Zi Linling did not consider herself a saint.
She was not afraid of those who spoke harshly to her, for she would not hesitate to unleash her own sharp tongue, leaving them nowhere to escape.
But if someone showed her kindness, she would naturally reciprocate. After all, she wasn't a dog, eager to bite anyone in sight.
Previously, Ao Xiangtian had been arrogant and disrespectful to her, which was why she had been confrontational. Now that Ao Xiangtian had sincerely offered amends, she could not dwell on past grievances.
Therefore, her attitude softened. "Patriarch Ao is too polite. I saved Long'er because Long'er is lovable."
Ao Xiangtian was taken aback, and his regard for Zi Linling rose a notch.
He smiled gently and said, "Regardless, Long'er's life was saved by you, and I, Ao, owe you a favor. Should you ever need my help in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Mm!"
Zi Linling nodded faintly. She was not one to be overly sentimental.
Her gaze fell upon Long'er, a flicker of affection in her eyes.
Long'er was still a child, and his emotions were quick to arise and quick to pass.
So, when he saw both his father and Zi Linling smiling, he scurried over, calling out in a sweet voice as he ran, "Daddy! Sister!"
Qing Yu was observant. Before Long'er could reach the trio, he intercepted him.
It was unclear what he said to Long'er, but the child's formerly sulky face soon broke into a naive smile.
He then greeted Ao Xiangtian and Zi Linling and went off to play with the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger and Qing Yu.
Zi Linling knew that Qing Yu was creating space for the three of them to talk.
She couldn't help but praise Qing Yu in her heart: Truly worthy of being from the dark guards, his perceptiveness could be described as reaching the pinnacle and achieving consummate skill.
Ao Xiangtian also nodded, a trace of admiration in his eyes. "This guard is truly excellent!"
Though Ye Lingyuan said nothing, the slight upward curve of his lips revealed his present contentment.
As his chief dark guard, how could Qing Yu lack such discernment?
Afterward, the valley entrance fell quiet.
Ao Xiangtian looked at Zi Linling, his lips parting several times, but he didn't know how to begin.
Zi Linling knew what he wanted to ask but did not offer an answer proactively.
Some hurdles must be overcome by oneself; taking even a single step short could lead to collapse.
Ye Lingyuan's gaze was fixed on Zi Linling's profile, a curve forming on his lips.
After a short while, Ao Xiangtian finally broke his silence, his voice trembling. "Miss, my wife, she... she truly... truly..."
Though he had started, he could not utter the words.
Zi Linling nodded. With a thought, she retrieved the Black Dragon's corpse from the Nine Spirit Ring and said, "Three days ago, when I arrived, Senior Black Dragon had already exhausted her energy. I'm sorry, I couldn't save her!"
Ao Xiangtian had been unwilling to believe it, but the moment he saw the Black Dragon's corpse, he staggered.
His heart ached to the point of suffocation, wishing he could hold the Black Dragon in his arms and weep.
But as he had said, dragons were proud, with an innate nobility, so he did not want to reveal his most vulnerable side to humans, even to this human he had come to acknowledge.
Ao Xiangtian closed his eyes and looked up at the sky, forcing back the tears that welled in his eyes.
When he reopened them, his emotions had already calmed considerably.
"Did she leave any last words?"
Though Ao Xiangtian's eyes did not lift, everyone knew he was speaking to Zi Linling.
Zi Linling felt a sense of admiration for the Black Dragon, and her tone became heavier.
"Senior Black Dragon forged a life-and-death contract between Long'er and me, and instructed me to take good care of Long'er. She said she didn't wish for Long'er to reclaim the Dragon Clan's leadership, only that Long'er be safe and sound!"
A look of sadness reappeared on Ao Xiangtian's face, and his body trembled slightly.
It was clear he was in extreme pain, yet he was suppressing it with all his might.
Zi Linling remained silent, knowing that Ao Xiangtian needed time to process this.
Ye Lingyuan, naturally a man of few words, also remained silent.
This time, Ao Xiangtian clearly took longer to compose himself, only then managing to say, "Did she say anything else?"
Zi Linling shook her head.
Ao Xiangtian's eyes reddened again. He looked at Zi Linling and asked, "Can her corpse be given to me?"
Zi Linling nodded. "I was keeping it for Long'er, but since Patriarch Ao is here, it naturally belongs with you."
"Mm! Since she agreed to the contract between you and Long'er, I shall entrust Long'er to you!"
Ao Xiangtian glanced at Long'er in the distance, then continued, "Although the Dragon Clan forbids forming contracts with humans, Long'er's situation is special and does not violate ancestral teachings. Also, should you and Long'er ever need anything in the future, you may come to the Dragon Clan to find me at any time!"
Zi Linling was startled. "You're not taking Long'er with you?"
Ao Xiangtian looked lovingly at Long'er, who was happily playing in the distance, a trace of sorrow in his eyes. He shook his head. "No!"
"Why? Because he has a contract with me?"
Zi Linling could see that Ao Xiangtian was reluctant to part with Long'er, so why wasn't he taking him?
Ao Xiangtian's gaze briefly lost focus.
However, he quickly regained his senses and shook his head again. "Those old fuddy-duddies in the clan cannot tolerate him and would take his life!"
Zi Linling vaguely recalled that the Black Dragon had indeed mentioned before her death that the Dragon Clan could not tolerate Long'er, which was why the couple had fled with Long'er through life and death.
The reason was that Long'er was born with an ancient restriction in his body, preventing him from transforming into a dragon.
"Because he was born unable to transform into a dragon?"
Ao Xiangtian nodded, his aura becoming even more sorrowful.
"As the next clan leader, being unable to transform into a dragon is a disgrace."
Zi Linling let out a cold laugh. "But he can transform into a dragon now!"
Ao Xiangtian took a moment to process this.
A look of shock crossed his face. He looked at Long'er in the distance, then at Zi Linling, and asked in disbelief, "You said just now, he... can... transform into a dragon?"
Zi Linling nodded. "When Senior Black Dragon passed away, Long'er, overcome with grief, suddenly gained the ability to transform into a dragon."
She did not tell Ao Xiangtian that the reason Long'er could transform into a dragon was due to the contract he had forged with her.
This was a secret!
And since it was a secret, the fewer people who knew, the better!
Moreover, Ao Xiangtian had not yet earned her complete trust; after all, one could never fully fathom another's heart.
Ao Xiangtian was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Ha! Haha! Hahaha..."