The further we exited the cave, the less mana crystals I see, slowly replaced by...crafted smooth glowing stones, on stands planted in the ground and walls. It appears that the stones are placed there to provide visual aid. This is the first time I get to see outside of my 'nest'. And then we encountered several, worm-like tunnels more than enough to accommodate our size. Though, before we enter the new tunnel, my parents told me hide my third eye for now, which I complied (though it is a bit weird trying to close my third eye...it'll take some time getting used to), along with me slithering on the ground instead of flying as we traveled. It feels weird, but I eventually got the hang of...walking...with my snake body. As we proceeded, I see...some Imoogis here and there...along with a few dragons. Some of the Imoogis look more like giant flying snakes with dragon scales and some without the scales, some with/without horns on their heads, some having three fingers while others have four fingers on their arms, some with and some without hair and more. The Imoogis I see here are so diverse, it seems unlikely that they belong to the same species at first sight. The Imoogis and Dragons here are parents most likely...as they are usually in pairs of two, along with their parental auras I sense.

Dad seem to have noticed my curiosity, though how he noticed it without even looking directly at me is frightening, and decided to sate it with some answers.

"They all belong in the same clan, though a few recently joined through marriage. We are...the Yang Yue Tian clan, descendants of the Heavens, be it night or day." - Heiyang

'I see...I am quite surprised that our names are Chinese as far as I can tell. I wonder if there are any European dragons as well.'

And again...dad noticed my internal dialogues, though he cannot tell what I was thinking exactly as he can only read...emotions I think. There is no way he can read my otherworldly knowledge, that's for sure, heh heh.

And he responded with:

"I see you are getting cocky...and from your expression, you found out how I can read you. And to reward your efforts, I will affirm your conjecture. Yes, I can read your emotions, but not your thoughts...unless I use a specific skill, which I am not using now of course *Slight Evil Laugh*." - Heiyang

'....Crap...'

He continued to converse with me while we are still moving of course.

"And your curiosity, I do not know what your question is, so be sure to ask me so I can feed your curiosity. Do not use telepathy though, as we plan to reveal your...secret at a later time, so it would be bad if others hear your thoughts, discovering your unnatural level of intelligence for someone your age. I will hear your questions through my skill, Invader of Secrets. I am messaging only you at the moment, to prevent eavesdropping in case you are wondering." - Heiyang

'Ahhh...I see...so that is why I am hiding my eye and not flying.'

I did what he said, and asked my question without Telepathy. I felt some...invasion of privacy...when he activated the skill...at least I will know if he is using it or not.

'There are legends of Dragons and Imoogis on my world. However, there are other dragons besides the ones I see here. Like dragons with both wings and legs. Are there any other kinds of dragons out there, pure-blooded or not?'

Dad receiving my thoughts, paused for a moment and then replied,

"...Yes, there are, though most of them refused to join our society. Those kinds of dragons are very...prideful...and some of them belligerent and dark. Hmmmm...I will tell you our history ahead of time then.

Long, long ago, before the time of humans and gods, dragons, like me, existed near after the birth of this world, Mundus. We are diverse, strong, independent. There was no order, only conflicts for survival. I was one of them at the time as well. Even so, after some time, we made clans and factions, to preserve our numbers and establish at least some form of order. However, we are not the only ones born after this world's birth. There are other creatures as well, not human of course, though mortal and weak.

However, some of them shed their mortal shell and became deities, not gods though. Deities are diving beings still tied to this world's laws, so they are weaker than the actual ones. There are dragon gods too, but we will talk about them some other time. The dragons and deities were on antagonistic terms, fighting for dominance over the lands. This continued for some time...then came the birth of humans and demi-humans. They were very weak, but they are not without intelligence and wisdom. And also, some deities discovered that humans...though weak and frail...can give them more power...through faith. Thus the War of Faiths began.

The deities fought over which one should rule and govern the humans and demi-humans through their faith, and eventually dragged their faithful followers into the conflict as well once their numbers are high enough. We dragons were dragged into the war, mostly out of necessity as we were hunted by the followers for our bodies, as our bodies are valuable high-grade ingredients and as well as weapons in the war. Our numbers dwindled, but not enough to deter us.

The humans and demi-humans found ways to kill us, but again they were too frail and weak to carry out their kills. Most of us care not for gathering faith and power, and the ones that are gathering faith from mortals fought for our side, as they also agreed the conflict was growing out of control. To even our numbers in this war...we bred impure offspring, like wyverns, to help fight off the invaders due to our low birth rates. And thus, by breeding with certain, powerful serpents, the Imoogis were born. The Imoogis were the closest to a true dragon as it can be, compared to the other inbreeds. They can also become a true dragon, although despite there being several methods, the best and quickest way to ascend to a true dragon was to...devour the heart of one. With this revelation, the dragons that did gather followers decided to find other convenient and most effect methods to help Imoogis ascend, which failed to do so at that time. The bloody war continued for some centuries...until the gods touched down.

They were...all of them were older and extremely powerful, much more than the deities and us dragons...at that time though. There were multiple factions of gods, each with different origins and ideals. The gods touched down for the same reason as the deities...they wish to gather faith for their power, despite them being powerful already. Apparently, according to what I found, they came here because they are here to preserve the world and keep it in balance after they detected intelligent life here. And long before this world was even born, they've once driven many worlds into destruction through their conflicts, killing each other for supremacy of their religion, and eventually formed a truce after enough...bloodshed. They each signed a powerful contract, which will turn them into Fallen Gods, weakened and bound, if even a single law is broken.

The gods defeated almost all of the deities that resisted their presence, and converted their followers over time. And after that...oh, Longwei! How's your child, you old snake? Did it successfully hatched?" - Heiyang

'.........uhhhhh......shouldn't you...never mind.'

Dad stopped his storytelling once he saw another fellow true dragon emerging from one of the cave tunnels, one that he's obviously familiar with. This one is cloud white with some parts on him shaded gray, with deer horns like mother...with a eerie resemblance to her, only he has a azure jewel in his forehead, more spiny, bigger, more menacing and fangy, has burning red eyes, and etc.

The one called Longwei, responded without regard of anyone listening in with his Telepathy...

"'Ha Ha'. Hilarious as always, my old rival. I hope you are treating my former lover well, you black devil. And don't play the fool, my daughter hatched already a few years ago. You are shamefully slow for mating with Baoai too late. I am bringing her here to educate on how to raise our race's unborn eggs, and to check up on you to...Oh...Is that...your child...? ...Smells like you...I thought...it is dead after its two-week mark...and yet, its-" - Longwei

Dad interrupted him before he can finish.

"It turns out it was a mistake, and the result of losing track of time dear friend, ha ha." - Heiyang

.....Did the guy say former lover...? Mom was this guy's...love interest? *Ahem* Before I mess up, I played an innocent poker face to not attract attention. It seems there might be some trouble...

Dad then silently whispered with telepathy to him, allowing only me to eavesdrop in...

"Miracles do exist old friend. I rather you keep this fact a secret between us, and only us." - Heiyang

Longwei paused for a moment, contemplating on how to respond.

"Hmmmm.....I see...You will tell me what happened later...or else. Well then, should we let both our children meet each other? It would help Meixi improve her...sociability...as being a true dragon, she thinks she is a bit too good for the other Imoogis..." - Longwei

Slowly emerging behind Longwei, I see...a true dragon, with a gentle face and serene atmosphere. I believe she is Longwei's daughter, as he nudged her to meet me. 'Meixi' I believe, is sun-yellow, with a single horn on her snout, like that of a rhinoceros', with a sky-blue jewel on her forehead, has two clawed four-fingered arms, and her scales looking shiny and smooth. Her eyes are....pink...and light.

Curious, I played the ignorant child and smiled innocently at her, hoping to see how she would react...only to hear...

"HMPH!!! Father, why do you keep forcing me to meet these lowly snakes?!! I am a pure dragon, you are a pure dragon, and yet..-" - Meixi

'............WOW......someone is need of serious discipline...and how rude...'

Before I finished my train of thought, an oppressive aura came out...from Longwei.

"GRRRRR....How many times must I tell you why they are important...You must learn that strength and status alone does not determine one's worth...And let me remind you, your mother was once an Imoogi, so by saying that, you are shamefully disgracing your parents as WELL!!!" - Longwei

Frightened by his menacing atmosphere and damaged from his words, Meixi closed her mouth...only to look away from her father's eyes, and directly at mine. I was a bit intimidated as well from his aura and tone as well, but with constant exposure from father's...presence...my capacity for fear lessened significantly.

When the 'brat' looked at me eye-to-eye, she seemed...a bit confused...a moment later, disgusted by the sight of me. I am still maintaining my façade. Now...what kind of rude thoughts are she having now...?

"......Hmmmmmm...how about your child and mine have a 'bout', Longwei? Your child is in serious need of discipline from what I can tell." - Heiyang

Dad turned his telepathy into a slightly private conversation, excluding everyone but Longwei and me.

Baffled from dad's words, Longwei responded hysterically. Responding on the same private frequency dad used...I believe Dad is passing on what he is hearing to me, according to how he is redirecting the signals from Longwei.

"You black devil...Are you mad?! Your son is just born...and he's an Imoogi, he is no match for-" - Longwei

"Your daughter will not learn from your methods, old friend. She is stubborn, short-sighted. She can only learn from...facing her lessons head-on, and embrace the consequences afterwards. Besides, I should tell you, my son is...special. Give me a week and I will have him teach your naïve daughter a lesson in humility." - Heiyang

Surprised from dad's words, he examined me closely. I looked at dad, and he gave me a nod, signaling it is ok to give him a taste of my...uniqueness. While controlling the emissions of my aura, I directed at, and only at, Longwei, without leaking it whatsoever. It seems Meixi is unskilled in the art of detection judging from her lack of reaction to my aura. As my aura touched Longwei, his face shows he's...confused...shocked...and then replaced with one of curiosity. He then used some sort of skill on me, as I also felt an invasion of privacy...only I feel more like...naked in his gaze...which is slightly embarrassing

After seeing whatever he's found from me, he turned his head to Dad with a look that says he demands some answers. Dad only smiled in response.

"Hmmm...very well. I accept your proposal. If your son somehow wins...I will owe you a favor, with some reparations prepared for your success." - Longwei

While they were conversing...I was also busy...examining Meixi. Not perversely of course. I am curious of the difference in strength between a true dragon and an Imoogi. Noticing my curious gaze, and unable to see through my façade, she is irritated even more. How unfortunate for her...she will be my first practice dummy to test and compare my strength in this world. I wonder if I can beat her, given my stats and...oh yes I should check my skills later on, but not now at this moment.

When Longwei finished his conversation with Dad, he urged his daughter to follow him deeper into the tunnels, which she accepted reluctantly. My parents and I then resumed to exiting the tunnels.

Apologies for the repost of my chapter. I just want to see what is wrong with RRL this time. Anyway, let me know what you think of the chapter and comment on it please.