Chapter 78: Little Blue’s Redemption

At the very moment the final scene faded, Wang Liang received a prompt asking him to choose his point of arrival: the grand plaza of Jiepai Pass or the central secret chamber within his own manor.

Wang Liang had initially considered visiting Jiepai Pass to see Master Lu, but reflecting on the White Dragon's Spent Pearl he carried—a scorching burden in his grasp—he realized the risks were too high. Who knew what other schemes those people might have prepared at the pass? Wang Liang decisively chose to return to his own manor.

By making this choice, he unwittingly bypassed an ambush waiting at Jiepai Pass, leaving a group of people to wait in vain for several days.

Of course, Wang Liang was unaware of this. In the next instant, he appeared in the central room located beneath the main building of his estate. Simultaneously, he sensed that Xiao Hui, who had been following him, had been transported to the main hall, where the housekeeper, Xiao Lan, was keeping watch.

Without overthinking or pausing to inventory the spoils from his recent venture, he stepped out of the secret chamber and into the main hall.

Upon entering, Wang Liang saw Xiao Lan standing before Xiao Hui. Despite her small stature, Xiao Lan radiated an imposing aura. In contrast, Xiao Hui, whose combat prowess was formidable, seemed intimidated, cowering in the corner as if triggered by something.

Only when Wang Liang appeared did Xiao Lan let Xiao Hui off. She shot a sharp look at him and gestured sternly: "Stay put. If I come back and find you gone, you are dead."

With that, Xiao Lan turned to Wang Liang: "Master, you have returned. How was it? You look thinner; I shall have someone prepare food for you."

Wang Liang stopped her: "Forget that for now. Xiao Lan, take this." As he spoke, he produced the White Dragon's Spent Pearl.

At the sight of the pearl, Xiao Lan’s eyes lit up. She then said with a hint of unease: "Master, this is the dragon pearl of a white dragon. Although it is spent, remnants of dragon essence persist within. If I absorb it, I may be able to manifest as a Dragon Maiden and potentially restore my former strength."

Wang Liang recalled that Xiao Lan was originally a five-hundred-year-old green snake demon, nearly on the verge of attaining immortality. Though he had used genetic modifications to restore some of her power, she had remained significantly weakened. Giving her this pearl would immediately return her to her peak level of fifty-nine.

"Is there a problem with that?" Wang Liang asked, sensing her hesitation.

Xiao Lan replied with a sigh: "If I return to my previous level, I will inevitably seek to transcend and become an immortal. Without that path, I feel a sense of insecurity. I might have to enter a seclusion of life or death to face the Heavenly Tribulation, and I would be unable to serve as your housekeeper for a long time."

"And if you do become an immortal? Will you still be my housekeeper?" Wang Liang asked.

"Of course, I shall remain your housekeeper."

Hearing this, Wang Liang smiled: "Then there is no problem. I will keep the position of housekeeper reserved for you."

Xiao Lan’s face softened into a smile: "Thank you, Master."

She placed the White Dragon's Spent Pearl into her mouth. In an instant, a brilliant white light erupted around her, and the phantom of a white dragon circled her. The phantom was over thirty feet long, with a single horn, four limbs, and three-fingered claws—clearly a minor dragon, weaker even than a standard dragon.

Yet, for Xiao Lan, it was a potent restorative. Her bloodline was activated, and a green snake shadow appeared, which quickly shifted into the form of a blue Indominus Rex. Xiao Hui, standing nearby, felt his eyes widen in shock. He had never imagined that the entity suppressing him was such a creature. He felt a surge of confidence, believing that by following Wang Liang, he too would one day attain such power.

The Indominus Rex began to consume the white dragon phantom. As she devoured it, white markings began to appear near the blue patterns around her left eye. These markings spread like frost across her body, until, in moments, her skin took on a peculiar white hue, as if a thin layer of frost had been cast over blue stone.

When the white dragon phantom vanished, a sharp crack echoed as the spent pearl in Xiao Lan's hand shattered into fine white powder.

Xiao Lan brushed the powder away, gauged her strength, and nodded to Wang Liang: "It is well; I do not need to enter a life-or-death seclusion. However, I must go into meditation. In the future, I will only be available for two hours a day—at noon and midnight—to manage the manor’s affairs. This will continue until I attain immortality. I ask for your understanding, Master."

"Very well."

Wang Liang responded, then looked at Xiao Lan, whose updated data appeared before him:

[Name: Xiao Lan (Dragon-infused Green Snake Genetically Modified Dinosaur, can be reinforced once more)]
[Gender: Female]
[Profession: None]
[Level: 59 (0%)]
[Identity: Housekeeper (Loyal)]
[Attributes (Base): Strength 15, Agility 50, Constitution 19, Spirit 23. Status: Excellent. Free Attribute Points: 15]
[Talent: Demonization (Activated)]
[Skills: Poison Mastery Level 3, Enchanting (Ghosts, Dinosaurs, Spirits, Water-type) Mastery Level 1, Command (Ghosts, Dinosaurs, Spirits, Water-type) Mastery Level 1, Human Transformation Mastery Level 1, Devour Mastery Level 1, Lunar Essence Absorption Mastery Level 1, Snake Venom Sword Mastery Level 1, Dragon Might Novice Level 1, Frost Essence Mastery Level 1]
[Sub-profession: None]
[Description: An eight-hundred-year-old green snake demon, modified with dinosaur genes and empowered by a dragon pearl. Currently transforming toward the path of a White Dragon, mastering the powers of water and frost.]

Satisfied with these attributes, Wang Liang nodded: "Very well. Go find a courtyard to begin your seclusion. Oh, and before you do, handle these items."

As he spoke, Wang Liang brought out all the treasures he had acquired during his game. Among them were the blueprints for the Dragon Transformation Pond, the Warning Bell, the Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Altar, and the Primordial Heavy Water. There were also the instructions for crafting Tiger Bone Ornaments and the Jade Bowl Lamp, which he might not necessarily need—all of which required Xiao Lan's management.

Looking at the items Wang Liang had laid out, Xiao Lan began to speak.