Chapter 669: Dragon and Fox

Two demons and one person emerged from the grave abyss and dropped into the sea. They passed over islands of various sizes, fragmented, desolate, and uninhabited, indeed showing no sign of life.

West Ping Mountain on Wangyue Lake, though towering into the clouds and devoid of spiritual objects, at least supported some ordinary mortal plants. In contrast, this place lacked even common vegetation, consisting only of bare sand and rock.

Li Zhouwei, however, saw beyond the superficial. He quietly pondered:

"Although this place is incredibly barren, it also isn't a place of great spiritual significance, making it an excellent spot to evade the Purple Mansion's watchful eyes. The only drawback is that cultivation is impossible here."

The long-bearded demon waited nearby. Dongfang Ding Jiao, being in a foul mood, did not speak much to him, simply driving his spirit artifact past. The Azure Water Scaled Beast lay like a glittering underwater mountain range, quietly dormant on the seabed. As Ding Jiao continued his journey, the black-armored demon was already waiting, scurrying forward eagerly to greet them.

"Three Lords!"

Dongfang Ding Jiao clearly had no interest in speaking with him. The black-armored demon, sensing his foul mood, became as docile as a lamb. With a wave of Ding Jiao's hand, he scurried away, then picked up a whip to drive the beast.

Ding Jiao landed before the palace, shook his robes, and finally exhaled. A smile appeared on his face as he softly said:

"Please enter!"

As the two demons and one person entered, they found someone already standing in the hall. His sleeves were neatly arranged, and he wore a graceful smile as he waited to the side. Upon seeing the three enter, he bowed and said:

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Greetings, two fellow Daoists!"

"Many thanks, Uncle!"

He consistently stayed half a step behind Dongfang Ding Jiao, escorting him to the main seat. Only after the host and guests were all seated did he take a seat to the side. He elegantly tidied his sleeves and softly said:

"After all, Li Xunquan is a thousand-year-old demon, albeit one with an unclear mind. Even when bound by the Fuxi Binding-Scale Rope, it's inevitable he might still lash out. There are also many dangers beneath the ground. While Your Highness's dragon might is immense, the real concern would be startling the carriage or offending the guests."

Ding Jiao paused, then softly said:

"Uncle, I am unfamiliar with the Fuxi Binding-Scale Rope. Could you tell me about it?"

Dongfang Ding Jiao was now smiling broadly at his words. Bai Rong, meanwhile, carefully observed Dongfang Heyun, secretly astonished:

"This is Dongfang Heyun? I see that, apart from lacking divine abilities, he is no different from a Purple Mansion cultivator. No wonder Tuoba Chongyuan was beaten until his soul scattered. This 'Dragon Cloud' could probably even defend himself against a Purple Mansion cultivator…"

After a few more glances, doubt arose in his mind once more:

"Is he truly not at the Purple Mansion level? There is only one 'Dragon Cloud' like him in the world; who can truly discern his real strength? Could it be that he has already reached the Purple Mansion level, and the Dragon Lord has concealed his divine abilities!"

Dongfang Heyun softly said:

"The Fuxi Binding-Scale Rope is Yao Chenlin's spirit artifact. This spirit rope uses the world's most extreme pain to erode one's mind. You are young and therefore unfamiliar with it."

"Uncle Heyun!"

"Hearing that the Crown Prince was coming to this dangerous place, I arrived and waited here early. I also accompanied you all the way, but I feared disturbing Your Highness's interest, so I remained silent..."

Ding Jiao quickly stepped back and bowed respectfully. The Dragon Crown Prince, with a full smile, politely said:

"Uncle, you handle myriad affairs daily; it's truly rare for you to visit my hall for a conversation!"

Dongfang Heyun politely returned the bow and said gently:

"Oh?"

"That is the purpose of the Fuxi Binding-Scale Rope."

"Pain is not a minor matter; it is the primary enemy in eroding one's mind. Prolonged torment causes tears to flow uncontrollably. Hatred, reverence, the heart seeking the Dao – all are forgotten. Only the pervasive pain is remembered, and the sole luxury desired is a moment of rest."

His tone was calm, imbued with a hint of elegance, yet the content he spoke was somewhat cruel:

"This artifact only relishes hearing pleas for mercy. It often binds tighter and tighter, causing boundless bone-splitting agony. Only by loudly wailing for mercy will it slightly loosen. If one stops crying out, the pain intensifies a hundredfold. It is simply a method to erode one's mind."

"After thousands of years, only the thought of begging for mercy to gain rest remains in the mind. The fact that Li Xunquan can still respond demonstrates the extraordinary strength of his will."

"What a vicious artifact..."

As Dongfang Heyun continued speaking, Dongfang Ding Jiao's brows remained furrowed. Being from the branch closest to Wei Li, he immediately fell silent.

Dongfang Heyun, having finished his conversation with Ding Jiao, took a sip of wine. He then glanced at Li Zhouwei and smiled:

"This must be Bai Lin!"

"Ming Huang greets Senior..."

Li Zhouwei replied. Dongfang Heyun merely nodded, saying little more to him, then turned to the fox and said:

"Please extend my regards to your master."

After a few polite exchanges, he quickly withdrew. He bowed at the front of the hall and disappeared, leaving Li Zhouwei with a meaningful glance.

Ding Jiao's mood improved considerably. He raised his cup to the two, while secretly rejoicing as he looked in the direction Dongfang Heyun had departed.

The Dragon Princes had always been the most precious group in the East Sea, rarely paying attention to Foundation Establishment cultivators. Dongfang Ding Jiao, however, was always gentle. Towards these Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even Dongfang Heyun, he was at least courteous, if not overly polite.

"Those few distant relatives of his... had a strong desire to command Uncle Heyun. They always had intentions to order him around for both big and small matters... Now they should be in a difficult position!"

Dongfang Heyun's attitude toward him was naturally good. If it had been other Dragon Princes, merely escorting him all the way would have been the most they would do. Why would they specifically appear to meet him and politely share a cup of wine?

"Dongfang Heyun is just one of them; in the future, there will also be Ming Huang and Bai Rong..."

He quietly gazed into the distance. After a long while, he turned his head to Li Zhouwei, quite pleased, and softly said:

"Since Ming Huang is unwilling to accept the ancient spirit artifact, how can I let my two brothers' journey be in vain? That would be my fault!"

Dongfang Ding Jiao gently clapped his hands. Immediately, two demons entered from outside the hall, both respectfully carrying stone boxes. As they approached, Ding Jiao said seriously:

"My two brothers, these things cannot be refused. As the host, I am merely expressing my goodwill!"

Li Zhouwei watched as the stone boxes were presented, already prepared. He pondered inwardly:

"This is what Bai Rong, the fox, meant by befriending the two of us..."

Ding Jiao might not have known precisely who was in the abyss, but as the one who extended the invitation, he most likely knew that the person below had been harmed by Luoxia Mountain. He also knew that this person was connected to both the dragon lineage and Wei Li.

"If not for this, why would he insist on summoning me here? And how could it then serve the purpose of forming an alliance?"

Furthermore, a deeper consideration likely involved the power struggle between the dragon lineage and Luoxia Mountain. Ding Jiao's blatant presentation of all this was almost an open declaration that Luoxia Mountain harbored ill intentions.

"Dongfang Heyun even made a special trip, appearing in person to tell me how painful the Fuxi Binding-Scale Rope is. If Luoxia Mountain treated the former Crown Prince of Wei Li in such a manner, could they possibly harbor good intentions towards my Li family, towards me, Li Zhouwei?"

"The dragon lineage befriended Wei Li many years ago. Now, they invite me, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, into the sea as soon as I achieve it—their attitude is already very clear. As for the Great Li Mountain Fox Clan... what role are they playing in all of this?"