Even Jiang Haofeng, who had seen countless beautiful sights, was stunned for a moment, his attention drawn to the Crystal Palace before him.
The Dragon Clan's Crystal Palace was truly beautiful.
It was a little too lavish, though, lacking any sense of everyday life. In modern terms, it was perfect for photos, but not for living in long-term.
When it came to comfortable living, Nuwa City of the human race was still better. Jiang Haofeng's own little wooden cottage was even more comfortable.
"Immortal, please come inside!" The Sea Patrol Yaksa at his side cupped his hands in salute.
Jiang Haofeng smiled and nodded. With one step, he entered the Crystal Palace. As soon as he left the passageway, the surrounding seawater instantly surged in, but he paid it no mind and continued striding forward.
A body of steel and iron, impervious to water and fire—one could achieve that upon cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Art to its second level. Jiang Haofeng had already cultivated it to the sixth level. Mere seawater naturally posed no problem. Even though he had never cultivated a water-avoidance art, the seawater still could not affect him.
This was merely one tiny, insignificant use of the Great Witch Treasure Body.
Before Jiang Haofeng even reached the hall, a burst of hearty laughter came from within the palace.
"A human immortal has graced us with his presence. This humble abode is greatly honored!"
As the laughter faded, a burly old man with two dragon horns atop his head emerged from the palace. He happily came forward to greet him, a sincere smile on his face.
"Haofeng of the human race greets the Dragon King!"
Seeing the Dragon King's smiling face, Jiang Haofeng immediately felt a trace of goodwill. His first impression of the Dragon Clan was quite favorable.
No wonder this man could become the Dragon King. He truly had his own unique talents.
"Why call me Dragon King? How distant that sounds. I am Ao Guang, and I greet Brother Haofeng!" The old Dragon King said with a broad smile as he cupped his hands.
What???
Ao Guang!
Wasn't Ao Guang the East Sea Dragon King during the Journey to the West? How was Ao Guang also the East Sea Dragon King in this era?
This was not the era of Journey to the West. This was the era of the Witch-Demon Calamity. The Investiture of the Gods Calamity would follow, and only after that would come Journey to the West. There were still at least over a million Yuan to go.
In other words, the old Dragon King before him had occupied this position for at least a million Yuan!
Moreover, the old Dragon King's aura was profound. Though Jiang Haofeng could not discern his exact cultivation, he could clearly sense that it was above the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm.
That meant that the old Dragon King had already been a Grand Luo Golden Immortal a million Yuan before the Journey to the West. Yet by the time of that calamity, his cultivation had actually regressed, and Sun Wukong called him an old loach whenever he pleased.
And during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, he had even been beaten by Nezha until he went to Heaven to lodge a complaint.
Wasn't that ridiculous?
Forget the Dragon King of the Investiture of the Gods era—Ao Guang as he was now would have no difficulty dealing with Nezha.
This old Dragon King was truly capable of enduring humiliation. No wonder he had remained East Sea Dragon King for so long.
"Immortal? Immortal?"
Seeing Jiang Haofeng fall silent, Ao Guang called out.
Jiang Haofeng smiled apologetically. "I was reminded of something. I hope the Dragon King will not take offense."
"A small matter, a small matter. Immortal, please come inside. I have already prepared a banquet. Please sample the delicacies of my Dragon Clan." The East Sea Dragon King patted his chest as he spoke.
Surrounded by the East Sea Dragon King, the two entered the main hall of the Crystal Palace. They took their seats as host and guest. Plates of exquisite delicacies had already been laid out on the tables, along with nectar and ambrosia brewed by the Dragon Clan themselves.
"Brother Haofeng, let me offer you a toast!"
"The human race was created by Empress Nuwa and is the rightful lineage of the primordial world. To meet one today is a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes!"
"You flatter me, Dragon King." Jiang Haofeng raised his cup as well.
With the talkative Ao Guang present, the two soon began eating and drinking, and their relationship quickly seemed to grow closer. Of course, that was only on the surface. Whenever their conversation touched upon the secrets or private matters of either race, they both deftly steered around them.
After some conversation, it appeared that host and guest were both delighted, yet neither had obtained any useful information from the other.
All they learned were matters openly known throughout the primordial world, things that held virtually no meaning.
They drank for three days and three nights and talked for three days and three nights without pause, yet their conversation contained little of substance.
The old Dragon King continued exchanging cups, utterly unhurried as he toasted Jiang Haofeng again and again.
Jiang Haofeng was not surprised in the slightest. Given the old Dragon King's temperament, he could chat with him for three hundred years without stopping.
Since the old Dragon King would not speak first, then Jiang Haofeng would do so himself. It would not make much difference anyway.
The first to speak was inherently at a disadvantage only when both sides held equal bargaining chips. What truly determined everything was still the chips themselves. As long as one had enough leverage, speaking first or not did not matter.
And against the Dragon Clan, Jiang Haofeng had more than enough bargaining chips!
"Dragon King, I came to the Dragon Clan this time to discuss a matter with you." Jiang Haofeng calmly drained the nectar in his cup, cupped his hands, and spoke without haste.
"Oh!"
A trace of surprise appeared on Ao Guang's face, but inwardly, he chuckled. You want to compete with this old dragon in composure? I can drink with you for an entire Yuan!
Clap! Clap!
The clam maidens dancing in the hall, along with the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals standing guard nearby, all withdrew. A layer of invisible mystic light enveloped the entire hall.
After doing this, the Dragon King fixed his gaze on Jiang Haofeng and said, "Brother Haofeng, speak freely."
"I wish to meet Senior Candle Dragon!"
Ao Guang's expression changed instantly. Under Jiang Haofeng's watchful gaze, an invisible aura erupted from the Dragon King, and a desolate majesty flashed past.
That aura appeared for only an instant before Ao Guang withdrew it, returning to his harmless appearance. Had Jiang Haofeng not been staring at Ao Guang the entire time, he might not have noticed it.
This old dragon hid himself deeply indeed.
The true East Sea Dragon King was definitely not the same dragon as the old dragon before him appeared to be!
"Brother Haofeng, since you know the name of Lord Candle Dragon, then you should know what Lord Candle Dragon is doing."
Jiang Haofeng nodded and replied without changing expression, "Naturally."
"Since that is so, Brother Haofeng should understand the importance of that place. Lord Candle Dragon absolutely cannot leave it, so I fear he cannot meet with you."
"If Brother Haofeng has any matter to discuss, feel free to tell me. Though this old dragon's strength is modest, I possess some authority. There are many matters that I can decide."
Ao Guang set down his wine cup and spoke to Jiang Haofeng.
Although Ao Guang had already concluded that Jiang Haofeng knew Candle Dragon was at the East Sea Eye, he still instinctively avoided mentioning the name East Sea Eye. What if Jiang Haofeng did not know? Wouldn't saying it merely provide him with information?
"Dragon King, are you certain?" Jiang Haofeng asked with a faint smile.
"Of course!" A trace of pride flashed across Ao Guang's face.
The positions of the Four Seas Dragon Kings were of utmost importance to the Dragon Clan. Back then, he had stood out among numerous Grand Luo Golden Immortals to claim his position, so his abilities were beyond question.
With his status as East Sea Dragon King, mobilizing several Grand Luo Golden Immortals from the clan's territories would not be a problem. If a Great Divine Powers expert at the Quasi-Saint level arrived, then perhaps he might not be able to resolve the matter. But for a mere Grand Luo, he alone was enough.
"Then why not take a look at this before deciding?"
As his words fell, dense Golden Light of Merit erupted from Jiang Haofeng's body. His figure radiated merit light and transformed into a dazzling Merit Golden Body. Mystic merit light shone above his head, forming a Merit Auspicious Cloud that covered him beneath it.
Ao Guang shot to his feet, his eyes fixed firmly on Jiang Haofeng, filled with longing.
A perfected Merit Golden Body, along with a Merit Auspicious Cloud.
If the Dragon Clan obtained so much merit, it could at least shatter the karmic shackles within dozens of Grand Luo Golden Immortals.
At that thought, Ao Guang's throat involuntarily bobbed, his eyes brimming with desire.
"Dragon King, I wish to meet Senior Candle Dragon to discuss the matter of obtaining merit. Would that be possible?" Jiang Haofeng asked as he looked at Ao Guang, whose eyes were filled with greed.
This was merit. What could Ao Guang do even if he craved it? So long as Jiang Haofeng was unwilling, no one could take it away. If he died and his Dao was extinguished, this merit would transform into an equal amount of karmic burden and settle upon the murderer.
Given the Dragon Clan's current situation, they absolutely would not dare touch Jiang Haofeng. Forget touching him—so long as he was within Dragon Clan territory, they could not allow anything to happen to him. If he died on their turf, it would be an utter disaster!
If Jiang Haofeng displayed his merit and walked the lands of the primordial world, Great Divine Powers experts would protect him wherever he went. If someone with a perfected Merit Golden Body died within their territory, their faction could become tainted by karmic burden. Even if their own faction did not make a move, they could still be stained by karma. Under such circumstances, who would dare be careless?
"Brother Haofeng, please wait a moment. I shall ask Lord Candle Dragon at once!"
Ao Guang immediately bowed to Jiang Haofeng and left the hall, heading off to an unknown place.
Jiang Haofeng smiled, withdrew his merit, and sat calmly where he was. From time to time, he picked up the nectar and ambrosia before him and took a sip.
A short while later, Ao Guang returned to the hall.
"Brother Haofeng, come with me. Lord Candle Dragon wishes to see you!"
"Good!"
Jiang Haofeng followed Ao Guang out of the Crystal Palace and headed toward the depths of the East Sea. After some time, the two arrived in a dark stretch of sea.
Ao Guang waved his hand, and ripples spread across the unremarkable seafloor before them. A vast, ancient complex appeared before Jiang Haofeng's eyes. Two characters, similar to Innate Dao Script yet somewhat different, were carved upon its gate.
The two characters resembled lifelike divine dragons, as though they might soar into the sky at any moment. They radiated an overbearing majesty.
Jiang Haofeng's expression shifted slightly. This should be the legendary Dragon Script, the Dragon Clan's own writing. It was said that Ancestor Dragon had created it after observing the Great Dao of heaven and earth, making it similar to Innate Dao Script.
Or perhaps Dragon Script was even older than Innate Dao Script. After all, the Innate Dao Script of the present was actually Immortal Script created by Hongjun through observing the Great Dao of heaven and earth. It was merely because the Immortal Dao had flourished that Immortal Script had become known as Innate Dao Script.
"Dragon Tomb!"
Looking at the two characters, Jiang Haofeng instantly understood their meaning. This was the wondrous aspect of Dao Script: even if one had never seen the characters before, one could understand their meaning at a glance.
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