I Don't Believe It, Unless...

The waves surged up to several hundred zhang, blotting out the sky and sun. The whole of Tianling Island was shrouded in shadow.

The waves rose like mountains, towering and motionless, yet seeming ready to crash down at any moment and swallow Tianling Island whole.

Standing atop the waves was a Dragon Person in a black robe, with pale cheeks, blue hair, and white dragon horns. His presence was astonishing.

This was Prince Guang.

Mu Zibai drew in a sharp breath and marveled inwardly. So this is a prince of the Dragon Palace? He's at the Phoenix Nirvana Realm, and his strength is actually this incredible. He can raise waves like these with a mere lift of his hand.

He had the air of someone who could overturn the heavens and earth, casually borrowing the power of the world.

It would be a lie to say Mu Zibai felt no pressure. Seeing this imposing presence, he furrowed his brow. If King Qi weren't backing him, he would have made himself scarce long ago.

Reason with a powerhouse like this? You might not even get a word out before he slapped you, a little ant, to death.

"His strength is even greater than before." King Qi's brows drew together. He reached out, and a long sword appeared in his hand.

He gripped the hilt, tossed the sword, and drew it from its scabbard. A blade of Sword Qi slashed into the waves in an instant, and the sky-darkening wall of water collapsed.

Seeing this, Prince Guang clasped his hands behind his back and flew through the air toward them.

"He's testing me." King Qi saw through Prince Guang's intention—to gauge the true extent of his strength—and returned his sword to its scabbard.

Mu Zibai stared at the sword in King Qi's hand. What a fast sword. He hadn't seen how King Qi had moved at all. He'd only felt a gust of wind, and then the waves had been shattered.

"Jiang Wuya, it's been years since we last met. Your strength has surpassed what it was before." Prince Guang's voice was calm, but his invisible pressure bore down on everyone before him.

"I'm just muddling through the days. Unlike you, Prince Guang—you've lived this long and still haven't died." King Qi waved a hand, putting on an unconcerned air as he dispelled Prince Guang's pressure.

Mu Zibai looked up and glanced at Prince Guang. Even that brief look brought a wave of oppression. His gaze seemed calm, yet it was like a blade.

So this is the intimidation of a powerhouse?

"Where's my son?" Prince Guang got straight to the point and asked where Ao Ying Tian was. His divine sense probed Tianling Temple, only for King Qi to cut it off at once.

King Qi smiled and said, "You'll see him soon enough. Let's talk about the ransom first."

He put particular emphasis on the word "ransom," deliberately reminding Prince Guang that without the money, he wouldn't be getting his son back.

Prince Guang's aura sank, and his expression darkened.

"What do you want? You must have already discussed it. Just say it."

"Why don't you tell us what you brought first?" King Qi said with a smile, always adhering to his principle of service with a smile.

Prince Guang tossed a bag to King Qi, his expression dark as he said, "This should be enough. Ask for more, and you'll be pushing your luck."

King Qi caught it and swept it with his divine sense. His smile grew even brighter. "Not bad. You can have your son back. But let me remind you: keep your son in line. If there's a next time, it won't be this easy."

Prince Guang said nothing, but his gloomy gaze could kill.

Though his face looked calm, it was clear he was already carving King Qi into a thousand pieces in his heart.

Before long, Mu Zibai and Jiang Yuyu brought Ao Ying Tian up and dumped him in front of Prince Guang.

"I'm truly sorry. There was a little accident, and the Crown Prince was hurt by mistake." Wenren Longhong wore an apologetic expression. "I really didn't expect the Crown Prince to be so frail, unable to withstand a bit of rough handling."

Ao Ying Tian didn't even dare lift his head. Terrified, he knew he'd disgraced his father today. His heart was uneasy, and he feared his father might slap him to death.

He called out weakly, "Father."

Seeing Ao Ying Tian like this, Prince Guang's expression finally shifted. A hint of anger showed as he asked in a low voice, "Who did this?"

His gaze swept over everyone except King Qi.

His dragon horns had been snapped, and even his Dragon Sinew had been ripped out. They'd nearly shattered his Dragon Pearl too. What an utter humiliation!

King Qi said with a smile, "My old friend, it was just children roughhousing. It was an accident. Why be so petty? You'd seem a little childish, wouldn't you? Next time you visit my home, should I seat you at the children's table?"

Prince Guang suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth. His expression remained composed as he asked, "And my son's Dragon Sinew and dragon horns?"

King Qi clicked his tongue, sounding surprised. "You want the Dragon Sinew and dragon horns too? I'm terribly sorry, but I don't have them here."

"Hmm?" Prince Guang gave a puzzled grunt.

Wenren Longhong said with a smile, "I'm truly sorry. That night, it was my good-for-nothing brother-in-law who defeated the Crown Prince. My brother-in-law had only just entered the Mystic Armor Realm and couldn't control his strength. He accidentally ripped out the Crown Prince's Dragon Sinew. But that should count as spoils of war, and belongs to my brother-in-law. It isn't part of the ransom."

Prince Guang looked at Wenren Longhong, then glanced at Mu Zibai. His gaze was deep, and he seemed somewhat surprised.

"Give me the Dragon Sinew." Prince Guang held out his hand, asking Mu Zibai for it.

Wenren Longhong gave Mu Zibai a look. Mu Zibai nodded slightly.

"That won't do. I'm going to use it for a belt. Just imagine how impressive a belt made from a Dragon Person Crown Prince's Dragon Sinew would be." Mu Zibai stroked his chin. "And I heard dragon horns can be used in medicine. My wife just woke up, so she needs to build up her strength."

Prince Guang's face turned black in an instant. He hadn't expected Ao Ying Tian's Dragon Sinew to be ripped out and his dragon horns snapped.

He'd already been disgraced, and now Mu Zibai wanted to make a belt from Ao Ying Tian's Dragon Sinew. That was his own son's Dragon Sinew. His son might be useless, but he was still his son.

Without his Dragon Sinew, Ao Ying Tian would likely be a cripple for the rest of his life.

"Give me the Dragon Sinew. I'm willing to pay you a price you'll find satisfactory. How about it?"

Prince Guang stepped forward, bringing pressure to bear on Mu Zibai.

A greenhorn thought he could profit at his expense? If King Qi weren't here, he would have wiped out every one of these ants long ago.

Mu Zibai shook his head. "I don't believe you."

"I didn't bring that many things with me. Don't worry, I'm not the sort to break my word. I guarantee I'll give you something satisfactory. How about it?"

"If you want me to believe you, I can—but only if..." Mu Zibai stroked his chin and thought it over. "Only if *******."

He even put on a simple, kind smile. Look how sincere my smile is.

Prince Guang: "..."

Prince Guang sank into deep silence. It wasn't just him—even the people on Mu Zibai's side fell silent.

That hadn't been part of what they'd agreed on beforehand. It was completely beyond everyone's expectations.

Those words left everyone utterly dumbfounded.

His fury was plain to see. Prince Guang's face was no longer merely dark; it had gone rigid, as if he were pondering the meaning of life. Perhaps, in all his long life as a dragon, this was the first time he'd heard words so baffling they made his brain catch fire.