In this moment.
Zi Di felt as if the entire world around her was being pulled away, quickly distancing itself from her.
She couldn’t hear the cries of shock and agony, couldn’t see the blood-soaked battlefield.
She couldn’t even feel herself.
Her eyes had only one person.
"Long Fu? It’s him!" The City Guards saw the Dragon-man youth and exclaimed in astonishment. Many showed excitement as if seeing a celebrity in real life.
"Wait, how can there be two Long Fu?!" Members of the Lijian family familiar with the inside story were stunned.
They clearly knew that there was a "Long Fu" unconscious on the bed in the room.
Zi Di had never had any doubts. From the first moment she saw the Dragon-man youth, she knew this was true.
She didn’t know why, but she could confirm it.
From the bottom of her heart, she was sure!
Zi Di’s gaze became misty as memories resurfaced before her eyes.
Countless times of mutual support and understanding on Mysterious Monster Island.
"I am your Knight."
All the way to the underground of Mysterious Monster Island, in front of the Mage Tower, the youth shouted: "I am a beast! But who among you isn’t?"
...
Promises of the future once made.
"We will have children."
"Yes. In spring, we’ll take the children for outings. In summer, we’ll lean by the castle window, watching the storm outside. In autumn, we’ll take the children hunting. In winter, we’ll gather around the fireplace, telling them fairy tales."
...
When Zi Di became a Ghost Girl, the Dragon-man youth led the survivors, gradually paving a path.
Zi Di’s heart was entirely with him, no matter if he turned into a Dragon-man or other forms.
"Our composition is too complex, too many races, too many differences in faith."
"He is the only one who can make everyone believe."
"You can’t even begin to believe, among them are the Half-Beast, Half-giant, goblins, and even the Undead Mage!"
"Even if Zong Ge advances to Golden Level, there is no way he could accomplish what he has."
"He is special!"
...
In the naval battle on Snake Rat Island, when survivors were trapped in self-blame, the Dragon-man youth shouted: We fight for survival, this is justice!
Twin Eyes Island, Ice Sculpture Island.
When the Dragon-man youth wanted to rescue Lan Zao, Zi Di took no action to stop him, because she knew—this is what she understood of the Dragon-man youth.
...
Leaving Snowbird Port, Zi Di forged ahead through hardships and eventually reached the Royal Capital.
But things never truly improved, she exerted all her energy, fought with all her might, leveraging all her strength until even allies turned into enemies.
Yet she never gave up, nor was she ever disappointed in the Dragon-man youth.
She believed in him but did not wholly rely on him.
She walked all the way to today, enduring disdain, treachery, misunderstanding, underestimation, she even severed ties with her father for a time, relying on herself!
Just like in Mysterious Monster Island, she was never a parasite clinging to the youth.
They helped each other!
"I will surely give my all to achieve our shared goals!" This was her belief in Mysterious Monster Island, equally so, her motivation for leaving Snowbird Port and advancing her commercial plans in the Royal Capital.
Until the Lijian family exerted their power, confined her and Zong Ge, until the Pearl Bubble in her hand ran out, until Hua Tang’s dagger struck her...
She was striving, making every effort to struggle.
But she truly couldn’t hold on anymore.
Her capability was limited, her level too, her talent was more constrained in business.
She had even died!
Couldn’t hold on.
She couldn’t sustain it.
But at the crucial moment, he returned!
Just like before.
"I knew it, I’ve always known."
"Lord, you must come back!"
Zi Di turned slightly, looked up. She gazed at the determined face lining of the Dragon-man youth, an intense sense of security swelling from deep within her heart.
"Now, you are back at my side."
"You are my Knight."
"Beast Knight."
Zi Di’s lips slightly curled, bringing a trace of happiness.
The Dragon-man youth also lowered his gaze to Zi Di, their eyes met, his gaze filled with encouragement and comfort.
Zi Di’s performance was far better than he had imagined, from the moment he truly appeared, Zi Di settled completely.
Trust, complete trust.
The Dragon-man youth felt Zi Di’s intense trust in him.
This did not come from thin air.
It was accumulated from their steadfastness on Mysterious Monster Island, through trials and tribulations, overcoming suspicion, misunderstanding, and past mistakes.
Zi Di’s performance saved the Dragon-man youth the trouble of words, he slightly looked up, gazing at Hua Tang, the warmth in his dragon eyes vanished rapidly, leaving only a cold battle intention.
The Dragon-man youth spoke: "Hua Tang, you fell into the trap."
Hua Tang’s dagger was grasped by the Dragon-man youth, unable to be withdrawn with all his might, he could only resort to his Combat Skill.
Hua Tang and the Dragon-man youth were close, all combat skills came instantly.
Zi Di screamed in shock.
But the next moment, the Dragon-man youth equally exhibited a Golden Level Combat Skill, perfectly blocking Hua Tang’s attack.
Zi Di’s scream abruptly stopped, she looked at the Dragon-man youth, her expression dazed.
"Squad leader... has already reached Golden Level?!"
Originally, Zi Di was painstakingly plotting to enhance the Dragon-man youth’s Transcendent Level using ice block wine. Instead, they fell into the Lijian family’s trap. Zong Ge became unconscious, leaving Zi Di deeply disappointed.
Disappointed in such tactics, hidden potential risks, very likely unsuitable for the Dragon-man youth anymore.
But what she hadn’t expected was, upon reunion, the Dragon-man youth already exhibited a Golden Level stance!
"During this period, what exactly has he experienced?" Zi Di questioned internally.
"Long Fu? Did I see wrong, he’s Golden Level?" Seeing this scene, those present couldn’t help but rub their eyes.
Hua Tang simply abandoned the dagger, rapidly retreated, and after creating distance, squinted, cautiously observing the Dragon-man youth.
Long Fu spoke again, as if in explanation: "I have you to thank. The Ice Calamity’s frost aura has time’s power, allowing me to break through the final barrier and successfully advance to Golden Level."
The youth spoke as he walked towards Hua Tang.
Whoosh.
The next moment, he suddenly surged forward, charging out in an instant. His entire body was covered in crimson dragon scales, leaving a trail of flowing fire in the retinas of everyone watching.
Clang!
Hua Tang caught the trajectory of the Dragon-man youth’s attack.
In the next instant, Dragon Claw collided fiercely with the dagger, producing a crisp metallic clash.
The Dragon-man youth remained motionless, while Hua Tang was fiercely blasted away, clearly showing the immense disparity in their strengths.
The Dragon-man youth planted his feet firmly, knees slightly bent, and stamped heavily on the ground.
Combat Skill—Riot.
He struck Hua Tang like a human cannonball.
Hua Tang exerted his full effort in his combat skill, but could only resist with difficulty.
The Dragon-man youth displayed powerful close combat abilities, every punch and kick heavy as could be, destroying the surroundings in just a few rounds, leaving them teetering on the brink of collapse.
Hua Tang mainly focused on dodging.
The attacks he managed to land on the Dragon-man youth had little effect.
Once he reached the Golden Level, the defense of the dragon scales seemed to have increased several times over.
Pff.
Hua Tang’s abdomen was struck by the Dragon-man youth’s fist, bending him over harshly and causing him to cough up a mouthful of fresh blood.
The blood transformed into petal-like forms in mid-air.
Retreat!
He desperately flew backward; despite being injured, his movements remained graceful, his flower-patterned robe fluttering in the wind.
In an instant, Hua Tang had widened the distance between himself and the Dragon-man youth.
Previously, there was still a light cover, but with the destruction of the Magic Array, the cover vanished accordingly.
Without the obstacle of the hemispherical light cover, Hua Tang’s retreat was quite smooth.
Members of the Lijian family observed this scene frantically, and someone among them shouted, "Lord Long Fu, pursue!"
However, the Dragon-man youth did not give chase; instead, he returned to Zi Di’s side.
He announced loudly, "From here on, it’s no longer my affair."
Awakened by this sentence, the Commander of the City Guard immediately shouted, "After him!"
A swarm of people rushed out in pursuit.
The battle was over.
The previous residence was largely unrecognizable, with a majority violently dismantled by the Dragon-man youth.
The original balcony had mostly vanished, with the wall connecting to the balcony side already missing, leaving a huge gaping hole that exposed the bedroom scene.
On the ship in the bedroom, Zong Ge disguised as Long Fu, still lay motionless on the bed.
The Dragon-man youth lightly leapt, landing on a fragment of the balcony, walking up to Zi Di.
He smiled slightly and opened his arms, as if saying—I’m back.
If Zi Di were not already dead, she would have shed hot tears immediately.
In the next moment, she instinctively plunged into the Dragon-man youth’s embrace.
Concerns about revealing her innermost feelings and relationship with the squad leader were tossed aside without hesitation.
The Dragon-man youth embraced the girl, gently stroking Zi Di’s back, remaining silent.
Present on the scene, the battle-ridden Lijian family members were standing, lying, bathed in blood, bones broken, or even collapsed completely.
All eyes converged on the Dragon-man youth and Zi Di, expressions exceedingly complex.
Many were aware that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was held under soft detention by the Lijian family.
A few who were privy to insider details had minds full of uncertainty at this moment.
"How can there be two Long Fu?"
"Neither has flaws, but judging by appearances, the latter one should be genuine."
"What is really happening? Could it be just as Long Fu said, this is all a ploy and he was never wounded?"
"If this is all Long Fu’s scheme, does it mean our family has fallen victim too?"
"Lord Long Fu." Following their authority, the Lijian family members who assumed the Noble Housekeeper’s role approached the embracing pair.
The Dragon-man youth released the embrace and looked at the newcomers, displeased with a cold snort.
"The Lijian family, well enough... I only wanted to draw out enemies like Hua Tang but didn’t expect to witness your family’s true nature."
The Lijian family members hurriedly gestured expressing: surely there is a misunderstanding, the Lijian family remains a staunch ally of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!
"Enough." The Dragon-man youth waved to halt the Lijian family member’s continued speech.
He stood on the balcony and glanced down.
The Sky Armor Guards acting as the Lijian family’s elite squad had suffered more than half losses after clashing with Hua Tang.
The Dragon-man youth gave a faint look at the Noble Housekeeper, confirming he was thoroughly dead.
Then, he entered the bedroom, coming to Zong Ge’s side.
Zi Di followed him inside.
The Dragon-man youth told her, "Gather our people, leave the city immediately, we’ll seek another place to stay."
"Hmm." Zi Di obediently responded.
The previous pressure seemed to have dissipated completely. The real leader of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had returned, and she merely needed to heed orders.
Seeing the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps ready to leave, the Lijian family member who replaced the Housekeeper muttered under his breath in alarm.
If the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps departed, the burden he would bear would become tremendous!
He steeled his will, forcing a smile, "Lord Long Fu, why leave the city at night? It’s still quite safe here..."
Bam.
The Dragon-man youth swung his arm, delivering a light punch to the Lijian family member.
The latter became like a sandbag, flung against the wall, then crashing to the ground.
He grimaced in pain, clutching his chest, locking eyes on the Dragon-man youth, grimacing incessantly as the pain made him gasp for air.
The Sky Armor Guards below detected this moment, seemingly stirred.
The Dragon-man youth chuckled softly, but his voice was clearly heard by everyone present, "The Lijian family, hmph!"
"The score between us definitely requires proper settling."
"I will personally discuss with Mian licang."
"Those not qualified, just keep silent. Is preserving your life not a good thing?"
The Lijian family members remained as silent as cicadas in winter.
Their leader—the Noble Housekeeper had already perished.
The Sky Armor Guards were mostly scattered in disarray. Many perished under Hua Tang’s hand, who was then repelled head-on by Long Fu.
The critical factor was that Long Fu showcased Golden Level strength in this battle!
"Did he truly break through using the ice halo?"
"Or did he always have it hidden?"
Various doubts and speculations surged within the hearts of all, yet no one dared to voice them.
As the Dragon-man youth said—they are not qualified.
Whereas the Dragon-man youth, having ascended to Golden Level, was indeed qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with the same level as Mian licang.
This is the world of the strong!