbelief. The Guardian Dragon of Ta Lo, according to ancient records, was said to be a hundred meters. She herself had never seen it, lacking the Dragon's Heart, but she knew the scale.
To Ying Li, Ta Lo's dragon had always seemed enormous. Yet compared to this, it was like a child.
"No wonder it could revive the dead. That immense body must hold unfathomable energy," Ying Nan murmured.
"And our Guardian Dragon?" Wenwu asked.
"According to records, a hundred meters. But those texts are ancient. I cannot say if it has grown."
Wenwu fell silent. A child compared to the colossus outside… no wonder the Ta Lo dragon could not bring Ying Li back.
They spoke further about the League of Assassins, Wenwu only offering fragments of their philosophy.
Then Shangqi and Xialing returned in their new armor, and Ying Nan's eyes lit up.
"Magnificent! Those suits were made for you."
Ying Li entered at that moment, fresh from her communion with the Guardian Dragon. She smiled at the sight.
"My children look perfect in those garments."
Wenwu hurried to her.
"You're back. How did it go?"
"The dragon reawakened my Dragon's Heart," she answered, "and agreed to test Shangqi and Xialing, to see if they can awaken theirs."
Relief softened Wenwu's face. With the Dragon's power, Ying Li could now protect herself.
Ying Nan urged quickly,
"Sister, take them to the dragon. Let us hope they awaken."
Ying Li nodded and led her children toward the lake.
······
At the League of Assassins, Smith Dole emerged from the gravity chamber, sweat streaming down his body. Pool floated over with a towel.
"Young master Smith, your towel."
Smith took it with a smile.
"Thank you, Pool."
Hovering in the air, Pool exclaimed,
"Young master, you train so relentlessly. Even with your strength already unmatched, you still push this hard."
Smith chuckled. Compared to the future he planned, this was nothing. He was waiting for more senzu beans to mature, to begin a new phase of training.
It wasn't enough to use healing pods. True growth came from courting death, then returning stronger. With senzu beans, he could follow Goku's path on Namek—blasting himself to near-death, then healing instantly, his power leaping forward.
But for now, he had only one senzu bean. He couldn't afford such madness yet. When the next batch was ready… then he would test the brink of death itself.
······
(End of Chapter)
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