BOOK 2: CHAPTER 450: DRAGON LORD'S INVITATION, MARITIME CRISIS

Vol 2 Chapter 450: Dragon Lord's Invitation, Maritime Crisis

In Xuanwu Enclosure, there was a newly built ceremonial hall. Calling it a hall was an understatement—it was actually a standalone floating island, covering about eight hundred acres, large enough to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people.

At the center of the hall stood a white stone dais, three zhang high, with ninety-nine steps on each of the four sides.

Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on the dais, gazing in all directions.

Three thousand disciples of the Jiushan Sect, led by Senior Sister Zhang and others, were seated on cushions scattered around.

These disciples were all beyond the Golden Core stage;

naturally, they were not all the Golden Core disciples of Jiushan Sect, but the elite among them. The lowest cultivation among them was late Golden Core with prospects of forming a Nascent Soul. Although the Yellow Court Scripture began with the Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique, its profound mysteries required disciples to reach Nascent Soul to truly comprehend. If disciples' cultivation was insufficient, not understanding was one thing, but worse was learning wrongly and developing obstructive misconceptions.

Therefore, the three thousand elite disciples attending this lecture were the very best the sect had to offer.

Seeing everyone’s eyes fixed on him, Zheng Fa’s spiritual energy stirred slightly, and three golden lotuses floated in the air, illuminating both the dais and the audience.

“This lecture will last twenty-one days. For the first seven days, I will teach the Yellow Court Scripture essentials before the Nascent Soul stage, focusing mainly on the Nine-turn Golden Core Method and the Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations.”

Golden Core and early Nascent Soul disciples in the audience all showed joyful expressions, clearly this part was most useful to them.

“The middle seven days will cover the Yellow Court Scripture’s Nascent Soul transformation outline, mainly the key principles of the Three Methods Unified.”

This pleased the mid to late Nascent Soul disciples even more.

“The final seven days will be reserved for mutual exchange.” Zheng Fa’s gaze swept across the crowd. “If anyone has any questions or opinions, feel free to speak up without standing.”

The disciples below all slightly bowed in unison as if paying respect.

Zheng Fa interlocked his thumbs with his ring fingers, forming a Daoist seal, then began:

“The general principle of the Yellow Court Scripture says: The form and spirit perfectly harmonize into true unity;

cultivating both nature and life intertwines through the Yellow Court...”

As he recited the outline, waves of purple energy flowed from his auspicious cloud and spread around the dais.

His voice echoed like bells and chimes throughout the hall.

Colorful clouds seemed drawn by his voice, sneaking inside and filling the room with dazzling hues that dazzled the eyes.

The more perceptive disciples below were already entranced, and some even began to dance with excitement.

Even those who hadn’t fully grasped the content perked up their ears, unwilling to miss a single word.

Yan Wushuang sat on his cushion, still not fully understanding. Although his comprehension and cultivation were sufficient—indeed, his practice was the Yellow Court Scripture—he had spent many years cultivating in the Tianhe Sect. Many concepts still differed from those of Jiushan Sect, leading to contradictions as he listened. ŖᴀɴоβË𝙎

Therefore, he paid extremely close attention.

Who in the sect didn’t know how special the Yellow Court Scripture was?

Such a technique, if placed in one of the Four Sects, would undoubtedly be a secret treasured by the sect, yet the Sect Leader was so generous to openly teach it.

What they never expected was that halfway through Zheng Fa’s lecture, he seemed to notice their doubts. Pausing, he even circled back to explain some of the difficult points just covered.

This time, he didn’t just explain verbally:

Zheng Fa pointed forward with his right index finger, and a light screen appeared.

On the screen, besides some text from the "Si Yi Crown," there was a three-dimensional human figure.

As the scripture text changed, corresponding parts of the figure lit up in red, and a zoomed-in section was displayed to make everything clear.

Although used to Jiushan Sect’s multimedia teaching methods, Yan Wushuang still felt moved at this moment:

This showed that before lecturing, the Sect Leader had truly prepared—

Not just by preparing these “course materials,” but more importantly, Zheng Fa had long understood the difficult points of the Yellow Court Scripture and deliberately explained them repeatedly, striving for clarity.

Again, if placed in other sects, such a grand technique would be guarded jealously, fearing disciples wouldn’t be taught properly.

But in Jiushan Sect, for the Yellow Court Scripture—considered the foremost Daoist scripture of Xuanwei—the Sect Leader seemed almost worried they wouldn’t learn it well enough.

Fourteen days passed suddenly.

When the lecture voice finally quieted, everyone remained immersed in the mysteries of the Yellow Court Scripture, unable to extricate themselves.

Only after two incense burns did everyone gradually regain their senses.

Many disciples looked at Zheng Fa with somewhat plaintive expressions—it was almost like they were yearning for more.

Zheng Fa smiled secretly and asked the crowd:

“Do any of you have questions?”

One disciple immediately shouted, “Sect Leader, please lecture for two more days!”

Others nodded in agreement, voices rising in support.

“This lecture is only twenty-one days.”

Sighs rose from the crowd.

“But I never said it was only this one time.”

“Sect Leader?”

“I’ve discussed with the elders. In the coming years, I will lecture on the Yellow Court Scripture once every three months.” Zheng Fa smiled.

“The intervals between these sessions will allow you to study the Yellow Court Scripture and accumulate insights and questions.”

Upon hearing this, the disciples’ faces lit up with joy.

“Besides me, elders and elite disciples will also regularly give lectures in the hall.” Zheng Fa shared another exciting announcement. “In fact, any disciple can apply to lecture here. Jiushan University will release specific schedules.”

This was equivalent to regular public lectures or academic seminars.

Unlike Jiushan University’s daily teaching, these seminars had no restriction on the lecturer’s identity or theme, allowing freedom for expression, and no strict attendance requirements—anyone interested could come.

In Zheng Fa’s view, the study of Daoist methods in Jiushan Sect had reached a stage where no precedent existed to follow.

Only internal intellectual collisions could bring innovation.

Without better options, he could only loosen the academic atmosphere within the sect.

Upon hearing this, the disciples no longer felt discontent but brimmed with anticipation.

In the following days, Zheng Fa answered some disciples’ questions—though he had prepared, everyone’s talents and foundation differed, and some questions even he hadn’t anticipated.

Many disciples still faced difficulties with the Yellow Court Scripture.

On the twenty-first day, no one raised any questions. Zheng Fa was about to announce the lecture’s conclusion when suddenly his expression shifted. He lightly tapped the void, and a head-sized light portal appeared at his fingertip.

A golden invitation flew out from the portal.

Five dragons were painted on the golden invitation, glowing with treasure light—it was clearly a rare magical artifact.

“What is this?”

Senior Sister Zhang asked puzzled from below.

Zheng Fa examined the golden invitation in his hand, feeling somewhat surprised, then laughed: “This is the Dragon Lord Shuyu’s invitation.”

“Invitation?”

Senior Sister Zhang, Uncle Pang, and others sitting on cushions exchanged looks, sharing Zheng Fa’s confusion.

Dragon Lord Shuyu had visited the Jiushan Realm countless times before, but never so formally.

Now, he even sent a visibly valuable invitation in advance, which was truly puzzling.

“Dragon Lord Shuyu will arrive in three days. This lecture will end just in time.”

Upon hearing this, the disciples and elders below all stood spontaneously, bowing deeply: “Thank you, Sect Leader, for your teachings.”

Zheng Fa also rose on the dais, cupping his hands in all directions in response: “I await you all to come to this dais.”

......

Dragon Lord Shuyu stood on the seabed, frowning as he shouted into the empty waters: “This is my territory. The Dragon King’s actions are excessive.”

No response came.

“The mighty Cangming Dragon Land hides and acts cautiously—do they dare to do what they cannot bear?”

A laugh echoed.

Underwater, a whirlpool stirred, and the figure of the Cangming Dragon King stepped out. Not only did he show no shame, but his imposing aura was overwhelming.

Dragon Lord Shuyu’s expression turned colder as he roared: “Dragon King, you used your magic to invade my Xuanwei Sea. Are you declaring war on me?”

“You’re the one provoking me. You refused to marry my son. Shuyu, do you really think my Cangming Dragon Palace will let you bully us?”

Dragon Lord Shuyu scoffed in anger: “Am I not allowed to say no?”

“You can refuse the marriage alliance.” The Cangming Dragon King shook his head. “But you have to hand over Xuanwei Sea.”

“Xuanwei Sea. Do you think I refused the marriage alliance for no reason? You really want this.”

Dragon Lord Shuyu’s face grew colder.

The reasons she chose Jiushan Sect over Cangming Dragon King included not only the three dragon eggs within Jiushan Realm and the sect’s prestige but also that she saw through the Dragon King’s intentions.

Xuanwei Sea was the original maritime region of the Xuanwei Realm. Besides its vast area, it was now the ocean’s center—newly born North Sea and yet-to-emerge South Sea lay to the north and south of Xuanwei Sea.

Whether in terms of exchange between maritime regions or unifying the ocean, Xuanwei Sea was critical.

“You understand? You don’t!” The Cangming Dragon King seemed even angrier than her. “Great changes loom over Xuanwei. A Golden Immortal might appear any time. You, a True Immortal, think you can hide underwater and ignore worldly affairs?”

That statement left Dragon Lord Shuyu unable to retort.

“If we allied through marriage, I could unify the maritime regions and might prove the Dao to become a Golden Immortal. Then our Dragon Clan would be a major force, and you could sleep soundly at the seabed for a lifetime, unbothered!”

The Cangming Dragon King’s momentum grew, his pain and frustration almost tangible: “But you don’t understand the big picture, and thus are a millennia-old traitor to our Dragon Clan!”

Dragon Lord Shuyu said: “If you truly understand the big picture and wholeheartedly serve the Dragon Clan, then why don’t I prove Golden Immortal instead?”

The Dragon King fell silent.

“If you care so much for our Dragon Clan, why won’t you protect my three children?”

Seeing the Dragon King speechless, Dragon Lord Shuyu smiled coldly inside.

Did he really think she was stupid?

She had long sensed the Dragon King’s character. Now, setting aside kinship feelings, it was even clearer—this man was indeed the kind who prospers when others fall.

Seeing the Dragon King’s expression, she knew talking more was pointless.

The rejected marriage was a minor issue, and the Dragon King probably didn’t care much about this insult.

But Xuanwei Sea, he was determined to have it.

In the Dragon King’s eyes, she was a dead enemy blocking his path to becoming Golden Immortal.

Right and wrong weighed as lightly as a feather in this matter.

Her refusal to give up Xuanwei Sea meant... life or death.

As they both fell silent, Dragon Lord Shuyu’s expression suddenly changed. She looked toward the Dragon King.

She sensed that other parts of Xuanwei Sea were under attack—

The waters she controlled were being refined by others;

her loyal aquatic tribes were either being killed or defecting.

Seeing her face darken, the Dragon King smirked triumphantly: “Dragon Lord, you refuse to drink the wine of peace, so you must drink the wine of punishment. Alone, can you withstand my Cangming Dragon Palace?”

Dragon Lord Shuyu pursed her lips but had to admit the Dragon King was right.

Against others, her control over the maritime region made her naturally confident.

But this innate talent was not unique to her;

any ancient dragon clan possessed similar gifts.

Thus, in contesting with Cangming Dragon Palace, she lost geographical advantage and might even fall behind—

They had the whole family joining the battle, while she was alone, destined to suffer losses.

She ignored the Dragon King, her figure flickering twice before fleeing toward a strange place.

Thanks to dragon clan magic, she arrived almost instantly at an underwater canyon more than twenty thousand li away.

This canyon was also the border between Dragon Lord Shuyu’s and Cangming Dragon Palace’s territories.

Above the canyon, the Cangming Dragon Palace’s Second Prince stood in the water, gathering spiritual energy into a golden light orb, refining seawater to encroach on Dragon Lord Shuyu’s land.

Seeing her approach, the Second Prince’s face immediately showed tension.

Dragon Lord Shuyu was about to act when waves surged around her—Cangming Dragon King had blinked and arrived.

This Dragon King clung to her like a leech!

But she also understood that with this situation, she really had no way to deal with Cangming Dragon Palace.

Both were True Immortals;

their magic was evenly matched, so victory was uncertain, and it was hard to kill the other.

The Dragon King surely knew this and therefore chose only to nibble away—

Letting the other four dragons refine the sea while he fixed his gaze on Dragon Lord Shuyu, preventing her from taking action.

Seeing her trapped, the Dragon King lightly stroked his two long whiskers. The Second Prince grinned and increased his power, seeming even more excited in front of Dragon Lord Shuyu.

“Dragon King truly doesn’t care about kinship?”

“It’s too late to talk about kinship now!”

Dragon Lord Shuyu looked deeply at the two before silently departing.

Seeing her leave, the Second Prince looked uneasy and asked, “Father, does this woman have any tricks left?”

“Tricks? She’ll just call on that Zheng Fa...” The Cangming Dragon King arrogantly replied. “If it were on land, I’d give Zheng Fa some respect. But in the sea, what do we fear?”

Hearing this, the Second Prince gained more confidence, nodding repeatedly.

Dragon Lord Shuyu returned to her palace, gazing at the groups of dragons carved on the stone walls. Her expression shifted from hesitation to determination.

She walked slowly into the hall and set up an incense altar. In the center of the table lay a seal.

Dragon Lord Shuyu lit three incense sticks and kowtowed nine times before solemnly putting away the seal and heading toward the Jiushan Realm.

Flying to the coastal border, a shout rose in the air:

“Is that Dragon Lord Shuyu’s royal carriage?”

Following the voice, Jiushan Sect’s Elder Pang stood on the shore, seemingly having waited for her a long time.

“You were waiting for me?”

“Exactly waiting for the Dragon Lord.”

Dragon Lord Shuyu looked at Elder Pang in confusion.

“The Dragon Lord sent the invitation with utmost respect. The Sect Leader was deeply moved and thus ordered me to come welcome you.”

Hearing this, Dragon Lord Shuyu’s expression softened considerably, and her bad mood of recent days improved a lot.

“Also, our Jiushan Realm has recently changed location.”

“Changed location?”

Elder Pang didn’t answer but waved his hand. The innate treasure, Five Dragons Heavenly Palace, hovered midair. He smiled: “Dragon Lord will know upon arrival.”

But the Dragon Lord didn’t move. Elder Pang turned and broke out in cold sweat—this Dragon Lord was still staring intently at the five flood dragons.