This region is called the Dragon Lands, home to many different species of dragons.
There are Wild Earth Dragons ?? that live deep in the forest, towering from 3 to 10 meters, with echoing roars ???; they often move in packs. Sometimes, they even rush out of the forest, destroying surrounding villages ??, causing chaos and fear. Only those who are strong and brave can tame them to be their own Dragon Mounts ??.
Along the great rivers live long, two-legged dragons, 20 to 30 meters long, known as Water Dragons ??. Notably, some Water Dragons possess four legs, wield numerous spells and the ability to shapeshift into human form. They are worshipped by the villagers as Gods ??, who build temples and annually sacrifice livestock to ensure the Water Dragons protect the fishing villages from natural disasters and dangers, their murmured prayers ?? echoing every night.
The most extraordinary species is the flying dragon, called the Yinglong (?ng Long) ??. The common folk often call them Divine Dragons, as they rarely appear but are responsible for governing a vast territory. If a Water Dragon commits an evil deed, the Yinglong will appear, striking down lightning ? and punishing the Jiaolong (Giao Long—another name for Water Dragons). Sometimes, they even kill the Jiaolong, leaving the corpse to rot on the ground for many days, leaving behind a foul smell ?? and a ghastly sight as a warning to all. Humans are forbidden from moving the carcass, eating the meat, skinning it, or doing anything else with the Jiaolong corpse, as that is an insult to the Divine Dragons.
The Jewel Kingdom ?? is just one part of these Dragon Lands, located on the eastern side.
Noe also discovered the Doanh Lord's mysterious background. Before the Doanh Lord had to seek refuge in Atlantic, he was a member of the royal family, a direct descendant of the Jewel King. He failed in the struggle for the throne and had to flee to a foreign land, accompanied by trusted peers like Rau B?c (Silver Beard) and the Golden Dragon ??. They lived in Atlantic for over 50 years before daring to return home.
However, shortly after returning to the Jewel Kingdom, he was captured by the Grand National Master ??? and handed over to the current king, who was, by relationship, the Doanh Lord's nephew, for judgment. Somehow, the Doanh Lord was spared, and was even granted a small city called Doanh Thành. He abandoned his old name, taking the city's name as his surname: Doanh, and his given name: Th??ng Dan (Commoner). He was called Doanh Th??ng Dan and lived peacefully for 20 years, married, had children, and invited his old friends from Atlantis to help him build a new life.
At that time, Doanh Th??ng Dan constantly felt he was at death's door. He often recounted the story to his son, describing his epic battle with the Grand National Master, filled with the clash of swords and the explosion of magic ?. Even the Golden Dragon ?? was no match for the Grand National Master, and Doanh Th??ng Dan and Rau B?c were forced to surrender. When captured, Doanh Th??ng Dan had to swear many vicious oaths ??, pledging absolute loyalty to the king and the lineage chosen by the king as the next Jewel Monarch, just to save his life until this day.
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This oath remains valid for subsequent generations, including Doanh Th??ng Quan's elder brother, who had to remain a guest in the capital of the Jewel Kingdom for over 10 years.
Now, Doanh Th??ng Quan (the Young Master) must replace his older brother in the capital for 10 years, allowing the brother to return to his parents. Noe's student said nothing, only bowing his head in agreement, his face saddened ??, and returned to his room to prepare for the long journey. Although he was told he would have complete freedom for 10 years in the capital, with one week a month to return home, the travel time alone consumed that week. He also had to attend classes regularly and be present for roll call.
The Young Master always maintained a calm demeanor in front of others, as taught by his teacher, Noe. But as he entered his room and the door gently closed ??, he burst into heart-wrenching sobs ??, his limbs trembling, sitting slumped on the ground, his choked cries tearing at the soul. When his teacher entered, he ran towards him, hugging Noe tightly and weeping like a child, his tears soaking his teacher's shoulder ??. At that moment, he finally felt comfortable, as if all his burdens had been lifted.
Noe traveled with his student to the Jewel Great National Capital (Th? ?? Chau Ng?c ??i Qu?c). The journey took over a month, accompanied by General M?nh Th??ng ??? and a large escort team. They moved during the day, with the clattering of horses' hooves ?? and the sounding of bugle calls ??, and camped at night or stayed temporarily in a village or town, the smell of cooking smoke ?? wafting, murmured conversations ??? filling the air.
One day, M?nh Th??ng went hunting in the forest. Two commanders in the escort team began fighting, their loud quarreling ?? attracting attention. The Young Master intervened to mediate, but they refused, their faces hardened and stubborn.
Young Master: "Then let us have a duel! If I win, the two of you must agree to my mediation." ??
This challenge immediately struck the pride of the two experienced commanders. They could not believe a teenager dared to challenge them, and both of them at once!
Commanders: (Replying without respect) "Young Master, we respect you because you are the Doanh Lord's son, but don't look down on us." ??
Young Master: (Firmly) "Just fight! If I get injured, I won't blame you, I promise." ??
After speaking, he handed a wooden sword to both commanders and began to fight. Initially, they fought cautiously, one against one, but the Young Master's attacks were so fierce, the wooden sword whooshing ??? through the air, that they had to use all their strength to respond. Encouraged by the Young Master's provocation, both rushed forward together, the wooden swords clacking ?? against each other. With their combat experience, the two continuously attacked from front and back, making the Young Master dizzy.
However, the boy had awakened his energy (or inner force), possessing the ability to use an Energy Shield (Khiên n?ng l??ng)—an ability only generals usually had. Thus, despite his lack of combat experience, he did not lose, the sound of the swords clashing ??? resounding. As the battle dragged on, the Young Master fought better and continuously knocked them down, but neither would give up, getting up immediately after falling, incredibly resilient.
?? Doanh Th??ng Quan – Apprentice Knight (LV 210)
Noe saw this and halted the fight temporarily. He reminded the Young Master of some knowledge about Acupoints (Huy?t ??o) on the body and let them fight again. This time, the Young Master attacked less, using slow but accurate sword strikes ??, only attacking the moment he could hit an acupoint. Upon contact, the two commanders felt like they had been electrocuted, trembling with numbness, which, although fleeting, was very uncomfortable.
??? Commander Stats Sheet – Level 290 (Physical Focus)
After a while, the two commanders couldn't take it anymore, collapsing onto the ground, unable to bear the pain, their groans fading ??. They bit their lips to stifle their choked sobs. One even cried out: "Just kill me now." The Young Master was shocked by their terrifying reaction.
But Noe understood immediately; he quickly approached and helped them up, using energy to prick several Acupoints to clear the meridians and alleviate the pain. He possessed the Human Body Penetration Eye (Th?u Th? Nhan Th?) ??, allowing him to clearly see the location of the Acupoints and strike them perfectly. Noe also gave them Elixir Water (D??c Th?y) ??, which he concocted himself, the faint medicinal scent ?? wafting. The commanders' pain immediately subsided. After that, they continued fighting until both awakened their internal energy (N?i l?c), only then did the two commanders stop.
Both were overjoyed by the fantastic result, as this was their lifelong dream. They knelt and prostrated before Noe like a parent, their eyes filled with gratitude ??, as this was a mandatory condition for a person to become a minor general.
General M?nh Th??ng returned and was delighted to hear the two commanders' account, immediately proposing that Noe help all the escort soldiers on this trip, totaling nearly 20 people. Noe agreed immediately without hesitation. Noe had already prepared for this, as all these soldiers would be with the Young Master for 10 years. They would be the Young Master's trusted subordinates, and he was giving them a precious gift that they would find difficult to repay throughout their lives.
Thus, Noe re-taught his student the acupoints of each soldier and made them fight the Young Master until exhaustion. Then, using a special method, he forced their bodies to awaken their energy. Although this was Noe's research of many years and he performed it personally, two soldiers could not endure it, collapsing and dying ?? right in Noe's arms. Before dying, they both smiled faintly and did not blame him.
But Noe was deeply distressed, constantly blaming himself, his face clearly showing sadness ??. The remaining soldiers did not blame him either. They had heard of this method elsewhere, called "Forced Awakening" (C??ng ép th?c t?nh), but the success rate was very low—only 2 out of 10 people survived, and it had to be done before the age of 18; otherwise, everyone would die. Most of them were veterans, the youngest being 25, some as old as 35, and had completely lost hope of awakening. Now that Noe had helped them, they were incredibly grateful. Even the deceased held no resentment, as the Garrison Lord would take care of their families, leaving them with no regrets.
Noe could not forget; as a physician who sought to save lives, he had led two men to their deaths. This made him immensely sad; he sighed constantly, his sighs heavy ?????. He never performed this method again, despite many people offering money and agreeing to die, but Noe refused completely. He continuously searched and researched but had not found a better method.
He constantly observed the Young Master's meridians. Although the boy, like others, lacked the Elemental Root (Linh c?n) to awaken magic and step onto the Cultivation path, his energy source was abundant, much stronger than that of ordinary people.
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One day, the teacher and student walked past a market specializing in dragon meat, where people hunted Earth Dragons ?? and brought them here for meat, soaking in wine, or medicinal tonics. A few stalls even used Dragon Meat as their main dish, the pungent smell of meat ?? spreading. However, Dragon Meat is a special type of meat, very tough and smelly, and it causes hostility from other dragons. Sometimes it is even toxic, and many people who ate it died, but many still enjoyed it. Some species of Earth Dragons were forbidden from being hunted, but people still secretly hunted and brought them here.
Suddenly, a three-horned Earth Dragon ??, very old and frail with blurred vision—a forbidden species—burst out of the slaughterhouse. The old Earth Dragon stumbled out, its giant three-horned head sweeping across, knocking over meat stalls, screams and crashing sounds echoing ?? everywhere, creating a chaotic scene.
But as it got close to the Young Master, it let out a mighty roar, a cry full of suffering and plea ??, and knelt on the ground as if bowing to the Young Master. The boy was terrified, seeing a huge Earth Dragon rush toward him without understanding its intent. He could only watch as the hunters tied it up with chains, the clanking of iron chains ?? ringing out, and dragged it back into the slaughterhouse.
Noe, who understood the language of animals, heard it say: "Oh, Master, save me!" Noe immediately approached, expressing his desire to buy the three-horned Earth Dragon. But the hunters disagreed, determined to drag it away. The Young Master immediately understood his teacher's intent and shouted loudly for the City Guards to come and investigate the hunting of this forbidden species. The hunters were forced to release it, quickly negotiated a price, and chased the two away with the old Earth Dragon.
They brought the Earth Dragon to an animal care center and entrusted its care to them. They visited frequently every day. It fully recovered and became the Young Master’s Dragon Mount ??. Everyone was surprised because the arrogant three-horned Earth Dragon usually never let anyone ride it, yet it allowed a mere ordinary person to mount it. Even Noe, an Immortal who had helped it, was not allowed to ride on its back. This proved that this Earth Dragon had awakened its Divine Intellect (Linh trí), and was no ordinary Earth Dragon.
A short while later, Noe returned to Doanh Thành, descending into the Garrison Lord's basement—a special area where only a few were allowed. In the first basement, Noe met the grumpy Dwarf Rau B?c (Ufretin) to ask for the key.
Ufretin: (Grumpy tone) "What do you need to go down there for?" ??
Noe: (Simply smiling, his smile full of hidden meaning, his usual bright voice) "Just to visit, you know, see an old friend." ?? The grumpy Dwarf scowled, his face twisted ??, then placed the key in Noe's hand and said: "Hurry up! He's only been sleeping for six months; it's not enough rest." ??
Noe continued down a deep, dark passage, found a secret lock, and inserted the key. He stepped into a vast cave, nearly a hundred meters high, the air humid and cool ??. Around him were many glowing crystals, green, red, and yellow, the shimmering light ? reflecting on the rock walls. At the bottom of the cave was a vast lake, the water clear blue like jade ??. Around the lake were glowing plants called Dragon Immortal Grass (Long Tiên Th?o), the main ingredient for Elixir Water (Th?y d??c). This plant only grew in places where Dragons lived, relying on Dragon manure and urine to grow, a faint, gentle scent ?? wafting in the air.
Noe went down to pick the Dragon Immortal Grass and placed a crystal nearby as an exchange, an act of respect. As he was picking the grass, a colossal Golden Dragon ?? emerged from the lake, the sound of water parting thunderously ??, its voice full of annoyance, echoing throughout the cave:
Golden Dragon: "You came a bit early. You disrupted my sleep. How long have I been asleep, anyway?" ?? The Golden Dragon slowly came ashore and transformed into the tall man nearly 4m tall, his body covered in shimmering gold scales, known as the Gold Man ??.
Noe: (Calmly) "It's been six months. Are you comfortable living here?"
Gold Man: (With a hint of dissatisfaction) "Comfortable? All I do is eat and sleep all day, it's nothing but a prison!" ?? Noe: (Smiling) "Perhaps the Doanh Lord is just being cautious."
Suddenly, Noe asked, his tone probing: "You and the Doanh Lord signed a Blood Pact (Kh? ??c máu), didn't you?" ??
The moment that question was uttered, a shiver ran down the Gold Man's spine ??, making him step back, his eyes filled with displeasure and caution ??, his voice sharp: "Noe, you're being too nosy! Hurry up and pick your grass and leave!" ?? Noe didn't even have a chance to react; the Gold Man plunged into the water and disappeared, the surface of the lake becoming quiet ?? once more.
Noe found this strange and thought: "Why did he get angry so quickly? Did I say something too much? It's obvious that the Doanh Lord signed a Blood Pact with the Golden Dragon, what's wrong with that to hide it?" ??
