Lory took a long hot bath once she arrived at the Xinjing manor. She was a little dazed when she soaked herself in the tub, and she stayed inside the water until it started to get cold. Thinking of testing her luck, she cast a simple spell and a dim purple rune circle appeared on the water surface and the water temperature rose. Her natural gifts were water, wind, and healing. There were times time she could cast such a spell as easily as one would turn on the television, but she had lost it all. She could not help and feel amazed when she managed to do a simple spell without hurting herself.

[So, you can be a stove?] Girsha came in and perched at the edge of the bathtub.

​​

[Yeah… This is what I can do so far. Sadly, I now have a limit] Lory sighed with exasperation.

[Oh well, you were as weak as an ant before and now you are as strong as a bunny] Girsha jeered.

Lory squinted as she teased him back [And you wonder why you have no friends?]

[I have you!] Girsha tilted his head to look cute.

Lory raised her eyebrows [Barely…]

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Zhao Li Xin sat alone in his study room. He was immersed in deep thought as he fiddled with the black ring on his thumb. He slowly straightened his back, took a deep long breath as closed his eyes.

He was no longer inside his study room when he opened his eyes. The new place had a cloudy sky and pale-yellow grass. The grass was yellow and brown because the place was dry. He was close to the cliff and he could see the vast ocean below. He could also hear the waves as they clashed with the stones at the bottom of the cliff. There was also an erupting volcanic mountain on the horizon with lava slowly flowing towards the ocean. One could hear the hissing sound at the point where the lava and water met and see the sizzling grey smoke. The temperature of the place was quite high for a normal person but it did not affect Zhao Li Xin.

Something moved from beneath the ocean and the water surface rippled before something burst out from the bottom. A dragon as big as a mountain emerged. His red ruby scales glowed brightly under the ray of light. The dragon roared loudly as his body shot towards the sky. The volcanic mountain shook and fire and lava spilled out from the impact. The dragon was the Azure Dragon, Huo Long, who resided inside Zhao Li Xin's black ring.

"Well…well…well! Look who is here? If it isn't the great Prince Zhao Li Xin! What could be the reason for his highness to visit this humble one's abode?" Although Huo Long's words seemed polite, his tone was definitely mocking Zhao Li Xin.

Zhao Li Xin was unperturbed by his tone. He said with indifference, "I'm no longer a Prince."

"I've heard…" Huo Long smirked without care. "What do you want, human child?"

"Power!" Zhao Li Xin went straight to the point.

"Hmph, No one can beat you since you possess the Immortal Flame. The only downside for such power is it accelerates your poison... Ooohhhh… wait. What is this?" The giant dragon moved his head and sniffed Zhao Li Xin's body. Zhao Li Xin covered the dragon's nose with his sleeve as it was uncomfortable being sniffed by a giant hairy nose. Huo Long's eyes widened from shock and got curious. "No poison? Who healed you?"

"It is none of your concern," Zhao Li Xin brushed him off.

Huo Long becomes even more curious when he noticed Zhao Li Xin's protective manner. However, he also knew the boy was extremely stubborn. Zhao Li Xin wouldn't say anything even if Huo Long chose to push him. Huo Long snorted with indifference, "What kind of power do you want? You are a man who possesses a divine body and peerless talent. What more would a man like you want? Do you want to rule the world or do you wish to purge all your enemies by burning them into ashes? Tell me, boy. Why do you want more power?"

Zhao Li Xin remained expressionless but the face of a certain woman smiling sweetly at him softened his gaze. The dragon didn't miss the subtle change.

"There is someone I want to protect. I need to have complete control over the Immortal Flame. I will do whatever it takes to master it!" Zhao Li Xin's words were calm and steady but his eyes brightened with determination.

The dragon was amused as he had never seen Zhao Li Xin with such a look. The boy always looked like a walking corpse. Nothing reflected in Zhao Li Xin's eyes. The dragon had never seen any human with such empty eyes before, but it was like Zhao Li Xin had now risen from the dead. His eyes had vigor, determination, and hope.

"Does this including being my servant?" Huo Long probed.

Zhao Li Xin clenched his fists and answered firmly, "Yes!"

The dragon burst out in laughter. It was more like a thunderous sound that shook the ocean's surface. Zhao Li Xin was annoyed by the dragon's reaction but he knew he would not back out from the deal. There was no way Zhao Li Xin would lose her like he did in the tombs. He wanted to use all his power to ensure her safety.

"Is it a girl?" Huo Long teased.

"Yes!" Zhao Li Xin replied smoothly.

"Is it?" Huo Long's face lit up. "What kinda girl is she? Is she beautiful, cute? What makes you like her?"

Huo Long rained Zhao Li Xin with questions which only annoyed Zhao Li Xin more as the giant dragon was spitting saliva as he spoke. He never knew the old dragon could be a busybody. He wondered why he only learned of this now. 

"SHUT UP!" Zhao Li Xin finally lost temper. Huo Long was at first surprised but he easily broke into more laughter. Zhao Li Xin frowned at Huo Long's good mood. The Huo Long in his memory was always mean, but the dragon was now mocking him. He wondered when the dragon started being lax.

"Easy, boy. I am just curious," Huo Long's eyes turned warmed when he stared at Zhao Li Xin. The dragon never hated the boy and he genuinely worried for him. The boy had so much potential but lacked the spirit to do much which made him the perfect vessel for a bad entity.

The dragon described Zhao Li Xin as a man who lived without a soul. The dragon wished to make Zhao Li Xin into servant as it was the only way the dragon could protect him from evil. However, Huo Long never told the boy this since he knew the boy won't believe him. Zhao Li Xin did not believe anyone which made it hard for Huo Long to explain his intentions. 

"Teach me how to control the Immortal Flame…" Zhao Li Xin asked like he was pleading.

Huo Long snickered, "It's not like I didn't want to teach you before. You were incapable of learning then because you were lacking."

"Lacking?" It was the first time someone told Zhao Li Xin this. "Was it because of the poison? I'm cured now so it should be fine now, shouldn't it?"

"No, not the poison. The problem lay with your heart. You lacked the heart," Huo Long nudged Zhao Li Xin's chest with his giant claw. Huo Long chuckled when Zhao Li Xin didn't answer. The boy only furrowed his eyebrows in disbelief. "You don't believe something as powerful can't be controlled by something so simple?"

"Your Flame has always been destructive because the only emotion you knew was anger. It killed and destroyed everything it touched. However, the Flame is not always destructive. It can be warm and give you comforts like a fire inside the furnace or a bonfire on a cold night. The old you could never understand this, and it was the reason it was useless to teach you before but…the new you is different, isn't it?" Huo Long pushed his giant face to Zhao Li Xin's but the boy used his hand to stop him from getting too close.

"You look confused, surprised, and a little bit irritated," Huo Long scrutinized Zhao Li Xin's expression.

"That because your giant face is too close…" Zhao Li Xin said with irritation. He was also somehow embarrassed that Huo Long had accurately read his expression. Huo Long moved his giant head away from Zhao Li Xin and chuckled lightly.

"I only saw emptiness and hatred on your face for a decade. It was quite unsettling…" Huo Long murmured. Huo Long's gaze became tender with happiness and relief. Zhao Li Xin never saw him like this before. Warmth crept into Zhao Li Xin's cold heart as the dragon continued, "But I can now see many emotions inside you…"

"Okay! I will teach you how to control the Immortal Flame. You are lucky that seven days in this place equates to a day outside the ring. You have plenty of time, boy!!" Huo Long released a peal of exaggerated laughter. "If you spend two days here, I guarantee…"

"One day!" Zhao Li Xin abruptly cut him off. "I can't be away for too long as she'll be worried."

"Bring her here next time. By the way, has she got…you know…a female dragon with her…?" Huo Long gave a sly smile as he raised his long eyebrows a few times like an old pervert. This annoyed Zhao Li Xin once again.

"She got a bird! A male bird!" Zhao Li Xin answered crudely.

Huo Long expression was filled with disdain. He clicked his tongue with annoyance, "Bird? I don't like birds. I'm allergic to feathers."

Zhao Li Xin's face turned dark. He just said the bird was male but the lizard was more worried about feathers. It seemed like he didn't know the dragon too well. He made a note to never bring Lory and Girsha to this place. Not unless he knew the lizard was not a danger to them.

"What are you looking at? I don't like humans!" Huo Long chided.

'I think I may have been wrong to ask this lizard for help…' Zhao Li Xin was secretly regretful.