Chapter 1184: Chapter 31: Jin Qixu

The Dragon Clan values rules? Impossible! The Four Seasons Dragon Gods follow their whims and desires; none of the dragons below truly care about the Dragon Court’s grand laws. As long as they believe they can withstand the punishment, they generally break the rules to their limits.

Wang Xuantong naturally is no exception. Personally, he harbors no animosity towards Jin Yanhua and An Jing. The difficulties he presents to An Jing and Jin Yanhua are for several reasons, hurting his Dragon Guards being the least significant. One of the truly important reasons is that other forces commissioned him to gather intelligence on An Jing and Jin Yanhua.

And those he communicates with as ‘outsiders’ are none other than…

Shangxuan Sect!

“I don’t know how Shangxuan Sect deduced An Jing would attend this grand banquet. Previously, there wasn’t a hint. I thought An Jing would be promoting the Feather Transformation Dao in Bright Mirror Sect until they were revitalized.”

Although Wang Xuantong has no idea where Shangxuan Sect obtained their intelligence, he does not care. He provides intelligence, and they provide resources; as long as it doesn’t involve Dragon Court core intelligence, he might face minor punishment. While ‘Breath of Endless Reckoning’ and similar divine objects from Small World Cave Heavens require luck in the depths of Great Void to obtain!

Such divine objects can always be found if one is willing to search, but since Huai Xu Martial Artists cannot leave Huai Xu too far, acquiring such objects has shifted from time-consuming to a matter of luck. The only steady sources are the Heavenly Ancestors.

Of course, he agrees to do this because An Jing is a ‘Nature Master,’ a most benign and harmless Divine Mandate. Even if disagreements arise, he would likely become a stepping stone or a living demonstration for their teachings.

Wang Xuantong doesn’t care about face, only resources, so he dares to act. After setting aside the Water Mirror and waiting for Shangxuan Sect’s response, he falls into contemplation, sighing deeply: “Divine Mandate, Divine Mandate, how can one truly achieve it?”

“The Fate of [Wangzhang Thousand Stacks] has been pushed to its extreme. Next, is to achieve other Underworld Lords’ Divine Mandates, but I have no clue.”

Upon thinking of this, he has an epiphany: “Back then, ancient Nature Masters were obstructed by Outer Paths but managed to tame and teach them into protectors. I have indeed offended him before, but if, during An Jing’s future proclamation, I show sincere regret and learn from his Feather Transformation Dao, could I gain some guidance?”

“Although shameless, if it’s a Nature Master… they should forgive my past rudeness?”

With this thought, a previously dismissed maid at the Cloud Vortex speaks: “Master, altar’s light…”

“What?”

Upon hearing the report, Wang Xuantong immediately lifts his head and steps forward, allowing the maid to step back. He bows deeply at the altar: “Exalted Young Lord!”

The light of the altar forms into a dragon silhouette hidden within clouds and mist. This dragon appears slender and elongated, masked by the elements, with only a faint sight of golden eyes with crimson pupils.

A gentle voice emerges: “Xuantong, is the task completed? Has Shangxuan Sect responded?”

Unlike his previous impatience when dealing with Shangxuan Sect, demanding payment, Wang Xuantong genuinely bows and reports in detail: “Report! Regarding Heavenly Mandate intelligence, Shangxuan Sect hasn’t replied yet. Their scouts and sent people are likely still compiling analyses, expected to reply in a few days!”

“As for Fourth Miss (Jin Yanhua), her prowess truly is remarkable. Though her rebellious and fierce nature remains, her Great Dao understanding is not inferior to my own, and she has already proven the Soldier Master Divine Mandate, with the Pure Yang path now clear!”

“Hmm, you have my thanks.” The dragon silhouette, Jin Yanhua’s brother and eldest son of the Present Dragon God, Jin Qixu, laughs: “Compared to my two younger brothers, Yanhua’s potential is the greatest. Only she possesses the spirit to assist my future reforms in the Ancestral Dragon Hall. ”

“It is rightful.” Wang Xuantong acknowledges, yet remains puzzled: “Her potential is indeed strong. But Young Lord, too much arrogance is a flaw. Moreover, Fourth Miss, being a birth-born dragon—even achieving Pure Yang—might struggle with mastering ‘Cosmic Light and Universe Space’ like Divine Skills. Perhaps her help in Young Lord’s grand affairs is limited?”

“I have my plans,” Jin Qixu nonchalantly responds, and Wang Xuantong hesitates but continues: “Young Lord’s scheming, I bow to it, but Heavenly Mandate’s entanglements, Fourth Miss is already involved. Might that not be a variable in Young Lord’s future actions?”

“Xuantong, be at ease,” Jin Qixu flicks his tail and calmly states, “The Mandate evolves, Fate Pattern follows the principle that guarding is progression, change is calamity.”

“Yet, if guarding too long, adhering to one fate, no progress is made. I see your ‘Wangzhang Thousand Stacks’ fate has reached its limit. Without meeting change or calamity to shatter the existing order, where is the path forward?”

“My Dao is similar. If Heavenly Mandate does not descend, I would doubt my own actions lack something. Heavenly Mandate’s descent here proves my Dao’s value worthy of the Heavenly Dao’s [calamity trial].”

“Likewise for you, Xuantong. Encountering variables should bring joy. If you lacked value, how would the Heavenly Mandate find you? Reflect deeply, the path to enlightenment or extinction lies within a single thought.”

Wang Xuantong’s complexion changes, and he bows deeply: “Thank you, Young Lord, for the guidance! However, Shangxuan Sect’s persistence on Heavenly Mandate, should I keep an alternative plan… Begging for more insight from Exalted Young Lord!”

Jin Qixu’s figure gradually fades. After learning the situation with Jin Yanhua and An Jing, he is satisfied but grants Wang Xuantong’s request for guidance. His golden eyes with crimson pupils cast a glimmer seemingly spanning endless time and space, words float in the air: “Now retreat, keep away from Dragon Court, preserving oneself is achievable, yet achieving Pure Yang is impossible, resulting in naught but bones.”

“Remain in Dragon Court, facing nine deaths in one life yet grasping a Chronicle.”

Wang Xuantong morphs into his dragon form and performs a grand bow, pleading: “Begging Young Lord, where lies the path to life?”

“It depends on you… the future is boundless, all choices lead to calamities; indeed, it is your fate.”

Jin Qixu’s dragon silhouette vanishes with only his words lingering: “In my eyes, the future is like endless rivers, ‘calamities’ are their branches. Some streams fade away, while others spread infinitely. Commoners often choose the path with minimal hardships and dangers, striving for ‘continued existence.'”

“But I must say, don’t fear calamities or underestimate them. It’s merely a journey across this world, why cling to life fearing death? Pursue what you desire, bear whatever choices you make; that holds the courage befitting our dragon bloodline.”

As Jin Qixu disappears, Wang Xuantong stares blankly at the altar, his expression shifting until finally sighing deeply, collecting his thoughts, and returning to the hall, attended by maids.

On the other side.

Amidst the changes within Heaven Sea Dragon Court, with various forces’ covert machinations, Jin Yanhua brings An Jing down, heading to the East Sea side of Zhongheng Dao Continent.

“Let’s go. Staying in this Heavenly Sea longer will only attract countless spies.”

Grasping An Jing, Jin Yanhua eagerly declares: “Both of us are temperamental, sure to be taken to Ancestral Dragon Hall by Father God if we fight. Since the banquet is some time away, I’ll take you to my base!”

“You’ll also meet Ruohui and see the legacy I’ve built!”