Chapter 836: Serious Situation Even Kiyomasa Couldn't See

Driven by some unseen pressure, Ji Yuan's flight speed seemed to increase slightly beyond his usual limit, bringing him back to Yunzhou in the Eastern Lands half a fortnight earlier than expected.

Although it had only been a few years since Ji Yuan last left Yunzhou, for an immortal cultivator, especially one of Ji Yuan's cultivation level, a few years truly meant little. However, the numerous events that transpired during his absence stretched the sense of time, making Ji Yuan feel as though he were returning to his homeland after a long separation.

But this time, Ji Yuan could not go straight to his old home in Ning'an County. After all, the most pressing matter was the condition of the Dragon Girl, Ying Ruoli, so he naturally had to go to Dazhen Capital Prefecture first.

The banks of the Tongtian River had changed greatly. Ji Yuan almost didn't recognize them when he arrived at the riverside. Standing on the opposite bank from the Capital Prefecture, he looked in a direction based on memory, only to see water everywhere.

"Uh, this... Zongyuan Ferry is submerged?"

The original Zongyuan Ferry was completely submerged. Now, a larger new dock stood on the riverbank. Most of it was complete, with cargo ships loading and unloading, but a section was still under construction. In addition, supporting infrastructure had also caught up, and even the former hotpot restaurants had been rebuilt and reopened.

The situation was similar on the opposite bank, with a wider new dock also bustling with activity. Only the main road extending towards the Capital Prefecture remained unchanged.

Ji Yuan was standing on the near side of the new road along the bank. Though slightly off to the side, carriages and horses still passed by. As he gazed at the surface of the Tongtian River, a carriage happened to pass. The person inside pulled back the curtain to look at the river, and voices emerged.

"This is the Tongtian River. I came here once to take the imperial examination, and even stayed for a while in a village by the river. It's a pity I can't see the River God's Temple now!"

"I heard it sank underwater?"

"Yes, the surface of the Tongtian River basin has widened considerably. Even the original docks are completely submerged. I hear the main channel has changed in some places, seemingly bypassing the cities that used to be along the river, turning them into tributaries instead..."

The speaker in the carriage glanced along the bank and naturally saw Ji Yuan not far away. However, when their gaze swept elsewhere and returned, they found no one on the nearby bank. They rubbed their eyes and looked again, but still found nothing.

By this point, Ji Yuan had already entered the Tongtian River. Soon after entering the water, he spotted a patrolling Yaksha. The Yaksha, originally swimming and patrolling with a steel spear, suddenly saw a stranger walking on the water. Just as it was about to challenge him, it recognized the newcomer, and was instantly startled, then overjoyed, quickly swimming over.

"Your humble servant greets Mr. Ji. The Dragon Lord has been thinking of you, sir, and instructed us to keep an eye out for your arrival."

"I am here specifically to visit. I hope it's not an inconvenient time?"

Ji Yuan asked, and the Yaksha quickly replied.

"It's perfect! Sir, please follow me!"

The underwater current was diverted by the Yaksha, carrying Ji Yuan and the Yaksha as if on an express lane directly towards the Dragon Palace beneath the water. Even before Ji Yuan arrived, other water spirits had already reached the palace to report his coming.

The old dragon was sitting in the main hall, eyes closed, meditating, when a Yaksha hurriedly entered the hall.

"Reporting to the Dragon Lord! Mr. Ji has arrived and will be here momentarily."

"Understood."

The old dragon opened his eyes and responded calmly. He then slowly stood up, glancing at the Dragon Mother who had also risen. He slowly walked out of the palace. However, despite his seemingly slow movements, the water currents beneath his feet were swift, carrying him in what felt like a single step directly to the entrance of the water palace, where he met Ji Yuan face-to-face.

"So, you finally decided to show up?"

The old dragon immediately complained, and Ji Yuan quickly apologized.

"It was my oversight, my oversight," Ji Yuan said. "Elder Ying must have heard about the great upheaval in Tianyu Continent and that Elder Lu seemed to be in trouble. I, Ji, belong to no sect or faction, so I went to lend a hand."

"Hmm, I heard about it. Come quickly, let's go see Ruoli."

The old dragon's response regarding the Tianyu Continent matter was lukewarm; after all, it wasn't as important as his daughter. Ji Yuan, observing his expression, noticed that the old dragon's face didn't look right.

"What? Has something happened to Ruoli?"

Ji Yuan also grew a bit anxious. The old dragon said nothing, simply taking Ji Yuan by the hand and walking. Ji Yuan dared not delay. After quickly bowing to the Dragon Mother, who had also arrived, he followed the old dragon, stepping on the waves directly to the entrance of Ying Ruoli's chambers.

The Dragon Prince guarding the door had been idly stretching a moment before. The next moment, he saw his father and Ji Yuan approaching and quickly bowed in greeting.

"Father! Uncle Ji! Uncle Ji, you're finally here!"

"Hmm, Ruoli is inside?"

"Yes, Uncle Ji. Please go in and see her."

Ji Yuan would not refuse this time. He nodded and was about to walk straight in, but then paused and turned to look at the Dragon Mother, who had also arrived.

"Madam Ying, I will go in to see Ruoli."

"Mr. Ji, please enter. If Ruoli can successfully transform into a dragon, I will be eternally grateful!"

The Dragon Mother solemnly bowed to Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan returned the bow before turning to walk forward. As he stepped forward, a shimmering barrier, like ripples on water, appeared. However, Ji Yuan felt no resistance as he stepped through it. It was as if he had simply passed through a soft current, naturally crossing the barrier.

Ji Yuan then looked at the heavily decorated door. He thought with amusement, "Well, I suppose this counts as entering a young lady's private chambers."

Pushing open the door, Ji Yuan looked inside. The chambers were of a moderate size, originally a single open space, but screens partitioned the interior. Ying Ruoli was calmly seated cross-legged in front of the outer screen. Her serene expression occasionally creased into a frown, and the divine light behind her and her flowing ethereal sash further enhanced her goddess-like bearing.

Ji Yuan's brows furrowed slightly. He looked back at those outside the barrier. Even the old dragon, who usually remained composed no matter the situation, looked visibly tense, while the Dragon Mother seemed to have anxiety written all over her face.

So Ji Yuan approached the Dragon Girl and examined her closely. His brows were tightly furrowed, utterly bewildered. The more puzzled he looked, the more anxious the old dragon, Dragon Mother, and Ying Feng became outside.

After pondering for a while, Ji Yuan returned to the door and gently closed it, blocking the view of the three dragons outside. Because of the barrier, they could essentially hear and see nothing.

Outside, the Dragon Mother's eyes widened, and she immediately looked at the old dragon.

"Why did he close the door?"

"How should I know? Perhaps heavenly secrets cannot be revealed!"

The old dragon replied, maintaining his composure and remaining motionless outside the hall.

Inside the chambers, Ji Yuan turned back to the Dragon Girl, still frowning.

"What is this about?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Dragon Girl instantly opened her eyes and playfully stuck out her tongue at Ji Yuan, making him momentarily stunned.

"Oh, Uncle Ji, you finally closed the door!" she exclaimed. "If you kept staring, Ruoli would have blushed, and who knows, she might have even failed her cultivation!"

As the Dragon Girl spoke, she stood up, even patting her arms and legs.

What was happening? Ji Yuan's mind struggled to comprehend. It was only because his pale eyes always appeared calm and undisturbed, no matter what, otherwise, his expression would certainly have been somewhat blank.

The Dragon Girl had already walked up to Ji Yuan and elegantly bowed to him.

"Ruoli greets Uncle Ji," she said. "I hope Uncle Ji doesn't mind. Ruoli is fine, Ruoli is doing very well!"

Indeed. Even if Ji Yuan were blind, he would have realized he had been pranked, and by the usually well-behaved Dragon Girl, no less! What's more, she had also pranked her parents and elder brother.

By this time, Ji Yuan had recovered his wits and asked with a wry smile.

"Ruoli, what kind of act was that?"

Ying Ruoli's face was smiling, and her heart blossomed with joy. She had never seen that expression on Ji Yuan's face before; though he had hidden it, it had been truly amusing. She walked over and waved her hand towards the door, instantly adding another layer of barrier. Then she quickly invited Ji Yuan to sit.

"Uncle Ji, please sit quickly! Ruoli has been waiting for you so anxiously!"

Watching Ying Ruoli act like a spoiled child, Ji Yuan found himself a bit overwhelmed. This was vastly different from the sacred dignity of the Goddess of Tongtian River. The number of people in the world who could witness this scene could surely be counted on one hand.

"No, no, no, just tell me what's going on properly! What is it really?"

Ying Ruoli immediately composed herself a little and pointed towards the door.

"Uncle Ji, Ruoli isn't afraid of transforming into a dragon, but of course, it had to wait until you arrived. However, for Ruoli, this is also another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Um, Uncle Ji, I'm afraid my father might hear, could you help seal this place too...?"

Ji Yuan grinned, having a general idea now. At the Dragon Girl's request, he raised an arm, and the Immortal-Binding Rope transformed into a golden shadow, covering the entire interior of the chambers.

"Alright, now even if you're plotting against your father, he definitely won't sense it."

"Thank you, Uncle Ji!"

Ying Ruoli thanked Ji Yuan again with a smile, then suddenly asked a question.

"Uncle Ji, do you know what this is about now?"

"What else could it be? Is it about your father and mother?"

"Nothing escapes Uncle Ji! It is precisely this matter. You're aware of my parents' relationship. This time, if not for the danger of my dragon transformation, they might not even be in the same river. Uncle Ji, you absolutely must help me this time. Otherwise, Ruoli will surely have deep inner turmoil during her transformation, and something might go wrong, she might fail the transformation, she might even die in the process, or perhaps..."

"Stop, stop, stop..."

Ji Yuan quickly raised a hand. Indeed, even girls who usually seem very well-behaved have a mischievous side.