235: Chapter 235 Second Visit

Above the cloud path on the border of the Eastern Wasteland, three figures sped through the air, their Dragon Qi low, the wind and dust desolate.

Ao Yi supported Young Master Ao Xing at his side with one hand, his expression gloomy.

Since their humiliating departure from Daming Imperial City, and in his utter desperation, the only lifeline Ao Yi could think of was to go to the Silver Dragon Pool again.

Silver Dragon Pool was located in the buffer zone between the Eastern Wasteland and the Chaotic Star Sea, so it was not very far.

Flying all the way, piercing through layers of cloud and mist barriers, and crossing the desolate mountains and rivers at the border of the two regions, before long, a familiar pool shrouded in mist and shimmering with boundless spiritual light came into view.

Ao Yi restrained his aura, carried Young Master Ao Xing, landed, and bowed, feeling conflicted in his heart; he hadn't expected to return.

"Junior Ao Yi of the Dragon Clan, accompanied by Young Lord Young Master Ao Xing, has presumptuously come to visit. I earnestly request to see Old Ancestor Ping He and beg for your mercy to intervene and save him!"

His deep voice spread out, echoing throughout the Dragon Pool.

After a moment of silence, the water on the surface of the pool slowly churned. Phantoms of Silver Dragons, entirely silver-white with shimmering scales, emerged from the bottom of the water, spiraling into the sky. They gazed coldly at the two, with clear detachment and dislike.

Immediately after, a lazy, indifferent, and slightly mocking old voice drifted out from the depths of the pool: "What? You've come again?"

The water parted, and Elder Ping He stepped out onto the surface. He swept his gaze indifferently over Young Master Ao Xing, whose Dao path had been sealed, without a shred of pity in his eyes, instead curling his lips into a cold sneer.

The blatant mockery was undisguised, piercing deeply into Ao Yi's heart.

Ao Yi felt a bitter ache in his heart but could only suppress all his embarrassment and bow again to plead: "Old Ancestor, please understand! Young Master Ao Xing was young and ignorant, led astray, and committed a grave mistake. He was struck by a Seal on his Origin by the Master of the Exotic Beast Mansion in the Eastern Wasteland, locking his cultivation and Dao path. Our Dragon Clan has already exhausted precious treasures to apologize, yet we still cannot break the Seal. Junior... has shamelessly come to your door, and I beg the Old Ancestor to assist us once more!"

At this moment, Ao Yi really wanted to just walk away. Which Clan Chief of the Dragon Clan had ever been as aggrieved as him? He couldn't control the older ones, the younger ones wouldn't listen, and all the pressure was on him.

To think he actually had to lower his status to beg a clansman; this position of Clan Chief was...

Elder Ping He stood with his hands behind his back on the surface of the water, looking down at the two from above, his tone growing colder with undisguised resentment: "Save him?"

"Arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone—didn't that Second Elder Ao Ni previously threaten to flatten my Silver Dragon Pool and even try to attack my true self?"

This one sentence left Ao Yi stiff and speechless.

Turning against someone without a second thought—let alone Elder Ping He, even he himself wanted to slap Second Elder Ao Ni twice.

Ao Yi's face turned pale and then green, his heart filled with bitterness, and he quickly explained: "Elder Ping He! Second Elder Ao Ni's wild words were his own fault, it has nothing to do with Young Master Ao Xing. Didn't Young Master Ao Xing also speak up for you before..."

"Don't mention him!" Elder Ping He directly interrupted his defense, his eyes suddenly becoming colder and sharper. "That brat is also an ingrate. As if he were giving charity—do I, Elder Ping He, need his charity?"

Around the Dragon Pool, a group of young Silver Dragon Cultivators spiraled forward one after another, their eyes cold and their words mocking.

"Exactly! Back then, Young Master Ao Xing was so arrogant he wouldn't even say a single 'thank you', and now he has the nerve to come and beg us to save him?"

"When he was arrogant and domineering, he looked down on everyone, but when he fell into a desperate situation, he tries to claim kinship and beg for mercy?"

"I think this Young Master Ao Xing deserves it! Now that his Dao path is ruined, it is entirely his own fault! Old Ancestor, you must absolutely not intervene to help!"

The sounds of angry curses and mocking words echoed through the valley, making Ao Yi lose all face, while humiliation and helplessness piled up in his heart.

He knew the deep-seated grievances of the Silver Dragon lineage, so he could only lower himself completely, pleading bitterly and patiently maneuvering: "Old Ancestor, Junior knows that the past grievances are all the fault of our Dragon Clan; there is no denying it. But Young Master Ao Xing is truly innocent. He was coerced into accompanying them the whole time; he never did any evil and never uttered a word to offend the Silver Dragon Pool in the slightest!"

"Junior is willing to offer Dragon Clan treasures again, exhausting all the resources of the clan, just to beg the Old Ancestor to make an exception and save him. Junior will be eternally grateful, and the Dragon Clan will forever remember this great kindness!"

Elder Ping He watched his desperate pleading silently, his expression indifferent and unmoving. After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth, throwing out a cold and resolute condition:

"If you want me to save him, that is possible."

"Let Second Elder Ao Ni come here and trade his life for it."

Once these words landed, the whole scene fell into instant silence.

Ao Yi's body trembled violently, his throat moved as he swallowed, his heart filled with sorrow, leaving only endless bitter smiles. He raised his head, his eyes full of weariness and helplessness, his voice dry and hoarse: "Elder Ping He..."

"Second Elder Ao Ni is already dead."

Elder Ping He raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Ao Yi took a deep breath and slowly recounted everything that happened in the Eastern Wasteland, each word heavy: "Earlier, the two crossed into the Eastern Wasteland. Second Elder Ao Ni was too arrogant and wild, threatening to flatten the Exotic Beast Mansion and destroy the Daming Dynasty, provoking the dignity of the Master of the Exotic Beast Mansion, and then he was slapped to death."

After hearing the cause and effect, the surprise in Elder Ping He's eyes slowly faded, and he returned to his indifferent state.

He shook his head gently, his tone becoming completely cold, cutting off all possibility: "Since Second Elder Ao Ni is already dead, then this matter is no longer open for discussion."

"My Silver Dragon Pool is clear about grievances; we never forget a grudge and always exact payment for wrongs. In the past, Second Elder Ao Ni insulted my Dao lineage and violated my dignity. This grudge has not been avenged, and I have not held the Dragon Clan accountable. Now you still want me to save someone for free? Absolutely impossible."

"With no one to pay for the crime and no one to repay the favor, I will not accept this rescue."

As his voice fell, Elder Ping He raised his hand and waved. Boom!

An invisible Dragon power swept out, forming a gesture of seeing off guests; it was forceful but not violent, directly pushing Ao Yi and the weak Young Master Ao Xing outward.

"See them out. From now on, no one from the Dragon Clan needs to come to the Silver Dragon Pool again. The grievances are settled; there is no need to say more."

The young Silver Dragons all around shouted in unison again, their eyes sharp and full of rejection: "Get out of the Silver Dragon Pool! Our Silver Dragon Pool does not welcome the Dragon Clan!"

"A bunch of petty people!"

The member of the Golden Dragon Clan following behind slowly approached and whispered: "Clan Chief, let's go!"

It was too embarrassing!

Ao Yi looked at the resolute Elder Ping He and the hostile Silver Dragon Cultivators, knowing that no matter how he pleaded or what he promised today, there was no longer any chance of a turnaround.

"Forget it..."

Ao Yi sighed bitterly, no longer lingering, reached out to tightly support Young Master Ao Xing, bowed slightly towards Elder Ping He, and turned away in desolation.

The three desolate figures disappeared beyond the clouds and mist of the Dragon Pool Secret Realm.