by Dragon King
There were 50 to 60 people who came. The leading elder seemed like he was in his 60s. He was the overlord of the West Ocean Dragon Palace, ‘Oldman Zeng’, who had secluded himself for hundreds of years and just came out recently!
The good-looking young man in luxurious clothing standing beside Oldman Zeng was the Crown Prince of West Ocean Palace, Zeng Yitao!
“Haha, it’s such an honor to have you, Elder Zeng, here at Zi’s birthday party…” Zhao Guang walked over and said politely.
Oldman Zeng glanced at Zhao Guang, snorted, and simply folded his hand in the front. In terms of seniority, Oldman Zeng was one generation older. Even though Zhao Guang was unpleased, he couldn’t really do anything.
“Since this is Zi’s birthday party, there’s no need to fight,” Oldman Zeng glanced at Hao Ren and Qin Shaoyang and said.
He helped Qin Shaoyang earlier, and he was now trying to stick up for him.
“They’re just fooling around.” Zhao Guang nodded and turned to Qin Shaoyang. “Does Mr. Qin still have any questions regarding Hao Ren’s realm?”
Qin Shaoyang gave him a cold glare and didn’t reply.
“Oh, is this the famous Hao Ren?” Oldman Zeng moved his gaze to Hao Ren and carefully observed him
Hao Ren instantly felt like he was being seen through. The ice-cold gaze pierced through his body and made him feel uncomfortable.
When Oldman Zeng spoke, the young man beside him also stared at Hao Ren with animosity.
Qin Shaoyang, who lost the match, was about to leave secretly. However, Su Han stood out from the crowd and said, “By the way, I have good news for you, Qin Shaoyang.”
Qin Shaoyang turned suddenly and glared at Su Han.
“I just received this news today. From now on, you won’t have to be a Patrolling Inspector anymore and travel around so much. Dragon God Shrine appreciates your hard work and will send you to Northwest Sky Mountain to be a Regional Inspector starting tomorrow,” Su Han said.
Hearing this news, half of Qin Shaoyang’s face was still jet black, but the other half of his face turned from livid to pale.
Sky Mountain sounded like a great place, but it belonged to the harsh Northwest Region. Sending him there as a Regional Inspector was almost like throwing him into the frontier.
Seeing Su Han’s calm yet pleased expression, Qin Shaoyang knew that she was telling the truth and asked reluctantly, “Why all of a sudden?”
“I’m not too sure. It’s an order from the headquarter. Maybe you offended a powerful cultivator, and he or she reported you.”
Qin Shaoyang gritted his teeth with force. He was disgraced right now and couldn’t stay here anymore. His fists made a series of cracking noises as he walked away.
As long as there were people, there would be situations and relationships. Inspectors also had preferences. Just like how Su Han had a good relationship with East Ocean, Qin Shaoyang was leaning toward West Ocean!
Oldman Zeng watched Qin Shaoyang leave and was slightly caught by surprise.
Qin Shaoyang was a Patrolling Inspector, but he was closely connected to West Ocean. He came to East Ocean City in advance as a vanguard of the West Ocean Dragon Palace, yet, East Ocean Dragon Palace won in this round!
Seeing Qin Shaoyang walking away with anger, Zhao Guang laughed with Zhao Hongyu. He already knew that Qin Shaoyang leaned toward West Ocean. Even though they weren’t afraid of him, it was still a threat for them in East Ocean City.
Qin Shaoyang was suddenly moved to the northwest by Dragon God Shrine. Even though they didn’t know the reason, East Ocean got rid of a problem!
Patrolling Inspectors had the authority to stay in any city, and they could determine their schedule. If Qin Shaoyang wanted to remain in East Ocean City, Zhao Guang and others couldn’t do anything about it!
Su Han was also very happy as well because she liked to cultivate in tranquility. Qin Shaoyang had been dealing with some matters in Europe for the last two years, and that was the period of time she had the most prosperous cultivation progression. She definitely didn’t like Qin Shaoyang bothering her!
If the Inspector System didn’t prohibit Inspectors from killing each other, she would’ve killed him through curses!
Her offense ability wasn’t as good as Qin Shaoyang’s, but she had many ultimate techniques! If she had to, she would be willing to lose five years or ten years of cultivation progress in order to give him a destructive fatal blow!
Therefore, Qin Shaoyang was in love yet afraid of this beautiful and crazy woman! He was in love with her beauty but fearful of her fury!
By the time Su Han spoke, Zeng Yitao, who stood beside Oldman Zeng, finally spotted Zhao Yanzi in the crowd.
Zhao Yanzi hid behind Su Han when she saw Zeng Yitao’s stare.
“West Ocean Dragon Palace. 1,000 1,000-year Purple Corals! Ten pieces of West Ocean Mystic Ice!” the server, who was in charge of recording the list of gifts, yelled from outside the door.
West Ocean arrived last, but their gifts were the most precious. 1,000-year Purple Coral could be made into elixirs as well as turned into Dharma Treasure. West Ocean Mystic Ice, on the other hand, was the most secretive and precious product of the West Ocean Dragon Palace, and it was also a type of Mystic Crystal for water-elemental cultivation techniques.
Dragon Core could absorb the Nature Essence automatically, and it was most effective in the low realms. As one’s realm advanced, it would be increasingly difficult to get more openings on the Dragon Core. In the later stages, if one wanted to get more openings on the Dragon Core, he or she must use a Mystic Crystal that matched his or her cultivation technique. Otherwise, it would be daydreaming for him or her to reach Kun or Qian-level!
Every single Mystic Crystal was a precious treasure in Nature. Not only was it rare, but it was also difficult to obtain! West Ocean Dragon Palace was located in a remote geographical region and didn’t flourish in the cities as East Ocean Dragon Clan did. However, they had one of the most valuable resources, which was the West Ocean Mystic Ice!
The annual production of West Ocean Mystic Ice was six pieces, but the existence of the Mystic Ice was enough for them to create loads of masters! When the elders of East Ocean Dragon Clan were still in search of Mystic Crystals, the elders of West Ocean Dragon Clan were already absorbing the West Ocean Mystic Ice and advancing to the next level!
West Ocean gave out nearly two years worth of production of West Ocean Mystic Ice at once. This birthday gift was indeed a very generous one! Even the representatives from South Ocean and North Ocean were jealous!
As long as they handed the ten pieces of West Ocean Mystic Ice to the elders who were on the verge of breakthroughs and had them cultivate in seclusion, they could still quickly generate six to seven Kun-level Masters even if some elders fail!
Zhao Guang was slightly surprised when he heard the list of gifts and said loudly, “Elder Zeng went all out this time!”
“My pleasure!” Oldman Zeng nodded as if the gifts were nothing special. “West Ocean and East Ocean are future in-laws. These are necessary for building up our relationships!”
Now that he mentioned this topic, Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu looked at each other with complicated emotions in their eyes.
169 Who to Pick?!
“What’s the matter? Is our West Ocean Dragon Palace’s Crown Prince not worthy for your Zi?” Seeing Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu not saying anything, Oldman Zeng raised his voice and said.
“Elder Zeng, Zi already has a Fuma,” Zhao Guang said.
“Who’s that?” Oldman Zeng asked on purpose.
“Ren, who just won against Qin Shaoyang, is the Fuma of East Ocean Dragon Palace,” Zhao Guang said with a calm tone.
“Humph!”
Oldman Zeng snorted, and a powerful aura was released. Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu, who were only at top-tier Xun-level, couldn’t stand straight and fell backward immediately.
Elder Mu and Elder Shang, who stood behind them, took a step forward in time and put their p
alms on their back, supporting them quietly.
Oldman Zeng was incredibly arrogant. He was here as a guest, but he dared to be so rude to East Ocean, the host of the party!
Just when Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu were suffocating and couldn’t block the pressure coming from Oldman Zeng anymore, a figure covered with shining blue light landed and struck at Oldman Zeng with a single hand.
Oldman Zeng blocked this strike, and their palms struck against each other!
Peng! Fierce wind fluttered the tablecloth in the banquet hall, and those with weak cultivation power backed up multiple steps, no matter how close they stood.
Oldman Zeng also backed off two steps as his face turned pale.
Zhao Kuo, who stood in front of him, didn’t move at all!
It was clearer who was stronger!
“Oldman Zeng, you’ve secluded yourself for hundreds of years, but I don’t see any improvements! You’re afraid to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation and hid in the West Ocean Dragon Palace. What kind of master is that?” Zhao Kuo shouted at him directly.
Oldman Zeng felt his anger burning in his chest. He wanted to retort but didn’t know what to say. West Ocean had been craving for East Ocean’s territory and resources for a long time, but West Ocean didn’t dare to do anything because of Zhao Kuo’s existence!
Oldman Zeng finally came out of the seclusion cultivation and still wasn’t a match for Zhao Kuo!
“You can only be around for so long. If you can’t pass the Heavenly Tribulation, will there be any other masters in East Ocean?” Zeng Yitao, who stood beside Oldman Zeng, yelled proudly.
“Where did this dumb kid come from? How dare you interrupt me?” Zhao Kuo waved his hand and a blue light that was the same size as Zeng Yitao appeared in mid-air and rushed toward Zeng Yitao’s head!
Oldman Zeng was still suffering from chest pains, but he threw out a blue light as well in order to protect his grandson. After an immense collision, both lights disappeared. Oldman Zeng couldn’t help but take three steps back and almost spit out a gulp of blood!
As expected, Zhao Kuo had cultivated to the peak realm and was one step away from crossing Heavenly Tribulation! Oldman Zeng was shocked and could only accept this fact.
“Also,” Zhao Kuo took a few steps forward and said, “Take these ten pieces of Mystic Ice back!”
He pulled out ten normal-looking white ice cubes and threw them at Oldman Zeng. However, people with advanced cultivation techniques could see the blinking crystal cores inside. They were the Mystic Crystals that cultivators were dying to obtain!
Oldman Zeng caught the ten pieces of Mystic Ice and glared at Zhao Kuo.
“Hehe, us East Ocean don’t care about your Mystic Crystals!” Zhao Kuo raised his head and said, “Do you really think that we would let Zi marry into West Ocean if we receive your Mystic Crystals?”
Oldman Zeng trembled in anger, but he had to endure it because he wasn’t as strong as Zhao Kuo. He thought that Zhao Kuo was still in seclusion cultivation for the Heavenly Tribulation and wouldn’t appear at this birthday party. It seemed like they had the wrong information!
“Besides, how can we split them? More than 100 elders in East Ocean need Mystic Crystals. You want the elders of East Ocean to fight against each other and have the survivors take them all?” Zhao Kuo said.
The elders of East Ocean looked at each other when they heard Zhao Kuo’s words. Indeed, they did crave for the Mystic Ice when they heard that West Ocean gave ten of them away! As Zhao Kuo pointed out, they finally realized that West Ocean wanted to make East Ocean’s elders fight for them and cause discord! No matter how Zhao Guang distributed the ten pieces of Mystic Ice, there would always be dissatisfied elders!
“Also, if all top-tier elders seclude themselves in cultivation for the next three to five years, what should we do if there’s an invasion?” Zhao Kuo asked.
Hearing Zhao Kuo’s shouts, Zhao Guang nodded silently. This younger brother of his was usually careless, but he wasn’t foolish when it came to important matters. Zhao Guang also thought of these in-depth reasons, but it was difficult to refuse the Mystic Crystals since he was the Dragon King.
Yet, Zhao Kuo revealed Oldman Zeng’s plots completely by making a scene!
Oldman Zeng laughed awkwardly and replied, “Elder Zhao worries too much. Nowadays, the whole world is at peace, and us five-elemental Dragon Clans are as close as a big family. How could there be an invasion?”
“Humph, it’s hard to say,” Zhao Kuo glanced at him and returned to the crowd.
Zhao Kuo had been in the banquet hall since Hao Ren and Qin Shaoyang started battling. He didn’t want to help out earlier because he didn’t like Hao Ren either and wanted Hao Ren to make a fool of himself in front of everybody. However, he didn’t expect that Hao Ren would have such a dominating victory.
Hao Ren, who stood nearby, slightly admired Third Uncle’s attention to details when he heard Zhao Kuo questioning Oldman Zeng.
He didn’t know that when he and Zhao Yanzi played in the Art District, Zhao Kuo appeared suddenly because Qin Shaoyang was stalking them! Although Zhao Kuo said that whoever dared to bully Zi would be killed by him to them, it was actually for Qin Shaoyang, who was hiding in darkness!
That sentence scared Qin Shaoyang off directly!
How could a top-tier Qian-level Master be stupid?
“It’s about time. Let’s get the party started!” Zhao Guang looked around and said calmly.
The crowd moved slowly, and everyone went back to their seats.
“Sit with us, Ren,” Zhao Hongyu said to Hao Ren.
“Okay,” Hao Ren accepted.
Zhao Yanzi also returned to her mom’s side. She liked to be with Su Han, but Su Han’s identity was an Inspector and couldn’t sit with Zhao Guang’s group.
As the Fuma, Hao Ren had to sit beside Zhao Yanzi. They both wore matching formal outfits and looked like a lovely pair underneath the spotlight.
Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu sat at the left side of Zhao Yanzi, and Zhao Kuo sat at the right side of Hao Ren. A few of the specially-invited elders also sat at this main table with them.
West Ocean and East Ocean’s relationship seemed close on the surface. Therefore, West Ocean’s seats were close to the main table. However, Hao Ren could clearly see this West Ocean’s young master’s sinister gaze.
Su Han sat a bit further with the river Dragon Kings.
The banquet hall was extremely bustling. All the plates that the waiters served were authentic delicacies. Hao Ren had never seen those things before because they were items that had a tremendous supplementary effect and were from the Dragon Palace.
More than a dozen beautiful female dancers in ancient Chinese dresses went on stage and put on a show.
Zhao Yanzi sat beside Hao Ren and wasn’t interested in the dance at all. She ate slowly and didn’t talk to Hao Ren. This made Hao Ren bored, and he could only eat as well. To his right was the vicious Zhao Kuo, and he obviously wouldn’t talk to him.
After a while, the atmosphere became more animated. Zhao Guang touched Zhao Yanzi’s shoulder and said, “Today is your birthday; you can’t just sit here. Go have a toast with all the elders.”
“Okay…” Zhao Yanzi pouted her mouth and stood up.
“Go with her, Ren,” Zhao Hongyu said.
“Um,” Hao Ren stood up and took his wine glass.
They had to start from the most distant table for the toast. Zhao Yanzi passed through the crowded hall and went to the table that was closest to the door. Hao Ren held his wine glass and walked beside her. They immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Seeing everyone looking toward them, Zhao Yanzi slowed her pace down and went closer to Hao Ren. She hesitated for a bit and held Hao Ren’s wrist.
Under the spotlight, Zhao Yanzi leaned toward Hao Ren lightly and slowly moved forward. Her delicate hand held on to Hao Ren’s hand, showing everybody that Hao Ren was her Fuma!
The river Dragon King
s near East Ocean sat at the furthest table. They saw Zhao Yanzi walking over with a cup and stood up in a hurry.
Because Zhao Yanzi was only 15 years old and couldn’t drink alcohol, she could only drink tea instead of wine. The wine served today was Hundred Flower Wine, which was extracted and made from the precious herbs from Hundred Flower Palace. A mortal without cultivation power would be drunk for half a day if he or she took a small sip.
Zhao Guang seemed like he was in his thirties or forties, but he was more than 200 years old.
However, Zhao Yanzi was really only 15 years old. It seemed like Zhao Guang was strict toward Zhao Yanzi, but he secretly spoiled his daughter a lot. It was a fact that all the nearby Dragon Kings knew.
Therefore, these river Dragon Kings didn’t dare to give her an attitude and were polite when Zhao Yanzi came to have a toast.
Going through one table after another, Zhao Yanzi wasn’t afraid of getting drunk because she drank tea. However, Hao Ren felt slightly dizzy from drinking.
Zhao Yanzi dragged Hao Ren and was afraid that he would pass out.
After almost finishing the whole round of tables, Hao Ren’s hand was covered in sweat, and Zhao Yanzi finally changed the position and crossed Hao Ren’s arm with her own. They seemed even more intimate.
The last table was Oldman Zeng’s table.
Zhao Yanzi didn’t want to go and have a toast with them, but she had to walk over reluctantly under everyone’s gaze.
On the surface, West Ocean and East Ocean were still stable allies!
“Grandpa Zeng, Zi wishes that your life would be filled with happiness that is as vast as the sea, and your longevity would be as everlasting as the mountain!” Walking to the table, Zhao Yanzi held up her cup and said lightly.
“Humph!” Oldman Zeng snorted lightly. However, he couldn’t just get mad for no reason when all the eyes in the building were on him
In fact, Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu already made Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi go around the hall and greet all the guests together. It was just like announcing that Zi was taken and East Ocean had its Fuma!
If anyone wanted to be in-laws with East Ocean, it would be pitiful because East Ocean’s little princess, Zi, was already engaged!
