Rest assured, I won't borrow it for nothing.

Ao Guang's shout carried immense dragon might, jolting the aquatic creatures in the hall back to their senses. They raised their weapons once more, glaring furiously as they tightened their encirclement around Sun Wu Kong, awaiting only the Dragon King's command.

Sun Wu Kong paid no heed to the drawn swords and taut tension around him. He even had the leisure to inspect the enormous luminous pearls embedded in the Dragon Palace's ceiling.

Only then did he turn his gaze toward Ao Guang on the throne and scratch the back of his hand.

Not only was there no fear on his face, but he even revealed an almost cordial smile.

"Dragon King of the East Sea?" His tone was casual, as though greeting a neighbor. "Old Sun comes from Water Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain in East Victory Divine Continent. That makes us neighbors, more or less. I came uninvited today, which is admittedly a little presumptuous, but I mainly wanted to visit a good neighbor, find the place, and get acquainted."

He paused, ignoring the forced gloom on Ao Guang's face, and continued with a smile. "Of course, it wouldn't be proper to visit a neighbor empty-handed... Oh, no, that's not right. Old Sun just happens to have a small matter he'd like to discuss with you, Dragon King, my good neighbor."

"Neighbor? What a fine neighbor!" Ao Guang snorted coldly. "What do you take my East Sea Dragon Palace for? You came without announcing yourself, without presenting a calling card or a formal petition, used demonic arts to barge into the forbidden hall, and disturbed my aquatic subjects. Such conduct is utterly disgraceful! And you still dare to talk business with me? Do you deserve to?!"

"Guards!" Ao Guang gave Sun Wu Kong no chance to speak further.