Chapter 32 | A Socially Anxious Immortal Seeks Merit Online

Yuan Heng felt a wave of amusement as she watched Duobao's thoroughly excited expression. How should she put it? It felt a lot like an elder watching a young child in the family eat a hearty meal. It was quite comforting.

Yuan Heng told him, “You are still young, and cultivation is no easy task. Do not go looking for gifts for me in the future. When I give you things, I do not seek anything in return. As long as I am happy and you are happy, this karma between us is settled.” As Yuan Heng spoke, she raised her hand and handed him another item. “Here, this one is for you too.”

Duobao, who in reality was not that much younger than Yuan Heng, was speechless. Waaah, Senior, why do you feel like a mother?

“Understood! Duobao will remember. Thank you, Senior!” Duobao happily put away another treasure. But when he looked up, he was met with his master's face, which wore a slightly aggrieved look.

Ah? Master, do you want one too? Then... then I am going to tell Second Martial Uncle!

“Disciple, you have caused Fellow Daoist Yuan Heng to spend generously on you once again.”

Duobao's hand hesitated for a fraction of a second as he tucked the spiritual treasure away, but he immediately resumed his motions as if nothing had happened. “Master, Senior said she gave it to me because she likes me. One must not refuse a gift from an elder! This is all Senior's good intentions.”

With that, Duobao turned to look at Yuan Heng, his gaze questioning. “Right, Senior?”

“Mhm... that is correct.”

Yuan Heng nodded very solemnly. Seeing this, Tongtian shook his head in resignation. “Fellow Daoist, please do not spoil him. If you keep pampering him like this, his tail will soon point straight to the heavens.”

Ah?? Is she? Yuan Heng silently questioned herself. Surely not. They were just a few items. She had plenty to spare.

Seeing that his master was about to expose his secrets, Duobao hurriedly changed the subject. “Ah, how about this, Senior! Let me show you around Mount Kunlun. It is a rare occasion for Senior to visit Kunlun. As Master's eldest disciple, it is only right that I fulfill the duties of a host on his behalf. Senior, please follow me!”

Tongtian: “...”

If you are playing host, then what am I supposed to do? Worthless disciple.

Yuan Heng glanced at Tongtian's visibly disgruntled face and hesitantly extended an invitation. “Fellow Daoist Tongtian, would you like to join us?”

“Yes!”

Tongtian's reply was resolute. He wanted to see just what kind of grand display Duobao could possibly conjure up!

And so, the tiny Duobao led the way, while the much larger Tongtian and Yuan Heng followed behind him.

For their first stop, Duobao brought Yuan Heng to the most scenic spot in the Three Friends Courtyard. Before them lay a shimmering pond. At its edge stood a gnarled, ancient tree, its branches completely covered in clusters of pinkish-purple blossoms. As a gentle breeze swept past, petals fluttered down, showcasing the spectacular beauty of falling blossoms...

Duobao's slightly youthful voice rang out. “Senior, this is the most beautiful spot in the entire Three Friends Courtyard. The sky is soft and clear, and the world is tranquil and serene here. Underneath the tree is a wonderful spot for meditation and cultivation! And in the pond, there is also a very beautiful little dragon that Second Martial Uncle took in and kept here some years ago.”

Little Yellow Dragon, come out to receive some good luck!

Hmm? A little dragon?

Yuan Heng blinked, her eyes filled with curiosity. “A dragon?”

She had never seen a dragon before. Yuan Heng leaned forward and poked her head over to look, but she saw nothing.

Seeing this, Duobao stepped forward quickly. “Since Senior wishes to see, I will simply call the Little Yellow Dragon out. There is no need for Senior to trouble herself by leaning over.”

With that, he drew closer to the edge of the pond. “Little Yellow Dragon, are you there?”

At those words, Yuan Heng raised an eyebrow. A wave of understanding washed over her. It really is him.

He was one of the future Twelve Golden Immortals of Kunlun, Daoist Yellow Dragon.

Just as Duobao finished speaking, a pale gold little dragon slowly flew out from the pond.

“Wow...”

What a beautiful little dragon. It practically glows in the sunlight. Though, why is there dirty residue under its scales?

Huanglong first bowed to Tongtian. Seeing Tongtian nod, he then turned to look at Yuan Heng and clasped his claws together in greeting.

He scrutinized Yuan Heng at the edge of the pond with curiosity, feeling that the golden light of merit behind her head was so bright it almost blinded his dragon eyes.

Huanglong was amazed. Wow... What an incredible senior. To think she possesses such an immense amount of merit...

Seeing how curious Yuan Heng was, Tongtian gestured to Huanglong. “Little Yellow Dragon, come here. Get a bit closer.”

Huanglong nodded and flew closer, rubbing his claws together somewhat nervously.

Looking at the little dragon within arm's reach, Yuan Heng examined it up and down with interest. “Is your name Huanglong?”

“Mhm, mhm!”

Oh my, this was the first time a dragon had ever been looked at with such appreciative eyes. He was so incredibly embarrassed!

The dragon's face flushed red for a brief moment. Yet Yuan Heng did not stop radiating her charm. “You are truly beautiful. You are the most beautiful little dragon I have ever seen.”

Yuan Heng spoke without hesitation, though in reality, she had only seen this one dragon in all of her two lifetimes combined.

Hearing her words, Huanglong's face instantly heated up to a boil. Senior... she... she praised a dragon for being beautiful!

Huanglong was the final son of the Ancestral Dragon. When he hatched, the Longhan Calamity had just come to an end.

Before he could even do anything, he was immediately engulfed by the dragon race's overwhelming negative karma.

Yet his unlucky dragon life had only just begun. Along his journey, he would either get caught in the crossfire of fights between powerful beings, run into hostile clans trying to capture him, or just suffer sheer bad luck—crashing into mountains and trees, or having his energy go wild during cultivation...

By chance, he once fell into the Kunlun Mountains and was rescued by the Second Master. Kept in this pond, his plight had finally eased slightly...

Pain... It was just too painful.

Huanglong looked at Yuan Heng, his large eyes filled with bashfulness. He clasped his claws together once more. In his long, unfortunate dragon life, this was the very first time he had been praised so directly. It was quite embarrassing!

Yuan Heng asked Tongtian, “Is this Little Yellow Dragon the final descendant of the Ancestral Dragon?”

Tongtian raised an eyebrow. “You noticed?”

Yuan Heng nodded. “He seems very pure and innocent, and he doesn't look very old either.”

Tongtian nodded. “Indeed. He didn't get to enjoy even a sliver of the Ancestral Dragon's blessings, yet he was saddled with a great deal of the sin instead. Tsk tsk. If he hadn't been kept here on Mount Kunlun, with the destiny of the Three Pure Ones helping to shield him, this child would still be suffering terribly.”

Seeing the Little Yellow Dragon's naive look, Yuan Heng summoned the White Lotus of World Cleansing. “Does he need help with the negative karma clinging to his body?”

The Little Yellow Dragon's eyes lit up, and even Duobao's eyes flickered with a trace of anticipation. If it is possible, that would be wonderful.

The negative karma weighed so heavily on him that his cultivation could not progress, and his luck was constantly being drained. He was truly an incredibly unlucky dragon.

Unfortunately, the outcome was bound to disappoint everyone.

Tongtian shook his head. “It cannot be helped. Second Brother tried it, and he said that the negative karma on him must be offset by earning merit himself. Furthermore... his providence is shallow. If we give him spiritual treasures or spiritual materials, he will suffer a backlash from his own luck.”

Tongtian sighed as he looked at the clear-eyed Little Yellow Dragon. “Nothing can suppress it... This is a tribulation oath set by the Heavenly Dao. It cannot be avoided.”