CHAPTER 1039: CHAPTER 1036: THE TRUE DRAGON APPEARS!

"Immortal Master Li, your gift is heavier than Tai Mountain; I couldn’t possibly accept it!"

After a moment of pondering, Ximen Longting pushed the mysterious chair back.

Li Chen smiled slightly, pointing at the chair, and said, "No matter how precious, it’s not as weighty as Master Ximen’s gift. This is at most a simple gesture of reciprocity, and I really hope Master Ximen will accept it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the face to enter your Dragon Ascending Valley!"

Hearing Li Chen’s words, Ximen Longting, Bai Xueqin, and others were taken aback.

Especially Ximen Longting, whose face was written with confusion.

Strange, when did he ever give Li Chen a gift?

However, when his gaze caught Ximen Qingxue, he understood what Li Chen’s "gift" implied.

Thinking about this, a wave of inexplicable pain washed over his heart.

His precious daughter, whom he had raised so painstakingly, was so easily led away by someone, as if a large chunk of flesh was carved out of his heart. To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie.

Ximen Qingxue tilted her little head, her eyes sparkling as she earnestly pondered Li Chen’s previous words.

Her father hadn’t given Li Chen a gift, so was the gift Li Chen referred to actually herself?

Humph, this scoundrel dares to compare her to a gift, it’s simply "unforgivable."

Although Ximen Qingxue had such thoughts, her heart was still filled with joy, and she laughed uncontrollably, care-free and giddy.

Seeing his daughter giggling foolishly, Ximen Longting couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Alas, it seems he had misunderstood Li Chen. It wasn’t that his grown cabbage was taken away unwillingly, but rather it went cheerfully on its own.

Indeed, daughters grow up and can’t be kept around; they grow up and can’t be kept around!

Looking at his silly daughter, Ximen Longting sighed long and deep in his heart.

He then shifted his gaze back to Li Chen.

Ximen Longting noticed Li Chen’s gaze was sincere and genuine, not like someone pretending, so he didn’t refuse further.

"Then I won’t be overly polite. I’ll keep the chair with me for a few days. When Qingxue marries, it can be part of the dowry!"

Upon hearing the term "dowry," Ximen Qingxue’s pretty face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her little head, intertwining her slender, white fingers, plotting small schemes.

Seeing his daughter in a coy yet happy state, Ximen Longting’s mood also lifted.

"Immortal Master Li, my daughter lost her mother young, lacking discipline. She’s been spoiled and often throws little tantrums; I hope you can be patient with her!"

"Father, I’ve always been well-behaved, when have I been spoiled?"

Ximen Qingxue blushed, stomped her feet lightly twice, and pretended to be angry.

Ximen Longting said no more, he simply laughed heartily.

Bai Xueqin stepped forward, holding Ximen Qingxue’s small hand. It was evident that her eyes were slightly misty.

Although Ximen Qingxue was not her biological daughter, she had watched her grow up and always considered her as her own.

Now her "daughter" was about to marry far away; deeply moved, how could she not be tearful?

Though Ximen Longting and Li Chen’s dialogue didn’t involve wording of "marriage," everything suggested it.

Li Chen’s valuable gift was essentially a betrothal offering.

Ximen Longting accepting it and advising Li Chen to be patient with his daughter’s little quirks indicated his consent to the marriage.

"Haha, it’s been ages since I’ve been this happy. Spread the word, let the music play, and let’s feast!"

Ximen Longting couldn’t help but laugh heartily, joyfully waving at his subordinates.

Immediately, nine different instruments began to play simultaneously, the joyful music like mountain streams trickling, echoing bird calls in the empty valley... resembling celestial beauty, captivating all who heard.

Led by Valley Master Ximen Longting, Li Chen strode through Dragon Gate, headed towards the valley.

Most of Dragon Ascending Valley’s structures were built with ice and snow, walls of ice, roofs of snow, with windows etched with beautiful ice flowers.

The courtyards were filled with various ice sculptures of all sizes, including humans, animals, plants—vividly lifelike.

The most striking was the ice dragon sculpture spanning most of the valley.

This ice dragon coiled, extending hundreds of zhangs long, needing a hundred men to embrace it. Its eyes shone brightly, gazing at the sky.

Such a magnificent and breathtaking sight left people amazed.

Li Chen’s pupils slightly contracted, emitting two sharp lights that pierced through the entire ice dragon sculpture.

He discovered the sculpture contained dragon bones.

It meant this was once a true dragon, although it had died many years ago.

The Ximen family’s ancestor had ingeniously sculpted it using Divine Skills like Ice Seal into a near-perfect piece of art.

"Roar!"

At that moment, a crisp dragon cry echoed from deep within the valley.

Soon after, a mini-sized Little Ice Dragon flew out.

Seeing this, Li Chen was taken aback.

Horned, emerald all-around, its scales glistened brightly; all these signs showed it was a pure-blood dragon.

And by the looks of it, it’s still in its juvenile phase, leaving its relation to this huge ice dragon a mystery.

As Li Chen pondered, Ximen Longting and others suddenly bowed respectful greetings to the Little Ice Dragon.

Other elders and deacons also followed suit, even lower-ranking disciples performed full kneeling salutations.

Clearly, this Little Ice Dragon held an immensely revered status within Dragon Ascending Valley.

Ximen Longting spoke first, respectfully.

"Greetings, Dragon Lord; esteemed guests have arrived at the valley, sorry to disturb your solitude, please forgive us!"

The Little Ice Dragon whisked its whiskers as if responding to Ximen Longting.

It then turned its gaze towards Li Chen, scrutinizing him carefully.

At that moment, a commotion erupted in Li Chen’s Beast Pet Space.

The normally sleeping Jiao Long awoke, appearing very excited.

This excitement wasn’t bloodthirsty; it was hormonal excitement!

Li Chen didn’t suppress it but allowed it to emerge.

"Roar!"

Jiao Long also issued a dragon roar, circling around the ice dragon.

Initially, the Little Ice Dragon was a bit wary.

However, upon seeing Jiao Long’s goofy adorableness, it began circling with it in the clouds, playing.

The two resembled long-separated lovers, occasionally singing passionately, echoing a harmonious couple’s melody.

Witnessing this scene, everyone present was utterly amazed.

Some elders of Dragon Ascending Valley worried the Dragon Lord might be in danger, subtly signaling Ximen Longting whether he should separate them.

But Ximen Longting stopped them.

Li Chen stared at the clouds, observing the frolicking Jiao Long and Ice Dragon, asking, "Valley Master, is this a True Dragon?"