Chapter 205: The Dragon Palace Seeks a Son-in-Law

"The East Sea?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng froze, his thoughts racing wildly, leaving him momentarily silent.

After Zhong Langzhou was transported by the Daoist rebel Lu Lu Yusheng to the outer cosmos, the original world of Ten Continents and Four Seas was reduced to Nine Continents and Four Seas.

And among these Four Seas,

the East Sea held the most honored and supreme status—

its earth qi was abundant, its spiritual transformation rich and fertile, far surpassing the other three seas; it was more than sufficient to sustain the hundreds of billions of aquatic spirits and monsters under the Dragon Lord's command, showing not the slightest sign of constriction or cramped space, truly a place where spiritual opportunities gathered in abundance!

However, what Chen Heng sought was neither wealth nor resources.

Even though the East Sea could be called a land of immense riches and fertility, it held no attraction for him in his current state.

A Grotto-Heaven...

Only a Grotto-Heaven!

Since cultivating from the Fetal Breathing stage until now, what he had lacked most throughout his life was time for cultivation!

Even with the aid of the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie, his cultivation time was considerably longer than that of ordinary Daoists, yet it was still insufficient.

A mere six years.

Even adding the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie to the equation,

it was still far from enough for him to perfect the three minor realms of the Purple Palace, further cultivate to the Cave-Mystic stage, and become a Refinement Master.

Only by achieving the realm of a Cave-Mystic Refinement Master would he qualify to ascend Qiyun Mountain and compete alongside the many Cave-Mystic disciples of the Four Academies six years later, vying for the title of one of the Top Ten Disciples!

Yet, not to mention perfecting the Purple Palace realm through all three minor stages to complete the full work,

it would require at least over a hundred years of bitter effort, plus some precious external medicines, before such an achievement could be attained.

And from the Purple Palace to the Cave-Mystic,

this step was even more obscure and profound.

Even if all external resources were sufficient,

proceeding step by step,

it would take at least sixty years of effort to break through that barrier and enter one's body into a completely new world...

As for why the Purple Palace and Cave-Mystic stages consumed so much time, incomparable to the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stages,

it was entirely because cultivation at these two stages was no longer a simple matter of drawing spiritual energy into the abdomen and consuming it for nourishment.

Their sleep was dreamless, their waking free of worry, their food tasteless, their breath deep...

Comprehending yin and yang, penetrating deeply into creation, transcending the two energies upon the yellow path, uniting the three natures within the primal palace, gathering the five elements, harmonizing the four images, the dragon roars and the tiger whistles, the husband leads and the wife follows, boiling the soup in the jade cauldron; only then could one achieve rebirth and spiritual transformation, with the three perfections merging into truth.

From that point onward,

one's name would be inscribed in the golden register, holding the title of Gao Gong or Refinement Master; this was the moment when a great man achieved fame and success!

The attainment of the Purple Palace and Cave-Mystic stages was by no means the work of a single morning or evening.

Furthermore, the Immortal Dao had always been lofty, subtle, and mysterious; it was common for high masters and Daoist priests to seclude themselves for deep cultivation for hundreds of years, or even over a thousand years.

Although cultivating the Purple Palace and Cave-Mystic stages was difficult and consumed many years, compared to the cultivation of the later Great Immortal Realms, it was like a small witch seeing a great wizard, not even half as significant...

"Only by borrowing the power of a Grotto-Heaven, combined with the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie, can I gamble my life to achieve the Cave-Mystic Realm in six years and participate in that session of the Four Academies Grand Competition."

Chen Heng's gaze narrowed slightly, his eyelids lowering as he thought silently:

"But the Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Grotto-Heaven has been damaged for a long time; it is about to sink to the earth's surface and degrade into a Xuanzhu Xuanzhu Fudi.

Just as Senior Dun Dun Jiesuo stated, I cannot cultivate within it for several days, and it offers little benefit to the true grand scheme.

At this moment,

he wants me to go to the East Sea, to the Grotto-Heavens of the East Sea..."

Thinking of this point,

Chen Heng felt as though the clouds had parted and the mist cleared; suddenly, a clear answer emerged in the depths of his heart.

"I understand; it is to borrow a Grotto-Heaven."

Chen Heng spoke slowly:

"Senior's meaning is that I should borrow a Grotto-Heaven from the Dragon Clan?"

A Grotto-Heaven is governed by supreme sages and high true ones; within it exist separate suns, moons, stars, and palaces of spiritual immortals, located amidst the great earth's tides and seas, or high above the mysterious void, where True Lords refine their forms to roam the cosmos.

Only those of Pure Yang can borrow the power of heaven and earth's spiritual opportunities to create a Grotto-Heaven, bringing something from nothing, reality from void.

Moreover, a Grotto-Heaven is not merely a superior cultivation ground for transcending practice and a place for ascension; it can also withstand external calamities, allowing one to hide within it when facing an enemy far too powerful to fight, or when natural disasters erupt, thereby prolonging one's spirit and life.

Furthermore, the defensive capability of a Grotto-Heaven is incredibly strong, surpassing that of magical treasures by more than a single notch.

In the region of the East Sea, those capable of cultivating to the Pure Yang realm and possessing the power to open a Grotto-Heaven

without exception

all share a tremendous connection with the Dragon Clan!

Even if they are not of the dragon kind, they are allies, relatives, or vassals of the Dragon Clan.

But if one were to borrow a Grotto-Heaven from the Dragon Clan...

Chen Heng frowned, feeling a slight confusion in his heart.

"That's right, it is to go and borrow a Grotto-Heaven from the East Sea Dragon Clan!"

At this moment,

Dun Dun Jiesuo nodded and sighed:

"You risked the calamity of death just to gamble in that half-ruined small Grotto-Heaven of Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua; since that is the case, why not be bolder and aspire to those superior great Grotto-Heavens!"

"Superior Grotto-Heavens?"

Chen Heng said softly.

……

The Dong Tian lineage is extraordinary and exceedingly precious.

Speaking broadly, it can even be said to constitute the foundational cornerstone of a sect or clan!

Across these Nine Provinces and Four Seas, the great powers possessing a Dong Tian are merely the Bapailiu Sect, the Twelve Noble Clans, the East Sea Dragon Palace, the Twenty-Four Southern Sea Tribal Demon Cultivators, the foremost Unorthodox Lei Ting Prefecture, plus a mere handful of second-rate Xuanpaimo Sects scattered across various provinces; their number is absolutely not large.

If he wished to borrow a Dong Tian, he could only choose from these few families.

As for the Eight Sects, there is no need to elaborate—

Taking only the Changying Courtyard of the Yu Yuchen Sect as an example, the merit required for a Changying disciple to enter the Dong Tian of the Yuchenshang Sect for cultivation is simply an astronomical figure, one that Chen Heng could absolutely not afford, forcing him to helplessly abandon this thought.

As for the Liu Sect and the Twelve Noble Clans, there is even less room for negotiation; going there would be akin to a sheep entering a tiger's mouth, actively seeking death.

Most of the Twenty-Four Southern Sea Tribal Demon Cultivators harbor hostility toward human cultivators and are difficult to communicate with.

As for the Lei Ting Prefecture and the other few Xuanpaimo Sects.

Chen Heng shares no past friendship with them either; rashly visiting would only result in being turned away at the gate and treated as a joke.

Only the East Sea Dragon Clan...

Thinking thus, Chen Heng suddenly said:

"Senior, do you harbor some friendship with the East Sea Dragon Clan?"

As expected, the Dun Dun Jiesuo nodded slightly and said:

"Indeed so!"

"I wonder—"

"You also know that after Bai Bai Sanren died, I drifted about until I finally ended up in the Southern Sea Ape Tribe, where I was obtained by the old tribal ruler Yuan Yuan Fuzhen, who gifted me to his son, Yuan Ju."

Speaking to this point.

The Dun Dun Jiesuo shook its head and said:

"That is the very Yuan Ju who failed to seize the throne and was exiled to Linjiao Island in the East Sea; this youth is brave but lacks strategy, relies too heavily on his own abilities, possesses a tyrannical nature inclined toward indulgence, is extremely short-sighted, and lacks even a shred of tolerance for others!

Had his father Yuan Yuan Fuzhen not been injured and still able to suppress domestic dissent through sheer force, Yuan Ju's few flaws would have been insignificant, and no one would have mentioned them.

But after Yuan Yuan Fuzhen was forced to commit suicide, Yuan Ju was terrified out of his wits; this stupid monkey ignored my words of advice, hastily raised troops to revolt, and precisely fell into a trap specially set for him by others, resulting in his failure to seize the throne and his expulsion from the Ape Tribe, exiled to the East Sea.

Heh, it is quite amusing..."

After muttering to himself for a while.

The Dun Dun Jiesuo shook its head with much emotion and let out a long sigh:

"Forget it, let us not speak of the past; this monkey Yuan Ju truly played a perfect hand into a mess; although I never served him as master, I was willing to exert effort to aid him only out of gratitude for Yuan Yuan Fuzhen saving me, but Yuan Ju..."

"It seems, Senior, that your acquaintance with the East Sea Dragon Clan is inextricably linked to Yuan Ju or the Southern Sea Ape Tribe?"

Chen Heng suddenly said.

"You brat are indeed clever; I had not even spoken of it yet?" The Dun Dun Jiesuo was slightly surprised, then laughed:

"Correct, the Twenty-Four Southern Sea Tribal Demon Cultivators often interact with the East Sea; it was thus that I came to know an old dragon, with whom I found great rapport in conversation; that old dragon is named Ao Danqiu, and he once shared a piece of information with me."

"Please, Senior, do not hesitate to enlighten me."

Chen Heng cupped his hands in a bow.

"The Dragon Lord has several young daughters who have reached the age of marriage, and discussions regarding their betrothal may now commence..."

The Dun Dun Jiesuo chuckled darkly at this, speaking with profound implication:

"I have specifically calculated for you, brat; even if you stay within the Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Dong Tian for a full year, upon your return, you will still arrive in time for this recruitment of a son-in-law!

You must know that the Dragon Lord is among the wealthiest figures in the Nine Provinces and Four Seas; if you can fortunately establish a marital alliance with this old dragon, you will want for neither glory nor wealth in the future, while mere cultivation in a Dong Tian becomes a trivial matter, not worth mentioning!

With the financial support of the Dragon Clan, your future path in the Yu Yuchen Sect will surely be smooth sailing, free of any obstruction!"

Although the Dun Dun Jiesuo deliberately lowered its voice, it was not difficult to detect the excitement and agitation within it.

Chen Heng's eyes flashed, but he did not reply.

At this very moment.

The Dun Dun Jiesuo spoke again:

"And although the East Sea is vast and distant, with my assistance, you need not suffer the hardships of travel or miss the appointed time; furthermore, given your character and demeanor, Chen Heng, if you were to propose marriage, the old Dragon Lord would agree six or seven times out of ten; once we are all one family, would not the matter of borrowing the Dong Tian be properly settled?"

Having finished speaking.

He stared straight at Chen Heng, seemingly awaiting his reply.

And after a moment of silence.

Chen Heng suddenly smiled and said:

"Since that is the case, it is truly a good thing; why did you not mention it earlier, Senior, waiting until now?"

Hearing this, the Dun Dun Jiesuo was somewhat pleasantly surprised and was just about to speak.

But was interrupted by Chen Heng's voice:

"Yet your original words earlier were: 'I do not know whether this trip to the East Sea will save me in my time of urgency or cost me my life'... Looking at it this way, I fear there are unspoken meanings in your words, and you are merely selecting a smooth path for me.

I venture to guess..."

Chen Heng smiled:

"There must be a way to borrow the Dong Tian without forming a marital alliance with the Dragon Palace?"

Hearing these words, the Dun Dun Jiesuo was truly startled and involuntarily furrowed its long eyebrows deeply.

"You... you..."

After a moment of stupor.

It gave a bitter laugh: "Why must a young man drill down to the very bottom? What you seek is merely the Dong Tian, is it not? The Dragon Lord..."

"Six or seven chances out of ten is not ten out of ten; ultimately, I cannot disentangle myself from Chen Chen Yushu, so I fear gaining trust will be difficult... Moreover, I have no intention of marrying; if I were to deceive my own heart merely for the sake of a Dong Tian, then I would no longer be myself!"

Chen Heng shook his head:

"I beg Fuchan Fuchan Laozu to teach me the other path!"

Dun Dun Jiesuo fell silent for a long while.

He raised his head, meeting Chen Heng's firm and condensed gaze squarely.

In his heart, he could not help but feel a surge of doubt.

"Not seeking marriage is actually for the best; although this lad bears a striking resemblance to Chen Chen Yushu, at least when acting, he still maintains a line in his heart and is not entirely cold-blooded and ruthless..."

And after struggling for a long time,

Dun Dun Jiesuo opened his mouth and finally answered helplessly:

"Since you are unwilling to marry, then go participate in the recruitment of a son-in-law!"

"What do you mean by this?"

Chen Heng frowned.

"The Dragon Monarch certainly appreciates your character, but since you are unwilling to marry and go against your true intentions, the only option left is to participate in the recruitment of a son-in-law; do not rush, listen to this old man explain slowly!"

Dun Dun Jiesuo asked:

"In your opinion, what is the Dragon Monarch's standing within these Nine Provinces and Four Seas?"

"Naturally, he belongs to the class of supreme sect masters of the Bapailiu Sect; that the Dragon Monarch can associate as equals with these great experts proves he is indeed extraordinary!"

Chen Heng said in a deep voice.

"That would be like the Yu Yuchen Sect's Sect Master marrying off a daughter; naturally, those coming to propose marriage would be endless and countless.

And as for how to distinguish which among them are truly fine jade and talented individuals capable of bearing a ten-thousand-year family legacy, and which are mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall, possessing only an empty reputation... the best method..."

Dun Dun Jiesuo shook his fist lightly and said, "is to fight fiercely!

Just like raising gu worms, only the most superior survivor is able to live!

The so-called Dragon Monarch choosing a son-in-law, though named marrying off a daughter, is in reality merely using the marriage as a pretext to invest, to establish early goodwill with those future great experts and giants of the Nine Provinces and Four Seas, so that they will consider the face of the East Sea when acting in the future!

If you can suppress everyone during the selection of a son-in-law, making the Dragon Monarch truly hear of your name, Chen Heng, and truly recognize your prestige!

At that time, borrowing the Fan Fan Dongtian for cultivation will naturally fall into place without any obstruction!

Of course, there will certainly be no lack of danger within this; you lad should think it over carefully..."

Although Dun Dun Jiesuo's words were impassioned, in reality, they were not without hidden worries, serving as a dissuasion.

But Chen Heng only turned the matter over in his mind for a moment.

Then he answered:

"If I truly suppress everyone during the selection of a son-in-law but do not proceed with marriage to the Dragon Daughter, will the Dragon Monarch still lend me the Fan Fan Dongtian for cultivation?"

Dun Dun Jiesuo said: "The so-called marrying off a daughter is nothing more than an act of currying favor, pulling people onto the Dragon Palace's ship... it matters not if you do not marry; you will simply owe the Dragon Clan a favor that must eventually be repaid in the future; this point cannot be avoided, do you understand?"

"Receiving kindness from others and repaying it later is only proper." Chen Heng nodded:

"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance; the matter of the East Sea truly resolves my urgent need!"

"This lad is indeed extremely arrogant; the matter is not even a shadow yet, and he is already fixated on it..."

Dun Dun Jiesuo silently criticized in his heart.

The reason he had previously tried so hard to stop Chen Heng was that the Dragon Monarch's selection of a son-in-law was no small affair, but would truly involve bloodshed and cost lives!

And among those participating in the selection, there were never lacking outstanding figures from even the Bapailiu Sect or the universe beyond the heavens!

Some came seeking to marry the Dragon Daughter.

Others, just like Chen Heng, had desires in certain places and sought the assistance of the Dragon Clan.

When such figures engage in a fight to the death, it will inevitably be extremely tragic!

With just a slight carelessness, one will be caught by an opponent's opening, and then one's corpse will be severed in two!

As for whether Chen Heng could suppress his peers from the Bapailiu Sect and those arrivals from the universe beyond the heavens, Dun Dun Jiesuo had no complete confidence in his heart and felt uneasy.

While he was troubled, Chen Heng's voice sounded again at this moment:

"Senior, if I go to the Dragon Palace to select a son-in-law, I wonder—"

"Will the sect? Will the Yu Yuchen Sect raise objections? Will they suspect you?"

Dun Dun Jiesuo shook his head and said disdainfully:

"You do not know that since that battle back then, the East Sea has already quietly stood together with Yu Yuchen...

Even your sister's husband, Wang Wang Ruyi, initially made a name for himself in one stroke at the Dragon Monarch's selection of a son-in-law; only then did a High Truth of Yu Yuchen take notice of him and bring him back to the mountain gate!"

"What, the Dao Son?"

Chen Heng was slightly surprised.

Meanwhile, at another peak.

Jin Tingshan, Wang Ruyi Peak.

Master Du Xie Yu lifted his tea cup, touched it to his lips, attempted to drink several times, but finally set it down helplessly.

"If the matter is exposed, will I still be able to save my life?!"

Suddenly,

he slammed the tea cup fiercely onto the table; amidst the shattered porcelain covering the ground, he abruptly asked, his voice and expression both fierce.

For readers who cannot accept romantic plots, let it be said first that this book will definitely have romantic plot arrangements later; the proportion is not large, but it is also part of the main storyline.

(End of Chapter)