Return to the Dragon Palace

With Ao Yun and the Mysterious Turtle, Jiang Yun followed the path they had taken, setting off to return to the Northern Sea Dragon Palace.

Meanwhile, in the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, while Jiang Yun was out with Ao Yun seeking opportunities, the selection of talented individuals within the clan had also begun.

Originally, according to the Dragon Race's plan, this talent selection was to be conducted only in the Northern Sea and Western Sea. Who knew that later Ao Guang of the Eastern Sea and Ao Qin of the Southern Sea heard about it and both felt it was a good idea, unwilling to fall behind.

Even if they couldn't gain an advantage this time due to their geographical location, it was still good to secure a spot in advance and establish a connection with the Western Teachings!

As a result, the original allocation plan was slightly modified. Originally, the Northern Sea and Western Sea were each allocated ten spots. Now, both sides contributed two spots each to the Eastern Sea and Southern Sea.

Of course, after each Dragon Palace selected their candidates, they would need to send someone to escort them to Mount Sumeru to become disciples. In this regard, the Northern Sea and Western Sea truly had a significant geographical advantage.

Ao Shun held eight spots, four of which were pre-determined for the main lineage of the Dragon Palace. After multiple rounds of discussions within the direct lineage forces of the Dragon Palace, they were finally decided. The remaining four spots, two of them were for the excellent disciples of all branches of the Northern Sea Dragon Palace to compete for. Each branch selected three candidates, and after several rounds of elimination, the best of the best were chosen to secure the spots. The final two spots were released, offering an opportunity to others in the Dragon Race's affiliated forces.

At the same time, this was also a good opportunity to rally support. Since the Dragon Race retreated to the Four Seas, the growth of their descendants had been too difficult, leading to a gap in the younger generation. The Dragon Palace's influence within the scaled creatures' forces was also gradually declining. It was rumored that some Jiaolong tribes with good bloodlines had developed powerful forces in recent years and were becoming restless.

The release of these two spots was intended, firstly, to give the affiliated Dragon Palace forces a taste of benefits and hope, showing them that following the Dragon Palace could bring rewards. Secondly, it was to leverage the influence of the two great powers of the Primordial Desolation at Mount Sumeru to deter some restless minds.

Ao Shun first had people spread the names of Jieyin and Zhunti, the lords of the West at Mount Sumeru, and then announced the news that the Dragon Palace was preparing to select a few individuals to go to Mount Sumeru to become disciples, notifying all capable individuals from various tribes that they could participate in the selection.

After this news was released, the various tribes following the Dragon Palace gained a deep understanding of the Dragon Palace's foundation and connections. Some restless tribes also temporarily suppressed their restless thoughts and pretended to be loyal subordinates of the Dragon Palace.

By the time Jiang Yun returned to the Dragon Palace with the Mysterious Turtle and Ao Yun, all the selections had been completed, and the eight candidates had been confirmed.

Regarding the criteria for selecting these individuals, Jiang Yun and Ao Shun had discussed it. For disciples who were to join the Western Teachings, their cultivation should not be too high, with priority given to junior disciples.

Firstly, in terms of cultivation, those who had reached the Golden Immortal level and above were important pillars of the Dragon Palace and could not easily leave. Moreover, beings at this level had already begun to forge their own paths, making it difficult to change course.

It was like when Daoist Randeng went to the Jade Void Palace to become a disciple, and Venerable Yuanshi was unwilling to accept him. One reason was that they both listened to the Dao in the Purple Heaven Palace, making them peers, and it would be awkward face-to-face. Another reason was that Randeng already had his own Dao and methods, and his foundation was already established. How could he possibly inherit his Dao and methods? What Randeng sought was merely to latch onto a powerful figure and find a backer.

Therefore, on this point, Jiang Yun's suggestion at the time was that the cultivation should be below the Golden Immortal level.

Secondly, it was to select those of lower seniority, which involved the issue of karma. Although all members of the Dragon Race bore karma, the karma on the descendants would definitely be lighter than that of the older generation. Choosing those of lower seniority was also for this consideration. After all, upon joining the sect, the sect's Fortune and individual Fortune were linked. It was better to bear less karma.

Ultimately, the eight individuals selected were basically at the Mystic Immortal realm. Those with slightly lower cultivation could not reach the end. Among them, the two selected from the Dragon Palace's affiliated forces had truly fought their way through hordes of competitors. Compared to the internally appointed Dragon Palace disciples, apart from their cultivation techniques and bloodlines, they were more outstanding in all other aspects.

After returning to the Northern Sea Dragon Palace, Jiang Yun first met these eight individuals and learned about their situations.

Although the later Primordial Desolation Dragon Race could be trampled by anyone, the Dragon Race bloodline was comparable to the Witch Clan in terms of physical physique. The six individuals from the Dragon Palace among these eight had excellent aptitude. In Jiang Yun's mind, they could all be placed in the same tier as the White Dragon of the Journey to the West.

The remaining two were a Seven-Colored Brocade Carp and a Three-Headed Flood Dragon. Both were anomalies born from the reversion of their bloodlines, possessing very high aptitude. It was just that their cultivation techniques were somewhat ordinary, making them appear less stunning.

As for Ao Yun, he was immediately called over by Ao Shun upon his return to inquire about the journey.

Ao Yun recounted his experiences along the way, describing how Jiang Yun found the opportunity for this trip, how he obtained the Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Wood Spirit Pearl, and how he then easily defeated and killed the group of five robbers from the Northern Sea who tried to ambush them.

Especially the leader of the group, a Nine-Headed Chiwen, who was actually at the late stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, was also easily dealt with by Jiang Yun. This gave Ao Shun a direct assessment of Jiang Yun's combat power.

Then Ao Yun spoke about the awakening of the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, and how it referred to the Ancestor Dragon as a "little loach," and how Jiang Yun used the Aura of Merit to help the Mysterious Turtle break free from the constraints of its physical body and escape danger.

Hearing this, Ao Shun couldn't hold back for a moment and interrupted Ao Yun's narration: "You said the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, and that when it mentioned the Ancestor Dragon, it called him a little loach? Was the turtle next to you when you returned it?"

When asking this question, Ao Shun's tone rose by more than one octave.

These Dragon Kings had some understanding of the old and powerful figures residing in the Four Seas. This was to prevent them from provoking people they shouldn't. The older generation within the clan had specifically educated them on this.

For example, in the Northern Sea, the knowledge provided mentioned the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, a divine-level figure even older than the Ancestor Dragon. Others included Kunpeng in the depths of the Northern Darkness, a rising star who emerged later...

When Jiang Yun brought the Mysterious Turtle back to the Dragon Palace, the Mysterious Turtle had voluntarily restrained its aura, so Ao Shun hadn't noticed it, mistaking it for an ordinary turtle. He never expected it to be the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, such an established powerhouse.

Thinking that Jiang Yun could actually help such a powerful being escape danger and gain its loyalty, Ao Shun felt as if he were listening to a fantasy. His perception of Jiang Yun was constantly being refreshed.

At this point in time, with Old Ancestor Hongjun not yet appearing, a Mysterious Turtle whose physical body had reached the Perfected Hunyuan realm could practically walk sideways. With the protection of this great deity, Jiang Yun's path of growth, as long as he didn't court death himself, was smooth sailing. The only limit to him was himself.