“Time has never been as peaceful and beautiful as it is now.” Charlotte Bennett said softly.

……

……

Lichuan refers to the three rivers that flow from distant mountains to irrigate this vast plain, nourishing this fertile land and giving life to billions of creatures.

The Lichuan Dragon Taming Academy is not located within the inner city of the Zulong City-State; it sits further upstream along the Lichuan River.

From the confluence of the three rivers in the Zulong City-State, heading north along the mother river for less than fifty kilometers, one can see a magnificent and imposing Phoenix Embankment!

This Phoenix Embankment is a spectacular waterfall where the massive mother river suddenly plunges downward. Tens of thousands of tons of silvery-white water cascade down, and standing downstream looking up at the embankment, it seems as if hundreds of flood dragons are surging down like rainbows, the waves resembling white scales and silver feathers...

Above the Phoenix Embankment waterfall, the mother river of Lichuan suddenly widens dozens of times. The waters gather here, and the river’s banks gradually expand outward, forming a rare still lake in the middle of the river.

And the Lichuan Dragon Taming Academy is built right in the middle of this vast river lake!

Ryan Carter arrived here on foot, and was immediately captivated by the scenery before him. So this is the Dragon Taming Academy—its very location already hints at its extraordinary nature.

Walking up the long slope covered in autumn grass, circling around the majestic Phoenix Embankment waterfall, Ryan Carter saw a very quaint little town. Though the town was small, it was densely populated, with countless merchants and travelers coming and going.

At the end of the street in Phoenix Embankment Town stood the White Rock Bridge leading to the Lichuan Dragon Taming Academy. In the very center of the White Rock Bridge was a large bronze-and-wooden gate, which stood open. Occasionally, a few well-dressed young men and women could be seen coming and going through it.

“Big brother, are you here to admire the academy too?” A girl selling cooked peaches by the bridge asked.

The girl’s skin was wheat-colored, looking very healthy—it was clear she spent a lot of time outdoors. She held a peach from her stall, took a bite, and then casually wiped the juice from her lips with the back of her hand.

“I’m here to enroll.” Ryan Carter showed an innocent, harmless smile.

“Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed…” The peach-seller girl looked Ryan Carter up and down in surprise.

Ryan Carter’s smile grew even wider.

“I wouldn’t have guessed you’re crazy, either.” The peach-seller girl continued.

Ryan Carter’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected this peach-selling girl at the bridge to be so sharp-tongued!

Chapter 10: The Selection of Young Spirits

“Let’s make a bet. I’ll walk in right now, and the people at the bronze-and-wooden gate won’t stop me. If I get in, you give me this whole basket of peaches.” Ryan Carter said angrily to the peach-seller girl.

“Sure, but what if I win?” The peach-seller girl laughed, the contrast between her wheat-colored skin and bright eyes making her look especially striking.

“I’ll buy all your peaches.”

“Judging by your outfit, you don’t look like you can afford that.” The peach-seller girl replied.

“Mind your own business!”

When others come to enroll, even if they’re not dressed to impress, at least they look neat and presentable. Ryan Carter, after escorting flowers all the way to the Zulong City-State and then walking here to the Dragon Taming Academy, hadn’t even had a chance to bathe. His coarse linen clothes made him look rather shabby.

Ryan Carter didn’t want to look like this either. He might have been poor before, but he’d always kept himself presentable. If he was mistaken for a beggar, it was only because he’d run into bandits and fallen on hard times...

Stepping onto the White Rock Bridge, the number of vendors gradually dwindled. As he approached the bronze-and-wooden gate, the place felt even more refined, quiet, and tidy.

“I’m here to enroll. Here’s my letter of admission.” Ryan Carter handed over his admission notice, still managing to be polite.

“How did it end up like this?” the gatekeeper uncle asked.

“I was out training, ran into bandits, and barely managed to save this letter.” Ryan Carter explained casually.

“Alright, go ahead and collect your school badge up ahead, and wait by the side.” The gatekeeper nodded, signaling for someone behind him to lead Ryan Carter inside.

Ryan Carter put away his letter, and deliberately turned to look back at the wheat-skinned peach-seller girl at the bridge, ready to flash her a mischievous, dog-like grin.

However, the peach-seller girl seemed to be haggling with a plump woman, gesturing animatedly as they argued over prices.

She had completely forgotten about the bet just now!

The cold wind over the lake made someone’s figure look a bit desolate.

In the end, Ryan Carter could only sigh and walk through the gate.

Ouch, this feels even worse than losing the bet!

After passing through the gate, the bridge was gone. It turned out the White Rock Bridge was just a broken bridge; behind the gate was a crescent-shaped platform that gently sloped down into the clear lake water.

And in the lake, a broad-backed long-necked dragon was waiting by the platform. It was about the size of a single-person room, with a neck long enough to reach from underwater to the bridge gate.

The long-necked dragon’s skin was taut and smooth. Though it was large, it gave off a gentle and serene vibe. Being close to it didn’t feel intimidating at all—compared to Henry Sullivan’s gilded fire dragon, it didn’t even seem like the same species.

“Once the cart is full, we can set off.” The gatekeeper uncle soon brought over four more people.

There were already five people on the long-necked dragon’s back. With Ryan Carter and the four newcomers, there were ten in total.

Ten people, one dragon, crossing the lake.

“Emily Thompson, you are the hope of our whole village. No matter what, you must become a dragon herder!” On the platform, a middle-aged man who had come to see them off shouted loudly.