Chapter 286

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Chapter 286: Next, Exclamation Marks Are Very Useful

Ao Hanli spent half the day reluctantly consolidating the gains from her most recent introspection. Unlike Xue Hanlei, whose Mirror of Heart was the Leaping Dragon Gate, Ao Hanli had gained much more. Her Mirror of Heart was the Leap Dragon Gate, which provided her with great benefits.

However, to fully digest these gains, she would need to seclude herself for a month. But, considering that her guests were about to leave, she suppressed the thought of seclusion, deciding to escort them instead. It would only take about an hour, so it wouldn’t waste too much of her time.

On her way to see them off, she encountered a group of young dragon cubs. Most were at an age where they were still learning to speak and were being led by the aquatic beings responsible for their care.

“Your Highness,” one of the guardians greeted.

“Um, is it a medical check-up?” Ao Hanli asked.

“Yes,” replied Fish Mother. “It’s the regular monthly check-up.”

Ao Hanli nodded, and as she looked at the young dragon cubs around her, she noticed their shy, hesitant expressions. She asked, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

One of the little dragon maidens opened her mouth, speaking in a soft, tender voice, “Ouch.”

Fish Mother sighed helplessly. “They need to take blood… getting a shot might hurt a little.”

Ao Hanli gently touched her braided goat horns and said, “Good children need to bear with it.”

The little girl tugged at Ao Hanli’s sleeve. “Nana is not here.”

Fish Mother explained, “She’s been feeling a bit unwell recently and needs additional examination. Nanny took her to the other side for a more detailed check-up.”

“Feeling unwell? What’s wrong with her body?” Ao Hanli inquired.

“It’s not serious. She’s just feeling a bit low in energy, possibly due to a lack of nutrition,” Fish Mother explained. “Though we use the same meals for everyone, it’s not enough for the fast-growing children, and Nana can be picky with food…”

Ao Hanli nodded thoughtfully. “We should be careful with her meals in the future to prevent her from becoming too picky.”

“Okay, okay…” Little Dragon Maiden seemed like she wanted to say more, but struggled to express herself clearly.

Noticing the young cubs’ concern, Ao Hanli glanced at the time and turned to leave.

Fish Mother gently held the girl’s hand. “Don’t disturb the princess.”

The little girl lowered her head, pouted in distress, and quietly joined the others, waiting for her health check-up.

Waiting for Ao Hanli took some time, so Bai Wei stayed back to have a quick meal.

Although it was the Dragon Palace, the dishes were plentiful, with eighteen different delicacies served.

The Dragon Clan’s logistics network was the most advanced in the world. Even in the deep sea, they could afford to eat fresh vegetables.

This meal was very satisfying—worthy of being called the Dragon Clan’s special feast, rich and flavorful.

After lunch, Bai Wei decided to take a stroll inside the Dragon Palace.

The palace’s interior was vast, resembling a city with an underwater metropolis built by the aquatic creatures. Many areas were heavily guarded, and some parts were off-limits for visitors. To explore freely, one needed to be accompanied by a member of the Dragon Clan.

Yun Wuxin and Xue Hanlei had wanted to discuss some intimate matters, but Bai Wei didn’t feel like listening. So, he decided to go for a walk outside. Just as he took a few steps, he heard some commotion.

A group of aquatic guards approached him and asked if he had seen a young Dragon Clan girl named Nana. They showed him a portrait.

Bai Wei recognized the girl in the portrait—she was one of the little girls he had seen two days ago. She was cute and innocent, holding a gift of a thousand paper cranes in her hands.

“Has she disappeared?” Bai Wei asked.

“She’s hiding,” the Dragon Palace guards replied. “We’re not sure why she’s upset, but we’re searching everywhere for her. If you happen to see her, please inform us immediately.”

Bai Wei nodded as the guards, armed with long spears, continued their search for the missing girl.

In the ocean, the Dragon Clan held an absolute position of power. It was as if a little princess from the royal family had gone missing, and the palace staff was searching everywhere for her.

For others, finding her might be difficult, but for Bai Wei, it was quite simple.

The origami crane still carried traces of the Golden Power, and following its rhythmic dance, Bai Wei soon determined its precise location.

It wasn’t far—it was a distance small enough for a child’s little feet to cover. However, their small bodies could easily hide in blind spots, and the scattered buildings of the Dragon Palace made it easy to disappear from view.

Bai Wei thought to himself that he would probably get lost on his first visit, just like he did in the underground sewers of the royal city.

He made his way to a hidden corner, climbed over the railing, and knocked on a nearby cardboard box.

Immediately, the box stirred, and the lid tried to escape.

Bai Wei lifted the lid and found a crouching guardian fairy inside.

The little dragon maiden had soft, pink dragon scales and a small, pink tail. She was incredibly adorable, making you want to protect her.

What caught Bai Wei’s attention was the exclamation mark floating above her head, not the usual yellow one indicating danger, but a pale white exclamation mark.

Could this actually generate a quest?

Though it seemed like a simple task, who knew when they would return to the Dragon Palace? It might be best to deal with it while they were here.

Bai Wei contemplated his choice. A plain white exclamation mark appeared above his head, indicating a relatively average difficulty task. It wasn’t dangerous, but perhaps it could be useful as helpful advice to the wise old man.

“I don’t want to get a shot!” the little girl with pink dragon scales closed her eyes and huddled, protecting her head.

Bai Wei realized the reason behind her reaction. He crouched down to avoid intimidating her with his height and gently asked, “I’m not a guard. Do you remember me?”

The little girl opened her eyes, ensuring that he wasn’t a guard, then blinked and said, “I remember, your last name is Bai… Uncle.”

Bai Wei sighed. “Call me older brother.”

Although, speaking of age, this little girl might actually be the same age as him. However, the mental maturity of the Dragon Clan develops later, typically only transitioning after the age of forty. Before that, they are considered mischievous children or adorably naive creatures.

“Big brother, I don’t want to get a shot,” she held Bai Wei’s hand, as though he were her savior, and pleaded, “Can you help me, please?”

“This…” Bai Wei paused, “You can ask your aunts for help.”

The Dragon Palace had its own rules, and although children were afraid of pain, they still needed their vaccinations when necessary. Bai Wei remembered when he was an ordinary person—visiting the hospital for an IV drip always involved children crying fiercely. Even adults, though afraid of needles, would put on a brave face to maintain composure.

“Why don’t you want to get a shot?” he asked gently.

“Painful, and… I feel dizzy.” Nana rolled up her sleeve, revealing red spots. “I just got a shot last time.”

Bai Wei was puzzled. “Why did they give you a shot on your elbow?”

“How long ago was the last time?” he asked.

“The last time? Just the last time,” she replied, not remembering clearly.

“Was it just a shot, or did they take blood?” Bai Wei asked again.

The little girl tilted her head. “It’s when the needle goes in, and then red stuff comes out.”

It was a blood draw.

The Dragon Palace valued the young dragons greatly, giving them regular check-ups. Xue Hanlei had mentioned these things before.

Blood tests were common for the young dragons, and with their restorative capabilities, it was like losing a few strands of hair—a small price for health.

If it was just a blood test, it shouldn’t have triggered the exclamation mark, right?

Bai Wei felt a growing sense of doubt, but he decided to set it aside for now. He would talk to Xue Hanlei and Ao Hanli before discussing it further.

Leading the little girl back, they soon came face to face with a worried mermaid. She sighed with relief.

“Thank heavens, Nana, you’re safe,” she said.

Bai Wei asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m the fish nanny responsible for taking care of her at the Kindhearted Orphanage,” the fish nanny replied. “Nana, come over here quickly.”

The little girl hid behind Bai Wei, clutching his leg, and whispered, “I don’t…”

Fish Mother scolded, “Don’t be silly, come with me… the doctors are waiting.”

“I don’t want to get a shot.”

“Just hold on a little longer, and it’ll pass.”

“I’ll feel dizzy,” she shook her head. “Don’t give me a shot.”

Fish Mother, losing patience, quickly walked over. “Listen to me, don’t be naughty.”

As she reached out to grab the child, the little girl closed her eyes in fear.

Snap! A clear sound rang out. Fish Mother looked in surprise at her open right hand, then at the tall, upright young man.

“Who are you forcing if she says she doesn’t want to?” Bai Wei asked firmly.

Fish Mother realized the situation and said apprehensively, “This is a matter of the Dragon Palace. Our Kindhearted Orphanage takes care of the young dragons. It has nothing to do with you, so please refrain from interfering with my work.”

“Indeed, it has nothing to do with me,” Bai Wei said, patting the girl’s head to reassure her. “But my words don’t count, and neither do yours. Let’s go find other dragons to talk to.”

“Other dragons?” Fish Mother scoffed, not recognizing Bai Wei. “Forgive me for being direct, but you may not have the qualifications…”

“Ask Ao Hanli,” she suggested.

Bai Wei remained calm. “Surely the East Sea Princess has the authority to make the final decision, right?”

Fish Mother’s expression soured. “Is it really necessary to bother the princess with such a trivial matter? Sir, please refrain from interfering in the Dragon Palace’s affairs. Return her to me.”

Bai Wei countered, “What are you in such a hurry for? Though it’s a small matter, Ao Hanli isn’t busy. I was planning to say goodbye before leaving, so it’s actually an opportunity to do so.”

“Please stop.” Fish Mother exclaimed, “Do you have hidden intentions? Return her to me quickly!”

Bai Wei raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried? What are you afraid of? There’s nothing to be shaken by a simple blood test.”

“I’m scared of you!” Fish Mother glared at him. “Who are you, and what is your purpose inside the Dragon Palace?”

She immediately stepped back, shouting loudly, “Guards! Guards! Come quickly! There’s an unidentified person here who’s taken a baby dragon hostage!”

Bai Wei sighed inwardly.

Was the Dragon Palace always this warm and hospitable?

It seemed like they wouldn’t let him leave until he completed the task.