Chapter 3- Forming Feelings

As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Zhulong continued to observe Oasis from the shadows, and a transformation began to take hold of his heart.

A strange feeling, foreign to Zhulong, emerged within him – warmth. It was a feeling he had never experienced, one that drew him closer to Oasis with each passing day. He couldn't explain it, but he found himself inexplicably drawn to this tea spirit, his desire to protect and be near Oasis growing with each passing moment.

As Zhulong witnessed Oasis's selfless acts of kindness and the solace he brought to others, a sense of jealousy and envy began to fester within the dragon god.

He resented the attention Oasis received from mortals and the way Oasis's presence seemed to mend the broken spirits of those he encountered.

In this tumultuous mix of emotions, Zhulong found himself ensnared by a feeling that had once been foreign to him but had now taken root in his heart.

He had become infatuated with Oasis, his every thought consumed by the desire to be by Oasis's side, to protect him from any harm that might befall him. The envious god was torn between his yearning for Oasis's warmth and the jealousy that threatened to consume him.

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One fateful day, as Oasis wandered through the serene forest, he found himself drawn to a small pond surrounded by wild tea leaves. The place exuded an inexplicable allure, and Oasis could not resist its call. Slowly and gracefully, he lowered his small body into the pond.

To Zhulong's amazement, the pond came alive with a vibrant and magical shimmer, and Oasis appeared to be wrapped in a cocoon of radiant energy.

The water itself seemed to imbue him with the essence of the wild tea leaves that surrounded it. It was as if the pond was bestowing upon Oasis pure life force and new vitality.

The light faded, and Oasis emerged from the water in a transformed state. He was no longer the small tea spirit but stood at a human height, around 5 feet 7 inches tall.

His skin was pale, and his hair retained the mesmerizing quality of tea, flowing down his back. Oasis's beauty was ethereal, and he seemed to embody a fusion of human and spirit.

Zhulong watched in awe, his heart swelling with a love he had never known. The sight of Oasis's transformation was a breathtaking revelation, and the dragon god's feelings deepened even further.

He had fallen in love with Oasis all over again, his infatuation transcending the boundaries of their respective beings, and his desire to be near Oasis growing stronger with each passing moment.

With a heavy heart, Zhulong contemplated whether the time had come to reveal his true self to Oasis.

He knew that the path ahead was uncertain, and the specter of Oasis discovering his role in the tragedy of the valley loomed over him. Nevertheless, the dragon god was driven by a powerful yearning to protect and stand by Oasis, even if it meant facing the consequences of his past actions.

With a heart full of both love and trepidation, Zhulong made the decision to reveal himself to Oasis, albeit in a different form.

He transformed into an earth lizard, choosing this guise to experience the warmth of Oasis's touch and to be as close to him as possible.

In his lizard form, Zhulong was about the size of a large cat, his scales reflecting the earthy hues of the forest.

As Oasis continued his wanderings through the forest, Zhulong approached him, his disguise complete.

Oasis, ever the kind and gentle tea spirit, welcomed the cold-looking lizard into his embrace. The earth lizard found the perfect sanctuary in Oasis's arms, his heart filled with a warmth that went beyond the touch of the physical world.

With each day, Zhulong, disguised as the earth lizard, accompanied Oasis through the forest.

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Under the cover of darkness, Zhulong, disguised as the earth lizard, found solace in the tea spirit's arms as the night unfolded its secrets. Nestled against Oasis, the god's presence was concealed, a silent guardian sharing the cool embrace of the moonlit nights.

In the quiet hours, as the forest rustled with nocturnal whispers, Oasis spoke of the wonders he had encountered on his journey. Each tale painted a vivid picture of the mystical landscapes and enchanting creatures that had crossed his path. The scars that marked Oasis's form seemed to fade momentarily as he recounted the beauty and resilience he discovered in unexpected places.

Oasis's voice, a soothing melody in the stillness of the night, echoed tales of vibrant meadows, ancient trees, and forgotten ruins. Zhulong, the disguised god, listened intently, his envy momentarily subdued by the genuine joy and admiration that emanated from the tea spirit.

The nights became a tapestry of shared stories, a delicate dance between a wounded guardian and a god concealing his true nature.

As Oasis spoke, Zhulong found himself drawn into the magic of the narratives, a reluctant participant in the unfolding tales of the mystical forest.

Under the moon's gentle glow, Oasis and Zhulong forged an unlikely companionship. The scars that separated them in daylight became insignificant in the shared warmth of the night.

In those quiet moments, as Oasis wove his tales, Zhulong glimpsed the beauty that had once captivated him—a beauty that now existed in the resilient spirit of the tea spirit and the wonders of the world around them.

Many nights passed in this manner, and as the forest's edge came into view, Oasis and Zhulong noticed a grand kingdom sprawling before them.

The kingdom was a bustling metropolis with numerous streets, vast farmlands, and a multitude of people engaged in various pursuits.

The city thrived with shopkeepers selling their wares, farmers toiling in the fields, and soldiers standing guard at the gates and throughout the city.

At the heart of it all, the kingdom's centerpiece stood tall, a magnificent castle fashioned from the finest marble. It gleamed and seemed to radiate in the sunlight, casting a glow over the entire realm.

Oasis's heart swelled with excitement as he beheld the grandeur of the kingdom, an experience unlike any he had known.

Eagerly, he picked up the earth lizard, now a cherished companion, and walked with happy strides towards the city.

The two of them journeyed towards the bustling kingdom, their anticipation growing with each step. Oasis had never seen so many people before, and the prospect of exploring the grandeur of the kingdom filled him with uncontainable joy.

Zhulong, in his earth lizard form, nestled in the tea spirit's arms, felt the warmth of Oasis's happiness, a feeling he cherished above all else.