Chapter 423: Dragon Clan Ancestral Teachings (4k)

She had heard from those around her that Xuan Li's relationship with the Bai clan had not been good lately, and she had even entertained the idea of deposing the consort and sending Bai back to Bai Shui.

The Dragon Mother's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom as she sent a message.

"Could it be that Bai conspired with outsiders to secretly harm Li'er, and should we likewise perform a soul search on her...?"

"You mean..."

Xuan Cheng's eyes were slightly gloomy.

The Dragon Mother spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, you say—could it be that Bai learned of Li'er's intention to depose the consort, her killing intent arose, and thus she colluded with outsiders coveting the Sea King Sacrifice quota to plot Li'er's harm!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Cheng pondered slightly, recalling the memories in Huo Nu'er's mind.

From Huo Nu'er's memories, he learned that Xuan Li and her husband were merely "acting," deceiving the Tian Huo Palace.

Xuan Cheng also tended to believe that Xuan Li was scheming, intending to catch the heterodox paths of the Tian Huo Palace coming to flatter him, rather than colluding to betray the interests of the Qing Ping Dragon Palace.

"From this demoness's soul, no trace of Bai colluding with outsiders was found!"

"Furthermore, directly performing a soul search on Bai is also somewhat improper!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Queen's eyes turned toward him.

"Your Majesty, could it be that you too have developed a tender heart for fragrance and jade?"

There was a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Xuan Cheng let out a cold snort.

"Nonsense!"

He endured and said:

"You may not know, but Bai Shui Long Jun, the father of that Bai, actually succeeded in transforming into a dragon recently, and the dragon species he became was none other than the Xuan Ming True Dragon!"

"Xuan Ming True Dragon, the body of a supreme true dragon?"

The Dragon Mother's eyes narrowed slightly, and there was also some surprise in her gaze.

"That blockhead from Dong Zhou actually had such good luck?"

"Could it be false news spread from Bai's side!"

Xuan Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he let out a light hum.

"If this news is false, it will be exposed at a single probe; we can investigate this matter and then know—temporarily, do not move her!"

The Dragon Mother glanced at the side where Xuan Li had been carried down, and there was some hesitation in the depths of her eyes.

"Li'er is now gravely injured—should the quota for the Sea King Sacrifice of her residence be given to someone else?"

The Dragon Mother did not look at Bai.

Xuan Cheng also knew the Dragon Mother's thoughts; if it were as usual, transferring Xuan Li's lineage quota to others would be fine.

In the Qing Ping Dragon Palace's view, the Bai Shui lineage had always been dispensable.

But now, even if we do not look at the monk's face, we must look at the Buddha's face.

"Leave it to Bai—did not Bai's younger sister also come this time?!"

Xuan Cheng's eyes flickered with a faint smile.

The Dragon Mother's eyes gleamed, and there was some unwillingness in her gaze; she had long since sold the deputy sacrifice quota of Xuan Li's lineage to others.

However, since the Dragon Lord has taken notice of this matter, she naturally cannot defy the Dragon Lord.

She knows the Dragon Lord is adept in all directions, and she wishes to use this opportunity to give face to the master of the Dong Zhou lineage of the Tong Shan Dao Tong.

She has also learned of that Dong Zhou lord—he joined the Zhen Mo Zhen Jun's sect at a young age, his cultivation has reached the realm of the Yuan Shen Zhen Jun, and he is indeed poised to become a figure of great influence in this world.

At this moment, Xuan Cheng's eyes held some worry; he had just performed a soul search on Huo Nu'er and discovered that this time, there seemed to be a dark current swirling around the Sea King Sacrifice, with someone seemingly scheming in the shadows.

This Sea King Sacrifice may yet have further twists.

The Tian Huo Palace is one thing, but Huo Nu'er is far more than merely the daughter of the Tian Huo Palace's old ancestor.

'Xuan Li' also counts as having, by sheer chance, cleared a great hidden danger for the Qing Ping Dragon Palace.

……

Several days later, in the side hall, Zhang Jian and his wife received news of Bai Shuang.

"Success!"

As Bai Shuang had anticipated, after Xuan Li was gravely injured, the Qing Ping Dragon Lord decided to have Bai Shuang, the Divine Consort of Li Shui, participate in the Sea King Sacrifice in her stead.

And Zhang Jian had also been inquiring these days about the secret lore of the Sea King Sacrifice ritual.

On the day of the Sea King Sacrifice, one must offer a special treasure to gain recognition of the Qing Ping Hai Long Palace's inherited treasure in the Sea King Sacrifice grand ceremony.

However, the core element of this recognition is currently unclear to Zhang Jian.

He does not know whether it is the grade of the sacrificial object, or some other factor.

Does a higher grade make it easier to gain recognition of the Sea King's secret treasure?

After pondering for a time, Zhang Jian decided to go ask two elders of the Tong Shan Dao Tong.

In the crystal palace hall where the Wu Liang Zhen Jun resides.

Upon learning of Zhang Jian's purpose, Wu Liang Zhen Jun's eyes instantly lit up with a smile.

"Zhang Shi-nephew, you came to ask me about this—you asked the right person; I am very familiar with the Qing Ping Hai Long Palace inside and out, and that treasure—I have even held it in my hand and examined it carefully!"

"Eh..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

Seeing Zhang Jian's expression, Wu Liang Zhen Jun chuckled.

"Are you really that surprised? Don't be—you have a second-generation ancestor master who originated from the Dragon Clan and even assisted your ancestor master in controlling water!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian nodded.

"Please, Wu Liang Shi-bo, point me out of my confusion!"

Wu Liang Zhenjun nodded slightly.

"Actually, obtaining the approval of that Sea King's secret treasure is very simple. That fellow, just like its owner, first values the fortune of dragon clan descendants, then bloodline, then magical power and cultivation, and finally the nature and grade of the magical treasure."

"Do you know what the ancestral instruction left by that celestial ancestor of the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace is?"

Zhang Jian looked at Wu Liang Zhenjun, and Wu Liang Zhenjun directly told Zhang Jian the answer.

"It is to take a clear stance and widely form good karmic connections."

Zhang Jian's eyes moved slightly, and there was something unusual in his gaze.

The True Dragon clan is naturally the sovereign of the beast race; in fact, there is absolutely no need to leave such an ancestral instruction. Looking at it, there seems to be some secret he does not know.

However, if it is merely about observing fortune, this matter is actually easy to handle.

He is the Lord of Dongzhou, the Great Xia Emperor.

He also bears the divine sovereign status of the State and Grain Emperor, and possesses the mandate of a human emperor, although not the status of a human emperor, this mandate is also extraordinary.

Moreover, he possesses a secret treasure for suppressing fortune.

Bai Li Ying is his empress; at that time, it only needs a flower grafted onto a branch, borrowing a great fortune to support, and that will be enough to move that Sea King's secret treasure.

This matter is actually simpler.

After thanking Wu Liang Zhenjun, Zhang Jian returned to the palace where he was staying.

In the palace, at this time Bai Shuang also came in full attire to visit, wishing to discuss the matter of sacrificial treasures with Zhang Jian.

The Bai Shuang lineage appeared in full attire; at this time, her face showed less worry and exhaustion, and on her coldly beautiful jade-like countenance was painted a light makeup, a beauty like jade.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian smiled and said.

"This matter is actually very simple, elder sister; having this object will suffice!"

At this time, Zhang Jian took out an object from his hand.

They were two sticks of incense!

Gazing at these two sticks of incense, Bai Shuang and Bai Li Ying, the two sisters, both had expressions of slight astonishment.

At the same time, there was something strange in the depths of their eyes.

Their eyes held something hard to believe.

Zhang Jian thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "Even two sticks of incense are somewhat too many; in my view, one stick of incense is about right!"

He casually broke off one stick of incense.

As the Divine Sovereign Emperor, his identity is sufficient to overpower all gods; lending Bai Shuang one stick of incense to move that inherited secret treasure of the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace is more than enough.

The Bai sisters were somewhat half-believing and half-doubting, but Bai Shuang ultimately chose to believe Zhang Jian, and casually put the stick of incense in her hand away.

……

And deep within the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace

there were still several figures discussing the matter of Xuanli's severe injury.

The leader was a person of considerable height, with a cold and handsome visage, and dragon horns towering on his head.

Water light surged around his body, and his dragon aura was extremely pure.

He was the Sixth Prince, Xuan Gu.

Opposite him was a deity of considerable stature, whose body radiated intense divine light, carrying a strong incense aura.

This was an incense deity.

Moreover, he had cultivated into a celestial deity's body.

An incense deity who has cultivated into a celestial deity's body and an incense deity who has cultivated into a star deity's body are at the same stage; both are third-rank deities, equal in proving the primordial spirit, and have stepped onto the body of longevity.

"I did not expect the Fourth Brother's ambition to be so great; not only does he want to gain for free the treasures provided by the Tianhuo Palace, but he also wants to sweep the Tianhuo Palace clean in one net, which is truly unexpected!"

The Sixth Prince Xuan Gu, at this time, had his face full of astonishment.

"In the blink of an eye, a hundred years have passed without seeing him, and his courage has actually become this great!"

The deity's countenance was calm, and a flash of strange color passed through his eyes as he smiled and said.

"Any news from the Dragon Mother Empress's side?"

"Can we still arrange to insert another person inside?"

Xuan Gu gave a light laugh, then slightly shook his head and said.

"I fear there is little hope; the Empress Dowager said the matter of sacrifice has already been assigned by the Father Emperor to the Water-Dripping Divine Consort, the Bai clan!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of that third-rank deity showed something unusual.

"The Bai clan—wasn't it said that the Bai clan has no status whatsoever in the Xuanli Palace? The Dragon Mother Empress has always looked down on the Bai clan; how could the quota fall into the Bai clan's hands?"

"The Empress Dowager transmitted a message; this is the Father Emperor's intention!"

Xuan Gu's eyes also carried some solemnity.

"I have heard it is because of that Lord of Dongzhou!"

"Again, a disciple of the Tongshan Dao Tongmen!"

The eyes of that third-rank deity fluctuated.

At this time, Xuan Gu's gaze carried a hint of worry.

"I only hope that the intervention of that Lord of Dongzhou will not affect our plans!"

That third-rank deity smiled faintly.

"Sixth Prince, do not worry; this time we will certainly help the Sixth Prince obtain the championship of the Sea King Sacrifice!"

……

Soon after, that third-rank deity departed from the Qingping Dragon Palace, and his figure appeared on Wan Zhou Island.

Relying on an ordinary temple on Wan Zhou Island, he contacted the deity behind him.

That was a deity whose body flowed with countless Qian Tian divine lights, with countless incense coils entwined around him, condensing into rich divine Dao golden light.

"Celestial Venerable, Huo Nu'er had her soul searched—will this startle the snake in the grass?!"

Upon the divine statue, the true form of a deity with vast divine power manifested.

A solemn voice descended.

"Huo Nu'er knows little of consequence—it is of no importance!"

"We have made preparations on two fronts; if we truly cannot enter the Sea Eye Secret Realm, the Venerable One still has other means to ensure our plan proceeds without error!"

"If we can smoothly enter the Sea Eye Secret Realm, that would be the best outcome, saving us much trouble!"

Upon hearing this, the Shuishui Bo of the Heishui River gave a slight nod.

……

Half a month passed swiftly amidst the lively atmosphere of the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace.

As the auspicious time for the Sea King's Sacrifice Grand Hall arrived, the guests invited by the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace gradually gathered.

Heroes and elites assembled, gathered together in one hall.

Within the Dragon Palace, various spiritual mechanisms flowed and turned—spanning the two realms, even reaching the barbaric regions, and furthermore, high cultivators from the Daoist orthodox traditions of several surrounding Divine Provinces were dispatched.

This Sea King's Sacrifice, held once every three hundred years, had indeed evolved into a gathering of cultivators from across the realms, rare to see even once in several hundred years.

Although many cultivation forces primarily followed the Daoist orthodox traditions of the Immortal Sect, there were also scattered cultivators and grand masters, even ancestral figures of heterodox paths, and even demon god forces from the barbaric regions who had received invitations.

For example, the Qingli Palace and the Dulong Palace, etc.

All were aquatic demon cultivator forces.

And after Bai Liying won that three-thousand-year-old Purple Leaf Dragon Blood Grass, she no longer continued to participate in the arena, but instead quietly entered seclusion to refine this three-thousand-year-old Purple Leaf Dragon Blood Grass.

This Purple Leaf Dragon Blood Grass can greatly enhance the bloodline power of cultivators possessing dragon lineage.

Only when approaching the time of the Sea King's Sacrifice Grand Ceremony did Bai Liying emerge from her seclusion.

Her entire body emanated a thick layer of primordial, heavy aura, with residual abnormal fluctuations of spiritual mechanism still present.

Clearly, after refining this three-thousand-year-old Purple Leaf Dragon Blood Grass, her magical power had increased significantly.

At this moment, Bai Liying also saw Zhang Jian waiting at the hall's entrance.

"Your Majesty, let us go!"

Zhang Jian lightly nodded.

The husband and wife walked out of the palace where they were staying.

And at the entrance, there was a dragon maiden waiting specifically there.

"Honoured guests, the auspicious time for the Sea King's Sacrifice Grand Ceremony is about to arrive—my father has ordered this servant girl to guide you two honoured guests!"

This was the dragon maiden Xuanhe!

"Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Xuanhe!"

Beside her, Bai Liying's beautiful eyes held a faint smile in their depths.

Xuanhe nodded slightly, a hint of smile in her deep eyes, her graceful figure taking the lead—while leading the way ahead, she also introduced part of the history of the Sea King's Sacrifice to Zhang Jian and his wife.

In fact, the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace sending dragon maidens like her to guide these high-cultivation practitioners is not without purpose—it is also to help them find a way out.

As dragon maidens, their innate resources are not comparable to the many dragon princes deep within the Dragon Palace; if they wish to cultivate, they must find their own ways.

Even merely gaining the favour of these high-level cultivators as passersby might one day bring unexpected fortune.

When Zhang Jian and Bai Liying arrived at the Ancestral Dragon Hall, the Sea King's Sacrifice Grand Ceremony had already begun!

The numerous dragon sons and grandsons participating in the main sacrifice had gathered together at this moment!

Upon arrival, Zhang Jian and Bai Liying first saw Bai Shuang in the crowd!

Bai Shuang stood in the centre of the crowd!

Before them stood the Qingping Sea Dragon Lord, and a dragon mother adorned in splendid robes and palace attire!

The Qingping Sea Dragon Lord wore a five-clawed black imperial robe, his entire body emanating a rich aura of divine dao!

His divine power seemed to resonate with the entire Qingping Sea!

That divine dao position and authority was extraordinarily domineering!

Even when Zhang Jian gazed upon him, he felt a slight sideways glance!

The Qingping Sea Dragon Lord's divine position was very special—in his perception, it was not much weaker than the rank of a Divine Dao Emperor!

Zhang Jian found this unsurprising!

To occupy such a vast expanse of ocean, the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace could not do so without some foundation!

Behind them stood one after another of the dragon clan's nobles wearing four-clawed royal robes—these dragon clan nobles in four-clawed robes were mostly elders of the dragon clan!

There were dozens upon dozens of them!

This force made people glance sideways!

There were also a few who were dragon princes!

Rarely, there was even a demon goddess dragon maiden!

However, most of these dragon clan elders did not hold offerings—clearly, they, like the Qingping Sea Dragon Lord and Dragon Mother, were merely participating in the ceremony, also displaying their strength to deter external enemies!