Chapter 296: Those Clam Fairies, Soft αnd Tender
The dragon palanquin’s speed was astonishing.
It traveled across nearly half the world from the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground to North Sea in just a short two days’ time.
Shen Tian didn’t really see the Black Dragon King over the past two days. According to those Divine Dragon Guards, the Black Dragon King was cultivating in seclusion.
As for whether he was really cultivating in seclusion, only Ao Ye himself would know.
It was worth mentioning that Shen Tian was not the only one heading toward North Sea.
The other human prodigy who had signed a Dragon G.o.d contract with the Black Dragon race, Qi Shaoxuan, was also on this trip.
As Ao Wu’s human partner, Qi Shaoxuan had the right to enter Chaotic Star Island.
Ao Bing had not been happy about that at first.
In her opinion, Qi Shaoxuan was not as good as Shen Tian.
The Dragon race only needed one human partner, Shen Tian. This Qi Shaoxuan was too mediocre and not worthy enough.
To be honest, Ao Bing was not pleased at all.
And, of course, the Black Dragon race respected Ao Bing’s opinion a lot.
Upon seeing that Qi Shaoxuan was about to be persuaded by the Black Dragons to step down, Shen Tian spoke up.
He pleaded with Ao Bing, and she finally relented. She allowed Qi Shaoxuan to continue being the human partner of the Dragon race.
Qi Shaoxuan was very touched by this. Shen Tian’s actions completely bowled him over.
You are indeed my worthy foe. You are big-hearted and upright!
I am willing to be your foe for life!
What would Qi Shaoxuan do if he knew that he was just a big fat opportunity to be taken advantage of in Shen Tian’s eyes?
A Son of Providence with a purple-gold halo—he would definitely have a lot of fortuitous opportunities in Chaotic Star Island.
Shen Tian would never let go of such a great chance!
...
Two days pa.s.sed just like that. The dragon palanquin soon steered into North Sea’s inner depths before coming to a stop before a ma.s.sive island.
This island was so big that you couldn’t really call it an island. It was akin to a mainland floating upon the ocean!
When gazing across the island, one could not see the other end at all. It was at least tens of thousands of miles wide. More importantly, an array formation covered Black Dragon Island’s entire surface.
This array formation enclosed the entire island, making it seem like it was in a completely different dimension. It was similar to the sacred ground’s “Small World”. Different formations but both crafted with equal skill.
The entire Black Dragon Island could be sent into the s.p.a.ce-void at any time.
The dragon palanquin shot a beam of light onto the Black Dragon Island barrier’s surface, which immediately started to split open.
The huge dragon palanquin entered Black Dragon Island via the opening before stopping before a crystal palace.
The crystal palace was made from translucent jade stones with exquisite carvings.
From first glance alone, it was already more magnificent than Divine Firmament’s Sacred Leader Palace.
“10,000 years have pa.s.sed, and I see there have been quite a number of changes to Black Dragon Island.”
Ao Bing stood at the front of the dragon palanquin with the wine gourd on her back. Her manner was old and timeworn.
The corners of Shen Tian’s mouth twitched slightly. He knew that she was over 10,000 years old, and there was nothing wrong with what she said.
But it was still extremely uncomfortable to see a little lolita, who only came up to his chest, speaking about the vicissitudes of life.
Qi Shaoxuan said, “The North Sea Crystal Palace is truly a work of art. It is an eye-opener for me.”
Qi Shaoxuan and Ao Wu had just emerged. Qi Shaoxuan was awed by the sight of that crystal palace.
Everyone knew that North Sea covered a wide ocean territory filled with countless precious treasures of unimaginable value.
As the North Sea’s big boss, the Black Dragon race was well-known for being extremely prosperous. Their wealth far exceeded that of the sacred grounds.
Even a Son of Providence like Qi Shaoxuan was also astounded by the wealth of the Dragon race.
“This is just material wealth. To a true powerful cultivator, these are just meaningless commonplace resources.”
Ao Ye’s towering figure appeared before everyone. He surveyed the crystal palace.
The Black Dragon race’s wealth was well-known across the five regions.
But so what?
The true treasures could not be bought using Spirit Stones or Spirit Crystals. They were priceless items that could not be bought off the market.
Talent and bloodline were the most important things for a true powerful pract.i.tioner. These could not be bought for any price in the world.
Just like Ao Ye. He only had a Rank-8 Black Dragon bloodline. Even if he poured in thousands of years of hard cultivation, it would still be very difficult for him to make a breakthrough.
However, a Rank-9 Black Dragon like Ao Bing could easily achieve a breakthrough after just cultivating in seclusion for 100 years.
For the Dragon race, bloodline was just too important.
This was also why Ao Bing’s status was so high.
“Aunt Ao Bing, Father has already prepared a vast amount of dragon power source for you. If you focus on cultivating, you will soon recover your full strength.”
Ao Ye gazed at Ao Bing, his eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with expectancy.
The Dragon race will be able to welcome a new glorious era the moment Aunt Ao Bing recovers her full strength!
Ao Bing looked at Shen Tian. “It’s so boring to enter seclusion. Shen Tian, why don’t you accompany me?”
The corners of Ao Ye’s mouth twitched. He hurriedly said, “Aunt, don’t be too hasty. The Divine Firmament Saint has his own fortuitous opportunities to pursue. We must not disadvantage him.
“Aunt has been to Chaotic Star Island before. You know how many great fortuitous opportunities there are. It would be a pity if he missed them.”
Is that so?
Ao Bing mulled over the matter. She grudgingly reached out one hand toward Shen Tian.
“Give me a few hundred liters of Divine Juice Wine first then.”
Shen Tian, “...”
You want to cultivate in seclusion but still want to drink wine?
Moreover, Ao Bing’s alcohol tolerance was low now. It was not a good idea at all.
What if she got drunk and her cultivation went off-course into the deviant path? Don’t cultivate in seclusion when you drink. Don’t drink when you cultivate in seclusion!
Resigned, Shen Tian took over a dozen jars of Divine Juice Wine out of his Archeon Sea Ring. “Drink slowly. I don’t have much more of this wine left.”
It was true. Even more crucial was the fact that Shen Tian didn’t know how to brew it.
What you saw was what you got. The more you drank, the less you would have left. It was impossible to get any more.
Shen Tian had been considering learning how to brew wine and then making a batch of his own.
However, he had no idea whether his wine would taste the same as the original Divine Juice Wine.
...
Ao Bing accepted the Divine Juice Wine. She was finally appeased and entered seclusion.
Ao Ye heaved a sigh of relief. He then stared at Shen Tian until the latter felt his hair stand on end.
After a long time, Ao Ye squeezed out a tiny smile. “Ao Wu, I have had some revelations recently and need to enter seclusion.
“The Divine Firmament Saint is a visitor from afar, and he is Aunt’s human partner. According to seniority, you should call him Little Grand-Uncle.
“Both you and Qi Shaoxuan will be partic.i.p.ating in this Chaotic Star Island experiential journey. So you and Qi Shaoxuan can play host to the Divine Firmament Saint on my behalf!”
With that, Ao Ye took out a token.
The token was completely black with the figure of a Black Dragon G.o.d carved into it. The words “Black Dragon Island” were engraved on the back.
Ao Ye handed the token to Shen Tian. “Divine Firmament Saint, this is my North Sea Black Dragon Token. It represents my authority.
“If you meet with any trouble in North Sea, just present this token. Black Dragon Island is still well-respected here. This can resolve most issues.”
Another token?
Shen Tian was stunned. Adding the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground’s Sonic Thunder’s Buddhism Token and the Jade Lake’s Sacred Leader’s Jade Lake Sage Token, he now had three tokens altogether.
d.a.m.n, do I look like a token collector?
But as much as he was grumbling on the inside, he still had to accept it out of respect.
Especially in North Sea, where ocean demons were everywhere. Many ocean demon races did not feel too friendly toward humans.
Accepting this Black Dragon Token would make things more convenient for him. The Black Dragon King was rather considerate.
Shen Tian accepted the Black Dragon Token. “Black Dragon King, you are too kind. I am very grateful.”
...
“Well then, I am going into seclusion now.
“Ao Wu, bring your Little Grand-Uncle for a tour. Let him familiarize himself with the sights of North Sea.”
With that, Ao Ye morphed into dragon form before disappearing in front of everyone. Yeap, he was not in a hurry at all.
Now, only Ao Wu and Qi Shaoxuan were left. They gazed helplessly at Shen Tian with conflicting expressions.
Shen Tian knew what they were feeling conflicted about.
Bearing the benevolent principle of “What’s good for you was also good for me”, Shen Tian smiled.
“Brother Qi, Brother Ao, we are of similar ages.
“According to the Dragon G.o.d contract rules, I possess the same rank as Sister Bing. But this makes me look way too old.
“In the future, I will continue calling Ao Bing ‘Sister’, while you guys can call her ‘Grand-Aunt’.
“But between the three of us, we shall call each other ‘Brother’ as per normal? How about that?”
Shen Tian was still hoping for Ao Wu to introduce him to some ocean race prodigies when they were inside Chaotic Star Island!
That would be the best way for him to leverage upon his aura-reading abilities and form friendships with those ocean race prodigies.
Otherwise, many ocean demons viewed humans as their enemies.
Shen Tian might be surrounded and attacked the moment he arrived. Even if he wasn’t, there was no way he could gain anyone’s trust.
If he forced Ao Wu and Qi Shaoxuan to call him Little Grand-Uncle, the two of them would definitely avoid him as much as possible.
How was he going to benefit from their fortuitous opportunities then?
Shen Tian was a natural-born opportunist. He knew very well how to nurture his prospects.
As expected, Ao Wu’s and Qi Shaoxuan’s expressions lifted at Shen Tian’s suggestion.
Ao Wu cleared his throat. “Ahem. Brother Shen, that won’t be right! If Father and Grand-Aunt find out about this, they won’t be happy at all.”
Shen Tian pursed his lips. “I won’t tell if you won’t. How would your father know about it? As for Sister Bing, do you think she really enjoys hearing you call her Grand-Aunt?”
“Now that she has been reborn, she is dying for everyone to treat her as a little dragon girl!”
Ao Wu, “...”
Qi Shaoxuan, “...”
Well, Shen Tian had phrased it very bluntly, but he was not wrong at all.
As long as no one said a word, who would know what we agreed upon in private?
Shen Tian was indeed a gentleman. He was not at all overbearing. No wonder he was so popular.
Ao Wu gazed at Shen Tian, a hint of worship flashing across his eyes.
Such a powerful prodigy but so easy-going at the same time. No wonder Grand-Aunt likes him so much.
“Alright then, Brother Shen. I understand!
“This must be Brother Shen’s first time visiting our North Sea! I will bring you to some great places!”
With that, Ao Wu took out a small, golden conch. He blew it to create a humming sound.
Following that, four figures hurried over from afar. They stood there in a straight line.
...
“Seventh Dragon Prince, Your Highness. I am here at your command. How can I be of help to you?”
The first of the four was a man clad in white. He was smiling politely and looked somewhat scholarly.
It was worth mentioning that instead of two human legs, the bottom half of the white-clad man consisted of eight silver-white tentacles.
With those eight tentacles oscillating behind him, he looked like a sharp silver blade. He could travel tens of thousands of meters within seconds. His speed was astonishing.
“Ever since your Highness Seventh Dragon Prince went to Eastern Wilderness, I really missed you a lot!”
Following close behind the white-clad man was a rotund merchant dressed in a splendid golden robe.
His walking manner was an arrogant swagger, waving around two ma.s.sive pincers as he barged his way through.
d.a.m.n, with those pincers of his, he can do whatever he wants!
As for the remaining two, one of them was wearing blood-red leather armor and exuded an extremely aggressive and fierce aura. He was nine feet tall and carried a ma.s.sive machete on his back. The blade was lined with razor-sharp jagged teeth.
He grinned, revealing a dense row of sharp teeth. It was a blood-curdling sight.
The final figure was a rather jocular-looking youth. He looked like he was only about 14 to 15 years of age.
It was worth mentioning that this youth was wearing a black turtle sh.e.l.l armor. Turtle sh.e.l.ls completely protected his front and back.
He looked exactly like a human teenage boy who had gotten himself stuck inside a turtle sh.e.l.l.
The four of them hurried over to Ao Wu. They sized up the two humans standing beside Ao Wu.
The turtle sh.e.l.l youth looked at Shen Tian. He was subconsciously drawn to this human, attracted by the subtle aura exuded by him.
It was like... they were from the same origins.
“I heard that Seventh Dragon Prince signed a Dragon G.o.d contract with the Purple Mansion Saint. Don’t tell me this is the Purple Mansion Saint, Qi Shaoxuan?”
The turtle-sh.e.l.led youth reached out one friendly hand. “h.e.l.lo, I am Wu Wudi from the Black Tortoise race. I am pleased to meet you.”
“Is this other human your servant? No wonder our Seventh Dragon Prince acknowledged you. Even your servant is so powerful!”
Qi Shaoxuan, “???”
The corners of Ao Wu’s lips twitched.
Even your servant is so powerful?
Brother Shaoxuan’s aura is indeed a tad weaker than Brother Shen’s, but this doesn’t mean you can take him to be a servant! You scoundrel. Is there something wrong with your eyes?
Seeing Qi Shaoxuan’s grim expression, Ao Wu hurriedly introduced Shen Tian and Qi Shaoxuan.
“Let me introduce everyone. The one on my left is the Purple Mansion Saint, Qi Shaoxuan. He is my human partner.
“Meanwhile, the one on my right is the Divine Firmament Saint, Shen Tian. He is the number one handsome man in Eastern Wilderness and the top prodigy.
“At the same time, he is the human partner of one of our royal elders. We cannot disclose the ident.i.ty of the elder.
“Anyway, Brother Shen is the most important guest in North Sea now.
“I called you four buddies over as I hope that everyone can help me make him feel welcome here.”
Qi Shaoxuan, “!?”
So I am just extra baggage!?
This is going to be a looong trip...
After introducing Shen Tian and Qi Shaoxuan, Ao Wu introduced the four ocean race prodigies.
To be referred to as “buddies” by the Seventh Dragon Prince, they would naturally not be your usual common demons.
These four were all direct descendants of the demon families with close links to the Dragon race. They were touted as the “Four Princes of North Sea”.
The white-clad, elegant man was the prince of the Silver Octopus race. His cultivation level was high, and he was very adept at gathering and managing intelligence.
Amongst the North Sea younger generation, the White Prince of the Four Princes of North Sea was publicly acknowledged at a “Know-It-All”. There was nothing he didn’t know!
The merchant in the golden robe was the Crab Prince of the Four Princes of North Sea. He was the core disciple of the Golden Crab race.
The Golden Crab race had the inborn talent to find gold. They could find gold mines anywhere in the deep ocean.
The Golden Crab race possessed an extremely high status amongst all the other races subservient to the Black Dragon race.
As the core disciple of the Golden Crab race, the Crab Prince was even more domineering and wilful than your usual crab!
The one dressed in the blood-red leather armor was the Shark Prince. He was from the Killer Shark race and was a mutant beast.
It was rumored that he was already extraordinary the moment he was born. He had caught five young whales and killed them all right after birth.
As a result, some people called him the “Five Whale Killer”. It was a nickname in jest but was enough to show just how powerful he was.
Last but not least, the youth in turtle armor was the Turtle Prince.
He might be the youngest amongst the four princes, but his abilities were more or less on par.
The Turtle Prince was from the Mighty Black Turtle race, the Black Dragon race’s most trusted subordinates. His father was the Black Dragon Island’s Turtle Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, he possessed one of the purest Black Turtle bloodlines and was the kind of prodigy which the Black Turtle race only saw once in 1,000 years.
With his double-layered turtle armor, almost no one from his generation could do him much harm.
It could be said that each of these four princes held extraordinary statuses.
After Ao Wu grew up, they would also be his core advisors.
After all, a leader had to have his group of loyal protectors!
...
“Misunderstanding. Just a case of pure misunderstanding. I beg the pardon of the Divine Firmament Saint and the Purple Mansion Saint.”
The Crab Prince smiled solicitously. “The two of you have traveled such a great distance to the North Sea. You must be tired, right?
“Why don’t we do this? Let me bring you to the City of Bliss to relax and have a good time. My treat. You can experience North Sea’s splendor and hospitality.”
At that, the Crab Prince gave a knowing smile and chuckled.
“To be honest. We just received a new batch. Those Clam fairies are very soft and tender!”