The Future Rulers of Heaven and Earth?
[Ding! An invitation from Zhulong has been detected. Please make the following choice.]
[Choose option 1: Agree to go to the Dragon Palace, reward: Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, Flat Peach Tree.]
[Option 2: Refuse to go; reward: one Flat Peach.]
Just as Ling Xiao was about to refuse, the system presented him with a choice.
"The Flat Peach Tree..."
Ling Xiao paused for a moment, then thought that for the sake of the Flat Peach Tree, he should go and pay a visit.
He could still tell which was more important, a single peach or a peach tree.
"System, I choose option one."
Ling Xiao made his choice immediately; he also wanted to know what tricks Old Dragon was up to.
Under the expectant yet apprehensive gaze of the Old Dragon, Ling Xiao slowly spoke.
"Lead the way."
Old Dragon's aged face suddenly looked several years younger, radiant with health.
"Fellow Daoist, this way please."
He extended a respectful invitation, offering the highest honors of the Dragon Clan, his expression becoming solemn.
Ling Xiao nodded and sent Di Jun and Tai Yi, informing them of his whereabouts and telling them to continue collecting rare and precious materials and not to worry about him.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and looked at the Three Xiao Sisters were uneasy, pitiful, weak, and helpless.
"From now on, when we are not around, you will be in charge of the Three Immortal Islands."
"If anyone dares to offend me, or if anyone is disobedient, tell him my name!"
Before the three sisters could respond, he followed the Old Dragon and disappeared into the sea.
He had obviously considered this before doing so. From the brief interaction just now, he could tell that the Three Xiao Sisters were of a very kind nature and were good candidates to be stewards.
The Three Xiao Sisters stared blankly at Ling Xiao's departing figure, as if they had turned into stone statues for a moment.
They came and went in a hurry, leaving only a fleeting impression, yet they have already left indelible marks on their young minds.
At the bottom of the East Sea, magnificent palaces stand side by side, quietly nestled on the seabed, stretching as far as the eye can see.
There is a mysterious array enveloping this place, which keeps these palaces safe and sound even in the depths of the ocean, just like they are on land.
Ling Xiao glanced at it and immediately had a strange feeling, as if he had arrived in the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Court of his imagination.
This place is too magnificent. Towering walls have been transformed into palace gates, and stone pillars as thick as mountains demonstrate what it means to be a starved camel that is still bigger than a horse.
Although the Dragon Clan has declined, its grandeur remains, and its residences are truly luxurious.
It's like everyone else has a one-bedroom apartment, Dragon Clan has an eight-story villa with a backyard where you can ride horses.
"My humble abode is simple and unassuming; I hope you will forgive my shortcomings, fellow Daoist," the Old Dragon said modestly upon arriving at the main hall of the Dragon Palace.
Ling Xiao glanced at the gemstones and celestial gold inlaid on the palace gate and said with a smile, "It is indeed rather simple. I'll help you fix it up when I have time."
"Uh... Ao Zhan, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and prepare, bring out all the most precious immortal wine and immortal fruits to entertain Ling Xiao!"
Old Dragon quickly changed the subject, realizing he had said the wrong thing. He sensed something was off about Ling Xiao's gaze, which made him uneasy.
"I'll go right away!" Ao Zhan nodded emphatically and jogged off to make arrangements, showing no trace of his role as a Dragon Clan leader.
This left the younger generation of the Dragon Clan dumbfounded, unable to understand what had gotten into their patriarch today.
Meanwhile, they were also secretly observing this somewhat unfamiliar guest.
A little while later.
With everything arranged, Ling Xiao sat in the main seat of the Dragon Palace, eating immortal fruits and drinking immortal wine. Opposite him sat the Old Dragon and Ao Zhan, who were also smiling as they accompanied him.
Seeing this, Ling Xiao calmly asked, "Old Dragon, you invited me to the Dragon Palace, there must be something you want to discuss."
"Just say it, I can't do it anyway!"
Old Dragon and Ao Zhan performed a fancy face-changing act. Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, they smiled brightly, but froze instantly when they heard the second half, completely falling flat on their faces.
What kind of talk is that?
"Haha, Fellow Ling Xiao is joking." Old Dragon laughed to ease the awkwardness, and then continued.
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with us, we just have a small question we'd like to ask you, fellow Daoist."
The Old Dragon said this with a sincere expression. He invited Ling Xiao to the Dragon Palace as a guest mainly to build a closer relationship and lay the groundwork for the future. Asking for advice was only a secondary reason.
After all, given their relationship, it hasn't reached the point where they should be helping each other.
"Ask for advice? Tell me first." Ling Xiao took a sip of the immortal wine, feeling somewhat curious. It sounded quite interesting that the Dragon Clan wanted to ask him questions.
"Then I will speak," the Old Dragon chuckled, looking extremely weak.
"My question is, what are your views on the future of the Dragon Clan?"
He didn't keep you in suspense, stating directly that his aged face had a pair of bright, deep, and piercing eyes, shining like stars.
At that moment, he was radiant and full of energy.
"The future of the Dragon Clan?" Ling Xiao paused, then shook his head and smiled, saying, "You probably already know the answer to this question, so why ask me?"
"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, I have long recognized your extraordinary abilities. I would like to hear your opinion."
Old Dragon said with a serious expression, showing that he took this issue very seriously.
"You really want to hear it?" Ling Xiao asked.
"Please speak plainly, fellow Daoist," the Old Dragon pleaded.
Ling Xiao nodded, put down his cup, his eyes flickered, and said, "The Dragon Clan has no future."
"Or rather, the future belongs only to the descendants of the dragon!"
The last four words were emphasized, with particular stress.
"Descendants of the dragon?" The Old Dragon was stunned, his gaze filled with suspicion and confusion.
What are the descendants of the dragon?
That's too abstract!
"Fellow Daoist, I don't quite understand. Could you please explain?"
"You'll understand later." Ling Xiao didn't say it explicitly; he was just being witty. It was normal that the Old Dragon didn't understand, since it was the way things were said in his world.
Ling Xiao knew that the Old Dragon was still thinking about the revitalization of the Dragon Clan and wanted to return to its position as the protagonist of the world.
But what he didn't know was that there would only be one protagonist in the world from now on.
Dragon Clan? No way!
The Witch Clan – No way!
Demon race -- No way!
Human Race -- Okay!
The Old Dragon's desire to revitalize the Dragon Clan is utterly impossible, meaning it has no future. Not only is it impossible, but it might even be reduced to a tool dragon, solely responsible for bringing rain to various regions.
You can't just place any bets; placing too many or too few could get you beheaded.
"Fellow Daoist, please enlighten me, I really don't understand!" Old Dragon was getting anxious. Just when the mystery was about to be revealed, Ling Xiao suddenly started speaking in riddles, which made him very uncomfortable.
"Let's not talk about that now." Ling Xiao stood up, glanced around the palace, and said, "It's too simple. Let me help you tidy it up."
"Also, take me to your Dragon Clan's treasure vault. This place must be well protected. Since we're here, we can't just eat and drink for free; let me do my part."
Upon hearing this, Old Dragon was stunned. What did this mean?
Free food and drinks, and you want to take them all home?