Visiting the Dragon Palace

Jiang Yun and Ao Shun chatted for a while about the customs and culture of the Western world, and then talked about the origins of Jiang Yun's sect. After hearing this, Ao Shun's regard for Jiang Yun increased by several levels, and his attitude became much more enthusiastic. In a short time, they were calling each other brothers.

Having two top-tier Great Luo experts in one sect, during the era when the three tribes were in a stalemate, the Dragon Race wouldn't have paid them any mind. However, after a great calamity, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin tribes all suffered heavy losses.

Currently, the Dragon Race's Hunyuan ancestor, Candle Dragon, was still suppressing the sea eye beneath the Heavenly Origin and could not emerge. Great Luo experts were few and far between. In the Four Seas Dragon Palaces that were visible, the highest combat power, the Dragon Kings, only had Ao Guang of the East Sea at the early stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal. They were in no position to provoke him.

Afterward, Jiang Yun spoke about his experiences traveling in the north. Along the way, he had been diligently cultivating and accumulating Merit.

Speaking of Merit, it made Ao Shun's eyes turn red with envy. The entire Dragon Race was burdened with a significant amount of Heavenly Karma. Apart from the Karma Red Lotus of Old Ancestor Styx, only Merit could alleviate it.

Logically, the Dragon Race could undertake many actions that would earn Merit, such as repairing Earth Veins, clearing remnants of Fierce Beasts, and many other things that could yield Merit.

However, since the Dragon Race withdrew from the Primordial Desolation continent and relied solely on suppressing the Four Seas to accumulate Merit, they would rather their descendants bear karmic sin than come ashore, always staying active within the Four Seas.

One very important reason was that they had made too many enemies in the past. The Dragon Race led the scaled aquatic creatures, the Phoenix led the flying creatures, and the Qilin led the beasts. Their enemies held the advantage in terrestrial strength.

Secondly, although the Dragon Race had declined, when they dominated the Primordial Desolation, they had accumulated countless treasures. These were stored in their base camp in the sea and were not lost, indicating a deep foundation. Maintaining a low profile now was to avoid attracting attention from others, otherwise, these treasures would not be safe.

Jiang Yun could tell from Ao Shun's aura that it had the cultivation of Golden Immortal Perfection. Coupled with the fact that the entire Dragon Race bore karmic sin, Jiang Yun knew that Ao Shun's cultivation was likely stuck at this level, unable to break through.

I wonder how long its cultivation has been stuck, Jiang Yun thought to himself. I remember during the Journey to the West period, the cultivation of the Four Seas Dragon Kings couldn't even compare to Sun Wukong. At that time, Sun Wukong was only at the peak of Grand Unity, not yet a Great Luo! It's likely that the Four Seas Dragon Kings' highest cultivation was only at the late stage of Grand Unity. Cultivating while carrying karmic sin is indeed slow!

Then, he tentatively asked, "Brother Ao Shun, I see your cultivation has reached Golden Immortal Perfection. I wonder if you are burdened by your race's karmic sin, preventing you from breaking through?"

"To be honest, Brother Yun Ya, I have been at Golden Immortal Perfection for over a hundred thousand years and have been unable to make any breakthrough. As you know, during the great calamity of the past, my Dragon Race committed great slaughter. Now, my cultivation progresses with great difficulty. I don't know how long I will have to suppress the Four Seas to accumulate some Merit and loosen the bottleneck. Even the younger generation in the clan is like this now; their cultivation is slow, and they are starting to become a generation gap."

"Then, Brother, have you considered letting some of the younger generation with good aptitude leave the Dragon Race and seek tutelage from some powerful beings? This way, they can shed their shackles. If a few of them achieve success, they can look after the clan members in the future!"

Jiang Yun's words were not spoken lightly. In his past life, Huang Long had become a disciple of Yuanshi. Given Yuqing Yuanshi's personality, they looked down upon creatures with scales and horns, or those born from wetness or eggs. It was hard to say why they would accept Huang Long. The most likely reason was that the Dragon Race paid a great price to secure this master-disciple relationship. Moreover, even after accepting him as a disciple, Yuanshi did not treat Huang Long particularly well; the title of a "three-no" True Person spoke volumes.

Not to mention later, during the Journey to the West period, the West Sea Dragon Palace sent their third prince, Little White Dragon, to be a mount for the pilgrims. In the end, he was bestowed the title of Eight Divisions Heavenly Dragon Great Strength Bodhisattva. There were also the Eight Divisions Heavenly Dragons of Buddhism. These all indicated one thing: the Dragon Race had been sending their promising juniors out to seek a good future, in exchange for their future support of the race.

Now that Mount Sumeru was opening its doors to disciples early, if the Dragon Race could connect with the Western Teachings in advance, it would be a great help. After all, the Dragon Race had a very deep foundation. To cultivate someone who could uphold their sect, it was likely that the Dragon Race would not hesitate to spend money and effort.

Ao Shun listened to Jiang Yun's words and pondered them carefully. He felt that his suggestion was very worth trying for the current situation of the Dragon Race.

When Old Ancestor Hongjun achieved sainthood, Candle Dragon had already realized that they, the remnants of the old era, could not escape being held accountable. If their clan could not adapt to the development of the new era, they would have no chance of revival.

Moreover, Jiang Yun had also told him that Jieyin and Zhunti were powerful beings who sat on the front meditation cushions while listening to the teachings at Purple Heaven Palace.

These words were spoken by Jiang Yun specifically for Ao Shun to hear. One was to show the power behind him, and the other was to lay the groundwork for his current idea.

"Brother's method is indeed excellent. Does Brother have any recommended candidates?" After thinking it over, Ao Shun first affirmed Jiang Yun's method and then inquired of him.

"I followed my Teacher to Purple Heaven Palace to listen to the Dao and happened to meet several cultivators with great divine abilities. They are on good terms with my Teacher and are all virtuous scholars, so you can rest assured. Among them are three who were transformed from the Nascent Soul of Great God Pangu, residing on Kunlun Mountain: the Three Pure Ones, Daoist Tongtian of Shangqing, Daoist Yuanshi of Yuqing, and Daoist Laozi of Taiqing. These three are authentic descendants of Pangu. There are also two others: Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi of Myriad Longevity Mountain's Wuzhuang Temple and Old Ancestor Hongyun of Fire Cloud Cave. Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi is a kind person, and Old Ancestor Hongyun is a famous benevolent person in the Primordial Desolation, who likes to foster good karma," Jiang Yun said without any concealment, sincerely recommending candidates to Ao Shun, of course not forgetting his own people.

"Besides the seniors mentioned earlier, my sect is currently opening its doors wide at Mount Sumeru to recruit disciples. You can also consider this. In fact, compared to others, other great deities may not necessarily have the intention of accepting disciples now. If you are interested, you may have to wait for the right time."

Ao Shun listened to his sincere words and felt inclined to let the younger generation of the clan go to Mount Sumeru to seek tutelage. However, this matter was of great importance and certainly not something he alone could decide. It would require discussion within the clan.

"I have taken Brother Yun Ya's words to heart. I personally have great interest in letting the younger generation go to Mount Sumeru to seek tutelage. However, this matter is ultimately of great importance and requires discussion with others before a decision can be made. Why doesn't Brother stay in my Dragon Palace for a while? I can then take you around for a tour?"

Jiang Yun was quite interested in staying in the Dragon Palace for a bit. After all, the Wood Spirit Pearl seemed to be in the outer sea, and he needed to pass through the Dragon Palace's territory. He was not familiar with the area and could ask Ao Shun for information and borrow passage.

Jiang Yun looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Brother Dao, your invitation is hard to refuse, but I am out on a journey for cultivation. My visit to the Dragon Palace to see Brother was also to borrow passage to the outer sea to seek cultivation opportunities."

"The outer seas of the Primordial Desolation are not like the inner seas. The inner seas are suppressed by the Dragon Palace and are closer to the land, so there is less danger and the waves are calmer. The outer seas are far from land, with deep oceans and high seas, strong winds and rough waves, a complex environment, and powerful sea beasts. It is very dangerous. Why don't you stay in the Dragon Palace for a while? Afterward, I will arrange for a clansman to escort you and guide you."

After hearing these words, Jiang Yun nodded in agreement.