Chapter 36: The Diplomatic Marriage

Eating flesh, drinking blood—these creatures were on the verge of becoming dragon-transforming spirits. Some had only one chance left to leap through the Dragon Gate and ascend!

But the Great Crocodile Spirit stood in their way, its massive frame a wall of brute strength. It tore apart several frontline demons with savage bites—but how could it withstand this entire swarm of water fiends?

Before long, deep gashes riddled its body. Its blood mingled with that of the serpent-dragon, yet the stubborn crocodile refused to retreat. With a single thrust of its crooked horn, it pierced through a hundred-year-old Demon Knife Carp. Then, with a clawed swipe, it crushed a Frog Spirit. Finally, like a wild beast, it charged forward, sending every lurking demon tumbling off the dragon’s back.

“Oooohhhhh!!!”

For a moment, Big Black Tooth’s ferocity stunned the little demons. But beneath the waterfall, others lurked—creatures on par with the Storm Catfish. Their silhouettes emerged from the misty edges of the pool, low growls rumbling through the air.

All around him, roaring filled his ears. The dying Zhanchuan Dragon cracked open its heavy eyelids.

It saw a great black crocodile drenched in blood. It saw the water teeming with demonic spirits…
Its life was ending. Yet, in its final moments, it beheld something familiar—a small crocodile spirit it once knew.

Still so frail. Still never crossed the Dragon Gate.

And yet… not a single demon had come near it.

“Grrr…” The dragon whispered weakly, urging Black Tooth to flee. It would be torn apart soon enough.

“Oooohh! Oooohh! OOOOH!!!”

Black Tooth roared back, refusing to leave. It lunged again at a century-old Fang Fish, tearing it apart with claws and fangs. Blood spilled into the pool once more—fresh, crimson, washing over the waterfall’s recent rinse. Mixed in: the dark red flow from Black Tooth’s own wounds.

“Ooooh!!!”

It wouldn’t yield. In each guttural cry, it warned the entire lake. Not just the demons. To the dying dragon itself: *You can’t die. Only I can defeat you.*

Yes. In Black Tooth’s tiny world, Zhanchuan Dragon was the strongest being alive.

And its dream? To surpass that dragon.

Seeing the mighty serpent fall like this—it shook even Black Tooth.
Could a dragon truly be beaten?

This revelation struck deep. There were stronger things out there than dragons. The world was far vaster than he’d ever imagined…

But what did it matter?

He remembered the dragon’s power. He remembered the gentle hand that caught him as he fell from the waterfall.

Strength didn’t have to mean crushing the weak like the Wolf Spirits in the Dragon Vault.

It could be kind.

---

**Taming Dragon Academy**
*Recovery Loft*

Inside the quiet chamber, the old master of the Dragon Vault sat in silence, face grim.

“What happened?” He recognized Zhu Minglang—and also Duan Lan.

“Teacher Duan Lan was attacked in her spiritual domain,” Zhu Minglang said. “Her soul is wounded. She’s unconscious.”

“Unconscious? That’s an understatement. If we don’t act fast, she’ll be dead within hours.” The old man turned to the young woman beside him. “Xiao Li, help her sit up.”

The girl—Xiao Li—nodded. Clearly a healer for both humans and dragons, her movements were swift and practiced.

“Zhu Minglang! Zhu Minglang!”

Just as Zhu Minglang was about to collapse under worry, a booming voice echoed from outside.

“This isn’t your business,” the old master said coldly. “We’ll do everything we can to save her. I’ll inform the Headmaster. But you—go straight to the Li Imperial Court and tell them everything. This is no ordinary matter.”

Zhu Minglang nodded, then hurried out. He couldn’t help here.

As he stepped out, Hong Hao came sprinting toward him, breathless.

“A girl said your big crocodile dragon is surrounded by demons down at the waterfall—go now!”

Zhu Minglang’s face went pale. He bolted toward the falls.

“Wooooo~”

From the rooftop, Bai Qi glided down, wings unfurling—pure white, radiant, divine.

Grabbing the claw of the passing Ice-Chen White Dragon, Zhu Minglang leapt into the sky with the beast.

Hong Hao stood frozen, watching the two vanish into the distance.

In just one month… the Ice-Chen White Dragon was no longer mortal. And Zhu Minglang? He looked like a mysterious sage, cloaked in destiny.

---

A sudden freeze. Flakes of pristine down drifted onto the pool—like a sudden holy snowfall. Even the mist rising from the water turned to frost.

Zhu Minglang landed before the dying Zhanchuan Dragon and Black Tooth. Around them, the ground was littered with corpses—throats slit, bodies torn apart, bones shattered.

The pool was nearly covered in blood. Red as if painted with lacquer.

At the center of it all, on a large stone, lay a blue dragon—barely breathing.

Beside it, a small crocodile, battered and broken. Its once-black hide was now soaked in crimson—enemy blood, its own, mixed together.

Zhu Minglang’s throat tightened. His eyes blurred.

He knelt slowly beside the wounded crocodile, cradling Black Tooth in his arms.

“Whuuu…” The great crocodile finally broke. No more strength. No more pride. Just a child clinging to the one who saved it.

“Bai Qi,” Zhu Minglang said, voice ice-cold. “Kill them all.”

His gaze swept across the pool—filled with trembling demons. Cold fury burned in his eyes.

The Ice-Chen White Dragon matched his will perfectly. It rose slowly into the air, hovering above the lake, looking down upon these greedy, wretched creatures like a king surveying his realm.

“Woooo!”

A piercing cry. The dragon’s body erupted in shimmering ice crystals—layer upon layer, coating every feather, every downy filament. Glittering, blinding, like sacred armor. The once-gentle dragon now radiated regal power, terrifying and majestic.

“Wooouuuhhh!!”

The icy wings snapped open—cold wind exploded outward, freezing everything in its path.

This breath of frost was merciless. It could turn flowing water into towering glaciers. The demons, fleeing in panic, had no escape. Death’s gaze had already locked onto them.

“Crack… crack… crack…”

The surface froze solid—thick as stone. They tried diving deep, but the Ice-Chen White Dragon had seen through their plan.

“Crack… crack…”

On the ice, the demons stiffened. Their limbs froze. Their strength vanished. Slowly, they sank into the ice beneath them.

Skin first—turned to frost. Then muscle, bone—frozen solid. Even their blood stopped flowing, trapped in icy stillness.

One by one, ice statues rose from the pool—each a silent testament to death. Bai Qi showed no mercy. Not one demon escaped. All were erased.

“Huff… huff… huff…”

Wind lashed the frozen falls—striking the ice-bound demons like whips.

Flesh and bone, though strong, began to crumble. Cracked. Dissolved into fine, white dust—like powdered sand.

“Little Black Tooth… you protected Zhanchuan Dragon. It’s still alive…”

Zhanchuan Dragon lived!

It had been thrown into the River Li Chuan, swept downstream by raging currents—until it crashed into this waterfall.

Without Black Tooth’s sacrifice, it would’ve been devoured.

Zhu Minglang stared at the exhausted crocodile, barely able to stand. Pride swelled in his chest.

Well done.

That kind of spirit—wasn’t born in the mud of ordinary souls.

---

The academy’s instructors arrived. They carried the injured dragon back. With healers specializing in dragon beasts, Zhanchuan Dragon might survive. May Duan Lan wake up soon. Seeing her dragon still alive—she’d be so relieved.

After tending to Black Tooth, Zhu Minglang knew one thing remained.

“Rest well,” he said, gently cupping the crocodile’s head. He rubbed his forehead against it. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Ooo…” Black Tooth obeyed, lying down in a healing pool. Pain eased slightly.

Zhu Minglang left.

Xiao Li approached the pool, checking Black Tooth’s wounds—ensuring no venomous remnants lingered.

“Hmm? The torn flesh… just now it was raw… now it’s grown back?” She frowned, puzzled.

“Ooo?” Black Tooth let out a startled cry—then scrambled in the water.

Did it mean to die? Why was its skin peeling off?

“Don’t panic,” Xiao Li said. “Wait—why’s there light in your blood?”

She gasped.

“Ooooh!” Black Tooth looked down. Its wound was glowing.

Oh no. It was doomed. No cure.

“Master! Master! Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong!” Xiao Li rushed inside, frantic.

The old master shot her a sharp glare.

“I’ve got enough patients today. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Master, please—look at the big black crocodile! I’m scared!”

The old man had just finished stitching Zhanchuan Dragon’s wound. His hands weren’t even washed. Still, he followed Xiao Li to the healing pool.

He glanced at Black Tooth.

Then tapped her forehead with one finger.

“Calm down. Haven’t you seen a dragon transformation before?”

“Oh… oh! Wait—he’s transforming! That big black crocodile… it’s turning into a dragon!”

Xiao Li’s jaw dropped.