Chapter 135: Awakening

"No need for such formalities. Hmm, a mutant Blazing Cloud Lion possessing the bloodline of an Azure Dragon?" Ao Feng waved his hand casually. His gaze lingered briefly on the little lion huddled in the corner, a hint of mild surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Are... are you a Divine Dragon?" The little lion finally gathered its wits once Ao Feng’s gaze fell upon it. Forcing down its trembling soul, it walked slowly toward Ao Feng, its eyes filled with reverence.

"Heh, me? I am indeed a member of the Dragon race. Since you have arrived here, it is a matter of fate. If there is nothing else, you may have Xiao Bai take you around," Ao Feng said with a good-natured chuckle.

When Ji Mo was first brought in by Xiao Bai all those years ago, it had greatly shocked Ao Feng. Although he would occasionally mock her to her face, in his heart, he had already accepted Ji Mo as the heir to the Blue Moon Divine Palace. Naturally, he could not watch her die. At the time, however, Ji Mo’s life force was completely extinguished, and even her soul was on the verge of dissipating. Even for him, it had required an immense, exhausting effort to preserve a single strand of her true spirit. As for when she might awaken, even Ao Feng had no certainty.

Su Ye, who had entered the Crystal Palace alongside Ji Mo, was highly appreciated by Ao Feng due to his shared lineage, his carefree personality, and his talent, which was not inferior to Ji Mo’s. Over the hundred-plus years they had spent together, they had developed a genuine bond. What surprised Ao Feng most was Little Jin; he had never imagined that the creature would become Ji Mo’s companion beast.

For its part, Little Jin felt an inexplicable, profound sense of closeness the moment it saw Ao Feng. It was as if the two—no, the two beasts—had known each other long ago. It was precisely this strange feeling that prevented it from feeling the same awe toward Ao Feng that it felt toward Su Ye and Xiao Bai.

Su Ye and Xiao Bai were oblivious to the reason, but seeing Ao Feng’s attitude toward Little Jin only piqued their curiosity about its origins. Of course, Little Jin did not take this to heart. Since its earliest memories, it had been in the trial grounds of the Wangyue Sect, where it had met Ji Mo. In the hundred-plus years since, the only person who truly mattered to it was Ji Mo.

"Little Ji Mo, over a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. If you don't wake up soon, I might just have to betray my master!" Little Jin glared at Ji Mo in the colorful ice coffin, puffing its cheeks indignantly.

"You wretched Little Jin, the moment I open my eyes, I hear you talking about betraying your master. You really are asking for a beating." With a *thud*, no sooner had the words left its mouth than a heavy palm struck its forehead, sending its fist-sized body flying.

"Who, who, who did that?" Little Jin roared in fury, charging back and glaring at Su Ye and Ao Feng. However, none of them paid it any heed; all eyes were fixed upon the colorful ice coffin.

The colorful ice coffin—wait, the tone and voice that had just spoken sounded incredibly familiar. Little Jin paused, its eyes darting toward the inside of the coffin. It froze in astonishment; Ji Mo, who had been in a deep slumber for one hundred and ten years, had opened her eyes.

"Little Ji Mo, you’re finally awake!" Little Jin shrieked, pouncing into her arms, jumping and squealing with joy.

"Stop jumping, or I’ll be knocked unconscious again just after waking up," Ji Mo said, flicking its forehead with a flick of her finger.

"You’re a fine one, Ji Mo! The moment you wake up you hit me, and that’s after I stayed by your side, never leaving, for one hundred and ten years!" Little Jin finally realized who had swatted it away. As the excitement faded, anger surged, and it glared at her indignantly.

"Thank you, Little Jin. And thank you, Senior Brother. Hmm? You are Xiao Bai. Senior Brother, who is this senior?" Seeing Little Jin’s antics, Ji Mo’s heart softened. She reached out to stroke its head, then cast her gaze toward the others standing by the ice coffin. She paused in surprise; besides Su Ye, there were two strangers. The handsome youth in silver robes felt very familiar, and upon sensing his aura, she realized it was remarkably similar to the White Jade Flood Dragon Whip.

"I am indeed Xiao Bai," Xiao Bai said, looking at Ji Mo with visible excitement.

"Junior Sister, you’ve finally awakened. This is Senior Ao Feng," Su Ye said, gesturing toward Ao Feng.

"So this is what Senior Ao Feng looks like. If I am still alive, it must be because you saved me. Ji Mo thanks you, Senior." Ji Mo stepped out of the colorful ice coffin, walked before Ao Feng, and bowed deeply.

Back then, in her moment of extreme grief, she seemed to have awakened a certain bloodline within her, unleashing energy that did not belong to this world. Because that power was far too immense for her body to contain, she should have died. But as luck would have it, she had encountered Ao Feng.

"Little Ji Mo, why are you being so polite to this old dragon? Sooner or later, it will become your beast pet," Little Jin muttered, curling its lip.

"Don't talk nonsense. How can I not show gratitude for a life-saving favor?" Ji Mo scolded, glaring at it.

Having slept for one hundred and ten years, Ji Mo now possessed an inexplicable, quiet grace. Little Jin had wanted to make a few more witty remarks, but seeing her like this, the words died in its throat.

"Heh, after sleeping for over a hundred years, Miss Ji Mo has finally grown up," Ao Feng said with a chuckle, stroking the three long strands of his beard.

"Having experienced so much, if I hadn't grown up, I would feel I had let myself down," Ji Mo replied with a smile.

"Little Ji Mo, you look so awkward now. I still prefer the old you—carefree and spirited," Little Jin said, regaining its usual demeanor after a brief moment of daze. It frowned, jumping about on her shoulder and grumbling with dissatisfaction.

"Silly Little Jin, every living creature goes through a process of growth. I slept for over a hundred years; by human standards, I am over a hundred years old. If I hadn't walked the path of immortality, I would be nearing the end of my life by now. Add to that everything I have been through, it would be strange if I hadn't changed. You beasts have long lifespans; you are still just a child, and you will slowly grow up too," Ji Mo said, tilting her head to look at it and patting its head.

"Hmph, you talk better than you sing. I don't know who it was that rudely swatted me countless times the moment they woke up," Little Jin said, glancing at her with disdain and letting out a heavy snort.

"Little Jin, dealing with people requires a sense of proportion. You must adopt different attitudes toward different temperaments. For a fellow like you, who would tear the roof off if left unpunished for three days, being gentle is useless. One can only use simple and crude methods. Do you understand?" Ji Mo stared at it, speaking in a measured, calm tone.

"Ji Mo, I’m going to kill you!" Little Jin shrieked in a fury...