Chapter 14

The dragon's cave was wide, while both its depth and height were humongous. The ceiling was filled with sharp, long stalactites while in the middle was a huge, crystalline pond. If my years of reading experience were anything to go by, then this should be some kind of mystical water.

I was expecting to find some treasures and mountains of gold in Shou-Liao lair, and yet, it seems that the legend about dragons being greedy is not entirely true. Or at least, different in nature, since instead of any golden radiance, the only thing that seemed to be a 'treasure' around here were the numerous, strange rocks shaped into various sculptures that were neatly organized.

'Are those p*enises?! Man, I didn't mistake this place for a hungry medusa cavern, right?'

Interrupting my thoughts was the sound of a droplet of water falling from the ceiling into the pond. It was especially deafening as the echo resounded throughout the once silent cavern.

'It's about to begin...'

The drop was the precursor to great changes, as the ripples caused by its fall had yet to fade, that there was already a growing shadow surfacing.

Two dim, ominous red lights were the most eye-catching things in the water as the being grew closer to the surface. The long slitted eyes became more apparent as it drew nearer, both wildness and wisdom could be felt from them, and being looked at by them would make one's feel naked. It was no Sharingan though.

Finally, the calm surface of the pond was broken apart as violent waves spread everywhere, soaking the surroundings.

The figure finally revealed itself in all of its glory when the water rained down.

A long, serpentine, muscular body covered by shimmering black scales filled my sight. The dragon had four, fierce-looking claws while it's features had the typical eastern dragon look. A lion's mane, a camel head, a deer's horns, a cow's ears, a dog nose and a long beard that would make Yu envious (pun intended). (AN: Rush Hours)

It was only when the water began to settle down that I could see how big it was. Man, one of its fangs is the size of my body, while the length of the dragon's body is nearly a hundred meters long.

'I always wanted a pet dragon!'

I was having a little inner childish burst, which cooled down quickly by remembering the true objective of my visit.

When he finally settled down, Shou-Lao broke the silence.

« Human, you did not come to accomplish the trial of the Iron Fist, nor did I invite you to my dwelling, so why have you come? »

That deep, guttural voice that seemed to be on the verge of turning into a bestial growl would have made any regular human suffering from constipation 'open up'.

I on the other hand ignored the cavern shaking from the voice's might and tried to remember something about a trilogy where humans, elves, dwarves and hobbits lusted after a cockring. (AN: sorry about that, but I just remembered a parody on YouTube about Lord of the ring where their goal is to destroy a cockring haha)

'That was totally Smaug's voice from The Hobbit! Do all dragons have that tone? Is it because of their physiognomy? Alfred, add it to the Miscellaneous Fantasy Research#3 folder'

'Oh yes, Wakanda. I'll take care of that later on, thanks, Alfred.'

Turning back to the dragon in front of me, I respond to him.

« Naturally, I'm here for an important matter concerning your future...

I pause slightly.

« But before that, could you tell me what are the various sculptures around your cave? »

Shou-Lao proudly raises his head at that while looking down on me.

« I have personally made those sculptures using my claws! These are the only remains of those who failed to defeat me, they are my trophies! »

'Talking about that, should I just take him as a trophy or use him as a pet? Hmm'

I nod slightly.

« Then, what about those weapons over here? »

I say while pointing to the 18-rated objects in the distance.

The disdain in the dragon's eyes was palpable, which made me smirk.

« Have you never seen swords before, human? Those are the weapons of the warriors I've defeated! »

I have to hold the laughter threatening to burst from my mouth.

'I don't think we are talking about the same 'swords', Mr. Dragon.'

« Now, human, you have asked what you wanted to ask, so hurry up and let me go back to sleep! »

A grin began to form on my lips.

« Yes yes, you see, I have heard of how the great Shou-Lao is undying. I wanted to confirm that today. »

A burst of raucous laughter emerges from the dragon's enormous mouth.

« Of course I am und... »

Before he could finish whatever he wanted to say, I stepped towards his body, exactly in front of what my Tenshingan showed was his heart, and using sword force on my fingers while piercing with my hand, I went through his tough scales like a hot knife cutting butter and literally 'plucked' his heart out of his body.

Before he could even realize what happened, I was already back in my position, while next to me was boulder-sized heart still beating and squirting fresh, hot blood.

I'm sure that the Zoldyck would have been proud of me, or afraid. Regardless, it's the same.

« How did you... »

I looked back at him and saw that his slitted eyes were dilating even more as he powerlessly fell on his side, shaking the whole cavern.

'Alfred, record the proceeding.'

It took a few minutes, but Shou-Lao's body completely disintegrated into ashes, leaving only the still-beating heart next to me. How fascinating.

I used my senses and eyes to discover the faint amount of energies, mainly Qi, converging into the heart, trying to initiate the rebirth of the dragon.

I immediately use Sigils to cover it up and seal it from the surroundings while putting it into stasis.

I wanted to study the dragon's heart since it is the source of its immortality as well as the power source of the Iron Fist. If used well, I could get loyal Undying Dragonblood warriors as well as a catalyst to the Eight Divine Gates I planned to create.

I stored the heart as well as a bit of water in my storage ring for further research, then conjured a 'dragon' to get Kunlun on my side before leaving the cavern.

I was slightly saddened about not getting a pet dragon, but I could always create mine when the time comes. Anyway, I wouldn't lack pets in the future, since I was already on my way to get a pet cat.