Cracks began to appear on the surface of the Mud Dragon, and something seemed about to burst out from those fissures.
In an instant, a figure appeared before Lu Xin’s eyes.
Scales layered one upon another, counter-scales pointing upward and belly scales downward.
Its spread wings could block Lu Xin’s entire view, and a gentle flap kicked up a gale.
Those golden dragon eyes peered down at Ignia and Lu Xin below, but unlike the dragons in picture books, it was not fierce—it was very gentle.
Lu Xin stared at the massive dragon before him, incredulous.
“How is it this big?”
Its size rivaled the ancient tree behind them. Could this really be what that little Mud Dragon had turned into?
“Because this is the first dragon you and I created together.”
Lu Xin reached out and touched the dragon’s scales. Just its head alone was the size of several mountains. He didn’t know if it could feel his touch.
Fortunately, the dragon could sense his touch. It closed its eyes and allowed Lu Xin to stroke it.
Ignia looked at Lu Xin, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
“You can give it a name.”
“Then let’s just call it Dragon.”
“Dragon?”
“Mm, since it’s the first creature here, it’ll take Dragon as its name.”
Ignia nodded. She picked up another lump of clay and handed it to Lu Xin.
“It’s your turn to mold one by yourself.”
“But I really don’t know how.”
“No one is born knowing everything. I can keep teaching you.”
Ignia pulled Lu Xin into her arms, holding him close. She looked down at him with affection, encouraging him.
Lu Xin was silent for a moment, then muttered, “Fine, I’ll make one myself.”
Ignia smiled happily. She was pleased that Lu Xin was willing to try on his own.
She released Lu Xin and stood behind him, quietly watching.
Lu Xin picked up a clump of clay. It felt warm and moist in his hands. He didn’t have Ignia’s smooth, flowing speed, so he seemed rather clumsy.
“Lu Xin, you’re nervous,” Ignia said with concern.
He didn’t look up. “Of course I’m nervous. You’re making me mold clay in front of you.”
“We’re one and the same. I’ve already guided you through molding, haven’t I?”
Lu Xin’s hand paused. For some reason, Ignia’s words reminded him of Ailya.
She would always squat beside him watching when he cooked, and she was also “one and the same” with him.
Lu Xin’s hands relaxed a bit. The clay gradually deformed in his hands, and then a circle appeared.
Yes, just a circle. Or maybe an oval.
Ignia bent over, carefully observing the clay lump in Lu Xin’s hands.
“What is this?”
“Uh… a dragon egg.”
“A dragon egg?”
“Yeah, it’s a dragon egg.”
Ignia stared at that mud ball for a long time. Then she laughed—not the gentle smile from before, but a laugh that came from deep within.
“You’re the first person to make a dragon egg.”
“Is that a compliment?”
Ignia patted Lu Xin’s head as a reward, and said softly, “Of course it is.”
She reached out and gently touched the clay lump in Lu Xin’s hand. The moment she touched it, the clay lump transformed into a small red dragon egg with a very hard shell.
“I polished it a bit for you, but its shape is yours—every curve bears the imprint of your hands.”
Lu Xin looked at the dragon egg in his hand. To be honest, he didn’t feel much of anything—it was just heavy, nothing more.
“Will this dragon egg hatch?” He looked up at Ignia, curious.
“Mm, it will, but it will take a very, very long time.”
Ignia looked at Lu Xin and reached out again to ruffle his hair. She said with doting affection, “You are its creator. Give it a name too.”
Without a second thought, Lu Xin blurted out, “Ailya.”
“Ailya? That matches your name quite well.”
This dragon egg was made while he was thinking of Ailya. Good thing Ailya herself wasn’t there. If she knew he had named a dragon after her, she would probably pout and glare at him angrily.
The dragon brought its head over and sniffed the dragon egg in Lu Xin’s hand. Actually, Lu Xin was a bit worried the dragon might suck the egg in.
“Are you interested in the egg?”
Dragon: “(•ิ_•ิ)?”
“I’ll take your silence as agreement. Then I’ll leave it to you to hatch this egg properly.”
As he spoke, Lu Xin placed the egg on the dragon’s claw. However, to the dragon, this egg was as small as a speck of dust.
Ignia watched Lu Xin’s actions with a smile. She nodded to the dragon, signaling her agreement to let it take charge of the dragon egg.
The dragon thought for a moment, then held the dragon egg in its palm and lay down its massive body to rest.
Watching the dragon rest, Lu Xin also felt tired. He couldn’t understand how a dream could make him more and more exhausted.
Ignia turned and walked barefoot to the base of the ancient tree. She knelt on the grass, patted her own thighs, and asked gently, “Are you tired? Would you like to rest a bit?”
Lu Xin was startled for a moment, then walked over to her, lay down, and rested his head on her thighs.
Ignia looked at the person on her lap, reached out to stroke his cheek. The clear breeze stirred her hair.
Under her soothing, Lu Xin gradually grew drowsy. He closed his eyes, feeling the soft warmth behind his head, and asked curiously, “Will I be able to see you again?”
Ignia pulled Lu Xin a little closer into her embrace and said softly, “Mm, you can. As long as you’re willing to come, you can see me anytime.”
“I have to go.”
Lu Xin opened his eyes. He had woken from his dream.
It was already daylight. Ailya in his arms was still asleep, her hands tightly clinging around his neck.
Lu Xin looked at Ailya. He suddenly remembered having a very special dream, but he had forgotten the specifics. But the one thing he could remember was that he was playing with mud, and in front of someone.
Lu Xin sighed and remarked, “How embarrassing. Good thing it was just a dream.”
He touched Ailya’s cheek, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Wake up, breakfast is ready.”
Hearing about food, Ailya groggily opened her eyes. Seeing Lu Xin in front of her, she buried her head again and closed her eyes.
“You go cook. I want to sleep a little more,” Ailya murmured and fell back asleep.
Lu Xin couldn’t do anything with her, so he just rubbed her face and got up to make breakfast himself.
But he remembered that in a few days, Audrey and the others seemed to be leaving, and he would have to see them off.
While Lu Xin was making breakfast, the Colorful Chicken flew in from outside.
It stared straight at Lu Xin, then nodded inexplicably.
“What are you doing? Want to be an extra dish for me?” Lu Xin glanced at the Colorful Chicken, wondering if it could lay eggs.
“Coo coo coo.”
“You can’t lay eggs? Then why am I keeping you?”
“Cluck cluck.”
“Alright, stop making noise. Ailya still needs to sleep. I’ll feed you later.”
Hearing Lu Xin’s answer, the Colorful Chicken nodded in satisfaction again and flew out.
So it just came in to remind Lu Xin that it was hungry.