Activating his Pellucid Insight, Kieran's eyes gleamed as intricate patterns and runes etched across the valley revealed themselves in perfect clarity. With a calm breath, he studied the interwoven formations—barriers, time dilation, chi gathering—all masterfully crafted. After a moment, he found the keystone formation and smiled faintly, murmuring, "So that's how it's done." With a few adjustments, he made it so the valley would reseal itself once he left, preserving its evolving energy. This place will be useful… very useful, he thought.
When he finally stepped out of the portal at the foot of the mountain, the portal slowly turned into a boulder again. Kieran let out a sigh as the cool night breeze caressed his bare skin, making him shiver slightly. Looking up at the star-filled sky, he was stunned to realize that only a day had passed in the outside world. "It felt like years," he muttered, stretching his limbs, still adjusting to the strength flowing through them.
"Though your bone age didn't change, it took us ten years to wake up," Sindra says, and her words greatly surprise Kieran.
Kieran turned his gaze toward the direction of the Long Clan, wondering how many mountains stood between him and his goal. The flying mount waiting for him rustled its wings, but he waved it off, sending it back to the clan. I'll run, he decided. It's the perfect chance to practice the Nine Astral Steps. As the beast took off into the clouds, Kieran focused his breath and initiated the first sequence. Immediately, his body surged forward—only to stumble and crash face-first into the dirt. He groaned, brushing dust from his face, mentally cursing how his body lagged behind his mind. He knew the technique, every intricate detail of it, but execution required his muscles to learn those memories.
He tried again, and again. Slowly, his movements grew sharper, his footwork more precise. Energy gathered under his soles with each step, propelling him faster and farther. Before long, he glided across the terrain like a streak of starlight. A faint grin played on his lips as he realized that he had fully grasped the first step of the Nine Astral Steps. Estimating the distance and his newfound speed, Kieran figured he'd reach the Long Clan before the sun rose. All that remained was to sneak in unnoticed.
Kieran raced through the winding paths of the mountain range, his steps light as air, the wind howling past him like a song of freedom. The terrain blurred beneath him, each leap carrying him dozens of meters forward. He laughed, exhilarated by the speed—this must be what it feels like to fly.
Glancing to his side, he saw Sindra gliding effortlessly beside him, her arms lazily crossed under her ample chest. "Am I now a dragon?" he asked, half-joking, half-hopeful.
Sindra tilted her head, her eyes thoughtful. After a moment, she answered, "You're a Human-Dragon hybrid now."
Seeing his raised brow, she continued, "Your Divine Dragon bloodline mutated your human blood and then merged completely with it. You're no longer just human, Master. You are the best of both."
With Sindra's words still echoing in his mind, Kieran turned his attention back to his movement technique. He pushed his body harder, weaving through trees, bounding over boulders, and dashing across narrow cliff edges with increasing precision.
He concentrated on the rhythm of the Nine Astral Steps, channeling the flow of energy through his meridians with growing mastery. Each step seemed to ripple through space, momentarily blurring his figure like a phantom. His body now moved in sync with his mind. With every stride, he shaved down the time it would take to return to the Long Clan, determination burning in his eyes. He whispered to himself, "Faster… I can still go faster."
Back in the quiet of Kieran's courtyard, Baixue and Roulan paced restlessly beneath the soft glow of moonlight. Anxiety hung in the air like mist, their thoughts spiraling as worry etched into their usually calm expressions. Roulan had tried to retrieve more herbs from the sphere for her alchemy, only to find it completely unresponsive. Attempts to connect with Kieran through it yielded nothing but silence.
"Do you think he's okay?" Baixue asked softly, gripping the jade slip tightly in her hands. Roulan bit her lip and nodded. "He has to be... but what if he doesn't make it back in time for the auction?"
The two debated whether they should head to the valley themselves, dread blooming in their chests, when a knock on the gate startled them. They opened it to find Ryuji standing there, his usual calm presence a welcome sight. Without hesitation, both girls bowed respectfully and greeted him in unison, "Uncle Ryuji."
Ryuji returned their greeting with a warm smile and said, "You girls don't need to be so formal—just call me Uncle. Now, where's that brat of a nephew of mine?" Baixue and Roulan exchanged a look, a silent conversation flashing between them. Just as they resolved to seek the clan's help to go look for their husband, a sudden gust of wind blew past them as something sped past the open gate like a phantom emerging from the night.
Startled, Ryuji's instincts kicked in. He stepped in front of the girls protectively, drawing his sword with a sharp ring. That speed… could only belong to a King Realm expert, he thought, his eyes narrowing. But before any attack could be launched, realization dawned on all three at once—it was Kieran.
"You damned brat!" Ryuji cursed, sheathing his sword in frustration. "Why the hell are you walking around naked?!"
Kieran scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin, unfazed by the chill of the night. Behind Ryuji, both Baixue and Roulan stood frozen, their wide eyes locked on the magnificent dragon dangling between his legs. A blush spread like wildfire across their cheeks as the same thought echoed in their minds: It got bigger!
Ryuji turned to leave, shaking his head in exasperation. "Your grandfather wants to see you," he muttered as he walked away. These youngsters these days… truly daring.
Kieran pulled his wives into a warm embrace, one arm wrapping around Baixue's slender waist, the other around Roulan's curvy figure. The reunion brought relief to his heart, but he quickly noticed that their attention wasn't exactly on his face. Both women were clearly still staring downward, their flushed cheeks betraying their wandering thoughts. Kieran chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Just then, a flash of purple light shimmered before them, and Sindra appeared in midair, floating gracefully, drawing the women's attention. Baixue and Roulan blinked in surprise, their eyes widening as they laid eyes on the seductive, curvaceous spirit.
"Hello beauties," Sindra said with a teasing glint in her eye, then pointed at Kieran's lower half before snapping her fingers. "As tempting as he looks right now, I'm afraid the answer is no."
The girls looked at her in confusion until she added with a firm tone, "You're not allowed to have sex with Kieran right now. His body is undergoing an important transformation. One misstep and he could cripple himself."
Baixue and Roulan blinked again, their disappointment obvious as they both unconsciously let out small sighs. Kieran just sighed too, realizing his struggle wasn't over yet.