Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 37: Dance Of Dragons (1)

Fireworks bloomed across the dusk sky, painting it in gold and crimson. Ningyan stared up at them, a soft smile tugging at his lips until a massive shadow cut through the light.

An enormous dragon swept across the heavens, scales catching the glow of the fireworks before vanishing beyond the clouds.

Ningyan gasped, rising to his feet as he watched the sky until the dragon disappeared from view.

"...Wow. That was huge."

Over the past week, his body had been growing stronger. The recovery sessions with Lan Meishan were finally showing results, and training under Yan Wuhen had helped him stabilize his first level of cultivation. His foundation felt solid and steady in a way it hadn’t before.

Second stage... soon, he thought.

The academy, however, had changed completely.

Preparations for the Dance of Dragons had overtaken everything. Banners bearing ancient dragon sigils lined the halls, fireworks thundered day and night, and even the beasts roaming the grounds seemed restless with anticipation. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Even Yan Wuhen was looking forward to it.

That alone told Ningyan how significant the festival was. Dragons who despised one another would still gather for a sacred tradition no matter how much tension simmered beneath the surface.

The main event was tomorrow night.

Ningyan had no intention of attending.

Why would he?

He hopped down from the roof he’d been sitting on, landing lightly on his feet with a satisfied grin.

"Su Ningyan." A voice came from behind him.

Ningyan turned and found Yan Wuyin standing there.

Yan Wuhen had mentioned before that Yan Wuyin was his cousin, having arrived to attend the Dance of Dragons Festival.

Ningyan hadn’t really seen him since that first day in the main hall.

Now that he was closer, Ningyan studied him with quiet curiosity.

Blood-red hair. Sharp, calculating fox-like crimson eyes. Tall ears and nine swaying tails that marked him unmistakably as Vermillion Fox royalty. Distinguished. Handsome, even.

"Yes?" Ningyan said.

Wuyin approached, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You were watching the fireworks?" He turned his gaze skyward, eyes reflecting the explosions of light. "They’re magnificent, aren’t they?"

Ningyan nodded slowly.

He didn’t understand why Wuyin was suddenly making conversation. This was the same fox who had once warned him that Wuhen would grow bored of him and eat his liver.

Wuyin looked back at him. "Are you nervous to talk with me?"

"No." Ningyan replied calmly. "I’m not nervous. Just curious. And cautious."

Wuyin chuckled. "I’m only looking out for my family." His tone softened, but his eyes stayed sharp. "The Vermillion Fox Clan is vast. All fox beasts fall under us. We’re one of the great divine beast clans."

He paused, then tilted his head. "Wuhen is our heir. A great prince, yes, but he’s..." He tapped his fingers together thoughtfully before snapping them. "Reckless. Selfish. Self-centered. Psychotic. Narcissistic."

"All very fitting words."

Ningyan couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at his lips. "Why are you telling me this?"

Wuyin studied him again, with interest sharpening. "Because I’ve done my research, Su Ningyan." His voice lowered. "Illegitimate son of Su Zhaoyan, leader of the Phoenix Clan. Mistreated by your own family. Even the servants looked down on you."

His expression darkened. "So tell me.... did Wuhen rescue you?"

The aggressive tone was sharp enough to make Ningyan step back.

"What are you...."

"All I’m asking," Wuyin cut in, "is whether you’re here willingly. If you’re not, I can help you."

"I don’t think it matters," Ningyan said with a small smile.

Because no matter how much he wanted to leave, he still needed Wuhen to reach the second stage of cultivation.

Wuyin’s blood-red eyes narrowed. "You’re ruining his reputation. You know that, right?" His voice was cool now. "Everyone knows Wuhen took in a coreless, weak phoenix. Someone even his own clan wouldn’t accept."

Ningyan’s gaze hardened. "Did you really come all this way just to tell me that?"

"Maybe." That was all Wuyin said.

He turned and walked toward the grounds, disappearing around the corner of the building.

Ningyan let out a slow breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding, then made his way back into the manor.

All the way to the inner chamber.

Yan Wuhen was seated at a low table, surrounded by scrolls, brush moving steadily across parchment. His hair was loose, crimson strands falling over his shoulders, robes relaxed around his frame.

The moment Ningyan stepped inside, Wuhen looked up.

"You’re back, Yan’er." He grinned, sharp canines flashing.

Ningyan snorted and walked closer. "What are you doing?"

"Preparing the gifts our clan will present to the Azure Dragon Clan." Wuhen’s gaze lingered on him as he spoke, attentive in that way that always made Ningyan feel... seen. "How was the recovery session?"

Ningyan cleared his throat. "Uplifting. I’m starting to get used to being underwater."

He didn’t mention the undressing.

Wuhen didn’t need to know that.

"Let me see." Wuhen rose, moving away from the table to stand directly in front of him.

With a resigned sigh, Ningyan removed his flute and placed it aside. He loosened his robes, exposing his chest and abdomen. Old scars and half-healed gashes were still visible.

Wuhen placed a hand over his core. Red-gold light bloomed beneath his palm.

Wuhen’s eyes gleamed in response. He studied it the way he always did the past week with a thoughtful, absorbed expression on his face.

"How is it?" Ningyan asked.

"Much stronger than last night," Wuhen replied, smiling openly now. "The recovery is faster than I expected."

Ningyan found himself smiling too. "I’m glad."

Wuhen didn’t withdraw his hand.

Instead, his arm slid around Ningyan’s waist, pulling him close. He buried his face against the side of Ningyan’s neck, breathing him in. His other hand came up, fingers wrapping loosely around Ningyan’s throat not tightening, just resting there.

Claiming.

Ningyan swallowed hard, heat pooling beneath his skin.

"I... I want to bathe," he said quietly.

"Let’s do it together," Wuhen murmured.

The seriousness in his tone sent a shiver down Ningyan’s spine.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea," Ningyan said quickly, hating the tremor in his voice.

"You’re resisting, Yan’er." Wuhen pressed a kiss to his neck.

Ningyan closed his eyes, breath stuttering. "I’m... not."

Lie.

Wuhen froze.

He pulled back abruptly, his expression shifting into something sharp and alert.

"Something’s wrong," he said. "Stay here."

Before Ningyan could respond, Wuhen turned and left.

Confusion washed over him.

Then, a massive wave of furious spiritual pressure rolled through the air.

A roar thundered through the manor, shaking the chamber.

Ningyan’s eyes widened. "Dragons...?"