The three were still on the outskirts of Dongyue Forest when they sensed a powerful oppressive force rapidly approaching their location.
Xiao Man looked up at the sky. A huge shadow, circling in the air, had eyes like torches, and the rage in them seemed capable of burning the entire Dongyue Forest to ashes.
"This thing looks a bit familiar," Yue Ran said, shielding his eyes with his hand as he gazed at the sky. "Second Brother, does it look familiar to you?"
"More than just familiar," Xiao Man's expression was grave. "We stole its egg two days ago and smashed it right in front of it."
"Jiaolong!" Yue Ran exclaimed in shock. Looking closely, it was indeed a Jiaolong. Its horns on its forehead, which had not fully grown, were now complete, making it a half-dragon. Could the dragon mentioned in the nameless town be this creature?
"It's coming for us!" Xiao Man kicked Bai Chen away and grabbed Yue Ran, quickly dodging. With a loud crash, the spot where they had just stood had become a deep pit.
Yue Ran gasped. "Second Brother, it seems to have gotten stronger."
"It's become a half-dragon, how could it not be stronger?" Xiao Man dragged Yue Ran, quickly creating distance. The Jiaolong's target was them. As long as they distanced themselves from Bai Chen, Bai Chen should be fine.
However, the Jiaolong did not pursue Xiao Man but instead went after Bai Chen. In the Jiaolong's eyes, Xiao Man, who had stolen its egg, was certainly detestable, but Bai Chen, who had killed its offspring, was even more so!
"My apologies, why did it target him!" Xiao Man let go of Yue Ran and rushed back to support Bai Chen.
Bai Chen's face was ashen under the Jiaolong's oppressive aura, but he dared not stop. Stopping meant death. He had accidentally broken the Jiaolong's egg, and the Jiaolong would dismember him and swallow him whole.
"Run towards the densely wooded areas," Xiao Man shouted to Bai Chen. Densely wooded areas offered better cover. The Jiaolong had the strategic high ground, while they were on the ground, making them easy targets. They needed cover.
Bai Chen ran towards the densely wooded areas, replying to Xiao Man, "I told you not to provoke it, but you insisted. We didn't even get to eat the Jiaolong egg, and now we're going to be eaten by the Jiaolong."
"Senior Brother, if you hadn't accidentally dropped the Jiaolong egg, we would be eating it now," Xiao Man retorted.
"You're still thinking about eating? Quick, think about how to deal with the one above us," Bai Chen pointed to the sky. The Jiaolong was tracking them, clearly intent on killing them.
"No matter how powerful it is, having become a half-dragon, it is still not a true dragon. With such a commotion, will those who came attracted by its fame let it go?" Xiao Man analyzed calmly. "We just need to hold on until others arrive."
"Is anyone its match?"
"The young master of the Mu family from the inn yesterday had experts with him. If they arrive, there's a chance of victory," Xiao Man said calmly, though she was unsure if they would intervene.
"Will they come?"
"If not for the creature above, why would a pampered young master like him come to this nameless town to suffer?" Xiao Man explained. "And the only thing attracting attention here is the creature coiled above."
"Isn't it afraid?"
"It's not that it's not afraid, but its hatred for us has made it forget its fear." Xiao Man took advantage of a moment of evasion to look up at the wildly attacking Jiaolong in the sky. A flicker of an unreadable light flashed in her eyes. Hatred could blind one's eyes, making them focus only on what's in front of them, ignoring the danger behind. By the time it realized the danger, it would be too late.
Suddenly, a huge net descended from the sky, ensnaring the Jiaolong. The Jiaolong, which had been circling in the sky, instantly fell to the ground, crushing a large swath of trees. The Jiaolong struggled and roared in anger, but it was unable to break free from the net.
"Immortal-binding net, it can trap even a divine dragon, let alone a half-dragon like you!" Yue Ran clapped his hands, saying triumphantly, "I never expected that the toy my father casually gave me to play with would be useful."
Bai Chen and Xiao Man stood aside, glaring at Yue Ran with murderous intent. "With such a good item, why didn't you take it out sooner?"
Yue Ran scratched his head sheepishly. "I always thought this thing was useless. Who wouldn't be blind enough to run into this Immortal-binding net? If you hadn't attracted its attention, I wouldn't have been able to trap it."
Xiao Man snorted and walked in front of the Jiaolong. Looking at the struggling beast, she stroked her chin and pondered for a moment before asking, "Is Jiaolong tastier roasted or stewed?"
"Roasted is tastier."
"Can't we braise it?" Yue Ran asked, swallowing. He preferred braised dishes. Although roasted Jiaolong meat was good, he still wanted it braised.
"It can also be steamed," Bai Chen chimed in. As soon as he spoke, he quickly spat and slapped himself. He had been influenced by them. Such a powerful magical beast as a Jiaolong could be a great asset if tamed. These two wasteful brutes were actually thinking about eating it!
"My young friends, would you be willing to cede this Jiaolong to this old man?" an elder appeared on a branch. Xiao Man, having not sensed his approach at all, immediately became extremely vigilant.
"No, we want to eat it!" Yue Ran stepped forward and said indignantly.
"A crude person is indeed a crude person. Such a powerful magical beast, and you want to eat it? Has your father starved you?" a mocking voice sounded, and Mu Qi appeared before them. They had also arrived.
"Mu Qi!"
"Yue Ran!"
"This young master caught it, and I'll eat it however I please. What business is it of yours?"
"If you want to eat it, why don't you ask everyone here if they'll let you?" Mu Qi sneered. "A glutton is just a glutton, good for nothing but eating."
"A medicinal herb is just a medicinal herb, you can't live without medicine. You'll be poisoned to death sooner or later!" Yue Ran refused to back down. Others might give Mu Qi some leeway, but he wouldn't.
"But your father seems to like my medicine very much. Shall I bestow a few bottles upon you?" Mu Qi said slowly, his expression one of extreme disdain. "How many pills would you trade for this Jiaolong?"
"I said, no trading, I want to eat it!" Yue Ran gritted his teeth ferociously. His desire to eat it, which was only three parts originally, now made him determined to eat it!
Mu Qi shrugged and looked at the people who had arrived to pick up the pieces. Among them were many powerful individuals, all eager to act.
When one possesses something good but lacks the ability to protect it, others will attack in a group and snatch it away, for an innocent person is often punished for possessing a treasure.
Xiao Man listened with a smile as everyone discussed how to deal with the Jiaolong. She quietly moved closer to the Jiaolong and, while everyone's attention was on Yue Ran, suddenly retracted the Immortal-binding net. The previously trapped Jiaolong soared into the air, and with a flick of its tail, sent the obstructing elder flying, crashing into Yue Ran. Yue Ran then collided with Mu Qi, and the few of them tumbled together.