Dragon Sovereign

The Four Guardians' Palace. Yet another one of Wodan's marvel of nature as countless trees coalesced to form a natural architecture that rivaled even those made by human hands.

A palace naturally grown, its walls and roofing had this innate paint as if nature itself took the role of a master painter.

Its ruler had naught a throne, for the one that held dominion over all beasts, both divine and spirit, must venerate the freedom to roam Wodan in all of their bestial glory. This ruler had a royal garden, the trees all colorful, a delightful pond with coi fishes swimming. The blue sky above adding to the serene ambience.

Zhen and Daji marched, the four guardians following close behind as they made their way to the center of this pristine garden.

Hands behind her back, Zhen offered some kind of backhanded compliment to the beasts behind her.

"Although this place pales in comparison to our Celestial Palace, I am forced to admit that this headquarters of yours has its own charm."

Jiawei scoffed, "So high and mighty. You humans are so arrogant that you forgot to factor in that what you had to build by hand, Wodan simply gave to us."

A reply challenging Zhen, one laced with traces of hatred. Zhen smirked. Good, hatred can be tipped into like, as Zhen shows to Jiawei that she is serious in winning her heart. Ah, but Zhen cannot resist the urge to champion her humanity, she must fire back even if it means coaxing Jiawei's hatred towards her.

"Arrogance? Perhaps. Pride? Definitely. A pride that extends even to our creations. The more laborious a task is, the greater the sense of pride we derive from finishing it."

"Oh? Even if the task pertains to killing innocent spirit beasts so you can harvest their soul cores?"

Zhen raised her brow upon hearing Jiawei's reply. There are indeed those that relished the killing of spirit beasts, hunters. But the ill-will of humanity extends to even their own.

"Even if the task pertains to slaughtering a rival sect, or mercilessly dispatching those that offended us with words. As we are creatures of pride, we are also creatures of strife. We enact violence even to our kind. Ah, but violence is not all that we know, we are also posses the capacity to do good. I believe there are humans who advocate against the usage of soul cores and would even go as far as to build a sanctuary for spirit beasts."

"For each Spirit Beast you help, you murder five. All for you alchemy and soul core harvesting." Jiawei chuckled. "This capacity of yours pales in comparison to the misdeeds you have brought upon Wodan."

"Ah, then perhaps you shouldn't judge us humans by our worst. If you would let me, then I can show you what we humans do best."

"And what might that be?"

A coy smile etched upon Zhen's face, but before she could answer Jiawei's question, they had reached their destination, the Garden centre.

Winds howled all over. The mighty gale shook the trees, yet tempered enough to not uproot them. A show of how the Dragon Sovereign had complete control over air. From the sky, the wind incarnate descended. A green dragon with majestic, shining scales. Qinglong, the leader of Wodan's Four Guardians.

His gigantic body almost eclipsing the sun, Qinglong gazed down at the pale-haired human, sensing something special about her.

"An ice dragon true, yet your aura couldn't be farther from our kin. How amusing."

Zhen smirked at the compliment, but even more so at the juicy thought of engaging a fellow dragon, pitting her ice against the sovereign's wind.

Ah, she must hold herself, not until she had gotten to the bottom of what these beasts are planning!

For now, Zhen cupped her hands, showing her respect to this astonishing Divine Beast.

"Likewise, it is my honor and privelege to stand before a symbol of raw might."

Qinglong nodded. His gaze then fell to the foxy woman next to Zhen.

"You have grown your ninth tail, Daji. It is tradition that we have only four, but if you would stay, I can bend the rules and open a slot for the fifth Guardian. What say you, Hulijing of legend?"

(You really want me to be on your side so bad for whatever you're planning?) Daji smirked. (Sorry, old dragon, but my flames have been tamed by another's ice.)

"It would be a great honor but unfortunately, I am bound to this troublesome human, you see. Thus, I would have to reject your offer, Old dragon Qin."

Shorter than a split-second, Zhen sensed the sword intent of Jiawei flare from behind them, the intent to make Daji's head roll but not quite. A mitigated aggression, that aimed to threaten Daji for whatever slight she had committed...but not on Zhen's watch.

Fast as lightning, Jiawei's wodao blade had been drawn from its scabbard. But before it could hover over Daji's skin, a sword made from ice clashed against it.

Equally as swift with her blade, Zhen emanated an aura of invincibility through the sword in her hand. That every attack Jiawei would make, Zhen will cut through, taking Jiawei down together with the Qilin's own blade. Such brazen show of intent and the skill to back it up. It could only mean one thing...

Their blades remaining locked, Jiawei gripped tight her wodao, "You're a Sword Saint."

Saints not by virtue, but by their profound ability to cut through anything and everyone. All they need, is their sword and they shall cleave both heaven and earth.

"That I am." Zhen declared with pride.

The Dragon above them spoke with grave expected of an Overlord, "Jiawei, sheathe your blade. Daji deserves to call me as such, all five of you grew up together under my watch."

Jiawei retracted her blade, spinning it before sheathing it inside her scabbard with a click.

Likewise, Zhen's ice jiandao vanished into thin air as the atmosphere once again became civil.

Qinglong's stare fell into Zhen, the Dragon inquired, "Now, for what purpose did a Heavenly Court elite travel all the way out here in Wodan?"

(The court sent me to prevent you from wiping out humanity.)...is what Zhen wanted to outright say, but such direct provocation might not lead to the answer she seeks. The nature of 'how' and 'what' these Divine Beasts will be using to kill all humans are still unknown.

"I am on a vacation with my Huli Jing lover. Let us say, I am seeking to know more about the place she spent the majority of her early years."

The Dragon Sovereign's jaws became ajar, a smile for he deduced Zhen's bold-faced lie. He had sent an invite for Daji before.

"Ah, then allow me to properly receive you as the Four Guardians' guest. As such, it would only be appropriate to have one accompany you as your...(spy) escort, anything you need in Wodan, your chosen Guardian shall provide."

Zhen turned around, one smile at the blindfolded woman and her decision was clear.