Mu Wanwan nodded. Seeing Uncle Zong’s expression suddenly become solemn, she also began to feel uneasy.
“Were you unable to buy the Jinjiang Grass and Snow Condensation Pills?”
Uncle Zong sighed and rubbed his face.
“That’s right.”
Mu Wanwan felt disappointed, but it was not unbearable.
“It’s all right, Uncle Zong. We can still cultivate more spiritual plants.”
Seeing that her first reaction was not to question him but to offer comfort, Uncle Zong’s expression softened.
“Based on the usual market prices, even if I couldn’t buy the Jinjiang Grass itself, I should at least have been able to obtain some seeds.”
He frowned.
“But many dragon guards attended this auction and kept raising the bids against one another. The spirit stones I brought weren’t enough.”
“Dragon guards?” Mu Wanwan asked.
“Guards from the golden dragon and white dragon tribes. I suppose some elders from their clans wanted the items.”
Uncle Zong sighed.
“I’m not entirely sure either. Ever since Lord Ao Qin took control of the territory, everything has become increasingly expensive.”
Mu Wanwan’s heart stirred.
“Uncle Zong, then… was the former ruler a good person?”
Hearing her question, Uncle Zong laughed.
“I never met him, but I heard that the former ruler was extremely brutal.”
“I know a little about him,” Yun’er unexpectedly interjected.
Even Uncle Zong looked surprised.
“Yun’er, you do?”
“Mm.”
Yun’er smiled.
“Before I joined your lion tribe, my father wanted to become a free-roaming beastman, remember? My mother travelled with him.”
“I remember that we had just reached the northern territory of the merfolk when we happened upon their courtship season. We originally planned to join the festivities, but we accidentally saw His Majesty there.”
“He was standing beside a beautiful mermaid princess with quite a few people accompanying him…”
Yun’er paused, apparently searching through her memories.
When Mu Wanwan heard the words *mermaid princess*, something suddenly seemed to prick her heart.
She regretted asking about that rotten dragon’s past.
“Yes. His Majesty was standing beside the mermaid princess. They were speaking at first, but for some reason, he suddenly sent her flying. Then he fought the entire merfolk tribe.”
He sent her flying?
That was a mermaid princess!
Why did Mr. Dragon have absolutely no tenderness towards beautiful women?
No wonder he had remained a single old dragon for so many years.
Mu Wanwan could not describe what she was feeling.
Strangely, she even felt a little relieved. =_=!
Yun’er still appeared shaken as she continued.
“Fortunately, we were standing far away and my father reacted quickly. Otherwise, I might not be here today.”
Uncle Zong stroked her head.
“You must have been terrified.”
“It wasn’t too bad. But it was precisely because of that incident that we hurriedly found a random tribe and settled down.”
Yun’er’s eyes curved with her smile.
“That was how I met you.”
“Yun’er.”
Uncle Zong placed both hands on her shoulders.
The two of them gazed deeply into each other’s eyes.
Mu Wanwan, who had suddenly been force-fed a mouthful of affection: “…”
She was too embarrassed to remind them that she was still standing there.
However, seeing that their relationship remained so loving after so many years improved her mood.
Only after staring at each other for some time did the couple remember Mu Wanwan’s existence.
Uncle Zong looked slightly embarrassed.
“Let’s stop talking about that.”
He smiled at Mu Wanwan, pulled several yellowed sheets of paper from his pocket and handed them to her.
“Here. Take these.”
“Pill formulas?!”
Mu Wanwan was no longer merely surprised.
She was shocked.
“Haha. Look at what they are first,” Uncle Zong said with a smile.
Mu Wanwan flipped through the papers.
“A first-rank Snow Condensation Pill and a first-rank Spirit-Restoring Pill?”
“These pill formulas…”
Uncle Zong stroked his chin.
“They’re connected to the main matter I wanted to discuss with you today.”
He looked at Mu Wanwan.
“Girl, although you’ve never shown us your face or told us your true identity, we believe that you aren’t a bad person.”
“Your talent is also unusual, so we’re willing to take a gamble.”
“When I failed to buy the pills and spiritual herbs at the auction, I began wondering—since you can cultivate spiritual plants that alleviate curses, perhaps you also possess some talent for alchemy.”
“So I found a friend and purchased some basic supplies needed by beginner alchemists, along with these two formulas.”
“I’ve also prepared a pill furnace and the seeds for the required ingredients.”
As he spoke, Uncle Zong produced several packets of seeds and a moderately sized pill furnace.
The furnace was a green, three-legged cauldron. One glance was enough to tell that it was expensive.
If Mu Wanwan still failed to understand that Uncle Zong wanted her to learn alchemy after he had said so much, she would truly have been foolish.
She felt both shocked and deeply moved.
“Uncle Zong, how could I possibly accept all this?”
She had not known Uncle Zong for very long.
Yet he had given her spiritual soil, a spatial pouch and many other things, and had always treated her kindly.
Although she understood that part of this kindness was due to her talent, Mu Wanwan still could not accept everything without reservation.
This time especially—
According to the original body’s memories, becoming an alchemist did not merely require crossing an extremely high threshold. It was also an occupation that consumed enormous amounts of money.
The spiritual herbs and spirit stones wasted by a beginner alone were sufficient to make many families of average wealth retreat in despair.
Moreover, most of the continent’s accomplished alchemists were human cultivators with fire spiritual roots, demons naturally gifted at controlling heat, or special lifeforms.
As someone with a wood spiritual root, wasn’t she generally supposed to follow the path of supplying raw ingredients?
“Uncle Zong, this is far too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
Mu Wanwan understood her own limitations.
She had previously asked Uncle Zong whether he could obtain pills for Mr. Dragon.
Uncle Zong and Aunt Yun were also short of money. Furthermore, she had never touched alchemy before.
If she wasted large quantities of materials, it would also be a serious blow to them.
“Haha! You aren’t receiving these for free.”
Uncle Zong knew she would not accept them so easily.
“I’m discussing business with you, girl.”
Mu Wanwan looked confused.
“Yun’er and I are preparing to move into a shop in the human market. I jointly operate an apothecary there with a friend.”
Uncle Zong’s eyes brightened.
“I was thinking—if the spiritual plants you cultivate possess the ability to dispel certain curses, perhaps the pills refined from them will have similar effects.”
“If they really do, we’ll become rich.”
Yun’er nodded from the side.
She spoke slowly, but her words were far more persuasive than Uncle Zong’s.
“Girl, do you know how much pills currently cost?”
“A bottle of ten first-rank Spirit-Restoring Pills costs one mid-grade spirit stone.”
“Snow Condensation Pills are more difficult to refine, so they’re sold individually. Each one costs three low-grade spirit stones.”
Yun’er smiled.
“Who leaves home nowadays without preparing some Spirit-Restoring Pills?”
“I remember you mentioning that your husband is still ill,” Uncle Zong said. “For someone in his condition, recovery will be extremely slow if he consumes only spiritual fruits.”
With the husband and wife working together so effectively, Mu Wanwan was genuinely tempted.
“But I don’t possess a fire spiritual root.”
Seeing that she was interested, Uncle Zong widened his eyes.
“Who told you that alchemists must possess fire spiritual roots?”
“You can also refine pills using alchemical fire,” he said. “Although the pill furnace I prepared for you isn’t particularly high rank, it contains stored alchemical fire.”
“There should be no problem using it about a hundred times. Once the alchemical fire runs out, you only need to replenish it with spirit stones.”
“When you successfully refine pills, I’ll sell them in the shop. We’ll divide the profits equally. Surely that arrangement is acceptable?”
Mu Wanwan was tempted, but she still worried that she would perform badly.
In the end, Aunt Yun noticed her hesitation.
“How about this, girl? Take everything home and try it.”
“If you succeed, keep the pill furnace and seeds. If you fail, you can return them to us the next time we meet.”
Thus, after agreeing to meet Uncle Zong at the human market next time, Mu Wanwan left the shop in a daze, carrying the pill formulas, seeds, spirit stones and pill furnace.
Before leaving home, she had anticipated the possibility that she might not obtain the medicine.
She had never imagined that Uncle Zong would ask her to refine the pills herself.
However, Mu Wanwan squeezed the coins in her hand, feeling happier than she ever had before.
She was worried that her lack of a fire spiritual root would prevent her from controlling the temperature properly.
But no one was skilled at alchemy from the very beginning.
Perhaps Uncle Zong was right.
Perhaps she truly possessed such talent.
And if Uncle Zong was willing to invest in her, why should she lack confidence in herself?
There was no harm in trying.
If she truly became an alchemy master, then based on the status alchemists enjoyed across the continent, perhaps she could use pills to hire people and escape from that oppressive estate with Mr. Dragon.
Thinking this, Mu Wanwan laughed at herself.
She always thought too far ahead.
She had not even successfully refined the most basic pill yet.
She temporarily put the matter of alchemy aside and began purchasing the household supplies she had listed the previous night.
When passing an herbal medicine shop, Mu Wanwan deliberately entered.
She discreetly pointed towards a plant with tiny purple leaves identical to the one Mengmeng had pecked out of her neck.
“What is this?”
“Dream-Inducing Grass. It’s used to enter dreams,” the shopkeeper casually replied.
“A second-rank plant costs one mid-grade spirit stone, while a third-rank plant costs three. Do you want one?”
Mu Wanwan pretended to sound relaxed, although her fingertips were trembling slightly.
“I only thought it looked pretty.”
“Oh.”
The shopkeeper looked somewhat disdainful and stopped paying attention to her.
Mu Wanwan left the shop in a slightly dishevelled state.
What Mengmeng had removed was Dream-Inducing Grass.
That meant the dream she had experienced before was real.
Little Mr. Dragon had truly existed.
The way Mr. Dragon had looked in the past was also real.
Her heart ached as though pierced by a needle.
Mu Wanwan remained stunned for a moment before finally recovering.
Mr. Dragon.
Mr. Dragon…
She suddenly wanted to hurry home.
Mu Wanwan increased her pace and prepared to walk towards the place where she had arranged to meet Hongye.
However, as she passed the entrance of a restaurant, she caught sight of a familiar figure.
It was Bai Shuiyao!
She wore silk robes and followed beside a tall, powerfully built man, her eyes curved with a charming smile.
What was happening?
Wasn’t Bai Shuiyao supposed to be performing hard labour in the secluded palace beside the forbidden grounds?
Mu Wanwan sensed trouble.
She stopped despite her eagerness to leave, then followed them into the market’s most luxurious restaurant.
She watched as Bai Shuiyao and the tall man went upstairs.
“Honoured guest, please come inside.”
The waiter greeted her politely.
Mu Wanwan waved a hand and calmly chose a secluded seat.
She ordered a pot of tea, took out two silver coins and beckoned the waiter closer.
The waiter was perceptive. He accepted the coins and leaned towards her.
“What would the honoured guest like to ask?”
“Who was the woman beside that distinguished guest just now?”
Mu Wanwan carefully chose her words.
“Oh, do you mean the young woman beside Lord Ao Xue?”
The waiter’s eyes shifted.
He assumed that Mu Wanwan was probably another concubine of the notoriously promiscuous Lord Ao Xue.
After all, such incidents had happened before.
He knew better than to involve himself, so he answered vaguely.
“I don’t know anything about her.”
However, the waiter had misunderstood.
Mu Wanwan had never intended to ask about Bai Shuiyao.
She merely wanted to know which man Bai Shuiyao had ensnared with the power of the female protagonist’s halo.
It was actually Ao Xue…
That very morning, Hongye had told her that Ao Xue transformed into a dragon and swallowed Fuliu.
Now she had learned the terrible news that Ao Xue and Bai Shuiyao had become involved.
Mu Wanwan could no longer remain seated calmly.
Forcing herself to suppress her agitation, she said, “How could Lord Ao Xue take an interest in someone like that? Do they come here often?”
The waiter’s eyes shifted again, but he remained silent.
Feeling irritated, Mu Wanwan snorted and slammed another two silver coins onto the table.
“It’s my first time seeing her today. She’s never come here before.”
The waiter grinned.
“Please don’t be angry, honoured guest.”
Mu Wanwan was extremely frustrated.
She waved him away, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
Today was the first time they had come here.
That meant Bai Shuiyao had only recently attached herself to Ao Xue.
Perhaps she would not come and cause trouble for Mu Wanwan and Mr. Dragon so quickly.
Mu Wanwan had completely fallen out with Bai Shuiyao the last time they met.
She had believed that because Bai Shuiyao was confined within a secluded palace inhabited entirely by women, she would not attach herself to another man so soon.
Now it appeared that she had been far too naïve.
The original female protagonist’s halo would not disappear so easily.
Mu Wanwan’s thoughts were chaotic.
Given Bai Shuiyao’s vindictive personality, she would certainly refuse to let the matter go.
…
…
While Mu Wanwan discovered Bai Shuiyao’s whereabouts at the market, Mr. Dragon also woke up.
The moment he opened his eyes and sat halfway upright, the fluffball noticed.
Mr. Dragon coldly swept his gaze across Mengmeng’s tiny body and frowned.
Maliciously releasing a wave of pressure, he watched Mengmeng tremble in terror and allowed the corner of his lips to curve upwards.
Madam was not home.
Should he kill this hateful bird?
Mr. Dragon considered the malicious idea but ultimately did not act.
He had something else to accomplish today—
He wanted to practise walking before she returned.
Mr. Dragon tidied his long hair and inner robe, then lifted the quilt.
His dragon tail transformed into two legs.
The long, straight legs appeared no different from before.
But walking was another matter entirely.
Mr. Dragon’s expression remained cold as he tentatively moved his right leg.
It was extremely stiff, as though something were restraining it.
His fingertips tightened.
He tried moving his left leg.
An even more severe rigidity than the right travelled through it, reminding him that he was now a useless dragon.
His expression did not change.
Without using spiritual energy, Mr. Dragon struggled to get off the bed.
Cold sweat covered his forehead.
Because of the curse, every movement brought a sluggish, aching pain, as though thorns were tightly wrapped around both legs.
Mr. Dragon pressed his lips together.
No emotion could be seen within his eyes, which were as dark as freezing pools.
He merely continued trying again and again.
After several minutes, he finally adapted to the pain of moving and slowly lowered his legs to the floor.
He attempted to stand but immediately collapsed.
The cold ground beneath him seemed to mock him—
*You are nothing more than a crippled dragon.*
The most pathetic part was that he could not even climb back up.
It appeared that he had completely lost the ability to control his balance.
He looked utterly wretched.
Mr. Dragon’s eyes dimmed.
Only after mobilising the spiritual energy inside his body did he finally manage to stand.
The pain did not diminish, but with the assistance of spiritual power, he seemed to regain a little dignity.
Mr. Dragon straightened his back and slowly walked towards the wardrobe.
When his gaze landed on the inner robes and clothing Madam had purchased for him, his heart softened.
So she had not merely bought him inner robes.
She had bought him proper clothes as well.
They were pale blue.
Very beautiful.
Mr. Dragon extended a long arm, picked up the clothes and put them on.
He originally intended to close the wardrobe door, but as though possessed, his fingers touched her inner garment.
The pad of his finger brushed against the soft fabric.
The dragon’s face immediately began burning.
By the time he returned to his senses, he was already holding her clothing in his hands.
Her—
Her clothing.
She was not home.
Mr. Dragon wore a solemn expression as he stared at the garment in his hand, appearing as serious as though he were considering whether to declare war against the human cultivation world that month.
From the perspective of the trembling Mengmeng—
A terrifying dragon had suddenly risen from the dead and climbed out of bed. He had threatened it with a cold gaze, abruptly fallen onto the floor, climbed back up and begun touching the belongings of its adorable owner.
He was simply far too wicked.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp…”
But Mengmeng did not dare speak loudly. QAQ
It could only quietly protest against Mr. Dragon’s behaviour.
Mr. Dragon shyly rubbed Madam’s garment against his cheek.
Then, with a perfectly solemn expression, he returned it to its original place.
Controlling his body, he walked stiffly towards the spirit-chicken chicks, which had grown larger over the past two days and had already been moved into the courtyard.
He merely stood before them and silently watched for a while.
The pain inside his body continued accumulating.
Mr. Dragon was beginning to reach his limit.
He wanted to return to the bed, but he suddenly sensed several strands of spiritual consciousness—
They belonged to…
Three or four guards.
—
**Author’s Note:**
The comic strip featuring adult Mr. Dragon has been posted on Weibo.
**Nomad:
I tried to look for the comic strip but I think the author must have deleted it. But I did find other photos. Enjoy!**
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