BOOK 2: CHAPTER 460: THE DRAGON RETURNS TO JIUSHAN, A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT

Vol 2 Chapter 460: The Dragon Returns to Jiushan, A Welcome Development

The Little Golden Crow's words actually made sense—chariot drivers were typically trusted confidants.

Yet the Second Prince and his companions were still honored with the task of pulling the carriage.

In the Xuanyi Sea, the golden sun hung high in the sky, and the ocean's surface rippled gently like delicate sapphire satin.

Lord Shuyu Dragon stood in the water, gazing at the Eastern Continent's coastline, her emotions indescribable.

The war in the Xuanyi Sea had ended. According to the agreement, she would now fully join the Jiushan Sect.

Even though the Cangming Dragon King had fled, she had no intention of going back on her word.

Not only was she not one to break promises, but more importantly, given the current circumstances, she needed the Jiushan Sect's support even more.

With the Cangming Dragon King still alive, the conflict over the maritime territories would not cease. And behind him stood formidable beings like the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

Without external aid, she would inevitably be at a disadvantage, becoming prey for the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

If she sought allies elsewhere, unless she married the Cangming Dragon King, she would never have kin again.

In some ways, she was even more anxious than the Jiushan Sect at this moment.

The Jiushan Sect could cultivate ancient dragon bloodlines using her genes, but they could just as easily use the genes of the four dragons from the Cangming Dragon Palace.

Moreover, she had another hidden concern:

"The Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations..."

Thinking of this technique, Lord Shuyu Dragon's feelings grew even more complicated.

"If they can truly transform into dragons, what advantage will I have left in the seas?"

Though she wasn't sure if Sect Leader Zheng Fa had deliberately said those words for her ears, they had struck a chord.

At present, she was the only dragon the Jiushan Sect could trust, and the four Cangming dragons posed no threat to her unique status.

But in the future, if the Jiushan Sect bred a large number of dragons—or worse, if everyone could transform into dragons...

Then her value to the sect would diminish significantly.

Now was likely the peak of her worth.

At the underwater palace of Dragon Coil Island, she had already taken the initiative to propose this idea, intending to honor the agreement and submit to the Jiushan Sect.

Though her emotions were tangled and a hint of reluctance lingered, she had long been waiting here.

This was the site of the grand ceremony.

As she pondered, the sound of military drums echoed from the Eastern Continent's shore—steady, solemn, and shaking the wilderness.

Following the drums, a purple mist slowly rose from the horizon.

Within the mist, four true dragons pulled a palace toward the sea.

Yuan Xiaoniao and the Little Golden Crow soared above the palace, their long tail feathers trailing streaks of intertwined blue and red mist.

The Shenxiao Army stood in formation, their feathered guards flanking the main hall.

At the entrance of the hall, Uncle Pang wore a brand-new Daoist robe, his face flushed as he stared at the four dragons pulling the chariot, his expression dreamlike.

Inside the hall, Sect Leader Zheng Fa, Senior Sister Zhang, and other high-ranking members of the Jiushan Sect gazed at the sea.

Lord Shuyu Dragon's submission was of monumental significance to the Jiushan Sect. In terms of cultivation alone, it was akin to a snake swallowing an elephant.

The strategic implications were even more profound.

In the short term, Zheng Fa would struggle to find a better maritime ally than Lord Shuyu Dragon. As for the long term... it was uncertain whether the Jiushan Realm even had a long term.

The grand spectacle served two purposes: to show respect to Lord Shuyu Dragon and to make a statement to the Xuanyi Realm.

Since the appearance of the Golden-Winged Great Peng, Zheng Fa and the others had realized that quietly amassing power was no longer feasible.

The Jiushan Sect had grown to a point where its size, influence, and strength were impossible to ignore.

Hiding and developing in secret was no longer an option—whether it was the Four Sects or external forces, none would overlook them.

This was especially true after the great battle in the Xuanyi Sea.

Thus, it was better to seize the moment and establish their might, forcing those factions—particularly the neutral ones—to reconsider their stance.

Using the four Cangming dragons to pull the chariot was not just a symbolic gesture of the dragons' subservience to the Jiushan Sect but also a display of "captured spoils."

Even the location they had chosen was deliberately close to the North Sea—so certain parties could witness it.

Under the detection of the Shenxiao Primordial Magnetism Array, some observers were indeed lurking in the shadows.

In the sea, Lord Shuyu Dragon let out a long cry and transformed into her true form—a golden dragon emerging from the waves, soaring into the heavens.

Her true dragon body exuded a harmony of strength and beauty far surpassing that of the four chariot-pulling dragons, her silver-and-gold scales glimmering under the sun.

The dazzling divine beast flew before the grand hall, her front claws resting on white clouds as she lowered her head slightly, as if bowing in submission to the Jiushan Sect.

"To bow before humans... I am ashamed to share kinship with this Lord Shuyu Dragon!"

Beneath the North Sea's surface, the Cangming Dragon King scowled.

Beside him, the Golden-Winged Great Peng shot him a glance, his expression darkening as he recalled losing his precious vase to rescue this very man. His tone was cutting:

"Your entire family is pulling a chariot for them, yet you take no shame in that. Why the sudden pride now?"

"They must have been forced by the Jiushan Sect!"

"Others I can't speak for, but your Second Son doesn't seem coerced in the slightest."

The Cangming Dragon King looked at the Second Prince and saw the solemn expression on his face as he flew steadily and earnestly.

He nearly spat blood—when had this wretched son ever been so obedient?

Just as the Cangming Dragon King stood dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend, Zheng Fa's gentle voice echoed through the air:

"Lord Dragon, you honor us too much. Please rise."

Zheng Fa emerged from the celestial palace with the Jiushan Sect's elders, raising his right hand slightly.

Lord Shuyu Dragon wasted no time reverting to human form, holding the Fanghai Seal and a jade tome aloft.

In a clear voice, she declared:

"The Xuanyi Chart unveils the ocean's secrets;

the Treasure Seal commands the dragon clan's destiny. Today, I offer these to Jiushan. I, Shuyu, pledge allegiance to Jiushan's banner, witnessed by our Dragon Ancestor and bound by the covenant of mountain and sea!"

The Wanhai Seal soared upward, and the phantom of the Dragon Ancestor reappeared, enveloping the celestial palace and Lord Shuyu Dragon as it raised its head in a mighty roar.

Lord Shuyu Dragon expelled her innate dragon pearl, and the Dragon Ancestor's phantom extended a claw, imprinting a golden sigil upon it.

"The Wanhai Seal... So that's how it is."

At the bottom of the North Sea, the Cangming Dragon King sighed and shook his head.

"From now on, if Lord Shuyu Dragon ever betrays Jiushan, the price will be severe."

"Oh?"

"This is a rule written into our bloodline by the Dragon Ancestor—the very reason the Wanhai Seal can control us."

Whether due to vagueness or caution, the Cangming Dragon King's explanation was unclear.

But the Golden-Winged Great Peng understood: Lord Shuyu Dragon's oath had likely bound her irrevocably to the Jiushan Sect.

Lord Shuyu Dragon retrieved her dragon pearl and presented the jade tome to Zheng Fa.

This tome was the maritime chart of the Xuanyi Sea.

Zheng Fa accepted it and responded:

"A golden talisman confers divine duty;

the vast seas entrust their governance. May you become the sect's pillar, eternally calming the raging waves."

With that, he handed Lord Shuyu Dragon a golden talisman that could command the sea's Primordial Magnetism Array and added:

"May our generations never betray one another."

Clasping the talisman to her chest, Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded.

"May our generations never betray one another."

The Cangming Dragon King watched this scene in prolonged silence before turning to the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

"Are you just going to stand by and watch?"

After a pause, the Golden-Winged Great Peng shook his head.

"With the Jiushan Sect now allied with Lord Shuyu Dragon, only a Golden Immortal could breach their defenses in the seas."

"......"

"We already held the Jiushan Sect in high regard, yet we still underestimated them. They've grown beyond containment."

Hearing this, even the Cangming Dragon King could muster no rebuttal.

Had the Northern Continent's factions underestimated the Jiushan Sect?

Not at all.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng was no weakling—in this era without Golden Immortals, he ranked among the strongest in Xuanyi.

Yet even he had suffered at the Jiushan Sect's hands, losing his precious vase outright.

"So there's nothing we can do against them?"

"Hold the North Sea for now and wait..."

"Wait?" The Cangming Dragon King glanced at his chariot-pulling family and fell silent, lost in thought.

If they were waiting... what were the Jiushan Sect doing?

"From today onward, the Jiushan Sect and Lord Dragon are family!"

In the celestial palace, Uncle Pang laughed heartily, signaling Xiao Yuying to pour wine for Lord Shuyu Dragon.

"Family?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon murmured inwardly, eyeing the jovial elders in the hall with slight discomfort—having lived in seclusion for years, she was unaccustomed to such lively banquets.

Or perhaps she was simply flustered.

"Enough, Uncle. Let Lord Dragon relax." Zheng Fa, seated nearby, shook his head with a smile.

"Lord Dragon, please don't mind him. My uncle delights in the Jiushan Sect's prosperity. Your joining has overjoyed him."

Lord Shuyu Dragon glanced at Uncle Pang—his eyes sparkled, his face flushed, and though he hadn't drunk much, he looked thoroughly exhilarated, on the verge of dancing.

She couldn't help but smile faintly and take a sip of wine.

"Since Lord Dragon has joined our sect, this 'Yellow Court Scripture' is our foundational text. We would value your critique."

"The Yellow Court Scripture?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon was taken aback.

She knew of this scripture—it represented the pinnacle of the Jiushan Sect's techniques, its prestige evident in one fact: Zheng Fa himself cultivated it.

She had even heard hints from Xiao Yuying that the 'Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations' she cared so much about was merely a subset of this scripture.

She had expected to receive the Yellow Court Scripture eventually, but not immediately upon joining—Zheng Fa seemed more eager than she was.

Seeing her confusion, Zheng Fa offered no explanation, simply placing a jade cylinder on a tray and sending it floating toward her with a wave of his sleeve.

Lord Shuyu Dragon picked up the scripture, feeling little excitement.

She acknowledged Zheng Fa's prowess—at the same cultivation level, even the Dragon Ancestor couldn't match him.

Yet she doubted the Yellow Court Scripture would suit her. This wasn't disdain for the Jiushan Sect but common knowledge in the Xuanyi Realm:

The most suitable techniques for demons and monsters were those inherited through bloodlines.

To be blunt, had the Cangming Dragon King offered her the method by which the Dragon Ancestor achieved Golden Immortality, her choice might have differed.

Still, she was genuinely moved by Zheng Fa's trust in sharing such a foundational text so freely.

With a casual smile, she began reading.

As she progressed, her breathing gradually quickened until she suddenly looked up at Zheng Fa, who continued smiling as if oblivious to her excitement.

She lowered her head again, studying the scripture with unprecedented intensity.

After a long while, she finally looked up, her tone complex:

"This scripture... Sect Leader, you..."

Zheng Fa chuckled. "As my uncle said—we're family now."

Hearing those words again, Lord Shuyu Dragon pressed her lips together, their meaning now entirely different. The last traces of reluctance in her heart vanished without a trace.

Zheng Fa continued: "Can you cultivate this technique?"

This had long intrigued him. Dao Fruits in the Xuanyi Realm were unique—they were essentially the techniques themselves. Switching techniques was no simple matter.

"Other techniques? Difficult. But the Yellow Court Scripture... I believe it's possible."

"Why wouldn't others work?"

"They conflict," she explained. "A Dao Fruit embodies a technique. Attempting foreign techniques means reshaping oneself—even becoming another person. Thus, utmost caution is needed;

at most, one can reference them."

"But the Yellow Court Scripture seems compatible with all techniques—at least complementary to my draconic heritage."

Zheng Fa understood: it was a matter of compatibility.

The Yellow Court Scripture synthesized three methods and emphasized transformation, making it adaptable to most Xuanyi techniques.

"Moreover... I sense this scripture is more profound and fundamental than my draconic inheritance."

Her voice softened, as if reluctant to admit this.

Zheng Fa nodded slightly. Coming from a True Immortal dragon, this assessment was high praise—enough to make the Jiushan Sect proud.

"Just now, I even glimpsed a way to repair the Wanhai Seal."

"Repair the Wanhai Seal?"

No wonder she was so excited.

"Yes—the Severing method. If we refine the seal using the Fangxian Formation, its divine power might be restored."

This sounded similar to how the Jiushan Sect had handled the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram.

"Sect Leader."

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you afraid I might master the Yellow Court Scripture faster than you?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon asked suddenly, quite seriously.

This was a key feature of Xuanyi's techniques—the strongest practitioner of a method could heavily influence, even control, others cultivating it.

"Lord Dragon must have noticed—the Yellow Court Scripture is different."

"At its core, someone mastering it faster only provides more insights for fellow practitioners, not monopolizing the technique."

Lord Shuyu Dragon fell silent.

"So if Lord Dragon surpasses me, I would welcome it."

She shook her head slightly, emotions swirling, and glanced at Xiao Yuying.

"No wonder my disciple..."

"To be honest, I'm not without self-interest," Zheng Fa admitted candidly.

"As you've seen, many eyes covet these seas."

"Besides the Cangming Dragon King and the Golden-Winged Great Peng, several Dao Fruit holders lurk in the shadows—friend or foe, who can say?"

This much the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array had detected.

But Zheng Fa wasn't entirely confident the array could expose all hidden observers.

"Lord Dragon's mastery of the Yellow Court Scripture would not only refine the technique but strengthen our sect."

Zheng Fa met her gaze.

"If petty jealousy weakened Jiushan and invited disaster, that would be my greatest regret. I hope Lord Dragon won't hesitate."

After a moment's thought, Lord Shuyu Dragon stood and bowed.

"Thank you for your generosity, Sect Leader. I shall not fail your trust."

"There is one thing I'd like to ask you."

"Please speak."

"How does one... attain a Dao Fruit?"