The crimson glow spread across the room like molten light flowing through the air. The moment Yanhua drank the **Crimson Sun Elixir**, her tiny body began to radiate with divine brilliance. A surge of energy burst outward, shaking the apartment walls and sending loose papers flying across the floor.
Ye Fang stood motionless, eyes fixed on the small dragon cub hovering above the ground. Her scales shimmered with a mix of gold and scarlet, each one glinting like a piece of living fire. Waves of pure elemental qi poured out from her, filling the entire room with an oppressive yet sacred warmth.
"This power…" Ye Fang muttered softly. He could feel it — the elixir's essence fusing into every cell of Yanhua's being, transforming her body at a terrifying rate.
Just then, a sharp knock broke the silence.
Before he could react, the door burst open, and **Yue** rushed in.
"Brother, what's—" She froze mid-sentence.
Hovering in the air was a **tiny crimson dragon**, glowing with divine light, her wings fluttering gently, her aura vast yet pure.
Yue's lips parted slightly, her eyes wide. "Is that… a dragon?"
Before she could ask further, Ye Fang quickly composed himself and spoke.
"When I entered the secret realm today, I heard a strange voice calling me," he said evenly. "When I followed it, I found an ancient altar hidden deep underground. On that altar was a dragon egg. That's how I found her. She just hatched today—her name is **Yanhua**."
Yue blinked in disbelief, stepping closer to the slumbering dragon cub. The glow around Yanhua was slowly dimming as she drifted into a deep state of hibernation, absorbing the last traces of the elixir.
"She's… so cute," Yue whispered, her eyes softening. Carefully, she lifted the tiny dragon into her arms. "Brother, she's beautiful…"
Ye Fang exhaled quietly. His story had worked. He had been afraid Yue might question how a dragon could possibly appear in a low-level secret realm. After all, dragons were mythical creatures, rarely seen even in the most dangerous, high-tier domains. But Yue, innocent and trusting, accepted his words without doubt.
"Yue," Ye Fang said firmly, his tone suddenly serious. "You mustn't tell anyone about Yanhua. Dragons are beyond priceless. If word gets out, countless people — even nobles and academies — will come after us. We can't let that happen until I become strong enough to protect her."
Yue looked up at him, startled by his grave tone, then nodded. "I understand, brother. I won't tell a soul."
Ye Fang smiled faintly. "Good. Now, it's already late. Go rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Yue hesitated, then asked softly, "Brother… can I sleep with Yanhua tonight?"
Ye Fang chuckled, shaking his head. "Not yet. She might not recognize you when she wakes up, and if she feels threatened, she could attack. Once she's used to you, you can hold her as much as you want."
"Okay…" Yue nodded reluctantly.
Ye Fang patted her head gently. "Good girl. Go on now."
After she left, Ye Fang's expression turned thoughtful. He gazed at Yanhua's glowing cocoon, watching as flames flickered softly around her.
"That elixir… an S-rank consumable," he murmured. "Even top academies hoard them like treasure. And yet—she's absorbing it like it's nothing."
He couldn't help but smile slightly. "As expected of my partner."
He stored Yanhua back into his "Dragon Space", where the energies would remain stable, and then finally allowed himself to sleep.
---
The Next Morning
Golden sunlight streamed through the window, scattering across the floor like threads of warmth. Ye Fang stirred from his slumber to the gentle sound of Yue's humming.
She was already dressed in her school uniform, her long black hair tied neatly, her smile radiant.
"Morning, brother!" she greeted cheerfully.
Ye Fang smiled faintly. "Ready to go?"
She nodded.
"Do you need some money?" he asked. "I got quite a bit from yesterday's secret realm. I'll transfer some to you."
Yue's eyes widened slightly. "Brother, you don't have to… I know things haven't been easy. I can manage."
Ye Fang tapped his wristband and transferred 200,000 Holy Coins.
"Brother!" Yue exclaimed, shocked. "That's way too much!"
He chuckled softly. "It's fine. Use it however you want. Buy things you like. From now on, you'll never have to worry about money again. That's a promise."
Yue's eyes softened. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Thank you, brother… you've always worked so hard for me."
Ye Fang smiled quietly. In this world, there were only three people he truly cared about — "Yue", "Hei Yue", and her "father". Everyone else? They were merely passing figures, names without meaning.
As Yue left for school, her cheerful laughter echoed in the corridor, filling the small apartment with warmth.
Left alone, Ye Fang began his morning routine. He stood shirtless before the window, sunlight casting golden hues across his frame. His body was the definition of refined power — slender yet carved with precision. Every muscle was balanced, built not for show, but for control, agility, and strength.
Sweat glistened across his fair skin as he moved through his exercises — each motion smooth, deliberate, practiced to perfection. His white hair shimmered faintly under the morning sun, and when he lifted his gaze, his crimson eyes glowed faintly, like a predator observing the world in silence.
With that ethereal face and divine physique, he looked less like a mortal and more like a deity born from moonlight and fire.
---
Five Days Later
Days passed quietly. Yanhua remained within her dragon space, her aura steadily growing stronger, deeper, and more regal with every passing hour.
On the fifth day, just before dawn, Ye Fang opened his eyes abruptly. A surge of energy rippled through his body as the air shimmered with heat.
A radiant crimson light burst forth from the dragon space, illuminating the entire room.
Ye Fang stood, his heart racing slightly, though his expression stayed composed.
A small, elegant figure emerged from the light. Her scales gleamed with a divine glow, her wings now sharper, her horns more refined — her aura felt ancient and noble, like a creature born of sunfire.
"Yanhua…" Ye Fang whispered. "You've awakened."
Her once small frame had grown larger, her form radiant and majestic. Her scales shimmered like molten gold, each one smooth as silk and firm as divine steel. Her horns had elongated, spiraling upward like flaming crowns. Her wings—once tiny and delicate—were now half-spread, their edges glowing faintly with embers. Even the air around her shimmered from the heat.
Her skin had become soft and flawless where the light met her scales, her movements elegant and dignified. The aura she emitted was calm yet absolute—like a queen who needed no words to command reverence.
Yanhua had evolved into something far beyond a mere cub. She looked like the Empress of Dragons, born from the very heart of the sun.
Ye Fang stood there in silent awe, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"So this is your true form, Yanhua… magnificent."
The little dragon blinked at him, then leapt joyfully into his arms, rubbing her head against his chest with affection. Her power might have changed, but her bond with him remained the same.
Ye Fang chuckled softly, holding her close. "Tomorrow's the academy's secret realm trial," he murmured. "Let's show them the real meaning of strength."
Just then—
[Ding!]
[New Task Released]:Crush everybody's score in tomorrow's secret realm trial and become the top scorer of the exam.]
[Task Reward]:One Random SSS-Rank Dragon Egg.]
Ye Fang's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.
"Another dragon egg, huh?" he whispered, crimson eyes gleaming. "Then tomorrow… we'll make history."