To send and receive with ease

After the other girls had all retreated to their rooms, Bad Bad finally spoke up. “Do you still remember how Dragon Xiao Tian described his ancestors?”

“I remember he said his ancestors possessed an astonishing array of powers. Are you referring to that?” Ye Feng asked.

“Precisely. I believe the various energies he commands stem from the Heavenly Dragon cultivation method. During his training he absorbed vast quantities of elemental energy from different species and condensed it into an inner pill. This allows the pill to absorb and release any form of energy at will.” Bad Bad explained.

“How likely is your assessment?” Ye Feng inquired.

“If you can master ice and fire combined with other abilities, I’d place the odds at ninety percent.” Bad Bad replied.

“I’ll give it a try, then.” Ye Feng suggested.

“I thought you would. Let’s see what you’ve gained from ten years of rest.” Bad Bad said with a smile.

“Very well.” Ye Feng rose from the bed and crossed to the wall.

With no prior experience and no guiding instructions, he had to discover the method himself.

The cave lay near the Earth’s core magma, rendering the air unusually dry and devoid of moisture. Ye Feng therefore chose to test his command of fire first.

The attempt proved unsuccessful. No matter which Earthly technique he employed, no flame emerged.

“Bad Bad, your theory must be mistaken. I can’t produce fire at all.” Ye Feng said, crestfallen.

“Impossible. My analysis cannot be so gravely flawed.” Bad Bad insisted.

“Then how am I to summon it?” Ye Feng countered.

“Perhaps the method itself is at fault.” Bad Bad answered, puzzled.

“I’ve already tried every approach I know. What else could possibly remain?” Ye Feng replied, helpless.

“Maybe… Maybe you should stop relying on Earthly methods. Don’t forget, you are no longer an Earthling.” Bad Bad said with a teasing smile.

“Damn it! How was I supposed to know the Dragon Clan’s attack styles? Long Xuan never taught me anything.” Ye Feng exclaimed in frustration.

“You may ask me. Although Earth people understand the Dragon Clan only superficially, we do know their offensive tactics.” Bad Bad laughed.

“What kind of offensive tactics?” Ye Feng asked with disdain.

“Whatever you desire.” Bad Bad answered.

“What sort of ‘whatever’ is that?” Ye Feng was utterly bewildered.

“Dragons may freely control every particle of energy within their bodies during combat. They wield it with perfect command, releasing precisely the quantity they choose. In essence, they can accomplish anything they wish. Unless their reserves are depleted, they effortlessly dictate the rhythm of battle. This is why no single race can easily slay them in one-on-one combat—you are forever at their mercy, led about like a puppet.” Bad Bad explained.

“Does that mean I can do the same?” Ye Feng asked, excited. Bad Bad’s words left him unable to remain calm.

“On principle, yes. Try again.” Bad Bad encouraged.

Ye Feng said nothing more. He lifted his right hand before him and slowly gathered fire energy into his palm. A miraculous blaze erupted, shooting from his hand to singe the ceiling. The alarm blared instantly, water hissing from the ceiling sprinklers yet failing to quench the flames.

“What in the world just happened?!” Ye Feng cried, alarmed. He had no wish to burn his own quarters.

“Don’t forget what I said—dragons control their energy with complete freedom!” Bad Bad urged.

Ye Feng hurriedly tried to pull the flames back. Another miracle unfolded: the flames, as if alive, darted swiftly into his palm and vanished. He felt a richer surge of fire energy entering his body than before.

“Try ice next. My theory now stands at ninety-five percent accuracy.” Bad Bad suggested.

Ye Feng seized the opportunity. There was water on the floor, so he extended his palm and summoned ice energy from his inner pill. The liquid instantly hardened into ice. He stomped twice, and the surface proved far harder than expected.

The girls rushed in together and stared, astonished, at Ye Feng standing atop the ice and smiling like a fool.

“Isn’t this a fire alarm? Why is there ice on the floor?” Nangong Jing asked, baffled.

“I made it. Nothing to worry about. Why have you all come?” Ye Feng returned to himself and asked with a grin.

“The fire alarm in your room sounded earlier, so we rushed over. What exactly happened?” Lisa inquired curiously.

“Nothing noteworthy. I wanted to show you something.” Ye Feng opened his palm; a small flame slowly rose. His comprehension had been so sharp that he grasped the energy’s control in that single instant.

“Don’t tell me the fire alarm was caused by that pathetic little trick!” Nangong Jing said helplessly.

“The alarm was indeed triggered by it, but the flames are genuine, not some childish illusion.” Ye Feng replied. He shaped the fire into a heart and let it drift gently into the air, smiling as he played with the blaze.

“What are you…?” Amy hesitated.

Amy’s words were cut short by Dragon Xiao Tian’s voice. “I didn’t expect you to master this so rapidly.”

“To what degree?” the girls asked in unison.

“Complete mastery.” After Dragon Xiao Tian spoke, the flames in the air slowly returned to his palm and faded away.

“This isn’t some sort of deception, is it?” Nangong Jing asked, unconvinced. She saw nothing remarkable.

“What of the ice ability?” Dragon Xiao Tian ignored Nangong Jing and asked Ye Feng instead.

The answer was a soaring ice pillar that swiftly transformed into a flying Heavenly Dragon ice sculpture, sculpted according to the descriptions in Bad Bad’s notes.

The girls’ interest in the sudden ice carving far outstripped their curiosity about the earlier flames. They began to discuss how Ye Feng had accomplished it, and the atmosphere of tension gradually lifted.

“An impressive display, though its power is limited when used alone.” Dragon Xiao Tian observed.

“I have begun to adapt to my abilities, yet I still do not know how to convey a message to the Heavenly Dragon Star. Any suggestions?” Ye Feng asked.

“The same old truth: you must discover it for yourself. My ancestor forged his own path, and so must you. That said, I have faith in you. In only one day you have reached a level our entire race once required a decade—or even centuries—to achieve. Soon you will be able to transmit the signal to my people.” Dragon Xiao Tian declared with confidence.

Ye Feng was left utterly speechless. Dragon Xiao Tian turned and departed without another word.

[End of this chapter]