(TEMPERANCE HALL, THE FOURTH HEAVEN)
They landed safely on the open space balcony of Temperance hall with the unconscious red dragon that Master Yun Xi was still trying to wake with her spiritual powers.
''How is he, Master?''
Master Yun Xi frowned a bit as she had consumed a lot of her spiritual energy today. First, during the sneak attack by the demonic immortals, and when she struck the immortal black dragon that held her disciple captive and from her perspective, it looked like he wanted to hurt her.
Xueyao's eyes widened when blood began to trickle down her Master's lips. She also took note of the multiple scars and injuries on her body. Her Master was weak yet adamant at using all of her spiritual energy left to heal this Red dragon.
''Master,'' she called out worriedly. ''What happened to you? How did you get hurt?''
Master Yun Xi paused to regulate her breathing. ''Xueyao,'' She began softly while turning to face her beloved disciple, the one she took in since her birth in this heaven. ''Running like that will get you into a lot of trouble with the White Dragons.''
Xueyao stared down, silently fearing what the outcome of her escape might be.
''T–they said I was the Tribulation Guardian and I am to go through several tribulations with that dangerous black dragon. And I don't want to.''
Master Yun Xi closed her eyes and shook her head at her clueless disciple.
''I never did,'' Xueyao muttered honestly. ''I just wanted to save Sheng Chang who was kidnapped by Lan Meiyun and her minions and I got caught up in this mess and now everyone, even the White Dragons, believes that I am the long-awaited Tribulation Guardian. Me?'' she questioned, pointing a finger to herself. ''A weak blue dragon of the fourth heaven. How can that be possible? I don't even remember breaking through that barrier. I was unconscious when it happened. It must have been someone trying to frame me. Master, I wasn't alone. It could have been Lan Meiyun and her sidekicks that broke through the barrier and set me up for this!''
''Lan Meiyun?'' Master Yun Xi asked.
Xueyao quickly bobbed her head in agreement. ''Those three evils were there and who knows the real tribulation guardian might be hiding among them and I am being innocently framed.''
Master Yun Xi tried to think of the possibility of her disciple being framed as the tribulation guardian. Who would be dense enough to do such a thing?
''Master,'' she gently held her master's hands and pleaded, ''Let's report this to the White Dragons and clear up this misunderstanding and find out who the real tribulation guardian is before I am forced to be who I do not want to be.''
Master Yun Xi smiled and leaned on her disciple for support as she rose to her feet.
''I actually believe so much in you Xueyao. I believe so strongly that you are the tribulation guardian the whole immortal realm has been waiting for.''
''Ah?'' Xueyao stared at her Master in confusion. ''Master, you believe that I am the tribulation guardian?''
''Yes,'' She nodded and smiled warmly at her disciple.
''But Master, I was unconscious when the barrier broke.''
''I know. But Lan Meiyun, Lan Zixuan, and Lan Yuitan were witnesses to how you destroyed the barriers of the Undying Realm and woke the black dragon.''
Xueyao's lips parted in disbelief. Of course, those three demonic goats would blame it all on her since breaking the barrier comes with tough responsibilities the three of them are too cowardly to shoulder. I bet they would love for her to be the damned Tribulation guardian and suffer severe tribulations with the black dragon than any of them pampered immortals.
Xueyao's fist tightened the more she thought about those three. It made her want to return and punch them in the guts even though she would die while trying to do so.
''Don't worry, Xueyao, it is nothing to be so afraid of.''
She stared at her master and wasn't comfortable with how she said it, like it was an easy task.
Her first introduction to the black dragon was still a chilling encounter, one she would never forget. The mere remembrance of this unearthly beauty brought unwanted heat to her cheeks and she hated how easily she fell for it.
''Sheng Chong!''
At the call of its master's name, the three-foot-long worm glowing with a peculiar bright, golden energy danced happily to meet her.
''Sheng Chong!!!'' A smile lit up her face as she opened her arms to receive her best friend. The only thing she loved and cared for after her beloved Master. No one could tell its origin or why an enigma in the likeness of a worm would accompany an immortal like her since day one.
When they all called it a freak, she gave it a name.
Sheng Chong. The sacred worm.
Since she had learned to cultivate her first qi, she had sworn to protect and never depart from its company. Her best and dearest friend for life.
''Did you miss me too?'' Xueyao's cheeks warmed as the worm danced in response above her palms. She giggled at his carefree nature. Even though he was the biggest target of multiple bullies, Sheng Chong chose happiness over depression. ''Don't worry, this time, I will make sure you will be sleeping next to me at all times and…''
Xueyao conjured up a small glowing golden bell and attached it to the end of the worm.
''...if anything happens, you can just ring the bell with your tail like this…'' she demonstrated with her index finger. ''...and I will be by your side before you know it, alright?''
The tapeworm agreed, dancing happily around her. All Master Yun Xi could do was observe the friendship that had blossomed into something stronger than a family bond over the years.
The sudden descent of numerous immortal soldiers at Temperance Hall alerted not only the Master of the Hall but her disciple as well.
''Sheng Chong, stay behind me and don't leave until I tell you so.'' She spoke to the flying tapeworm and it obeyed.
''What is all this?!'' Master Yun Xi's voice echoed as the red dragon soldiers and many other red dragon elites surrounded her house with hardened and displeased stares. Xueyao wondered if they were all here to force her to be the tribulation guardian again.
''You are worse than the rumors say you are, Xueyao,'' her voice echoed before her arrival. Her other half standing next to her. The red dragons parted ways for the White Dragons.
''Daring to run from your destiny, dooming the realm I built with my Master because you don't believe you are capable.'' The White Dragons stood before the Master and her rebellious disciple.
''How selfish.''
Master Yun Xi stepped in defense of her disciple, sensing how displeased the white dragons were at her behavior. Xueyao watched as her Master fell on one knee, her hands outstretched in apology to the two Great Dragon Kings. ''I humbly ask Her Excellency to forgive my disciple for her immaturity.''
The female white dragon stared down at the red dragon kneeling before her.
''But I also ask you to give her some time to realize her calling and be ready to shoulder this great responsibility, Her excellency.''
Her cold, pale face grew colder and her dark blue gaze could be enough to crystallize a rock. The breeze blew softly against her long, white strands as she took offense in Yun Xi's words.
''Time?'' She drawled out frostily as she stared deathly at the peculiar worm hiding behind the chosen one. ''Do you dare tell me to be patient towards a selfish blue dragon until the world I have built for one hundred thousand years falls apart and there is nothing else for me to hold on to?''
She stretched forth her hand and used her spiritual power to capture the worm hiding protectively behind Xueyao and pulled it towards herself.
''Sheng Chong!'' Xueyao screamed.