Long'er was rendered speechless by Ao Xiangtian's question.
He was only four years old, and when he encountered problems he didn't know how to solve, he would instinctively seek help from others.
So, he looked at Ao Xiangtian and said earnestly, "Daddy, what should Long'er do?"
A hint of a smile flickered in Ao Xiangtian's eyes; this was the very thing he had been waiting for Long'er to say.
He put on a loving smile and said, "Didn't Daddy just tell you? When you lack the ability, you must learn to endure, and then..."
"Then cultivate your skills diligently and plan your next move!"
Long'er was exceptionally bright and, before Ao Xiangtian could finish, he echoed his father's words.
Ao Xiangtian nodded with satisfaction, caressing Long'er's small face affectionately. "That's right! Therefore, you must stay here now and grow alongside your Sister Zi!"
Long'er looked confused. Why did he have to stay and grow with Sister Zi? Couldn't he cultivate his skills diligently in the Dragon Clan just the same?
At that moment, a telepathic message from Ao Xiangtian appeared in his mind, using the Dragon Clan's unique language.
"Long'er, listen to Daddy and stay! Only your Sister Zi can help you grow powerful quickly."
The Dragon Clan was generally straightforward, disliking schemes and calculations.
However, disliking them did not mean they were incapable of them.
How could Ao Xiangtian, the patriarch of the Dragon Clan, be a simple individual?
The reason he communicated with Long'er telepathically, using the Dragon Clan's language, was to prevent Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan from intercepting the message.
Although the latter part of the conversation would not harm Zi Linling's interests, it still carried a hint of strategizing.
Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan, while aware that Ao Xiangtian was communicating telepathically with Long'er, did not interrupt.
After all, Long'er and Zi Linling shared a life-and-death contract. Ao Xiangtian, even for Long'er's sake, would not harm Zi Linling.
Therefore, Zi Linling closed her eyes and chatted with Elder Du, while Ye Lingyuan watched Zi Linling with a smile on his face.
Long'er looked at Ao Xiangtian, puzzled, wondering why he had suddenly switched to telepathy.
"Don't make a sound! Daddy switched to telepathy because what I'm about to say is a secret between father and son."
Long'er glanced at Zi Linling before replying telepathically in the Dragon Clan's language, "A secret? What secret?"
Ao Xiangtian looked at Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan. Noticing that their attention was not on him, he continued to send a telepathic message to Long'er, "Tell Daddy, how did you break the ancient seal?"
Although he had a suspicion, he still wanted to confirm it.
Long'er tried hard to recall the situation at the time and said, "After signing the life-and-death contract with Sister Zi, Long'er felt a surge of power within him, as if a cord had quietly snapped."
A gleam flashed in Ao Xiangtian's eyes, and he asked excitedly, "And then?"
Long'er's emotions turned melancholic, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Then Mother died. While grieving, Long'er had a strong desire to transform into a dragon, and then I could transform."
Ao Xiangtian nodded and telepathically said, "Good child, you can transform into a dragon now. Your mother would be very happy!"
A hint of light appeared in Long'er's dim eyes. He telepathically asked, "Really? Will Mother really be very happy?"
Ao Xiangtian smiled and telepathically replied, "Of course, she will. This is your mother's greatest wish. Long'er, your mother is watching you from the heavens. She will be heartbroken if you are sad, do you understand?"
Long'er wiped away the tears from his eyes and nodded vigorously, telepathically saying, "Yes! Long'er is not sad. Long'er will be brave, Long'er will train his skills diligently, and avenge Mother!"
Ao Xiangtian's heart ached. Long'er was only four years old; was it right to burden him with such hatred?
But without this approach, how could he motivate Long'er to grow? This world was incredibly cruel, and only strength allowed one to live freely.
Perhaps, this was the difference between fatherly and motherly love!
Mother's love was gentle, shielding us from all storms, while father's love was profound, enabling us to live better even amidst the storms.
Ao Xiangtian looked at Long'er, a touch of gentleness in his eyes. "That's right! Long'er, how did you awaken your bloodline for the second time?"
"When Sister Zi breaks through, a fragrance emanates from her body."
When mentioning Zi Linling, Long'er's eyes always held admiration and dependence.
Ao Xiangtian was stunned for a moment. "Fragrance?"
"Yes! When this fragrance entered Long'er's body, Long'er felt unbearable pain all over. After that, Long'er felt himself growing stronger."
A hint of excitement entered Long'er's voice.
"As expected!"
Indeed, all of Long'er's changes were inseparable from Zi Linling.
A sharp gleam flashed in Ao Xiangtian's eyes. He telepathically said, "Long'er, your Sister Zi is a person of great destiny, which is why Daddy wants you to stay by her side. Only then can you become powerful quickly!"
Long'er's eyes lit up. "Daddy, can I become powerful enough to defeat those old fuddy-duddies?"
Ao Xiangtian nodded. "Yes!"
A determined expression appeared on Long'er's face. "Okay, then Long'er will stay!"
A relieved smile bloomed on Ao Xiangtian's face. "Long'er is so good! But these words we telepathically shared are a secret between father and son. No one can be told, otherwise, it will bring disaster to your Sister Zi, do you understand?"
Long'er glanced at Zi Linling. "Can't I even tell Sister Zi?"
Ao Xiangtian nodded. "Yes, no one can be told!"
Although Long'er didn't understand why he couldn't tell Zi Linling about the 'thank you flower' (a potential mistranslation or idiomatic expression, but following instructions to avoid interpretation), he knew that Daddy wouldn't harm him or his Sister Zi.
He nodded. "Alright! I'll go tell Sister Zi now that I want to stay."
"Mm!"
Ao Xiangtian nodded with a smile.
He turned to look at the corpse of the black dragon and thought, "Yu'er, this is what you wanted too, isn't it? Although it deviates from your dying words, I must do this!"
Zi Linling was discussing the Dragon Clan's ability to awaken their bloodline nine times with Elder Du when she heard Long'er call out crisply, "Sister Zi!"
She excused herself from Elder Du and opened her eyes.
When Zi Linling saw the excitement in Long'er's eyes, she knew Ao Xiangtian had persuaded him.
She smiled and said, "What? Have you decided?"
Long'er nuzzled against Zi Linling's body and said, "Sister Zi, I want to stay!"
He didn't notice Ye Lingyuan's face darken as his head brushed against Zi Linling.
Zi Linling patted Long'er's small head and smiled. "Since you've decided, then stay!"