CHAPTER 211: GRADUATION FROM KOIHOOD

A few days had passed since the koi fish had transformed into an Azure Dragon, and the incident was still stirring no small commotion in the Yu Clan — mostly because the Patriarch himself had intervened.

But naturally, such an event could not stay confined to whispers. On the Universal Talismans, endless forums had sprung up to discuss, dissect, and distort the matter.

One such forum bore the grandiose title: [Azure Dragon is a Girl]

[MoonPeach]: I heard the koi turned into a handsome Azure Dragon. This forum’s name is already false.

[MoKi000]: I, Mo Ki, personally confirm with my divine sense that the Azure Dragon is, in fact, a mature lady.

[JadeBeautyCollector]: For once, I agree with Mo Ki. You did not fail me son.

[YourVenerableGrandfather]: JadeBeautyCollector! Where is your filial piety? Have you forgotten to pay respects to your venerable grandfather? Or is your talisman broken?

[LadiesMan217]: At last, Mo Ki is walking the path of greatness. Meh.. he will fail again.

[MoonlightSaintness]: I alone am the most beautiful.

[MoonPeach]: ...MoonlightSaintness, your bragging is next level.

[JadeBeautyCollector]: This humble one thanks MoonlightSaintness and MoonPeach for gracing me with your words.

[MoKi000]: +1

[LadiesMan217]: +1

[YourVenerableGrandfather]: +1

[MoonlightSaintness]: Shameless...

[MoonPeach]: Shameless...

[DaoistPickle]: I heard Azure Dragon meat is delicious. Do you think it can be made into pickle?

[MoKi000]: I, Mo Ki, challenge DaoistPickle to a duel!

[YourVenerableGrandfather]: I too will fight.

[LadiesMan217]: You too? Then me too.

[JadeBeautyCollector]: Count me in. How dare you slander a mature lady!

[ImmortalButHaveAnxiety]: A-ah... I... I w-want to m-meet the Azure Dragon lady...

And so it went. Across the Universal Talismans, countless forums bloomed — each with its own conspiracies, boasts, and shameless theories.

By the time rumors had finished their twisting, the "truth" had been reshaped into so many contradictions that lie itself become shy that so many people were admiring it.

But then again, this was a cultivation world.

Within the Patriarch’s residence.

Yu Changming sat at his desk, sipping tea so rare and refined that even a single drop could buy a city. He reflected on the recent incident, partially caused by his son — yet no matter how he pondered, he still struggled to fully comprehend how it had come to pass.

After personally confronting the Azure Dragon, Yu Changming had pieced together the story.

The Azure Dragon, now named Yu Long Qingqing — normally called Little Blue (Xiao Qing) by Yu Changming, had initially protested fiercely to his name.

Yet, under the subtle but undeniable presence of the Yu Changming’s aura, it immediately calmed. Even a creature of such pride inherently understood that it shared a fated connection with the Yu Clan.

Provoking their Patriarch was unwise.

Little Blue then began its tale.

The dragon had once been a koi — an ordinary koi according to dragon. That is, until a certain young master began visiting daily, deliberately disturbing its peaceful life.

Every day, the young master would poke it with a wooden stick. At first, the koi tried to fight back, flaring its fins and splashing, but all efforts were pitifully ineffective, the young master remained unscathed.

Then, the boy began bringing food, sweet and delicious so much that the koi could never resist.

Despite enjoying the offerings, the koi never forgot its true aim: to one day strike back at the boy who so consistently annoyed it.

Unbeknownst to the koi, this daily attention made it healthier and stronger. With the clan’s caretakers already feeding it, the boy’s extra treats made it fat and bouncy, turning it into an oddball among its peers.

Yet, the intensity in its eyes, the determination to strike at the young master never dimmed.

Over the years, the koi began to understand the boy more. Though it could not comprehend the endless chatter about trivial human matters, it gradually listened and observed.

It bided its time until the moment it could finally graduate from koihood.

One day, the boy came again, carrying a mountain of food, babbling nonstop.

By now, the koi had established itself as the overlord of its pond no other koi dared touch its provisions. Even when a clan attendant attempted to confiscate the excess, the koi scared them away with little effort.

Weeks passed. The boy did not return. The koi’s mood darkened; it grew thinner, almost as if paper, while the other koi, sensing its dwindling strength, offered tribute in recognition of the pond’s overlord.

Yet the koi, lost in memories of the boy, ignored them completely.

Then, a surge of emotion erupted within it — gratitude, happiness, fear, and most of all, anger.

Anger that it had never managed to strike the boy. Anger that revenge remained unclaimed because the boy was absent.

As if awakened by destiny itself, a radiant, auspicious aura burst forth from the koi.

Its scales shimmered and stretched, its body expanding, shedding old skin as it rose from the water.

Memories of its life every poke, every food, every interaction — replayed vividly, and now it understood everything. because it was enlightened.

And then, it heard him.

"Woah, a koi with blue patterns! Hello, I am Yu Xuan, a human with black hair."

"Annoying you is so much fun."

"Can koi digest candy?"

"Eat this food I smuggled from the kitchen!"

"You’re a fat koi... should I eat you? Will I become fat? Are koi even edible? I don’t know!"

"Did you know my mom’s massage made me sleep in 0.299792458 seconds?"

"You’re the fattest koi I’ve ever seen!"

"I’ll be gone for who knows how long. Eat all this food I brought; no thanks necessary!"

"I cultivated a fat koi. After I return, don’t become thin — I need my fat koi dish!"

Every voice, every memory, surged together. The koi’s consciousness swirled and expanded.

And then it happened. Ascension.

The koi transformed into a magnificent Azure Dragon, scales glistening like liquid sapphire, electricity crackling across its body. Clouds surrounded the Azure Dragon. Its gaze blazed with raw, primordial power, a storm of anger and pride.

ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

To the Elders observing, it was terrifying yet... oddly cute — the roar of a young dragon, powerful but somehow endearing.

Then, with a voice resonant enough to shake the heavens, the Azure Dragon spoke its first words:

"YU XUAN!!!!!!!!"

The dragon — formerly a koi, immediately launched into a frenzy.

It surged through the Eastern Garden, sending waves of water cascading like tidal walls, summoning gusts of wind that rattled the trees, and whipping up crackling clouds of lightning.

Yet no matter what attacks the Azure Dragon unleashed torrents of water, whirling typhoons, blasts of lightning — the Elders present remained unmoved. Their calm expressions only made the dragon’s frustration more apparent.

The Elders of the Yu Clan, tried to maintain the damage to the minimum.

"YU XUAN!!! BRING ME YU XUAN!!!"

The cry echoed through the garden, reverberating across the Clan grounds, a mix of fury, wounded pride, and... perhaps residual annoyance from its koi days.

Chaos reigned in the once serene garden, and the story of the Azure Dragon’s tantrum became legend in moments.

Yu Changming, tried to imagine his son’s reaction upon returning — how Yu Xuan would process the fact that his fat koi turned into dragon, had gone on a rampage shouting his name.

Before he could dwell further, a knock echoed in the Patriarch’s room.

The door swung open on its own, and Yu Zimo stepped in. Behind him was a boy, barely fifteen, with striking blue hair and dragonic eyes that mirrored the scales of an azure dragon. Small horns peeked from his head, and a subtle aura of majesty radiated from him.

It was Yu Long Qingqing — or rather, Little Blue, now taking on a human draconic form, still brimming with energy and barely containing the fury of his newly awakened powers.

Little Blue’s gaze swept the room, nostrils flaring slightly as if smelling for Yu Xuan, though he clearly understood the boy was not present. The aura of impatience and unresolved grievance still clung to him like a storm cloud.

Yu Zimo gave a small bow.

"Patriarch, Little Blue is throwing a tantrum. He insists on seeing Yu Xuan immediately. He won’t calm down otherwise. He even says he will travel to the Heaven Immortal Sect if denied."

Yu Changming exhaled softly, setting his teacup down.

"Hmm... giving him the position of Young Guardian Beast of the Yu Clan may have been too much too soon. Is his cultivation and studies progressing well?"

At the mention of "studies", Little Blue visibly shuddered. His scales rippled and a low growl vibrated from his throat.

"I a proud Azure Dragon have no reason to meddle with human ways!" he declared, his voice reverberating across the room, sharp and commanding, yet tinged with indignation.

Yu Changming simply eyed him. Little Blue straightened, posture rigid, back like a soldier at attention, horns gleaming faintly in the light.

"Clan Head Yu," the dragon finally asked, voice like rumbling thunder, "when can I see Yu Xuan?"

Yu Changming walked slowly to the window, gazing across the domain.

His expression remained serene, but then he sensed something.

Suddenly, the world itself seemed to freeze.

A chilling, overwhelming presence spread from him like a storm — a terrifying killing intent, covered the whole world.

Yu Changming’s gaze remained fixed on the horizon, calm yet utterly lethal.