Chapter 358: Chapter 360: Reencountering Duan Lan
…
Upon entering the city, Zhu Minng saw many guards, all on high alert, asionally casting their gaze toward the sea’s surface as if something terrifying lurked in the shallow waters.
The city on the white sand beach seemed calmer inparison. Along the lengthy white boulevards, prosperity reigned supreme; it seemed anything one could think of—and if one had enough gold and silver—could be purchased here.
Markets, stalls, shops, famous streets, auctions, private venues—every form of transaction was avable. The trade route from Runyu City to the Neon Sea was designed to lead directly to this White Heavenly Street.
“The highest quality Juvenile Spirits, transformation into dragons is imminent, don’t miss out!”
“Thousand-year Ice Foxglove, only two thousand gold!”
“Dragon Eggs, Dragon Eggs, a single egg for just fifteen hundred gold, fifteen hundred gold to be a true Dragon Shepherd, earn respect from all!”
“Neon Sea Coral Fruit, can strengthen all Lan Dragons, price negotiable, as long as you’re sincere about buying.”
In the free market, traders were hawking their wares with vigor.
The greatest significance of the free markety in its broad mix of goods and people, fluctuating prices, the chance of overlooked treasures showing up, as well as outright junk sold at face value, all depending on personal discernment—profit or loss was a matter of personal choice.
Zhu Minng was someone who couldn’t recognize the true value of goods, but Mr. Jinli could, so while passing through, Zhu Minng also took the opportunity to browse.<div>
Indeed, everything one could wish for was avable. Zhu Minng quickly found the Wutong Spirit Dew he had beencking, and at a price even cheaper than he expected…
A bottle for nine hundred gold.
If this were his earlier days, Zhu Minng truly wouldn’t have been able to afford such an expensive price, especially since even young dragons drinking such pricey spirit dew wouldter grow up to consume tens of thousands of gold’s worth easily.
But now, Zhu Minng was not short on such small change.
Like feeding on milk, Little Qingzhuo ate and drank its fill and then immediately curled up on Zhu Minng’s shoulder to sleep; it couldn’t stay in the Spirit Realm all the time and asionally needed toe out for some air.
At the end of White Heavenly Street was the Dragon Taming Academy’s Supreme Court.
The Dragon Taming Academy was rich and powerful, often choosing the most picturesque locations for their establishments.
This Dragon Taming Academy was built over the sea, connected by a hardened coral bridge. From the shore, one could see countless magnificent buildings and ptial halls, gleaming with gold, standing proudly over the sea area, like another little fairy town within Man City.
Dragon recognizing techniques.
Technique of Taming.
Both of these needed to be learned, and the only institution generous enough to teach these Dragon Shepherd skills was the Dragon Taming Academy.
Zhu Minng naturally nned to go, but he wasn’t sure whether his school records from his time in the Li Chuan Continent would be recognized here.
“Excuse me, is Teacher Duan Changqing inside?” Zhu Minng asked the guard at the Coral Bridge.
“Name.”
“Zhu Minng.”
“Please wait.”
The guard summoned a messenger gull, and soon Zhu Minng’s visit was ryed to the Dragon Taming High Court.
When Zhu Minng was in Imperial City, he received a letter from Dean Duan Changqing stating that he had returned to the Dragon Taming High Court and nned to further his studies there for some time.
The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy is essentially privatized by Dean Duan Changqing, and for the Academy to be sessfully epted into Li Chuan, there are many procedures that need to be followed, which Dean Duan Changqing also exined to Zhu Minng.<div>
Therefore, Zhu Minng guessed that Duan Changqing should still be here, bustling about for the integration of the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy.
…
He didn’t have to wait too long when a woman came walking across the Coral Bridge. Her figure was graceful, and she exuded a gentle quality. Dressed in a dignified and ssic long gown for women, she radiated a unique charm.
The one thing the Neon Sea nevercks is beauties, both local and those whoe from afar. Yet, this woman was still a strikingly bright presence, making many other mboyantly dressed women pale inparison.<div>
“Zhu Minng, is it really you?” Duan Lan revealed a restrained smile, but her beautiful eyes could not hide her joy.
“Teacher Duan Lan,” Zhu Minng also called out in response.
He had not expected to encounter such a familiar person here.
For a moment, Zhu Minng thought he had walked back to Li Chuan, standing on that white rock bridge at the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy.
Meeting an old friend in a foreignnd is an exceptionally warm experience, let alone one with whom you’ve shared hardships.
“Did you walk all the way here from the Imperial City? That is quite a long journey. Plus, this ce is somewhat out of touch with the news from the Imperial City. My father and I couldn’t find out anything about you. Is everything going smoothly?” Duan Lan open up in rare candor as she spoke to Zhu Minng.
“It’s been smooth enough, though mostly thanks to Li Yunzi’s effort. Anyway, the Ancestral Dragon City-State is now at peace,” Zhu Minng said.
“Yes, the Female Monarch has done a lot for our Li Chuan. I wonder how her injuries are now… Oh, your timing is just right,” Duan Lan said.
“How so?” Zhu Minng raised his eyebrows.
“The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy is ultimately being ostracized. Although the territory has been recognized by the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent, the Neon Sea Dragon Taming High Court is somewhat reluctant to ept us. My father and I have been running back and forth to barely win an opportunity, but the people here at the High Court want our students from Li Chuan Academy to be strong enough…” as Duan Lan led Zhu Minng inside, she exined further.
“They want to test us?” Zhu Minng asked.
“Yes, it’s a rather strict test. We need topletely satisfy them. Three days ago, some of our students already made the long journey here, and you’re technically still one of our students. You could use this opportunity to show those arrogant people your strength,” Duan Lan suggested.
“That… I’m afraid I might scare them… But it’s not impossible,” Zhu Minng hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.<div>
His concern about scaring them was not unfounded.
After all, where would you find a student apanied by the Dragon King? Some of the leaders of the Dragon Taming High Court would surely be astounded.
But upon further thought, with the current effect of the Spirit Realm, Little Qing Zhuo’s growth from its juvenile phase to maturity could likely take just a few days.
If this test wasn’t going to happen immediately, Zhu Minng could indeed step forward.
The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy, after all, is a ce that has provided him with much help, and Zhu Minng still holds affection for it, especially for excellent teachers like Teacher Duan Lan.
“That’s great, that’s great. With you here, we don’t need to worry about them giving us a hard time,” Duan Lan said with a gentle smile, her eyes shining with genuine joy.
…
Passing winding beautiful paths, going by many halls of study and libraries, and seeing some high towers and treasuries, the Dragon Taming Academy had a long history and had always honored a tradition of respected rituals and philosophies that people admired. Zhu Minng liked the atmosphere of the Dragon Taming Academy too…
Upon reaching Dean Duan Changqing’s residence, they found a modest cottage without a yard but facing the bridge and the night city, allowing for a view of the soft glow of lights reflecting on the gentle waves.
“Right now, my father is serving here in the position of a teacher. But he has been away from this ce for too many years, and his influence isn’t strong enough. Moreover, his former rivals have taken up the position of the academy’s overseers. He hopes to return to Li Chuan, but if the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy can’t be legitimized, it might be viewed as a subversive force. That would be terribly unfair to the students there and also prevent them from acquiring more resources,” Duan Lan spoke softly to Zhu Minng.
“Don’t worry, it’ll get better with me here.”