"That's right! I am the true orthodox descendant of Great God Pangu!"
Qing Xuan wore an arrogant expression, his manner free and unrestrained, exuding bold dominance.
Seeing how arrogant he was, Ao Lie adopted the mindset of believing it rather than dismissing it outright and asked.
"Since that is so, young friend, what method do you have to dispel the Southern Bright Lihuo Flame?" Ao Lie had already placed Qing Xuan on equal footing with himself.
With a wave of his hand, Qing Xuan produced the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle.
"Within this bottle is one of the Four Divine Waters of the innate world—the Three Lights Divine Water. It can help the Dragon King extinguish the Southern Bright Lihuo Flame on your body."
"Is this true? If it is, then my West Sea will owe you a favor. Is there anything you desire?"
Ao Lie was overjoyed. With this water, he would only need a few days to resolve the flames on his body. However, he knew there were no free favors in the Primordial Wilderness, so he asked.
Qing Xuan steadied himself, thinking that half his plan had succeeded. The next step would be the most crucial. Then he feigned grief and said.
"Dragon King, to be honest, when I passed through the Southern Bright Undying Volcano in the past, the Phoenix Clan was savage beyond measure, and Yuan Feng was incomparably overbearing. She actually intended to kill us on the spot. Fortunately, I ran fast enough and escaped disaster."
"But my two elder brothers were not as fortunate as I was. My eldest brother, Laozi, was killed on the spot, while my second brother, Yuanshi, had his cultivation scattered and fell into slumber. Afterward, I swore to the heavens that I, Tongtian, would kill Yuan Feng and destroy the Phoenix Clan in this life."
Qing Xuan paused slightly before speaking with righteous indignation.
"My hatred for the Phoenix Clan is irreconcilable. Earlier, when I saw the Dragon King wounded by Yuan Feng, I came specifically to offer this divine water. All I ask is that, after you recover your cultivation, you join me in dealing with Yuan Feng!"
After speaking, Qing Xuan bowed to the Dragon King and presented the Three Lights Divine Water with both hands.
At that moment, atop Kunlun Mountain, three lotus flowers were cultivating when they suddenly shuddered in unison. Then the three lotuses flew about wildly before gathering together and spinning in circles.
Ao Lie's expression changed drastically after hearing Qing Xuan's words.
Damn it, join him in dealing with Yuan Feng? This brat doesn't want my treasures—he wants my life!
No, no. I need the Three Lights Divine Water, but I have to come up with another condition to brush this brat off.
After pondering for a moment, Ao Lie said helplessly.
"Young friend Tongtian, it is not that I, Ao Lie, refuse to help you. It is simply that our Dragon Clan ancestor decreed that we Four Seas Dragon Kings must guard the four seas. We may only ambush and kill members of the Phoenix Clan and Kirin Tribe at the edges of the four seas."
"Then please introduce me to Senior Ancestral Dragon. I can discuss this matter with him." Qing Xuan pretended to be stubbornly single-minded as he gazed sincerely at Ao Lie.
Damn it, who does he think he is, wanting to meet the ancestor? Never mind whether he's truly an orthodox descendant of Great God Pangu—his cultivation alone doesn't qualify him!
If I introduce him to the ancestor, the other Dragon Kings will laugh me to death. This guy is trouble. I'd better send him away quickly.
Ao Lie grew increasingly dissatisfied with Qing Xuan and then spoke casually.
"The ancestor is currently stationed at the heart of the great war, so it is truly inconvenient to introduce you. Young friend Tongtian, how about this? I will let you enter our Dragon Clan Treasury and choose two magical treasures in exchange for the Three Lights Divine Water in your possession."
"You should know that our Dragon Clan is spread throughout the four seas, lakes, the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and other regions of the Primordial Wilderness. Yet the entire Dragon Clan shares a single treasury, and its treasures are innumerable. Aside from Dragon Clan members, no outsider has ever entered it."
"My situation is urgent now, so I will violate the ancestral order and allow you inside. You may choose any two treasures, and I will personally give them to you."
Ao Lie was brimming with confidence, displaying the Dragon Clan's imposing bearing. In his view, Qing Xuan could not refuse a two-for-one exchange. With the Dragon Clan's foundation, they could certainly spare two treasures.
It worked!
Qing Xuan inwardly sighed. He had finally fooled this Dragon King, and it had not been easy. He had originally intended to trade item for item, but obtaining two treasures now was quite a harvest.
Once he knew where the Dragon Clan Treasury was, would he have to worry about lacking chances to return in the future? By then, Qing Xuan would probably just be shopping for free.
"Ah, since that is the Dragon King's wish, then so be it."
Qing Xuan feigned helplessness. Then, forming a hand seal, he poured the Three Lights Divine Water, shimmering with three-colored radiance, from the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle.
Seeing this, Ao Lie hesitated no longer. After accepting the divine water, he hurriedly said.
"Young friend Tongtian, rest in the Dragon Palace for a few days. Once this king has recovered, I will take you to the treasury to choose your treasures."
"Alright."
Qing Xuan thought that a few days made no difference. He could not afford to be impatient now, so he waited there.
Yet Qing Xuan had not expected that this wait would last several months. Just as he was considering sneaking out to grab a few Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, turning them into marinated seafood for a snack, Ao Lie emerged.
"Hahaha, young friend Tongtian, thank you for your divine water. My injuries have fully healed." Ao Lie happily grabbed Qing Xuan.
"Come, come, come. I'll take you to the Dragon Clan Treasury to collect the two magical treasures I promised you."
Ao Lie led Qing Xuan deep into the Dragon Palace, where they saw a vortex glittering with precious light. Ao Lie pointed at it and said.
"Look, the Dragon Clan Treasury is inside there," Ao Lie said proudly.
"Could this be... a Minor World!"
Qing Xuan exclaimed in surprise. The Dragon Clan truly was worthy of being the Dragon Clan—even its treasury surpassed those of the other two clans.
"Correct. This is a small heaven and earth created by our Dragon Clan's Ancestral Dragon using his great divine abilities. Four passages were opened and placed within the Dragon Palaces of the four seas. None but members of the Dragon Clan may enter."
"Then what about me?"
"Hahaha, don't worry. I'll give you a trace of Dragon Clan aura, and then you can enter with me." Ao Lie casually released a strand of Dragon Clan aura that enveloped Qing Xuan.
The two then entered the Dragon Clan Treasury.
Holy shit, it truly is the Dragon Clan Treasury!
The radiance of the countless treasures before him dazzled Qing Xuan so badly that he could barely open his eyes.
"Hahahaha, young friend Tongtian, there are tens of thousands of Innate Spiritual Treasures here. Among them are several dozen High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, several hundred Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, and countless Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures," Ao Lie said proudly.
Damn it, I knew this old dragon wouldn't be so honest.
After looking around for a long time without finding a single Innate Supreme Treasure, Qing Xuan understood that Ao Lie must have hidden them in advance.
I thought that, given the Dragon Clan's current status, they wouldn't pull something so petty. In the end, I still underestimated how shameless the Dragon Clan could be.
No choice. I'll have to pick the best of a bad lot. High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures will do for now.
Qing Xuan began slowly selecting from among the several dozen High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.
There was the Gathering Origin Cauldron for refining pills and artifacts; the famous Nine Dragon Divine Fire Hood; the Green Wood Serenity Tower, which calmed the mind and protected the body; the Blue Sea Tide Sound Flute, which used sound waves to disrupt one's heart and mind; and the Dragon Scale Armor, impervious to all techniques.
There were also unfathomably powerful treasures such as the Pure Water Bowl, Nine Dragon Celestial Sound Zither, Nine Dragon Precious Staff, Dragon Roar Sword, Blue Sea Dragon Pearl, and Water Cloud Banner.
In the end, Qing Xuan chose the Gathering Origin Cauldron, which could refine pills and artifacts, and the renowned Nine Dragon Divine Fire Hood. Coincidentally, this treasure had also belonged to Yuanshi before he later bestowed it upon his favorite disciple, Taiyi Zhenren.
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