The East King Duke's Admonition

East Sea, Penglai Immortal Island.

A mystical mist swirls around, and auspicious clouds drift by.

Ao Hai's figure descended from the clouds and stood in front of the main hall of the Immortal Court.

He straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and strode towards the main hall.

When the Immortal Court's servants saw him, they all bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Protector Ao Hai."

Ao Hai nodded in acknowledgment as he proceeded unimpeded to the main hall of the Immortal Court.

"Reporting to Wood Duke, Protector Ao Hai requests an audience," the attendant announced loudly.

"Let him in."

Inside the hall, the gentle voice of the East King Duke could be heard.

Ao Hai strode inside and respectfully bowed to the East King Duke at the head of the table.

"Ao Hai greets Wood Duke."

"No need for formalities." The East King Duke raised his hand, gesturing for him to rise.

"Ao Hai, why aren't you diligently cultivating in your guardian deity's Divine Hall? What brings you here to find me?"

Ao Hai answered respectfully.

"Reporting to Wood Duke, the Ancestor has summoned me back to the East Sea Dragon Palace, saying he has important matters to discuss."

"As a protector of the Immortal Court, Ao Hai dares not abandon his post. Therefore, he has come to inform Wood Duke Wood Duke and earnestly request his permission."

Upon hearing this, the East King Duke smiled.

"I see."

"Since it is Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon who needs your assistance, you should return."

"Speaking of which, it's been quite some time since I last saw Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon after our parting at the East Sea."

"When you return, please give my regards to Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon."

"Thank you for your kind permission Wood Duke."

"Then Ao Hai will take his leave."

Ao Hai bowed again, then turned and prepared to leave the main hall.

"Ao Hai, wait a moment."

Just as Ao Hai turned to leave, the voice of the East King Duke rang out again.

Ao Hai paused, turned around, and bowed as he asked.

"Does Wood Duke have any further instructions?"

The East King Duke slowly descended from his seat and approached Ao Hai, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"Ao Hai, you've been at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Peak realm for quite some time now, haven't you?"

Ao Hai felt a chill run down his spine, not understanding why the East King Duke had suddenly brought this up, but he still answered truthfully.

"Yes, it has indeed been quite a few years, Wood Duke."

The East King Duke nodded, his tone becoming earnest and meaningful.

"It's about time we considered taking that step."

"After all, I personally promised Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon that I would definitely help you step into the Quasi-Sage Realm."

"Your entire Dragon Clan is also eagerly awaiting your arrival as the new pillar of strength."

Upon hearing this, Ao Hai lowered his head even further, his tone tinged with shame.

Thank you for your concern Wood Duke.

"Ao Hai has been diligently cultivating, never daring to slack off in the slightest."

"However... the opportunity for promotion is extremely mysterious, and I haven't even touched that threshold yet."

"This matter will probably take some more time."

Upon hearing this, the East King Duke laughed.

"Hehe, Ao Hai, you've misunderstood."

"I'm talking about the Quasi-Sage Realm, not the Primordial Origin Golden Immortal."

Ao Hai's expression became somewhat unnatural.

Seeing his reaction, East King Duke continued.

"Slaying Three Corpses and become Quasi-Sage."

"Cultivate the Law, attain Hunyuan."

"I don't need to explain the difference between these two paths to you, do I?"

"Wood Duke, I..."

Ao Hai tried to explain, but was interrupted by East King Duke.

I know what you're thinking.

"You think that Prove Dao with Laws in greater combat power and greater potential, right?"

Ao Hai fell silent.

This was indeed his truest thought.

There was a hint of emotion from someone who had experienced this in the voice of Prince Dong.

"Hehe."

"Ao Hai, you must understand, things are different now."

"Dragon-Han Period, the Great Dao flourished and its Law were revealed. At that time, walking the path of Prove Dao with Laws was indeed a Great Dao to Tongtian."

" In the Primordial Wilderness today, the Heavenly Dao operates, Law are hidden. How difficult it is to comprehend the Law!"

"Looking across the entire Primordial Wilderness, apart from the Wu Clan who are born with the ability to control the Law Power, have you seen anyone else who has taken this path?"

"Which of those Quasi-Sage Great Powers stand at the pinnacle of the Primordial Wilderness didn't follow the path of Slaying Three Corpses to Path to Sainthood?"

He paused, then his tone became even more incisive.

"Moreover, you are Dragon Clan."

"Since the Dragon-Han Tribulation, your Dragon Clan has been burdened by Karma, and its Fortune has declined."

"Although you are now protected by the Fortune of my Immortal Court, allowing you to cultivate normally..."

"But compared to those beings who are not burdened by Karma, your cultivation speed is ultimately a step slower."

"Under these circumstances, do you still think you have a good chance of succeeding on that elusive Path of Laws?"

"Within my Immortal Court, there are several whose talent is inferior to yours, yet they have already successfully severed their corpses and entered the Quasi-Sage Realm!"

And what about you?

"You're still stuck at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Peak!"

"You're wasting your talent!"

"You're wasting... the time that your Ancestor and those Dragon Clan elders risked their lives for!"

The main hall was silent, Ao Hai remained silent.

He knew, of course, that everything the East King Duke said was true.

Prove Dao with Laws is incredibly difficult. He has been trying to comprehend the Law.

No matter how hard he tried, the barrier leading to the Primordial Origin Golden Immortal remained unbreakable, without even a crack.

But he was not willing to give up.

He knew the power of the Law Power; if he could use it to prove his Dao and become Primordial Origin Golden Immortal, he would be invincible among those of the same level!

Only by acquiring even greater power can he truly protect the entire Dragon Clan in the future!

This is his truest thought.

After a long silence, Ao Hai took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the East King Duke.

"Thank you for your guidance, Wood Duke Ao Hai. I will remember it."

He raised his head, his eyes no longer filled with confusion, but with unwavering determination.

"But I still want to try again."

"Oh?" East King Duke raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by his insistence.

"That's enough."

He waved his hand, his face returning to its usual calm and collected expression, seemingly unperturbed by Ao Hai's "lack of appreciation."

Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you any further.

"It's your own path; you have to decide how you want to walk it."

He gave Ao Hai a meaningful look.

"You should return to the Dragon Palace first."

"I estimate that Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon summoned you back this time, most likely for this very reason."

"You... after you go back, have a good talk with your Ancestor."

"Step down."

East King Duke waved his hand, closed his eyes, and ignored him.

"Yes, Wood Duke."

Ao Hai takes his leave.

Ao Hai took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the East King Duke.

He turned and silently left the main hall.

East King Duke watched his departing figure in silence.

It's a good thing for young people to have ambitions.

But reality will teach him how to make the right choice.

As he stepped out of Penglai Immortal Island and onto the clouds, Ao Hai felt a mix of emotions.

Without the slightest hesitation, he transformed into a streak of light and flew straight towards the East Sea Dragon Palace.