Waves continued pounding against Hải Long Thành. Stone walls tilted and cracked, massive blocks crashing down, creating a subterranean storm that dragged all into the ocean's depths. Amid the salty mist, Quang Minh clutched Bích Thủy in his arms, eyes glinting with steely resolve.
Decision to Leave Hải Long Thành
Quang Minh pressed his fingers against Bích Thủy's wrist, checking her pulse. It fluttered faintly, sometimes vanishing altogether.
He murmured:
"I can't let you die here…"
Fastening his broken sword at his side, he gently lifted Bích Thủy onto his shoulder. Casting one last look back at Hải Long Thành, Quang Minh whispered:
"Senior Nguyễn… I won't fail your final wish. I'll reclaim the secret manual and restore peace to Jianghu."
At that moment, a thunderous explosion rocked the chamber. The main gate of Hải Long Thành collapsed entirely. Seawater surged inward, a massive emerald serpent swallowing the palace whole.
Quang Minh roared, channeling his inner force, diving forward through the surging silver waves. His inner energy churned wildly, but he clenched his teeth, carrying Bích Thủy out into the open sea.
Hiding on Bích Hải Island
Night fell, winds howling. Moonlight spread silver across the ocean, casting Bích Hải Island in a mystical glow like a floating realm of immortals.
Inside a cave on the island, Quang Minh tended a flickering fire. Bích Thủy lay unconscious, her complexion deathly pale. Quang Minh touched her forehead and felt a chill like ice.
He murmured:
"Her internal injuries are grave. I must find a way to save her…"
Firelight flickered over Quang Minh's face, etched with sorrow and contemplation. In his eyes shimmered the image of Nguyễn Tinh Vân and the fishskin scroll now stolen by Lê Hoàng Tử.
The Dream of the Dragon Soul
Sometime in the night, Quang Minh dozed off beside the fire. In his dream, he found himself standing upon a vast turquoise sea, surrounded by golden beams of light swirling around his body. Before him floated the Dragon Soul Diagram, crimson characters glowing and shifting as though alive.
An ancient voice echoed across the waters, resonating through the ocean depths:
"The five elements converge into one. From unity emerges the dragon from the sea. But he who practices the Divine Art of Transforming into a Dragon… without tranquility in his heart… shall become a demon."
Quang Minh exclaimed in fear:
"Senior Nguyễn… is that you?"
From the waves, the figure of Nguyễn Tinh Vân appeared, his beard and hair white as snow, his demeanor majestic yet shadowed by sorrow.
"Quang Minh… you are the last hope. Remember, the secret manual was never meant to rule Jianghu. Only one whose heart remains compassionate is worthy to wield the Divine Art of Transforming into a Dragon."
Quang Minh asked in a trembling voice:
"But how can I tell the difference between the demonic heart and the righteous one within me?"
Nguyễn Tinh Vân shook his head sadly:
"Between righteousness and evil… lies only a single thought. You must find your own answer."
His figure faded into the waves, leaving the Dragon Soul Diagram blazing bright, containing heaven, earth, sun, and moon.
Awakening
Quang Minh jerked awake, sweat soaking his brow. The fire had nearly died, and outside, the sea murmured with endless waves.
He clenched his fist and whispered:
"Senior Nguyễn… I understand now. The secret manual is not meant for absolute power… but to protect those I love and safeguard Jianghu."
He gazed at Bích Thủy, his eyes shining with renewed determination.
"Lê Hoàng Tử… even if you master the Divine Art of Transforming into a Dragon, I will never let you turn Đại Việt into a river of blood."
Beyond the cave, dawn slowly painted the horizon red. On Bích Hải Island, the sea breeze howled, like distant war drums echoing from the horizon.
A great battle… was drawing ever closer.