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The sun had faded to a muted orb of crimson light. In the dwindling glow, the waters of the Changjiang glittered as it wound like a fiery serpent across the emerald valley, stretching far beyond where our eyes could see.

I squinted, scanning our surroundings for where the Long Dragon, the most powerful of the dragons, was said to be imprisoned. Liwei pointed out a mountain of blue-gray rock, its peak shrouded in fog. Fields of yellow flowers bloomed at the base. Against the darkening sky, a pale light radiated from the mountain—so faint, it could not be seen by mortal eyes.

My fingers untied the cord of my pouch, pulling out the Divine Iron Seal. The metal was no longer cold, but pulsing with heat. My heart thudded as I lifted it toward the towering peak. Would it crumble to dust—the dragon soaring into the sky, grateful to be freed from its prison?

Yet nothing happened. The valley remained still with only the crickets chirping in their nightly serenade.

“How does this work?” I asked Liwei.

He took the seal, inspecting its markings before passing it back to me. “It’s a key. We just need to find the lock.”

I stared at the enormous mountain, wondering how long it might take to search it. “Would this count as a ‘dire’ need?” I ventured.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “My father would not fault you when you’re here at his behest.”

Use whatever means necessary. The emperor’s words echoed through me again. Brushing aside my unease, I channeled my magic, light shooting from my palm to engulf the dull metal. The carved dragon erupted into flame, writhing as though it were alive. Hot wind surged into my face as the seal shot into the air, circling the mountain like a blazing beacon—then plunging down and vanishing from sight. Before I had time to fret, it appeared again on the horizon, hurtling back to my hand with such force that I staggered, almost falling to the ground. As I stared at it, the fire dwindled to nothingness, the dragon morphing into lifeless iron once more.

The ground shuddered. I stumbled, almost dropping the seal before I slipped it into my pouch. A thunderous roar shattered the silence. My head snapped to the peak as a large crack wrenched it apart. Rocks flew in all directions, several hurtling past me as I ducked, crouching down on the ground. Crimson tongues of flame surged from the heart of the mountain, slithering through the gaping cracks like a volcano on the brink of eruption.

With an ear-splitting cry, an enormous creature burst forth, shaking clouds of blinding dust from its body. Ruby-red scales glowed as if newly forged metal. Its massive paws were tipped with gold scythe-like claws, and its mane and tail flowed with lush vermilion strands. Its face would have been terrifying—crowned by bone-white antlers, and with those sharp curved fangs—but for its amber eyes shining with wisdom.

We stood, transfixed, as the dragon arched its neck toward the sky. Its gaze swept over the valley, fixing upon us. Without a pause, it flew in our direction, its powerful body undulating in the air. How graceful its flight, unaided by wings! Yet as the great creature drew closer, my heart thudded so hard I thought it would drive a hole through my ribs. Xiangliu, the giant octopus, the Bone Devil . . . none of those monsters had daunted me so.

Who freed me from my prison? Tell me your name. The dragon’s tone was perfectly pitched, neither low nor high, neither sharp nor soft.

With a start, I realized its jaws remained shut as it spoke—its voice reverberating in my mind like we were one and the same. I swung around to stare at Liwei and Wenzhi, both equally dazed and bewildered. I had not imagined it; the dragon had spoken to them, too.

The Long Dragon cocked its magnificent head to one side. Was it waiting for an answer to its question?

I cleared my throat, trying to loosen the sudden cramp. “Venerable Dragon, I am Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and Houyi. I released you at the behest of the Celestial Emperor, who asks you to relinquish your pearl to him.” My pride in speaking my parents’ names was quashed by the shameful nature of my task.

A deep growl punctured the quiet. Its eyes narrowed with menace as smoke streamed from its flaring nostrils. No, not smoke—but mist, as crisp as an autumn dawn. Shaken by its hostility, I took a step back, tugging the Jade Dragon Bow free from its bindings.

What right do you have to demand my spiritual essence? the dragon thundered.

“Not your essence,” I said quickly, trying to allay its concerns. “The emperor only wants your pearl.” Even as I spoke, a seed of doubt sprouted. In the Celestial Kingdom—where jewels were as plentiful as flowers—why did the emperor covet these pearls?

Sparks shot from the Long Dragon’s nostrils as its voice erupted in my mind. Our pearls contain our spiritual essence. Whoever possesses our pearls, controls us! Do you expect us to willingly exchange imprisonment for enslavement? To the one who locked us away for bringing rain to the mortals? We could have fought him then, we could have fled into the oceans beyond his reach—but that would have torn the skies and upended the earth, pitting land and sea against each other. And that, we could not bear.

My heart plunged as I spun to Liwei. “Were you aware of this?”

“No,” he replied tersely. “Dragons disappeared from the Immortal Realm centuries ago. Nothing in our texts tell of this.”

I should have known better; he would not have kept it from me. It dawned on me, then, that I had been duped by the emperor. He had asked for the pearls, without mentioning the dragons’ essence. This was not what I had agreed to . . . yet this was the bargain I had struck. How could I do this? How could I make the dragons give up their freedom in exchange for my mother’s?

Yet, how could I not?

It was not the same thing, I reminded myself, though it was a hard truth for me to bear. Imprisonment was not the same as enslavement. To give the emperor such power over the dragons, to force them to yield their will to him—could I do such a monstrous thing?

“You served under the Celestial Emperor before. He must have good reason to request your service again.” I fumbled for a peaceable solution, clinging to this slender thread to salvage my conscience—even as I loathed myself for it.

The Long Dragon’s eyes flashed, its tail lashing the air. We never served the Celestial Emperor. We were once ruled by a far worthier immortal. To him, we gave our allegiance—until he returned our pearls into our safekeeping.

Its words crushed my last glimmer of hope. Turning to Wenzhi and Liwei, I read grim determination in their faces.

My fingers reached for my jade pendant, pulling it out and clasping it for comfort. I could not look at the dragon, a hot, prickling tightness spreading across my chest. “I’m sorry, but I need your pearls.”

The Long Dragon bared its fangs, sharper than spears. Its jaws parted, spewing a stream of white mist toward me. Light erupted from Liwei and Wenzhi, even as I threw my own shield up—too late—the mist shrouding me, clinging to my skin where it seared with the biting cold of ice. But the discomfort faded abruptly, leaving just a pleasant coolness below the hollow of my neck. My pendant? I lifted it to stare at the carving. The crack had vanished; the jade was whole once more. Had the dragon’s breath done this?