Until Jiang Xuan saw the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, the true form of Golden Spirit Cloud, up close, he hadn’t fully realized just how bad things had gotten.
If the other party could transform back into her true form, chances were she had regained her memories.
At that moment, Jiang Xuan recalled what the System said: because of the thunder tribulation, she had lost her memory, but there was a tiny chance of recovery if the most profound impressions were repeated.
Suddenly, he had an epiphany; her memory restoration seemed to be somehow linked to the thunder tribulation he had attracted after stepping into the ultimate realm.
Just as Jiang Xuan was feeling somewhat lost, the gigantic Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon spoke:
“Do you remember? A thousand years ago, we met right here by this lake…”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!”
Hearing that, Jiang Xuan’s composure disappeared faster than a magician’s rabbit, and internally he screamed:
“Wait, what? I met her a thousand years ago in my past life? Please don’t tell me I sealed her away in my previous existence! No way, not like this!”
On the outside, Jiang Xuan quickly denied it:
“Umm… you must have mistaken me for someone else, I’ve never seen you before…”
Technically speaking, he wasn’t lying; he only had fragmented memories of his past life. Without full recollection, of course, he hadn’t seen her!
Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared, and the massive Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon transformed into the figure of Golden Spirit Cloud standing right in front of Jiang Xuan.
At that instant, her aura radiated a powerful Martial Emperor level presence.
Just by the sheer vibe, she was leagues ahead of that amnesiac version from before.
“You’re so much weaker now than you were a thousand years ago. I can’t believe you’ve reappeared in front of me. And you even took advantage of my amnesia to trick me into calling you ‘Brother Xuan’! No, wait, you know my name is Lingyun! Clearly, you’ve regained your memories!”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!”
Regarding her name, Jiang Xuan had of course learned it from the System’s scans. So that was totally the System’s fault.
But now, Jiang Xuan, who was completely clueless about what truly happened a thousand years ago, had no idea how to handle the situation unfolding before him.
Since he stood no chance against this Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, all he could do was try and see if friendly communication was possible…
Before Golden Spirit Cloud could say anything more, Jiang Xuan took the initiative:
“I apologize for what happened a thousand years ago, and for tricking you… but please, considering I saved your life once, let me go…?”
“Hmm? The number one human powerhouse is actually apologizing to me?”
That genuinely caught her off guard. “After all, with your strength back then, even the leader of our Golden Dragon clan had to treat you with respect. But it seems you haven’t fully recalled what happened a thousand years ago.”
Nodding, Jiang Xuan replied, “Well… I really can’t remember what happened back then. But… if I did something to hurt you… I… I’ll find a way to make it up to you…”
From Jiang Xuan’s perspective, Golden Spirit Cloud was highly likely sealed by his past self, leaving her stuck in that lake for eons. Given that scenario, harboring some resentment towards him was completely understandable.
Now that she had her memories back and was a peak Martial Emperor, even Liu Yun couldn’t save him; he could only think of a way to ease her feelings.
As soon as he finished speaking, Golden Spirit Cloud teased him:
“Make it up to me? Wow, you’ve really changed! Without that invincible strength from a thousand years ago, you’re now crawling in humility.”
“I distinctly remember being attacked by foreign evil beings, and you happened to save me casually as you passed by. From the moment I saw you, I was smitten! I begged you to be my partner, even offering you treasures from the Golden Dragon clan as tokens of affection. But you didn’t even give me a single glance. That hit harder than I can say!
Just when I was ready to forcibly abduct you back to the dragon clan, your protective domain ruthlessly bounced me away. I put everything I had into it, and I realized I couldn’t even get close to you. At that moment, I was engulfed in despair, with the person I loved right in front of me…
Later, I learned about your identity as the number one human powerhouse and the leader of the Celestial Alliance… You could take down those ancient powerful beings with just one move! You were revered as a god by the humans.
Even knowing there was a huge gap between us, I refused to give up. I dreamed that one day, I would drag you off your pedestal and make you regret rejecting me!
But then, our clan leader discovered my secret crush on you and worried that I might provoke you with my actions, causing you to lash out at the whole Golden Dragon clan. So to prevent any trouble, she secretly joined forces with several Martial God level elders to seal me away.
She even told me a disaster was approaching! If she didn’t lift my seal in ten years, it meant the Golden Dragon clan failed to survive. Apparently, I was our last hope.
But I never expected that seal to keep me locked away for a thousand years! What’s more, I couldn’t have predicted I’d see you, an old acquaintance, again…
The bad news? I run into you again. The good news? You’re so weak now.
Even if I am not at my peak, I can handle you without breaking a sweat.”
Jiang Xuan: “……..”
After hearing Golden Spirit Cloud reminisce about the past, Jiang Xuan was utterly stunned.
Turns out, he never provoked this Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon at all a thousand years ago!
It was all just one-sided thoughts from her; it had nothing to do with him!
Even her sealing was an internal affair of her clan. Blaming him for it was a bit much.
Once he regained his senses, Jiang Xuan cautiously said, “Um… Lingyun… so I should technically not have offended you a thousand years ago, and I saved you once, could we maybe…”
He intended to say if they could reconcile, but before he could finish, he was cut off.
“You rejecting me coldly back then is one thing. After all, you equal opportunity rejected all your suitors. But now you’re flaunting love in front of me with another girl while I’m still trying to recover my memories? That’s absolutely unacceptable! Only I have the right to pull you down from your pedestal!”
As soon as she finished, Golden Spirit Cloud stepped forward, cupping Jiang Xuan’s face with her hands, a gleeful expression on her face as she continued:
“Hehe, your face begging for mercy must look quite appealing…”
