Chu Mo sat motionless, a mournful aura emanating from his body. Even as the two women approached him, he made no move, and not even the slightest change appeared on his face.

Yue Qingcheng wanted to say something but was gently held back by Yiyi, who then shook her head at her.

Yiyi took Yue Qingcheng by the hand and sat down beside Chu Mo.

The stones here were all hot, but they were not as scorching as one might expect. The magma river flowed quietly, occasionally emitting a few sparks of firelight.

Yiyi and Yue Qingcheng just quietly sat there beside Chu Mo, not speaking.

After a long while, Chu Mo's eyes moved slightly, and he said in a soft voice, "I want to be alone here for a while, you two go ahead."

Yue Qingcheng pursed her lips, looking worriedly at Chu Mo before turning to Yiyi. Yiyi stood up crisply and said, "Alright, we'll wait for you outside. You can stay here as long as you like!"

"No, don't wait outside for me," Chu Mo's voice was hoarse, and he seemed to have lost all his energy.

"Chu Mo, no matter what happens, I hope you can muster your strength. 'Descendant of the Chu Clan' should not become your burden, but… I hope you can cherish it. There are so many people waiting for you to rise, and likewise, there are many people… who wish for your downfall." After saying this, Yiyi stood up, glanced at Yue Qingcheng and said, "Let's go, let him have his peace here. We'll wait for him outside."

With that, she didn't wait for Chu Mo to say anything else. She took Yue Qingcheng by the hand, slowly flew up, and disappeared above the cave.

Chu Mo said nothing more, his entire sea of consciousness was dead silent. Not a ripple stirred.

Several days later, a voice emanated from Chu Mo, who had been sitting still by the magma river: "Kid, how long do you plan to sit in such a place?"

Chu Mo's eyes moved slightly, and his voice became even hoarser, like dry old tree bark: "Fire Dragon Elder? Sorry, I forgot about you."

"It's not your fault. Since the day you ascended to the Heavenly Realm, there hasn't been much chance for you to help me." The Fire Dragon cup flew off Chu Mo's body and then transformed into a middle-aged man with a full head of red hair, sitting opposite Chu Mo.

The Fire Dragon glanced at the magma river, a hint of affection in his eyes: "You sure know how to pick a place. I don't even have to go and find a dwelling place anymore! And... this is the heavenly road! Heh heh, it seems that my opportunity has also come!"

Speaking eagerly, the Fire Dragon said, "Come on, come on, don't sit there like an old man. Hurry up and remove the seal on me!"

"Okay," Chu Mo nodded.

Following the method taught by the Fire Dragon, Chu Mo invoked the power of the Five Elements and poured it into the Fire Dragon's body, instantly breaking open seal after seal.

In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, all the seals on the Fire Dragon's body were removed.

Afterward, the Fire Dragon let out a resounding dragon chant, transformed into a long dragon with its body ablaze with flames, about twenty to thirty zhang long, and plunged headfirst into the magma river, rolling around with great delight.

Chu Mo's mouth curled upwards into a faint smile, then he continued sitting there.

Splash!

Having had his fill rolling in the magma river, the Fire Dragon leaped back onto the shore, instantly transforming into a young man with red hair, looking at least a decade younger than he had just moments before!

"Hey, kid, how much longer do you plan to sit here?" the Fire Dragon asked Chu Mo.

Chu Mo did not lift his head, his voice hoarse, "Isn't the Fire Dragon Elder already free?"

"I am free," the Fire Dragon looked at Chu Mo. "But there is something I need to tell you."

"Hmm?" Chu Mo's eyes shifted as he glanced at the Fire Dragon.

"The ones who sealed me back then were your parents!" the Fire Dragon said indifferently.

"Hmm?" Chu Mo was slightly startled.

"Descendant of the Chu Clan... Actually, as soon as I arrived in the Heavenly Realm, I already knew about this matter. Now, I finally understand why I was sealed in the past," the Fire Dragon explained.

Chu Mo looked up at the Fire Dragon.

"That's because, as of today in the Heavenly Realm, the entire Dragon Clan might just be down to myself," said the Fire Dragon.

"How is that possible?" Chu Mo finally reacted, looking at the Fire Dragon, "There are many non-human races in the Heavenly Realm, including the Tiger Clan, the Peacock Clan, and many others... Why couldn't they tolerate your Dragon Clan?"

The Fire Dragon sighed, "You don't understand, the Dragon Clan is different from those other races. Dragons are born with incomparably strong physiques and flesh, naturally close to various elements, and can wield divine abilities and spells without even needing to learn! The combat power of the Dragon Clan is too fearsome and feared by the world. When your parents sealed me, they must have already seen the signs of decline of the Dragon Clan. Because at that time, there were not many dragons left in the entire clan."

"How do you know that you're the only one left of the Dragon Clan?" Chu Mo asked.

The Fire Dragon replied, "The Dragon Clan is naturally endowed with a very magical sense. If there were other members of the Dragon Clan in this Heavenly Realm, I would be able to directly sense them. But for so long, I have had no such feeling. This means that the Dragon Clan either migrated away a long time ago, leaving this place, or they have already... all died out."

"I'm sorry..." Chu Mo said softly, his voice still hoarse.

The Fire Dragon looked at Chu Mo, "Actually, what I want to tell you is that anything can happen in this world. There are some things you can choose, but some... you have no choice in. For example, if I could have chosen, I certainly wouldn't have wanted your parents to seal me!"

"I apologize to you on their behalf," Chu Mo said.

"I'm not asking for an apology; I want you to understand that your parents did this with profound meaning!" The Fire Dragon gazed at Chu Mo: "Don't you find it strange? Your parents sealed me back then, and the only person who could unseal me was you! Moreover, it had to be after you arrived in the Heavenly Realm."

Chu Mo looked at the Fire Dragon, "So what do you mean?"

"It's not what I mean, but your parents' intent; they hoped that I could protect you and always be by your side," the Fire Dragon whispered. "I've only just realized this. Some things, actually, don't need to be stated explicitly. I was at fault for being sealed back then, so your parents don't owe me anything. They spared my life, which was already merciful. So today, you've released me from the seal, and I owe you!"

"Then, I don't need you to repay me anything," Chu Mo said. "You're free now."

"No, that won't do. Dragons hold debts of gratitude heavier than the heavens; a debt is a debt. It's karma!" the Fire Dragon spoke, then looked at Chu Mo and suddenly asked, "Have you ever heard a saying?"

Chu Mo looked at the Fire Dragon.

The Fire Dragon smiled and said, "It's 'one meeting with the wind and clouds can turn one into a dragon'?"

"..." Chu Mo was bewildered.

"That is to say, wind and clouds... are the things closest to the Dragon Clan! Even though I am a Fire Dragon, I like nesting in this magma. But I prefer the wind and the clouds! Because that is where... my true home lies!" the Fire Dragon said, his gaze landing on Chu Mo, "So, with the wind... I understand it far more... than you ever could!"

Chu Mo was first slightly shocked, then finally a gleam appeared in his eyes, fixing his gaze on the Fire Dragon's eyes, "What do you mean by that?"

The Fire Dragon smiled faintly, then with some pride, he revealed, "Therefore, the eye of the storm didn't tear apart your woman, but instead directly took her away!"

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