Supreme Punishment of the Mortal World

"Don't be sad." Lily Bai gently stroked its head. "Baby, don't be sad. Mama remembers you now, and she'll never forget you again."

"Mm..." It sniffled, happy tears streaming down its face.

"These wounds... Did you get them back when I was struck by the Genesis Bolt?" Lucia Lu asked.

"Mm..." The Moonlit Flood-Dragon Cub said, "Divine Father shielded me from the tribulation lightning to save me, but he's strong—he recovered long ago. I, though, haven't healed in a hundred years."

Divine Father...

Lily Bai smiled and comforted it, "It's okay. I'll mix up some medicine for you later—you'll get better soon."

"Mm..." The Moonlit Flood-Dragon Cub snuggled contentedly in her arms.

"Back then... Did Divine Father get hurt really badly?"

"He did! He tried to save you, but he was too late." The Moonlit Flood-Dragon said, "We could only watch as you were blasted into a piece of blackened charcoal by the lightning."

Lily Bai: "..."

"And," the Moonlit Flood-Dragon Cub continued, "your soul actually started to self-ignite! So scary! Luckily, Daddy's Heartscale protected your soul, or Mama would've been burned to nothing!"

"Heartscale?" Lily Bai was puzzled. "What does that mean?"

"Mama didn't know?" The Moonlit Flood-Dragon asked. "Daddy fused his Heartscale with your soul and protected it with Otherworldly Power—only then could your soul survive!"

Lily Bai was stunned for a long moment. "So that's how it is! No wonder I can summon him..."

The Moonlit Flood-Dragon Cub's eyes were full of sorrow. "All the pain of being burned by Hellfire—he took it all. He hurt so much he was rolling on the ground, crying his heart out. So pitiful!"

Lily Bai froze. "He... was in that much pain?"

Bones, slouched in the doorway, said, "Hellfire burning a soul to nothingness is the supreme punishment in this world! He fused his Heartscale with your soul and protected it with Otherworldly Power—so he felt every lick of Hellfire, clear as day."

"When Azure Flame brought him to me at the base of Yellow-Bone Cliff, he was convulsing nonstop. It took him days just to recover!"

Lily Bai clenched her fists.

So that's how she survived!

No wonder every time she asked him about the Hellfire Talisman, he always dodged the question...

Lily Bai lowered her eyes. After a long pause, she said, "Bones, thank you."

Bones replied, "No need to be so polite. Fifth Highness already thanked me! This manor—he gave it to me, said it used to be your mother's residence in the Wildlands! Wow, the array here is amazing! I love it!"

"My mother's residence?" Lily Bai was utterly shocked.

"Yep! That's why it's called White Cloud Manor!"

No wonder the first time she came here, she noticed the place was packed with powerful formations.

"But without an entry talisman, nobody could get in, right? How did he get the talisman?"

"That, I have no idea."

Lily Bai stood up, holding the Moonlit Flood-Dragon Cub. "I'm taking the Moonlit Flood-Dragon with me. Thank you for taking care of it!"

"Mama's taking me with her?" The Moonlit Flood-Dragon's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Mm-hmm. From now on, we'll never be separated again, okay?"

"Okay!" The Moonlit Flood-Dragon was blissful. "And Divine Father too—we'll never be apart!"

Lily Bai nodded.

...

Radiant Palace.

Soren Lann asked Ethan Lu, "What do you think of Lily Bai?"

Ethan Lu paused, then said, "She looks exactly like Lucia Lu."