Chapter 296: The Young Lord's Primal Dragon Seal: A Mixture of Joy and Worry

Huoyundong.

In front are auspicious woods, where qilin spit out books.

Behind accumulates Merit and Luck, where the Black Bird returns to the west.

At this moment, only a wondrous sound was heard, and immediately, half an acre of paulownia flowers appeared, with the color of rain upon them, and osmanthus blossoms coming and going.

In the end, they transformed into a Dharma robe, draped over a body, and a Daoist stepped out.

His face was ancient, his hair bound with a wooden hairpin in a double-bun style, and he held a Whisk in his hand; he possessed a very transcendent air, yet the two coral-like dragon horns revealed amidst his hair indicated his identity.

This Daoist was, surprisingly, a member of the Dragon Clan.

"Huoyundong indeed!"

The Daoist arrived before Huoyundong, and with his Dharma Eye, he saw pools of Merit, auspicious signs everywhere, lucky Qi like rain, and longevity fruits condensed; he could not help but exclaim in admiration.

The Three Sovereigns have been carefree for so many years, truly at ease and unfettered; it is enviable~

A short while later, footsteps sounded, and a middle-aged man dressed as a majestic emperor walked out.

With sun-shaped temples and a dragon-like face, his body was wreathed in seven-colored light, the Xuanyuan Human Emperor Sword hung at his waist, and behind him, young attendants either fanned incense or held cold stoves, with smoke curling upward.

"Fellow Daoist~"

The one who came was none other than one of the Human Three Sovereigns, the Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

After greeting the Daoist, he led him into the Cave Abode, and then they sat down as host and guest.

The teapot on the table opened, and the tea fragrance mingled with cold stamens, making one's spiritual platform clear and leaving one feeling transparent from head to toe.

Old friends meeting, a very conventional routine: drinking tea, chatting, and rambling about this and that.

After three rounds of tea,

The Daoist waved the Whisk in his hand, his smile faded, and he brought up the main topic, saying: "Fellow Daoist, the Niangniang asked me to explain that the Dragon Clan has absolutely no intention of betraying the Human Race."

"She also did not expect that a mere position of Young Lord would have such a promoting effect on the Dragon Clan's luck."

This Daoist knew in his heart that the Dragon Clan's luck might be hidden from others, but it could absolutely not be hidden from the Human Emperor Xuanyuan before him.

As the one who shares a pillow with Yinglong Niangniang, this Human Emperor Xuanyuan might be the second existence in this world who knows the situation of the Dragon Clan like the back of his hand! He was even clearer about it than he, an outsider situated in the Profound Gate.

Human Emperor Xuanyuan's voice was clear and bright, and he said with a smile: "I believe Chuching~"

He seemed completely indifferent to the fact that the Dragon Clan's luck, after Fang Longye accepted the Young Lord's precious seal, had increased by thirty percent out of thin air and had been growing slowly ever since.

"That is good~"

The Daoist said sincerely: "Please rest assured, fellow Daoists of the Human Race; since the Human Race is the protagonist of the Human Dao, my Dragon Clan will never have any ulterior motives."

Of course, if there really were ulterior motives, he, a Dragon Clan elder without real power, could not manage that much anyway.

Seeing the Daoist act this way, Human Emperor Xuanyuan shook his head and laughed, saying: "I believe in you fellow Daoists of the Dragon Clan."

Though he appeared so on the surface, he grumbled in his heart: "What does 'since the Human Race is the protagonist of the Human Dao, the Dragon Clan will never have ulterior motives' mean? That is to say, if the Human Race is no longer the protagonist of the Human Dao, then that is another story, right?"

However, he also knew well that the nature of the Dragon Clan was just like this; expecting the Dragon Clan to be loyal to the Human Race from beginning to end and never betray them would be a joke.

"Fellow Daoist treats me with such sincerity, it truly makes me feel ashamed."

After the Daoist offered some flattery, he shifted his body, his crown of auspicious clouds raised high, and wondrous sounds echoed incessantly as he said: "To tell you the truth, I have come this time with another request."

Human Emperor Xuanyuan's expression did not change, and he assumed a posture of listening attentively.

"Fellow Daoist also knows about the matter between my senior brother's good disciple's younger sister and that brat. Now, the Niangniang is about to go and propose marriage."

"It looks like the good news for the two of them is near."

"But Fellow Daoist also knows that I have always been penniless and have no decent gifts on hand. Therefore, I wish to request a wisp of the Sui Emperor's holy fire."

Facing Human Emperor Xuanyuan, this Daoist was quite straightforward and direct.

After hearing the Daoist's words, Human Emperor Xuanyuan looked at him, his eyes full of deep meaning.

The Daoist's words were full of excuses.

What penniless, no good things on hand? This Daoist is the only close friend of Yuding Zhenren! Backed by Yuding, what could this old dragon not produce? To put it bluntly, he was still showing goodwill to the Human Race and easing relations.

He was making excuses to give the Human Race an opportunity to pass on the 'Sui Fire' to that lucky brat.

The Sui Fire is the holy fire of Human Race civilization, carrying the light of Human Race civilization, as well as Merit and Luck; it is of the utmost importance and is not lightly given to others.

No matter how that brat uses the Sui Fire after obtaining it, even if he just keeps it in his possession, he will receive the protection of the Human Race's Merit and Luck.

This forms a good cause and effect with the Human Race.

This is naturally beneficial to the Human Race.

Not to mention the feedback of luck that might be brought later, this incense-burning sentiment alone cannot be underestimated.

Human Emperor Xuanyuan would naturally not let go of the goodwill offered by this Daoist, and he laughed loudly: "I wondered what the matter was?"

"Speaking of which, this young friend previously even received some of my inheritance! Moreover, he also possesses the legacy of Xihuang and has quite a deep connection with our Human Race."

"Why is Fellow Daoist being so polite over such a small matter?"

After speaking, he immediately ordered his subordinates to ask the ancestor Sui Ren for a wisp of Sui Fire and handed it to the other party.

After some more idle chat with the Daoist, he politely sent him away.

Then, after some contemplation, he arrived at the place of Tianhuang Fuxi.

"Imperial Brother~" Human Emperor Xuanyuan bowed with his hands joined and said directly: "I have a matter that I have been thinking about, but I still do not understand."

Tianhuang Fuxi raised his eyes to look at him.

In his gaze, shadows of the Eight Trigrams were floating, and he said with a soft laugh: "Are you going to ask whether that little Dragon Clan fellow has anything to do with my original self?"

"Imperial Brother is wise~"

Holy Emperor Fuxi shook his head and said earnestly: "Imperial Brother, you also know that ever since my original self transcended, he has had no further contact with me."

"How could I know whether this little fellow is indeed the recipient of the legacy left behind after my original self transcended?"

Human Emperor Xuanyuan sighed inwardly; it was as expected.

However, he had not held much hope to begin with, so he naturally felt no disappointment. He immediately cupped his hands and prepared to leave.

"Imperial Younger Brother—"

Unexpectedly, Fuxi the Heavenly Emperor called out to him.

Xuanyuan the Human Emperor turned back to look at Fuxi the Heavenly Emperor.

"Imperial Younger Brother—although husband and wife are one, and a Dao companion is hard to come by, do not forget the burden on your own shoulders."

Fuxi the Heavenly Emperor said with implied meaning.

Xuanyuan the Human Emperor's gaze tightened; his expression did not change, but his tone was somewhat stiff: "Imperial Elder Brother, rest assured. Xuanyuan would not dare to practice favoritism, nor would I seek private gain."

"You must know that after me, all the emperors of the Human Race are my descendants. How could I possibly harm the interests of the Human Race—"

Fuxi the Heavenly Emperor sighed and said nothing more, letting Xuanyuan the Human Emperor depart.

……

"Sigh!"

A short while later, Fuxi the Saint Emperor rose.

He walked with his hands behind his back to a small window, seeing the lake outside vast and deep, its crystalline light gathering in waves, like a bronze mirror, capturing all the surrounding scenery within it, clear to the very bottom.

Cold intent enters as the lotus blooms, mist rises as the koi leap.

Empty and ethereal, exceptionally quiet and secluded.

Yet, no matter how exquisite the scenery, it could not calm him down.

Every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite—this Human Emperor reached out his right hand to smooth his furrowed brow.

Since Xuanyuan ascended to the position of Human Emperor, he, along with Shennong and those primordial ancestors of the Human Race, had gradually handed over the authority of the Human Race into his hands alone.

This was the trend of the times.

After all, only when policies come from a single command can the Human Race develop better.

Sure enough, the Human Race flourished—but the forest is large, and it contains all kinds of birds. Not to mention anything else, Xuanyuan's domestic affairs alone have been causing a great uproar in the last few epochs.

Lei Zu, Yinglong, Jiutian Xuannü... these proud daughters of heaven, how could they be content to stay in Xuanyuan's backyard, serving their husband and teaching their children, living in peace with one another?

Yet Xuanyuan is lost in the situation, still confident that he can resolve the disputes between these goddesses.

He does not even see as clearly as Yinglong does.

Why did Yinglong not personally seek out her pillow-mate to explain this time? Instead, she went around in circles to find Huanglong Zhenren to explain the matter of the Dragon Clan's destiny on her behalf? It was to draw a line to a certain extent.

A wife is a wife, a Dao companion is a Dao companion, and a clan is a clan—this epoch is truly a world of great contention! Even for the high and mighty Hunyuan Saint, it is no exception—

Facing the most magnificent great world since the opening of Honghuang, the Human Race is unwilling to be lonely; could the Dragon Clan be willing to be lonely? To speak in utilitarian terms, what can Xuanyuan still give Yinglong right now? Can he give her the opportunity to attain the Dao?

"Imperial Younger Brother, it just depends on when you can figure it out!"

As a bystander, Fuxi saw it very clearly.

Right now, if Xuanyuan wants to solve this problem, he must face his relationship with his own Dao companions squarely and stop treating these Dao companions as his own appendages.

He must place them on an equal footing with himself, rather than maintaining a high and mighty posture behind a facade of seemingly inclusive indulgence.

But Xuanyuan was born with a domineering nature and follows the most pure path of the emperor; how could he change his thinking so quickly? "And—"

This Human Emperor let out a long sigh.

His gaze looked toward the Chaos void; across an immeasurable distance, the Black Bird military banners fluttered, countless divine lights shone, and a black mass of troops campaigned in all directions.

The great banners of the Immortal Qin swept across the heavens.

Suddenly—

A winding, endless Great Wall, spreading through the Chaos and wreathed in chaotic mist, blocked his line of sight.

Fuxi withdrew his gaze without making much of it, although with his strength, if he were serious, this would not stop his observation at all.

"Black Emperor Ying Zheng, are you really trying to borrow a chicken to lay an egg?"

Fuxi muttered to himself.

Even as an incarnation of a transcendent being, he still could not see through Ying Zheng's thoughts.

……

Dongting Gong.

A precious seal the size of an infant's fist was held in Fang Longye's hand, flipped back and forth, looked at again and again.

He did not yet know how much attention he had attracted from all over the world, whether well-intentioned or malicious... he did not know how many people had stirred up waves because of this.

At this moment, he was only thinking about the pros and cons of serving as the Young Lord of the Dragon Clan.

What is a "Young Lord"? After he obtained this "Young Lord Yuanlong Seal," he understood everything.

To put it plainly, it is the young clan leader of the Dragon Clan, the Crown Prince.

If Yinglong Laozu were to unfortunately fall in the future, he would be the first successor.

Of course, the premise is that by that time, he has already attained the Daluo Dao. Otherwise, in front of a Daluo, the position of Young Lord is worth nothing—in fact, just listening to that declaration Yinglong Laozu made to the world, Fang Longye understood the gist of it.

That declaration was in the same format as an emperor conferring the title of Crown Prince; anyone would understand what a Young Lord is.

Bah, a Young Lord is not a "thing."

Alright! Anyway, regarding being conferred as the Young Lord of the Dragon Clan by Yinglong Laozu, Fang Longye had mixed feelings.

The reason for the surprise is very simple.

Just kidding, how could he not be ecstatic? He had always complained about being a fake second-generation, and now his dream had finally come true; he had become a bona fide top-tier second-generation playboy of Honghuang.

Naturally, he was happy!

To describe his current mood in one sentence, it was that he had finally found his organization! And, it was a real successor position.

There are huge benefits!

Not to mention anything else, just by virtue of this "Young Lord Yuanlong Seal" in his hand, he felt that joining the Dragon Clan was the right choice! This "Young Lord Yuanlong Seal" is not a Spirit Treasure, nor does it have any attack power; it is simply a token used to prove his identity.

However, by relying on this "Young Lord Yuanlong Seal," he can mobilize half of the Dragon Clan's power and use the resources in the Dragon Clan's treasury almost gratuitously.

Of course, there is a discount to this, which is that it does not involve Daluo.

Fang Longye could also understand this.

What kind of existence is a Daluo? Compared to beings below the Daluo level, they are simply not in the same dimension.

How could they possibly be dispatched by a small fry like him? Unless he himself were already a Daluo.

In Honghuang, power is ultimately respected; if you have this authority but lack the corresponding strength, then it is no different from having nothing at all.

Besides this, this "Young Lord Yuanlong Seal" also has one most important function.

That is, it allows the holder, which is him, to mobilize the Dragon Clan's Merit and Luck to use for cultivation.

Fang Longye sensed it for a moment; he could probably mobilize one ten-thousandth of it.

This is already a very grand gesture! The Dragon Clan is not some small race.

Even though they have long since ceased to be the protagonists of the Human Dao, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. For an individual, the depth of their foundation is unimaginable.

And as mentioned before,

at realms above the Golden Immortal, Merit and Luck become increasingly important for cultivation, and can even be said to be a unique cultivation resource.

Have you not seen even the high and mighty Hunyuan Saint go to great lengths for this?

As for this one ten-thousandth of the Dragon Clan's Merit and Luck, Fang Longye made an estimate himself.

If he were to cultivate purely by consuming the Dragon Clan's Merit and Luck, it would be enough to support him all the way to the Taiyi Golden Immortal, with plenty left over.

Even, if he did not consider the future consequences, he could look forward to the Daluo realm.

Of course, he is not that stupid! These things are not for free.

It is all karma, and it must be repaid.

If he were to attain the Daluo Dao purely by relying on the Dragon Clan's Merit and Luck, then he would be finished~

It is estimated that by then, even his consciousness would cease to exist, and he would completely become a puppet of Merit and Luck.

Moreover, even if his brain were squeezed by a door, Yinglong Laozu would not watch him mess around like this. Otherwise, wouldn't that be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing?

Not to mention anything else, just now he feels a bit unable to absorb such a tonic.

This is also the reason why he is both happy and worried.

If one's virtue does not match one's position, disaster will surely follow.

The position of Young Lord is equivalent to the second-in-command of the Dragon Clan; as a mere Golden Immortal, how could it be easy for him to take on such a role?

But one can see that his Merit and Luck currently pierce the sky, forming a canopy that blocks out the sun. However, there is a continuous stream of external Merit and Luck washing over it, causing it to shake violently.

It is only because he has the Profound Spirit Escape Armor, the Yu Emperor Stele, the Yu Emperor Cauldron, and other such treasures of merit suppressing his own body,

that his own natal Merit and Luck only appear to be shaking slightly.

Otherwise, this blessing of Merit and Luck from the position of Young Lord would have long since washed his natal Merit and Luck into collapse.

His entire Merit and Luck can only be entrusted to the Dragon Clan.

By then, if the Dragon Clan prospers, he will naturally rise with the tide, but if the Dragon Clan declines, he will be miserable! "Could it be that Yinglong Laozu is plotting against me?"

Thinking of this, Fang Longye's eyes began to flicker with uncertainty.

In this, he has truly wronged Yinglong Laozu.

If it were not for seeing that he possessed a body of treasures of merit, enough to ensure his own natal Merit and Luck would not collapse,

Yinglong Laozu, no matter how urgent he was to pull him onto the Dragon Clan's war chariot, would not have recklessly conferred upon him the title of Dragon Clan Young Lord.

After all, what they want is not a simple thug, but a powerhouse who can lead the Dragon Clan to seize benefits in this great era of the epoch.

It can only be said that Fang Longye's persecution mania has flared up again~(End of chapter)