A Legacy Claimed, A Family Forged
In the profound quiet that followed the Dragon God's will departing, a new vibration hummed within Yao Xuan's soul sea. The newly settled Dragon God Imprint pulsed once, a silent command.
Before him, the physical Dragon God Slab, still resting on the mossy shore, answered. It erupted in a final, glorious cascade of nine-colored light. Then, defying its massive stone form, it lifted into the air. As it rose, its substance seemed to blur, becoming less stone and more concentrated concept, shrinking from a monolith to a brilliant, hand-sized sigil of light. With a soft, soundless rush, it streaked across the short distance and merged seamlessly into Yao Xuan's forehead, taking its place beside the Imprint within the vast, starry expanse of his consciousness.
The two artifacts—the Imprint of legacy and the Slab of power—orbited each other in a slow, dignified dance, radiating a stable, profound aura that fortified the very walls of his spiritual world.
'A God-King's primary divine artifact!' The realization was a thunderclap of exhilaration. This single journey had yielded a treasure beyond any sect or empire's wildest dreams. Yet, alongside the thrill came a sliver of pragmatic understanding, conveyed by the Imprint itself. The Slab's world-shattering power was locked away, sealed in three tiers that corresponded to the stages of the Dragon God's inheritance. For now, until he reached the Soul Sage realm and unlocked the first seal, it was a magnificent, inert guardian. Its current function was purely defensive: an impervious bulwark for his soul sea, rendering him virtually immune to mental intrusion or spiritual domination. It was a shield of unimaginable grade, but not yet a sword.
'A shield is what I need most right now,' Yao Xuan thought, the paranoia towards a certain distant God-King never far from his mind. 'And the sword will come.'
As the brilliant light fully faded from his eyes, he found the four legendary beings before him in motion. As one, Di Tian, Zi Ji, Bi Ji, and Xiong Jun stepped forward. Then, in a gesture that spoke of millennia of devotion, they each dropped to one knee upon the damp earth, bowing their heads. Their voices, though filled with the weight of their years and power, blended into a unified, reverent whisper.
"Greetings, Young Master."
Yao Xuan allowed a carefully measured look of confusion to cross his face. "Uncle Di… what is the meaning of this?"
Di Tian lifted his head, his golden eyes no longer those of a wary evaluator, but of a loyal steward gazing upon his returned lord. "Young Master, I understand your confusion. Please, allow me to explain." His voice was low, earnest. "Our family… we are the Guardians of the Dragon God, sworn to protect the legacy of the ancient deity known by that name. Long ago, the Dragon God fell to a vile god—the Asura. But we never lost faith. We believed the Dragon God's essence would one day return."
He gestured to the now-empty spot where the Slab had lain. "When the Young Miss described your unique martial soul, we dared to hope. The Dragon God Slab reacts only to the true bloodline. Your blood awakened it. Your spirit communed with it. You have taken it within yourself. This is irrefutable proof. You carry the Dragon God's essence. You are the one we have waited for."
Yao Xuan turned his gaze to Gu Yue, seeking an anchor in the familiar. "Yue'er… is this true?"
She met his eyes, her expression serene but her silver gaze blazing with conviction and a secret, shared understanding. "It is true, Yao Xuan. We are the Dragon God's Guardians."
He let out a slow breath,演技 (performing) the overwhelmed young man. "This is… a lot to process."
Di Tian spoke again, his tone reassuring yet firm. "Do not be troubled, Young Master. Our role is to serve, not to command. You are our Young Master, the focus of our loyalty. We offer support, not shackles. As you have seen, our family possesses considerable resources. Whether for cultivation, soul spirit evolution, or future endeavors like battle armor, we can provide the material foundation."
His gaze swept to his compatriots, then back. "As for strength… the four of us, working in concert, are a match for any ordinary Titled Douluo. Should you ever require force, we are at your command. But your life, your path, remains your own. We will be the unseen pillars, not the guiding hand."
The sincerity in his words, and the humble postures of the four mighty beings, dissolved Yao Xuan's final flicker of concern. This was not subjugation; it was devotion. The Dragon God's blood commanded reverence, not ownership.
"If that is the case… it feels like a blessing fallen from heaven," Yao Xuan said, his voice softening with genuine gratitude. "But please, Uncle Di, Aunt Zi, Aunt Bi, Uncle Xiong, rise. You are my elders. I cannot accept you kneeling before me."
A subtle shift occurred. Respect remained, but the rigid formality eased a fraction. They rose, Di Tian giving a slight, approving nod at Yao Xuan's display of humility.
"What now, Uncle Di?" Yao Xuan asked, steering the moment forward.
"Now, Young Master, our primary objective here is complete. I will return us to Dragon Guardian Castle. The remainder of the winter break is yours to spend as you wish within our home. Your needs will be our priority." He paused. "As for how you should be addressed… 'Young Master' is fitting and proper. We cannot simply use your name."
Yao Xuan considered, then nodded. "Young Master… that is acceptable. Then, I must ask another favor." He looked at the four of them, his eyes reflecting a scholar's eagerness. "From your words, I gather you are all powerhouses at the Titled Douluo level. During my stay, would you be willing to offer me guidance in my training?"
A flicker of something akin to honor passed over Di Tian's stern features. "It would be our privilege, Young Master. Any of the four of us would be honored to assist in your cultivation. You have but to ask."
"Then," Yao Xuan said, a genuine smile finally breaking through, "I will be in your care, Seniors."
The atmosphere around the fading Lake of Life had transformed. The air of solemn testing was gone, replaced by a new, vibrant dynamic—of allegiance sworn, legacy embraced, and a future of immense possibility beginning to take shape. Gu Yue moved to Yao Xuan's side, her hand finding his once more. This time, her touch spoke of shared destiny, of a path they would now walk not just as companions, but as the central figures in a legend reborn. The Silver Dragon and the Dragon God's heir, with the Four Fiends as their steadfast vanguard. The winter break had just become the foundation of everything to come.