Chapter 181: Chapter 181

Ao Lie scoffed with a cold laugh. He paid no attention to his disloyal cousin, whose affections were swayed by what she saw.

While the siblings bickered, Sha Chen was busy tallying his gains. The items that Dragon Girl had brought back were indeed abundant, satisfying him greatly. It could even be said that his originally not-so-wealthy household had suddenly become filled with riches, transforming from a common family to tycoons overnight.

Sha Chen reckoned, With all the resources currently at hand, I have enough to cultivate to the Middle Level of Daluo Golden Immortal status. I certainly won’t be lacking in clothing or food. Moreover, I still have the Shilong Zhenyuan.

Speaking of Shilong Zhenyuan, Sha Chen had discovered among the resources brought by Dragon Girl a piece of Long Yuan the size of a millstone. That piece of Long Yuan seemed ordinary, likely the transformed true essence of an ordinary dragon after its death. But Dragon Girl didn’t realize it was Shilong Zhenyuan, treating it as ordinary Long Yuan and giving it to Sha Chen. Furthermore, Long Yuan was extremely precious among the Dragon Clan. That piece probably wasn’t obtained by chance, but rather Dragon Girl took it out of her own pocket to exchange for certain resources. She never imagined it would be Shilong Zhenyuan.

Sha Chen didn’t point it out and discreetly put it away, storing it separately for future use.

As for why I didn’t share some with Dragon Girl or Ao Lie, the truth is, the system gifted it to me, simply finding an appropriate way to deliver it. Even without Dragon Girl, someone else would likely have brought it to me by fate.

Sha Chen noticed that since the Tongtian Hierarch had taken an interest in him, the gifts from the system were becoming increasingly tied to karma, unlike before, when they were given directly, without rhyme or reason. This isn’t because the system upgraded, but rather it’s a form of protection for me. After all, a Saint has taken notice; the origins of these items need justification, or the Saint might just capture me for research. To avoid getting me into trouble, karma is now involved. The previous gifts of the Sky Shaking Bow and the sun-shooting arrows probably found their way to me from some secret cache they sought out themselves.

Sha Chen was already troubled by this, worrying about future troubles they might bring. However, it’s even more out of the question for me to hand them over.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Ao Lie noticed Sha Chen drifting off in thought and asked.

Sha Chen said, "Nothing much, just happy to see you and your sister reunited."

Ao Lie and Dragon Girl glanced at each other and turned their heads away. They were far from happy. Neither wanted to see the other when encountering Sha Chen, as they both knew each other’s habits and had been tricked by one another before.

Although Dragon Girl had saved Ao Lie while he was in the abyss, it was because he was being chased by a monster she had unwittingly lured out. Driven by a pang of conscience, she had saved him. In fact, Dragon Girl had almost caused his death.

As for Ao Lie, he wasn’t much better. To hasten Ao Mengmeng’s departure from the Dragon Clan and stop her from competing with him for status within the Four Seas, he had specifically proposed marrying her off. When the Dragon Clan intended to marry Ao Mengmeng to Lord Wu Qu Xing, he had vigorously opposed it. As a result, Ao Mengmeng had set him up in the abyss.

Karma is cyclical; what goes around comes around.

Sha Chen was unaware of the intricacies involved, but he knew that despite the siblings’ quarreling, they had not yet reached the point of drawing swords against each other, so he let them be.

Sha Chen prepared some food and brought out what little wine was left, warmly hosting Dragon Girl and Ao Lie. But then, Ao Lie felt upset and said, "Brother, this is your last supper! Why didn’t you prepare anything when I came before, but now that this fellow is here, you treat her with such enthusiasm?"

Dragon Girl, who had initially found the setting rather modest, was now pleasantly surprised. He used the last of his provisions to host me; what could I possibly be unhappy about?

Sha Chen thought, This brat! If he doesn’t know how to talk, he should just keep his mouth shut. What ’last supper’?

However, Ao Lie is a wealthy man who has repeatedly assured me he’ll bring even better things in the future. I can’t let him harbor any petty feelings. And I certainly can’t tell him it’s because Dragon Girl knows how to get things done, returning with gifts on the spot—and high-quality ones at that. Such a person deserves commendation.

Sha Chen personally prepared a meal, setting it before the two, and filled their cups with the scant remains of fine wine. He said with a smile, "Congratulations on your triumphant return."

The pair’s sour moods instantly vanished; they raised their cups and laughed heartily.

After several rounds of drinks and a multitude of dishes, when the wine had warmed them, Ao Lie became loquacious, describing the agony of his time in the abyss—an existence hardly fit for a person. Then, when it was Dragon Girl’s turn, she spoke of the dazzling world outside with glowing eyes, regretting how rarely she had left the Dragon Palace before. She no longer wanted to return.

Sha Chen said, "Dragon Girl, your breaking off the marriage must have affected the Dragon Clan, right?"

Dragon Girl was taken aback, and then her mood dipped.

Sha Chen knew instantly; Something must have gone wrong.

Seeing that Dragon Girl didn’t want to speak, Sha Chen turned to Ao Lie, signaling him to offer some comfort. As it turned out, the fellow bluntly spoke up, saying, "Of course there are consequences, Brother. Ao Mengmeng’s breaking off the marriage has caused our Dragon Clan’s status to decline further, diminishing our say within the Heavenly Court."

"Moreover, I’ve heard that His Majesty the Jade Emperor is very displeased and has already taken the opportunity to punish several influential Dragon Kings from our clan."

Sha Chen asked, "Is the Jinghe Dragon King among them?"

Ao Lie was stunned, then perplexed, "I didn’t expect you to know my uncle too, Brother. Thankfully no. My uncle has high status and authority, second only to my father, and the Jade Emperor wouldn’t dare offend him lightly."

Sha Chen’s eyes flickered. Impossible to offend? That’s hardly the case. Once the timing is ripe, the Jade Emperor will start with Jinghe Dragon King. How could the Jade Emperor tolerate a Dragon King who controls so many water systems on land, whose authority in the mortal realm even surpasses his own!?

Sha Chen thought, It’s time to give the Dragon Clan a reminder. I won’t let my incarnation, Li Bai, make contact with the Jinghe Dragon King anymore. This matter is too significant. It’s enough to let the Dragon Clan see the truth for themselves, and then I can give a hint through Ao Lie or Dragon Girl. Getting involved would likely bring trouble upon me. I want to use Jinghe Dragon King as a shield, but I don’t want to attract trouble to myself.

Ao Lie said, "Brother, why do you suddenly bring this up?"

Dragon Girl was also puzzled; Sha Chen seemed to know the Dragon Clan very well, and he had specifically mentioned Jinghe Dragon King.

Sha Chen said, "If I tell you, would you believe me?"

They both nodded as if pounding garlic.

Sha Chen said, "What if I tell you that in a little more than three hundred years, Jinghe Dragon King is very likely to be schemed against, then sent to the Immortal Slaying Stage, and lose his life—would you believe that?"

The siblings’ faces changed dramatically. They shook their heads in succession, but after seeing Sha Chen’s serious face, they nodded again. However, their eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

Ao Lie said, "Brother, is this true? Do you have any proof?"

Sha Chen smiled and said, "What if I tell you it’s my conjecture? Does that count as proof?"

Ao Lie and Dragon Girl fell silent.

Dragon Girl said, "General, if it’s what you say, I believe it."

Ao Lie, beaten to the punch and a step slower, was immediately annoyed and quickly said, "Brother, I believe you! Do you have a way to save my uncle?"

Jinghe Dragon King was his father’s brother-in-law, his elder, and one of the few pure-blooded true dragons remaining in the Dragon Clan. If something were to happen to him, the Dragon Clan would become even weaker. It seemed that in the Journey to the West era, their decline began after Jinghe Dragon King’s execution, as they became weak and vulnerable. In just about any water well, there were dragons, each subject to being bullied by anyone.

Sha Chen said, "Won’t you ask how I came to this conclusion?"

Ao Lie said, "Oh right, how did you come to this conclusion?"

Sha Chen then slightly altered what his incarnation had said to Jinghe Dragon King and recounted it. It was all about Jinghe Dragon King having too much power and too much influence, with his sons nearly controlling the mortal world’s water systems.

One had to understand that the mortal realm was where the Realm of People resided after the primordial world had shattered and the Three Realms had been divided. The Saints of the primordial world had all established religious sects related to the Realm of People, seizing its providence to achieve sainthood. One could imagine how important the Realm of People was. How could the Jade Emperor allow such a high-ranking, influential Dragon King, whose influence in the mortal realm surpassed his own, to roam freely!?

There was once Yinglong, who emerged to protect the Realm of People, ensuring the safety of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, giving the Dragon Clan, then on the verge of fragmentation, a breath of life. It seemed that the various clans of the primordial world also reached an agreement with Yinglong to let the Dragon Clan off easy, but the Dragon Clan became even more low-key afterward. Later on, the Dragon Clan began to live among various other clans, their bloodlines becoming mixed, no longer boasting the glory of ancient times. This could be attributed to Yinglong’s actions, aiming to confuse the public and reduce attention on the Dragon Clan. It could also be said that the Dragon Clan, weakened, sought every means to preserve their lineage. For more chapters visit novel(ꜰ)ire.net

In any case, there were only a few true dragons left in the Dragon Clan, and Jinghe Dragon King, as an outstanding elder among them, was naturally one of the pillars of the Dragon Clan—and also one of the thorns in the Jade Emperor’s side. The reason he hadn’t been touched before was purely because the Jade Emperor had not long ascended, and the timing was not right. Once the Journey to the West began, he was the one to be targeted.

Sha Chen laid out his deductions, the various situations between the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Clan from ancient times to the present, and Jinghe Dragon King’s status.

Listening to this, Ao Lie and his sister were covered in cold sweat, their hearts filled with horror. Previously, they had both grown up under the protection of the Dragon Clan, without exposure to these complex matters. But not having been involved didn’t mean they didn’t understand. Because Sha Chen’s analysis was sound, and they had also been exposed to some of these issues by their elders, they indeed knew about the Dragon Clan’s current situation. They realized that, just as Sha Chen had said, their clan’s status and future were precarious. Jinghe Dragon King could indeed become a target for the Jade Emperor, and then the Dragon Clan would lose another true dragon—and this true dragon was one of the pillars of the Dragon Clan.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ao Lie and Ao Mengmeng said, "What should we do?"

Sha Chen said, "The best approach is to remain steadfast amidst changes. As long as Jinghe Dragon King makes no missteps, there won’t be a problem."

Ao Lie said, "Uncle is strong-willed and stubborn, even more so than the two of us. How could we possibly persuade him?"

Sha Chen said, "Then, he must die."

The siblings exchanged heavy looks.

Dragon Girl said, "General, we siblings are not in a position to manage our uncle, not only because of his higher status but also due to his formidable strength."

Ao Lie nodded in agreement and said with a bitter laugh, "Uncle’s strength should be at the peak of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, only half a step away from Daluo Golden Immortal. How could we possibly match him?"

He then glanced at Sha Chen, shook his head, and said, "I had hoped Brother could help, to intimidate Uncle a bit, but that would be pushing you into the fire. Brother, your strength... you’re probably not even as strong as me now. How could you possibly defeat Uncle?"

His strength, having been tempered in the abyss and infused with the Dragon Clan’s various inheritances, had already reached the Middle Level of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, approaching the high-level stage. He was much stronger than before, only one level below Dragon Girl. But even so, they were no match for Jinghe Dragon King; they couldn’t defeat him, and they weren’t senior enough. Jinghe Dragon King wouldn’t listen to them.

Just as Ao Lie was shaking his head, the aura of a Daluo Golden Immortal was released from Sha Chen.

Ao Lie lost his balance and fell to the ground with a yelp, "Heavens, Brother! You... you... when did your cultivation reach Daluo Golden Immortal?!"