[Ding! Detected the invitation from the Old Dragon (Candle Dragon). Please make your choice!]
[Choice 1: Agree to visit the Dragon Palace. Reward: One of the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots—The Peaches of Immortality (Pan Tao) Tree.]
[Choice 2: Refuse to go. Reward: A single Peach of Immortality.]
Just as Ling Xiao was about to open his mouth to refuse, the System issued its Choice.
"The Pan Tao Tree..."
Ling Xiao paused. He felt that for the "Face" of a whole spiritual tree, he really ought to make the trip. He could clearly distinguish the weight of a single peach versus a tree that produced them.
"System, I choose Option 1."
Ling Xiao made his decision instantly. He also wanted to know what kind of tricks the Old Dragon was trying to play.
Under the Old Dragon's expectant and apprehensive gaze, Ling Xiao slowly spoke.
"Lead the way."
The Old Dragon's aged, wrinkled face suddenly seemed to grow several years younger, radiating a newfound vitality.
"Fellow Daoist, this way please."
He invited him respectfully, offering the highest etiquette of the Dragon Clan, his expression becoming solemn.
Ling Xiao nodded and sent a Divine Sense transmission to Di Jun and Tai Yi, informing them of his whereabouts and telling them to continue harvesting Heaven and Earth Treasures without worrying about him.
Just as he was about to depart, he suddenly remembered something. He turned back toward the cramped, nervous, and seemingly helpless Sanxiao sisters.
"While we are away, the Three Immortals Island shall be managed by you."
"If any blind fools come to invade, or if anyone refuses to obey, tell them... my name!"
As the words fell, he didn't wait for the three sisters to respond. He simply vanished into the sea alongside the Old Dragon.
He did this after careful consideration; from their brief interaction, he could tell the Sanxiao possessed pure and upright temperaments. They were excellent materials for housekeepers.
The Sanxiao stood frozen, staring at Ling Xiao's receding back as if they had been turned into stone statues.
He came like a gale and left like a lightning strike—a fleeting glimpse that left an indelible mark on their young, immortal souls.
At the bottom of the East Sea, row upon row of magnificent, golden palaces sat quietly on the seabed, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The area was shrouded in a mysterious Formation, allowing these palaces to remain safe and dry even under hundreds of millions of feet of deep-sea pressure. It was no different from being on dry land.
Ling Xiao took one look and had the sudden illusion that he had arrived at the Heavenly Court—or at least, the Heavenly Court as people imagined it.
The place was far too glorious. Ten-thousand-foot-tall walls served as palace gates, and stone pillars as thick as mountain ranges stood tall, perfectly illustrating the saying: "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse."
Though the Dragon Clan had declined, their sense of pageantry remained. Their living quarters were truly luxurious. While others lived in "one-bedroom apartments," the Dragon Clan occupied eight-story villas with back gardens large enough to race horses in.
"My humble abode is simple. I hope Fellow Daoist does not find it laughable," the Old Dragon said with a display of humility as they reached the main hall.
Ling Xiao glanced at the gemstones and immortal ores embedded in the palace gates and said with a chuckle, "It is indeed 'simple.' If I have time, I'll help you renovate it."
"Err... Ao Zhan, why are you standing there? Hurry up and make preparations! Bring out the most precious immortal brews and fruits to entertain Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao!"
The Old Dragon quickly changed the subject, realizing he had misspoken. He felt Ling Xiao's gaze was a bit strange, which made him feel uneasy.
"I'm going!" Ao Zhan nodded heavily and scurried off to make arrangements, looking nothing like a Dragon Clan Leader.
This behavior left the younger generation of the Dragon Clan staring in shock, wondering which of their Leader's nerves had snapped today. Simultaneously, they secretly observed this unfamiliar guest.
A short while later.
Everything was settled. Ling Xiao sat in the seat of honor in the Dragon Palace, eating immortal fruits and sipping wine. Opposite him sat the Old Dragon and Ao Zhan, both accompanying him with beaming smiles.
Seeing this, Ling Xiao asked plainly, "Old Dragon, you invited me here for a reason. Surely there is something on your mind."
"Go ahead and say it. Though, I probably won't be able to help!"
The Old Dragon and Ao Zhan performed a synchronized "face-change." Their smiles were brilliant for the first half of the sentence, but instantly stiffened at the second half, their expressions turning awkward.
What kind of talk is that?
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao is joking," the Old Dragon laughed to break the tension. He then continued.
"Actually, there isn't much. I merely have a small question I wish to ask of Fellow Daoist."
The Old Dragon spoke with a face full of sincerity. His primary reason for the invitation was to foster a closer relationship and pave the way for the future; the question was secondary. After all, their relationship hadn't reached the point of asking for major favors yet.
"A question? Let's hear it first." Ling Xiao took a sip of the brew, feeling a bit curious. A Dragon asking him for advice sounded quite entertaining.
"Then this old one shall speak," the Old Dragon chuckled, looking frail.
"The question I wish to ask is: how does Fellow Daoist view the future of the Dragon Clan?"
He didn't beat around the bush. His eyes, set in that aged face, were suddenly piercing and bright, shining like stars. In this moment, he radiated an intense spirit.
"The future of the Dragon Clan?" Ling Xiao paused, then shook his head with a smile. "Surely you already know the answer in your heart. Why bother asking me?"
"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, I have long seen that you possess heaven-shaking talent. This old one truly wishes to hear your perspective."
The Old Dragon spoke seriously, clearly valuing the answer immensely.
"You truly wish to hear it?" Ling Xiao asked.
"Please, Fellow Daoist, speak plainly," the Old Dragon pleaded.
Ling Xiao nodded and set down his cup. His eyes flickered as he said, "The Dragon Clan has no future."
"Or rather... in the future, there will only be Descendants of the Dragon!"
He emphasized those last four words heavily.
"Descendants of the Dragon?" The Old Dragon froze, his gaze confused.
What is a 'Descendant of the Dragon'? It was far too abstract!
"Fellow Daoist, I do not quite understand. Could you explain?"
"You will understand later." Ling Xiao naturally didn't elaborate. He was playing with words; it was normal for the Old Dragon not to understand, as it was a concept from Ling Xiao's original world.
Ling Xiao knew the Old Dragon remained obsessed with the revitalization of his clan, hoping to return to the position of the world's protagonist.
But what the dragon didn't know was that in the future, there would be only one protagonist of heaven and earth.
The Dragon Clan—No. The Wu Clan—No. The Yao Race—No. The Human Race—Yes.
The Old Dragon's dream of revitalization was impossible; thus, they had no future as a hegemony. In fact, they would eventually become "Tool Dragons," tasked specifically with making rain for various regions. And they wouldn't even be allowed to do that freely—an inch too much or too little rain could result in them being dragged to the chopping block.
"Fellow Daoist, please guide me! I truly do not understand!" The Old Dragon grew a bit anxious. The answer felt just within reach, yet Ling Xiao had turned into a riddle-master, which was agonizing.
"Let's not talk about that for now." Ling Xiao stood up and looked around the hall. "It really is too simple. Let me help you 'renovate' a bit."
"Also, take me to your Dragon Clan treasury. That place needs to be well-protected. Since I've come, I can't just eat and drink for free; let me contribute a little effort."
At these words, the Old Dragon froze. What does he mean?
He eats and drinks for free, and now he wants to 'take out' as well?