Dragon Tamer

Chapter 358: 360: Reencountering Duan Lan

Chapter 358: Chapter 360: Reencountering Duan Lan
…

Upon entering the city, Zhu Minglang saw many guards, all on high alert, occasionally casting their gaze toward the sea’s surface as if something terrifying lurked in the shallow waters.

The city on the white sand beach seemed calmer in comparison. Along the lengthy white boulevards, prosperity reigned supreme; it seemed anything one could think of—and if one had enough gold and silver—could be purchased here.

Markets, stalls, shops, famous streets, auctions, private venues—every form of transaction was available. The trade route from Runyu City to the Neon Sea was designed to lead directly to this White Heavenly Street.

“The highest quality Juvenile Spirits, transformation into dragons is imminent, don’t miss out!”

“Thousand-year Ice Foxglove, only two thousand gold!”

“Dragon Eggs, Dragon Eggs, a single egg for just fifteen hundred gold, fifteen hundred gold to become a true Dragon Shepherd, earn respect from all!”

“Neon Sea Coral Fruit, can strengthen all Lan Dragons, price negotiable, as long as you’re sincere about buying.”

In the free market, traders were hawking their wares with vigor.

The greatest significance of the free market lay in its broad mix of goods and people, fluctuating prices, the chance of overlooked treasures showing up, as well as outright junk sold at face value, all depending on personal discernment—profit or loss was a matter of personal choice.

Zhu Minglang was someone who couldn’t recognize the true value of goods, but Mr. Jinli could, so while passing through, Zhu Minglang also took the opportunity to browse.

Indeed, everything one could wish for was available. Zhu Minglang quickly found the Wutong Spirit Dew he had been lacking, and at a price even cheaper than he expected…

A bottle for nine hundred gold.

If this were his earlier days, Zhu Minglang truly wouldn’t have been able to afford such an expensive price, especially since even young dragons drinking such pricey spirit dew would later grow up to consume tens of thousands of gold’s worth easily.

But now, Zhu Minglang was not short on such small change.

Like feeding on milk, Little Qingzhuo ate and drank its fill and then immediately curled up on Zhu Minglang’s shoulder to sleep; it couldn’t stay in the Spirit Realm all the time and occasionally needed to come out for some air.

At the end of White Heavenly Street was the Dragon Taming Academy’s Supreme Court.

The Dragon Taming Academy was rich and powerful, often choosing the most picturesque locations for their establishments.

This Dragon Taming Academy was built over the sea, connected by a hardened coral bridge. From the shore, one could see countless magnificent buildings and palatial halls, gleaming with gold, standing proudly over the sea area, like another little fairy town within Man City.

Dragon recognizing techniques.

Technique of Taming.

Both of these needed to be learned, and the only institution generous enough to teach these Dragon Shepherd skills was the Dragon Taming Academy.

Zhu Minglang naturally planned to go, but he wasn’t sure whether his school records from his time in the Li Chuan Continent would be recognized here.

“Excuse me, is Teacher Duan Changqing inside?” Zhu Minglang asked the guard at the Coral Bridge.

“Name.”

“Zhu Minglang.”

“Please wait.”

The guard summoned a messenger gull, and soon Zhu Minglang’s visit was relayed to the Dragon Taming High Court.

When Zhu Minglang was in Imperial City, he received a letter from Dean Duan Changqing stating that he had returned to the Dragon Taming High Court and planned to further his studies there for some time.

The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy is essentially privatized by Dean Duan Changqing, and for the Academy to be successfully accepted into Li Chuan, there are many procedures that need to be followed, which Dean Duan Changqing also explained to Zhu Minglang.

Therefore, Zhu Minglang guessed that Duan Changqing should still be here, bustling about for the integration of the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy.

…

He didn’t have to wait too long when a woman came walking across the Coral Bridge. Her figure was graceful, and she exuded a gentle quality. Dressed in a dignified and classic long gown for women, she radiated a unique charm.

The one thing the Neon Sea never lacks is beauties, both local and those who come from afar. Yet, this woman was still a strikingly bright presence, making many other flamboyantly dressed women pale in comparison.

“Zhu Minglang, is it really you?” Duan Lan revealed a restrained smile, but her beautiful eyes could not hide her joy.

“Teacher Duan Lan,” Zhu Minglang also called out in response.

He had not expected to encounter such a familiar person here.

For a moment, Zhu Minglang thought he had walked back to Li Chuan, standing on that white rock bridge at the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy.

Meeting an old friend in a foreign land is an exceptionally warm experience, let alone one with whom you’ve shared hardships.

“Did you walk all the way here from the Imperial City? That is quite a long journey. Plus, this place is somewhat out of touch with the news from the Imperial City. My father and I couldn’t find out anything about you. Is everything going smoothly?” Duan Lan open up in rare candor as she spoke to Zhu Minglang.

“It’s been smooth enough, though mostly thanks to Li Yunzi’s effort. Anyway, the Ancestral Dragon City-State is now at peace,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Yes, the Female Monarch has done a lot for our Li Chuan. I wonder how her injuries are now… Oh, your timing is just right,” Duan Lan said.

“How so?” Zhu Minglang raised his eyebrows.

“The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy is ultimately being ostracized. Although the territory has been recognized by the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent, the Neon Sea Dragon Taming High Court is somewhat reluctant to accept us. My father and I have been running back and forth to barely win an opportunity, but the people here at the High Court want our students from Li Chuan Academy to be strong enough…” as Duan Lan led Zhu Minglang inside, she explained further.

“They want to test us?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“Yes, it’s a rather strict test. We need to completely satisfy them. Three days ago, some of our students already made the long journey here, and you’re technically still one of our students. You could use this opportunity to show those arrogant people your strength,” Duan Lan suggested.

“That… I’m afraid I might scare them… But it’s not impossible,” Zhu Minglang hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

His concern about scaring them was not unfounded.

After all, where would you find a student accompanied by the Dragon King? Some of the leaders of the Dragon Taming High Court would surely be astounded.

But upon further thought, with the current effect of the Spirit Realm, Little Qing Zhuo’s growth from its juvenile phase to maturity could likely take just a few days.

If this test wasn’t going to happen immediately, Zhu Minglang could indeed step forward.

The Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy, after all, is a place that has provided him with much help, and Zhu Minglang still holds affection for it, especially for excellent teachers like Teacher Duan Lan.

“That’s great, that’s great. With you here, we don’t need to worry about them giving us a hard time,” Duan Lan said with a gentle smile, her eyes shining with genuine joy.

…

Passing winding beautiful paths, going by many halls of study and libraries, and seeing some high towers and treasuries, the Dragon Taming Academy had a long history and had always honored a tradition of respected rituals and philosophies that people admired. Zhu Minglang liked the atmosphere of the Dragon Taming Academy too…

Upon reaching Dean Duan Changqing’s residence, they found a modest cottage without a yard but facing the bridge and the night city, allowing for a view of the soft glow of lights reflecting on the gentle waves.

“Right now, my father is serving here in the position of a teacher. But he has been away from this place for too many years, and his influence isn’t strong enough. Moreover, his former rivals have taken up the position of the academy’s overseers. He hopes to return to Li Chuan, but if the Li Chuan Dragon Taming Academy can’t be legitimized, it might be viewed as a subversive force. That would be terribly unfair to the students there and also prevent them from acquiring more resources,” Duan Lan spoke softly to Zhu Minglang.

“Don’t worry, it’ll get better with me here.”