Now that matters on Dragon Island were settled, Yang Kai naturally had no intention of lingering. Though it pained him to part with Zhu Qing, he had already set up a spatial formation outside Dragon Island, so traveling back and forth would be convenient from now on. It was time to leave.
He had notified Mo Xiaoqi several days in advance so she could prepare. Xiaoqi would be departing with Yang Kai this time, returning to Spirit Beast Island. Yang Kai intended to personally escort Mo Xiaoqi back, and while he was at it, he would set up another spatial formation there — partly because Li Wuyi had asked him to do so before, and partly to make it easier for Mo Xiaoqi to visit Fu Xuan in the future.
Zhu Yan came to see Yang Kai ahead of schedule, and the two spent the entire night drinking together, not parting until dawn. Not a word was spoken the whole night. Before leaving, Zhu Yan finally left behind a single request: "Take good care of Xiao'er for us — for both of us!"
Yang Kai nodded solemnly, understanding that Zhu Yan and Fu Zhun had made up their minds to let him take Yang Xiao away. Though the little fellow had only been born a few days ago, the various problems he carried made it impossible for him to stay at the Dragon Palace much longer. Since he would have to leave eventually, it was better to go sooner rather than later. With Yang Kai looking after him on the outside, Zhu Yan could rest a little easier.
On the day of departure, Yang Kai and Zhu Qing waited on Half Moon Island. Mo Xiaoqi and Fu Xuan arrived shortly after, mother and daughter walking hand in hand like a pair of sisters, whispering quiet words to each other. Fu Xuan's eyes were full of reluctance — after all the difficulty of reuniting with her daughter for this long, having to part again today was naturally heartbreaking.
They waited and waited, but there was no sign of Yang Xiao. Yang Kai furrowed his brow, a faint sense of unease stirring in his chest.
Several hours passed before a streak of red light came hurtling toward them, landing before the group to reveal Zhu Lie.
"Where are the Grand Elder and the others? Why haven't they arrived yet?" Zhu Qing asked.
Zhu Lie's expression twitched. "The Second Elder took Yang Xiao and went into hiding."
"Hiding?!" Zhu Qing's face was full of astonishment.
Yang Kai was momentarily speechless. He had known Fu Zhun would be reluctant to let Yang Xiao go, but he never imagined she would actually resort to something like this.
Zhu Lie continued, "The Grand Elder sent me to pass along a message — he said to wait a little longer, and he would bring Yang Xiao here himself."
"Mm." Yang Kai nodded.
Having delivered his message, Zhu Lie flew off immediately, presumably to track down the Second Elder and Yang Xiao. Yang Kai and Zhu Qing exchanged a glance, both caught somewhere between laughter and exasperation.
The wait lasted a full day and night. It wasn't until the next morning that Zhu Yan finally arrived at Half Moon Island with Yang Xiao in tow, his old face dark as iron — clearly furious. Fu Zhun followed close behind, tear stains still visible on her face, her eyes fixed longingly on Yang Xiao dangling from Zhu Yan's grip. But she knew there was no fighting this, so she could only bite her lip and silently shed tears.
Zhu Yan placed Yang Xiao before Yang Kai and said solemnly, "I'm entrusting Xiao'er to you. If he misbehaves… discipline him harshly."
Yang Xiao immediately spoke up: "Father, don't worry! Out there, I'll listen to my godfather in everything. I absolutely won't cause him any trouble."
His sensible demeanor put Zhu Yan somewhat at ease, and the old man gave a slight nod.
Yang Kai glanced over at Fu Zhun, then gently nudged Yang Xiao forward. "Go say goodbye to your mother. We need to get moving."
Yang Xiao nodded and walked up to Fu Zhun, tilting his head to look up at her.
Fu Zhun's restrained emotions finally broke. She crouched down and swept him into her arms, sobbing and murmuring something in his ear. Yang Xiao kept nodding, using his small hands to wipe away Fu Zhun's tears while softly comforting her.
It took a long while before Fu Zhun's emotions steadied. She gave him a few more careful instructions.
Yang Kai stepped over to her side. "We should go," he said.
Fu Zhun nodded, forcing down the ache in her heart. She pressed a space ring into Yang Xiao's hand, sniffling. "Your mother prepared some things in here. If anyone out there dares to bully you, just drop your father and mother's names. We'll stand up for you."
"Mm-hm!" Yang Xiao nodded eagerly.
Zhu Yan couldn't help but cover his face with his hand. Isn't this just encouraging the boy to run wild? He suddenly felt that letting Yang Xiao leave with Yang Kai might not be such a bad thing after all. If the little fellow stayed on Dragon Island with Fu Zhun doting on him like this, he'd absolutely be spoiled rotten. What kind of Second Elder of the Dragon Clan was this? How had she become like this the moment she had a child?
Yang Kai and his group finally departed.
No one came to see them off. On Half Moon Island, three women stood watching the receding figures with lost expressions, each pair of eyes brimming with deep concern.
They traveled swiftly, arriving at the entrance after less than half a day.
Fu Ling, sensing the commotion, came to investigate. Seeing Yang Xiao actually traveling alongside Yang Kai, she couldn't hide her surprise. After learning what had happened, she didn't make any trouble — Yang Kai's standing on Dragon Island was extraordinary now, and every dragon treated him with the utmost courtesy, to say nothing of the fact that she herself had no courage to oppose him.
She let them pass without delay.
They passed through the entrance, left Dragon Island behind, and shot straight up from beneath the sea.
Moments later, the four of them had risen above the ocean.
Yang Xiao gazed around in wonder, clicking his tongue. "So this is the outside world? It doesn't feel all that different from Dragon Island."
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "What you see before you is merely a drop in the ocean. This is the East Sea — Dragon Island also has its seas, so naturally there isn't a huge difference. In time, you'll see how the outside world differs from the island."
Yang Xiao nodded in understanding. "So that's how it is."