Chapter 763: Journey Together (Part 1)

In a sea trench in the East Sea, not far from the Crystal Palace, beneath the vast, shimmering waves, lay a place rich in water spiritual energy, protected by a natural grand formation. Dark figures streaked past, mostly slender, handsome young men and beautiful young women. Occasionally, the fleeting shadow of a true dragon could be seen, usually disappearing in a flash as they dove directly into the depths of the trench.

Hundreds of true dragons quickly gathered. The outer perimeter maintained their dragon forms, their vigilant eyes scanning in all directions. Inside, dozens of young dragon scions had transformed into human form. They had horns on their heads and tails behind them, dressed in brocade robes and shining armor, each possessing an extraordinary demeanor. It was an old tradition of the Dragon Clan: male dragons were handsome and dashing, while female dragons were captivating.

This group of young dragon scions and maidens bowed their heads to the stone platform before them, saluting in unison:"Welcome, Your Highness!"

A ripple disturbed the water, and a series of bubbles rose. On the stone platform, the water twisted, and from within stepped a somewhat slender figure. He had the face of a youth, but at this moment, he exuded considerable authority. A subtle glow surrounded him, giving him an air of exceptional distinction.

Ao Yi.

This name was no longer unfamiliar in the current Primordial World. He was the brightest star among the Dragon Clan's new generation, serving as a Grand Marshal in the Heavenly Court, commanding a million Heavenly soldiers, able to mobilize numerous Dragon Clan experts, and possessing a Jie Teaching background. He did not remove his armor before the Lingxiao Palace, and he held a prestigious seat in the Peach Garden.

Naturally, whenever immortals or gods conversed and mentioned Ao Yi, they inevitably brought up his most crucial identity: the sworn brother of *that* man.

This long story began just a few years after Ao Yi hatched. Even then, he harbored thoughts of worrying for his race, constantly pondering how to shatter the false dreams that enthralled his kin. Later, the dream didn't shatter; instead, the Dragon Clan ascended to the heavens, embarking on an entirely different path. The Dragon Clan's continued prosperity and reproduction in the Primordial World, their dominion over the four seas, and their rule over the sea creatures, all stemmed from a single decision Ao Yi made back then. All of this was earned through countless calls of "Brother Sect Master."

Now, the Dragon Clan faced another critical juncture...

Ao Yi pursed his lips, his face solemn. His gaze swept over the dragon scions and maidens before him. The myriad words brewing in his heart condensed into a single sigh.

"Alas."

This group of spirited young dragons grew tense. A few were already eager to shed their heads and blood for their esteemed elder brother.

But while he was an elder brother, the First Prince of the East Sea, Ao Jia, was still present, and Ao Yi was only the Second Prince.

"Second Prince, are things not going smoothly?"

"Father King hasn't been concerned with trivial matters lately," Ao Yi said, shaking his head with a grave expression. "Our Dragon Clan has reached a crossroads and must make a choice. We can't always rely on the Sect Master; otherwise, this debt of gratitude will never be repaid. I want to cut the Gordian knot quickly. What are your thoughts?"

"Hmm...""The current situation is indeed tricky.""This matter is of great importance. Taking hasty action could lead to numerous chain reactions.""Caution is advised."

A dragon scion pondered, "Second Prince, if the King doesn't approve, wouldn't acting rashly be... a grave act of rebellion?"

"Not that serious," Ao Yi's mouth twitched slightly. "After all, this is something only we, the younger generation, need to deal with."

The dragons each mused:"Second Prince, it would be safer to proceed after consulting with His Majesty and the elders.""Although this matter only concerns the young dragons of our four seas, given the existence of the longevity dao fruit, it doesn't mean the elders within the clan have lost their right to speak. We must think twice before acting.""Second Prince, it's not that we don't trust you, but firstly, we cannot overstep our authority, and secondly, we cannot take risky actions. It would be more appropriate to report it to the elders and let them discuss and decide."

"Second Brother," a young maiden with antler-like horns whispered, "How are you... not so steady now?"

"I!" Ao Yi stared at his kinsmen, some lost in thought, others solemn, then silently raised a hand and pounded his dragon heart a few times before forcing out a strained smile. This was the remarkable outcome of promoting the "Stability Teachings" scriptures within the clan. Did they think he was testing their "Stability Scripture" homework? It was just a proposal titled "Regarding the Inappropriateness of Underage Dragons Marrying Too Early." Was it really necessary to alarm the elders over *that*? Even if the Dragon Clan had redoubled their efforts in recent centuries, the underage dragons were precisely this group right in front of him. Couldn't everyone just restrain their own behavior?

But since things had come to this...

"I will report this matter to the elders later," Ao Yi said calmly, and the dragons collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Ao Yi continued:"Let's put this matter aside for now. The main reason I've gathered you all here today is for the grand feast at the Crystal Palace a century from now. You must have already received the news. The Human Race, Heavenly Court, Underworld, Northern Continent Witch Clan, and powerful figures from the Three Thousand Worlds will all receive invitations from our Dragon Clan. This feast is to showcase the Dragon Clan's heritage and to distribute some of our treasures to accumulate good fortune for our clan. We will also need to do something at that time."

A dragon maiden standing closer frowned and asked, "Distributing wealth to accumulate fortune? What kind of saying is that?"

Ao Yi shook his head. "What the God of Wealth says cannot be wrong."

"If that esteemed senior said it, then it should be true. Then why not just donate it directly to the Heavenly Court?"

"Are you foolish? If we donate directly to the Heavenly Court, wouldn't people say the Heavenly Court is sustained by our Dragon Clan? Where would His Majesty the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West put their faces, tell me where? Spending a few days in the North Sea, why are you so reckless now?"

"I'm not! Humph, such crude remarks!"

"Enough," Ao Yi said, frowning softly, and the sea trench immediately fell silent. Rubbing his forehead, Ao Yi said directly, "Sixteen dragon scions and sixteen dragon maidens, come forward. According to our Dragon Clan custom, you will perform a dance. Don't be shy, who wants to volunteer?"

The hundreds of dragons present fell silent for a moment, then collectively took half a step back.

Ao Yi: "..."

"I will try to invite the Sect Master to attend the ceremony."

The dragon maidens' eyes instantly lit up, but before they could react, they saw shimmering light and dark figures surging forward. A group of dragon scions rushed around Ao Yi, their eyes glowing red with a clinking sound. The scene immediately became quite lively.

After half a day of back and forth, Ao Yi had finally completed his official business, which essentially involved discussing the young dragons' agenda and forming a dance etiquette team. There was no other way; ever since the battle at Zixiao Palace, a certain "Stability Teaching" Sect Master, whose name no one dared to mention, had virtually become an idol for the entire Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan had been suppressed and stifled for so long by the name of Hongjun; it was only natural for them to feel a release of emotion now that they had finally found liberation.

Once the official matters were fully dealt with, Ao Yi encouraged the dragon scions and maidens, urging them to cultivate diligently, perform more good deeds, not to always engage in improper male-female relationships, and to travel more to enhance the Dragon Clan's reputation. The current Primordial World seemed to be on the threshold of a long era of peace. Decades ago, Ao Yi had heard his Sect Master brother murmur something about...

"'Without enough sacrifice and bloodshed, it has instead become an unstable factor in the coming era. Although this was considered before, I didn't expect it to be so tricky to deal with.'"

Presumably, he felt that if the Three Realms of the Primordial World merely remained immersed in a peaceful atmosphere, it would inevitably lead to various problems. Balance existed between heaven and earth; forgetting war inevitably leads to danger.

After Ao Yi declared, "I'll just say a few more words," the dragon scions and maidens departed in groups, but more than a dozen dragon scions remained behind, whispering a few words to Ao Yi.

"Second Brother, there's still no news about that cold-faced old Daoist you drew."

"But rest assured, Second Brother, we will redouble our efforts to secretly search for Human Race experts above the Heavenly Immortal realm. However, the Three Thousand Worlds are vast, so it might take some years."

"And we can't rule out the possibility that it was a disguised face."

In response, Ao Yi could only frown, nod, and sigh softly. He had indeed overcome his fear from back then. But the grievances from that time had not yet been settled! If he found that cold-faced old Daoist, he would definitely! First do this, then that, and finally this again!

"Oh, by the way, Second Brother," a new prince from the West Sea Dragon Palace whispered, "An elder from our West Sea was out on business and said he saw Immortal Youqin. Should we inform Xuandu City about this? Haven't there been rumors from there that all the big figures are very concerned about this immortal's safety?"

"Hmm," Ao Yi shook his head. "No need to inquire further. That news was deliberately released and spread throughout the Three Realms to protect Lady Youqin. The relationship between this immortal and the Sect Master is extraordinary; these are not matters we can interfere with."

"Shouldn't we actively show goodwill?"

"Do not do anything superfluous," Ao Yi stated firmly. "Our Dragon Clan's current position in the world is already very appropriate. No one in the clan, from top to bottom, should harbor even a shred of ambition. Otherwise, it will surely invite monumental disaster."

The dragon scions, not being foolish, each nodded in solemn agreement.

Ao Yi cupped his hands, stated that he wished to spend time with his beloved wife during the Heavenly Court's holiday, and took his leave. The several dragon scions returned the bow, and the one who had suggested showing goodwill to Youqin Xuanya looked ashamed.

However, before Ao Yi could turn, a jade talisman in his sleeve suddenly vibrated, and wisps of immortal light shone through his brocade robe. Ao Yi looked down, startled.

"Second Brother, is this..."

Ao Yi, however, fell silent, not uttering a word for a long time. He then raised his hand and took the constantly vibrating immortal talisman, turning it over and examining it repeatedly, as if to ascertain whether the object was broken. Once he composed himself, he couldn't help but sigh, glanced left and right, and whispered:"It's nothing. You all may leave first."

He then turned and flew swiftly, transforming into a true azure dragon body several thousand feet long before even exiting the sea trench. The next instant, he burst through the seawater and sped towards the heavens.

There was no other reason. This jade talisman was a summons from Xuandu, and not only Ao Yi possessed one; all the major figures in the Primordial World connected to Xuandu City had one. This was the first time the talisman had activated, and such a situation had only one explanation.

Something major had happened in Xuandu City.