Chapter Two: The Wounded Dragon

Strolling along the mountain path, now dressed in new clothes, Chu Tian cradled Little White and chatted incessantly with Kanas, seizing the chance to learn about this otherworldly realm while enjoying the rations provided by Kanas.

This world was called the Beast Spirit Continent. Its landmass resembled the Eurasian continent of Earth, bordered by sea on three sides. Yet, in the north, instead of icy polar regions, stretched vast, desolate grasslands—the domain of the beastfolk. Fierce, bloodthirsty orcs gathered on the Xuanhe Prairie, often invading the eastern Caesar Empire through the Red Earth Gorge.

To the south and west lay the continent’s most fertile lands, occupied respectively by the Reyes Empire and the magical kingdom of Elson. At the very center, where the three great nations converged, was the commercially flourishing Scott Kingdom. These four great powers formed the continent’s principal spheres of influence. Scattered among them, caught in the cracks between giants, existed numerous smaller states, but none could sway the balance of power.

Apart from the orcs, other intelligent races—such as dwarves, elves, and goblins—were dispersed among humanity, lacking fixed homelands of their own.

After discovering that the man before him was a true luminary, Chu Tian had resolved to tie his fate to Kanas. To shelter beneath the boughs of a mighty tree is wise—especially when that tree is a thousand-year-old giant. With but a flick of his finger, Kanas could solve all the challenges of Chu Tian’s new life in this strange world. Besides, this important figure seemed to possess genuine warmth. The more Chu Tian considered it, the more enthusiastic he became; before long, the two were addressing each other as brothers.

“Big brother, what brings you to this remote wilderness?” Chu Tian asked.

Kanas smiled, though a flicker of worry crossed his face. “This isn’t just any wilderness,” he replied. “The Sunset Mountains form the border between the Caesar Empire and the Kingdom of Elson. Within these mountains dwell countless ferocious magical beasts—ordinary folk can’t even approach their foothills.”

He frowned in puzzlement. “But it’s strange. Since entering the mountains, I haven’t spotted a single beast. Still, it’s for the best—otherwise, you’d be in trouble, my friend.” Kanas laughed heartily.

Thank the heavens, Chu Tian thought, a chill running down his spine. Only half a day ago, he’d been lamenting the absence of any living soul nearby. Now, he was perfectly content to eat nothing but vegetarian fare for a month.

“I’m here to visit His Eminence, the Holy Priest of Light, Anthony. He lives in seclusion atop the highest peak here.” Kanas gestured reverently toward a distant, cloud-piercing mountain. “That’s the place!”

“The Holy Priest of Light? He must be formidable. How does he compare to you, big brother?” Seeing Kanas’s idolizing expression, Chu Tian immediately understood: this Anthony was an even greater figure than a dragon knight. Another big fish, he mused inwardly.

“How could I compare to His Eminence?” Kanas explained patiently, knowing Chu Tian’s ignorance of the continent’s history. “They say he is favored by the Goddess of Life, lauded as the symbol of wisdom, the continent’s foremost priest, and mentor to the Caesar Empire.

“Thirty years ago, in the final stage of our war with the southern Reyes Empire, both sides clashed at Quarry Fortress. We lost nearly two hundred thousand soldiers and over a thousand high-ranking mages—an enormous blow. Most devastating, however, was the loss of our advanced war-beasts. Even our ultimate weapon, the ninth-tier beast Kuyata, was on the verge of death. Our nation teetered on the brink of destruction.

“In that most perilous hour, His Eminence Anthony arrived alone at the battlefield. As our army crumbled, he invoked the forbidden prayer—the Hymn of the Goddess of Life. Bathed in divine radiance, though the fallen soldiers and mages could not be revived, most of the war-beasts were resurrected, and Kuyata regained its strength! The tide turned, and we vanquished the Reyes forces, who lacked high-tier beasts, saving our nation from ruin.”

Kanas recounted the events with deep longing, and Chu Tian felt his own blood surge with excitement—one man single-handedly reversing the fortunes of war, holding back catastrophe. He longed to meet this legendary hero himself—especially if the great man might help secure his future livelihood.

“I’ve come to ask His Eminence Anthony to heal my mount and friend, Crimson Blaze,” Kanas said, worry clouding his features once more.

“Your mount? Is it a dragon?” Chu Tian asked eagerly, his curiosity piqued by such mythical creatures.

“Yes, a fire dragon.”

“Someone managed to injure a dragon?” Chu Tian was incredulous. In every legend on Earth, dragons were synonymous with power.

“In our last battle against the beastfolk, Crimson Blaze shielded me and was beset by four golden Behemoths. Though the imperial priests treated his wounds, for some reason, after healing, he remained unable to move. Sigh!” Kanas heaved a deep sigh. “Perhaps only His Eminence Anthony can cure him.”

“I’m sure he’ll recover,” Chu Tian said quickly, hoping to console him. “Woo~woo~,” Little White chimed in solemnly, nodding his little head.

“He understands what I’m saying?” Kanas was clearly surprised by Little White’s response.

“Of course! Little White is very clever,” Chu Tian replied, not without pride. Little White puffed out his tiny chest, crossed its forepaws, and gazed imperiously at the sky, eyes shining with self-importance.

“What an adorable creature.” Kanas reached out to stroke Little White’s head, but Little White dodged with a flick.

“Is it so strange that Little White understands speech?” Chu Tian wondered aloud. Having just arrived in this world, he assumed all magical beasts were as bright as his companion. Kanas’s reaction gave him pause. “Don’t all magical beasts understand human language?”

“Of course not. Magical beasts are divided into ten tiers. Only those of the fourth tier and above possess the intelligence to comprehend human speech, and only at the seventh tier can they use it themselves.”

“What tier is Little White?” Chu Tian’s heart began to race: had he picked up a rare, high-tier beast without knowing?

“Well… I’m not sure why it’s so smart, but I can’t sense any magical energy in it… You’d best treat it as a pet for now.” Kanas gently dashed the hopes that had just kindled in Chu Tian’s heart.

“Woo~woo~,” Little White protested, but Chu Tian ignored him, newly resolved: perhaps Little White’s fate was to remain as an emergency ration after all.

“By the way, big brother,” Chu Tian, discouraged, changed the subject. “What exactly is Crimson Blaze’s injury?”

“The wounds were mostly from the golden Behemoths’ claws and trampling,” Kanas replied, his face shadowed by sorrow. “The physical wounds have healed, but his condition has not improved.”

“Clawed and trampled?” Chu Tian pictured four ten-meter-tall bears circling, lashing out with huge claws and stamping down with tree-trunk legs on a poor little lizard. That Crimson Blaze survived was proof that dragons were truly formidable creatures.

————————————————————————————

In Chu Tian’s imagination, the home of a hero, if not a grand palace, should at least be an elegant villa. Never did he expect it to be a shabby thatched hut.

At the summit of the Sky-reaching Peak, the ground had clearly been leveled to form a broad man-made platform. In the center stood a tall, circular altar, inscribed with intricate magical symbols and a six-pointed magic array at its heart—solemn and imposing. Yet beside the altar, several ramshackle huts stood awkwardly.

Was this truly the home of the Holy Priest Anthony?

Perhaps all great men had their quirks, Chu Tian mused.

“Your Eminence Anthony, this junior, Kanas, requests an audience!” As Chu Tian pondered the paradox of hero and hovel, Kanas had already stepped to the door and knocked respectfully.

Creak—the door opened.

Chu Tian was dumbstruck by the old man who emerged. All the cleverness in his face was replaced by blank astonishment. At last, one famous saying leapt to mind: There are no true heroes in this world—only those whom others proclaim as such.

A hunched figure in a gray robe, leaning on a gnarled stick, a few tufts of white goat beard, a face full of wrinkles and a somewhat sly expression. The towering, imposing dragon knight Kanas now knelt deferentially before this shabby old man.

“I have heard all about your situation. I will take care of it,” Anthony said, lifting his heavy eyelids—still crusted with sleep—and reaching out a dirty hand to help Kanas to his feet.

Charlatan! Chu Tian silently added another label to his mental list.

“And this is?” Anthony pointed his staff at Chu Tian.

“Esteemed Holy Priest Anthony, greetings. My name is Chu Tian, but you may call me Xiao Tian. I am a friend of Brother Kanas. I have long admired your heroic deeds. When I heard Brother Kanas was visiting, I came along out of reverence for you.” Though it made his skin crawl, Chu Tian forced himself to play the part for the sake of his future, ending with a deep bow.

“Very well. A fine young man,” Anthony said, looking him over before turning to Kanas. “Summon Crimson Blaze. I will ask the gods to heal him.”

Even with all his mental preparation, Chu Tian was still stunned when Kanas casually summoned the crimson dragon.

A lizard with bat-like wings. Chu Tian had known from countless novels what Western dragons looked like, but seeing one was another matter entirely. A dragon was a dragon! Even near death, this colossal beast—over ten meters long—radiated an awe-inspiring presence that left Chu Tian breathless.

Anthony glanced with amusement at the trembling Chu Tian. “Let us begin.”