There are certain fundamental truths that govern existence across all realms. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Every action produces an equal and opposite reaction.

  And attempting to condense the mass of a cosmic entity into human form without proper density redistribution is a recipe for structural collapse—both metaphysical and architectural.

  This last truth had been plaguing Xiaolong since her transformation began. Being effectively a mountain compressed into the shape of a person had its drawbacks, primarily in the form of cracked flagstones, groaning floorboards, and the constant fear that she might accidentally sink through the earth's crust if she forgot herself and sat down too quickly.

  The morning after the storm, while Li Feng cleaned their modest campsite, Xiaolong retreated to a secluded spot near the waterfall with the excuse of "morning meditation."

  In reality, she intended to attempt a refinement of her reverse cultivation technique that might solve her density problem once and for all.

  "The compression was too literal," she muttered to herself, settling carefully on a boulder that only complained slightly under her weight. "I need metaphysical displacement, not mere containment."

  She closed her eyes and visualized the complex energetic structure of her current form. The Divine Essence Sealing technique she'd employed had essentially taken her draconic mass and wadded it up like a scroll being stuffed into an undersized container.

  Effective for maintaining her power in a compact form, but utterly impractical for everyday human activities like sitting on chairs or walking across bridges that weren't engineered for geological events.

  Drawing on her extensive knowledge of cosmic principles, Xiaolong began a modified version of the "Ethereal Lightness Method" described in the forbidden scroll. Rather than simply compressing her essence further—which would solve nothing—she would redirect a significant portion of her mass into a pocket dimension, tethered to her current form but not directly manifested within it.

  "Like storing winter clothes in the attic," she told herself, reaching for a mundane metaphor that might help conceptualize this complex metaphysical process. "Not discarding them, merely... relocating temporarily."

  The process was delicate and uncomfortable. Each shift of mass into the pocket dimension felt like pulling teeth—if those teeth were connected directly to her fundamental existence.

  Dragons were not meant to be partially present; their nature demanded complete manifestation of power and substance.

  A lesser being might have abandoned the effort when faced with such discomfort. Xiaolong merely gritted her teeth (which, thankfully, no longer resembled serrated daggers capable of shearing through granite) and pushed harder.

  "Ethereal redistribution... partial dimensional anchoring... mass transference..." she recited, working through the theoretical framework as she applied it practically to her own essence.

  Something clicked. There was a sensation like a cork popping from a bottle, if that cork were the size of a small continent and the bottle were reality itself. Suddenly, Xiaolong felt lighter—not weaker, but less physically substantial, as though she'd managed to offload several tons of cosmic density into her carefully constructed pocket dimension.

  To test the results, she stood and deliberately stomped one foot on the stone beneath her.

  The rock held firm. No cracking, no shattering, not even a protesting creak.

  "Success!" she exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her dignified draconic nature in the simple pleasure of a technical breakthrough.

  The successful modification of her form occasioned an impromptu victory dance that, had any other dragon witnessed it, would have resulted in her immediate expulsion from polite draconic society.

  Fortunately, only a nearby squirrel observed this momentary lapse in cosmic dignity, and it wisely decided that forgetting the entire incident was conducive to its continued existence.

  When Li Feng returned from packing their campsite, he found Xiaolong serenely practicing water circulation exercises, the very picture of disciplined cultivation. If he noticed that she moved with considerably more grace than before, he made no mention of it.

  "I've completed my communion with this waterfall," he announced, his expression both satisfied and somewhat wistful. "It's time to continue my journey."

  Xiaolong carefully kept her expression neutral despite the momentary flutter of alarm his words triggered. This was the critical juncture where her continued presence in his life would be determined—and her unprecedented experiment with him would either continue or end before truly beginning.

  "You've achieved the insights you sought?" she asked, buying time to formulate her approach.

  "Yes. The boundary waterfall has shown me the true nature of transitions—how water remains itself even as it moves between states and realms." His eyes reflected a quiet certainty that suggested genuine spiritual breakthrough. "I'm ready to return to the sect and prepare for the fifth waterfall pilgrimage."

  This was her opening.

  Xiaolong set aside her water sphere and adopted what she hoped was an appropriately casual posture. "Your sect is some distance from here, is it not? Several days' journey through mountain terrain?"

  "Four days if the weather holds," Li Feng confirmed, shouldering his modest travel pack. "The trail isn't particularly difficult, though there are some contested territories near the Black Iron Sect borders."

  "It would be safer to travel with a companion," Xiaolong suggested, the words emerging more tentatively than she'd intended. Dragons did not hint or suggest; they declared their intentions with absolute authority. This new approach felt uncomfortably like... asking permission.

  Li Feng paused, studying her with that perceptive gaze that somehow saw more than it should. "You wish to accompany me back to the Azure Waters Sect?"

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "It would provide opportunity to continue my study of your techniques," she replied, striving for scholarly detachment rather than the strange emotional investment she actually felt. "And as you observed yesterday, our paths seem temporarily aligned by circumstance."

  "By circumstance," Li Feng repeated softly, a hint of amusement touching his expression. "Yes, I'm sure it's merely that."

  Before Xiaolong could decipher this cryptic response, he continued more practically. "The sect doesn't generally welcome unaffiliated cultivators, but as an Elder Disciple, I can vouch for a guest under certain conditions."

  "What conditions?" she asked, momentarily wary of further commitments that might complicate her already precarious deception.

  "Nothing onerous. You would need to observe sect protocols, respect hierarchy, and share some knowledge in exchange for what you learn." He adjusted his pack straps with practiced efficiency. "A fair exchange, I believe."

  The concept of "fair exchange" was another human notion that dragons found peculiar. In draconic thinking, interactions were governed by power differentials—the greater being bestowed or commanded, the lesser being obeyed or received. Equality of exchange simply wasn't part of their conceptual framework.

  Yet here was Xiaolong, an ancient cosmic entity, seriously considering a "fair exchange" with a being whose entire lifespan would register as barely a catnap in her natural existence.

  "Acceptable terms," she agreed, surprising herself with how easily the words came.

  Li Feng nodded, seeming neither surprised nor particularly triumphant at her acquiescence. "Then we should depart within the hour. There's a village at the foot of the mountain where we can resupply before the longer journey."

  As he turned to make final preparations, a thought occurred to Xiaolong. "I have no supplies of my own," she admitted, the acknowledgment still uncomfortable. Dragons did not admit to being unprepared; it violated their self-image of perfect competence.

  Li Feng glanced back, his expression shifting from surprise to something like gentle amusement. "Yes, I had noticed your... minimalist approach to travel. No food, no bedroll, no change of clothes."

  He rummaged through his pack and extracted a small bundle wrapped in oilcloth. "I can share provisions until we reach the village, but you'll need your own supplies for the longer journey. Do you have currency?"

  Another oversight in Xiaolong's planning.

  Dragons had little use for human economic systems; they simply took what they wanted or created what they needed. The concept of purchasing necessities with symbolic tokens was one she understood intellectually but had never actually practiced.

  "I..." she began, then paused. Admitting to having no money would raise obvious questions about how she had traveled without basic necessities. Yet another lie would only compound her growing web of deception.

  Li Feng waited patiently, his expression neutral rather than judgmental.

  "I find myself temporarily without funds," she said finally, the words feeling like gravel in her throat. Dragons did not admit to lacking resources; it was tantamount to admitting weakness.

  To her surprise, Li Feng merely nodded. "Not uncommon for wandering cultivators. Resources flow and ebb like water through mountain valleys."

  He reached into an inner pocket of his robe and produced a small pouch that clinked softly with the sound of metal coins. "I can advance you enough for basic supplies. You can repay when circumstances allow."

  The casual offer of assistance without immediate expectation of return was so contrary to draconic interaction that Xiaolong momentarily struggled to formulate a response. In dragon society, such an offer would establish a formal debt-bond, with precisely calculated terms of repayment and significant consequences for default.

  "That is..." she searched for the appropriate human response, "...kind of you."

  "It's practical," Li Feng corrected with a slight shrug. "A traveling companion needs proper equipment. Your well-being affects our joint journey."

  This framing—generosity as practical self-interest—was something Xiaolong could better understand. It aligned more closely with draconic thinking, where all actions served strategic purpose rather than emotional impulse.

  "Then I accept your practical assistance," she replied, finding this framework more comfortable than acknowledging kindness.

  Li Feng's slight smile suggested he recognized her preference for this interpretation, but he didn't comment further. Instead, he began explaining what she would need for the journey ahead.

  "The mountain paths require sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, and at least basic provisions," he said, adopting a teacher's methodical tone. "We'll also need to consider your presentation at the sect."

  "My presentation?" Xiaolong echoed, momentarily confused.

  "How you present yourself to the sect elders and disciples," Li Feng clarified. "The Azure Waters Sect observes certain protocols and hierarchies. Your manner, speech, and even posture will be noted and judged."

  This, at least, was familiar territory.

  Dragons understood status rituals and hierarchical protocols perfectly well. If anything, human sects seemed charmingly simplified compared to the complex status dynamics of draconic courts.

  "I can observe proper etiquette," Xiaolong assured him with perhaps more confidence than was warranted, given her limited experience with human social structures.

  "Different sects have different expectations," Li Feng cautioned. "What might be appropriate in other cultivation traditions could be considered offensive in ours."

  He settled cross-legged on a flat stone and gestured for her to do the same. Now that her density issues were resolved, Xiaolong could comply without fear of geological restructuring. The stone accepted her weight with nothing more than the normal compression any human might cause.

  "The Azure Waters Sect values harmony, adaptability, and respect for natural flow," Li Feng began, his tone shifting to that of a formal instructor. "Our greetings reflect these values."

  He demonstrated a fluid bow where his hands moved in a wavelike motion before coming together at heart level. "This is how disciples greet masters or elders. The depth of the bow indicates respect level, but the flowing motion is consistent regardless of status."

  Xiaolong observed carefully, then replicated the movement with perfect precision—too perfect, she realized belatedly. Humans rarely achieved such exact mirroring on first attempt.

  Li Feng's eyebrow rose slightly. "Exceptional proprioception. Another unusual talent."

  "I have always been physically... coordinated," Xiaolong offered lamely.

  "Evidently." He demonstrated several more greetings and gestures, each flowing into the next with natural grace. "When addressing the sect leader, one must maintain the bow until acknowledged. For elders, three heartbeats is the traditional duration."

  This continued for nearly an hour, with Li Feng explaining increasingly nuanced aspects of sect etiquette. To his evident surprise (and Xiaolong's private amusement), she memorized every detail instantly.

  Dragons possessed perfect recall—a significant advantage when learning human social systems, which seemed absurdly simple compared to the labyrinthine complexity of draconic court protocols.

  "You learn remarkably quickly," Li Feng observed, not for the first time.

  "I have always had a good memory," Xiaolong replied, which was true in the sense that oceans have "some water."

  "Memory alone doesn't explain your adaptability," he continued, watching her with that penetrating gaze that seemed to see more than it should. "You move as though you've performed these rituals before, despite claiming no prior exposure to our sect's traditions."

  This was dangerous territory.

  Xiaolong redirected carefully. "Perhaps the movements resonate with my previous training. Many cultivation traditions share common ancestral forms."

  Li Feng didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded acceptance of this explanation. "In any case, your aptitude will make our arrival less complicated. The elders are more likely to permit your presence if you demonstrate respect for our traditions."