4 Chapter 3 – Ianeid, Cultivation and the Ice Mountain Dragon

Talar Mountains, the Peak

The young dragon thought about that word. He had some vague recollection about cultivation, but the memory was so distant and he felt that cultivation in his memories were fundamentally different here from his old world. "So how do I cultivate father?"

His father replied. "All living things generate mana inside their bodies. The older you get, the faster your body generates mana. The world and the universe too, generate mana, for they are also livings things. In the truest sense of the word, cultivating is just that, increasing your body's mana capacity, and increasing the mana your body generates.

However, most people and scholars would not consider that 'true' cultivation. To them, cultivation is when you start to actively gather mana in the surroundings, and use this gathered mana to emulate and speed up the process of increasing your mana generation and capacity, changing your core and body qualitatively.

There is also a third group of people that would still not consider this 'true' cultivation. Their way of thinking is utter nonsense I think, but they have a reason for their thoughts. They believe that you would have only embarked on the path of cultivation after your awakening.

However for you my son, this is still quite far away. You haven't even awakened so this is quite irrelevant for you. Today, I shall give you a name, and teach you the basics of gathering mana. I say basics, because there are other more efficient and advanced ways to gather mana, but I believe that learning and failing by yourself will let you learn more deeply, and will only help you in the long run."

This was a lot of information for the young dragon. Despite him having more mature mind, it took him quite a while to process it.

"My son, before I give you the conditions for a name, I shall give you my own." His thoughts were interrupted by his father's voice coming back, saying he'll reveal his name. He was anticipating what his powerful father's name was. There was yet again a moment of silence, but this time, it was an eerie silence. He looked around, noticing how quiet everything was. Outside the cave, the birds that flew were nowhere to be seen. The trees that swayed in the wind seemed stopped in time. Even the cold wind that was strong enough to destroy rocks stopped. His siblings were also looking around, wondering what is happening.

It was then a pressure bearing down on everything came. Every single creature prostrated at that pressure, including the three dragons, knowing that they were in the presence of their king. No, they were in the presence of something greater than that… a god. His majestic and ancient voice broke the silence.

"I AM BINGSHAN LONG, PROTECTOR OF THE NORTH.

WHEN MY ANCESTORS ASCENDED, THEY LEFT THIS WORLD FOR ME, TO GUARD AND PROTECT IN THEIR STEAD.

FOR MILLENNIA, I HAVE CRUSHED AN UNCOUNTABLE NUMBER OF ENEMIES, VANQUISHED INVADERS AND BANISHED OTHER WORLDERS.

IT IS ALL IN ACCORDANCE TO MY DECISION, AND MY ANCESTORS WILL."

His words were not said through their minds. Instead it sounded all throughout the Talar mountains, and even beyond that. The birds flew frantically, and the violent winds came crashing. The three young dragons, instead of being scared, felt extremely proud instead. Their hearts beat loudly. Their eyes were twinkling, admiring their father who was such a legendary being.

The young dragon who completely understood what his father said, was even more affected. He felt heat coming from his body, wanting to just go out and wreak havoc. He wanted to explore and adventure! His father was such a great figure, and he wanted to do him proud.

***

Somewhere in the Northeast, The Lantern Kingdom

In a tavern where people are loud and drinking heavily, a skinhead man was drinking merrily, and singing along to the vulgar music, red faced. He had a long sword strapped to his waist, and was wearing thick fur clothing just like most people.

Suddenly, he looked to the far north, sensing something. His face was still smiling but was a nostalgic smile instead. "Ah, that old lizard awakened? I should pay him a visit." He stood up, paid for his drink and headed for the door. On the way, the bartender with thick muscles, tanned skin and a Mohawk shouted at him.

"Het Vanta! You done drinking already?" The skin headed Vanta just smiled and replied. "Yeah Bruce, I'm going to see an old friend." And with that, he vanished, just like he wasn't there a second ago. The people around didn't pay it any mind though, as if used to that happening.

***

The Ancient Battlefield

The grey plant with blood red leaves who stood there peacefully, when it felt two consciousness connecting to it. It felt disturbed and stunned for a moment, but its leaves suddenly flapped and shined with happiness. Well, at least the plant thought it did, but in reality it just stood there.

'I see, a dwarf and a dragon huh. How lucky. But how in the hell did they get reborn as a dwarf and a fucking dragon when I got reborn as a plant??!! How fucking unlucky! I shouldn't have chosen this hell of a place. I can't see, can't smell and can't even move! God damn it! I don't even have anyone to talk to! I thought I would get something good when I felt the energies in this place so I chose to reincarnate in this, but what do I get??!! A fucking plant body??!!' The plant was trembling in rage, or at least it thought it did, but in reality it just stood there, solid as a rock.

'Ok, calm down. At least I know that my other two parts got safely reborn, that's good. Hell, why am I so angry these days? But the mind connection, how do I do that? Hmmm, let's try it. Ok, focus, focus… Zap. Arggh! That hurts! My brain! ' The plant felt a zapping pain through his mind.

'Arggh, damn it, that hurts. I do not want to experience that again. Why did it hurt when I try to do it?!' Suddenly, the plant felt a rush of memories coming in, both from his dragon and dwarf counterparts.

'What are these memories? Names, Bingshan Long, Awakening, Cultivation? What are these? Hmmm.' The plant oriented his newly gotten memories, and his thoughts were silent for a while.

'Ahehe. Ahehehehe. AheheheheheHEHEHAHAHA! This is wonderful! Cultivation? Awakening? AHAHAHA! I can finally do something in this boring place. I was going insane from the not being able to do anything! That damn dragon part of mine forgot to ask what happens to awakened plants even though he knew I was one, but asked what happens to dwarves? Fuck you dragon! Wait, did I just curse myself? Whatever, at least I can do something now. Let's see, gathering mana is it? Ok here we go.'

The plant spouted a creepy and evil laugh as he tried to sense the mana around itself. Well at least it thought it did. In reality, it just stood there, alone the battlefield of blood.

***

Talar Mountains, The Cave

Bingshan Long, the Ice Mountain Dragon was speaking to his son, the second soul, about to reveal his conditions for a name. "My son, I am a proud Ice Mountain Dragon, a holder of a noble bloodline. But I was not always an Ice Mountain Dragon. I used to be species of a much poorer bloodline, a frost wyrm. From that a low point, I struggled and worked hard, not for one moment believing I won't become something great. I received pity from my friends and peers, and occasionally scorn.

That is because my son, on the day of our awakening, our elemental affinities are unlocked, and our bodies change accordingly. You could become a red winged dragon that breathes fire, or even an earth dragon with tough bodies. Sometimes, unlucky ones do come out and become wyverns, but that is still fine. Sometimes, exceedingly luck ones also come out every couple of millennia and receive a bloodline so great that they would naturally become ascended beings as they grow old. I was thoroughly unlucky however and completely degraded into a wyrm.

My son, the reason I tell you this is because although you would have a great chance of inheriting my bloodline for you are my direct descendant, the chance for you to awaken to something else poorer is much greater.

I, who knows the difficulties of starting from the bottom did not want my children to experience the same fate. That is why, throughout the years, I developed a way for one person to inherit my bloodline. However, do remember that I can only do this to just one person ever in my lifetime."

The young dragon listened intently, realizing the seriousness of his father.

"My son, these are my conditions. If you want a name granted unto you, I want you to inherit my bloodline, the Ice Mountain Serpentine Dragon Bloodline. Through this bloodline, you will have your way paved unto ascension, just like what I have achieved right now. Of course you will not be immediately be strong as me, but as you grow older, after millennia even without working, you would naturally reach ascension. I am proud of my bloodline, and I cannot bear it being gone by not having at least one of my children inherit it.

My second condition for you is that whatever happens to you, make sure our bloodline lives on. No matter what, even if you perish, make sure you do, for my bloodline itself is my legacy, and my ultimate treasure.

My last condition for you my son, is when you reach ascension, I want you to replace me as the guardian of the north, and protector of this world, just like how my ancestors did for me. I want you to make sure it stays protected by you, until you find someone else strong and worthy enough to do so in your stead."

His father's story and conditions tugged at his heart, and so he answered, the words coming from his heart. His head lowered in respect as he said so. "Father, I shall fulfill the conditions. Please grant me a name." He replied.

"Hmmmm. There is no need for you to rush my child, for this is a serious matter. You are intelligent, but still young. Think about this." However, the intelligent young dragon instead replied immediately, his head still lowered.

"Father, I have already thought about it. Please grant me a name." He replied without stuttering, confident in his decision. In truth, although he answered quickly, he thought about his answer deeply. First of all, even if his father didn't grant him a name, or gave him the bloodline, he would still guard this place, since this was his home! Although he was just born a few days ago and doesn't have any attachment to it, he would still protect it, because he simply doesn't want to live in a home that is destroyed. And to be honest, he felt that this snowy place was beautiful, and was worth protecting. To be responsible for this place isn't that bad. The Ice Mountain Serpentine Dragon bloodline was just a cherry on top and assured his future. Although it is possible that he might awaken to some other bloodline that is as strong or even stronger than his father's, the chance of that is so low to begin with, so it is not worth the gamble of losing his father's bloodline.

His father replied, "I see, from now on there is no turning back my son. I shall impart you with our basic draconic mana gathering technique, and bit by bit transfer unto you my bloodline. On the day of your awakening, my blood in you will forcibly awaken you into one of my lineage."

His father inhaled, about to speak through real sounds again. "FROM NOW ON, YOU SHALL BE CALLED SHUANG LONG, A DRAGON OF FROST. ONE DAY, YOU SHALL BE ONE OF THIS WORLD'S DEFENDERS, AND PROTECTOR OF THE NORTH."

Shuang Long, the intelligent young dragon, the second soul, felt exceedingly happy. When the name was bestowed to him, he felt blessed. His father chose him! Out of them three siblings, he was chosen to inherit his bloodline and position! He was honored, but was puzzled a bit. Why DID his father choose him? He was but a few-days old dragon, and was entrusted a responsibility of a lifetime, a responsibility that could directly affect this world. Shuang Long then realized that most likely his father knew a bit about his circumstances, and just didn't mention anything about it, trusting him. He felt even more inclined to make sure he lives up to the expectations of his father.