Dragon Statue

Rover and Yinglian walked slowly along the rocky path, ascending through a trail that seemed rarely traveled. Wild shrubs grew on either side, as if nature itself had reclaimed the remnants of time.

Ahead, to their left, stood an ancient temple—its crimson walls weathered by years, the gold engravings along its pillars faded yet still bearing traces of their former grandeur. The curved roof, supported by towering columns, exuded an air of solemnity. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their soft creaking the only sound in the overwhelming silence.

Too quiet.

As if the temple was concealing something within its depths.

But what truly caught Rover's attention was the statue behind the temple.

A dragon.

The stone carving was immense, crafted from pure marble with breathtaking detail. Each scale was etched with precision, its piercing eyes radiating an air of authority. Its claws, poised as if ready to strike, gripped the air with an unyielding presence. The beast's sinuous body coiled around itself in a complex pattern, its tail curling with an elegance that seemed almost deliberate.

A guardian. Watching. Waiting.

Rover stepped closer, his gaze locked onto the dragon's eyes.

And then—

The world shifted.

Light vanished. The wind fell silent. The air grew heavy.

Everything turned to darkness.

Before him, something emerged.

A dragon, identical to the statue—only this one breathed.

Its massive form loomed over him, covered in scales that shimmered between black and white, locked in an endless struggle for dominance. Golden eyes stared down at him, wise yet foreboding. A single breath from the beast sent waves of unseen energy surging through the space between them.

What… is this?

Rover couldn't move.

The dragon simply watched, unmoving, as if expecting something.

As if it knew him.

And then—

The world returned.

The wind whispered once more. Sunlight filtered through the leaves. And a familiar voice broke through the haze.

"Rover?"

Rover's breath hitched. He was back. Standing in the same place. Before the same statue.

As if nothing had happened.

Yet his skin was damp with cold sweat. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. His right hand, he realized, had unconsciously clenched into a fist.

Yinglian approached, concern evident in her gaze.

"Hey, are you alright? Did you get hurt in that last fight?"

Rover turned to her, still caught in the lingering traces of his vision. What was that? A hallucination? Or something else entirely?

He forced himself to steady his breath.

"I'm… fine," he muttered.

Yinglian didn't look convinced. She studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes scanning for signs of injury. But what she saw wasn't physical—it was something deeper.

Something had changed within him.

But she didn't press the issue. Instead, she sighed softly and offered a small, knowing smile.

"Alright… if you say so. But if something's wrong, you'll tell me, won't you?"

Rover gave a slow nod.

Without another word, they resumed their journey, passing by the ancient temple.

Yet inside Rover's mind, one question remained.

What is the connection between that dragon… and me?

As they continued onward, a cool breeze drifted through the high cliffs where they had stopped. From here, the world stretched out before them—an endless expanse of green, the land rolling toward the horizon. A silver river snaked through the valley below, gleaming under the sun like a ribbon of liquid light. In the distance, shrouded in mist, the towering spires of Qinshu city stood tall, their silhouettes half-lost in the ethereal haze.

Rover remained silent, taking in the view. Beside him, Yinglian placed her hands on her hips, a spark of excitement lighting her expression.

"This road leads straight to Qinshu," she said. "That city you see over there? It's the heart of trade and culture in the eastern regions. Qinshu is always alive—full of merchants, artists, and travelers from every corner of the land. Its architecture blends the old with the new, a testament to the centuries it has endured."

Rover turned his gaze toward the distant city.

"Qinshu…" he murmured. The name felt foreign on his tongue, yet there was something about it—something that stirred a distant familiarity within him.

Yinglian continued, "You'll find everything there—markets selling rare spices, blacksmiths crafting high-quality weapons, ancient temples, famous teahouses… even adventurer guilds looking for new recruits."

She chuckled lightly before adding, "But I have another reason for heading there. I'm looking for someone—a woman named Meixue."

"Meixue?" Rover echoed, testing the name.

Yinglian nodded. "She used to live in these lands, but now she's disappeared. I have my own reasons for finding her, and Qinshu is the best place to start."

Rover glanced at her, noting the quiet determination in her voice.

"Is she a friend of yours?" he asked.

Yinglian hesitated, her gaze momentarily distant. Then, with a small smile, she answered, "Something like that. For now, I just need to confirm that she's safe."

The wind carried the rustling of leaves, filling the silence between them. Rover didn't press further.

"…Alright," he said at last. "If we're heading to Qinshu, we can look for her together."

Yinglian's expression softened. "Thanks, Rover."

Then, he noticed the device in her hands—a Wind Glider.

Its structure was light, crafted with intricate feather-like patterns. The fabric shimmered in white and gold, resembling the wings of a bird.

"This is a Wind Glider," Yinglian explained, adjusting her grip. "Once you jump, the mechanism activates automatically. Use your right hand to hold the main handle, and let the wings carry you downward."

Rover inspected his own Wind Glider before gripping the handle. Without hesitation, he jumped.

The wind caught beneath him instantly.

The glider's wings unfurled, and a weightless sensation spread through him. Cool air rushed against his face as he soared, the vast land unfolding beneath him. From up here, he could see everything—the sprawling forests, the winding river, and beyond them, the towering city of Qinshu.

Yinglian glided alongside him, effortlessly maintaining her balance in the air.

"You're a fast learner," she remarked with a small smile. "Now, let's land."

They descended onto a lower plateau, their feet touching down with ease. But before they could exchange words, a sharp metallic clash echoed in the distance—followed by an inhuman roar.

Both turned toward the sound.

There, amidst an open field, a lone woman battled against a group of monsters.

Rover paused.

The woman exuded a presence unlike any he had seen before. Her long, dark-green hair rippled in the air as she moved, her every motion fluid yet deadly. She wore a fusion of traditional and modern attire—a short black dress with gold and white accents, a thigh-high slit for mobility, and long, sheer sleeves that draped elegantly as she fought. Golden accessories adorned her hair and garments, enhancing her regal yet formidable aura.

But it wasn't just her appearance that caught his attention.

Behind her, floating with an ethereal grace, was a dragon-like spirit—a summon with a sleek, serpentine body. Its scales gleamed in pure white, traced with golden markings that pulsed faintly with energy. Its luminous eyes burned with intelligence, its tail swaying like a living entity.

"That's… Meixue?" Rover asked, still watching the scene unfold.

Yinglian nodded. "She's the one I've been looking for."

Meixue moved with flawless precision, evading the monsters' attacks with practiced ease. Her right hand lifted—and her summon responded instantly.

A surge of blue energy erupted from its form, shaping into a whip of pure light. With a single, effortless motion, Meixue lashed the glowing whip forward, striking the nearest beast and sending it crashing into the ground.

Rover and Yinglian exchanged glances.

"Should we help?" Rover asked.

Yinglian smirked. "I doubt she needs it… but let's get closer and see for ourselves."

Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the battlefield.