The inauguration night of the two would-be heroes of the immortal realm was one no one would forget. After the intense introduction at the grand hall of the Dragon Nexus, a celebratory party and get-together was held in one of the beautiful white gardens of Dragon's Nexus. Red Dragons assembled to create lovely fireworks with their magic in the sky. They were grand enough to impress all dragons and for them to have something to remember this night for.
This night marked the beginning of the dragons' voluntary attempts to save their home from crumbling and some immortals from the lower heavens were also invited to celebrate this night of hope and new beginnings.
Xueyao sat lonely at a table as she watched other dragons and immortals interact and celebrate with one another. Everyone avoided her table. It was either they were too scared to come and talk down on her or their hatred for her had run so deep that even the immortal dragon's terrifying words earlier today couldn't save her from those dark social pits.
She sighed as she poured herself another cup of the freshly brewed immortal wine. If only Sheng Chong was still around and by her side, this table and this party wouldn't feel so lonely like the previous get-togethers she had attended with her Master. Even her Master was still yet to return from wherever she disappeared off to. She only hoped she would be around when she was sent off to go through those tribulations so she could thank her well for all her love and support to her all these years.
Who knows, she might not be strong enough to survive whatever awaits her on this impending journey with an ancient dragon whose personality was still a mystery to her and she will hate to miss the chance.
Maybe she should just return to Temperance Hall to mourn how sad her immortal life had become after this last cup.
Xueyao brought the cup to her lips and paused when five blue dragons slowly began to approach her table. She lowered the cup to acknowledge them. Her body tensed a bit and prepared to defend herself in case they came to hurt her feelings like they do. Though they were unfamiliar dragons to the constant group that haunted her, it didn't stop her from not thinking they could be different from Lan Meiyun and the rest.
''Uh…H—hi…'' The female among the five with a few strands of white in her hair greeted with a nervous smile.
Xueyao thought she heard wrong or she was having a dream. She turned to see if it was truly her they came to see and were smiling too. She stared, eyes wide at them not knowing how to respond.
''C—can we…'' The female pointed out that they wanted to sit on her table so she nodded her head and chose to excuse herself when they unexpectedly stopped her from leaving.
''No, we meant we wanted to sit with you if you do not mind?''
Xueyao was once again amazed and she couldn't say they weren't welcome. It felt strange to be at a party and have people sit with her for the first time in her life. She sat tensed in their middle as they placed plates filled with snacks and many jars of fresh immortal wine.
''We came to celebrate with you on your first step in going through the tribulations on our behalf,'' the female said as she opened one of the jars and filled another cup and placed it before her and did the same for the rest. ''I am Chenyue and these are…'' They all introduced themselves.
''We seldom attended the training at the Memory Loss River so you might not really know us but we have always noticed you and your little friend you take everywhere with you. But ever since Lan Meiyun and her minions forbade any of us from ever approaching you unless to bully you we have always hesitated on reaching out to you to be our friend.''
Xueyao's eyes widened at this new discovery.
''We've always admired you secretly, Xueyao.''
One of the male dragons on the table nodded his head in agreement.
''But since we are also not strong to go against those three, everyone had always kept a distance from you or rather submitted to their evil order to make your life as miserable as much as possible.''
Xueyao didn't know how to respond to this.
''But hearing all that the immortal dragon said, it made some of us reflect on ourselves and he was right. Our pride had blinded us so much that we have started to discriminate against each other based on strength or looks. When we are all still the same dead souls, he gave equal chances to live this immortal life. We should feel grateful and treat each other rightly and let love live among us, isn't it, Xueyao?''
Xueyao stared at her before nodding her head slowly that she was right. They gained nothing from being so prideful and wicked.
Chenyue's smile was the brightest as she raised her cup and urged Xueyao to do the same. The girl still felt like it was strange they were all being so nice to her…even though they were pretending and would switch against her tomorrow…she might as well seize this moment and enjoy what it felt like to be in another's company apart from her Master and Sheng Chong.
They all raised their cups filled with immortal wine to clink cups with her and cheered.
It felt amazing doing that with several people instead of one and she blushed happily while she leaned back to drink from it.
Somewhere not too far from the life bubbling in the white garden, he stood as he overlooked the dark clouds gathering beneath and the twinkling night sky with constant fireworks above.
Everything had changed so much from the last time he went into that long seclusion. He remembered how these particular clouds used to be so pure and white, responding with life whenever he was close by. Now, they were dark and raging constantly with lightning and thunder. He couldn't even feel them any longer.
He tried bringing the clouds out of their misery with his magic but they had fallen too deep beyond where he could reach them.
The female white dragon carefully planted herself beside him and wondered what was going through his mind to warrant that frown on his face as East Clouds of the fourth heaven continued their rage and tantrums before him. She also didn't know how to bring up the way he acted out earlier this evening in the hall.
It felt like he really didn't have the intentions of saving them and they were all just forcing him to do so.
This made her begin to wonder what changed him to this cold and heartless god while he slept from the loving and righteous one she grew up remembering and holding dear to her heart.
The one who raised her and taught her everything she needed to know to be the powerful immortal dragon she was today.
She wanted to know if those feelings that drove him to seclusion still haunted him and they were the culprit that made him this way.
''Master we really appreciate what you are doing for us even if it is something that is far from your will.''
She continued when he didn't respond.
''We truly do even if we act like we are ungrateful. And I deeply apologize for not raising them well to your expectations, Master. You must have been so disappointed and it's all my fault.''
His silence made her more desperate to engage in a conversation between them. She had missed how they would be together and engage in long talks. Not only that, she had missed everything and this cold stranger back from the dead was making recovering all those lovely moments together impossible to do.
It's like he came back to not even want to know his disciple anymore or ask how she had survived all alone without him being there for her for so many years.
''Master, what have I done that you do not want to look at me the same way as before?'' She broke into a sob as she turned completely to face him. He is not only avoiding her but deliberately not wanting to fire up scenes that will bring them as they were before.
''Is it because of that dragon, Xueyao that has made you this way towards me?''
His eyes remained fixed on the dark clouds he was thinking of ways to bring them out of their misery.
''Master that day I didn't know that she was innocent and I don't think there was anything wrong trying to punish her with death for thinking she bullied her friends…''
He thought of first getting to the bottom of why these clouds were like this so he could help them before they began to grow much more aggressive and violent.
''Master,'' she placed a hand on his crossed arms when he continued to ignore. He turned to look at where her hand was on him. ''You were the same person who taught me that any immortal who does not follow the rules and abide by the standards of being righteous is not worth living this second chance at life!''
One look from him and she withdrew her hand without being told. More painful tears streamed down her face when he finally turned to acknowledge her presence. Her deep blue eyes fixed desperately on him, pleading for his attention.
''Qing Yue,'' he called in a cold yet soft tone as he locked eyes with her glossy ones. ''Judging the worth of a life based on righteousness and rules alone is silly.''
The wind carried his voice and she didn't know what hurt the most. Him calling her silly or that he was still pretending to not know how she felt.
''Stop behaving like I abandoned you.''
He said, indifferent to the tears pouring down her face as he continued to give her that look like she was some stranger.
''I abandoned you and everything.''
He said and left like he hadn't just broken her completely with the meaning behind his words. The white dragon collapsed completely in tears and all alone.
He was very cruel and heartless now.
That was never the Master she looked up to and played with freely as she grew up.
This was false. An intruder!
Either way…
''Master, I promise I will never allow you to abandon me again and every other thing after you save us. We would rule it together and I will make sure of it even if it costs me my life.''