67 The Unfolded Secrets

"The alliance had always had a good relationship with the dragons," the Dragon Lord continued, "and since it was I who had murdered them all, I took it upon myself to help and reunite the alliance members kidnapped brethren."

"I was chained and these crystals you see around here are slowly sapping my power away. But either way, I was powerless. The curse would activate every time I try to fly and nightmares sent me into a killing spree if I try to attack anyone."

"So I sent Willes on a secret mission. He wasn't affiliated with any of the four kingdoms but still had a somewhat decent relationship. Mishadow worked in the shadows in the darkness so we didn't have to worry about the alliance being exposed."

"Willes was supposed to take advantage of the war to go around the kingdoms and return the kidnapped ones. But something came up and the plan was thrown into disarray. I had warned him of the betrayal of the one he most trusts that would undeniably force him to abandon the mission. They started by kidnapping and..."

Fiona's voice was full of grief as she finished the sentence. "They kidnapped and murdered Aina Wang by disguising themselves as a Glendorian soldiers, but they let enemy cultivators into the village. I-I was so angry I forced daddy into joining the war."

The two of them locked eyes for a brief moment. Fiona conceded with an apology, her face sullen. "I'm sorry, mister dragon."

The Dragon Lord snorted. His breath created fumes that blocked the exit of the cave and his voice was shallow. "It is not entirely your not. I too underestimated them. He had more ways of forcing Willes into the war."

"Then you know who he is? And what the hell does he want?" I asked while consoling Fiona. My gentle patting seemed to work. Fiona's breath grew more and more controlled but I could tell her sullen mood hadn't changed much.

"Of course. But the heavens forbid me from telling you, else we'd all face the heavenly tribulation seventeen times. I can tell you one thing though," the Dragon Lord paused.

"They act purely out of revenge and are not involved in the mission, and once again, they are ones who Willes trusts the most." His jewel red eyes turned to Fiona as he muttered, "I hope the truth won't scare you, Princess Fiona."

I hugged the trembling Fiona. She probably already has an idea of who the betrayer is. "So you're entrusting this mission to me? Us?"

"It was not within my calculations ot have met you, Vincent. I do not know why fate allowed you to meet Princess Fiona and become her new father but one shall never question fate. Your destiny has already been predetermined by the heavens." His voice rose higher and higher louder and louder. "Do you agree?" The Dragon Lord roared.

The force pusehd me back as the cave around me rumbled and shook. Debris crumbled around me as a cloud of dust arose. The shinign crystals were not blurry as some shattered with a loud clink into a brust of light.

"Yes!" I shouted. From the time I met Fiona and made her that cup of juice, I had alreayd vowed the heavens taht my fate was tied to hers.

"Good," his deep serpentine voice answered under all the chaos. My arms wrapped around teh now snozzing Fiona, not even alowing a spekc of dust and dirt onto her.

"Is there a reason why uyou put her to sleep?"

"She cannot hear about this. As her father, you have every right to know."

I drew in a deep breath and blinked, awaiting the answer I hope that I wouldn't get. Does it concern her life?"

"Yes, it does," the Dragon Lord replied. "Princess Fiona is both blessed and cursed by the heavens. You have already realized it, haven't you? Her inconsistent personality? How shes acting differently when shes whit you and when she's talking and thinking about Willes? How she's acting differently in battle when on the verge of life and death?"

I closed my eyes and gave a ungrudging nod. It was the truth.

"The Snow Queen's heart. An ancient being from my times. She was one of the gods that descended from the heavens with unparalleled talent for the ice talent. Fiona, however, I do not know how but her constitutions remains one of a talented but ordinary human being but her heart is different. It triggers when at a young age when one loses their closest family and ultimately poisons the host slowly. They will grasp and treasure those memories with them and seek another person that bears resemblance."

"In other words, me."

"That is correct. Princess Fiona's talent also stemmed from the Snow Queen's heart but it also made the consequences even more detrimental. If you are in danger and worst, dead, she will be consumed by ice. Her feelings, her emotions, her entire body will slowly freeze over. However, in return she will gain immense power and seek mindless revenge."

"It's... it's too late already."

"Indeed. She choose a mortal like you and brought you over to the cultivation world. It was inevitable. 14 years old. Her 14th birthday is the day she shall die even if you live and remain injured."

. . .

It took a long while for that to sink in. Fiona. Her cheeful, her chilish innocent self would never return. She's destined to become a snow queen, devoid of any emotions except revenge over her late father and then perish at 14.

She stirred in my arms and turned around, burying herself in her own pristine silver hair and my chest. I kissed the back of her head.

No.

This wouldn't do.

There is no way in the name of the heavens that I shall let her die.

"The cure. Is there a cure? Snow Queen, and ice. The Azure Frost? Did the Azure Frost arrange the marriage for the Snow Queen's heart?" I asked. I could not hide both the panic and hope in my eyes.

The Dragon Lord stared back at me with mirth. "I cannot guarantee an answer, Vincent. I cannot say no more except the fact that your journey starts there."

"Did you hear that, Fiona?" I whispered into her ears. "There's a clue to save you. And you daddy will do whatever it takes for you to continue cuddle like this in my arms and drink juice happily again."

"I know you're anxious to leave but you cannot. Have you consolidated your dantian and foundation at Golden Core?"

I nodded. "I'm only at Stage 1 though. I broke through thanks to Desmonde there but contained all that excess qi from the Frost Devil Arts, so my foundation very stable."

"No signs of demonic qi and corruption of the devil. Your soul and mental willpower is strong, very good. I shall give you the training from the ancient times that should push you the peak of Soul Formation. You will just need to absorb some more ice qi when you're at the Azure Frost and you can breakthrough to Spirit King."

I clenched my fists and did my best to bow downwards but the Dragon Lord stopped me.

"There is no need to bow, for I too have another favour to ask of you. First, call Lura and the elves to take care of Fiona and the leader of the dwarves to unlock these chains."

"What?" I exclaimed. "Your curse. The nightmares. Won't you be in excruciating pain?"

"For the favour I'm about to ask of you, it shall be worth it. And as long as I do not leave this humble cave, I should be fine." The Dragon Lord answered sombrely. His red eyes blinked in melancholy. However, before I even knew it, he flexed his claws and swung his tail around.

"Besides, it would be good to exercise these bones of mine. Try not to die, Vincent Idaroth Anslein."