Flesh and blood fly as bodies thud to the ground, motionless. No matter how skilful these intruders are, none are able to prevail against therge group of beasts within the mountain. In less than an hours time, the group of eight men are mercilessly torn limb from limb, their corpses devoured by the carnivorous animals. By the end of it all, not even a single bone remains.


    The Lone Horned Jackal is a beast that looks simr to a house cat. One shouldnt judge it due to its size, for within this Evil Dragon Mountain, this beast is one of the most dangerous creatures. Topensate for its small stature, Lone Horned Jackals are gifted with extreme cunning and intelligence.


    When hunting their preys, a Lone Horned Jackal will not attack head on. Nor will it aim to kill swiftly, ending lives in a single strike. Like a cat ying with a mouse before they eat, this beast will allow its prey to run while it chases, amusing itself with its target until it copses from fear and exhaustion. Only then will the Lone Horned Jackal end its preys life.


    This little beggars silver hair has already been pawed at until it is a frightful mess. Tripping and stumbling, his clothes have long umted countless stains and tears. Large rips can be seen on a shoulder, travelling down towards his back. Blood continuously flows from the shallow scratches on his skin.


    Go awaygo away. Dont eat mewuwu Stumbling forward, the child waves his weak arms towards the Lone Horned Jackal stalking him.


    In the beasts eyes, this weak little creature doesnt possess the slightest threat. As the little beggar trips over a protruding tree root, it eventually cannot resist the enticing smell of this prey any longer. Scarlet eyes widening, it pounces on the child with a sharp yowl.


    Instinctively throwing a hand out as the Jackal leaps forward, the child falls back to the ground. Sharp teeth mp around a dirty sleeve and rip a strip from it. A fair, slender hand is exposed. Around the small wrist, a faint silver light shines.


    Before the beast can bite down on the hand, silver light converges around the little beggars arm. A translucent dragon shes into existence, roaring in anger. One moment, the Jackal is snarling in aggression and the next moment, it screeches in terror before fleeing for its life, tail between its legs.


    The little beggar doesnt know what happened, but seeing the beast flee, he scrambles back to his feet. Sobbing and running, he continues his way.


    Mouth constantly chanting dont eat me, dont eat me, and vision blurred by tears, he doesnt see theke until it is toote. With a ssh, he falls right into the ice-cold water.


    Having never learned to swim before, and coupled with his terrified state of mind, he doesnt struggle. Slowly, the little figure is drawn down into the dark depths.


    Only when water enters his nose and mouth does the little beggar struggle. However, theck of oxygen saps his remaining strength, making him stop Just as it seems death will sink its ws into this little child, just as his heart gives onest stuttering beat, the little beggars body jerks. Silver rays of light flow out of his body, cocooning him. A single tendril of golden light flies out and shoots towards the bottom of theke.


    Simr to a key slotted into the right lock, the golden tendril spreads across the bottom of theke. Instantly, a pair of golden eyes opens, illuminating the darkness. The water begins to surge, causing arge amount of bubbles to rise.


    Along with the sudden roar of a dragon echoing out of and over the mountain, arge, serpentine body shoots upwards, wrapping around the sinking child before breaking through the surface of theke.


    With another huge ssh, a dragon with inversed, ink-ck scales glistening under the light of the setting sun hovers above theke. In a sh of golden light, the dragon morphs into a handsome, ck-haired man d in ck robes, scales covering his left cheek and a dragon totem circlet on his brow.


    Face filled with anxiousness, the man swiftlynds on solid ground, setting the pale child on his arms down. Injecting a small thread of golden light into the small body, hepressed the childs chest and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.


    After who knows how long, the childs body jerks, then flips on his side to throw up several mouthfuls ofke water. Gasping, he nces wildly around until his breath returns. Before the man can react, the childs face scrunches as loud sobs are wrenched from him. Curling in on himself, the small frame trembles as he mumbles dont eat me, dont eat me under his breath.


    During that critical moment, the mans mind was filled with thoughts of absolutely needing to rescue the child. The sudden loud weeping drags him back to reality. Silver hair, torn clothes, injured legs. The silver dragon circling around one small wrist is a testimony to the childs identity. If this boy before him is not the person he misses the most, then who else could it be?


    Heart aching intensely, he reaches out to draw the trembling child into his embrace. I am here, I will protect you. Nothing will dare eat you


    Little Yuan, what exactly happened?


    He remembers everything. The final battle with that mountain demon, delivering thest blow together with Huo Zaiyuan, the demon finally exploding under the force of two incredibly powerful strikes


    The explosion ripped open a gateway between realms, which sucked little Yuan and him in


    Here, his memories end.


    But clearly, little Yuan and he seeded in returning to the Immortal Realm. His mortal body presumably turned to dust, so his soul is now united with his original body, the one slumbering at the bottom of theke. As for little Yuan


    Did he return to his original body? Or was this caused by their heavenly-defying act in the mortal world?


    His low voice sounds very soothing in this childs ears, causing the loud sobs to gradually quieten. Slowly, his tear-stained face lifts to peek at the ck-haired man. His small mouth curls into the faintest smile. Extending his hands, he wraps them around the broad shoulders and clings tightly to the man.


    An answering smile surfaces on the adults face. Although he has never hugged a child before, he instinctively knows how to bestfort this little person in his embrace. Slowly curling an arm around the childs waist, the otheres up to pat his back gently.


    Dont be afraid. With me here, no one will be able to harm you.


    Carrying the child in his arms, the man settles down beside theke. Even after a long time, the tender look in his eyes doesnt disappear. Waiting until the kid calmed down, he initiates a soft conversation.


    Being only six years old, the little beggars vocabry and exnation ability is still rather weak. Fortunately, this mans analytical skills is above average. After listening to the childs recount, he lifts a hand to stroke the silver hair. What is your name?


    Name? Grandfather calls me good grandson. The uncle who stays with us calls me little beggar The child stares at the man with a serious expression on his face. Due to crying not long ago, his eyes are still red, giving him the appearance of a little bunny.


    Hearing little beggar, the mans lips thin. Your name is not little beggar. It is Huo Zaiyuan. Remember that.


    Huo Zaiyuan? My name


    Un, thats right. Very clever, Long Zhanye praises as he rubs the top of the childs head. My name is Long Zhanye.


    Long Zhanye Repeating the name under his breath, his gaze bes distant, as though trying to recall something.


    Seeing the cute and familiar expression on the little face, Long Zhanyes heart thumps from anticipation.


    Is little Yuans memories regarding him going to


    Just as Long Zhanyes heart is filled with expectation, the childs eyes brighten, a flowery smile spreading across his face. His next sentence is like a bucket of ice water being dumped over Long Zhanyes head, extinguishing the hope burning brightly in him. So you are called Long Zhanye! Ive seen you before! You were always sleeping!


    Long Zhanye really doesnt know if he shouldugh or cry.


    Sure enough, reality is cruel. Having been returned to his childhood body, how can he remember anything?


    Im awake now. And from now onwards, I will always be together with little Yuan, is that all right?


    No matter what Huo Zaiyuan bes, he will always be the person Long Zhanye is deeply in love with. Children will eventually grow into adults. Compared with his soul scattering, this situation is many times better.


    Really? Zhanye will always be together with me? Huo Zaiyuans (Authors note:from now onwards, the little beggar will be referred to as Huo Zaiyuan) eyes brighten, glistening like precious jewels.


    Un. Forever together, never separating. Long Zhanye leans down and kisses a soft cheek.


    Then will Zhanyee with me to see grandfather?


    Of course. I will need to express my thanks to the grandfather who brought little Yuan up, Long Zhanye agrees with a nod.


    From the patched and worn clothes covering this child, it is clear his grandfathers life is also not good. However, he doesnt abandon this child, instead looking after him


    But grandfather is ill. If I give this to the doctor in the medicine store, he will be able to treat grandfather. Huo Zaiyuan shows the jade pendant in his hands to Long Zhanye, disying his inexplicable trust in the man.


    Looking at the pendant, Long Zhanyes eyes narrow.


    This jade pendant