Chapter 14 The Dragon King's Frowning, the Sea-Stabilizing Needle Conceals a Mystery

Four streaks of immortal light pierced through the sea of clouds, descending straight toward the sea region below where the Evil Qi was heaviest.

Before they could even draw near, two squads of Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals rose from the waves to meet them.

With their tridents pointed at the four from a distance, the leading Crab General shouted in a muffled, booming voice.

"Who goes there! The East Sea is under martial law, withdraw at once!"

Bixiao's willow-leaf brows shot up, and she was about to lash out on the spot.

However, Gu Ziyuan simply raised his hand, revealing a purple token engraved with the two characters for "Shangqing."

It flew slowly from his sleeve, hovering in mid-air and emitting a faint Saint's Dao rhyme.

The Crab General was stunned at first, but then clearly saw the ancient seal script on the token.

He was so terrified that his eight legs went weak, nearly tumbling off the waves.

The steel trident in his hand fell into the sea with a "clatter."

"The... the Shangqing Saint's Personal Disciple Token!"

"This lowly one failed to recognize Mount Tai! Greetings, Immortal! Please, please come in!"

The countenances of the aquatic tribe changed instantly; shifting from arrogance to servility, they bowed and scraped as they parted the waters to form a path, showing the utmost respect.

The Crystal Palace.

Dragon King Ao Guang sat upright in the main seat, his expression appearing calm, but deep within his dragon eyes lay a trace of unshakeable sorrow.

When Gu Ziyuan and the other three were led into the great hall, he immediately rose to greet them, a practiced smile plastered on his face.

"I did not know the Immortals from Jinao Island were arriving. This old dragon failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me, forgive me."

His gaze lingered briefly on the Three Xiao Fairies, a flash of admiration and wariness passing through his eyes before finally landing on Gu Ziyuan, who led the group.

Upon seeing him, Ao Guang's heart skipped a beat.

A Heavenly Immortal?

A Disciple with only Heavenly Immortal cultivation could actually walk ahead of the Three Xiao Fairies?

The smile on his face remained unchanged, but his enthusiasm clearly cooled by several degrees.

In his view, the Sect of Interception sending such a minor character was likely just a formality, a perfunctory gesture.

"I wonder for what purpose you Immortals have come?" Ao Guang asked as he led everyone to their seats, getting straight to the point with a hint of aloofness in his voice.

"By the order of my master, Saint Tongtian."

Gu Ziyuan sat down with a calm expression, as if he hadn't noticed the change in the other's attitude.

"I have come to ask the Dragon King: the East Sea has been experiencing frequent disturbances lately; what exactly is the reason?"

Hearing the words "Saint Tongtian," Ao Guang's eyelids twitched, but seeing Gu Ziyuan's unremarkable Heavenly Immortal cultivation, that bit of awe was suppressed once more.

He let out a heavy sigh and waved his hand with a face full of sorrow.

"Sigh, such a trivial matter, how could I dare trouble the Saint to worry about it. It's just some insignificant sea demons causing trouble. This old dragon will handle it soon. There's no need for you Immortals to trouble yourselves. Please report back to the Saint that the East Sea is fine—perfectly fine!"

These words were spoken with earnestness, but they were in fact a blatant order to leave.

Bixiao's fiery temper could not be restrained, and she was about to slam the table.

Just then, a clear yet incredibly arrogant voice came from behind the hall.

"Father, why waste your breath on them!"

Before the voice had even faded, a young member of the Dragon Clan walked out with broad strides. He wore silver dragon-scale armor and a purple-gold crown, his face as fair as jade and his spirit high. This was the East Sea Dragon Prince, Ao Bing.

His cultivation had reached the Golden Immortal Peak. He made no effort to hide his aura as he swept a contemptuous gaze over Gu Ziyuan, a mocking curl appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Has the Sect of Interception truly run out of people? Even my father, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, finds the matters of the East Sea troublesome, yet they sent a mere Heavenly Immortal?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the hall, prompting low chuckles from the surrounding dragon princes and grandsons.

"Presumptuous!" Bixiao could no longer hold back; she slammed the table and stood up, flames erupting from her body.

"What kind of thing are you to dare criticize the Saint's followers!"

"Second Sister." Yunxiao gently pulled her, signaling her to remain calm.

Ao Bing, however, acted as if he hadn't seen Bixiao's fury. He continued to stare at Gu Ziyuan, provoking him:

"How? Did I hit the mark? Or are you Disciples of the Sect of Interception only capable of hiding behind women?"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense, as if swords were drawn.

To everyone's surprise, faced with such humiliation, Gu Ziyuan did not get angry; instead, he smiled.

He raised his hand and gently pressed down, signaling Bixiao to sit.

Then, he looked at Ao Bing, his eyes as calm as a deep pool, without a single ripple.

"Your Highness the Prince is right. The level of cultivation is indeed the standard for measuring strength."

Hearing this, Ao Bing lifted his chin even higher, his face saying "at least you're sensible."

"However,"

Gu Ziyuan's tone shifted as he unhurriedly took out a snow-white piece from a chess box and casually placed it on the white jade table before him.

Clack.

A soft sound, crisp and pleasant to the ear.

"Since that's the case, let's play a simple game."

Gu Ziyuan's gaze moved from the chess piece to Ao Bing's face as he said calmly.

"If Your Highness can move this chess piece even a fraction, the four of us will turn around and leave immediately, never setting foot in the East Sea again."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent for a moment, followed by even louder laughter.

" Hahaha, did I hear that right? Using a chess piece as a wager?"

"Is this kid scared witless? Your Highness the Prince is a Golden Immortal powerhouse!"

Ao Bing's face instantly flushed red; he felt he had been insulted like never before.

Testing him with a single chess piece? What utter contempt!

"Good! Very good!" He laughed in anger. "You said it! Today, this Prince will let you know the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth!"

With that, he took a large step forward, extended two fingers, and contemptuously reached out to pinch the white piece.

In his view, this pinch would be enough to crush this broken stone along with this Heavenly Immortal's face!

However, when his fingers touched the chess piece, the smile on his face froze.

That tiny chess piece seemed to be connected to the entire East Sea, and even the entire Primordial World; it was incredibly heavy!

Magic power surged at his fingertips, veins bulged, and he used thirty percent of his strength.

The chess piece did not budge.

Ao Bing's expression changed.

He cast aside his disdain, took a deep breath, and poured his Golden Immortal magic power without reservation into his arm, which glowed with a brilliant silver light.

"Rise-for-me!"

He gave a low growl and pulled upward with all his might.

The white jade table let out an overburdened "creak," and spiderweb-like cracks spread across the surface, centered on the chess piece!

But that white piece remained firmly in place, without even the slightest tremor.

The laughter in the hall had stopped at some point. All the dragons widened their eyes, watching this scene in disbelief.

Dragon King Ao Guang even stood up abruptly from his throne, his eyes fixed on the unremarkable chess piece, his face full of horror.

"Impossible!"

Ao Bing went completely mad; his pride would not allow him to accept this result.

He suddenly took a step back, and a massive silver dragon phantom appeared behind him, its Dragon Might vast and powerful!

"Dragon Clan Divine Ability: Overturning Rivers and Seas!"

He actually used his innate Divine Ability directly, gathering infinite water elemental power into a massive dragon claw and slamming it down fiercely toward the tiny chess piece!

This strike was enough to shatter an immortal mountain!

However, just an instant before the dragon claw touched the chess piece.

Buzz—

A warm glow suddenly lit up on the surface of the white piece that had remained motionless.

An indescribable power of suppression erupted instantly!

Boom!

The moment Ao Bing's Divine Ability claw touched the glow, it melted away inch by inch like snow meeting a blazing sun.

A surge of majestic force even recoiled along the energy flow, slamming hard into his own chest.

"Pfft—"

Ao Bing was hit as if by a heavy blow, flying backward and spitting a streak of blood in mid-air. He crashed heavily into the dragon-coiled pillar of the hall and slid to the floor, his aura instantly withering.

The entire hall was deathly silent.

If a needle fell on the floor, it could probably be heard clearly.

The gazes of all the dragons were fixed blankly on the white-clothed figure still sitting composedly.

Gu Ziyuan picked up his teacup and gently blew on the steam, as if nothing had happened.

He set the teacup down, and only then did his gaze turn toward the pale-faced and terrified Ao Guang.

"Dragon King."

He spoke calmly; his voice wasn't loud, but it made Ao Guang's whole body tremble.

"Now, can we have a proper talk?"

Ao Guang jolted and snapped back to his senses. He no longer dared to show even a hint of contempt, and hurriedly stepped down from his throne.

He bowed deeply to Gu Ziyuan, his voice trembling: "Immortal... Immortal, please forgive me! This old dragon was blind, and my son was reckless and ignorant. I hope the Immortal can be magnanimous!"

At this moment, a monstrous wave was surging in his heart.

A single chess piece, without a sound, had suppressed a Dragon Clan prince at the Golden Immortal Peak!

What terrifying means! This person's cultivation was definitely not as simple as the Heavenly Immortal level seen on the surface!

The Sect of Interception... had actually sent such a great deity!

Gu Ziyuan pulled the white piece back into his sleeve and said calmly.

"There is no need for such formality, Dragon King. I have come only to solve the problem. Now, please tell me, is there something in the East Sea Dragon Palace's treasury that is not being very well-behaved?"

Hearing this, Ao Guang's body shook, and the last trace of color drained from his face. He knew he could no longer hide it.

He nodded bitterly and waved his hand to set up a sound-isolating barrier. His voice was extremely low, filled with helplessness and fear.

"To be honest with the Immortal, it is... it is that 'divine treasure iron of the heavenly river bottom' in the Dragon Palace treasury. Lately, for some reason, it has been acting up frequently, its divine light piercing the sky and causing unrest throughout the four seas."

He looked up, his eyes full of pleading.

"I... as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, have tried everything, but I cannot completely suppress it!"