As the Azure Dragon neared the group, the men straightened, their eyes fixated on the fan, mesmerized by its beauty and the subtle power it seemed to wield. The Dragon's gaze, calm yet piercing, swept over them, taking in each face with a quiet intensity that left them feeling exposed as if he could see straight into their hearts.

The Azure Dragon, the King of Mystic Mountain, smiled as he approached the group. His curiosity piqued, and he stopped and circled around Shun. "Fire skill, not bad," he remarked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. Shun straightened, a mixture of pride and nerves evident on his face.

The Azure Dragon then approached Chatty, who shrunk his neck in nervousness. "Hmm, animal telepathy. Nice," the Dragon noted with a nod of approval. Chatty's eyes widened, relief washing over him.

Faced with Four Eyes, the Azure Dragon encircled him five times, nearly making Four Eyes dizzy. "Very strong black magic. Your power can be your greatest strength or could be your demise. I see you were able to make friends with Enfield. This means you have a pure heart," he observed. Four Eyes blinked but remained poker face as he always did.

The Azure Dragon approached Jack, Nicu, and Ailun and said, "No special powers, but strong bone refiners. Good." The trio exchanged glances, their faces a blend of determination and respect.

Next, the Azure Dragon encircled Fatty. "Transmission magic, but you still have a long way to go," he commented.

Fatty "????"

Fatty's eyes widened in confusion. 'What transmission magic?' he silently wondered, scratching his head.

"The rest of you need to work harder. Two months on my mountain, and yet only achieving the second level is the worst. It is an insult to my place," the Azure Dragon exclaimed, his tone sharp as he walked back to Otako's side.

Otako, amused by the Azure Dragon's revelations among the soldiers, chuckled softly. "My friend, you have been reborn and are now immortal," the Azure Dragon remarked, his voice softer. "Come and visit us often."

"Thank you, Lord Majesty," Otako replied formally, addressing him as the overall protector and crown of the Mystic Mountain.

"From an immortal like you, I don't deserve such formality," the Azure Dragon responded, his gaze warm.

Hearing their conversation, the twelve gentlemen were dumbfounded and trembled with fear, realizing Otako was immortal. They glanced at each other, their expressions a mixture of shock and awe. Some murmured among themselves, disbelief mingling with respect.

Once a martial artist achieves the highest cultivation beyond their exaltation, becoming immortal is actually a new beginning to a never-ending life, so they say the person has been reborn. Otako had cultivated both the Inner and Outer Universe to their peak and was now considered a celestial being. His cultivation was no longer limited to using True Essence but also encompassed Astral Essence and Spirit Essence.

This is why the Azure Dragon, despite his immense power, could only rely on his high cultivation and beastly strength, which was inferior to Otako's. This made him very respectful toward Otako, even in his own territory. With Otako's immense power, he could destroy the eons of space and time, asunder the heavens, and completely eradicate an entire realm. Offending Otako was the last thing anyone wished to do.

"Are they going back with you?" the Azure Dragon asked, breaking the tension.

"They will head back today on their own," Otako replied politely.

"I understand. Let the Enfield guide them back to the entrance," the Azure Dragon instructed.

"This Enfield is very mischievous, dragging one of my soldiers to take the guarded treasures of the mountain. If I were not around in time to visit them, my whole team would have offended all the guardians of your mountain and been wiped out without anyone knowing how they died," Otako solemnly expressed.

The Enfield on Four Eyes' shoulder shivered upon hearing Otako's words and shrunk itself around Four Eyes' neck.

"Indeed, he is. I apologize on his behalf. May I offer you something as my apology that you may require from the mountain?" the Azure Dragon acknowledged the Enfield's mistake and made amends by offering compensation and bowing to Otako.

"Then I shall not be polite. I am indeed in need of Azure bone, ruby coral, and ice lotus," Otako declared.

"Another from your side seems to be crossing the heavenly realm and someone soon to be reborn," the Azure Dragon said as he signaled to the three-headed Dragon. The Dragon immediately dove into the water and re-emerged with all the items Otako had asked for.

"I hope to meet another immortal with you soon," the Azure Dragon remarked, handing the items to Otako.

"Certainly. Thank you, Lord Majesty. I will take the group away and come to visit you again," Otako said gratefully.

"Then I shall look forward to your next visit. And you," the Azure Dragon said, addressing the Enfield, "bring them back to the entrance and find me to receive your punishment."

The Enfield on Four Eyes' shoulder shivered once more. The Azure Dragon instantly transformed back into its original form and flew into the air, leaving with a thunderous roar. His majestic wings caused a whirlwind that rustled the trees and sent waves rippling through the water.

As the rest of the guardian beasts departed one after the other, Four Eyes and his comrades felt a strange mix of relief and awe. They looked at Otako, their faces reflecting a myriad of emotions—admiration, fear, and respect. The journey ahead seemed daunting, but with Otako's guidance, they felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination to achieve greatness.

Otako turned to the group, his expression serious. "You all have witnessed the power of the Mystic Mountain and its guardians. Remember this experience. It will serve as a valuable lesson in your cultivation journey," he said, his voice resonating with authority and wisdom. The gravity of his words hung in the air, echoing in the minds of the twelve men.

The twelve men, on the other hand, felt their knees turn to jelly. Fear and awe mixed in their eyes as they processed the enormity of what had just transpired. Each man exchanged nervous glances, the reality of their situation sinking in. The memory of the Azure Dragon's presence and the sheer power of the guardians they had encountered left a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.

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