The anger the Ice Dragon King had just suppressed flared up again. He sprang to his feet, his tall, slender figure radiating pressure as he glared down at the youth on the divine throne. His voice rose slightly with fury. "Then why did you say I was being too formal?! Are you toying with me?!"
"I never said you couldn't see her." Xu Qingjia shook his head gently. "These things need to be done gradually, with a plan."
At those words, the Ice Dragon King's full chest heaved once, but he ultimately forced down his frustration. He folded his arms across his chest, adopting a posture of self-protection and distance.
This outcome did not really surprise him. Once he learned of the other party's complicated, secret identity, and his obvious intention to keep certain truths from the Silver Dragon King for the time being, the Ice Dragon King had anticipated as much. But understanding was one thing. Being held so firmly in someone else's palm, unable to advance or retreat of his own accord, still left the former Dragon King unbearably stifled.
But-
"You have to prove that what you said earlier was true. At the very least, prove your relationship with Gu Yue or Na'er. Prove that you really are close to them."
Xu Qingjia lifted his gaze slightly, yet the youth seated on the divine throne seemed to be looking down on the mature figure before him.
Are you telling me what to do?
The Ice Dragon King took a deep breath, struggling to rein in his churning emotions. Once a lofty Dragon King, he now had to learn to lower himself, making his voice as calm as possible, even adding an almost imperceptible note of negotiation. "You used such a precious treasure to awaken my dormant consciousness