Red Fire Lotus, White Snow Lily

Having wiped his tears and calmed down, Zhao Yan returned to his usual calm demeanor and looked at Zhao Long with a serious expression.

"Senior Brother Long, it's not that I mean to be rude or anything, but if you think defeating the Nether God will be easy, then it's best that you don't get involved."

Zhao Long frowned.

As a dragon, Zhao Long had always been confident in his strength, but seeing Zhao Yan's serious look and hearing Wu Yagui's warning, he could no longer pass it off as just another opponent.

"How strong is he?" he asked.

"The Netherworld is one of the Three Lower Realms, also known as the Underworld. In the surface, it is the place where the souls of the deceased end up in. However, only those who reside inside it know that it is more than that." explained Zhao Yan.

"While it is true that it is in charge of the souls, this doesn't just involve the reincarnation process. Being in charge of them means having power over them. The Lord of the Netherworld could literally rid you of your soul if he so much desires it while the soul is within the realm. He is the highest existence after the Death God herself. That is the reason why he is so feared." While he said this, Zhao Yan quietly observed Zhao Long's expression, to see if this information affected him at all.

Sadly, he seemed to be looking in vain, as Zhao Long's previous frowning expression soon turned back to his usual calmness when he heard Zhao Yan's explanation. Even a trace of a smile could be seen. His actions made Zhao Yan surprised, so he lifted his eyebrow and looked at him with interest.

"You don't seem to be worried at all." he said.

Zhao Long smiled at his comment, a nonchalant expression filled his face.

"It's nothing to be worried about as of yet anyway. We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Although slightly confused by his unafraid reaction, Zhao Yan still nodded in return.

"If that is so, senior brother, then I should get going. We'll be in contact again later."

"Mm. I'll see you later Brother Yan."

As they both bid their goodbyes, Zhao Yan turned to leave, but as if he was forgetting something, he turned once more when he reached the door.

"Oh right! Senior Brother, are you going to go to the Fight for the Cauldron?"

"Fight for the Cauldron?" Zhao Long rubbed his chin with a pensive look, considering it. Soon, a big smile appeared as he looked at Zhao Yan.

"If I feel like it."

A light flashed across Zhao Yan's eyes as he heard his reply. He then turned to leave.

"I see." he said right before leaving.

....

During the next few days, Zhao Long went into seclusion. Being at 9th Level of Qi Condensation was after all, humiliating for a powerful dragon like him. He scrambled through all the items inside the spatial ring one more time.

He had done it before, but this time it had a different outcome. The main difference was that he had his memories back, and Wu Yagui was with him!

After a long discussion and choosing, they finally decided on one item.

"Brother, I still think you should go for the Red Lotus Fire! It can increase your magic powers and help you breakthrough in your cultivation!"

Zhao Long just stared at the item in his right hand, and the item in his left, one was shaped like a red lotus, and was warm at the touch, while the other was shaped like a lily and was cold at touch.

Both of these items may look harmless, but they were undeniable treasures. Any of these would sell at a sky-high price in any auction!

"Ice and Fire were both parts of my core attributes in my past life, perhaps I couldn't reach that realm as a dragon back then... but now..." he mumbled as he seemed to consider something for a moment.

Wu Yagui who was listening to his monologue, immediately realised what he was trying to do and his eyes widened with disbelief.

"Again?! You're trying to do it again?! Stupid Dragon you never reached that realm as an almighty dragon, how do you think you'll be able to reach it as a human!" He took a deep breath despite being very agitated and continued his nagging. "Are you trying to kill yourself? Last time when you failed, you were unconscious for 30 years! Miss Yulin had to go and nurse you back into health, and most of her youth was gone because of you. Are you sure you want to do it again?" He asked, in exasperation.

He waited for Zhao Long's response for a while before he saw something unbelievable.

He nodded.

He had nodded! As if it was all nothing!

Wu Yagui didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Insane! You're insane! Last time was a mere struck of luck, this time you might really explode and die! Stupid Dragon, I won't care anymore." He sighed as his face darkened.

"This brother will help you to go ahead and explode, but please do it after you find me a body, I'm not about to be duped by you, and I sure as hell won't be exploding with you!" He said, his face highly indignant.

Looking at Zhao Long who sat there still pondering, he gave him advice in good nature.

"Swallow the Red Fire Lotus first, then after a few months of practice you can swallow the White Snow Lily. This is the only way your pathetic human body won't explo-"

Zhao Long ignored Wu Yagui's advice, and with a calm look put both flowers into his mouth, swallowing them instantly.

"AHHH!! You're mad! Insane! Crazy! Mad dragon! Mad, mad dragon! You're definitely trying to kill me!" He wailed.

Zhao Long ignored his wails and sat down cross legged and focused on his dantian. A serious look on his face.

5 days later, Zhao Long came out of seclusion.

"Master, you're finally out?"

Fei Ruo, who had been about to fall asleep, caught Zhao Long's figure by the door.

Zhao Long had finally come out of seclusion. He wore a smile on his face as his eyes looked at Fei Ruo who sat before him.

"Ruo'er. Get ready, we have somewhere to be!"

Fei Ruo glanced at him quizzically, as though she didn't understand what was happening. Nonetheless, she still stood up and stretches lazily, getting ready to leave.

"And where are we going? I've been quite bored these few days you know? I've had no one to play with! Master, are we going somewhere fun~?" She asked playfully.

For the past few days when Zhao Long was making a breakthrough, Fei Ruo had remained within the residence with nothing else to do. She had tried teasing those who walked past or pranking anyone who dared to visit.

But it was rather unfortunate, that neither of her plans were set to work. There was not a soul that came for a visit during these days, effectively adding to Fei Ruo's boredom.

Fei Ruo's mouth was held in a pout as she complained non-stop about the uneventful week she had had as they began to leave the residence.

Hearing her yapping, Zhao Long could only roll his eyes as he turned to look at her and gave her a short reply.

"We're going to go and pick a fight." he said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

"Pick a fight? Where?" She asked, excitement flashing through her eyes, as if trying to mask her interest.

Unfortunately, her wagging tail gave her away.

Noticing this, Zhao Long's lips couldn't help but twitch. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought Fei Ruo was actually a dog.

He coughed lightly before composing himself and replying in a cool manner.

"Moonfall City."