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Chapter 862: Someone Is About to Make a Move

Ying Ruoli's promise essentially sealed her destiny: she would establish a dragon palace overseas, potentially even near the Barren Sea. This palace would serve as a central point to pacify a sea region, laying the groundwork for eventually transforming the Barren Sea into a Clear Sea.

The numerous dragon palaces within the Four Seas generally served similar purposes. Even if a branch of the dragon clan lacked true dragons in a certain period, the dragon palace would be passed down through generations, ensuring the Clear Sea remained untainted by the Barren Sea.

Ying Ruoli's decision caused the aquatic races who had made the request to erupt in ecstatic joy. Even those who hadn't joined the plea felt a profound tremor within their hearts, some also showing outward delight.

Such a decision was not merely for show; it genuinely required immense perseverance and profound wisdom.

"Please rise, everyone. Since I have given my word, I will not break it. Please return to your seats."

At this moment, the Dragon Lady's self-address subtly changed. Through this experience, she had, to some extent, come to understand that she must display the proper majesty of a true dragon before the aquatic races.

Naturally, none of the aquatic races below disagreed. They assented and returned to their respective seats, but the atmosphere among them within the dragon palace had completely transformed. Their discussions now revolved entirely around the opening of the Barren Sea, and other guests inquired about the details of the matter.

Even with beautiful aquatic maidens entering various halls to play music and dance, they could not capture everyone's attention.

Soon, the news, spread by some aquatic creatures, reached outside the dragon palace. All the aquatic races at the riverbank banquet also learned of it. The fervor of the discussions outside was ten times greater than inside the dragon palace, causing that section of the Tongtian River basin to feel as if it were boiling. If a mortal boat were to pass by and someone accidentally fell into the water, and if that person's spiritual perception was even slightly strong, they might even hear the noisy discussions of the aquatic races below.

Having even witnessed the 'forced abdication,' all the guests felt their trip was well worth it; the mere topic of conversation was substantial. However, the Dragon Lords of the Four Seas and individuals of supreme cultivation like Ji Yuan became somewhat distracted.

Ji Yuan held an ambergris jar and poured himself a cup, but the wine glass remained untouched in his hand. He watched the Dragon Lady's seemingly calm expression, then let his gaze sweep across the faces of some aquatic races in the main hall. Familiar faces like Gao Tianming, acquaintances like Du Guangtong, and even strangers all wore expressions of excitement.

"Mr. Ji, perhaps we could step outside for a word?"

The Old Dragon's voice resonated in Ji Yuan's ear. Ji Yuan looked up at him, only to see the Old Dragon still seemingly drinking and watching the aquatic dancers in the hall, appearing to have said nothing. Yet, at that moment, he held his wine cup still, seemingly lost in thought, whether due to the dancers' beauty or something else entirely.

Ji Yuan's eyes widened slightly, and immediately, the Old Dragon's aura became a few shades clearer.

'Emanating the spirit?'

It was clear the Old Dragon had employed some divine ability, perhaps a separation of body and spirit or a magical avatar. However, due to the noisy atmosphere, few dared to focus their spiritual sense on the Old Dragon, so even the other Dragon Lords might not have noticed. Only the Dragon Lady briefly glanced at her father, subtly raising her sleeve to offer him concealment.

Ji Yuan, however, had no such avatar techniques; it wasn't that he was unskilled, but rather that he hadn't cultivated a suitable avatar, nor did he wish for his primordial spirit to leave his body, as that would be too abrupt. So, after a word with Yin Zhaoxian, he simply stood up, left his seat, and headed outside.

Although many noticed Ji Yuan, no one questioned him, nor was anyone likely to stop him. When he reached outside the main hall, the Yaksha guarding the entrance immediately bowed and asked.

"Mr. Ji, is there something you need outside?"

"Nothing, just taking a stroll. Don't mind me."

With that, Ji Yuan transformed into a streak of water light and departed from the dragon palace. The questioning Yaksha looked at his colleagues, then decided to report to the Dragon Lord or Lady Ying.

Ji Yuan's escape light vanished instantly after he left the dragon palace. Moments later, a gentle breeze swept across a certain bank of the Tongtian River, and Ji Yuan's figure appeared there. The Old Dragon had already been standing there, gazing at the river surface, waiting for a while.

"Old Mr. Ying, you suddenly called me out because of the 'forced abdication' incident, correct?"

"What else would it be?"

"Indeed, I have only just understood the relationship between the Clear Sea and the Barren Sea, and the role of the dragon clan within it."

Ji Yuan had actually only just grasped that the Dragon Palaces of the Four Seas were crucial in separating the Four Seas from the Barren Sea, having heard it mentioned by the surrounding aquatic races. Previously, when he first arrived at the border between the Barren Sea and the Four Seas, he had wondered why the turbulent and ferocious currents of the Barren Sea didn't contaminate the Four Seas.

"Alright, while this matter is a minor secret within our dragon clan, it's not something beyond your knowledge, Ji Yuan. If you speak like that, I'll have to suspect you were behind the 'forced abdication' incident, fanning the flames."

Ji Yuan gave a wry smile and quickly clarified.

"Old Mr. Ying, Ruoli is also close to me. How could I possibly harm her?"

The Old Dragon glanced at Ji Yuan and said slowly.

"Strictly speaking, for Ruoli, developing the Barren Sea, though disadvantageous for a time, isn't entirely without benefit. Perhaps you just wished for Ruoli to gain a deeper foundation and experience some pressure."

When the Old Dragon spoke, his tone was clearly not serious. Ji Yuan didn't intend to joke further and simply frowned, looking at the river surface, asking.

"Do you have any suspects? And please, don't say it's me again."

The Old Dragon shook his head.

"To be honest, I have no clue. This matter is somewhat strange; no one benefits from doing this. But to say that these aquatic races spontaneously organized it is also unlikely. Without someone prompting them, no aquatic creature would have thought of this, and even now, many don't know about reclaiming the barren lands and establishing a palace. Even I never imagined aquatic races would gather to 'force abdication.'"

Ji Yuan pondered and said.

"What about the Dragon Lords of the Four Seas?"

"No! My Tongtian River clan and most of the East Sea dragons are united by shared essence. Although the dragon clans of the Four Seas are no longer as unified as in ancient times, they haven't completely fractured. Even if they were fractured, they still have marital ties that keep them connected. To be blunt, the only one among the dragons who likely resents Ruoli is a eunuch, and openly, he wouldn't dare."

As he spoke, the Old Dragon looked at Ji Yuan again.

"Mr. Ji, have you thought of anything?"

Ji Yuan had originally considered whether the Old Dragon and Ruoli had offended someone within the dragon clan, and even thought of the fellow who had once attempted to overpower the Dragon Lady only to have his lineage severed. However, since the Old Dragon had explicitly addressed that point, he dismissed the idea and shifted his thoughts elsewhere.

Ji Yuan looked at the river surface without speaking. The Old Dragon did not disturb him. After a long silence, Ji Yuan suddenly asked a question instead of answering.

"The dragon clan hasn't expanded into the Barren Sea for a long time, correct?"

"Yes! The further out one goes, the more difficult it becomes. The Four Seas are already vast enough, and the existing dragons find it hard to control them all. Further expansion offers little benefit. The key is... the number of true dragons currently alive is also an issue..."

The number of true dragons in the world was a secret, both internally within the dragon clan and externally. It had never been explicitly stated. Perhaps some Dragon Lords knew, but they would not disclose it. A true dragon might exist in any ocean trench or even in a part of the Barren Sea.

This secret was not without purpose; much like the number of reclusive eminent monks in Shaolin Temple, a common secret in some wuxia novels Ji Yuan had read in his previous life, it held a unique deterrent power.

But the Old Dragon's words at this moment made Ji Yuan realize that the current number of true dragons was, at the very least, fewer compared to ancient times.

Ji Yuan speculated on the dragon clan's situation and asked again.

"So, if Ruoli truly expands into the Barren Sea, beyond the myriad aquatic creatures who follow her, how many true dragons will intervene?"

"Even I would only assist her if she truly could not sustain herself."

Ji Yuan looked at the Old Dragon in surprise. Seeing his serious expression, he understood that the other Dragon Lords would not intervene at all.

"Old Mr. Ying, in my opinion, the dragon clan is the foundation of the Four Seas."

"Without our dragon clan, while the Four Seas might not immediately vanish, they would certainly shrink, reverting to their ancient inner domain, and it's even possible they could be completely swallowed by the Barren Sea."

"So, the dragon clan hasn't expanded into the Barren Sea for over a thousand years?"

Ji Yuan's question was serious, and the Old Dragon looked at him, replying with even greater solemnity.

"To be precise, it's been over 1,700 years. The Barren Sea remained untouched even before I was born. Among the elders of the dragon clan today, there are none who participated in its reclamation."

Ji Yuan frowned again. The longevity of dragons was well-known. Were there no dragons over two thousand years old? It certainly shouldn't be difficult for a true dragon to live two millennia, should it? Even for true immortals, a lifespan of two thousand years shouldn't be an unattainable goal.

"The longer one lives, the more tribulations one faces..."

The Old Dragon said meaningfully, seemingly understanding his friend's thoughts. Even he himself had nearly fallen out with Ji Yuan at Wolong Wall back then.

Ji Yuan pondered for another moment, finally articulating some of his suspicions, which might have seemed rather unconventional to the Old Dragon.

"Perhaps this isn't directed at Ruoli personally, but rather a test for the entire dragon clan. If Ruoli doesn't expand into the Barren Sea, it would suggest the dragon clan has little power left or has lost its drive. Even if Ruoli does expand, it would still reveal the reactions of the true dragons of the Four Seas. It's a transparent strategy..."

The Old Dragon raised an eyebrow, looking at Ji Yuan with utmost seriousness.

"Are you suggesting there might be a hidden plot, Mr. Ji?"

Ji Yuan let out a cold laugh.

"Indeed. The previous chaos in Tianyu Continent was a conspiracy, and those Dragon Corpse Worms probably were too!"

The Old Dragon's eyes widened slightly, immediately grasping the meaning of his old friend's words and understanding the gravity of the situation. One could say that almost no one besides Ji Yuan would propose such an exaggerated hypothesis.

"Who dares plot against my dragon clan?"

"Perhaps someone wishes for the Four Seas to collapse..."

Ji Yuan felt a chill run through him at that moment, an almost electric sensation. Someone was definitely making a move, or perhaps had already made one that he hadn't noticed. Although he constantly observed the Sky of Intent, he couldn't claim he would truly see it again.

Could the opponent truly be so formidable that, after testing and confirming certain things in Tianyu Continent, their next step was to target the Four Seas Dragon Clan?

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