BOOK 2: CHAPTER 452: PUSHING ONE'S LUCK, THE DRAGON LORD'S QUESTION

Vol 2 Chapter 452: Pushing One's Luck, the Dragon Lord's Question

In the Heavenly Palace Hall, besides Zheng Fa and Lord Shuyu Dragon, there were also Uncle Pang, Senior Sister Zhang, Xiao Yuying, and other elders of the Jiushan Sect.

Hearing Lord Shuyu Dragon's words, Zheng Fa and the Jiushan Sect elders exchanged glances, feeling secretly pleased.

Lord Shuyu Dragon's proposal perfectly aligned with the Jiushan Sect's future strategy:

Now that the Xuanyi Realm had undergone great changes, the strategic value of the oceans was no longer the same as before. To put it bluntly—whoever controlled the seas would control the new Xuanyi.

On the other hand, constrained by their geographical location, the Jiushan Sect had no choice but to focus on maritime development.

Compared to the other four sects, if one didn’t count the sea territories, the land area occupied by the Hundred Immortals Alliance was pitifully small—barely one percent of Haori Mountain’s territory, let alone comparing it to the Taishang Dao or Leiyin Temple.

If they wanted to expand their influence, the Hundred Immortals Alliance had only three options:

Head south and fight the Taishang Dao.

Head west to Haori Mountain.

Or, join forces with Lord Shuyu Dragon to hammer the Cangming Dragon King.

If these three opponents were lined up together, even the Cangming Dragon King himself would slap his own face in frustration!

Even though Haori Mountain currently appeared extremely weak, with no confirmed Dao Fruit cultivators, Zheng Fa still believed the outsider Cangming Dragon King would be easier to deal with.

Of course, their "base in your face" plan still needed to advance.

But everyone in the Jiushan Sect understood that Haori Mountain involved too many complications—overconfidence was unwise, and reckless aggression ill-advised. Steady and stable progress was best.

The conflict between the Jiushan Sect and Haori Mountain would likely be a protracted war.

But dealing with the Cangming Dragon King would be much simpler.

If they truly went all out, even their currently unupgraded Heavenly River Army, combined with the Sleeve Universe technique, would leave the Cangming Dragon King skinned alive if he tried to escape. ℝἁ𝐍𝔬ВÈ𝒮

It was just that this trump card wasn’t prepared for small fry like the Cangming Dragon Palace.

Senior Sister Zhang gave Zheng Fa a slight nod, indicating their agreement with cooperating with Lord Shuyu Dragon.

Uncle Pang was even more visibly delighted. Zheng Fa could easily guess what he was thinking—having a True Immortal-level ancient dragon pledge allegiance was an auspicious sign of the Jiushan Sect's rise, practically a divine blessing!

Zheng Fa also preferred dealing with the Cangming Dragon King first:

Beyond cost-effectiveness, he had another concern—the Cangming Dragon King wasn’t a fool, and neither were Leiyin Temple and Haori Mountain blind. If these forces joined hands, the Jiushan Sect might find itself fighting on two fronts, which would be disastrous.

"Dragon Lord, I understand your intentions," Zheng Fa collected his thoughts and cupped his hands toward Lord Shuyu Dragon. "We are honored by your regard, and in principle, the Jiushan Sect is willing to stand together with you."

Hearing this, Lord Shuyu Dragon smiled slightly, showing little surprise.

She likely never considered the Jiushan Sect would refuse—after all, this arrangement only benefited them, gaining a True Immortal subordinate for free. Even if only nominally, it was a tremendous gain.

With both sides in mutual agreement, they quickly moved to detailed negotiations.

"Sect Leader Zheng, you're pushing your luck too far."

Lord Shuyu Dragon's expression turned icy as she glared at Zheng Fa, her gaze like twin daggers seemingly trying to pierce three wounds through him.

Zheng Fa didn’t seem angered, merely cupping his hands again. "Dragon Lord, don’t blame me. I’m just stating the unpleasant truths upfront to avoid future disputes."

Lord Shuyu Dragon sneered, "The principle is sound, but your appetite is too large. We agreed the seabed belongs to me—what do you mean by sending people over? Does the Jiushan Sect think I’m so desperate under the Cangming Dragon King’s pressure that I’ll endure your bullying?"

The others in the hall remained silent, their eyes shifting between the two. Xiao Yuying’s expression unconsciously tensed.

Yet Zheng Fa seemed unaffected by Lord Shuyu Dragon’s fury.

He was genuinely dissatisfied with her proposed cooperation model.

The Jiushan Sect had too many plans for the sea territories—maintaining the status quo wouldn’t suffice.

Zheng Fa also knew Lord Shuyu Dragon had come with sincere intentions, and further demands might provoke her.

But he couldn’t gloss over this:

Previously, their relationship was merely strategic partners—Lord Shuyu Dragon provided maritime protection while the Jiushan Sect cultivated dragon eggs for her, a simple exchange.

But now, this was a merger negotiation. Balancing interests was inherently difficult.

Yet balance they must.

Seeing Zheng Fa still smiling, Lord Shuyu Dragon grew angrier and stood. "If Sect Leader Zheng thinks to take advantage of my plight, then I bid you farewell!"

Zheng Fa quickly interjected, "Dragon Lord, I haven’t finished stating my terms."

After a brief hesitation, Lord Shuyu Dragon slowly sat back down, clearly curious about what Zheng Fa could offer.

"I believe our cooperation framework should follow several basic principles:

"First, the Jiushan Sect respects your sovereignty over the aquatic demon races and will not interfere. However, any future ruler of Hundred Immortals Alliance waters—dragon or otherwise—must be officially appointed by our elder council before assuming power."

"Appointed?" Lord Shuyu Dragon finally couldn’t suppress her scorn. "We dragons are favored by heaven and earth. Since when do we need the Jiushan Sect’s approval?"

Zheng Fa continued as if he hadn’t heard, "Second, the Jiushan Sect will assign you—and all future maritime rulers—a deputy. This deputy’s role will be to coordinate human-aquatic demon relations and facilitate communication between our sect and the water territories."

"So you want to plant a spy?"

"Third, the Jiushan Sect has extensive plans for the seas. You will be responsible for defense and assisting in development."

As she listened, Lord Shuyu Dragon actually laughed in anger. "Why don’t you just bring a bridle and harness me to pull your Jiushan Sect’s cart?"

She had come with sincerity, but Zheng Fa’s demands were utterly unacceptable.

Seeing the coldness in her eyes, Zheng Fa remained unyielding.

This was his vision for future maritime governance.

He had to admit—dragons were naturally suited to the seas. No matter how powerful humans became, they’d always be hindered underwater.

This was heaven’s fairness. The oceans, even major water bodies, were inherently the demon races’ domain, and the Jiushan Sect had no intention of seizing their habitat.

But Zheng Fa wouldn’t allow the seas to become a state within the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Hence these principles.

An imperfect analogy—this would be the Jiushan version of the chieftain system, or perhaps... the Xuanyi Aquatic Autonomous Region.

"I might as well marry the Cangming Dragon King’s second prince!"

"Dragon Lord, as I said, I’m stating the unpleasant truths first," Zheng Fa chuckled. "These are my demands of you. Why not hear what I can offer in return?"

"No condition will make me accept these terms! Dragonkind’s sovereignty over the seas neither requires nor should tolerate your approval. And I won’t tolerate a spy."

With that, Lord Shuyu Dragon stood and coldly snapped at Xiao Yuying, "Are you coming with me or staying here?"

Clearly, she was furious beyond measure—already at the "divorce and custody" stage.

Xiao Yuying looked around in confusion.

Uncle Pang grew even more anxious—was their prior cooperation about to collapse too?

Zheng Fa raised a finger, smiling. "My first condition actually concerns Fairy Xiao."

"What does she have to do with this?"

"The deputy I’d assign you is Fairy Xiao."

"Yuying?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon paused thoughtfully, her anger fading slightly as she glanced at her disciple.

"Provided Fairy Xiao is willing," Zheng Fa nodded. "She’s someone both I and the Jiushan Sect trust."

After a moment’s silence, Lord Shuyu Dragon’s gaze toward Xiao Yuying softened noticeably.

Clearly, she recognized Zheng Fa’s thoughtful choice—Xiao Yuying was her only disciple and a Jiushan Sect elder, making her the ideal candidate in status, capability, and character.

Seeing her mood improve, Zheng Fa subtly signaled Xiao Yuying.

Quick on the uptake, Xiao Yuying hurried over to support her master’s arm and guide her back to her seat.

Lord Shuyu Dragon glared at this traitorous disciple who’d turned her elbow skyward, somehow growing even angrier. "If I refuse, will the Jiushan Sect detain me?"

"Dragon Lord misunderstands. I merely wish you to hear all my terms before deciding your course. I’ll never obstruct you."

Seeing his earnest expression, Lord Shuyu Dragon hesitated slightly before sitting.

"Dragon Lord surely knows the Xuanyi Realm is no longer what it was. We seek stability, but the winds blow contrary."

"Of course I know, which is why I came in good faith. Little did I know the Jiushan Sect itself was that contrary wind!"

Unfazed by her jab, Zheng Fa explained, "But Dragon Lord, how effective would a nominal alliance truly be?"

"......"

Lord Shuyu Dragon fell silent, clearly knowing the answer.

After a long pause, she sighed. "I’ve considered this too. Otherwise, I’d never have come..."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

He understood—Lord Shuyu Dragon was prideful by nature. Despite years of cooperation, she’d always kept the Jiushan Sect at arm’s length.

That she’d initiated talks already defied her character.

The reasons were clear: pressure from the Cangming Dragon King and anxiety over Xuanyi’s shifting tides.

Lord Shuyu Dragon elaborated, "By joining your sect, I’d also gain the protection of Yaochi and the Taishang Dao."

"And because the Jiushan Sect is the weakest of the three?"

She looked slightly embarrassed, but Zheng Fa didn’t mind.

He’d discerned her motives:

On one hand, she knew of the alliance between Yaochi, Taishang Dao, and the Jiushan Sect, hoping to borrow their prestige.

On the other, the Jiushan Sect was the weakest, making negotiations—and preserving her autonomy—easier.

Uncle Pang flushed with shame.

He’d been overjoyed at her pledge, never considering this dragon lord, though aloof, was no fool.

Noting her silence, Zheng Fa reassured, "The Jiushan Sect completely understands your considerations, Dragon Lord."

As she looked at him, he continued,

"But Dragon Lord, relying on others is inferior to self-reliance. This truth needs no elaboration."

"Self-reliance? How?"

"My second condition is to help you nurture more of your kind. The Cangming Dragon King bullies you with numbers—don’t you want your own lineage?"

This visibly moved her—clearly, the Cangming Dragon Palace had disgusted her thoroughly.

"This was why I agreed to join your sect in the first place. But this was already our prior arrangement."

"Dragon Lord, we can help with birth—but what about rearing?"

"I can raise three dragon eggs!"

"Are three enough?"

Frowning, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"I’m saying—dragon ancestors created entire races. Don’t you aspire to that? Perhaps you’ll be revered as the Xuanyi Dragon Progenitor? The Jiushan Dragon Progenitor?"

"......"

Lord Shuyu Dragon stared at Zheng Fa before finally saying, "You overestimate me."

But her expression told everyone she was tempted!

Her interactions with the Cangming Dragon King had likely shattered her faith in so-called kin.

Yet the loneliness and yearning for her kind remained.

Thus, creating her own trustworthy lineage tempted her like never before.

Her gaze turned peculiar as she studied Zheng Fa. "Your ambitions surpass even the Cangming Dragon King’s."

"Greater ambitions mean greater freedom for you," Zheng Fa stood, smiling. "That dragon king merely follows his predecessors, aspiring only to prove the Dao as a Golden Immortal."

"If he only reaches Golden Immortal, as his subordinate, you’d at best remain a True Immortal."

"How does that differ from now?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded slightly.

This alone made refusal certain.

"But by joining the Jiushan Sect, you can dominate all waters—only needing to coordinate with us," Zheng Fa paused, then added, "Moreover, this coordination won’t be uncompensated."

"Compensation?"

"Raising dragons is hard. Raising a race? Harder. The spiritual materials and resources required must daunt even you."

Though feeling led by the nose, Lord Shuyu Dragon couldn’t refute his blunt truths and nodded reluctantly.

"The Jiushan Sect may lag behind the four sects in some areas, but in wealth-generation? We’re second to none."

She wanted to scoff, but vaguely knew of maritime trade’s profits.

Though immensely wealthy herself, her riches had accumulated slowly.

The Jiushan Sect was barely a few years old!

"You mean to share some profits with me?"

"Naturally. Maritime trade routes, underwater industries—any venture you contribute to, the Jiushan Sect will share proceeds."

After prolonged contemplation, Lord Shuyu Dragon exhaled deeply and admitted candidly, "I must say, your terms are tempting. I have just one question."

"Please."

She met his eyes squarely and asked:

"Everything you’ve said sounds wonderful. But you’re not even a Dao Fruit cultivator yet—what use is ambition without power? Aren’t you overreaching?"

"That Cangming Dragon King, for all his modest aspirations, is a True Immortal. Proving the Dao as a Golden Immortal is difficult, but he progresses step by step. And you?"

"Your vision is grand, but how long must I wait? How long will the Xuanyi Realm’s other powers give you?"