230: Chapter 230 Study hard and read carefully

In the distance, rolling mountain ranges were hidden within the spiritual mist, and the outline of the Daming Dynasty's Heavenly Domain was vaguely visible.

Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni restrained the Dragon Qi around their bodies, transforming into the figures of two ordinary Cultivators, and stepped slowly into this land.

Young Master Ao Xing was dressed in a green martial outfit, his Face handsome, with a hint of the arrogance unique to Dragon Clan disciples between his brows. His footsteps were light and quick; he was clearly full of eagerness for this trip to the Heavenly Domain. Beside him, Second Elder Ao Ni appeared old, steady, and prudent, with white hair and beard, wearing a grey cloth robe. He looked ordinary, but sharp glints were hidden in his eyes. Along the way, he kept observing the surrounding environment, afraid of revealing even the slightest flaw.

"Upon entering the Daming Domain, you must be cautious in all things and not act according to your own whims."

"This Daming Dynasty is an old-established power in the Heavenly Domain, with a Legacy spanning thousands of years. It is deeply rooted, and experts are as numerous as the hairs on an ox. Although our Dragon Clan is invincible, since we have come to someone else's territory, we still need to give some Face."

"Do you think I was able to reach my current Realm solely relying on the prestige of the Dragon Clan? Heh, I admit, there is indeed some reason for that, but it is mainly due to maturity in conduct. Jianghu is not just about fighting and killing; there is also human sophistication. You have never been out, so learn more."

"From now on, look more and listen more, speak less and act less. I will make the decisions for everything; you just need to follow me and must not make decisions on your own. Learn well!"

"You were indeed impulsive this time, but young people are naturally vigorous, so that's fine. However, the Dragon Clan will be handed over to you in the future, so you cannot be impulsive like this again!"

Second Elder Ao Ni held his head high and chest out, incessantly imparting his rich experience.

Young Master Ao Xing nodded repeatedly, verbally responding, "I will strictly follow Elder's instructions," but in his heart, he disagreed, as if he hadn't heard of his "legends" before.

Just as the two were talking, the Dragon Clan communication jade slip in Young Master Ao Xing's embrace suddenly burst into blinding red light, vibrating crazily. The buzzing sound was incessant, as if it were about to shatter in the next moment.

That rapid fluctuation of Spiritual Qi clearly indicated that the person sending the message was extremely anxious.

Young Master Ao Xing took a look, hurriedly reached out to press the jade slip, and thought to himself, "Is this a message from the Clan Chief? Why would he be so anxious?"

He dared not delay and immediately injected a trace of Spiritual Qi, activating the communication jade slip. The next second, Clan Leader Ao Yi's voice, anxious to the point of cracking and filled with a hint of panic, exploded directly in Young Master Ao Xing's mind, almost roaring:

"Young Master Ao Xing! Where are you now? Have you already entered the Heavenly Domain?!"

Young Master Ao Xing frowned, "Clan Chief, I just arrived. What happened?"

"Return to me immediately! Turn back at once!" Clan Leader Ao Yi's voice was almost a roar, filled with urgency and fear, "Do not get near the Daming Imperial City, and do not go looking for trouble with Yuan Chen!"

"The Daming Dynasty is gone! It has been completely annihilated! The entire Imperial City has been occupied by Yuan Chen! The entire Great Ming Royal Family has been wiped out, without exception. Yuan Chen is now the new master of the Daming Domain!"

"If you go there now, you are simply walking into a trap! I don't care where you are now, stop immediately, turn around, and return to the Chaotic Star Sea at the fastest speed possible. Do not stop for a single moment! This is an order!"

After listening, Young Master Ao Xing was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but rub his temples, "Clan Chief, this can't be true, right? The Daming Dynasty is one of the giants of the Heavenly Domain; how could it be annihilated by Yuan Chen alone?"

Beside him, Second Elder Ao Ni had long been dissatisfied with Clan Leader Ao Yi, who, relying on his status as Clan Chief, had repeatedly caused him, a dignified eleventh-tribulation Loose Cultivator, to lose Face.

At this moment, hearing that Clan Leader Ao Yi wanted them to return immediately, he was instantly burning with anger.

Without waiting for Young Master Ao Xing to say anything more, he waved his hand, striking out a grey Qi, instantly severing the connection of the communication jade slip. The red light stopped abruptly, and the buzzing sound disappeared without a trace.

"Ah? Second Elder, what are you doing?"

Young Master Ao Xing was stunned for two seconds, then looked at Second Elder Ao Ni in disbelief. This was the Clan Chief's call, and he just cut it off like that?

"Tch, he definitely doesn't want us to look for trouble with Yuan Chen, so he made up such a lie. How can Yuan Chen be so awesome?"

"Hmph!" Second Elder Ao Ni snorted coldly, his Face livid, his eyes full of anger, "He has already left, yet Clan Leader Ao Yi still treats him like a treasure. He can't see his own status clearly and still wants to protect that evil spawn even now!"

Young Master Ao Xing was incited by Second Elder Ao Ni's words, and anger ignited in his heart, also feeling dissatisfied with Clan Leader Ao Yi. If it weren't for Clan Leader Ao Yi bringing that fellow Yuan Yun here, his resources wouldn't have been scarce, he wouldn't have been defeated by Yuan Chen and lost Face, and he wouldn't have been dragged around like a dead dog seeking medical treatment.

But after all, he didn't have the confidence like Second Elder Ao Ni, and after calming down, he was still a bit nervous in his heart.

"But that is the Clan Chief... If he blames us..."

"It doesn't matter!" Second Elder Ao Ni raised his eyebrows defiantly, full of confidence.

The next second: "Anyway, it's your communication device; it has nothing to do with me."

"Ah?" Young Master Ao Xing widened his eyes. Listen to what you are saying; is that human language?

"Alright, what's the big deal? At worst, you go back and get confined for a few years. Compared to killing Yuan Chen, which is more important?"

"Killing Yuan Chen!"

"That's right! Continue on the road!"

Walking along, Young Master Ao Xing paused. The Clan Chief didn't seem like the type to be so panicked for no reason. Is it possible that what the Clan Chief said is true?

Thinking of Yuan Chen's cultivation speed, Young Master Ao Xing gasped, feeling a little panicked.

He pondered for a moment and said to Second Elder Ao Ni, "Second Elder, although the Clan Chief's words are unbelievable, this is a major matter, and we cannot completely ignore it. Going directly to the Imperial City like this is too rash. Why don't we stop a passerby and ask about the situation in the Daming Imperial City to see if the news is true or false, and then make plans? How about that?"

Second Elder Ao Ni heard this, glanced at Young Master Ao Xing, and snorted coldly, "Look at you, just this? Being hesitant and timid while traveling in the Jianghu is not a good habit!"

"Forget it, forget it, people always grow slowly, so let's ask..."

His gaze swept over, and he happened to see a streak of light flashing past in the distance.

"Dad, why are we going to the fief? I want to stay in the Imperial Palace. The Palace is so big, there are so many delicious spiritual fruits, and there are many playmates."

"What do you know? The Imperial Palace is good, but you don't see what kind of people live there. We have only known Senior Yuan Chen for a few days; it's not bad that we managed to get a fief by saving the emperor at that time."

"Besides, it's great to have your own fief. This is the Daming Dynasty, occupying the place with the richest Spiritual Qi. With this place to Cultivate, your dad's strength will surely shoot up."

This man was none other than Shi Jin.

Ever since Yuan Chen entered the Daming Imperial City, because Shi Jin knew Yuan Chen and mentioned it, Yuan Chen directly granted him a fertile fief located in the north of the Heavenly Domain.

Shi Jin was currently taking Little Pebble to take up his post in the fief, his heart full of gratitude and joy.

Little Pebble squatted on Shi Jin's shoulder, "It's safe. Hiding in the Imperial Palace, you don't have to worry about being beaten to death."

"No ambition!" Shi Jin shook his head proudly, "What kind of ambition can you have hiding in a greenhouse? Your dad is going to be an expert; how can I be content living under others for long?"

Just as the two were walking and chatting, with a warm atmosphere, two figures suddenly blocked their way in front of them, obstructing their path.

Shi Jin was startled, immediately stopped, the smile on his Face faded, and he subconsciously protected Little Pebble behind him, looking up at the two people in front of him.

When he saw the Faces of Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni clearly, his pupils shrank slightly, and his heart skipped a beat.

He recognized these two!

To be precise, he recognized Second Elder Ao Ni; it was this person who had mercilessly kicked him out of the Dragon Clan back then.

Shi Jin clenched his fists, narrowed his eyes, what did the other party want?

In a flash, Shi Jin immediately restrained all his aura, put on an expression of an honest, ordinary, and slightly panicked Cultivator, lowered his head, pretended not to know them, and asked cautiously, "Two, two Fellow Daoists, I don't know why you stopped the two of us, do you have any advice?"

Young Master Ao Xing looked Shi Jin up and down, "I want to ask you about some things."

Second Elder Ao Ni stood to the side, his Face cold, his gaze staring sharply at Shi Jin, as if he wanted to see through him, emitting a faint sense of oppression.

"Fellow Daoist, please speak. As long as I know, I will definitely tell you truthfully."

Young Master Ao Xing nodded and asked straightforwardly, "We want to ask you, what is the situation in the Daming Imperial City now? Is the Great Ming Royal Family doing well? I heard it was destroyed by someone. Is this true or false?"

Shi Jin understood instantly, immediately realizing the purpose of the two—they were here to investigate the situation of the Daming Dynasty and ask about Yuan Chen. If that was the case...

He sneered in his heart, but on the surface, he pretended to be confused, shook his head, and said in a firm tone, "Daming Imperial City? Everything is fine! The Great Ming Royal Family is as stable as Mount Tai; where could any major event have happened? I am a retainer of the Daming Dynasty; if there were a major event, how could I not know? Who is talking nonsense."

"I'm afraid the two Fellow Daoists heard some rumors wrong, right? Our Daming Dynasty is a top power in the Heavenly Domain, as solid as a rock; how could it be destroyed, and who could destroy it?"

Shi Jin spoke solemnly, without blushing or heart beating faster, his eyes sincere, completely looking like an honest man telling the truth, without any flaws.

Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni heard this, looked at each other, and expressions of relief appeared in their eyes. Their hanging hearts were instantly let down, and disdainful smiles appeared on their Faces.

"I knew it, Clan Leader Ao Yi was lying!" Second Elder Ao Ni spread his hands, with an expression of 'see': "He was just deliberately scaring us, not wanting us to come and look for trouble with Yuan Chen!"

"Second Elder is indeed experienced."

Young Master Ao Xing was in a great mood, cupped his fists at Shi Jin, and laughed, "Get lost."

"..." Shi Jin raised his eyebrows. You are quite polite, damn it.

Forget it, I can't beat them. If this old guy Second Elder Ao Ni wasn't here, I would definitely kill Young Master Ao Xing. Let's be a bit cowardly now!

"Wait!"

Just as he turned around, Young Master Ao Xing's gaze inadvertently swept over Shi Jin's shoulder and suddenly stopped.

He saw Little Pebble, who had exposed half of its body on Shi Jin's shoulder at some point, radiating Spiritual Qi, surrounded by a trace of extremely pure and rare Innate Spiritual Qi, its eyes agile, looking at it, it was clearly not an ordinary object.

Young Master Ao Xing's eyes immediately showed curiosity. His footsteps paused, and he reached out to stop Shi Jin, his gaze fixed tightly on Little Pebble, asking, "This little Spirit Beast on your shoulder is quite peculiar. Its Spiritual Qi is so pure; it's really rare."

Little Pebble was stared at by Young Master Ao Xing's gaze and was a bit scared, hurriedly shrinking into Shi Jin's collar, burying its little head in Shi Jin's neck, not daring to look at him.

Shi Jin's heart tightened, thinking it was bad; he didn't expect this Young Master Ao Xing to actually target Little Pebble!

Seeing that Shi Jin didn't speak, Second Elder Ao Ni smiled kindly, "I see that it has a connection with me. Fellow Daoist, why not do a good deed?"

"Do a good deed your old mother."

Shi Jin shouted in his heart, without any hesitation, and shouted angrily, "Well said, here you go!"

After saying this, without waiting for Young Master Ao Xing to react, Shi Jin reached out, gently took Little Pebble off his shoulder, and stuffed it into Second Elder Ao Ni's arms.

Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni were both stunned, clearly not expecting Shi Jin to be so straightforward, actually giving this little Spirit Pet away directly. In their hearts, they couldn't help but despise Shi Jin even more.

Little Pebble was instantly dumbfounded, "Ah? Dad, you just threw me away like this? At least collect some money, right?"

"Dad what dad, from now on he is your dad, don't call me that."

Shi Jin's gaze became stern, pointing at Second Elder Ao Ni.

"Fine, fine!" Little Pebble jumped twice in Young Master Ao Xing's hands, "Don't come to pick me up later either!"

Young Master Ao Xing sneered. Pick up? He would have to have the guts for that.

The two figures soon disappeared into the horizon.

Watching the backs of the two leaving, the honest and ingratiating smile on Shi Jin's Face instantly disappeared without a trace, replaced by a cunning and cold smirk.

He touched his chin, "There are still people who go to seek death themselves!"

"Asking questions and you managed to ask me, it's Heaven's will, haha!"

Shi Jin laughed even more proudly. He wasn't worried about Little Pebble's safety at all; just consider it going back for a stroll.

"Watch the show, watch the show!"

He didn't hesitate at all, looked at the direction the two left, confirmed they had gone far, immediately turned around, no longer heading to the fief, but along the original path, striding back towards the direction of the Daming Imperial City.

...

Dragon Palace.

Clan Leader Ao Yi froze in place, his fingertips still maintaining the posture of urging Spiritual Qi.

The next second, a monstrous anger rushed to his head. He suddenly raised his hand and fiercely swept a jade cup on the table to the ground!

"Bang—"

The white jade wine cup shattered and splashed, the crisp sound particularly harsh in the empty hall.

"Presumptuous! Simply extremely presumptuous!" Clan Leader Ao Yi's eyes widened in anger, his Dragon Qi surged uncontrollably, the air around him rippled, and his hair and beard stood on end.

The Dragon Clan Grand Elder Ao Kun, who was standing by, hurriedly stepped forward and persuaded in a deep voice, "Your Highness, calm your anger! It must be the Second Elder's idea. Although Young Master Ao Xing is arrogant, he is not that bold yet."

Clan Leader Ao Yi turned back sharply, his eyes full of anxiety of hating that iron cannot be made into steel, "Don't I know that? But what to do now? Yuan Chen's strength is not what it used to be. Even the Daming Dynasty was razed by him in one night. Do they want to die? Do they want to die?"

Speaking of this, his full anger was suddenly replaced by endless worry, his expression instantly dimmed, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles white, "If both of them fall in the Heavenly Domain, how can I explain to the Dragon Clan Seniors?"

"No, I cannot just wait here!" Clan Leader Ao Yi raised his head suddenly, his eyes resolute, "Elder Ao Kun, inform the Grand Elder that I am going to the Eastern Wasteland, tell them not to act rashly!"

"Clan Chief, are we going to war? Is one person enough? Do you want me to immediately gather all the experts."

"War my ass!" Clan Leader Ao Yi interrupted sternly, his tone unquestionable, "Can you compare to the Daming Dynasty?"

His Dragon Qi surged, turning into a golden light and rushing out of the hall. In his back, there was not only the indignation of unextinguished anger but also full of unconcealable anxiety and worry.

"I'm going to beg for mercy!"