"Hurry, hurry!"
Yuan Yu stood up and patted off non-existent dust.
"The ten-thousand-year period has expired, and the matters set by the master still need to be taken care of."
"The sentient flower and plant spirits, rock and mountain creatures on the island, as well as the few newly transplanted immortal roots, all need to be inspected and carefully looked after for the master."
As he spoke, his figure blurred, transforming into a clear, jade-colored streak of light, and he shot out swiftly from the open gates of the Chuyuan Palace.
"Wait for me!"
Seeing this, Yuan Lian no longer cared about disturbing the master. Qingfeng rose from her body, mixed with tiny purple lightning bolts, and followed closely behind with a "whoosh".
Two streaks of light flew out of the magnificent and ancient gates of the Chuyuan Palace, one after the other. Before they could even admire the unchanging fairyland scenery outside—the spiritual spring flowing with rosy light, the exotic flowers and herbs swaying with precious light, and the towering ancient trees that absorbed the essence of the sun and moon—they both stopped at the same time and hovered in mid-air.
With keen divine sense, they immediately detected two powerful auras standing quietly outside the innate, invisible array that enveloped the entire Yingzhou Island, seemingly waiting patiently.
The aura was as heavy as an abyss, carrying a rich essence of water element and... a trace of karmic energy that they instinctively felt repelled by?
Yuan Yu frowned slightly, a look of confusion on her small face:
"Huh? Isn't that the Dragon King of the East Sea? What's the Dragon Clan doing here?"
Turning to look at Yuan Lian
"Senior sister, should we let him in?"
As a page who served Qing Huan, he was mainly responsible for chores such as sweeping and guarding the herb garden, but through his daily interactions, he also gained some knowledge of important events inside and outside the Dao Field.
Especially Senior Brother Kong Xuan (the direct descendant of the Phoenix), Senior Brother Winged Immortal (the direct descendant of the Phoenix), and Senior Brother Four Unlike (the direct descendant of the Qilin).
There were also two senior sisters, Gui Ling and Wudang, with whom they got along well. In their spare time, they would often recount the tragic history of the Ancient Three Clans vying for supremacy.
The Dragon Clan has Blood Sea with the Phoenix and Qilin Clans that is irreconcilable!
Although the Three Clans have now withdrawn from the Primordial Wilderness stage and gone into seclusion, this hostility stemming from bloodline inheritance, especially under the influence of the stances of several senior brothers, has long been deeply imprinted in Yuan Yu's heart.
Now, this former enemy, the Dragon King of the East Sea burdened with karmic debts, has actually taken the initiative to visit me?
Yuan Yu subconsciously pursed her lips, muttering to herself:
The master is a man of Purity and Non-Action, and dislikes getting involved in Karma. This Dragon King and his son are burdened with sins so thick they practically gleam black; they're sure to cause trouble! Let them in? Hmph, better not...
"Oops!"
Just as Yuan Yu was pondering the pros and cons, he was suddenly flicked hard on the back of the head by a finger joint carrying the power of wind and thunder (albeit very weak), making him hiss in pain.
"Silly Yu'er! What are you thinking about so intently?"
Yuan Lian's clear, slightly disgruntled voice rang out. She withdrew her mischievous hand, put her hands on her hips, and stared intently at the outside of the formation.
"Didn't you see that old dragon standing outside with his 'dragon Crown Prince '?"
Yuan Yu rubbed her aching head and glared at Yuan Lian with annoyance:
"Senior sister, could you please go a little easier! Of course I saw it was Dragon Clan!"
That's precisely why they're Dragon Clan!
You know about the grudges between Senior Brother Kong Xuan and the Dragon Clan, don't you?
"Master hates trouble the most. What good could come from the Dragon Clan coming to our door? I think Master probably doesn't want to see them."
Yuan Lian blinked her bright eyes, tilted her head and thought about the murderous look in Senior Brother Kong Xuan's eyes when he mentioned the Dragon Clan, and then thought about the vicissitudes and hatred that Senior Brother Four Unlike Xiang occasionally revealed. Suddenly, she felt that her junior brother's words made a lot of sense.
A sense of responsibility arose spontaneously to maintain the purity of the Dao Field and to "guard" the affairs of my fellow practitioners.
"Yes! You're right!"
Yuan Lian's expression instantly turned serious, even taking on a hint of childish indignation. Her rosy cheeks puffed out slightly, making her look both cute and fierce.
"Hmph! You want to see our master? Not so easy! You'll have to get past me first... and Junior Brother Yuan Yu!"
As soon as the words fell, the two children, their minds in perfect harmony, stirred slightly with their magical Magic Power, and their figures instantly transformed from solid to ethereal, as if merging into Qingfeng and flowing water. The next second, they appeared at the edge of the island shrouded in hazy immortal light, outside the light curtain of the Innate Grand Formation.
Outside the formation, Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the East Sea, waited patiently.
Standing beside him was Crown Prince Ao Guang. Although the latter tried his best to maintain a respectful posture, the arrogance of the Dragon Clan Crown Prince and the aura of restlessness accumulated over the years between his brows were difficult to completely conceal.
When the light screen of the protective array rippled open like water, revealing the figure emerging from within, even the Dragon King Ao Shun's old eyes, which had seen countless vicissitudes of life, couldn't help but flash a hint of surprise.
Before me are... two tiny children, each less than a meter tall?
Exquisitely crafted, dressed in well-fitting Daoist boy attire, one with her hair in double buns, lively and spirited; the other with a simple Daoist bun, appearing more composed.
At this moment, both little ones had expressions that said "I'm very unhappy" and "Leave us alone," glaring at their father and son with a cute but fierce look.
This... this is the Immortal Boy responsible for announcing things to Senior Qing Huan?
Ao Shun's mind raced, but he dared not show the slightest negligence.
He immediately abandoned his dragon king demeanor, his face beaming with a warm, even somewhat humble, smile, and bowed respectfully, saying:
"I am Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the East Sea. I live in the Eastern Sea with Senior Qing Huan, so we can be considered neighbors."
Today, I have brought my son Ao Guang, to pay my respects to your esteemed presence. May I trouble you two immortals to come inside and announce my arrival?
His tone was so respectful, as if he were addressing a respected peer.
As the senior sister, Yuan Lian naturally puffed out her little chest and crossed her arms in front of her (trying her best to look like a little adult).
The childish, clear voice carried an undeniable refusal. "Our master is busy with countless worlds and has long since gone on a journey; he's not at the Dao Field at all!"
"Let's talk about it when the master returns!"
She deliberately emphasized the words "not in the Dao Field," making it sound resolute.
"Oh? Senior has gone on a journey?"
Ao Shun frowned almost imperceptibly.
Based on my experience and perception accumulated over millions of years, I felt that the two children's words were not entirely true, and a sense of unease inexplicably rose in my heart.
But they are adept at understanding human nature and social dynamics, seeing through things but not saying it.
His face still held that perfect balance of disappointment and understanding:
"I see... Well, that's really... unfortunate."
He sighed softly, then clasped his hands in a fist and said:
"Qing Huan's Daoist arts are profound, and it is only natural for him to travel to countless realms. I would be grateful if you two immortals could inform him that if he returns from his travels, I would like to ask you to convey to him that Ao Shun of the Eastern Sea has an extremely important matter that requires his personal consultation and discussion with you."
He emphasized the words "extremely important" slightly, attempting to draw attention to their significance.
Yuan Lian and Yuan Yu exchanged a glance.
Yuan Yu's eyes seemed to say, "See? I told you nothing good would come of it"; Yuan Lian, on the other hand, pouted, as if to say, "No matter how important it is, the master is not here, that's all!"