Chapter 73

Chapter 73: The Journey.

After flying into the sky to confirm the route, Ji Jie landed back on the ground. He walked forward in Fire Dragon form alongside four young dragons, occasionally roughhousing with them through various limb movements. It was like a vacation, digesting the life energy infused within the Fire Dragon’s body while healing every scar inside and out during their activities. With each patch-up of life energy, his body grew stronger and more solid, much like how broken bones grow thicker after healing. Though unable to verbally communicate, the understanding and closeness between the four young dragons increased with every interaction.

“ROAR!”

A dazzling stream of heat was exhaled from Iron Pot’s mouth, but he soon closed it again in pain, coughing and groaning. Iron Pot had just displayed the development of his breath weapon organ for the first time to Ji Jie. Ji Jie shook off dirt from his clawed feet, slipped his smooth nails into Iron Pot’s mouth to pry it open, revealing the severely ulcerated oral cavity. First times always hurt, but you get used to it. He rubbed his claws against Iron Pot’s head as the Male Fire Dragon’s line of sight swayed left and right before transforming into a Sky Dog Beast. Sniffing in the grass by the road, he finally tore off a few leaves from plants emitting a medicinal aroma. After tasting them himself and finding no danger, he pressed the dense-smelling leaves onto Iron Pot’s ulcers. Medicinal herbs often share similar effects despite different appearances. Many plants hint at their properties through smell. The cooling sensation alleviated Iron Pot’s fiery pain. After walking a bit, when Ji Jie checked Iron Pot’s mouth again, the medicinal leaves had been licked off and swallowed, but the ulcers were clearly receding. Satisfied, the five dragons continued their journey.

The young dragons would often gaze enviously at Ji Jie’s wings and the blue sky above. Dragons belong in the sky, and they had already flown there before. Ji Jie shook his head in refusal; his injuries hadn’t healed yet, and if something unexpected happened in the air, they’d all be at risk.

“ROOOAAARRR!”

Before long, the now-healed Iron Pot hopped in front of Ji Jie, opening his mouth and jumping around. The other young dragons joined in, mimicking him. Clearly, they were hungry. They were still growing, after all. Ji Jie looked around but only saw some Fairy Deer watching them from afar, quickly fleeing upon noticing his gaze. Raising his head, he spotted a flock of migrating Flying Pterosaurs passing overhead. Today, let’s eat something that flies. A diving grab caught two Flying Pterosaurs with his claws and one in his mouth, swallowing it whole without chewing—digestion would take care of the rest. Old notions of cleanliness from past lives crumbled under instinctual dietary challenges, leaving only the avoidance of particularly revolting parts. Swallowing one, Ji Jie flew out again, knocking another unconscious to replenish the count, then threw the three Flying Pterosaurs to the young dragons. Watching them feed, Ji Jie realized worrying about dividing three Flying Pterosaurs among four young dragons was as laughable as worrying about splitting three dishes among four people.

Iron Pot opened his mouth again while tearing the Flying Pterosaur’s skin, inhaling deeply. “HUFF~” Flames softened the skin but caused another bout of oral ulcers. Wanting to bite the charred skin, Iron Pot cried out in pain, revealing the damaged oral cavity, looking pitifully at Ji Jie. Each use of a monster’s breath weapon causes oral burns, but repeated usage enhances resistance and recovery. Monsters with such weapons often secrete saliva or bodily fluids resistant to high temperatures; when the mouth is moist, flames can be expelled quickly without harm. But these young dragons were too early for such abilities. They must learn to use their vital breath weapons through repeated damage to their mouths. Perhaps the low survival rate of Fire Dragons owes much to infections from oral ulcers. Ji Jie merely gestured towards the surrounding shrubs, flapping his wings to indicate Iron Pot should find medicinal herbs himself. Reluctantly, Iron Pot wandered into the forest for a while, seemingly recovering before returning.

“Hmm?”

Ji Jie didn’t believe it and forced Iron Pot’s mouth open, discovering the ulcers had healed naturally due to time. “Idiot.” He grumbled unhappily as Iron Pot resumed feasting on the Flying Pterosaur corpse, then lifted his head with a certain… umm… organ in his mouth!

!

Ji Jie wanted to slap Iron Pot with his wing to make him spit it out, but Iron Pot was too fast—the soft organ disappeared into his mouth instantly. “…”

Silently turning away, Ji Jie refused to watch the young dragons eat further. Flying Pterosaurs were too skinny; other monsters would prevent them from reaching that point. Sighing, he understood this was something monsters must face. Anyway, you eat what you need. After finishing their meal, they continued forward. Along the way, occasional large monsters attacked, providing a full day’s feast. Ji Jie’s injuries slowly recovered; his shell became darker but remained vibrant.

“ROAR! HUMPH HUMPH~”

Familiar Fire Dragon calls echoed through the sky, followed by a series of particularly annoying sounds. Looking up, an energetic Male Fire Dragon hovered arrogantly in the sky, deliberately circling above them. It mocked Ji Jie for being a male dragon with younglings and his inability to fly, reveling in its taunts.

“ROAR!”

The young dragons responded, echoing the aerial Male Fire Dragon’s insults. Ji Jie said nothing, simply shielding them with half his body to continue moving forward.

“BOOM!”

A fireball erupted from the Male Fire Dragon’s mouth, exploding on Ji Jie’s wing membrane, leaving scorched marks. Perhaps aimed at his wings, the young dragons were directly beneath the spread wings—

“…”

Ji Jie narrowed his eyes seriously. Silent, but the piercing wind spoke volumes of his anger. The Sky Sovereign spread his mighty wings, soaring straight toward the apparently shocked Male Fire Dragon above. This was a fierce face-to-face confrontation between gentlemen, with Ji Jie below, yet lifting his wings against the opposing airflow to strike the opponent’s wings. The airflow reversed, spinning the Male Fire Dragon until it crashed into Mother Earth, stars bursting in its vision. In its sight, the battered comrade unfolded his wings fully in the sky, blocking the sunlight that should have fallen into view.