Volume One: Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 56: All Are Transmigrators

"Xinxin, where are you?" Orange called out.

But no one replied.

"It seems like there's no one here..." Moxing glanced around.

"I know, she's playing hide-and-seek again," Orange said, raising her right hand to release a beam of golden light that instantly brightened the entire room.

"Is this... light element?" Moxing was a little surprised. Since coming to this other world, this was probably the first time he had seen the light element.

"Yes." Orange nodded. "Help me look for her. She's somewhere in this room."

"Uh? How am I supposed to find her?" Moxing scratched his head. "All I see is a table full of delicious food."

"I'm right in front of you," came a voice from the air.

Moxing froze. If he were still in his original world, he would have thought the place was haunted. Luckily, in this other world, there was such a thing as elemental magic—otherwise, he would have been scared half to death.

"You're invisible. How am I supposed to find you? This is too hard," Moxing said with a wry smile.

"Close your eyes. Rely on your senses," Orange instructed.

"Huh?"

Although Moxing didn’t understand the reason, he complied. He closed his eyes, held his breath, slowly inhaled, calming himself to sense everything around him.

The beating of his heart...

A distinct, delicate fragrance...

And a subtle warmth flowing in the air...

This...

Moxing’s eyes snapped open, and he saw Xia Ningxin standing right in front of him!

"Three days apart and your reaction time is still slow," Xia Ningxin said with a faint smile, "Moxing."

"Come on, you don’t have to roast me like that!" Moxing chuckled awkwardly. But it was true—he wasn’t the quickest on the uptake.

"Moxing, Ning was just making an offhand remark. Don’t take it to heart," Orange smiled.

"No, no, I’m not the type to split hairs," Moxing quickly waved his hands.

"Let’s eat and chat," Xia Ningxin turned and walked to her seat.

Only now did Moxing notice how she was dressed—a simple, elegant dress; golden hair coiled into a bun, loosely pinned at her ear with a pearl clip. The understated outfit only highlighted her unique grace.

"Ning cooked herself, you know. The food’s really good," Orange followed.

"Really..." Moxing scratched his head. He never would have guessed that Xia Ningxin, a lady of such standing, could cook! Of course, he couldn’t say such a straight-laced thought aloud, or he’d surely be beaten for it.

He sat down on the rosewood chair and gazed at the delicious spread on the table.

Pineapple slices paired with seafood noodles, brushed with a layer of golden honey—just the sight was mouthwatering! There was also mushroom pizza dotted with tender meat chunks that looked incredibly tempting! And cheese! Sausages! Shrimp porridge! It was all so wonderful!

"Moxing, why are you still spacing out? Aren’t you hungry?" Xia Ningxin asked coolly from the side.

"No...of course I’m hungry!" Moxing snapped back to reality, scratching his head. "I’ve never seen such a sumptuous meal before. I... honestly don’t know where to start."

"It’s alright, eat as much as you like," Orange smiled. "Make yourself at home."

"O-okay..."

Moxing picked up a small bowl, let his hand hover above the table for a moment, then reached for the pot of fish soup. Using a wooden spoon, he ladled out a bowl and took a small sip.

The fish was tender, the broth tangy and savory, slightly spicy but not greasy, the slices of fish a delicate golden hue, bursting with flavor. Red chili oil floated atop the soup, making the white fish slices look even more enticing. He picked up a piece and placed it in his mouth—sour and tender, the taste was simply exquisite.

It was too delicious!

If not for table manners, he would have gulped it down without restraint. The two girls across from him ate so elegantly—he definitely couldn’t lose his composure. But—

It was just too good!

"Where are you from?" Xia Ningxin asked.

"Me? I... I’m from Scarf Town," Moxing replied, looking up.

"She means the world you came from before," Orange clarified.

"The... world before?" Moxing was stunned. "Don’t tell me you two are also..."

"Yes. Like you, both Ning and I crossed over," Orange said.

"What..." Moxing gaped, feeling as if something inside him had been struck.

What?

He hadn’t misheard, right?

Orange and Xia Ningxin, just like him—

They were transmigrators!

They had crossed over from the world before!

"No need to be so surprised," Xia Ningxin said. "There are more transmigrators in this world than just us."

"There... are others?" Moxing was astonished. The information was overwhelming.

"Everyone you’ve met has come from the world before," Orange nodded. "It’s just that their memories have been wiped."

"Heavens, that’s terrifying..." Moxing took a deep breath. He thought he was just an ordinary transmigrator, but there was something much deeper at play. "Then why, why didn’t we lose our memories?"

"The Dragon God."

Xia Ningxin gave a simple answer.

"The Dragon God? You have the Dragon God residing in you too?" Moxing was shocked. Back in the spiritual realm, the Water Dragon God, Kaxin, had told him to find the others—he finally had!

"My situation is special. My memories returned later. But Ning truly inherited the power of the Light Dragon Emperor," Orange explained.

"Light Dragon Emperor? I thought there were only five Dragon Gods of Creation?" Moxing scratched his head, wondering where this new term came from.

"The Light Dragon Emperor was the first light born in Aslant after the ancient war of the gods," Orange explained. "He wields the power of light, symbolizing dawn and daybreak. This world owes its vitality, its land and all living things, to him. Later scholars, in gratitude, named the world after him."

"That... sounds incredible," Moxing said.

"You haven’t studied modern Aslant history?" Xia Ningxin asked.

"Uh... not yet!" Moxing shook his head.

"Why not go to the library and read up yourself?" Xia Ningxin smiled faintly.

"Um..." Moxing was baffled. Was she deliberately giving him a hard time? No wonder she was called the Ice Queen—her words always carried a hidden sting.

"Haha, it’s alright, Moxing, you’ll do fine," Orange giggled, covering her mouth.

"By the way, how should I address you both in the future?" Moxing asked.

"Call me Orange, and her Ning or Lemon," Orange said.

"Alright." Moxing nodded. "Thank you, Lemon, for saving me in the teaching building lobby last time. Otherwise, I’d have been surrounded by reporters!"

"It was nothing," Xia Ningxin replied coolly, putting a piece of meat into her bowl.

"By the way, you must be pretty close with the great Zhang Zhihao, right?" Moxing asked. He’d heard that Zhang Zhihao was on good terms with Xia Ningxin—could she be his mysterious girlfriend...?

"Did I hear you mention me?"

A familiar voice sounded behind him, making Moxing break out in goosebumps. He turned to see none other than the great Zhang Zhihao!

"G-great one! What are you doing here?" Moxing patted his chest to calm his nerves.

"We gather here every weekend," Zhang Zhihao brushed dust from his shoulder. "Just finished student council recruitment, so I flew over on my sword from the school."

Moxing thought, What the—? Sword flight? No wonder he’s called a great one! He’s half a god, half a sage!

"No worries, you’re not late. The food’s still hot," Xia Ningxin smiled—a rare expression for her.

"Yeah, I kept it warm with fire element," Orange nodded.

"Thanks." Zhang Zhihao smiled and sat down between Xia Ningxin and Moxing.

Moxing couldn’t help but marvel. The great one was handsome, capable, clever, modest, popular with girls—he truly was enviable! And come to think of it, since the three of them all knew each other, Zhang Zhihao must also be a transmigrator—so well hidden!

"Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat and talk," Zhang Zhihao scooped a bowl of rice and set it before himself.

"First of all, welcome, Moxing, to FEIHUO. From now on, you’re one of us—a member of our transmigrator team," Zhang Zhihao said with a gentlemanly smile.

"Welcome, welcome! We’re family now!" Orange clapped cheerfully, her smile as bright as sunlight.

"Welcome," Xia Ningxin also clapped, her response brief, her icy demeanor restored.

"Uh..." Moxing froze for a moment, as if something deep inside him had been pried open.

To be honest, even though this world had elements, magic, all sorts of wonders, teachers, students, merchants, and villains, deep down, he still felt lonely—a sense of having lost himself in a sea of people, as if his presence here didn’t matter. He was merely a vessel for the power of the Water Dragon God, Kaxin. Beyond that, he was just a wandering soul, a transmigrator with no real support, no true home, no clear purpose—no different from a ghost.

But now, these three people had come to him and said, "Hey, we’re just like you. Welcome to our group~"

Suddenly, this other world felt warm...

It felt like home...

Ding—

His heart, once calm as still water, was suddenly stirred.

"Th-thank you, everyone..." Moxing lowered his head, biting his lip.

"Why are you crying?" Orange noticed something was off.

"...," Xia Ningxin looked over as well.

"It’s nothing, really. The food’s just too good..." Moxing wiped a tear from his eye. "I just... miss home a bit..."

Suddenly, a strong hand rested on his shoulder. Moxing turned to see the great Zhang Zhihao beside him.

"If you like the food, eat more. Don’t stand on ceremony," Zhang Zhihao smiled.

"It’s only natural to feel homesick. We’ve all been in this world a long time and we all miss home, just like you," Orange nodded.

"Yes," Xia Ningxin said softly. "Let’s do our best together."

"Moxing," Zhang Zhihao paused, "just treat all of this as a long game. We’ll help you clear it, together."

"Don’t worry—we’ll find a way home, one day."

——— Idle Words Beside the Cliff ———

Did you know? Today, March 21st, is the birthday of the heroine, Shiyan (the prototype for the character). In fact, all the characters in the novel are based on real people—my special friends.

Eh? Did I just reveal something important? Well, that’s all for now. Thank you all for your support!