Many members of the Water Race gazed at the gradually fading golden light, envy written across their faces.
The golden light vanished, and the Dragon Gate River grew calm again.
Fang Yun and the others once more turned toward the white dragon Ao Hai at the riverbed.
Ao Hai suddenly spoke from beneath the water.
"The Western Sea Dragon Palace has received word that the Demon Barbarians are using sorcery to steal the Dragon Gate's power. I am disrupting all the undercurrents, not targeting the Literary Star Dragon Noble alone. If my actions are improper, the Literary Star Dragon Noble may punish me once the Dragon Gate closes."
Fang Yun froze, then understood at once and immediately looked toward the unfamiliar Demon Kings and Barbarian Kings. The Great Demon Kings, Great Barbarian Kings, and Demon Barbarians of the Ancestral God Clan in the Demon Realm were bound to covet the Dragon Gate's power, but they could not enter the Dragon Gate, so they were certain to act in secret. This had troubled him earlier, but he had not expected his unease to be vindicated so quickly.
Now Ao Hai had a perfectly adequate excuse.
Ao Qingyue said quietly, "Ao Hai has grown cleverer. He no longer defies you directly. He merely disrupts the undercurrents, and he has found a justification."
After speaking to Fang Yun, Ao Qingyue turned toward Ao Hai and sneered. "Why did you choose neither earlier nor later, but precisely when Fang Yun was about to leap through the Dragon Gate, to disrupt them?"
"Coincidence." Ao Hai's voice rose from the riverbed.
"Do you believe that yourself?" Ao Qingyue asked.
Ao Hai remained silent.
Fang Yun gave Ao Hai one last look, then began carefully observing the river water before the Dragon Gate.
At the level of