That's Not My Dark Past, That's My Path Here!

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of surprise on his face.

He hadn't expected the battle that brought down the Immortal Court back then to be so... casual?

It seemed these words had already ignited the fury burning within Dong Wanggong.

His speech carried a tone of unwillingness and resentment.

"Back then, Eastern Emperor Taiyi came alone and just tossed the Chaos Bell over."

"I had to die fighting. I couldn't live like a coward, coasting on the title of Head of Male Immortals!"

"I am Dong Wanggong, the Eastern Sovereign Emperor, the Head of Male Immortals appointed by the Dao Ancestor himself. I could only die in battle!"

"I had to fulfill the Dao Ancestor's great expectations for me, to make the Immortal Court prosper. That meant dying in battle, not dying a coward's death. Do you understand?"

Li Yuan nodded heavily, giving a thumbs up and sighing with emotion.

"Senior, you got the MVP."

No wonder he later reincarnated as Lü Dongbin, such a dashing and carefree sword immortal.

It turned out his original nature was already fierce enough.

Before long, Xuandu, Guangchengzi, Duobao, and Kong Xuan all emerged from seclusion.

They had clearly finished refining their treasures or divine abilities.

Duobao, full of curiosity, sidled up and asked with wide, innocent eyes.

"What were you two talking about just now, so impassioned?"

Li Yuan replied calmly.

"Nothing much. Senior Dong Wanggong got the MVP, and the Demon Court was a bunch of carried dogs."

Duobao: "(￣△￣;)???"

What's an MVP?

Xuandu, true to his role as the senior disciple of the Xuan Sect, steered the conversation back on track.

"Junior brothers, we should hurry to the East Sea Dragon Palace."

With that, he summoned the Heaven and Earth Exquisite Pagoda, temporarily housing Dong Wanggong's divine soul within it.

It contained Mysterious Yellow Qi, which could nourish Dong Wanggong's spirit.

As Dong Wanggong opened a teleportation gate, Li Yuan and the others naturally set off immediately.

The moment they left the Immortal Court, they arrived right at the gates of the Dragon Palace.

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, muttering in slight bewilderment.

"Damn, Senior Dong Wanggong could start a bullet train service."

Duobao, ever curious, sidled up again.

"Senior Brother, what's a bullet train?"

Li Yuan replied with some exasperation.

"If you keep up this 'ten thousand whys' act, I'll send you to crash into some luck on the Primordial World's paths."

Duobao's face immediately broke into a smile, and he nodded in agreement.

"Luck is good! Crashing into luck is good! Thank you, Senior Brother, for the blessing."

Li Yuan couldn't be bothered to respond and strode straight into the Dragon Palace.

But as soon as the gates opened, he saw Ao Guang, Ao Run, Ao Shun, and Ao Qin—the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas—standing on either side.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

In the distance, brilliant fireworks bloomed.

Wait, underwater... fireworks?

Li Yuan looked at the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, who were clapping wildly like motivational speakers, and was momentarily stunned.

"What the hell are you guys doing?"

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas immediately chorused in unison.

"Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome! Welcome to the honored personal disciples of the Sages, visiting our Dragon Race."

"Presenting the current acting Dragon Race chieftain, Yellow Dragon!"

Yellow Dragon slowly walked out from the main hall of the Dragon Palace, a broad smile on his face.

Guangchengzi's eyes narrowed slightly as he drew in a sharp breath.

"Sss... such dazzling Treasure Light. What is that thing?"

Li Yuan rubbed his eyes. Yellow Dragon was bathed in swirling Treasure Light, his Crimson Scale Armor reflecting the glow of the night pearls, and the Water-Parting Halberd in his hand shimmering with a cold blue light.

A golden crown on his head hung twelve strands of water-repelling tassels—transforming the austere Jade Void Palace cultivator into a Crystal Palace dandy.

Wait, who turned my Four-Nothing True Man into a chosen rich second-generation heir?

Yellow Dragon cheerfully greeted several fellow disciples with a smile and a bow.

"Greetings to all senior and junior brothers. It has been long since we last met—I have missed you dearly."

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.

"With all you fellow Daoists coming to lend aid, you truly grace my Dragon Palace with radiance."

Li Yuan stepped close, reached out to knock on the Crimson Dragon Armor, then touched the Profound Origin Water Dividing Halberd, and studied the Water-Repelling Golden Crystal Crown.

His mouth slightly opened, brows tightly furrowed.

"These are all top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures?"

Yellow Dragon nodded calmly, speaking softly.

"Indeed. The Dragon Race was once one of the overlords of the Primordial World. This Daoist is quite well-off."

At these words, Guangchengzi could barely hold himself together.

He recalled the days back on Kunlun Mountain.

Yellow Dragon was unloved, possessed no treasures, had no friends, and looked utterly pitiful.

As the senior brother, he had often given Yellow Dragon extra care—what was all that for?

"My once-unloved junior brother's hidden identity turns out to be the heir of a fallen sacred race."

Duobao, his expression twisted, sighed emotionally.

"Damn it. When the two of us stand together, are you Duobao, or am I?"

Li Yuan was the first to snap back to reality, asking in confusion.

"That's not right, Junior Brother. How did you end up here?"

Yellow Dragon explained with a cheerful smile.

"Our master sent me back to aid the Dragon Race, fearing the Demon Court would pursue blame. I imagine all you fellow disciples have come for this matter as well."

Li Yuan sucked in a cold breath and quickly waved his hand.

"Wait, wait, wait, bro. You mean Martial Uncle Yuanshi sent you to help the Dragon Race—a race of fur-and-scale bearing creatures?"

"And even out of goodwill, using his own influence to make the Demon Court think twice about blaming the Dragon Race?"

A genuine smile spread across Yellow Dragon's face.

"Yes. I misunderstood my master before. He is a sage, broad-minded, never a petty person."

Li Yuan's face twisted into a mask of pain as he muttered.

"No, no, no. Martial Uncle is way too petty—famous for it across the Primordial World."

Boom—!!!

Within the Eight Scenery Palace, Yuanshi slammed his palm onto the table.

The great rivers and seas surged...

Laozi and Tongtian both turned to look, their gazes carrying a hint of mockery.

Yuanshi coughed twice and said.

"Once Li Yuan returns to the mountain, I think I should give him a proper lesson."

"Not that I'm a petty person, of course. I am a sage—how could I be petty? How could I? How ridiculous, heh heh~"

"I'm merely acting as an elder, needing to teach Li Yuan not to speak carelessly of his seniors."

Tongtian's eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head, snorting coldly in his heart.

"Keep pretending! Go on, keep it up!"

Hearing Li Yuan's words, Yellow Dragon quickly retorted.

"Ah, I know you spoke out of goodwill, Senior Brother. But Master surely has his own reasons."

"Earlier, he even bestowed treasures upon me. Returning to the Dragon Race was also his decree. Master truly... has put great thought into this!"

"By the way, all you fellow brothers have traveled far and must be weary. Please, come in and rest."

Once Yellow Dragon had led everyone into the great hall, he clapped his hands.

Many graceful Clam Maidens with lovely faces came forward, bearing immortal fruits and fine wine.

Li Yuan stared blankly at the Primordial World version of a "Manchu-Han Imperial Feast" laid out on the table.

"You really deserve to die, Junior Brother. You've actually made it!"

Afraid for a brother's hardship, yet afraid of a brother driving a luxury car.

Yellow Dragon clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention and announced with a smile.

"Fellow brothers, eat and drink as you please. If it's not enough, there's plenty more."

"Ah, now that I'm back with the Dragon Race, I realize those past days were all Master's trials for me. Otherwise, how could I hold fast to my Dao heart in the face of such temptations?"

"When I think carefully, those weren't my dark history—they were the path I walked to get here. Fellow Daoists, let us encourage one another!"

Li Yuan thought to himself: "Encourage your m—"

"He can even self-gaslight like this, huh?"