The Blue-Flame Blood Python looked utterly pitiful, its body tense in Evan Lin's palm, completely defenseless, as if trying to show its submission.
At this moment, if Evan squeezed his hand even slightly, he could erase it from existence.
"True dragon..."
Queenie Tong was still pondering the weight of those two words: true dragon.
Evan glanced at the Blue-Flame Blood Python in his hand, considered for a moment, then spoke: "If you want to gather bones into a body, become a flood dragon, and then pursue true dragonhood, I won't stop you."
"A snake striving to become a dragon is defying the heavens. If you choose this path, there's a real chance of soul and body annihilation ahead."
"When I sacrificed your python body before, I was inconsiderate. All beings under heaven have the right to seek the Dao."
"But no matter what, you must never forget: now you are my magic artifact, and you must obey my will absolutely."
Evan's tone was calm.
As soon as he finished speaking, Queenie saw the little fire python in Evan's palm happily swim a few circles around his fingertips, then dive headfirst back into the pile of bones.
"It really understands human speech?"
Queenie was still in disbelief, feeling as if she were dreaming.
"It probably couldn't before, but now it can."
Evan sighed.
When refining the Scarlet Flame Command earlier, the Left-Hand Dragon also played a role.
In reality, the Blue-Flame Blood Python was a rare and powerful beast, hidden deep within Medicine King Valley.
But even so, it shouldn't have awakened intelligence—let alone, after being refined, thought of using the bones of Vajra experts to forge itself a body and pursue the path of becoming a dragon.
The only explanation is that all of this is because of the Left-Hand Dragon bound to Evan's left hand.
Evan still didn't fully understand what the Left-Hand Dragon really was, but if it truly guided the Blue-Flame Blood Python to do all this, then everything becomes clear.
Besides, Evan wasn't worried about the Blue-Flame Blood Python doing anything out of control. It had lost its physical body and was now just an artifact. If it ever became uncontrollable, Evan was confident he could erase it in an instant.
"Let it stay here by itself. Let's go back and rest."
Evan looked at Queenie, whose face was pale after all the emotional turmoil, and spoke.
Queenie didn't dare argue. She glanced at the Blue-Flame Blood Python buried among the bones, then followed Evan out of the ski slope's main gate.
There were only six Vajra skeletons here, and even among them, bones suitable for forging a dragon were very scarce—far from enough to assemble a new body.
Evan simply let the Blue-Flame Blood Python do as it pleased.
He and Queenie returned to the hotel together.
At the hotel entrance, many people, upon seeing Evan, hurriedly kept their distance as if avoiding a plague god, afraid of being cursed by him.
"Do you want something to eat? I can have someone bring it to you."
At Evan's room door, Queenie quietly asked.
Evan shook his head, declined, and told Queenie to get some rest.
After Queenie returned to her room, Evan closed his own door and walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window, Changbai Mountain seemed almost within reach, its endless white ridges silent beneath a vast expanse of snow.
Towering peaks rose into the clouds, forming a magnificent and imposing vista.
Before long, a Maiden Spirit appeared beside Evan, whispering softly as if conveying something.
"Going into the mountain already?"
Evan paused for a moment, exhaled a breath of turbid air, then nodded, reached out, and opened the window.
Outside, the cold wind howled, rushing fiercely into the room and blowing Evan's hair.
Evan stood calmly in the wind, his gaze sweeping in one direction, eyes indifferent.
The next moment, Evan stepped out the window, treading on falling snowflakes, and leisurely ascended into the sky.
If anyone noticed the sky at that moment, they would see Evan, as if an exiled immortal entering the celestial gate.
"Weren't we supposed to enter the mountain tomorrow? Going in now is a bit early."
On a remote snow trail, some distance from the Changbai Mountain hotel, the three Luo siblings strode quickly through the snow, braving the wind and snow.
Clark Luo frowned, picked up a bottle of liquor, and took a long swig to ease his frustration.
"The plan was to go tomorrow, but now we have to change it." Rena Luo shook her head and glanced at the White Dragon Mountain hotel behind them. "That guy definitely has issues."
"He has issues?" Clark Luo scoffed. "What could he possibly do? From the look of him, he couldn't even take one of my punches!"
"He really isn't much, but don't you think it's strange?" Gavin Luo spoke up. "He said Lance Le was impotent, and Lance really turned out to be impotent."
"He said those guys shouldn't step onto the ski slope, and sure enough, they couldn't. It was like they were doomed—every one of them mysteriously disappeared!"
As Gavin spoke, a wary look appeared in his eyes.
"Who knows, that whole thing was pretty bizarre. But maybe there's a pit under the ski slope?" Clark Luo said, though he didn't sound convinced. He frowned tightly, unable to figure it out, and took another swig of liquor.
"The most likely explanation is that there's someone hidden in the snow on the slope."
Rena Luo turned her gaze, kept her head down, and strode forward.
She moved with agility, showing none of the weakness usually associated with women.
"Another person?"
Clark Luo was stunned when he heard Rena Luo's words.
Gavin Luo nodded in agreement. "I thought of that too, but didn't check to avoid complications."
Queenie Tong must have her reasons for looking at that guy differently!
Besides that, that guy was so calm facing Lance Le and the six Vajra experts—he must have some real confidence!
His confidence must come from someone by his side—a truly powerful expert hidden in the shadows.
That expert could help him cripple Lance Le and silently wipe out six Vajra experts—truly formidable.
Only such an explanation makes sense of everything that just happened.
That guy might be a young master from some powerful family.
Gavin Luo spoke slowly, analyzing point by point.
Clark Luo finished his drink, tossed the bottle aside, wiped his mouth, and muttered gloomily: "So, does this mean we can't touch that guy for now?"
Just looking at that guy pisses me off! Damn it, he's even trying to steal my woman!
If it weren't for the expert by his side, I'd go back and beat him up right now!
There will be plenty of chances later. For now, the priority is to enter Changbai Mountain, wait for the Sea of Flames, follow Morgan Yang's old trail, and bring that thing home.