At the same time,

The twins had climbed into Shi Min's arms for a better view.

"Big Brother! Don't move!"

Shi Min looked down helplessly.

"…You two are unbelievable."

Still,

He stood ready.

Mushu, beside him, quietly prepared his sword. Ready to interfere when necessary.

Combat

The Tatzelwurm hissed, a cry like steam escaping from the heart of the mountain.

Then its body snapped forward, a living whip of muscle and scale.

"Now!" Ren shouted.

Golden needles flashed through the air, sparkling in the light as they struck.

Dozens of them struck the creature's scales with precise accuracy.

The Tatzelwurm screeched.

Lily's voice followed.

Her chant spread outward, a harmonic wave that shimmered through the valley.

The sound disrupted the creature's balance.

Blades of wind sliced forward, invisible but deadly.

Shun's flames burst across the beast's flank, painting the beast's scales with searing light.

The creature retaliated instantly.

It drew in a deep, shaking breath,

Then, it exhaled a cloud of poisonous mist.

"Back!" Fatty shouted.

He slammed his foot into the ground.

Stone energy rose upward, forming a rugged barrier that held the poisonous mist at bay.

The Tatzelwurm's shriek split the valley, a cry sharp enough to smash stone.

Rocks splintered beneath the force, shards scattering across the ground.

Lily staggered, the world spinning for an instant.

A thin line of blood trickled along her ear, which made Shi Min crunch his nose.

Shun immediately reinforced her position with flames.

Ren's needles pierced deeper.

The beast thrashed violently.

Acidic green blood splattered across the stone, hissing and bubbling as it carved smoking trails through the earth. For an instant, the group faltered, the danger suddenly sharp and real. The ground under their feet was scarred and pitted, each mark a silent warning that every blow carried a price. The younger ones, who moments before had been swept up in excitement, now watched with wide eyes, a new respect dawning in their faces.

But the group held formation.

Their coordinated effort flowed with unexpected grace. Even in the heart of chaos, Ren glided like a conductor guiding an orchestra, her piercing gaze reading the rhythm of battle. With a swish of her hand or a glance, she called for Lily so that she could send wind slicing through the air, for Shun to unleash fire along the beast's exposed side. Fatty stood ready behind them, raising stone walls or clearing a path the instant Ren signaled, each movement blended perfectly into the next.

Occasionally, a flash of rivalry sparked through the group — Shun's flames burned a slightly brighter when Ren relied on Lily, and Lily sharpened her focus, keen to anticipate Ren's next command before anyone else. Fatty sometimes met Shun's eyes with a stubborn set to his jaw, determined not to be left behind. Underneath their smooth cooperation, a tacit contest pulsed, each member subtly vying for Ren's approval, their competitive spirits lifting the entire team to greater heights.

When the creature changed its approach, Zhu and Huang shared a silent glance, their trust in Ren unspoken but absolute. Even the newest members fell into step, drawn by the certainty in her voice. This battle was anything but a test of their skills — it was part of their challenging training, intended to prove their readiness and earn the respect of their elders. Determination burned in every movement, their solidarity formed not only by friendship but by the clarity of purpose that linked them together during the storm of battle.

The Silent Audience

High above,

Several figures had already arrived silently.

The Azure Dragon.

Red.

Ling Li.

Four Eyes.

Goldie.

Rockie.

Jack.

And Sisu, whom Mushu had entrusted to Jack.

Sisu, who was not a martial artist and had never seen such a fight, was so shocked and frightened that he didn't dare to watch and, unknowingly, buried his face in Jack's chest.

Jack "...."

They watched from afar, silent as the wind, their faces tense with focus. Each observer's gaze tracked the flow of battle, reactions flickering — pride, worry, anticipation — across their expressions as they witnessed the team's maneuvers.

The Azure Dragon's eyes glimmered with approval, a faint proud smile brushing his lips as he noted the group's disciplined coordination.

"Excellent coordination."

Red nodded proudly, her arms crossed and a satisfied grin expanding as she watched the group's tactics unfold.

"These girls are impressive."

Ling Li remained silent, brows slightly furrowed, while she observed every move on the field.

But her look stayed locked on the battlefield, unblinking, betraying nothing but firm focus.

The Climax

The Tatzelwurm suddenly lunged toward Lily.

Its jaws are wide.

Its fangs are dripping venom.

Shun moved instantly—

But Ren was faster.

Her final Golden Needle formation was activated.

Hundreds of needles converged simultaneously.

The creature froze mid-lunge.

Shun's flames burst across its body.

Lily's wind pressure compressed its lungs.

Fatty slammed the ground again—

Stone pillars erupted upward.

The Tatzelwurm was pinned.

Then—

Ren released the final strike.

A concentrated golden needle pierced directly through its skull.

The beast collapsed.

Stillness descended over the valley.

High above—

The Azure Dragon smiled slightly.

"Remarkable."

And yet—

He was still prepared to intervene.

Because something about this battle…

Had stirred the mountain itself. Somewhere deep within the ancient stone, a tremor surged — a slumbering force roused by the clash of spiritual energies and the defiant cries of youth. Hidden eyes opened beneath the earth, and the valley seemed to shiver in anticipation, as if remembering old pacts or awaiting the arrival of something stronger. Possibly the true test, or an unexpected rival — whatever had arisen was sure to return, its form looming just beyond the boundary of triumph.

The Azure Dragon's Intervention

For a moment—

The valley turned silent.

Dust floated in slow spirals through the air, bearing with it the scorched odor of flame and the sharp, bitter trace of Tatzelwurm blood. The wind itself appeared to catch its breath, charged with the memory of battle.

The massive creature twitched once.

Then the creature's body gave way, its long serpent form breaking down in defeat as its head struck the stone with a heavy, final thud.

Ren let her hand fall, golden strands of the Needle Sutra breaking down into tiny sparks that danced and faded around her fingers.

Her breathing was slightly uneven.

Lily let out a shaky breath as the last wisps of wind curled away from her. She brushed her ear, finding a thin line of blood left by the beast's piercing cry.

Fatty flexed his shoulders, the stone-like aura around his body fading back into normal flesh.

Shun extinguished the final embers of his Phoenix Command flames.

For several seconds— 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

No one spoke.

Then Chin Chin's excited voice burst the silence.

"WE WON!"

She bounced in Shi Min's arms like an exploding firecracker.

Kim Kim, though more composed, clapped politely.

"That was an excellent coordinated attack."

Xiao Chi hovered in phoenix form above them, her fiery wings fluttering excitedly.

"That was amazing! Amazing!"

Huang and Zhu shared looks.

Both dragon brothers looked impressed.

But before anyone could say anything—

The atmosphere suddenly changed.

A heavy pressure descended across the valley.

It was not hostile.

But it was immense.

The wind stopped.

Even the falling dust seemed to hesitate midair.

Then—

A deep, calm voice rang across the valley.

"That was enough."

Everyone froze.

The voice bore an unmistakable authority.

The next moment—

Space rippled gently above the valley like water disturbed by a pebble.

A large figure stepped out from the distortion.

The Azure Dragon.

Behind him appeared several others.

Red.

Ling Li.

Four Eyes.

Goldie.

Rockie.

Jack, with Sisu still hooked to him.

The moment the children saw them—

Their countenances changed instantly.

Chin Chin blinked.

"…Uh oh."

Kim Kim coughed lightly and straightened her posture.

Ren and Lily froze where they stood.

Shun and Fatty instinctively bowed slightly.

Shi Min merely sighed quietly.

He already knew this was coming.