Yang Xiao's Wakeup Call

"So, are you going to back down after that? That would be a shame if you did. It's rare to get such a good opportunity to test one's limits." Yang Kai laughed, as he flew over to Zhu Qing chuckling as he did. Though he was looking at Zhu Qing, it was clear that he wasn't talking to her. 

Yang Xiao has always been an odd ball when it comes to being a dragon. This is largely due in part to his seclusion with Yang Xue. The one when they were young children, taken into the four seasons realm to learn the Dao of Time. So most of Yang Xiao's growth has been around a human girl. With no real adults teaching them common things. 

"Uncle, if you don't want to fight, that's fine. I'll just ask Mother Zhu or my Father to spar for a bit instead. I could use a bit of a stretch…" I tauntingly suggested, giggling as my body coiled in the void. 

"I'd love to spar with you son. But…" Zhu Qing said, holding a hand over her belly and gently rubbed. "I'm afraid it might cause some issues if I do… Wait, Son, that medicine works perfectly fine right?" She asked, then eyed the scroll that was in Yang Kai's hand. 

"Pfft… Mother Zhu, I would never, ever give you something I didn't have full confidence in. Remember, I want little siblings just as much as you want a baby and just as much as my honored grandparents want more grandchildren." I explained, in my heavy draconic voice. "There won't be any issues even if you wanted to go all out. I'm quite confident in my durability at the moment but I have yet to have a good measure to test it against." I continued. 

Zhu Qing grabbed the scroll from Yang Kai's hand in a super rare moment of bravery. She held onto it for quite awhile, meaning more than a few seconds. She was going for a huge benefit. While she was doing that, the onlookers were curious. 

"Brother Yang, your family is passing that scroll around like a drug. Is it really that good?" Luo Ting He asked, flying up closer struggling slightly with the pressure I was releasing. 

"Oh, this scroll. It's difficult to make a fair comparison. But I'll try. Think of it like redoing your entire life's cultivation only, significantly better. How much stronger would you be without any wasted effort or wasted time?" Yang Kai explained, struggling to make a good comparison. "Sorry, that might cut pretty deep, but that's the closest I can come to and it's not even fully accurate. Unless you understand the Dragon Language it would be impossible to understand it completely." He continued, keeping an eye on Zhu Qing, who just released the Scroll. 

Luo Ting He, hearing Yang Kai's words, became slightly regretful. The memories she had of the man she loved back then resurfaced causing a tear to fall. One she quickly wiped away. She took a moment to calm down. 

"You're right, that does cut deep. But, I suppose I should be thankful for you saying those words. It feels as if a weight has been lighted. I lost my lover long ago. It's weighed on me ever since causing me issues once I breakthrough to the 8th rank. Now though, I don't fear my future breakthrough. I'll never forget him, but I won't let myself be weighed down. I'll use that memory as fuel to move forward in the war." Luo Ting He said, seemingly growing slightly stronger though it wasn't nearly as significant as the change Yang Kai just went through. 

Zhu Qing transformed and at the same moment Su Yan grabbed the scroll for herself. Trusting that everything would be fine. But she quickly learned that it wasn't easy, the amount of pain that one goes through is what actually transforms the individual. They have to be in their Ancient Divine Spirit form in order to handle the pain. 

"That's the idea, sister Luo Ting He. If you'd like, I'm sure my son would be more than willing to spar with you." Yang Kai said, suggesting what would be a good idea to do next. 

Back with me I'm still waiting for Yang Xiao to come around. "Hey, Uncle, are you going to attack or not?" I asked, raising my dragon's brow. 

"We don't have to fight. I was just over confident with such a huge power change." Yang Xiao said, nervously glancing at me with a bit of a worrying look. 

"Uncle, right now there are only two individuals I don't have confidence in defeating, at least on this side of the No-Return Pass anyway." I started saying. "You started having a vote of confidence but now you see an overwhelming opponent." I continued, looking at his response. "It looks like you still need another quick kick in the right direction." I sighed, annoyed and then looked at Yang Kai for a nod. And then towards grandpa for the same. Once I got both of those I turned back to Yang Xiao with a hell of a glare. "Everyday, a child is born. Their parents will nurture their growth. A girl is taught certain things, and a boy is taught other things. This changes from culture to culture and race to race. But the majority teach their son's, and the son returns to battle. I trust you understand what this means, yes?" I started explaining. 

"It means the son avenges the father's passing." Yang Xiao answered, a little more confidently.

"Good, then we can actually start getting somewhere." I sighed relieved I wouldn't have to beat it into him. "There is another side to that phrase. And it is unfortunately going to cut my honored grandfather deep, which is why I turned for his approval… It is the duty of the father to be strong enough to not force his son to avenge him. But to survive long enough to fight side by side and then old enough to watch the son grow. We fight an existential war against an infinite army of absolute evil. There is no room for you to be so timid, Uncle. What if my cousin is a boy?" I continued, speaking the harsh truth of the world. "One can only regret if they come back alive. The dead tell no tales. And so, prepare yourself and give it everything you've got." I added, lunging forward to initiate the sparring battle.