Trading Treasure for Treasure

"That's right! I am the true orthodox descendant of the Great God Pangu!"

Qing Xuan wore a haughty expression, his demeanor unrestrained and free, exuding boldness and dominance.

Seeing this man so arrogant, Ao Lie, holding to the principle of believing it rather than not, asked, "Since that's the case, young friend, do you have any way to extinguish the Southern Bright Lihuo Flame?" Ao Lie had already placed Qing Xuan on equal footing.

Qing Xuan waved his hand, and the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle, appeared in his palm.

"Within this bottle is one of the four great innate divine waters, the 'Three Lights Divine Water,' which can help the Dragon King extinguish the Southern Bright Lihuo Flame on his body."

"Is this true? If so, the West Sea owes you a favor. Is there anything you desire?"

Ao Lie was overjoyed; with this water, he could resolve the flames on his body in just a few days. However, Ao Lie knew well that nothing in the Primordial Wilderness came for free, so he asked.

Qing Xuan steadied his mind, thinking that half his plan had succeeded, and now came the most critical part. He then pretended to speak with grief.

"Dragon King, to be honest, back when I passed by the Southern Bright Undying Volcano, the Phoenix Clan was utterly barbaric, and Yuan Feng was so overbearing that they tried to intercept and kill me on the spot. Luckily, I ran fast enough to escape."

"But my two elder brothers weren't as fortunate. My eldest brother, Laozi, was killed on the spot, and my second brother, Yuanshi, had his cultivation shattered and fell into slumber. Afterward, I swore to the heavens that I, Tongtian, would kill Yuan Feng and annihilate the Phoenix Clan in this life."

Qing Xuan paused slightly, then spoke with righteous indignation.

"My hatred for the Phoenix Clan is irreconcilable. Seeing the Dragon King injured by Yuan Feng earlier, I came specially to offer the divine water, only asking that after the Dragon King recovers his cultivation, he join me in dealing with Yuan Feng!"

With that, Qing Xuan bowed to the Dragon King and presented the Three Lights Divine Water with both hands.

Atop Kunlun Mountain at that moment, three lotuses were cultivating when they suddenly trembled collectively. Then the three lotuses flew about wildly, gathered together, and began spinning in circles.

After hearing Qing Xuan's words, Ao Lie's expression shifted dramatically.

"Damn it, join him against Yuan Feng? This kid isn't after my treasures—he wants my life!"

"No way, no way. I need the Three Lights Divine Water, but I have to find some excuse to fob this kid off."

Ao Lie thought for a moment, then spoke with difficulty.

"Young friend Tongtian, it's not that I, Ao Lie, won't help you, but my Dragon Clan's Ancestor has decreed that we Four Seas Dragon Kings guard the Four Seas, only allowed to intercept and kill members of the Phoenix and Kirin Tribes along the edges of the seas."

"Then please, Dragon King, introduce me to Senior Ancestral Dragon. I can discuss this matter with him." Qing Xuan pretended to be stubborn and single-minded, looking at Ao Lie with sincerity.

"Damn it, what status do you have to want to see the Ancestor? Even if your claim of being the true descendant of the Great God Pangu were real, with your level of cultivation, you're not qualified!"

"If I introduce you to the Ancestor, I'll be laughed to death by the other Dragon Kings. This guy is trouble—I'd better get rid of him quickly."

Ao Lie grew increasingly displeased with Qing Xuan in his heart, then said casually.

"The Ancestor is currently stationed at the center of the great war, so it's really inconvenient to arrange an introduction. Young friend Tongtian, how about this: I'll let you into my Dragon Clan Treasury to pick two treasures in exchange for the Three Lights Divine Water in your hand."

"You should know that my Dragon Clan spans the Four Seas, lakes, the Long River, the Yellow River, and more, and we share a single treasury. The treasures within are countless. No outsider has ever entered except for Dragon Clan members."

"Given my urgent situation, I'll break the Ancestor's decree and let you in. You may choose any two items, and I'll gift them to you on my authority."

Ao Lie's boldness soared, displaying the Dragon Clan's dominance. In his view, trading two for one was an offer Qing Xuan couldn't refuse. With the Dragon Clan's foundation, two treasures were nothing.

"It worked!"

Qing Xuan sighed inwardly, finally managing to fool this Dragon King—it hadn't been easy. He had originally planned on a barter exchange, and now getting two items was quite a harvest.

As long as he knew where the Dragon Clan Treasury was, he wouldn't worry about lacking chances to return. By then, Qing Xuan might just go for a zero-cost shopping spree.

"Alas, since that's the case, let it be as the Dragon King wishes."

Qing Xuan pretended to be reluctant, then formed a hand seal. The Three Lights Divine Water, shimmering with three colors, flowed out of the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle.

Seeing this, Ao Lie hesitated no longer. After accepting the divine water, he said hurriedly.

"Young friend Tongtian, rest a few days in the Dragon Palace. Once I recover, I'll take you to the treasury to choose your treasures."

"Alright."

Qing Xuan thought to himself that a few days wouldn't hurt. He couldn't afford to be impatient now, so he decided to wait.

But Qing Xuan hadn't expected this wait to stretch into months. Just as he was considering sneaking out to grab a few Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals to make into a raw marinated snack for a treat, Ao Lie emerged.

"Hahaha, young friend Tongtian, thank you for the divine water! My injuries are all healed." Ao Lie happily grabbed Qing Xuan.

"Come, come, come. I'll take you to the Dragon Clan Treasury to claim the two treasures I promised you."

Ao Lie led Qing Xuan deep into the Dragon Palace, where a dazzling, jeweled vortex stood. Ao Lie pointed at it and said proudly.

"See? Inside here is my Dragon Clan Treasury." Ao Lie said with pride.

"Could this be... a Minor World?"

Qing Xuan exclaimed in surprise. The Dragon Clan truly lived up to its name—even their treasury surpassed those of the other two tribes.

"Indeed. This is a minor realm created by the great divine power of my Dragon Clan's Ancestral Dragon, with four passages opened to the Four Seas Dragon Palaces. None but the Dragon Clan may enter."

"Then what about me?"

"Haha, don't worry. I'll give you a trace of Dragon Clan aura, and you can follow me in." Ao Lie casually released a wisp of Dragon Clan aura that enveloped Qing Xuan.

Then the two entered the Dragon Clan Treasury.

"Holy crap, no wonder it's the Dragon Clan Treasury!"

Qing Xuan was blinded by the dazzling light of countless treasures before him, unable to keep his eyes open.

"Hahahaha, little friend Tongtian, here are tens of thousands of innate spiritual treasures, including dozens of high-grade innate spiritual treasures, hundreds of mid-grade innate spiritual treasures, and countless low-grade innate spiritual treasures." Ao Lie said proudly.

"Damn, I knew this old dragon wouldn't be so straightforward."

Qing Xuan looked for a long time but didn't find a single Innate Supreme Treasure, and realized that Ao Lie must have hidden them away beforehand.

"I thought that with the Dragon Clan's current status, they wouldn't play such a petty game, but I still underestimated how shameless they can be."

"No help for it—when you're picking the tallest among dwarves, high-grade innate spiritual treasures will have to do."

Qing Xuan began to slowly browse through the dozens of high-grade innate spiritual treasures.

The Gathering Origin Cauldron for alchemy and artifact refining; the famous Nine Dragon Divine Fire Hood; the Green Wood Serenity Tower for calming the mind and protecting the body; the Blue Sea Tide Sound Flute that disturbs the heart with sound waves; the Dragon Scale Armor that repels all spells.

Also the Pure Water Bowl, the Nine Dragon Celestial Sound Zither, the Nine Dragon Precious Staff, the Dragon Roar Sword, the Blue Sea Dragon Pearl, the Water Cloud Banner, and other divine artifacts of unfathomable power.

In the end, Qing Xuan chose the Gathering Origin Cauldron for alchemy and artifact refining, and the famous Nine Dragon Divine Fire Hood. As luck would have it, this treasure was originally Yuanshi's spiritual treasure, later bestowed upon his favorite disciple, Taiyi Zhenren.