TL: GoldenLung

Huang Daoqi smiled faintly. “Now that Lord Luo Lan has given you his recognition, your standing within the family is unshakable. With his protection, no one can deny that you are of our royal blood. You may freely display your abilities and strive for the future title of Dragon Knight. The Ascension Tournament in three months will be your chance to shine. Especially you, Lan—since the Ink Tyrant Dragon Knight holds you in such regard, you must perform brilliantly. If you reach the finals, our family will reward you handsomely.”

Lan Xuanyu asked, “Patriarch, what is the Ascension Tournament?”

Huang Daoqi replied, “The so-called Ascension Tournament is our means of elevating one’s status. Lower-ranked dragonkin who believe themselves strong enough may challenge mid-ranked ones, and so on up the hierarchy. The most crucial part, naturally, lies in the duels among the Higher Dragons. The tournament is limited to dragonkin below the god rank—it is the finest opportunity to prove oneself. In importance, it ranks second only to the Dragon Knight Selection.

“The Selection differs from the Tournament. To become a Dragon Knight, one must pass the trials and earn recognition from a Dragon Mount. Some Dragon Knights already possess their Dragon Mounts, but even they must face dual challenges—one for themselves, one for their dragons—before they can truly earn the title.”

He paused, then continued, “We won’t speak of the Dragon Knight Selection yet—it is still distant for you. The Ascension Tournament alone is extremely demanding. Every clan’s brightest talents will compete. Only those who reach the finals gain the qualification to participate in the Selection. The Tournament is held once every ten years—miss it, and you may have to wait a long time.

“According to Lord Luo Lan’s suggestion, Lan shall serve as Dragon Knight, and Xiuxiu as her Dragon Mount. Xiuxiu, would you be willing?”

He turned toward Bai Xiuxiu as he spoke. Ordinarily, an Higher Dragon capable of human form would never agree to be a Dragon Mount. Those who served as such were usually Higher Dragons too powerful to take human shape.

Bai Xiuxiu turned her head toward Lan Xuanyu, her eyes strange and unreadable.

Seeing her hesitation, Huang Daoqi quickly said, “Although the Dragon Mount is technically subordinate, a Dragon Knight’s mount holds great honor—second only to the Knight themselves. Moreover, having a Dragon Mount in advance spares you the ordeal of seeking one during the Selection. In the final trials, a Dragon Knight must ride their dragon to challenge an existing Knight. If you have a partner early on, training in harmony, your chances of success are far greater.

“Should the two of you enter the finals together and become candidates for Dragon Knight, the family will spare no effort or cost to nurture you. Xiuxiu, think carefully—this is Lord Luo Lan’s advice!”

Lan Xuanyu suddenly spoke. “Patriarch, what if I serve as the Dragon Mount, and Xiuxiu becomes the Dragon Knight?”

Huang Daoqi shook his head firmly. “Impossible. Lord Luo Lan’s recommendation must be obeyed. Defying him would forfeit his support and greatly hinder your future. More importantly, I believe in his judgment. When he publicly stated that you are destined for greatness, he meant it. The Dragon Mount is important, but the Knight’s own strength matters even more. You are stronger than Xiuxiu, and your bloodline talent far superior—by Lord Luo Lan’s own words. Therefore, you must be the Dragon Knight.”

His tone was resolute. As the Huang family’s guardian, Luo Lan’s will could not be defied.

“I am willing,” Bai Xiuxiu suddenly said. Raising her head, she met Huang Daoqi’s eyes calmly. “Father, I am willing to serve as Sister Lan’s Dragon Mount.”

Huang Daoqi’s face lit with joy. “My daughter, you have foresight! Believe me, you won’t regret this choice. Even as a Dragon Mount, you may still take human form. Among our eighteen Dragon Knights, eight have mounts who can assume human shape. Four pairs are even husband and wife—partners in every sense. There is no true difference in status between them.”

“Father,” Bai Xiuxiu asked softly, “how should a Dragon Knight cultivate? We only have three months before the tournament—can we still make progress?”

Huang Daoqi replied, “Do your utmost. I will now teach you the Dragon Knight cultivation method. Come with me to the Hall of Dragon Force.” He stood as he spoke.

Lan Xuanyu and Bai Xiuxiu followed.

Bai Xiuxiu threw Lan Xuanyu a fierce glare before striding ahead. Lan Xuanyu touched his nose helplessly and trailed after her.

Before Huang Daoqi, a god-rank expert, they dared not communicate secretly through soul speech. Yet both were in high spirits. This test had gone far more smoothly than expected—their identities remained unquestioned, and they were about to acquire the Dragon Knight cultivation art.

For human soul masters, that art might not hold much practical value, but for their research into the Dragon Knights, it was of immense significance. When the Douluo Federation inevitably clashed with the Dragon-Horse Galaxy, understanding how to counter the Dragon Knights would be crucial.

What Luo Lan had just displayed was only the tip of his power. There were eighteen beings of his level across the Dragon-Horse Realm. Only by studying their methods could one hope to understand—and defeat—them.

They entered the Hall of Dragon Force once more, this time with only Huang Daoqi accompanying them.

“Dragon Knight cultivation,” Huang Daoqi began, “is divided into three stages. The first is Dragon Force Tempering—absorbing Dragon Force to refine the body. I will teach you the method of this first stage.”

Curious, Bai Xiuxiu asked, “Father, what are the next two stages?”

Huang Daoqi chuckled. “Don’t be impatient. Only after completing the first stage may you proceed. The next two are Dragonification and Dragon Fusion. Simply put, one must first temper the body to a sufficient degree, then transform—purifying one’s bloodline to fully merge with that of the dragons.

“Lord Luo Lan values Lan because her bloodline is pure and perfectly fused with the dragon race—she will find the Dragonification stage far easier. The final stage, Dragon Fusion, is the merging between Dragon Knight and Dragon Mount. That is why I said earlier: the sooner you have your own dragon partner, the better.”

Bai Xiuxiu tilted her head. “But doesn’t every Dragon Knight eventually gain a Dragon Mount? Why do some wait until the Selection to find one and earn its recognition?”

Huang Daoqi smiled. “If only it were that simple. Every dragon qualified to be a Knight is proud beyond measure. Their standards for Dragon Mounts are extraordinarily high—they will never choose lightly.

“A Dragon Mount must match the Knight in element and nature, share deep trust, and possess immense foundation and strength. Yet those with such power often aspire to become Knights themselves. Truly strong Higher Dragons who cannot take human form are rare. You hesitated just now, did you not?

“So, most Dragon Knights only find their partners during the final Selection, using their proven might to win recognition from an Higher Dragon. It is a mutual choosing. In truth, selecting a Dragon Mount is even stricter than finding a life partner.

“The two of you are exceptional. Lord Luo Lan himself said that your pairing gives you far greater odds of success.”

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