Dragon Tamer

He had a hearty dinner.

Zhu Minglang stayed in an elegant courtyard, not feeling particularly drowsy. It was a good opportunity to use the Dragon Blood Essence acquired earlier that day to conduct bloodline shaping on the Little Black Dragon, which had just advanced in rank thanks to improved cultivation base.

The Blood of the Evil Dragon Essence from the hunting festival had not been used yet, but bloodline shaping did not require any elaborate ceremony, direct action would suffice.

The Evil Dragon Blood Essence was prepared.

Truth be told, the Evil Blood in the small bottle did carry a sense of Evil Qi.

This Evil Dragon, before it was slaughtered, seemed to have devoured thousands of people, and its blood, tainted by this brutality, had taken on an evil presence as if the souls of those thousands were locked within its dragon stomach, worsening its blood and giving it an inky black appearance.

Zhu Minglang opened the lid and began to draw out the blood essence from the Blood of the Evil Dragon Essence. Big Black Tooth had inexplicably been filled with Spiritual Energy during the day and now, without any warning, was undergoing bloodline shaping in the evening…

“Oh!”

Black Treasure inwardly complained, feeling that it should have been given some mental preparation. Its mouth still drooling and not even wiped clean, it had to endure such a grave ceremony of bloodline baptism!

As the blood essence was introduced into the body of the Refining Ash Black Dragon, Zhu Minglang activated his Spiritual Sense. In an instant, the brightly red veins of the spiritually blended Refining Ash Black Dragon manifested before his eyes, as if he could see right through its flesh and bones to the Living Blood flowing inside.

As the Evil Dragon Blood Essence entered its Living Blood, it mixed like ink drops in clear water, and the previously bright red blood of the Refining Ash Black Dragon quickly turned black.

As the Living Blood circulated within the Refining Ash Black Dragon, all of Big Black Tooth’s blood changed, and the flow of the Living Blood noticeably sped up!

Scorching hot and blazing. The Refining Ash Black Dragon itself belonged to the category of flame and black dragons, radiating dragon might as if it were a small black volcano erupting with lava.

With the merging of the Evil Dragon Blood Essence, the entire body of the Refining Ash Black Dragon became even more vigorous, its mighty flames churning like a raging furnace. Its Dragon Pupils were now ignited with black flames, and upon close inspection, one could feel as if falling into the mysterious and terrifying Purgatory of those pupils!

“Oh~~~~~~~~~”

The Refining Ash Black Dragon let out a roar, its eyes as if refined, the rolling flames even reflecting in the surroundings of the courtyard.

Zhu Minglang quickly noticed the flowers, the pond, the rockery, and the statues in the courtyard were enveloped in a layer of eerie Demon Fire—which did not burn any substance, yet emitted an incredibly dangerous aura.

“Squeak squeak squeak~~~~~~~~”

A bat inexplicably slid down from the beam; it seemed oblivious to the temperature of the Demon Fire in the courtyard.

As it flew across the courtyard, it suddenly burst into intense flames, consuming the small creature instantly and reducing it to ashes in the blink of an eye!

Zhu Minglang was stunned. Just then, the sound of two or three people’s footsteps approached from outside. They did not knock but pushed the courtyard door open directly.

“Don’t come in!” Zhu Minglang shouted loudly.

The door was already open, and two men immediately saw the Refining Ash Black Dragon standing in the courtyard, its body shrouded in nether flames, its pupils like soul demons from the depths of Purgatory. Without even looking directly at them, the men felt as if they had fallen into an abyss of Demon Fire, a dead hell of fire!!

The two men retreated in fear, stumbling as they did so.

Zhu Minglang hurriedly opened the Spirit Realm and put away the Refining Ash Black Dragon.

The Demon Fire in the courtyard lasted for a while before it slowly extinguished. Every flower and blade of grass, each tile and pebble, remained undamaged. However, the chirping insects, the night flies, and the unfortunate bat that had fallen into the courtyard were all turned to ashes by the power of the Purgatory Pupil Domain!

Pupil Domain!

In the eyes of the Little Black Dragon, there appeared a Purgatory of extinguished flames, and this Purgatory, reflected through the Dragon’s Pupil, manifested into the real world, casting itself upon this courtyard.

Flowers and trees may not be affected in the least, but living creatures would suffer fatal incineration!

Fortunately, Zhu Minglang had timely halted the two men who had visited during the night; otherwise, the moment they stepped half a pace through the gate, they would have ended up like the insects and bats, reduced to ash!!

Zhu Huo and Wang Xiao were already soaked in cold sweat, nearly believing they had opened the gates of hell and stepped into the furnace of Purgatory. The semi-translucent ghastly flames that scorched the domain were terrifyingly real.

“Sorry, I was training the dragon just now and didn’t expect you two to come late at night,” Zhu Minglang said with a bow.

“It is… it is our fault for not sending word ahead, Mr. Zhu. I am Zhu Huo, the major deacon of the Little Inner Court, and this man here is Wang Xiao, who oversees the external court’s trade. Hearing that the Junior Gatekeeper was traveling here, we specifically came to pay a visit,” Zhu Huo said with utmost respect.

Zhu Minglang had a faint impression of this major deacon; he was a trusted aide of his uncle, Zhu Wangxing, and a person heavily groomed by the Little Inner Court. Having visited the Zhu Gate within Droplet Lake in the Imperial City, Zhu Minglang had seen him once or twice.

“Junior Gatekeeper, Wang Xiao has always looked up to you and has specifically prepared some humble gifts for you. I would trouble Zhu Huo to introduce us,” said Wang Xiao, squeezing out a smile.

“If Mr. Zhu is cultivating, we will come back tomorrow,” Zhu Huo said.

“Is there something you need?” Zhu Minglang did not accept Wang Xiao’s humble gifts.

“We’re just worried that the elders would say we are not hospitable and afraid that Mr. Zhu would find it dull to live here alone. We have specially booked a table for a night banquet at Duoyue Tower and invited the top courtesan of Qin City to provide some entertainment and to welcome you,” Zhu Huo slowly revealed a smile that any man would understand.

Flower wine!

Zhu Minglang shook his head; he, who always maintained his purity, how would he go seeking pleasure with these old cabmen.

Nevertheless, Zhu Huo and Wang Xiao were too enthusiastic, and Zhu Minglang didn’t want to snub them, so he changed into a new outfit and went out.

A courtesan from Qin City?

These courtesans mostly sold their art, not their bodies. Zhu Minglang was purely going to drink and listen to music, to ease the weariness from his recent arduous cultivation. He had no other thoughts.

…

Upon arrival at Duoyue Tower, the building stood tall, capturing the night lakescape in its entirety and admiring the bright moon above while drinking wine and reciting verses under its light.

Zhu Minglang saw the courtesan, indeed possessing a stirring beauty.

With a table of delicacies and fine drinks, Zhu Huo and Wang Xiao were nowhere to be found, leaving Zhu Minglang alone in the luxurious and soundproofed private room. The courtesan swayed her waist and approached Zhu Minglang while singing clearly.

Like a gentle and colorful butterfly, she fluttered gracefully, her figure enchanting and her scent intoxicating.

“Mr. Zhu, do you find me beautiful?” the courtesan Lu Mu asked.

“Not bad.”

“Not bad?” Courtesan Lu Mu laughed, her cheeks full of alluring charm.

“If your guqin wasn’t aimed at me, I would give you a more polite assessment,” Zhu Minglang also smiled, his eyes bright and clear, not even slightly mesmerized by the courtesan Lu Mu.

“Buzz!!!!!!”

Suddenly, the courtesan Lu Mu’s smile froze, devoid of warmth. She plucked the strings of the guqin forcefully, and the sound became unbearably piercing!