Chapter 19: The Dragon of Advancement

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“They say the Dragon Taming Academy stands apart from all city-states—more like an independent sect, almost a religious order in its own right,” Zhu Minglang mused as he walked through the forest, noticing that the academy’s buildings seemed grander, more imposing than those of the surrounding cities.

He arrived at the Great Lecture Hall—a massive stone structure rising straight from the ground. Its outer walls were built from countless moon-white pebbles, while wooden staircases spiraled around the exterior, winding upward to the lofty lecture hall high above.

Four balconies extended from each corner of the hall. As Zhu Minglang climbed up one, he caught sight of a trained avian pseudo-dragon perched on the railing, saddle strapped to its back. Either a teacher’s mount or some rich student showing off—either way, it was a statement.

Avian pseudo-dragons were hybrids of pterosaurs and giant bird dragons. The academy had tamed many. Once bound by soul-tether, they could become personal mounts. They could also be exchanged for credits—but not for something as trivial as hunting fish demons.

Zhu Minglang arrived early and claimed a seat near the center.

Soon, familiar faces filtered in—his dorm mates, including the aloof young man who’d been with him on enrollment day. He sat just ahead of Zhu Minglang.

The instructor hadn’t arrived yet. Zhu Minglang flipped idly through the borrowed book in his hands.

“Did you hear? A golden fire dragon’s been wreaking havoc in Eastsun City lately. The wild rebels from Wutu haven’t dared cross the border since. Everyone in Ancestor Dragon City’s talking about the dragon rider now.”

“That’s Luo Xiao,” someone said. “Recently recruited by the Li family. Rumor is he’s ruthless.”

“Gotta fight in battle to make your mark,” boomed Hong Hao. “Once my wolf spirit transforms into a dragon, I’ll conquer a city of my own. You’re all welcome to visit—your host will treat you like royalty. Hahahaha!”

Hong Hao had a massive wolf spirit—ferocious, relentless. His favorite pastime? Dragging his beast into duels with anyone who’d dare challenge him. Every single one of the other ten students in their dorm had been thoroughly beaten by him and his wolf. He’d earned his title: Dorm Lord.

Aggression was indeed one of the paths to unlocking the Dragon Gate. Hong Hao’s training path wasn’t wrong—just… expensive.

“Honestly, if anyone’s gonna turn into a dragon, it should be Nan Ye,” said Li Shaoying, clearly unimpressed by Hong Hao’s bravado. “His spirit’s already casting low-level spells. His dragon’s a true dragon heir—just still growing. When he matures, he’ll be a full-blooded titan. Unlike us, scrambling to find our way to the gate.”

Zhu Minglang sighed inwardly.

Li Shaoying—such a pain in the neck. Who talks to outsiders like that? If his uncle didn’t stockpile enough medicinal wine for bruises, he’d be out of luck.

Li Shaoying was referring to Nan Ye—the same cold-eyed guy who’d enrolled with Zhu Minglang.

So *that* was why he’d looked down on the storage halls’ little spirit creatures. He’d started with a real dragon. No wonder.

Nan Ye sat quietly, silent as ever, not engaging with his classmates.

A faint smile played on his lips—probably because Li Shaoying had just flattered him. Sometimes, words lose their weight when spoken by the speaker themselves. But when another says them? Instant effect.

Suddenly, Nan Ye became the center of attention. Even the girls whispering softly nearby couldn’t help glancing over at him again and again.

“My wolf spirit will transform into a dragon any day now,” Hong Hao shrugged. “Don’t talk to me about ‘young dragon heirs.’ Left unattended, my wolf might just eat it for dinner.”

Nan Ye frowned.

He turned sharply toward Hong Hao, voice icy. “You clearly don’t understand the difference between a dragon and a beast. Even as a hatchling, it could tear your wolf limb from limb.”

“I don’t care for debates,” Hong Hao said coolly. “In this dorm, everyone except Zhu Minglang has been beaten senseless. If you’ve got guts, go prove it against him.”

Zhu Minglang froze.

What kind of verbal jujitsu was this?!

He was just sitting there, trying to stay invisible—why did he keep getting dragged into the spotlight?

The others in the dorm were stunned too. Li Shaoying opened his mouth to correct him—then shut it fast when Hong Hao shot him a glare.

Zhu Minglang studied Hong Hao carefully.

Thought he was just a brash hothead. But now it made sense: he wanted to test Nan Ye’s strength, but feared the boy’s young dragon. So he used this move—both a challenge and a punishment for the outsider who didn’t fit in.

“Is that right?” Nan Ye turned to Zhu Minglang, voice dripping with mockery. “You’re the one who showed up on enrollment day looking like a beggar, begging for a spirit. And now, after a month, you think you’re worthy?”

*Beggar?*

Zhu Minglang stiffened.

He’d worn simple clothes that day—nothing more. Not even close to a beggar.

This was deliberate humiliation.

“You’re still clutching that spirit you picked up on day one—some white mountain chicken, right? Hold on tight. I don’t even need my green dragon. One hand could crush it.”

Zhu Minglang’s blood simmered.

Insulting him? Fine. But insulting Bai Xiao? That crossed a line.

“Eeeeee—”

A soft, sleepy chirp echoed through the air.

Bai Xiao, the ice-crowned white dragon, slowly blinked open its eyes.

Its tail unfurled like ripples on water. Wings stretched gently, feathers gleaming like frost under morning light—crystalline, radiant, regal, like a princess waking beneath the dawn.

It lifted into the air, gliding toward the demonstration platform in front of the hall. Diamond-bright eyes locked onto Nan Ye, sharp, proud, and chillingly cold.

Zhu Minglang thought Bai Xiao was just asleep, indifferent to the world. But apparently, it felt every word.

“Wow… what kind of dragon is that?” a few female students whispered, breathless. The beauty of the white dragon was undeniable—ethereal, haunting.

“Some chickens live on flashy feathers,” Nan Ye sneered. “You’ve never seen a real dragon.”

With a flick of his wrist, he pressed his right hand down onto his left forearm. The palm of his left hand ignited—revealing his spirit domain.

“Spirit Domain! Nan Ye already has a spirit domain!”

“He’s really a dragon rider? But he just enrolled!”

A spirit domain allowed a dragon rider to summon and recall their bonded dragon. Before both human and dragon passed the first Dragon Gate, ordinary spirit caretakers couldn’t call their beasts—they lacked the domain.

“ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!”

A thunderous roar split the air—louder than any mountain tiger. On Nan Ye’s palm, a glowing green sigil appeared, pulsing with power. Light shot across the hall, projecting a tenfold-sized version of the sigil into the air.

It hovered like a mirror—open, ready to reveal another world.

“ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!”

Another roar. From within the sigil, a green-scaled dragon stepped forth.

Two meters tall, covered in thick, rough emerald hide. Its head resembled a monstrous lizard, nostrils puffing green vapor. Fangs jutted out like daggers.

Broad chest, swollen belly—its skin tougher than steel. Wolf claws or crocodile fangs wouldn’t scratch it.

Standing upright, its hind legs were powerful enough to crush stone slabs. Front limbs were shorter, still lacking the long, slicing claws of a mature predator.

A Greenwood Dragon—still young.

Hong Hao’s face went pale.

Thank goodness he’d sent Zhu Minglang to test it first. Otherwise, his wolf would’ve been bitten clean in half.

Compared to this beast, his own wolf was nothing more than a wild animal—no trace of dragon blood.

Fifty students in the hall stared in disbelief.

Even as a hatchling? This thing was terrifying!

Such size. Such aura. Crushing dominance over all life.

What would it become when fully grown?

“Dragons and chickens—there’s a difference,” Nan Ye declared, voice laced with superiority.

The ice-crowned white dragon was small in comparison. But size wasn’t everything.

Slowly, Bai Xiao spread its wings and rose into the sky. Its long tail draped gracefully behind.

Hovering like a butterfly above a flower, it paused midair—wings barely moving.

Yet around it, wind surged. The air twisted, coiling into a narrow, focused vortex.

“Whoooooo…”

Then—suddenly—it folded its wings shut. The entire body plunged into the wind tunnel like a spear.

Speed exploded. The vortex intensified, roaring like a storm.

And then—*CRASH!*

The white dragon struck the Greenwood Dragon’s chest like a blade of wind.

The green dragon skidded backward, slammed into the stone wall, shaking the entire hall.

“Grrrroooowwwww…”

The Greenwood Dragon collapsed, groaning, unable to rise.

Bai Xiao released its control over the wind. It landed lightly atop the green dragon’s head, tail swatting its snout—like an old, exasperated teacher scolding a misbehaved child.

Silence filled the hall.

How could such a fearsome beast fall so easily?

And how could something so delicate—so harmless-looking—unleash such devastating power in an instant?