The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe Pledged Allegiance, and Lu Chen Became an Ancestor

Lu Chen looked at the system options, his feelings complicated.

"Detected: the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe has come to pledge allegiance. Please choose."

"First: Accept the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe and grant them an inner sect residence within Dragon-Suppressing Pass. Reward: completion of the second layer of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method."

"Second: Reject the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe and avoid entanglement in the Turtle Clan's karma. Reward: one bottle of Turtle Breath Pills."

"Third: Absorb the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe's fortune and strengthen the Black Tortoise True Form. Reward: an elevation of the Black Tortoise bloodline."

Lu Chen's gaze landed on the first option, and he could barely look away.

Completion of the second layer of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method.

This reward was far too crucial.

He had previously received several incomplete fragments, and the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method had gradually become more complete.

But the further this divine ability progressed, the more complicated it became.

The connections between the Old Shell, the true body, karma, Merit, and destiny far exceeded those of an ordinary escape technique.

If the second layer were completed, his control over shedding his shell and escaping would rise tremendously.

When facing the Heaven-Mending Death Tribulation in the future, he would have a little more certainty as well.

The second reward, Turtle Breath Pills, sounded utterly ordinary.

As for absorbing the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe's fortune, Lu Chen skipped straight past it.

He might fear death, but he was not so deranged as to devour the Fortune of his own kind.

Besides, the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had been driven to a dead end by the Dragon Clan. If he truly devoured them, how would he be any different from the Dragon Clan?

"First option."

"Congratulations. You have obtained completion of the second layer of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method."

The system's voice fell silent.

A vast stretch of profound Dao patterns surged into Lu Chen's Primordial Spirit.

Joy instantly welled up in his heart.

With the second layer completed, the operation of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method became far clearer.

The first layer merely allowed him to nurture new life beneath the Old Shell.

The second layer allowed him to gradually transfer part of his karma onto the Old Shell.

This step was immensely important.

If Nuwa truly came to slay the Black Tortoise in the future, then what she cut down would be the Old Shell bearing part of his karma.

Lu Chen's true body would then have a chance to quietly escape with the Guixu Womb Membrane.

Of course, this was still far from enough.

A Saint's karma was too heavy.

The Heaven-Mending Merit was too immense.

Relying on the second layer alone, completely escaping Nuwa's grasp was still unrealistic.

But the path ahead was becoming clearer and clearer.

Lu Chen was in high spirits.

The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had arrived at exactly the right time.

Still, this business of calling him an ancestor had to be corrected.

Outside Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

Ancestor Xuan Jia was still kneeling in the Blackwater.

Behind him stood several thousand members of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe.

The young turtles of the clan were protected at the very center.

Most of these young turtles had yet to take human form. They lay on the backs of their elders, staring at Dragon-Suppressing Pass with round, wide eyes full of curiosity and nervousness.

Ancestor Xuan Jia was not calm either.

He had lived for a very long time.

Long enough to witness the rise and fall of countless clans across the Northern Sea.

Yet he had never seen such a mysterious great expert of the Turtle Clan.

Sleeping in Guixu.

Not contending with the three clans.

Using a single Dharma Body to drive back the Blackwater Dragon King.

Even establishing the Book of Cause and Effect to protect a path of survival for all clans.

If such an existence did not count as an ancestor of the Turtle Clan, then who did?

At that moment, the Black Tortoise Dharma Body slowly condensed above Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The instant Ancestor Xuan Jia saw that Dharma Body, his entire body shook violently.

That ancient, weighty, boundless aura made even his bloodline tremble.

The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe cultivated the path of tortoise-shell defense.

The deeper one's bloodline, the more clearly one could sense the Black Tortoise origin contained within Lu Chen's Dharma Body.

In Ancestor Xuan Jia's eyes, that was no ordinary Black Tortoise.

It was a shadow at the very end of the Turtle Clan's Great Dao.

Tears streamed down Ancestor Xuan Jia's aged face as he slammed his head against the seabed.

"Unworthy descendants of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe greet our ancestor!"

Several thousand members of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe behind him kowtowed in unison.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Their voices echoed outside Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

Lu Chen's head began to ache.

He knew this would happen.

"I am not your ancestor."

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Xuan Jia became even more excited.

"Ancestor does not wish to oppress others through bloodline. This junior understands!"

Lu Chen: "..."

What exactly did you understand?

I really am not!

Ancestor Xuan Jia continued, "This junior knows that an existence like you, Ancestor, has long transcended the narrow views of ordinary clans."

"But the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe has been forced by the Dragon Clan, and our young turtles nearly ended up being offered for armor refinement."

"Now, throughout the Northern Sea, only Guixu can offer my clan a sliver of hope."

"I beg Ancestor to show mercy and permit my clan to enter Guixu."

Lu Chen fell silent for a moment.

He actually did not want to keep dwelling on the matter of being called an ancestor.

Because he had already realized that the more he explained, the worse it got.

It had been the same with Lan Shuang.

It was the same with Ancestor Xuan Jia.

He simply stopped explaining.

"You may enter Guixu."

"You will submit to the Book of Cause and Effect's scrutiny."

"You will obey Guixu's rules."

"You are not to cause trouble outside in my name."

Ancestor Xuan Jia did not hesitate in the slightest.

"This junior obeys!"

The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe began undergoing the Book of Cause and Effect's scrutiny.

This clan truly had relatively little blood on its hands.

They had lived in seclusion at Northern Sea Black Armor Ridge for generations. They were not skilled in offense and warfare, and more often took responsibility for repairing water veins and defending against sea beasts.

When bloodshed did occur, it was mostly for the protection of their clan.

The Book of Cause and Effect's radiance descended, quickly delivering its verdict.

"The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe may enter Guixu."

"Ancestor Xuan Jia, early Great Principle realm. Skilled in defense, formations, and sea-suppression arts."

"May guard Guixu's outer gate or inner gate."

When Lan Shuang saw those words, her eyes lit up.

Ancestor Xuan Jia was a Daluo Golden Immortal.

What Guixu lacked most right now was this kind of top-tier combat power.

There was naturally no need to mention Emperor.

But Emperor spent most of his time in seclusion and could not possibly handle every matter personally.

If Ancestor Xuan Jia could guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass, Guixu's defenses would increase severalfold.

Lan Shuang immediately sought Lu Chen's instructions.

"Emperor, Ancestor Xuan Jia is well suited to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

Lu Chen thought it was a good idea too.

The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe was strong in defense and steady in temperament. They looked far more reliable than hot-blooded youngsters like Han Jue.

With Ancestor Xuan Jia helping guard the gate, he could enter seclusion with greater peace of mind.

"Granted."

Hearing Emperor's personal approval, Ancestor Xuan Jia excitedly kowtowed once more.

"This junior is willing to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass for generations and protect Guixu's gate for Emperor."

When Lu Chen heard the words "for generations," his eyelid twitched slightly.

There was no need to be quite so dramatic.

But Ancestor Xuan Jia had already begun giving thanks, and Lu Chen could not be bothered to say anything further.

News of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe entering Guixu quickly spread throughout the inner realm.

The clans of Guixu were shaken.

This was the first Great Principle-level expert to voluntarily seek refuge in Guixu.

And the entire Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had come to join them.

This meant that Guixu was no longer merely a refuge for weak clans.

Even a great clan with a Great Principle ancestor was willing to rely on Emperor.

After Han Jue learned the news, he rushed to Dragon-Suppressing Pass at once.

From afar, he looked at Ancestor Xuan Jia, and fighting spirit began blazing in his eyes again.

Ao Lie glanced at him.

"You want to challenge him?"

Han Jue answered seriously, "I can't beat him for now."

Ao Lie snorted with laughter.

"It is rare for you to possess such self-awareness."

Han Jue looked at him.

"I can't beat him, but sooner or later, I'll beat you."

Ao Lie sneered.

"Talk again once you reach Taiyi."

The two bickered as usual.

But before long, they discovered that after Ancestor Xuan Jia took up residence in Dragon-Suppressing Pass, something felt rather off.

Ancestor Xuan Jia found Ao Lie extremely unpleasant to look at.

The reason was simple.

The Dragon Clan had forced the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe to offer up young turtles for armor refinement.

Although that debt was mainly pinned on the Blackwater Dragon Palace, Ao Lie was also the Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace.

The first time Ancestor Xuan Jia saw Ao Lie, he let out a cold snort.

"A Dragon Clan prince thinks he deserves to guard Guixu's gate?"

Ao Lie's Dragon eyes turned cold.

"A defeated turtle fleeing for his life dares act insolently before this prince?"

The atmosphere at Dragon-Suppressing Pass instantly grew tense.

Han Jue immediately perked up.

Watching powerful experts clash was what he liked most.

Leaning on his dark black staff, Ancestor Xuan Jia slowly walked before Ao Lie.

"This old man fled in defeat to protect his clan."

"You were punished with gate duty because you trespassed into Guixu."

"When it comes to dignity, you have less than this old man."

Ao Lie was so furious that he laughed instead.

"Your Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe depended on the Dragon Clan for many years, yet now you turn around and seek refuge in Guixu. You make it sound so righteous."

Ancestor Xuan Jia's gaze darkened.

"My clan depended on the Dragon Clan. We offered spirit mines, repaired water veins, and guarded the Northern Sea. We never fell short on tribute."

"But your Blackwater Dragon Palace demanded my clan's young turtles to refine armor."

"I'm afraid I cannot accept such a favor."

Ao Lie fell silent for a moment.

He had heard of this matter before.

At the time, he had not paid much attention to it.

It was originally common for the Dragon Clan to conscript smaller affiliated tribes.

But now that he stood at Dragon-Suppressing Pass and heard Ancestor Xuan Jia say it in person, it felt entirely different.

He wanted to argue, yet could not find the right words.

Because they truly had no justification in this matter.

Yet he was unwilling to lower his head before Ancestor Xuan Jia.

So he said coldly, "That was an order from the Blackwater Dragon Palace. It has nothing to do with this prince."

Ancestor Xuan Jia sneered.

"You bear the surname Ao, so it has everything to do with you."

Ao Lie's Dragon body shuddered.

Blackwater Dragon aura surged around him.

The turtle shell behind Ancestor Xuan Jia also lit up with heavy mysterious light.

The two auras collided outside Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The cultivators atop the pass walls immediately grew tense.

But Han Jue's eyes lit up.

Fight.

Fight.

One was a Dragon Clan prince.

The other was Ancestor Xuan Jia.

Such a sight was rarely seen.

When Lan Shuang received the news, her face darkened.

The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had only just entered Guixu. How had they already clashed with Ao Lie?

She immediately sought the Emperor's instructions.

Deep within Guixu.

After hearing everything, Lu Chen only felt a headache coming on.

A Dragon and a turtle fighting over a gate?

What kind of nonsense was this?

He had merely wanted to find a few reliable people to guard the gate.

Yet the gatekeepers had started arguing first.

The system's voice sounded at that moment.

"Detected that Ao Lie and Ancestor Xuan Jia are competing for the right to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass. Please choose."

"Option one: Side with Ao Lie and obtain experience with Dragon Clan formations."

"Option two: Side with Ancestor Xuan Jia and obtain Black-Shelled defensive divine abilities."

"Option three: Establish a dual-guardian system for mutual checks and balances. Reward: Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment."

When Lu Chen saw the third option, it immediately pleased him.

A dual-guardian system.

It sounded quite suitable.

Ao Lie was familiar with the Dragon Clan. He could guard the outer gate and monitor the Dragon Clan's movements.

Ancestor Xuan Jia possessed formidable defenses. He could guard the inner gate and reinforce Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The two already disliked each other, so they could keep watch on one another. Neither would dare try anything reckless.

Perfect.

"I choose three."

"Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment."

Lu Chen's voice carried into Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

"Dragon-Suppressing Pass shall be divided into an outer and inner gate."

"Ao Lie will guard the outer gate and monitor the Dragon Clan's movements."

"Ancestor Xuan Jia will guard the inner gate and oversee Guixu's defenses."

"Whoever dares to engage in private combat will be sentenced to meditate in the Ruins Sea Eye for a thousand years."

Ao Lie and Ancestor Xuan Jia both stiffened at once.

Meditate in the Ruins Sea Eye for a thousand years?

That place could grind even a Golden Immortal's Primordial Spirit until it ached.

Who would be willing to sit there for a thousand years?

The two instantly withdrew their auras.

"We obey the Emperor's decree."

The next moment.

A black stone stele fragment flew out from the depths of Guixu and landed in the center of Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The instant the stele fragment touched the ground, the entire Dragon-Suppressing Pass abruptly sank.

The formation patterns on the pass walls lit up.

The Blackwater Guixu Power was suppressed with even greater stability.

When Ancestor Xuan Jia saw that stele fragment, his eyes shook.

"The Northern Sea-Calming Stele?"

Though it was only a fragment, it contained immensely powerful sea-calming force.

The Emperor had actually bestowed such a treasure so casually to suppress the pass.

Ancestor Xuan Jia felt even greater reverence in his heart.

Ao Lie also stared at the stele fragment for a long while.

He became increasingly certain that Guixu's foundations were unfathomably deep.

After hearing the Emperor's arrangement, Lan Shuang also came to a realization.

Ao Lie guarded the outer gate.

Ancestor Xuan Jia guarded the inner gate.

One Dragon and one turtle, restraining each other.

If the Dragon Clan came, Ao Lie would know first.

If chaos arose within, Ancestor Xuan Jia would be best able to stabilize it.

With a single word, the Emperor had turned a dispute into a balance of power.

Such methods truly were profound.

Hearing Lan Shuang's admiration, Lu Chen remained calm.

Profound?

No.

He was merely afraid they would fight and tear down the gate.