Chapter 415: Regret of the Wood Dragon - Part 2 (1/2)
Uriel and the dragons arrested Cernun and brought him to another inhabitable world. Then, they buried him 3,000 kilometers deep, placing him inside the lava pool inside the planet.
The wood dragon was weak against fire. The flame, magma, and the residual heaven and earth Qi in the planet continued to burn him 24/7, torturing the dragon while he was under the planet's restraints and seals.
As the dragon's physique, vitality, and self-recovery speed were superior to the power of the planet's core, Cernun couldn't be killed while he was imprisoned there.
The strength of Cernun was reduced to the 9th-stage, similar to Nero. However, he was unwilling to submit to the restriction. He attempted to break out.
Unfortunately, all attempts were futile. Cernun ran out of energy and Qi.
After 100,000 years, Cernun gave up resisting. He sulked in the lava pit, thinking of the past mistakes.
He started crying, just like when he was a timid dragon.
He missed his siblings.
He missed his mother.
He missed the peaceful life.
He regretted leaving the cave.
Funnily enough, Cernun cried so hard that his tear extinguished the planet's lava fire. After the heat in the planet's core was gone, the magnetic field stopped functioning, and the array was dispelled.
Still, Cernun didn't break out of the prison. He just sat there on the solid lava rocks, gazing at the wall with dimmed pupils.
He was broken. He gave up everything and became a lifeless doll.
Time passed. The planet crumbled apart and was reduced to pieces of asteroids.
Cernun, as usual, had no intention to go anywhere. He was ejected from the broken planet and floated in space aimlessly.
Uriel returned to check the dragon after another 100,000 years had passed. Upon discovering the state of the planet and Cernun's mind, he was bemused.
The archangel scanned through the memory of Cernun and the broken array formation.
”You cried so hard that you extinguished the lava? Damn, son.”
”…”
Cernun didn't respond. He simply gazed to a distance, repeatedly thinking of his past memory.
Seeing the pathetic side of Cernun, Uriel had an inspiration. He brought the dragon to the ruined planet, which the latter had destroyed.
Then, the archangel gave him several mountains of tree seeds, flower seeds, and unknown saplings.
”You took billions of lives. How about you create a trillion new lives with those seeds? Water them with your tears and use your effort to grow them. If you can create the same amount of lives that you took, you'll be forgiven for your crimes. You might be able to see your family again after you're freed.”
Suddenly, the pupils of Cernun regained light. He turned to Uriel, ”Really? Wait, they are alive? My brothers and sisters are alive?”
”They have reincarnated. They were reborn, Cernun.”
”Reborn?”
Uriel taught Cernun about reincarnations, souls, karma, and sins. He enlightened the dragon, giving him new hope and showing him a path of redemption.
Realizing that he had a second chance to redeem himself, Cernun cooperated with Uriel in joy. He carefully planted each seed and watered them with his tear and his Qi.
The dragon kept plowing the wasteland and planting more random tree seeds. Although he never stopped crying, he was smiling.
500,000 years went by, and the planet regained the green color. Oceans were made with his teardrops and his sweat while the trees consumed his dragon Qi to grow. The atmosphere returned, and the planet became habitable for mortals.
However, because Cernun kept sacrificing his power to grow these plants, his cultivation base regressed.
By the time Cernun realized it, his Qi volume became even weaker than an essence-gathering realm human. Moreover, he could barely walk on four legs.
After planting the quadrillionth seed, Cernun collapsed.
Fortunately, Uriel had been watching the dragon. He shared some of his Qi with Cernun and nurtured him back to health.
Still, the damage had been done to his soul. Because he had been crying for over a million years, his heart and soul became fragile. Even Uriel couldn't heal his broken mind.
Realizing that his death would come soon, Cernun asked Uriel, ”Now that I repented for what I did, will they forgive me now?”
Uriel shook his head, ”I can't guarantee. Everyone has a different opinion.”
”… I see.”
”But I forgive you. My master also forgives you. I'm sure your victims will forgive you if they learn of your effort.”
Cernun had a sad smile on his face. He nodded and lied on the ground.
Although Cernun was nurtured back to health, he could no longer raise his body or sit again. He became a half-vegetable ancient dragon, who couldn't even move his body.
He was too exhausted. Crying so much deteriorated his mental health, and nobody could cure his depression syndrome.
But Cernun could feel something familiar inside his dragon dantian. The Holy Element, which he hadn't been able to use for a long time, became active.
Light shone from the nearby stars, and more luck energy flowed to the planet. The light and Qi showered Cernun as if they were trying to help the dragon.
Cernun could stand again, but he was still weak. He struggled to get up while he gazed upon the bright stars.
Uriel knew what had happened. He was proud of Cernun, ”See? Some of your victims forgive you. Their souls heard your voice.”
”…”
Cernun cried again. But this time, it was the tears of joy.
He bowed his head to the stars before he staggered to the mountain of plant seeds, planning to continue working even though it was no longer necessary.
As the dragon was about to pick up another batch of seedlings, a little dryad girl walked toward him.
”Hello, senior. I have a present for you.”
”???”
The little girl gave him a flower. She raised her tiny arms, trying to reach the tall dragon.
Cernun gazed at the little girl for a moment. Then, he thought of the similar dryad girl, whom he had stomped to death.
”That girl is the reincarnation of the dryad girl you killed. She also forgives you.”
”…”
Cernun broke into tears, he lowered his head and allowed the girl to put the flower on one of his horns. He then smiled at her.
”What's your name, little girl?”
”I don't have a name.”
Cernun bitterly smiled. He looked around and spotted a mountain of emerald nearby. He had an idea.
”You were born from a Hopea Odorata seed, so your name will be Emerald Hopea.”
The dryad jumped in joy. She hugged Cernun's giant legs.
”Thank you! I have a name! I'm Emerald Hopea!”
”…”
…
Uriel no longer visited Cernun after Hopea had obtained her name. After all, he was no longer needed as Cernun finally had a friend.
Cernun taught Hopea everything he knew, including the life lesson that he had learned the hard way. In turn, Hopea helped him grow more plants and trees, filling the world with more lives.
Hollowed Spring Water was soon created by Hopea. She filtered the ocean water and diluted Cernun's tears in them.
For a short hundred years, Cernun found happiness. He was never this happy in his life.
However, the blissful time was limited. As the dragon was no longer an immortal and he never stopped spending his dragon wood Qi, blood essence, and Holy Element Qi to grow trees, he grew older.
His lifespan soon ran out.
While Cernun was on the verge of death, Uriel revisited him once more. But this time, he came with a mural of time and space.
Hopea was by Cernun's side, tending what the dragon needed. She was also there when Uriel entrusted the mural piece to him and told him that seven dragons had been selected to protect this secret art.
Cernun had a bitter smile on his face when Uriel wanted him to protect the mural, ”I'm sorry, Uriel. I can't do it.”
Uriel checked Cernun's Qi and discovered that the dragon was about to die. He gently patted the dragon's head.
”I see. It doesn't matter. You've done enough.”
”Will everyone forgive me now?” Cernun was still worried about his mistakes in the past.
”They probably forgot about you by now. It has been over a million years.”
”Haha, you're right. Excuse me, Uriel. I'm so tired. I need to sleep.”