38: Thor

The moment the greatsword was pulled out, a rich life energy surged from the hideous wound. The emerald glow flowed like a physical substance, rapidly enveloping the mangled flesh and broken bones.

Standing on the Dragon's back, Lin Luo could clearly feel the vigorous vitality beneath his feet, pulsating like the heartbeat of the earth. The bone-deep wound squirmed and healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, with new granulation tissue interweaving and spreading, quickly covering the exposed spine. Then, scales shimmering with an emerald luster burst through the skin, rapidly covering the new flesh. In an instant, it was restored to its original state, smooth and shiny, as if that lethal greatsword had never existed.

"This..." Even though Lin Luo was mentally prepared, witnessing this near-miraculous healing power with his own eyes made him let out a low exclamation of surprise. "The recovery power of a Fantasy Species is truly terrifying..."

He couldn't help but think of the internal injuries in his own body that had yet to heal—the lingering effects of trading blow for blow with Akaza. Even with Yukino Mifuyu's careful treatment, he still needed time to recover. Yet the Dragon before him had recovered from the brink of death to near-peak condition in just a few breaths, even perfectly regenerating its scales. Such talent was truly startling.

The Dragon stretched its massive body, its bones crackling with a sense of power. It shook its long neck, confirming its injuries were healed, and then turned its massive head toward Lin Luo. In those molten gold vertical pupils, the hostility and disgust had mostly dissipated, replaced by intense curiosity and surprise.

"Human," its voice was much louder than before and no longer aggressive. "Why... did you help me? And why can you touch that 'Divine Artifact' without suffering any backlash?"

Lin Luo gave a light leap, jumping off the Dragon's back and landing on the clearing not far from it, looking up at the colossal creature.

"It was just convenient. You looked pretty miserable falling down; I couldn't just stand by and watch you die." His tone was flat, as if he had only done something trivial. "As for that sword... perhaps it only harms Dragons?"

He didn't reveal the truth. The energy on that sword was vast and majestic, carrying a strong aura of light. The moment he touched it, it tried to corrode his arm, but it was quietly neutralized by the pendant hanging from his neck.

Pure energy was continuously drawn into the pendant. Aside from an occasional flicker of spiritual light, there was no disturbance. It wasn't until the sword in his hand fell silent that he easily put it away.

Even without knowing the truth, the Dragon clearly didn't believe his explanation. Its nostrils flared, puffing out two clouds of white smoke smelling of sulfur. "Hmph, nothing but lies. I am 'Tohru,' of the Chaos faction's Dragon Clan. Human, state your name. You have earned the right to know mine."

"Lin Luo."

"Lin Luo..." Tohru repeated in a low voice, a hint of thought flashing through her dragon pupils. "What an awkward name. You... aren't an ordinary human of this world, are you?"

Lin Luo raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps the one who doesn't belong to this world is you, the Dragon!"

Tohru twitched her nostrils, startled to realize that the energy concentration in this world was too low. Although she didn't rely on low-level external energy, if other members of her clan came here, they would likely become very weak.

"I've arrived in quite an extraordinary world." She muttered softly, a sense of loss rising in her heart.

"Tell me," Lin Luo asked, "what's the deal with that sword and the enemy who injured you like this?"

At the mention of this, Tohru's eyes instantly became sharp and angry, and a low growl issued from her throat. "It's those damn 'God's Servants'! They call themselves maintainers of world order, but in reality, they're a bunch of tyrannical executioners! I was sleeping peacefully, minding my own business, when that group of people attacked me for no reason. That guy who stabbed me... if I ever see him again... I was forced into a spatial turbulence and fell here..."

Her voice was filled with grief and indignation. Her massive dragon claws dug deep into the ground, plowing several furrows.

Lin Luo listened quietly, understanding the situation. Perhaps it was due to racial opposition, or perhaps humans feared the Dragon Clan threatened their safety. From a human perspective, how could one allow another to snore beside their bed? But for Tohru, this was indeed an undeserved disaster.

"So, you can't go back now?" he asked.

Tohru's massive head drooped slightly, looking somewhat dejected. "The spatial coordinates are already a mess. It will be hard to find the way home in a short time. And... my power hasn't recovered yet; I can't tear through space..."

After a moment of silence, Tohru looked back up at Lin Luo with a complex gaze. "In any case, human Lin Luo, you saved my life. The proud Dragon Clan will never forget this kindness. According to Dragon Clan tradition, you may make one request that does not endanger my life or dignity as a reward."

Lin Luo looked at the Dragon before him, which, despite being in a sorry state, still maintained its pride. His heart stirred slightly. A powerful, temporarily homeless Fantasy Species ally... in the increasingly complex current situation, she could become a force that could not be ignored.

But he wasn't in a hurry to make a request. He just smiled. "Keep the request for now. You've just recovered from your injuries; you need rest and to get familiar with the environment. This world... isn't peaceful either. Perhaps we can help each other."

Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Tohru's dragon pupils. She had seen too many greedy humans who, upon receiving a promise from the Dragon Clan, would impatiently demand treasures, power, or to enslave them. Lin Luo was the first to treat it so calmly.

"Help each other?" She chewed on the words. "What danger is there in this world that even someone like you... Well, your power really isn't that strong." She could sense energy fluctuations in Lin Luo, but they weren't strong. Compared to her, he was like a tiny ant.

"Fine," Tohru raised her head, her dragon whiskers trembling slightly. "From now on, the great Tohru shall protect your safety."

Just then, complex magic circle patterns suddenly appeared beneath the Dragon's body, and a purple light covered her entire form. Under Lin Luo's surprised gaze, the coiled Dragon's figure rapidly shrank and transformed, finally turning into a blonde girl who landed lightly on the ground.

She was simply wrapped in a grey robe. The hem of the robe fluttered in the wind, vaguely outlining her graceful curves. The front of the robe was slightly open, revealing skin as smooth as jade. Those molten gold vertical pupils were still bright, now looking at Lin Luo with a bit of pride.

The moment Lin Luo's gaze touched Tohru's human form, it unnaturally shifted away, landing on the nearby bushes. He gave a light cough, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "By the way... I didn't expect you to be female, Tohru."

"Hmph, as expected of a lower race, your thinking is still stuck on the surface." Tohru tossed her long blonde hair nonchalantly, her vertical pupils carrying a hint of playfulness. "To us Dragons, gender is but a minor difference in life forms."

Lin Luo coughed twice, choked by her words. "As expected of a Dragon, truly unconventional. But Tohru, this 'clothing' you're wearing..." He weighed his words. "Isn't it a bit too... simple?"

Hearing this, Tohru straightened her back proudly and patted the grey robe on her chest—a garment that barely covered her. This action caused her already loose collar to slip down a bit more. She didn't mind at all, instead explaining proudly, "This is transformed from my scales! Don't look down on it; its defense is super strong. Ordinary blades can't harm it at all."

Looking at Lin Luo still turning his head away, Tohru tilted her head. The straightforward thinking of the Dragon Clan made it hard for her to understand this subtle human sense of shame. She tugged at the hem of her robe and added, "If it weren't for your strange human customs, I wouldn't even have bothered to transform into this."

"Since this is transformed from your scales, you should be able to change its style as you wish, right?" Lin Luo keenly caught the main point. He took out his phone, scrolled to a photo of a decent outfit for a girl, and handed it over. "How about transforming into a set like this?"

However, Tohru's attention was completely captured by this glowing little square. She grabbed the phone, her molten gold vertical pupils leaning close to the screen in curiosity. "Incredible! This little square can actually Seal images? Is this a magic tool of you humans?"

Before Lin Luo could answer, she had already started swiping her finger across the screen out of curiosity. Her fingertip inadvertently touched the camera icon—she had actually stumbled upon the photography function by pure luck.

*Click!*

A flash of white light went off, startling her. Her dragon instincts made her pull her neck back. But immediately after, like a child who had found a new toy, she excitedly held the phone up and started taking photos everywhere. "Look! I've Sealed the moon inside!" She jumped around, showing the photo on the screen. Her loose robe fluttered with her movements, and her snowy-white skin, visible here and there, was exceptionally dazzling under the moonlight.

"Tohru..." Lin Luo helplessly reached out to take back the phone, but she nimbly dodged him. She even circled behind him and playfully snapped a photo of his back.

"Stingy!" Seeing Lin Luo's firm attitude, she finally pouted and stuffed the phone back into his hand. Her long blonde hair drew a dazzling arc as she turned. "Fine, fine, I'll change my clothes first."

Moonlight poured into the mountain forest like liquid silver, flowing along the winding path down the mountain. Lin Luo led Tohru toward the apartment, their footsteps making soft rustling sounds on the path covered with fallen leaves.

"Walking back is too slow." Tohru suddenly stopped, her golden vertical pupils shining with excitement in the moonlight. "I can fly you back."

Lin Luo was indeed a bit tempted—after all, who could refuse the temptation of riding a dragon? But logic quickly took over. He helplessly pointed toward the distant city. "Tohru, we live in a busy downtown area. If you appear in Dragon form, I'm afraid before we even get home, the people from the Special Affairs Management Department will be inviting us for tea."

"Why would they invite us for tea?" Tohru tilted her head, He looked confused..

"That's just a metaphor. It means they'll take us in for questioning." Lin Luo explained patiently.

Tohru gave a disdainful snort, her long blonde hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze. "Who dares to catch me?" She slightly raised her chin, her dragon pride fully on display.

Seeing Lin Luo still insisting, she curled her lip in dissatisfaction. "Lin Luo, you're too restrained; you're not free at all." Despite saying this, she still obediently followed him, though she was still muttering softly, "It's something that could be done in just one flight..."