Azure Dragon Form and the Mist Weaving Path

"The two children outside carry the bloodlines of the Ten Rings Holder and the Ta Lo Heir."

After thinking for a moment, Oaks reminded him:

"They possess both an innate affinity with the Ten Rings and the Dragon Heart. They can cultivate your Dragon Force, and in their hands, the Ten Rings can truly unleash their powerful amplifying effects."

This was not difficult to deduce. Yingli could temporarily control the Ten Rings, but she could not completely claim them, because over the past thousand years, the Ten Rings had become "bloodline-bound" to Wenwu.

However, Shaun and Xialing, who possessed Wenwu’s bloodline, could gain the Ten Rings’ recognition.

With Yingli’s bloodline as well, the two of them could cultivate Dragon Force—the special magic known as "Qi" that countered Soul Eaters.

And if either of them wielded the Ten Rings, they could use magic to fully unleash their power and display terrifying combat strength.

Oaks even surmised that Wenwu would be unable to seize control of the Ten Rings from Shaun or Xialing if they used Dragon Force.

Because Wenwu himself did not know Qi or any other magic.

If Oaks fought Wenwu instead, he could probably use his powerful magic to disarm the Ten Rings with ease, but Wenwu would still be able to reclaim them.

"In less than a month, the Ten Rings Holder will come to Ta Lo. During this time, we need to prepare properly…

"By the way, I’d also like to learn more about the ecology of the Ta Lo Realm—oh, right. Can I learn your Dragon Force?"

Oaks placed great importance on Ta Lo’s ecological data. It would be immensely significant for upgrading Avalon.

But Shenron was also a powerful Nature Demigod, which meant that if Oaks obtained its permission, he could… gain another transformation form!

"Of course."

A trace of amusement entered Shenron’s soul voice as its enormous head nodded slightly.

"Although you do not possess Ta Lo blood, your physique is more suited to learning my power than theirs.

"I can sense many powers of my kind within you."

"Yes, the Bear Demi-God, the Cheetah Demi-God, the Avian Demi-God, the Great Stag Demi-God…"

Oaks slowly closed his eyes. His powerful Demi-God-level soul power drew in vast Nature Force, healing Shenron’s old injuries that had lingered within it for thousands of years.

"I am a Druid, an emissary of nature. My earliest transformation forms and the favor of several Demi-Gods were inseparable—

"But this is my first time communicating with a local Nature Demigod."

"Relax. This is also my first time encountering an existence as extraordinary as you…"

Shenron’s huge head seemed to be smiling. It could clearly feel its condition rapidly improving under Oaks’ spell, its power—empty for thousands of years—quickly filling once more.

"Hmm? I feel… I seem to be able to sense their minds…"

"This is my gift to you: the ability to communicate with humans. You can chat with them whenever you have time."

"Haha… thank you very much!"

In the blink of an eye, a week passed.

After speaking with their aunt, receiving the Dragon Scale Armor, and successfully learning "Qi"—that is, Dragon Force—Shaun and Xialing were quite worried about Oaks’ condition.

"President Lin still hasn’t come out. The Great Guardian won’t do anything to him, will it?"

"Don’t worry. The Great Guardian has a very good temper."

Yingnan had already learned about Oaks from Shaun. Hearing this, she recalled the scene Guangbo had described, where the descendants of the Divine Beasts had "lined up to welcome" him.

"Earlier, at the Guardian Shrine, I did not get to meet your president in time. But according to Guangbo’s description, he may be even more welcome to the Great Guardian than we are."

Accepting this fact, Yingnan smiled and beckoned to Shaun and Xialing.

"We still have time. Your Dragon Force is still immature, so you need more practice."

Just as Yingnan was about to continue explaining something to them, a strange rumble came from the waters behind the village.

"What happened?"

Shaun was startled. He exchanged a glance with his sister and quickly ran out of the house.

Boom—

The previously calm water began to ripple slowly, as though jade-green light were glowing beneath its surface.

Then the current leaped and gradually formed a whirlpool that radiated brilliant light.

At the center of the whirlpool, a massive Red-Maned White Dragon shrouded in a soft golden glow soared into the sky, releasing a joyful dragon’s roar!

"That is…"

"It’s the Great Guardian!"

Yingnan and the villagers appeared beside Shaun and Xialing, their faces filled with astonishment.

"He seems to have grown much larger, and he looks incredibly happy. This…"

"Look! There’s something else!"

Xialing’s cry made them turn their eyes back toward the whirlpool.

A Red-Maned Azure Dragon, much smaller in size but shining with a jade-like radiance, shot out of the whirlpool and into the sky!

"This is…"

Roar—!!

The Azure Dragon let out a delighted dragon roar, then suddenly opened its great jaws. A mouthful of emerald Dragon Breath transformed into a hazy mist that drifted over every villager of Ta Lo!

"My old injuries… they’re all healed!"

"Mine too!"

"Even the injuries from training yesterday are completely healed!"

"I feel like my mind is clearer!"

The villagers felt the astonishing effects brought by the hazy mist in shock. With the mental enhancement provided by the mist, everyone heard an ancient, majestic voice.

"Residents of Ta Lo…"

"This is… the Great Guardian’s voice!"

Although the villagers had always known of the Great Guardian’s existence, not many had actually seen him.

And even those who had seen him never knew he could speak!

"With Lin Xingye’s assistance, I have returned to my peak, and I can now communicate with you."

Shenron’s soul voice spread through all of Ta Lo Village. Every villager with Dragon Force could hear it, including Shaun and Xialing.

"Within the Seal Gate, the Soul Eater has once again beguiled powerful outsiders into coming to Ta Lo, attempting to break open the gate.

"They failed in the past, but the person it has chosen this time is far from ordinary… Therefore, we must seize this opportunity to eliminate this hidden danger once and for all!"

"By your command!"

With Shenron personally issuing the order, every Ta Lo resident naturally obeyed.

Moreover, they had guarded the Seal Gate for generations. If they could solve the problem once and for all this time, they could finally live the ordinary lives they had not experienced in thousands of years.

The Azure Dragon dove down, flew to the shore, then transformed into Oaks and landed steadily on the ground.

"President!"

Shaun ran over in delight, staring incredulously at the smiling Oaks.

"That Azure Dragon just now…"

"Ah, thanks to Shenron’s help, I gained another transformation form. You must study Dragon Force properly. Only by combining Dragon Force with your special bloodlines can you take the Ten Rings from your father."

Oaks patted Shaun on the shoulder encouragingly.

"Dragon Force differs from the magic we are familiar with. It requires cultivation of the ‘heart,’ ‘body,’ and ‘technique.’ It is a special, harmonious state of mind. You are still far from it."

He then looked toward Xialing, whose face was filled with anticipation. After pondering for a moment, he finally asked:

"Xialing, what did you think of that move I used just now?"

"Hm? President Lin, do you mean the one that healed injuries…"

Xialing’s eyes lit up. During the time she had spent speaking with her aunt, she had never heard that Dragon Force could be used like this!

"That was incredible! My brother told me before about your healing magic, President Lin, but this is the first time I’ve seen it with my own eyes!"

"After Shenron taught me ‘Qi,’ or Dragon Force, I combined it with my own Nature Magic and developed a new ability. I call it the Mist Weaving Path.

"Unlike my Nature Magic, you who have learned Qi can study this move—

"Do you want to learn it?"

"Yes!"

Xialing agreed without hesitation.

Only a fool would refuse to learn it!

Countless people in the world coveted President Lin’s healing abilities, but he had long made it clear that the technique could not be passed on.

Yet who knew how this enormous windfall had fallen into her lap? With Shenron’s help, he had actually found another way to pass down his healing ability!

Although Dragon Force itself was an exceptionally rare and powerful ability, at the very least, all of Ta Lo’s villagers could learn it!

"Not everyone who possesses Dragon Force can learn this healing Qi."

Oaks glanced at the stunned Yingnan beside him and smiled with a nod.

"To repay Shenron’s favor, I will teach this ability to Ta Lo Village free of charge. But learning it requires not only a powerful foundation in Dragon Force, but also a delicate and clear mind, as well as a love for life—

"Xialing currently has the aptitude, but Shaun does not. So we will have to try before we know how many people in Ta Lo can learn it."

Shaun grimaced. Was the president saying his brain did not work properly…

Xialing, meanwhile, smugly rolled her eyes at her brother—

For the first time, she had accomplished something her brother could not!

"Thank you for your generosity, President Lin!"

Yingnan solemnly bowed deeply to Oaks. Dragon Force had given them powerful offensive and defensive abilities, but it was utterly useless for healing injuries.

But from this day onward, things would be different—

Even if only two or three people in the entire village could learn this ability, it would be a complete transformation for the village!

"Shenron has already returned to its peak. In truth, the two of us alone could deal with the thing behind the Dark Gate.

"But our original purpose in coming to Ta Lo was to help Shaun and Xialing resolve the misunderstanding between them and their father.

"It has now been confirmed that the culprit who tempted Wenwu, causing him to voluntarily drop his guard and leading to the children’s mother being killed by her enemies in order to lure him to Ta Lo, was the Soul Eater."

Oaks seriously explained to Shaun, Xialing, and Yingnan the conclusions he and Shenron had reached concerning Wenwu and the Ten Rings.

"Therefore, unless it becomes a critical moment, Shenron and I will not intervene…

"We will protect you from having your souls devoured by the Soul Eater and making it stronger.

"But Shaun, Xialing, you must personally save your father from the Soul Eater’s temptation and personally avenge your mother—

"Only then can you truly mend the flaws in your hearts and have a chance to reach the perfect realm of Qi.

"Can you do it?"

"We… can definitely do it!"

Shaun and Xialing spoke in unison, their words ringing with conviction.