Hi, good morning/good afternoon/good evening. I'm really sorry for the delay with this chapter. I'm not quite sure how, but well, I think I caught COVID... It's funny, I went to school for two years without wearing a mask, and it never happened. But when I started staying at home, my luck ran out. I'll try not to fall behind again, even though I'm still not fully well. I hope you enjoy it.

  To be honest, I'm looking forward to reaching the final stage of this first part and, as a result, the second part of this volume. I wish I could post more chapters at once to make it happen sooner, but I haven't finished part 1 yet, so I can't. There are still about 20 chapters left.

  //

  — Hey, system, there’s something I want to know…

  Without the blades or the rays created by Noah, there was no source of light in the environment. The noises of the night wind invaded the room.

  Curling up, Ting drew her legs close in the darkness. She looked ahead and waited. The interface flickered, appearing.

  — Where is he now? ...Is it very far?

  The answer took time to come, as if filled with hesitation.

  [Yes...]

  [He is still crossing the Sea of Bloody Sand.]

  — Haha, you’re not going to charge me for information this time? What happened, did you pity me? — she lay down, pulling the blankets over herself as she waited for Noah to return. At least he, Ting knew, would do so — …Thank you…

  The same ethereal glow that fell from the sky onto the wooden floor of the room and onto the tree in front, illuminating the tiles that made up the path before the door, also shone in many other places. In one such place, purple eyes gazed into the vastness he had already traversed during the days since leaving the outskirts of the city.

  From the ground, an enormous creature emerged, with spiral serrated teeth and an elongated body. It rose into the sky, allowing the pale light to reflect along its surface where the grains of glassy sand were nothing but parts of its own skin.

  At the last moment, Fusu sighed.

  He did not fight, knowing it would be pointless. Turning, he ignored the presence of the endless monstrosities surrounding him, focusing on the interminable path he kept trying to reach the end of.

  However, without needing to go further, the bluish glow was also being emitted over the small forest where Noah continued cooking with extreme care, using the bluish flame whose mere contained presence illuminated everything around. Should he lose control, he felt nothing would remain, not just the forest, but everything nearby would burn.

  When the preparations were finally finished, sunrise could be seen from high in the sky. Noah soon left the unfinished cabin and returned to the bedroom.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  He entered after hearing Ting murmur something.

  — You took your time. — she said, stretching under the blankets.

  Approaching, all Noah could see were her eyes — Doing this was harder than I expected. — he sat on the edge of the bed, placing the hot bowl on her lap.

  Ting sat up, then leaned on his shoulder — What is this? — the ceramic bowl was still covered, making her eyes shine with curiosity, despite her unease.

  — You really want to know?

  Narrowing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around Noah’s neck to persuade him. Her hands went down to the lid and, even looking at the contents, she remained confused. Unlike its appearance, the smell was not pleasant. However, there was nothing to indicate where those small pieces of meat came from.

  — Please tell me.

  — Hmm, is that all?

  She kissed his neck a few times, until she noticed he was beginning to enjoy it.

  — …Dragon.

  — Sorry…? — Ting's eyes widened — I don’t think I heard that right, could you repeat?

  — It’s half-dragon meat.

  Her mouth opened and stayed that way. Her eyes darted between Noah’s face and the meat in the bowl — Half-dra—! — Ting brought her hand to her mouth, stopping herself from speaking — Is this true...? — she whispered, very close to his ear.

  Noah nodded.

  — H-How? Where? ...Why…?

  — You’ll have to be a bit more specific so I can understand you.

  — That’s impossible, dr- There's no such thing in this world. — she sat beside Noah without taking her eyes off the bowl — A serpent that tore the skies and drowned the world in blood with a single roar...

  — Was that how it was described in your grandfather's book?

  She nodded — But that was just a story, nothing more. There are no other records, and no one would forget something's existence like that. That would be impossible.

  — They wouldn’t, as long as they remained alive.

  — But then, even if it’s true, how would my grandfather—

  — You don’t really seem to consider the possibility that he lived through all that.

  — No! — she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth — It’s too long… For someone to have lived that long, they’d have to be extremely powerful and, if that were the case, he… My grandfather is dead. — Ting relaxed her grip — He died of old age together with my grandmother, he couldn’t have been a cultivator, let alone such a powerful one.

  — All right… — Noah said, holding her hand — Maybe he just found the book somewhere and gave it to your mother thinking it wasn’t real, just like you.

  Sniffling, she nodded — But if the contents of the book really are true, then what happened next would be too... The cut that tore the world and marked the land, does that exist too?

  — A cut...? — Noah thought for a moment, then remembered the rift that separated the mountains near the Demon Beast Forest and beyond — I think so, I saw something that might fit that description.

  — Really?! — she sighed, grateful for her caution — Then, good thing I really kept quiet… — looking at Noah, Ting seemed to hesitate — But you said it, and twice… — she muttered with fear.

  — I did... But what, exactly?

  — The book said that word is cursed, Noah..! That it was only after it was said several times that the cut appeared, tearing open space.

  — I see…

  — "I see?" That's it? — Ting grabbed his face and pulled it towards her — It’s a cursed word! You might be cursed, how can you be okay with that?!

  — I’m not. But there's nothing I can do. And — he turned to the system — no one warned me about that the other times I said that word.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  They both turned to the interface, which, as if uncomfortable under their stare, changed its location, appearing to the other side.

  [Don’t worry.]

  [I don’t like having weak beings watching or limiting me.]

  — So one of your functions is to prevent this type of curse?

  [No?]

  They looked at each other, confused.

  [But I won’t mention it if you don’t.]

  […You won’t tell, right?]

  — And who exactly would we tell? Wait, does that mean I’m protected too?

  [Isn’t it obvious?]

  Ting relaxed with a deep sigh. She crossed her legs calmly and — A half-dragon! — her excitement exploded now that she didn’t need to contain it — How do you have something like that? Of course, now it makes sense why you’re so strong even though you always say you’ve been in this world for only a few days. You have half-dragon lineage!

  — At this rate, soon everyone will know, not just you.

  — Sorry. — she lowered her voice a bit but didn’t stop — That also explains the feeling of scales on your skin. And — her body shivered — now I know what that creature was...

  — And does that scare you? — Noah kissed her hand and smiled — Or is what I’m hearing now excitement?

  — Or both, of course! It’s a divine being after all. A half-dragon… Just thinking I could hear real stories about them already is absurd. But you’re even giving me its meat as if it were a simple piece of chicken. — she looked away, giving a sweet smile — I see, it really is "anything" for you...

  [I told you.]

  — What’s going on? Not even a full night has passed, and you already have secrets between you?

  — No, it’s nothing. This isn’t poisonous, right? — the system confirmed the meat was safe.

  Ting closed her eyes after that and held her breath. She would eat it, but maybe couldn’t if she kept smelling that strong odor. Even if this trick didn’t work to boost her powers, it would be worth the experience. So much so that she would certainly want to repeat it regardless of the taste.

  She opened her mouth, waiting for Noah to give her a piece.

  Feeling the softness of the meat on her tongue, Ting swallowed it immediately, not giving the taste a chance to spread. She feared she would back out. The meat burned down her throat, and upon reaching her stomach, exploded into Qi. Then came the pain, dense, scorching, and unbearable.

  Ting clenched her fists and dragged herself up onto the bed so she could cross her legs. The energy pulsed fiercely inside her, spreading everywhere without rhythm or direction.

  [Activating Qi absorption support for the listed wife, Huo Ting.]

  Blood ran from her ears and nose. It also accumulated around her eyes, running like tears. They were dark drops, not red, sliding silently, staining the torn fabric she wore.

  Noah watched as the Qi inside her gradually calmed, letting him feel more at peace.

  In turn, Ting realized she was able to control the previously wild energy. To accept it. To make it hers. Her mind kept clearing and, from her pores, she felt something being continuously expelled from her body.

  When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing she felt was nervousness, for her clothes clung to her skin and had turned semi-transparent. She knew Noah had seen her in that state, but could only sigh. There was nothing she could do now — So many impurities… That’s disgusting. — though his curious glances still irritated her a little.

  — How are you feeling? — Noah approached with a cloth in hand — Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere? — he asked as he started to clean her face.

  — Pain? I don’t- — she pulled his chin so he would look into her eyes — This part certainly doesn’t hurt, don’t worry.

  Noah changed the cloth and didn’t stop. He kept cleaning other areas, starting with her neck and moving to her arms — So, what was the result? I saw there was plenty of Qi, and it was intense.

  — The result… — she closed her eyes — The gate is ajar, I am half a step from Foundation Establishment..! Thanks to a single piece, can you believe it?

  Narrowing her gaze, Ting looked at Noah — A bath would be better than this, don’t you think? — he was already peeling the clothes from her belly.

  — All right. — he sighed, standing up.

  — What’s wrong? Are you leaving without even giving me a kiss? — she smiled — Are you disgusted by me now?

  — No, if I did that now, I don’t think I could stop at your neck.

  The door closed, taking away the intense glow of the rising sun. The room was still lit by beams of light, though not as strongly.

  Ting fixed her clothes as best she could, now that she was alone.

  Noah returned moments later, bringing with him a wooden bathtub which he placed in the opposite corner from the bed. Ting hid under the covers when she noticed other people approaching, all servants carrying buckets of water. She thanked them after they left, once the water had been poured, and then rushed to shut the door.

  She sighed — Why did you bring others here, knowing the state I'm in?

  — That’s why I asked only women to come?

  — That doesn’t change anything! — she approached and saw Noah grabbing a bottle that appeared in the air — What is that? You did the same with the pill before, how does that feature work?

  Noah thought for a minute — If she learns how to use it, will she be able to see everything stored inside?

  [Yes…?]

  — You know I can hear you, right? — Ting frowned — I’m not going to look at your secrets (in front of you, anyway…), so just tell me.

  — All right, but in that case, you won’t be able to try to limit my access to you anymore. — Noah poured the bottle's liquid into the tub — Do you agree with that?

  Watching the liquid, which didn’t seem unusual, dissolve into the rest of the water, Ting nodded — I won’t use it to bribe you anymore, happy? Now tell me about this liquid you just added. It’s not just water, is it?

  — It’s a useful liquid I found in the place where the half-dragon lived. It not only cleanses impurities, but also improves constitution.

  — What?! And you say it so casually? — she took the flask from him. She shook it but found nothing more — Did you use it all up…?

  — The function is called Inventory, why don’t you check first before saying that?

  Ting just thought, and the screen that appeared showed her things too absurd to be real — That’s… — she covered her mouth, incredulous and trembling — a phoenix...? A whole half-dragon body too and... eggs? Don’t tell me those eggs—

  Noah nodded.

  She reached for the screen — I give up... I don’t even know how to express my surprise anymore. — but she didn't actually intend to touch it. Still, something disappeared from the interface.

  Ting felt the atmosphere grow heavy and slowly looked back with Noah — Beautiful...! — the black egg was there, touching the ceiling and watching them with a gaze that seemed to penetrate the shell, which not even light could affect. She could sense movement from within, and when it stopped, understood the creature was watching her, as if wanting her to come close. She did, sliding her feet across the boards.

  — What’s with this change in attitude? I'm sure he wasn’t so polite when we first met.

  [Well, his mother had just died and you’d bathed yourself in her blood, so...]

  [And also...]

  — And also?

  [He's male?]

  Noah frowned — Enough. — the egg disappeared.

  — Hey, why did you— — noticing he was refusing to look at her, Ting approached. She tried to get in front of his eyes, but Noah always looked away — What’s the matter?

  [Apparently, he's jealous of a creature not even born yet.]

  She tried to hold it in — Seriously, why would you… — but ended up laughing — Jealous, really? Of a dragon? Worse, an egg?

  — You say that because you couldn’t see the way you were looking at it.

  — The way I— Hey, I wasn’t doing anything... — she turned to the system — Was I? — she mumbled.

  [A little...?]

  — Really?

  [Well, it was the egg of a half-dragon, so I guess it’s understandable.]

  — Right? I can’t help it if it was so amazing.

  [But if it were another person instead of the egg, yes, it would have been weird, I guess.]

  — You're not helping, you know? — she sighed. She took Noah's hand and brought it to her face. And again, it worked. Ting smiled — Are you really jealous of that? You know, it’s an egg.

  — So, if not for the egg—

  — That’s not what I meant, and you know it... You just want me to say it out loud, right? — Noah hesitated, but nodded at last. She sighed — Fine, but next time you joke about it, it’s my turn to be mad, got it?

  He nodded.

  Hesitant, Ting rolled her eyes. She sighed to calm herself — Besides touching me in all the ways you like so much, you’re the first man to see my body, you know? Yes, exactly as you're doing right now. — lifting Noah’s chin, she leveled his gaze — It’s a bit- no, a lot. It’s very uncomfortable when you play with the impossible idea that I could betray you. That’s not going to happen, it’s not the way I was raised and also because...

  Interested in what she would say, Noah leaned in.

  — All right! What I said about touching also goes for that. Are you happy? — she turned away, arms crossed and cheeks puffed — Can I bathe now? Or do you want to join me again?

  — No, not yet. — he hugged her from behind and kissed a few spots on her neck — There’s a place I want to do that.

  — A place you— What? What do you mean? Hey, answer me before you go! — Noah left without explaining, and the way she was dressed, she couldn’t follow. Ting turned to the system — What did he mean by that? Is it really what I’m thinking? He’s looking for a place to bathe with me?

  [I think “creating” is a better term.]

  — Creating? So that was the surprise he was talking about? — she undressed, leaving the dirty clothes on the floor — Why would that be a surprise for me? Of the two of us, wouldn’t he want that more?

  [That makes it sound like you’d hate it if it actually happened.]

  Putting one foot in and then the other, she got into the tub — Show me the inventory again.

  Even if she couldn’t see them in person, since a single egg nearly broke the room’s ceiling, Ting took advantage of Noah’s absence to look at every creature body he had stored, as well as their eggs.

  She didn’t come out of the water until he returned from wherever he had gone. Mostly because something even more interesting than the inventory suddenly appeared before her.