The ugly little snake lay prostrate on the stone tiles of the plaza, yawning. The people around him pointed and whispered, but he didn't care in the least; he didn't know any of them anyway.
Feng Ziyuan had quickly entered the Phoenix Palace to attend to business. While he was away, several young phoenixes who had only recently cultivated human forms took advantage of his absence. They used glazed marbles to pelt the white dragon. The multicolored spheres struck the glossy dragon scales with crisp, rhythmic thuds, sparking the young phoenixes' curiosity. They stepped forward to touch his horns and scales, even audaciously climbing onto the white dragon’s back and shouting boisterously.
By the time the sun set and the crowds dispersed, the ugly little snake remained chained to the plaza by the Dragon-Subduing Chain. As he curled there in solitude, a sudden wave of loneliness washed over him. It turned out that being away from his daddy and the White Marten made the world feel cold, quiet, and incredibly boring.
The moon rose. It was only then that Feng Ziyuan emerged from the great hall alongside the Phoenix Emperor, followed by a large retinue of attendants. Feng Ziyuan pointed at the ugly little snake and boasted, "Imperial Father, look. That is the wicked dragon I subdued."
The Phoenix Emperor was an elegant, noble, and beautiful man. He glanced at the white dragon and let out a soft chuckle. "Ziyuan, that is clearly an adolescent dragon. By binding him with the Dragon-Subduing Chain, I fear he won't even have the strength to stand in a moment."
Feng Ziyuan was taken aback. "How could that be?"
"The Dragon-Subduing Chain is specifically designed to suppress malevolent, powerful dragons. Its might is immense. This little dragon isn't even a hundred years old; using that chain on him is like putting a heavy yoke on an infant. It seems this little dragon won't be able to carry you tonight," the Phoenix Emperor explained.
Feng Ziyuan hurriedly rushed to the ugly little snake and recalled the Dragon-Subduing Chain. Feeling a pang of guilt, he stroked the dragon's mane. "Little dragon, I didn't know you were so young. I'll make it up to you with more spiritual lingzhi mushrooms in the future, alright?"
The Phoenix Emperor smiled. "It seems Ziyuan is quite fond of this little dragon. Why not keep him? Once he reaches maturity, he can serve as your mount."
"But the little dragon has no spirit!" Feng Ziyuan said grumpily.
The Phoenix Emperor clapped his hands, and an attendant immediately brought forth five-colored spiritual lingzhi, holding them to the ugly little snake’s mouth. The Emperor explained, "Once he eats these, the little dragon will recover."
Feng Ziyuan brightened. "Wonderful! Little dragon, hurry up and open your mouth!"
The ugly little snake, who had been dozing all afternoon, finally opened his eyes. He slowly lifted his head, stretched his limbs, and then gradually ascended into the air, circling above. The Phoenix Emperor was astonished. "What an extraordinary foundation this little dragon has. To think he bears no burden even after being bound by the Dragon-Subduing Chain. Ziyuan, if you truly wish to subdue him, you will need more than just simple tricks."
"How irritating! He was faking it!" Seeing the ugly little snake's leisurely manner in mid-air, Feng Ziyuan’s anger flared. "Watch me make him behave!" With a flick of his wrist, the Dragon-Subduing Chain lunged again, turning into a streak of light as it flew toward Leng Jing.
"Be still." The white dragon in the sky finally spoke. Mid-flight, the Dragon-Subduing Chain was struck by a discharge of electricity from Leng Jing’s body and disintegrated into powder.
The phoenixes stared at the white dragon, momentarily struck dumb with shock. In a voice as majestic as rolling thunder, the white dragon asked, "Is this how the Phoenix Palace treats its guests?"
The crowd was cowed by the dragon's aura. It took a long moment for them to react, drawing weapons to seize the "demon dragon." However, the Phoenix Emperor stayed them. Stepping forward, he said, "It was our negligence to slight you, Excellency. I hope you will state your purpose. Why did you deceive my son to infiltrate the Phoenix Palace?"
Leng Jing replied, "Ha. Phoenix King, I merely came seeking employment, not to cause trouble. It is just that I felt a hint of dissatisfaction at being reduced to the Prince's beast of burden. The Phoenix King certainly has a way with talented individuals—treating them like cattle and horses!"
"What a sharp-tongued little dragon!" The Phoenix Emperor smiled slightly. "Indeed, our Phoenix Clan has been ungracious. I apologize to you on behalf of my kin." Having said this, he cupped his fists in a respectful salute.
Seeing the concession, Leng Jing did not push his luck. "The Phoenix Emperor is magnanimous. This dragon was abrupt and overstepped."
With that, he descended and transformed into a graceful, refined young man of transcendent bearing, bowing elegantly to the Phoenix Emperor.
The Phoenix Emperor appreciated talent and asked, "Does the white dragon have a name? Would you be willing to take a post in the Phoenix Palace?"
"My name is Leng Jing. I have no fixed abode and was hoping for such an offer. I am willing to serve at the Phoenix Emperor's command," Leng Jing said.
"Very well. From this day forth, Leng Jing shall be the Crown Prince's Attendant," the Emperor decreed.
Feng Ziyuan watched blankly, unable to understand how his little white dragon had transformed from a pet mount into his own guard. But regardless, the little white dragon was just too, too, too cool! He actually dared to talk back to his Imperial Father and even landed an official post!
***
Feng Ziyuan was finally set to leave the Phoenix Palace and return to his phoenix nest to continue hiding from his heavenly tribulation. Before leaving, he still wanted to ride the white dragon. Since Leng Jing was now the Prince's Attendant, he naturally couldn't act as a beast of burden in front of everyone. He said, "Your Highness, it’s not as if you can't fly. A dragon's body is winding and jagged; do you really think it's a comfortable ride?"
Feng Ziyuan argued stubbornly, "I've brought my blankets. Won't it be fine if I spread them out? Hurry up and turn into a dragon! You are my attendant; do you dare defy me? Careful, or I'll have Imperial Father strip you of your rank! ...How about this: I'll add three more lingzhi mushrooms?"
Thinking that Leng Qingqing would be very happy to see so many lingzhi, Leng Jing nodded. "Fine!"
Perhaps riding a "Dragon Ferrari" was indeed a pleasant experience. After adding the soft fox-fur bedding, Feng Ziyuan became even more obsessed with the outdoor activity of dragon-back cruising. Although Leng Jing earned more and more lingzhi, Feng Ziyuan’s demands for joyrides became increasingly excessive.
One day, he proposed going to Mount Zhongnan to ride the dragon and show off to his friends there. Leng Jing was planning to have hotpot with his father that evening, and Feng Ziyuan’s request made him lose his patience.
This time, it was actually Leng Qingqing who tapped his head and came up with a plan for his son.
It was rare for Leng Qingqing to have an idea. Seeing his father's enthusiastic expression, Leng Jing rubbed his chin noncommittally.
In the afternoon, while the phoenix was napping soundly in his nest, Leng Qingqing suddenly shouted from beneath the tree, "Phoenix, Phoenix, this is bad! Phoenix, Phoenix, this is bad!"
Feng Ziyuan climbed out irritably. "What are you screaming for?"
"Xiao Jing is injured! Come quickly and see!" Leng Qingqing cried out in a panic.
Feng Ziyuan spread his wings and landed, looking puzzled. "He was fine this morning. What happened? Is he just being lazy?"
"He's not! Go look if you don't believe me," Leng Qingqing nodded earnestly.
"You look like you're lying," Feng Ziyuan said disdainfully.
"I'm really not! Xiao Jing was practicing cloud-soaring today and accidentally fell from the sky, injuring his back," Leng Qingqing said.
Suspicious, Feng Ziyuan followed him to Leng Jing’s bedroom. Sure enough, he saw Leng Jing leaning against the bed with a cloak over his shoulders, and many bandages wrapped beneath his clothes.
"Leng Jing, you're really hurt?! How are you? Can you still fly? Can you still be a mount?" Feng Ziyuan walked over, looking quite disappointed.
"Of course not," Leng Jing said while picking his ear.
"Young Master, please act a bit more injured, okay? Who's going to believe you like this!" the White Marten whispered from behind the quilt.
Leng Jing tilted his head and pulled his clothes down to show Feng Ziyuan. Pointing at his back, he said, "A huge patch of my scales got scraped off. I can't even get out of bed right now. Do you think I can fly?"
"Hmph." Feng Ziyuan stomped his foot in disappointment and left. He flew up to his nest, retrieved an exquisite porcelain bottle, and tossed it to Leng Qingqing. "This is the best wound medicine in the Phoenix Palace. Just apply it to the injury."
Leng Qingqing’s eyes sparkled. "Your Highness, you're so kind~ I'll make sure Xiao Jing works hard once he's healed~"
"Enough! Stop talking! I'm going to sleep. I'll go to Mount Zhongnan by myself tonight!" Feng Ziyuan crawled back into his nest in a huff to sleep.
Leng Qingqing let out a sigh of relief and scurried back into the bedroom. Leng Jing and the White Marten had already started lighting the fire for the hotpot. The three of them brought the pot onto the large bed, placed it on a small low table, and lowered the bed curtains. Supposedly, eating hotpot like this was very atmospheric.
***
After Leng Jing, Leng Qingqing, and the White Marten finished their feast, they lay on the bed hiccuping. What a comfortable life~ Leng Qingqing hugged his son’s warm body tightly, using him as a natural heater. Snakes just loved warm things.
The hotpot had been cleared away. As the Leng father and son huddled under the covers, Leng Jing asked the White Marten to tell some stories of the Immortal and Demon Realms. The marten tapped its head with a paw and told a very sad story about a romance between an immortal and a demon.
Leng Qingqing was moved to tears, while the ugly little snake fell fast asleep. The White Marten shrugged and scurried outside for a walk.
Looking at the son he had raised with his own hands, Leng Qingqing suddenly felt a surge of happiness. Being able to stay by his son’s side like this was truly a joyful thing. He reached out to touch his son’s cheek and, just as he had when his son was a tiny dragon, gave him a loud peck on the cheek, praying: "Whatever gods are out there, please protect my son and let him grow up safely and happily!"
The moon rose above the treetops. The White Marten, paws behind its back, was searching for intact pine nuts under a pine tree when it looked up and saw a green light flashing in the phoenix nest. It scurried to the top of the tree and peeked inside, discovering a green gemstone that was pulsing with light.
"Oh no! This is bad!!" the White Marten shrieked. That gemstone was the Heaven-Seeing Stone, a treasure used to predict heavenly tribulations. Feng Ziyuan was far too playful; he had actually gone out on his own during the most critical period when his tribulation was imminent. The unlucky fellow probably didn't even know that today was the day of his tribulation!
The White Marten immediately jumped down and rushed to Leng Jing’s side, screaming, "Young Master~~~~~~~~ This is bad~~~~~~~~ Wake up quickly~~~"
***
Dragon Ferrari transformation complete! Phoenix Rescue Team equipment complete!
Leng Qingqing wore a cotton hat, a thick cotton coat, and cotton gloves. On his back was a wooden sword (he had intended to bring a real greatsword for his son to use as a weapon, but Leng Jing decided he couldn't carry it and swapped it for a wooden one). He sat fiercely atop the dragon. The White Marten wore a wooden pot lid on its head, supposedly to protect against lightning.
At Leng Qingqing’s command—"Depart! Destination: Mount Zhongnan!"—the Dragon Ferrari opened up the throttle and instantly shot into the high heavens, beginning a high-speed flight.
Heaven knows how short that wild sensation of speeding lasted. Before Leng Qingqing could even process the feeling, they had arrived at Mount Zhongnan. Although it wasn't their first time riding the Dragon Ferrari, the White Marten and Leng Qingqing still marveled from the bottom of their hearts: *It’s so damn fast!!! We reached the station before we even got into the groove!*
Of course, they only dared to marvel in their hearts.
The Immortal Gathering Terrace at the peak of Mount Zhongnan was a place where spiritual immortals gathered for amusement. It had a white jade foundation, a spiritual pond at its center, and was surrounded by exotic flowers. At this moment, the air was filled with the scent of perfume and the rustle of fine robes. Immortals from all over had come here to sing, dance, and make merry; it was a scene of great bustle.
Feng Ziyuan performed a "Cloud Phoenix Sunset Dance" accompanied by a Zither Immortal, winning much applause and attracting countless envious and pursuing gazes. The phoenix was intoxicated by his own vanity.
When the trio appeared—Leng Qingqing dressed like a cotton bundle, the White Marten wearing a pot lid, and Leng Jing with his face muffled by a scarf and draped in a cloak—it triggered a burst of laughter.
But the three of them walked with firm steps toward the chatting and laughing Feng Ziyuan. When Feng Ziyuan realized who they were, he was so angry he lost his composure and screamed.
"You! You three came here specifically to cause trouble, didn't you?!" Once he recognized them, everyone else realized these three strange characters were Feng Ziyuan’s subordinates.
Leng Jing pulled off his cloak, revealing a set of flowing white robes. His radiant spirit immediately made the mocking onlookers see him in a new light. Feng Ziyuan was also momentarily stunned by Leng Jing’s peerless elegance, but he quickly snapped, "Weren't you injured and unable to move?" He grabbed Leng Jing’s arm and began to scuffle with him.
However, with a gentle flick of his sleeve, Leng Jing tossed the phoenix aside, pushing him down to Leng Qingqing’s feet. Leng Qingqing and the White Marten then held the phoenix fast. In that flick of the sleeve, Leng Jing had placed a restriction on the phoenix, rendering him unable to move. Being able to instantly restrain a Phoenix Prince without even a chant or a visible spell—this terrifying power made even the arrogant Feng Ziyuan feel a chill of dread in his heart.
To the others, it simply looked like Feng Ziyuan was being held by two people. Instead, their attention was drawn to the cold, beautiful youth in white. Several infatuated immortals immediately stepped forward to strike up a conversation, their eyes filled with adoration for Leng Jing.
Leng Jing looked up at the sky where crimson clouds were gathering and said calmly, "The heavenly tribulation is coming. Do you all intend to stay here for entertainment?"
As soon as he spoke, everyone’s faces turned pale. A heavenly tribulation was accompanied by powerful celestial lightning; if one were accidentally struck, a thousand years of cultivation could vanish in an instant. This was no joking matter! An immortal skilled in divination performed a quick reading on the spot and cried out, "What he says is true! The Phoenix Tribulation is upon us! Everyone, disperse quickly!"
The Immortal Gathering Terrace fell into chaos. Everyone scrambled to flee, and in a short while, the place was deserted. Only the phoenix, Leng Qingqing, the White Marten, and Leng Jing—who stood proudly at the highest point of the terrace—remained.
Leng Jing looked up at the sky. "I will set up a barrier. The three of you stay inside." With a wave of his hand, a brilliant light rose around Leng Qingqing and the others, weaving into a net of light that eventually formed a transparent sphere enveloping them. Feng Ziyuan cried out in shock, "What is the white dragon doing?!"
"The Young Master is going to personally endure the tribulation for you!" the White Marten said.
"Are you joking?! Tell him to stop! It'll be a disaster if he's hit by lightning! How many years of cultivation does he even have? He'll die!!" The phoenix pounded on the inner wall of the barrier in desperation.
But Leng Jing remained unmoved. The sky changed drastically as a vortex of clouds formed over the terrace, churning violently with an overwhelming sense of pressure. Bolts of electricity flickered between the clouds; the punishment of heaven was about to break loose!
"Aaaaaah! Little white dragon, get out of the way!!!!" Feng Ziyuan screamed for his life. The tribulation had arrived!! He couldn't believe Leng Jing was about to die before his eyes for his sake!
But it was too late. A massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, a pillar of blazing current connecting sky and earth, striking directly upon the Immortal Gathering Terrace. From within the barrier below the terrace, Feng Ziyuan and Leng Qingqing could only see a world-consuming flash of light, so blinding they couldn't see anything at all. They only heard Leng Jing’s long roar, a dragon’s cry that shook the heavens. Leng Qingqing and the White Marten squeezed their eyes shut in terror—this was the heavenly tribulation that monsters feared most of all!
The tribulation consisted of seven times seven, forty-nine explosive thunders, each capable of destroying a millennium of cultivation. As the thunder rumbled incessantly in his ears, Feng Ziyuan collapsed inside the barrier, trembling like a leaf in the wind. He had never seen such a display and was long past the point of speech, his face a mess of tears and snot.
So, what was happening to Leng Jing at the center of the lightning?
As we already know, Leng Jing was actually a lightning-attribute dragon. He could manipulate lightning and discharge electricity when he was only a few months old. Facing a heavenly tribulation for him was like trying to drown a fish in water.
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
The Ugly Little Snake: My Dragon Son | Chapter 25 | The Dragon's True Power | Novela.app | Novela.app
