Deep within the main hall of the Vast Origin Water Palace.
Above the vaulted ceiling, azure radiance rippled like water, its vast aura permeating the entire jeweled hall.
Dongfang Lanqing slowly set down his wine cup, seemingly weighing his words.
His gaze shifted toward Yuan Jia, who sat quietly beside him, carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Yuan Jia-"
Before Dongfang Lanqing could finish, the Ink Qilin in the dark-black Daoist robe shook his head slightly. His resolve was clear; he plainly had no wish to discuss the matter further.
Seeing this, the white-robed Dragon King seated at the head sighed softly.
"What a pity. Had the Golden Crow come today, we could have discussed this further."
He promptly smoothed away the displeasure between his brows and raised his cup again, merely urging the Demon Kings at the table to drink more, no longer speaking of the greater affairs of the world.
Without betraying anything, Xu Xuan turned his gaze toward Yuan Jia, sitting quietly nearby. His tone was casual, as though he were merely mentioning it in passing.
"I cultivate a thunder formation and require five kinds of Purple Mansion lightning, each corresponding to its own nature. Might I trade with Qilin Mountain for an altar thunder treasure?"
At these words, Yuan Jia's silver eyes turned sharply toward him, and a trace of difficulty appeared on his face.
"Our mountain still strictly observes the Thunder Palace's ancient teachings: altar thunder must not be passed to outsiders. Even when something occasionally leaks out, our clan's Purple Mansion cultivators must retrieve it. Forgive me, Dragon King, but I cannot grant your request."
He paused, as though recalling the past.
"My father once descended the mountain to recover an ancient Thunder Palace art that had leaked out, killing quite a few figures of