I, the spirit of the primitive land, have the ability to understand the universe and prove the origin of the universe
Chapter 17 - First Arrival at the North Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Shun Rich Beyond Measure

Chapter 17: First Arrival at the North Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Shun Rich Beyond Measure

“Master is absolutely right. I truly did sneak out of the Dragon Palace.”

Ao Qianqian interrupted Zhong Yue, her expression still gloomy, though clearly better than before.

Children could never keep secrets. In the next moment, Ao Qianqian launched into her story, spilling everything in a chaotic torrent of words.

The matter was simple—and melodramatic.

It was the tale of a young child, determined to win her father’s attention and help ease his burdens by venturing out alone, with the lofty ambition of cultivating mighty divine powers.

To put it plainly, there were two major powers in the North Sea: the North Sea Dragon Palace and the Palace of the Northern Abyss.

The former, clearly, was Ao Qianqian’s home—the seat of the dragon clan in the North Sea, which, in theory, ruled over the entire region.

The latter, however, was established by the innate divine being Kunpeng and was likewise situated in the North Sea.

Naturally, conflict between these two forces was inevitable.

Furthermore, due to the aftermath of the Great War among the Three Clans, the dragon clan was burdened with immense karmic debt, and their power had greatly declined.

Kunpeng, being an innate divine existence, possessed unquestionable might. After listening to the Dao in the Purple Heaven Palace, his cultivation had even reached the level of quasi-sage.

Fortunately, perhaps wary of the remaining elders of the dragon clan, Kunpeng had not chosen to press the advantage and annihilate the Dragon Palace outright.

Though the Palace of the Northern Abyss had harassed them, it had not utterly destroyed the North Sea Dragon Palace.

Still, the result was that the Dragon Palace could only endure humiliation and live cautiously. The North Sea Dragon King, naturally, was under tremendous pressure and burdened with endless affairs.

As his ninth daughter, Ao Qianqian had always been a sensible child. Thus, she secretly decided to set out on a journey of cultivation, determined to return one day as a dazzling prodigy.

Her ideals were grand, but reality proved painfully harsh.

She had barely left home when she was ambushed and brutally beaten by a band of demon cultivators.

If not for the innate spiritual treasure, the Water Spirit Pearl, and Zhong Yue’s sudden intervention, she might have already gone to the True Spirit Sea to dazzle the Ancestral Dragon.

“Enough. I have other matters to attend to and cannot take you with me. For the sake of that Water Spirit Pearl, I’ll escort you back first.”

“As for this whole adventuring idea—don’t try such things again. The Great Desolation is perilous beyond your current abilities.”

Zhong Yue gave no further comment on Ao Qianqian’s tale, nor had he intended to.

Although he had accepted her as a disciple, as he had said before, it was purely a transaction. He had no intention of involving himself in the affairs of the Dragon Palace.

“Many thanks for the trouble, Master.”

Ao Qianqian bowed deeply. Perhaps the recent experience had sobered her, for she did not throw a tantrum like a rebellious child refusing to return home.

The journey from the northern region of the Great Desolation to the North Sea Dragon Palace was not particularly long.

Travelling swiftly for several months, Zhong Yue eventually brought Ao Qianqian to the edge of the sea.

Looking ahead, the sea and sky merged into one. Vast blue waves stretched endlessly, and a chill wind swept in, the temperature dropping noticeably.

“Let’s go.”

Zhong Yue said no more, wrapping Ao Qianqian in his divine aura and flying directly toward the North Sea Dragon Palace.

Along the way, neither spoke. Perhaps disheartened by the failure of her plan, Ao Qianqian grew more and more despondent.

Upon reaching the palace gates, they were announced, and as expected, Zhong Yue soon met Ao Shun, the North Sea Dragon King.

Ao Shun had assumed the form of an innate Dao body in the image of a middle-aged man. He had the cultivation of a Da Luo Golden Immortal and was dressed in golden dragon robes.

Yet despite his lofty realm, he bore none of the aloof pride typical of others Zhong Yue had encountered at the same level. On the contrary, he seemed rather humble.

“My daughter, you’ve finally returned! You had your father worried sick.”

Upon seeing Ao Qianqian, Ao Shun rushed forward and embraced her tightly, his face brimming with concern.

He examined her thoroughly, and only after confirming she was unharmed did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He then gently released her and turned to face Zhong Yue, offering him a respectful bow.

“Greetings, exalted immortal. May I ask your honoured name?”

Zhong Yue was momentarily stunned.

A Da Luo Golden Immortal addressing him—a mere Taiyi Golden Immortal—as “exalted immortal” with such humility? It was far beyond his expectations.

Sensing the aura radiating from Ao Shun, Zhong Yue responded with a return bow.

“This humble Daoist is Zhong Yue. Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

“I encountered Qianqian by chance during my travels. I…”

As he spoke, Zhong Yue recounted the events that had transpired.

After listening, Ao Shun bowed once more.

“Many thanks for your intervention, fellow Daoist. For Qianqian to become your disciple is truly her great fortune. I’ve troubled you deeply.”

He showed no doubt about Zhong Yue’s account. The moment Zhong Yue had begun to speak, the secrets of the heavens had already revealed the truth—there was nothing hidden.

Zhong Yue was even more astonished by Ao Shun’s words.

He had expected that once Ao Shun learned of the apprenticeship, he would, overtly or covertly, try to obstruct it, given Zhong Yue’s lower cultivation.

Yet from the tone of his voice, he sounded genuinely pleased.

“Please, fellow Daoist, take a seat. My daughter has been away far too long, and her mother is gravely concerned. Allow me to settle her first, and then I shall return for a proper discussion.”

“My apologies.”

Ao Shun seemed to notice Zhong Yue’s confusion, so after apologizing once more, he led Ao Qianqian away.

Zhong Yue, seeing this, didn’t think much of it. After all, the family had been separated for a long time, and it was normal for them to be worried.

They sat in the hall for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick before Ao Shun returned, walking back at a leisurely pace.

“Apologies for making you wait, fellow Daoist. I’ve arranged a banquet nearby. Please, allow me to lead you to your seat.”

Ao Shun gestured invitingly with his hand and led Zhong Yue to a side hall.

Soon, they were seated.

As Zhong Yue gazed at the banquet before him, he couldn’t help but inwardly marvel.

It was widely said that the Dragon Clan, rulers of the four seas, were immensely wealthy, the richest in the world. Zhong Yue had never fully grasped the magnitude of this claim until now; seeing it firsthand, he now truly understood.

The table before him was laden with a continuous array of exquisite dishes, with fine wines and jade-like liquids flowing endlessly. Heavenly herbs and immortal flowers were arranged in neat rows, and there were even several high-grade innate spiritual fruits placed among the main dishes.

Though there was no dragon liver or phoenix gall, the preciousness of this banquet could easily rival the fortune of an ordinary Taiyi Golden Immortal.

At the very least, if it weren’t for the fortunate encounter at Mount Buzhou, Zhong Yue felt that he himself wouldn’t be able to afford such a feast of spiritual treasures.

After sitting down, Zhong Yue was not shy about it and clinked glasses with Ao Shun. The two exchanged toasts and enjoyed their conversation.

After a while, Ao Shun suddenly turned to Zhong Yue and smiled, speaking with a hint of curiosity.

“Fellow Daoist, are you wondering why I am so… humble towards you?”

Perhaps unable to find a better word, Ao Shun finally resorted to describing his behavior as humble.