Cleverly Playing the Heavenly Patrol Envoy, Displaying Saintly Might, the Dragon Clan Returns Their Hearts and Offers Their Treasure Vault

The Shrimp Soldiers' panicked report was like cold water poured onto boiling oil, instantly igniting the already tense atmosphere within the Crystal Palace!

"What?! A surprise inspection of the accounts? They're already at the South Heaven Gate?!" Ao Guang's face contorted in shock. He looked sharply at Tongtian, his eyes filled with panic and a plea for help. "Sect Master! This... what are we to do?"

The Heavenly Court's envoy arriving at this critical juncture was no coincidence! They must have sensed something! If Tongtian Sect Master was discovered here, the consequences would be unimaginable! The Dragon Clan would face immediate annihilation!

Saint Mother Wudang's expression also tightened. She subconsciously looked at Tongtian, her Method Power secretly circulating within her. Kui Niu restlessly stomped his hoof on the jade bricks, emitting a dull thud.

Only Tongtian remained outwardly calm, as if the visitor wasn't a harbinger of death but an insignificant guest. He even had the leisure to lightly brush his sleeve and say, "Why the panic? They're just a few hyenas drawn by the scent."

He turned his gaze to Ao Guang, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Ao Guang, go out and greet them normally. Stall for a moment. I will handle things here."

"Sect Master, you..." Ao Guang wanted to say more, but meeting Tongtian's deep, calm eyes, which seemed capable of swallowing all storms, his panic inexplicably subsided. He gritted his teeth and nodded heavily. "Ao Guang obeys! I entrust everything to you, Sect Master!"

He took a deep breath, adjusted his dragon robe and crown, forced a semblance of the Dragon King of the East Sea's majesty onto his face, and strode out of the hall. At the same time, he shouted, "Sound the bells! Gather the generals! Accompany this King to welcome the Heavenly Envoy!"

Instantly, the Dragon Palace bells pealed loudly. The somewhat flustered Dragon Palace immediately began to operate like a massive machine. Squadrons of elite Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, along with Dragon Palace civil and military officials, rapidly converged towards the palace gates. The grand display showcased the Dragon Palace's prestige—no matter what, the outward show had to be put on first.

Inside the Crystal Palace, only Tongtian and the other two remained.

"Master, should we leave immediately?" Saint Mother Wudang asked anxiously. While she trusted her Master, the other party was still a Heavenly Court envoy, representing Haotian Shangdi. Once discovered, it would be immense trouble.

"Leave? Why should we leave?" Tongtian smiled faintly, but his smile held a hint of cold mockery. "Since they've come, we must give them a 'welcome gift'."

With a thought, he communicated with the System: "System, exchange for a 'Small-Scale Spacetime Stasis Talisman (one-time use)', covering the Crystal Palace area."

[Instruction received. 150 Contribution Points consumed, exchange successful. Ready, can be activated at any time. Effect: Small-scale spacetime stasis for three breaths. Grand Unity Golden Immortals and below cannot detect abnormalities.]

At the same time, he looked at Wudang and Kui Niu. "Conceal all your auras and follow me."

He stepped out, his figure like a phantom, silently gliding towards the row of massive Coiled Dragon Golden Pillars on the side of the main hall, which were used for decoration and to support the ceiling. Though Wudang and Kui Niu didn't understand why, they immediately complied and followed closely.

Arriving behind the thickest pillar, intricately carved with nine five-clawed golden dragons, each with a large Luminous Pearl in its mouth, Tongtian flicked out a wisp of Chaos Qi, enveloping the two and the bull.

Instantly, their figures and auras completely vanished, as if they had merged into the pillar's shadow, leaving no trace. This was the wondrous effect of Chaos Qi, distorting light and isolating perception. Unless a peak Quasi-Saint or a Saint themselves arrived, it would be extremely difficult to detect them.

Just as they concealed themselves, clamor arose outside the Crystal Palace.

Ao Guang's resonant and respectful (at least on the surface) voice rang out: "I was unaware of the Heavenly Patrol Envoy's arrival. Ao Guang has failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!"

An arrogant and cold voice followed, utterly unceremonious: "Ao Guang, spare me the pleasantries! This envoy is acting under the Heavenly Emperor's decree to inspect the East Sea Dragon Palace's accounts for the past century. We will proceed immediately! Lead the way to your treasury and accountant's office!"

"Envoy, you must have had a long journey. Why not rest in a side hall for a moment, partake in some fine wine, and allow Ao Guang to fulfill his duties as host, and then..." Ao Guang attempted to stall.

"No need!" the envoy interrupted directly, his tone growing impatient. "How can the Heavenly Emperor's decree be delayed? Ao Guang, your repeated evasions—does the Dragon Palace's accounting have something shameful to hide? Or perhaps... you are harboring someone within your Dragon Palace who shouldn't be here?!"

The last sentence was a sharp interrogation, laced with a subtle pressure of spiritual power! The envoy's cultivation was not weak; he had already reached the peak of Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

Ao Guang felt a pang of despair, nearly breaking out in a cold sweat, unsure how to respond.

Just then—buzz! An invisible yet boundless pressure, like a slumbering ancient divine dragon awakening, descended upon the entire Crystal Palace without warning!

This pressure did not target the body but acted directly upon the depths of the Primordial Spirit! It carried supreme Dao rhythm, a trace of ancientness and vastness seemingly from the dawn of creation, and more... an absolute status transcending all beings, possessed only by a Saint of the Heavenly Dao!

Though it was fleeting, as brief as an illusion, it was indelibly imprinted upon the souls of all beings within the Crystal Palace at that moment!

The arrogant Heavenly Patrol Envoy, as if his throat had been choked, fell silent. The arrogance on his face instantly turned into boundless terror and shock. His body trembled uncontrollably, his legs went weak, and he nearly fell to his knees!

The Heavenly Generals accompanying him fared even worse, immediately collapsing with a "plop," their faces ashen, unable to lift their heads.

Dragon King Ao Guang and the surrounding Dragon Palace officials also stiffened, feeling the soul-shattering pressure. However, they were more bewildered and shocked, not understanding what had happened.

The entire Crystal Palace fell into a deathly silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Three breaths passed in the blink of an eye.

That terrifying Saintly Might receded like a tide, as if it had never appeared.

But the cold sweat on everyone and their still trembling legs proved it was no illusion.

"Wh-what was that just now..." the Heavenly Patrol Envoy stammered, looking around in fear and uncertainty. He could be 100% sure that it was Saintly Might! Although it seemed... faint and different? It was definitely the aura of a Saint!

Could it be that this East Sea Dragon Palace truly had a Saint visiting?! Which one? And why here?

The thought of his own arrogance moments ago possibly offending a Saint sent him into a state of utter panic! Below the Saint, all are ants! Let alone a mere envoy, even Haotian Shangdi himself would have to treat a Saint with respect!

Ao Guang's heart pounded, but he reacted instantly—this must be the Sect Master's doing! Although he didn't understand how the Sect Master could emit Saintly Might, this was undoubtedly a brilliant plan to resolve the crisis!

He immediately put on an act, his face displaying the appropriate fear, confusion, and a hint of "Why did you only notice now?" He leaned closer to the envoy, lowering his voice: "Envoy, you felt it too? Alas, this matter, this King did not wish to publicize. It is just that someone visited temporarily and had urgent matters to instruct our Dragon Clan to handle, specifically requesting absolute secrecy. You see this inspection..."

He left his words half-finished, leaving plenty of room for imagination.

The envoy heard this and was even more terrified! It was indeed a Saint! And a secret visit at that! He had almost ruined a Saint's important affairs! If the higher-ups found out, he wouldn't even know how he died!

How could he dare to inspect any accounts? He wished he could sprout wings and fly away from this place of trouble! The less one knew about a Saint's affairs, the better!

"So that's how it is!" The envoy quickly wiped his sweat, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. His voice became a hundred times more polite. "It was my rudeness! I didn't know who had visited. Your Highness, please forgive me, forgive me! This inspection can wait for another day, another day! This envoy suddenly remembered urgent matters in the Heavenly Court and will not disturb Your Highness and that esteemed guest! Farewell, farewell!"

He babbled incoherently, not daring to ask which Saint it was. He turned and fled with his subordinates, their speed ten times faster than when they arrived, as if pursued by a ferocious beast from the Great Desolation.

Ao Guang watched their pathetic retreat and let out a long sigh of relief. His dragon robe was already soaked through with cold sweat. He steadied himself and hurried back to the Crystal Palace.

Inside the palace, Tongtian and the others emerged from behind the golden pillars, as if they had never moved.

"Sect Master's Spiritual Power is immeasurable! Ao Guang is utterly convinced!" Ao Guang bowed sincerely. Today, he had truly witnessed the methods of this former Saint. Even a tiger in decline was still beyond their comprehension.

Tongtian smiled faintly. "Just a small trick to scare off the petty ones. After this incident, the Heavenly Court should not dare to trouble the Dragon Palace easily for some time."

He had merely asked the System to temporarily simulate a trace of extremely weak "Saintly Might" mixed with Chaos Qi, coupled with the illusion created by the spacetime stasis, successfully bluffing the envoy. A true Saint, even a mere trace of their aura, was absolutely unbearable for a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. The envoy, guilty of his own conscience, had scared himself witless.

Ao Guang was even more delighted to hear this, as it undoubtedly solved a huge problem for the Dragon Clan! His gaze towards Tongtian completely changed. No longer was it just respect born from old friendship, but more awe for a powerful being and anticipation for the future!

Sect Master Tongtian might truly be able to lead the Dragon Clan down a different path!

At this point, Ao Guang had no more hesitation!

He suddenly knelt on one knee, performing the most solemn ritual of the Dragon Clan, and said with solemnity, "Sect Master! The Dragon Clan of the East Sea is willing to exert all its strength to help you ascend the Great Dao once more! If you have any commands, we will not shrink from death!"

This time, it was true submission and allegiance!

Tongtian looked at him and nodded, "Very good. Rise. Remember the choice you made today, and the Dragon Clan will not regret it."

"Ao Guang understands!" Ao Guang rose, his face now resolute, "Sect Master, please follow me!"

He led Tongtian through layers of heavily guarded palaces and secret passages, finally arriving before a massive bronze gate covered in ancient dragon clan restrictive formations. The gate was carved with a depiction of ten thousand dragons paying homage, exuding an ancient and vast aura.

This was the true core treasure trove of the Dragon Palace of the East Sea! Its secrecy far surpassed what the Heavenly Court envoy could have imagined earlier.

Ao Guang took out the Dragon King's seal, squeezed out a few drops of his vital blood, and combined it with an incredibly complex incantation to painstakingly open the giant bronze gate.

The moment the gate opened, a boundless spiritual energy mixed with the radiance of treasures surged out, almost flooding the entire passage!

Even Tongtian, who had seen much, couldn't help but show a flicker of surprise in his eyes at the sight beyond the gate.

Beyond the gate lay a vast, independent space, like a small world. Countless rare treasures were piled up like mountains: ten-thousand-year-old Ganoderma, nine-turn immortal herbs, Star Gold, Heavenly River Xuan Ice... a dazzling array, the light of which was almost blinding. There were also many unique treasures of the Dragon Clan, such as Dragon Blood Crystals, Reverse Scale Divine Iron, and Inheritance Dragon Pearls...

Their quantity and quality far exceeded external imagination! This was the true foundation of the Dragon Clan, which had dominated the Four Seas for countless eons!

"Sect Master!" Ao Guang pointed to this vast treasure vault, his tone filled with pride and resolve, "This is but one-tenth of what my Dragon Palace of the East Sea has accumulated! Please take whatever you need! If it's not enough, Ao Guang can contact my brothers in the West Sea, South Sea, and North Sea!"

Tongtian looked at this ocean of resources, enough to move even a Saint, and slowly took a deep breath.

Activating resources, they were finally within reach!

His path of Primordial Unity would officially accelerate from here!