Dragon Clan Acknowledges a Master, Hongjun's Secret Delight

Chen Xuan could not help asking Ao Ping, "Fellow Daoist Ao Ping, this Dragon Pearl is...?"

Ao Ping reached out, took the Dragon Pearl, and presented it before Chen Xuan. "I trust Senior Azure Lotus can sense the aura upon this Dragon Pearl."

"This Dragon Pearl belonged to the Ancestral Dragon, patriarch of our Dragon Clan. Ever since Patriarch Ancestral Dragon sacrificed his soul to the Heavenly Dao, this Dragon Pearl has remained within the Dragon Clan."

"Though it has been revered as the Dragon Clan's supreme treasure, it has always been dim and without luster. Yet just as Senior Azure Lotus established a Daoist sanctuary in the East Sea, this Dragon Pearl began to emit wave after wave of light."

"Thus, this junior believes that this Dragon Pearl is fated to be with Senior Azure Lotus. That is why I have brought it as a congratulatory gift for you, Senior."

Just as Chen Xuan had expected, this Dragon Pearl truly was the Dragon Pearl of the Dragon Clan's patriarch, the Ancestral Dragon.

Precisely because it was the Ancestral Dragon's Dragon Pearl, Chen Xuan could not casually accept it. Otherwise, he would have to repay this karmic debt.

Thus, Chen Xuan immediately said, "Since it is the Dragon Clan's supreme treasure, it should remain with the Dragon Clan. How could I take what another cherishes?"

Seeing Chen Xuan refuse, Ao Ping immediately said, "Senior Azure Lotus, you must not refuse. Otherwise, this junior will be unable to speak the words that follow."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan reached out to help Ao Ping up and said, "Tell me what you wish to say first. It will not be too late for me to decide whether to accept it afterward."

Ao Ping did not refuse. He immediately said to Chen Xuan, "Senior Azure Lotus may not know this, but this junior's end is near. I do not have many days left."

"Therefore, this junior hopes that Senior Azure Lotus can look after the descendants of my Dragon Clan in my stead."

"Of course, this junior does not dare hope that Senior Azure Lotus will do anything for the Dragon Clan."

"As long as the Dragon Clan can avoid being bullied by other races and continue our bloodline within the East Sea, that will be enough."

Upon hearing Ao Ping's words, Chen Xuan did not refuse. He nodded at once and said,

"I agree to this. Moreover, I believe that the East Sea alone is insufficient for the Dragon Clan's inheritance to continue. Why not include the southern, western, and northern seas as Dragon Clan territory as well?"

"Do you not have four sons? They may each serve as one of the Four Sea Dragon Kings, responsible for governing all Dragon Clan members beneath heaven and moving clouds and bringing rain across the Primordial World."

"As long as your Dragon Clan faithfully fulfills its duties, you will surely gain merit to cleanse away your karmic sin. By then, it may not be impossible to break through the Heavenly Dao's restrictions."

Not only had Chen Xuan agreed to his request, he had even allowed the Dragon Clan to dwell in the Four Seas. Ao Ping was immensely grateful and immediately bowed to Chen Xuan once more in thanks.

The next moment, Ao Ping shot straight into the sky and swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao.

"From this day forward, my Dragon Clan shall serve as protectors of Azure Lotus Palace. We shall guard the Four Seas for the Green Lotus Daoist. Every member of my Dragon Clan shall faithfully fulfill their duties, or suffer eternal damnation beyond ten thousand tribulations. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."

As Ao Ping made his Heavenly Dao oath, a thunderclap rang out from the heavens, accepting the oath he had sworn.

And as the Heavenly Dao acknowledged Ao Ping's oath, Ao Ping unexpectedly felt some of the karmic sin upon him begin to recede.

At the same time, Chen Xuan felt an immense burden of karmic sin appear upon his body. It was so heavy that he almost felt unable to breathe.

Fortunately, the instant that karmic sin appeared, a stream of Mysterious Yellow Qi rose with it. In but a moment, it completely dissolved the karmic sin.

Even so, Chen Xuan could not help sighing. "A race punished by the Heavenly Dao truly is not something an ordinary person can bear."

"No wonder that even at the Demon Race's height of prosperity, Dijun and Taiyi never considered taking in the ancient Three Clans. So they really could not endure that burden of karmic sin."

Chen Xuan was right. The karmic sin borne by the ancient Three Clans was incomparably immense. In the end, it was only because Haotian became the Heavenly Emperor, with Hongjun as his backing, that he dared to take in the Dragon Clan.

Meanwhile, Ao Ping revealed his true form: a black colossal dragon stretching ten thousand li. He began circling endlessly above Azure Lotus Island, releasing earth-shaking dragon roars one after another.

Soon, Ao Ping's four sons also transformed into their true dragon forms and flew into the air.

The Dragon Clan members who had remained outside Azure Lotus Island likewise transformed into true dragons, circling ceaselessly over the island.

For a time, dragon roars spread throughout the Primordial World. Every cultivator in the Primordial World came to know that there was a Green Lotus Daoist in the East Sea.

After all, anyone who dared take the ancient Three Clans as protectors was absolutely worthy of being firmly remembered.

At the same time, within Purple Cloud Palace on Jade Qiong Mountain, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Hongjun's lips.

"You actually made the Dragon Clan your protectors. Now this poor Daoist need no longer worry that you will attain the Dao and become a saint before me."

Hongjun was beyond delighted. He had always feared that Chen Xuan would attain the Dao before him, completely cutting off his chance to control the Primordial World.

Now that Chen Xuan had accepted the Dragon Clan as protectors, he would have to cleanse the Dragon Clan's karmic sin. It was already absolutely impossible for him to attain the Dao before Hongjun.

Even so, Hongjun did not dare waste a single moment. The next instant, he immersed himself in the Fortune Jade Disk and began comprehending the Three Thousand Laws.

At this moment, Yang Mei Ancestor, who was sorting out the spiritual veins in the west, could not help but change expression. "Fellow Daoist Green Lotus, what folly."

Even Yin-Yang Ancestor and Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor gazed toward the East Sea and sighed. Then, as though by prior agreement, they headed directly for the East Sea.

At the same time, the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun Mountain had sealed off their Daoist sanctuary and were making their way to the East Sea.

Even the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers of Ancestral Sorcerer Hall were likewise heading toward the East Sea.

However, they did not feel worried in the slightest. Instead, they felt that their master was formidable indeed, able even to subdue the Dragon Clan.

Seeing the Dragon Clan make such a huge commotion, Chen Xuan was also full of helplessness.

But they were clearly building momentum for him, so he could hardly interrupt them. He could only shake his head and wait.

Fortunately, it did not last long before Ao Ping returned before Chen Xuan with his four sons.

Chen Xuan did not waste words and immediately said, "Ao Ping, from this day onward, remain here on Azure Lotus Island."

"As for your four sons, once they return, have each of them lead their clansmen to take over the waters of the Four Seas."

Ao Ping answered in acknowledgment, then turned to instruct his four sons.

"Ao Guang, from this day onward, you shall be the Vast Virtue King of the East Sea. Ao Qin, you shall be the Vast Benefit King of the South Sea. Ao Run, you shall be the Vast Compliance King of the West Sea. Ao Shun, you shall be the Vast Grace King of the North Sea."

"After returning, each of you shall lead your dragon sons and dragon descendants to the Four Seas and govern the waters in all directions for your master."

The four Ao Guang brothers answered Ao Ping in acknowledgment together. They also did not forget to bow to Chen Xuan before turning and leaving Azure Lotus Island.

After sending off the four Ao Guang brothers, Chen Xuan turned his gaze toward Ao Ping.

"Your vitality is about to be extinguished. I hope the Three Lights Divine Water can prolong your life."