35 Last Words

"Would you be willing to help me, even after I told you this story?" The Dragon's voice contained deep regret for his past actions. It was just as he said. Before Drago Firestorm had launched the massive attack on the Human Cities, the Martial Continent was more or less at an equilibrium. There were only small squabbles between the lower rank demonic beasts. The dragon's attack may have ignited a gapping hatred between the two races.

Li Tian looked into the Dragon's eyes. His face had no emotions and so, the Dragon could not tell what Li Tian was thinking. Only after a few seconds did Li Tian recover from his thoughts.

"Mr. Dragon." Wang Li Tian stood up and walked closer to the barrier between the both of them. "I will still accept your request. The story you told me is more than enough to show that you are sincere in changing."

The Dragon could see a light glow inside Li Tian's eyes. It pulsated like a heartbeat, which when examined closely, was actually a reflection. It was a reflection of the Dragon's heart. The words from an individual may be false, but what laid inside them could never change. After the three years of cultivation, Wang Li Tian had attained the Eye of the Discerning. It could see into one's true self and differentiate right from wrong.

"Thank you, little runt." The Dragon bowed down to Li Tian respectfully. "You have grown a lot since we first met."

"Hehe really?" Li Tian rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.

"Now my time has come. Meeting someone like you has been a long awaited goal of mine." The Dragon summoned a fireball in its hand. Slowly, it flew upwards, moving towards the Dragon's mouth.

"What are you doing, Mr. Dragon?" Wang Li Tian realised something was odd.

"It is time for us to part ways, little runt. Staying in this cave without much spiritual energy has deteriorated my health. I will have to die eventually, might as well die now." The fire ball slowly crept closer to the Dragon's head.

"No! Don't die!" Li TIan quickly ran up to the barrier without caring about it. Using his sword, he launched several quickdraw techniques at it. It was to no avail. The barrier remained unscathed.

"Little runt, let me impart you with one last lesson." The Dragon formed a grateful smile when seeing Li Tian try to break the barrier.

"In life, there is death. They coexist with each other just like Yin and Yang. In this world, no matter how strong and powerful you are, the end of the road would always be death." The slashing of Li Tian's blade could be heard loud and clear as the Dragon continued to speak.

"No matter how far you come on the road of cultivation, even if you are able to add another thousand years to your life span, at the end, you will still have to die some day. It is just a matter of when." Clink, Clank, Clink, Clank.

"Little runt, I may be gone today in the physical world, however, I will still live on in your heart, right?" The Dragon's voice quivered slightly. Li Tian finally stopped his attacks. "Keep living for the both of us, Li Tian. I believe you will be able to achieve great things in life. I believe…"

"NOOOO!!!!!!" With the final words from Mr. Dragon, he swallowed the ball of flame. Immediately, a strong powerful glow shone in the Dragon's stomach. Within seconds, the glow of light became so strong that Li TIan could no longer look at it.

"BOOOMM!!!!!" An inferno of flames exploded across the entire cavern, only being stopped by the Crystal formation. The fire raged on for a good minute before it calmed down, only to leave nothing behind. The ashes of the dragon was gone too, let alone the Dragon's spiritual core. When the Dragon had finally left this world for good, only did the Crystal formation deactivate and Li Tian was let through.

Clambering forward, Wang Li Tian came over to where the Dragon once stood watching over him. Mr. Dragon was truly gone for good. Li Tian kneeled in the same spot unmovingly. Tears rolled down his face uncontrollably.

"Why?! Why?! WHY?!" Hammering on the with his bare hands, the emotional 12 year old let out all of his emotions in one go. It was a symphony of remorse.

This was the first time a close friend of his had died. It was extremely painful for the little boy, especially, for he owed it all of the Dragon. Mr. Dragon had taught him how to read his Cultivation Manual. He helped enlighten him along the way. He had kept him company during the lonely nights in the mountain. He was always there for Li Tian. And now, he was gone just like that.

Li Tian knocked his head on the ground, in a flurry rampage. His hands were wrapped around his head, squeezing himself tightly. The boy was not angry at the Dragon, but instead, was angry at himself. "What was Mr Dragon's last words!?!? WHAT WAS IT?!?!?!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Li Tian tears and snot rolled down his face. He continued to scold himself in an unrestrained manner, slapping him in a fit of rage.

��Stupid Li Tian! STUPID LI TIAN! REMEMBER! REMEMBER NOW!!!" The little boy was in distraught. He hated how bad his memory was. And now, everything that the Dragon had said to him, had drifted off else where. It was only after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, did he calm down.

Starring at the ground aimlessly, Wang Li Tian felt like it was the end of the world for him. He did not know what to do or even where to go next. His master was no longer with him, neither was Mr. Dragon here anymore. Grasping the warm sand beneath his legs, he suddenly felt something in his hand.

Looking down slowly, he realised there was a small red scale in his hand. The crimson red scale had small engravings on it. Trying his luck, Li Tian infused a little bit of spiritual energy into it. The scale glowed softly as a message was played inside Li Tian's head.

"In life, there is death. They coexist with each other just like Yin and Yang. In this world, no matter how strong and powerful you are, the end of the road would always be death. Keep living for the both of us, Li Tian. I believe you will be able to achieve great things in life. From, your all-time good friend, Drago Firestorm."

Clenching the scale tightly in his hand, Li Tian once again started to bawl out tears. This time, he will finally be able to move on.