Chapter 650: Returning

It took the dragons a full ten months to return from the distant desolate sea, finally reaching the border between the desolate sea and the East Sea. Already impatient, the dragons leaped out of the water and soared into the sky. These were the Four Seas Dragon Clan in the general sense, and after spending so long in the desolate sea, seeing the clear blue water again, they couldn't help but let out long roars.

Needless to say, Jiyuan also felt his spirits lift upon seeing the vast East Sea. At this point, it was almost time for the dragons to disperse. The dragon clan has a strong sense of territorial distinction, and those from the South Sea and North Sea eagerly wished to return. Thus, as soon as they entered the East Sea, Gongrong and Qingyou came to bid farewell to Jiyuan and the others.

Most of the Flood Dragons from the South Sea and North Sea floated in the sky in their dragon forms. However, Gongrong, Qingyou, and the dragons very close to them were all in human form. The same applied to Jiyuan, Yinghong, and Huang Yuzhong.

In the clouds above, the dragon group had already split into three.

"Mr. Ji, Dragon Lord Huang, Dragon Lord Ying, Dragon Lord Gong, now that we have returned to the Four Seas realm, all matters to be discussed and handled have been completed during the journey. It is time for us to part ways. Needless to say for the esteemed Dragon Lords, Mr. Ji, if you ever pass through the North Sea in the future, I hope you will visit my palace as a guest. I, Qingyou, will certainly offer you the best hospitality!"

As Qingyou spoke, he cupped his hands in salute towards two directions, bowing specifically to Jiyuan. Dragon Lord Gongrong did the same, and while bidding farewell with a salute, he naturally extended an invitation to Jiyuan.

"Mr. Ji, I also hope you will visit my palace in the sea as a guest. I, Gongrong, will certainly not neglect you, Mr., and will prepare a feast for your arrival!"

"If there's an opportunity, I, Jiyuan, will certainly pay a visit! Farewell for now, everyone!"

"Hahahaha, until we meet again, Mr. Ji! Be sure to visit my North Sea if you have the chance. I, Qingyou, will take my leave first!"

Qingyou laughed heartily. After a few human-form Flood Dragons beside him bowed with him, he transformed into his dragon form and flew away with a dragon's roar. Dozens of Flood Dragons followed closely, soaring towards the north.

Gongrong smiled, just about to bid farewell and leave, when his son, Gongxiu, beside him, couldn't hold back and whispered a reminder under pressure.

"Father... my matter..."

Hearing Gongxiu speak, Ying Ruoli and Ying Feng, who were with Jiyuan and Yinghong, immediately looked displeased. Dragon Lord Gongrong, standing in front of Gongxiu, also furrowed his brow slightly. He turned his head and glared at his good-for-nothing son. The latter felt fear in his heart but still showed a pleading expression on his face.

Gongrong glanced at his son, then slowly turned his gaze back to Jiyuan, his smile returning.

"Mr. Ji, I previously heard Dragon Lord Ying mention that one of his immortal friends planted a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root. I wonder if that friend is you, Mr.?"

Jiyuan smiled and shook his head.

"I, Jiyuan, have never planted a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root."

As both Gongrong and Gongxiu were slightly taken aback, Jiyuan continued.

"However, there is indeed a special jujube tree at my home. That tree was not planted by me."

Gongrong knew well that Yinghong had merely given him face at the time, allowing everyone to have a graceful exit. Ying Ruoli was the beloved daughter of this Hornless Dragon, and it was already fortunate that she hadn't flared up then. So, he didn't speak to Yinghong at this moment but addressed Jiyuan directly.

"Mr. Ji, I presume you also know that my son Gongxiu injured his vital essence some years ago, and his injury is peculiar, making it difficult to fully recover. If it is convenient for you, Mr., could you perhaps grant me a spiritual root fruit? Of course, I am aware that a spiritual root fruit is no small matter, and I will certainly offer sufficient sincerity."

Gongxiu was just one of Gongrong's many good-for-nothing children, and the one who had caused him to lose face. This old dragon had actually intended for the matter to simply pass. But with Gongxiu speaking up at such a moment, and all the dragons present aware of what happened back then, Gongrong found himself in a difficult position due to pride, so he could only ask Jiyuan for the fruit.

"Since Dragon Lord Gongrong asks, I, Jiyuan, will naturally grant it. Why speak of compensation?"

Hearing this, Gongxiu, standing behind Gongrong, felt a surge of ecstatic joy. He even felt a little ashamed; he had certainly slandered Jiyuan quite a bit behind his back these past two years.

'I can't believe this blind immortal is so accommodating!'

But Jiyuan's tone suddenly shifted, pouring a basin of ice water directly onto Gongxiu's heart.

"It's just that spiritual roots have their own cultivation. To be frank, about three years ago, when Old Mr. Ying came to see me, he already explained the matter concerning Dragon Lord Gongrong's son. He mentioned the request for a fire jujube. However, the jujube tree at my home is very close with Ruoli, practically bosom friends..."

Jiyuan paused and glanced at Ying Ruoli. Although she appeared expressionless, the smile in her eyes was almost bursting forth.

"When Old Mr. Ying mentioned the origin of Dragon Lord Gongrong's son's injury, the jujube tree immediately became furious, declaring that it would absolutely not drop any fruit. It wouldn't even give me face when I tried to persuade it..."

Jiyuan spread his hands, an apologetic expression on his face, and spoke to Gongrong and Gongxiu.

"It is truly difficult to force it!"

Ying Ruoli rejoiced inwardly. Earlier, she had been discussing the fire jujube's ripening period with Uncle Ji. She hadn't expected him to perform such a move now, which was equivalent to saying there was no chance of getting it.

Most of what Jiyuan said was not false. The old dragon (Yinghong) had indeed mentioned asking for the fire jujube, but he had mentioned it, knowing he would never help Gongxiu get it. And Jujube Maiden and Ying Ruoli could truly be considered close friends; Jujube Maiden had also been very angry upon hearing about Gongxiu's matter. The only lie was that the Jujube Maiden refused Jiyuan's request for a fruit.

"Ah, I see... In that case, I can only temporarily look for other methods... Oh, Mr. Ji, be sure to visit the South Sea if you have time. We have lingered long enough. Two Dragon Lords, Mr. Ji, we will take our leave now!"

Jiyuan's words to this extent were tantamount to a direct refusal. Although Gongrong was slightly displeased, he couldn't say anything. After both sides exchanged salutes, the South Sea dragons transformed into their dragon forms and departed. Only the East Sea dragons and Jiyuan remained at the original spot.

After the South Sea dragons disappeared from sight, Ying Feng was the first to burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha, that castrated dragon still dreams of regenerating his roots! What a pipe dream!"

"Hahahahaha..." "Hehehehe..."

Laughter filled the air among the surrounding dragons. Even the old Yellow Dragon couldn't help but laugh out loud. Gongxiu's matter had long been a private joke. Furthermore, Ying Ruoli was Dragon Lord Ying's cherished daughter, and most of the younger generation of East Sea Flood Dragons admired Ying Ruoli, wishing that Gongxiu would remain a "castrated dragon" forever.

"Thank you, Uncle Ji!"

Ying Ruoli curtsied to Jiyuan. Jiyuan glanced at Yinghong and Huang Yuzhong and said,

"Jujube Maiden was indeed angry about Ruoli's matter. And the fire jujubes aren't truly ripe yet; even if Gongxiu could get one now, its effect wouldn't be very significant."

The effect would be significant for mortals, but for creatures like Flood Dragons, it wouldn't have such an exaggerated effect.

On the distant sea, dozens of Flood Dragons sped along, following a dark red True Dragon, seventy to eighty zhang long. Gongxiu was still gnashing his teeth in hatred at this moment. He could even imagine that after he left, Ying Feng would surely mock him. The more he thought about it, the more unbearable his grief and indignation became.

"Father! That blind man named Ji is bullying dragons too much, making up lies..."

"Impudent!"

Rumble...

The lingering echo of Gongrong's furious roar directly transformed into the sound of heavenly thunder. In an extremely short time, dark clouds covered the sea, with lightning streaking through them. This situation made Gongxiu's dragon body flinch, and the surrounding Flood Dragons appeared slightly uneasy.

"How could someone like you, my rebellious son, comprehend Jiyuan's power? If you encounter him in the future, you must respectfully address him as 'Mr.'. Do you understand?"

"Yes, your son understands..."

Gongxiu's fear was mixed with anger, yet he dared not defy his father's will. He could only quickly agree. He had come out this time thinking he could please his father, but unexpectedly ended up in such a predicament.

"Hmph, I don't think you understand! Hehehehe..."

Although Gongrong was not simple when dealing with his son, nor was he particularly familiar with his thoughts, he could still guess some of Gongxiu's intentions. But because of this, he looked down on this son even more. If not for the palpable bloodline, he would genuinely doubt if Gongxiu was his own offspring.

"Do you think Jiyuan lied for your sake? Don't you weigh your own importance? Jiyuan was merely giving me face. If only you were there, hmph, even if you are my dragon son, he could have cleaved your dragon head with a single sword. Never mention the matter of the spiritual root again in the future. For your sake as my son, I will find another way."

At this moment, an old Flood Dragon approached, helping Gongxiu change the subject and ease the pressure.

"Dragon Lord, what exactly did you discover in that perilous desolate sea region previously? Could you tell us a bit about it?"

"Indeed, Dragon Lord, we are truly curious!"

Compared to Gongxiu, Gongrong valued his subordinates more. Hearing them ask about the previous events, Gongrong's dragon eyes narrowed, revealing a slight smile.

"This is a secret of the world. Hmm, according to Jiyuan, we will temporarily call that place Void Soup Valley."

"Dragon Lord, during that period of a season, what exactly did the four Dragon Lords and Mr. Ji see? Could you reveal a bit? Your subordinates are truly curious!"

Gongrong let out a chuckle.

"If I said I saw the sun, would you believe me? Stop asking for now. I will explain it to you all later. First, let's return to the South Sea! Ang..."

The East Sea was originally the territory of the Ying clan and the old Yellow Dragon. The accompanying dragons then dispersed into the sea, returning to their places of cultivation. The old Yellow Dragon also bid farewell to Jiyuan and the others and departed.

This time, they didn't find the Dragon Corpse Worm. But seeing the Fusang Divine Tree and the Golden Crow was quite a shock to the four dragons. Although they wouldn't deliberately spread the news, they would certainly inform their close True Dragon acquaintances.

Most of those who had set out this time were Flood Dragons from the sea. As the sea Flood Dragons dispersed, only Jiyuan and the three members of the Ying family remained to return to the land together.

Regarding what they saw in Void Soup Valley, neither Jiyuan nor the old Dragon Lords intended to hide it from the dragon prince and princess. They had already explained it clearly along the way. Ying Ruoli and Ying Feng were utterly astonished upon hearing it. No matter how much they racked their brains, they would never have imagined that the Fusang Divine Tree was where the Sun Golden Crows descended to rest and bathe.