Ancestral Dragon...

Before the towering gate of the North Sea Dragon Palace.

The moment that word "slow down" was uttered, it was as if the very Principle of the North Sea had been altered.

The raging blood river and the Dragon Clan formation were frozen in mid-air as if gently pressed down by an invisible hand.

The churning sea was calm as a mirror, and even the undercurrents on the seabed had quietly stopped.

The shrieks of the nine thousand eight hundred Blood God Son abruptly ceased. They instinctively shrank back and retreated, eventually transforming into streaks of dark red Flowing Light that swiftly retreated back into the Blood Sea behind Youquan.

The Blood Sea that had once covered thousands of miles and surged like boiling water began to shrink on its own at this moment, turning into a dark red pool of water no more than a hundred feet in diameter, suspended at the foot of the Youquan, as quiet as still water.

Youquan's bloodshot eyes suddenly contracted.

He slowly raised his head and looked into the depths of the Dragon Palace.

What was once a faint, hazy blue light has now coalesced into a clear and ancient "gaze".

That gaze was invisible and intangible, yet it weighed more than ten thousand pounds.

It was cast from the deepest part of the Dragon Palace, piercing through layers of palaces, endless seawater, and even the barriers of time and space, and gently landed on Youquan.

I was only "looked at" by that gaze -

"Click."

At the foot of the Youquan, on the seabed plain formed by millennia-old ice, a bottomless crack suddenly appeared.

It seemed that even this "land" that had borne the endless years of the Dragon Palace could not bear the ancient weight contained in the light, and spontaneously opened a wound to show its awe.

Youquan's blood-red robes fluttered wildly, and the Blood God Scripture within his body operated at its maximum. The Blood Sea Dao Intent roared wildly in his Purple Mansion, resisting this overwhelming pressure.

But he soon discovered that the pressure was not directed at his cultivation level, his Dao Foundation, or even at him as a person.

Rather, it's about his "existence" itself.

Before that gaze, all the power acquired through cultivation, all the will to struggle for survival, and all the thoughts of trying to "resist" seemed insignificant, fragile, and—meaningless.

That was a crushing force originating from the very source of blood.

It is the ancient overlord looking down upon the beings born after him.

The sinister smile on Youquan's lips slowly faded.

Deep within his bloodshot eyes, golden-red light swirled wildly, eventually settling into a cold, rational composure.

We can't tough it out.

The moment this thought arose, the scene before him began to "transform" without warning.

Everything was like an ink painting being washed away, quickly fading, blurring, and disappearing.

Instead, there was an endless expanse of "deep blue".

Here, there are no ups and downs, no directions, no past or present, only the eternally flowing "water" principle, silently enacting the ultimate cycle of gestation, bearing, devouring, and Ruins of Return.

Youquan stood in the center of this deep blue expanse, with nothingness beneath his feet and nothingness above him.

Only directly ahead, in the infinite distance, a point of "light" slowly illuminates.

The light was initially faint, like phosphorescence in the deep sea, but it quickly magnified and drew closer, eventually transforming into a majestic, crystalline throne.

The throne is nine zhang nine and five zhang five. Its shape is simple and unadorned, yet it naturally exudes the supreme majesty of ruling over all waters and dominating the four seas.

Seated on the throne was a man.

He has a middle-aged appearance, a simple and unsophisticated face, high brow bones, and long, narrow eyes with fine, dragon-scale-like natural lines extending from the corners of his eyes to his temples.

He wore a simple, dark blue, wide-sleeved robe, without a crown, and his dark hair was casually tied up with a single strand of silk, with a few strands falling over his shoulders.

At this moment, his left hand rested casually on the armrest of the throne, while his right hand propped up his temple. He leaned slightly to the side, his eyes half-open and half-closed, seemingly asleep.

But the gaze emanating from those half-open eyes was even more somber than the look that had been cast from afar just moments before.

North Sea Dragon Lord.

The name naturally came to mind in Youquan's heart.

The Dragon King's gaze calmly fell upon him, lingered for a moment, and finally settled on the white lotus in the palm of his left hand.

"Did he send you?"

When Long Jun spoke, his voice was not loud, but it seemed to resound directly throughout every inch of the "water element" in this Dao Realm, causing layers upon layers of echoes.

He didn't say his name.

But Youquan knew who "he" referred to.

The white lotus is formed from the power of the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord, and its aura is pure and bright, completely opposite to the filth of the Blood Sea.

It subtly resonated with the residual Buddhist power of salvation within the Dragon King's body, which originated from the [World-Honored One's Handwritten Scripture].

Back then, atop the Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm, the Great Sun Purple Ultimate boldly attained enlightenment, using its Fruition Status Collision force back the Wrathful Wisdom King and seize its Golden Nature; its power shook the Xuanhuang.

Although the Dragon Lord did not arrive in person, he observed the battle through his will avatar and witnessed firsthand the supreme power of that blazing white Great Sun that shattered illusions and dominated the present.

It could even be said that if the Great Sun Purple Ultimate had not suddenly intervened and caused a dramatic change in Spirit Mountain, the Dragon Lord's will, which was captured by the [World-Honored One's Handwritten Scripture], would probably have been completely converted and become a protector of Buddhism long ago.

The cause and effect between the two are intertwined, and the reasons are complex and difficult to explain.

Youquan did not answer, but slowly raised her left hand and held up the white lotus in her palm.

The Dragon King's eyes flickered slightly.

Without him making any move, the white lotus seed detached itself from Youquan's palm, transforming into a soft Flowing Light that floated lightly toward the throne, eventually hovering three feet in front of the Dragon King, slowly rotating.

The surface of the lotus seed shimmered with a glassy luster, its inherent vitality and pure Daoist essence emanating from it, rippling out in visible circles within this deep blue Daoist realm.

The Dragon King gazed at the white lotus, a faint yet profound smile slowly appearing on his ancient face.

"Showing goodwill?"

He murmured to himself, as if asking a question, or perhaps confirming something.

After a moment, he shook his head, his smile deepening, "Never mind."

He lowered his right hand from his temple, raised his index finger, and gently touched the floating white lotus.

"This time, I'll accept your kindness."

As soon as he finished speaking, his fingertips touched the lotus seed.

"Buzz!!!"

The lotus seeds shattered instantly!

Like melting ice and snow, it transformed into a pure and warm milky-white stream of light, flowing into the Dragon Lord's body through his fingertips.

In an instant -

The Dragon Lord's aura suddenly changed!

The immense dragon essence, originally contained like the deep sea, suddenly erupted, but was then guided and organized by a higher-level power, transforming into clearly visible streaks of azure light that surged from the acupoints around his body, intertwining and swirling on his skin.

Just as the azure light was at its most intense, wisps of extremely fine yet stubbornly persistent "golden yellow" slowly seeped out from several vital points, including the Dragon Lord's brow, chest, and Dantian.

Within that golden hue, countless fine Sanskrit characters could be faintly seen flowing, and there were also illusory images of Buddha sitting cross-legged, Bodhisattvas with lowered brows, and Arhat chanting sutras, flickering in and out!

It was the power of the World-Honored One's Handwritten Scripture that had invaded his body back then, attempting to transform the Dragon King into a "Guardian Dragon"!

This power has taken root deep within the Dragon Lord's Dao Foundation, intertwined with his Dragon Essence, Bloodline, and even Divine Soul.

Ordinary methods are simply ineffective in removing it; forcibly removing it will only damage the root cause.

This power is the essence of Buddhism and Daoism, and even the Dragon Lord is helpless against it.

However, at this moment, under the wash of that milky white light, these golden Sanskrit characters began to loosen and peel away!

"Hiss----Hiss----"

A faint sound, like ice and snow melting, echoed in the silent realm.

The Dragon Lord closed his eyes and concentrated, his body surrounded by intense clashes, intertwining, and dissipation of azure and golden light.

A layer of fine, illusory dragon scales began to appear on his body, a partial manifestation of his true dragon form.

On each dragon scale, there were one or more golden Sanskrit characters branded like maggots in bone. But now, under the illumination of the milky white light, they gradually dimmed, cracked, and finally turned into specks of golden light, falling off and scattering from the surface of the scales.

As the Sanskrit characters were peeled away, the dragon scale phantom regained its pure, deep blue luster, and a powerful vitality originating from the ancient Dragon Clan, which had been suppressed for a long time, suddenly revived from the depths of its bloodline!

The entire Azure Dao Realm began to resonate and tremble!

It was as if this water-elemental world, which was derived from the will of the Dragon Lord, was also reborn because its master's injuries had improved.

The process lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

As the last wisp of golden Sanskrit characters peeled away and dissipated from between the Dragon Lord's brows, he suddenly opened his eyes!

"Roar--!!!"

A deep, resonant dragon roar, reaching the very essence of his Divine Soul, burst forth from his throat!

It wasn't a roar, but a long howl of relief, comfort, and even a hint of pleasure!

With a whistle, his aura rose steadily, and the slight, barely perceptible "emptiness" that had appeared due to his Dao injury completely dissipated.

Instead, it is replaced by a more solid, more profound, and vast aura that can merge with the entire North Sea!

His injury is about 80% healed.

The remaining 20% is no longer seriously damaged; it only requires some rest and gentle care using the Dragon Clan's Secret Method to recover quickly.

The Dragon King slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

The breath that left the body transformed into a three-zhang-long cyan-blue dragon phantom, which circled three times in the Dao Realm before slowly dissipating.

He sat up straight.

His previous reclining posture had completely disappeared, and he now sat upright on the ice throne, his back straight and his eyes fully open.

There was no trace of weariness or restraint in those eyes.

There was only a vast expanse of light, as still as an ancient Cold Abyss, yet concealing a mighty, raging tsunami.

He looked at Youquan, his gaze still calm, but the initial scrutiny and oppression were gone, replaced by a hint of—intriguing depth.

"Speak."

The Dragon Lord spoke, his voice regaining its former air of complete control. "What does he want?"

Having received a favor, one must naturally repay it.

This was simply part of Qi Yun.

Using white lotus seeds as a guide, the Dragon Lord was helped to expel the Buddhist forces of salvation, repair his injuries, and in return, gain an opportunity to "ask a question."

Youquan slightly raised his blood-red eyes to meet the Dragon Lord's gaze, showing no fear. "I would like to ask the Dragon Lord to answer a question."

"Speak."

Youquan paused, then spoke clearly, enunciating each word. "May I ask?"

"The Ancestral Dragon ----"

Has he/she woken up yet?

The instant the six words were uttered -

The entire Azure Dao Realm suddenly froze.

Everything before Youquan's eyes—the Xuanbing Throne, the seated Dragon Lord, the flowing water elemental principles, and even the "deep blue" base color of this Dao Realm itself—instantly lost all color, transforming into a pure, cold, and unfathomable expanse.

dark.

Absolute darkness.

There was no light, no sound, no temperature, and no direction.

Even the concept of "time" lost its meaning at this moment.

Youquan found himself unable to move, think, or even perceive his own existence.

It was as if he, his sea of the Blood Sea, his Dao Foundation, and everything about him had been completely swallowed up, assimilated, and reduced to nothingness by this darkness.

Just before his consciousness was about to sink into eternal oblivion—

In the darkness, two points of "light" appeared.

No, that's not light.

Those were—a pair of eyes.

It was so enormous that its scale was indescribable, so cold that it froze the soul, so indifferent that it regarded all things as mere straw dogs.

Those were the eyes of a dragon.

These dragon eyes filled the entire darkness, occupying all of Youquan's senses, as if they were the darkness itself, the source of this nothingness, and the end of all existence.

The boundless pressure, like a massive tsunami superimposed on billions of tons of glaciers, crashed down upon the "existence" of the Youquan!

Under the gaze of those dragon eyes, Youquan even had an absurd illusion—that his own body, his cultivation, his path of the Blood Sea, and even the existence of "Youquan" itself were nothing more than an insignificant breath, a fleeting ripple, or even a speck of dust in the other's Changsheng.

Just as Youquan's consciousness was about to be completely destroyed by this overwhelming presence -

A voice came from the depths of darkness.

That wasn't the Dragon King's voice.

More ancient, colder, and more—unquestionable—than the Dragon King.

Its sound resonated directly in the deepest recesses of Youquan's Divine Soul, each syllable seemingly carrying the weight of countless ages, almost crushing his Divine Soul: "These words—"

Who told you that?