39: Turtle Prime Minister

Just as Gao De was pondering how to break through his current Cultivation Bottleneck in his quiet room, a faint Divine Sense fluctuation passed through the alert Formation on the periphery of the Water Mansion—it was a message from the patrolling Demon Soldiers.

"Master, a Turtle Demon is requesting an audience outside the mansion. He claims to be an old acquaintance of yours, named 'Turtle Three Thousand.'"

"Turtle Three Thousand?" A hint of surprise flashed in Gao De's cold, vertical pupils.

Was this the same timid and fearful old Turtle Demon he had bribed with Spirit Stones and low-grade Medicinal Pills a few years ago to gather information about the Green Wave Sect and the outside world, the one who used to mingle among First-Rank Yao Beasts?

He actually managed to find this place? And according to the Demon Soldier's report, his aura... seemed to be no longer what it once was?

"Bring him in." Gao De reined in his aura, coiled himself on the main seat of the Water Mansion, and calmly instructed.

Before long, a Demon Soldier led a Turtle Demon, whose body was two sizes larger than a typical millstone, slowly swam in.

Gao De's gaze swept over him, and his heart stirred slightly.

Indeed, it was a Second-Rank aura! Although he had just entered the Second-Rank, and his Demonic Power was not yet fully refined, it was a world of difference compared to his weak appearance a few years ago.

His turtle shell was deep in color, with a faint spiritual light flowing within it, indicating that besides the rewards he had given, he must have had other Opportunities over the years.

"This humble one, Turtle Three Thousand, greets Water Patrol Envoy!" As soon as Turtle Three Thousand entered, he familiarized himself by prostrating on all fours, burying his head low, his tone respectful with a hint of barely concealed excitement, even more humble than a few years ago.

"Turtle Three Thousand, we haven't met for several years, yet you've had quite an Opportunity, even advancing to the Second-Rank." Gao De's voice was calm, revealing no joy or anger. "How did you find this Envoy's Water Mansion? What brings you here today?"

Turtle Three Thousand raised his head, his small, beady eyes filled with flattery and sincerity: "Replying to Milord, this humble one's small progress is entirely due to the Medicinal Pills Milord bestowed upon me back then, which laid the Foundation.

Later... later, this humble one fortunately found a few 'Water-Nourishing Grasses' of good age in an abandoned cave at the bottom of the Lake, and only then was I lucky enough to Breakthrough.

As for finding Milord's mansion..." He paused, then cautiously said, "Milord's Divine Ability is vast. Although the Water Mansion is hidden, over the years, your subordinate soldiers occasionally went out, always leaving some clues. This humble one kept Milord's kindness in mind and paid attention, which is why... why I presumptuously sought you out."

He stole a glance at Gao De's expression and, seeing no sign of displeasure, continued, "This humble one has come today to sincerely pledge allegiance! I am willing to serve Milord as my master, to serve you diligently and faithfully! I hope Milord will take me in!"

"Pledge allegiance?" Gao De was noncommittal.

After this Turtle Three Thousand's strength increased, instead of establishing his own territory, he came to pledge allegiance to his "old master." This was somewhat interesting.

Was he truly convinced, or did he have other motives? Or did he think it was better to rely on a powerful backer?

"Since you have already advanced to the Second-Rank, you can be considered a capable hand in the outer reaches of this Dongting Lake. Why do you wish to pledge allegiance to me?"

Turtle Three Thousand quickly said, "Milord is wise! Although this humble one was fortunate enough to Breakthrough, I know my Foundation is shallow. In this Dongting Lake, without reliance, I would ultimately live in constant peril.

Milord possesses the bearing of a True Dragon, with a vast future ahead. This humble one wishes to follow Milord and seek a future!

This humble one has no other special skills, but I am quite familiar with the various factions and movements of forces within this Eight Hundred Li Dongting Lake. I am willing to manage miscellaneous affairs and gather information for Milord!"

Gao De pondered for a moment.

This Turtle Three Thousand's strength was decent, and more importantly, his ability to gather information and navigate social circles was indeed what he needed at the moment.

The Water Mansion was gradually expanding, and it also needed someone astute to handle daily trivial matters. He couldn't possibly do everything himself, or let those Demon Soldiers who only knew how to fight handle it.

Taking him in would be more beneficial than detrimental. As for loyalty, there were ways to ensure it.

"Very well." Gao De slowly spoke, "Considering your past efforts and your sincere pledge of allegiance, this Envoy will permit you to join my subordinate ranks."

Turtle Three Thousand was overjoyed and repeatedly kowtowed: "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

"However," Gao De's tone shifted, and a faint Dragon might enveloped the area, "since you have joined my sect, you must abide by my rules. Serve faithfully, and there will be rewards; if you harbor any disloyalty, your form and spirit will be utterly destroyed!"

Under the pressure of the Dragon might, Turtle Three Thousand trembled all over. Feeling the cold killing intent that was no idle threat, he became even more awestruck: "This humble one swears to serve Master until death! I will never have any disloyalty!"

"Rise. For now, I appoint you as the Water Mansion's Steward, responsible for managing the treasury, coordinating internal and external miscellaneous affairs, and... continuing to keep an eye on external developments. Report any important news immediately."

"Yes! This humble one will do my utmost and not fail Master's trust!" Only then did Turtle Three Thousand cautiously rise and respectfully stand to the side.

Gao De asked seemingly casually, "Since you have been moving about outside, do you know what became of the commotion in Black Water Stream a few years ago?"

Upon hearing this, Turtle Three Thousand immediately perked up; this was his chance to prove his worth: "Replying to Master, that matter has long since settled down.

The commotion was too great at the time, attracting several Golden Core Cultivators and Demon King Fushui's Demon Generals to investigate, but by the time they arrived, that grotto-heaven had completely collapsed, and nothing was left."

"Regarding the whereabouts of that Dragon Pearl, there are various theories, with no definite conclusion. Some rumors say that one of the parties involved in the conflict, possibly that Fourth-Rank Flood Dragon or its opponent, ultimately obtained it and fled far away; there are also theories that the Dragon Pearl was sentient and escaped into the Void Realm on its own, and no one got it.

Anyway, things have returned to calm over there now, and besides some ruins at the bottom of the Lake, there's nothing special."

Gao De listened silently, understanding in his heart.

Indeed, treasures of that level were not something he could covet at his current stage.

To obtain a trace of its essence and revive the dragon pearl fossil was already immense luck.

"Hmm, this Venerable One understands. You may go now and familiarize yourself with the Water Mansion's affairs."

"Yes, Master!" Turtle Three Thousand respectfully withdrew and began to fulfill his duties as the Water Mansion's Steward.

With the addition of the astute Steward Turtle in the Water Mansion, Gao De enjoyed more leisure, dedicating more energy to Cultivation and deducing Divine Abilities and Formations.

At the same time, through Turtle Three Thousand, he could more conveniently obtain a torrent of external information that was not highly confidential but rather complex.

Although the path of Cultivation was slow, the Water Mansion's influence was subtly becoming more stable, and its reach extended further.

Gao De still maintained sufficient patience, like a lurking Flood Dragon, waiting for the next opportune moment when circumstances would align.

...

Just as Gao De was silently accumulating strength, digesting the dragon pearl fossil, and attempting to enhance that faint Power of Thunder, another secret channel—the long-term intelligence exchange established with Lin Xiaofan, the Green Wave Sect Utility Disciple, via the tianji mirror—brought an intriguing piece of news.

The message stated that the Lin Family, somehow using an unknown secret method in recent years, had secretly cultivated another rare Second-Rank Spirit Fish. Using this as a core bargaining chip, they secretly struck a deal with a certain influential Elder of the Green Wave Sect, exchanging it for a precious foundation establishment pill!

Now, the Lin Family's most talented Foundation Establishment seed had already begun secret seclusion to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!

"The Lin Family... is about to gain another Foundation Establishment Cultivator?" A glint flashed in Gao De's cold, vertical pupils.

The Lin and Zhu Families, as Cultivation Families along the shores of Dongting Lake, had been openly and secretly contending for hundreds of years, their strength maintaining a delicate balance.

The Lin Family had a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor presiding, while the Zhu Family relied on two extraordinary Bloodline Pig Dragons, whose strength reached the Middle Stage of the Second-Rank, as their clan-protecting Spirit Beasts, only then able to contend equally with the Lin Family.

If the Lin Family's Foundation Establishment succeeds this time, the Family's high-end combat power will increase by one member. With this ebb and flow, the balance maintained by the two Families for many years will inevitably be broken!

At that time, conflicts to seize resources and influence will be almost unavoidable!

"Chaos is both a variable and an Opportunity." Gao De quickly calculated in his heart.

His goal had always been clear—to elevate his Bloodline and transform into a Dragon!

And right now, there were two readily available "great tonics" possessing flood dragon bloodline—the two Pig Dragons of the Zhu Family!

Normally, these two Pig Dragons were regarded as the Zhu Family's lifeblood, heavily guarded, and their own strength was formidable. Gao De had no way to act and dared not touch them easily.

But if the Lin and Zhu Families erupted into fierce conflict due to an imbalance of power, the situation would be entirely different!

At that time, the Zhu Family would undoubtedly fully respond to the Lin Family's pressure, and their protection of the clan-protecting Spirit Beasts would inevitably show lapses.

Especially when the battle reached its climax, and the Zhu Family had no Foundation Establishment Cultivators, those two Pig Dragons would certainly be thrown into the battlefield! On the battlefield, swords have no eyes, and casualties are inevitable...

"An Opportunity! This might be the only chance to target those two Pig Dragons without immediately attracting the attention of someone like Demon King Fushui!" Gao De's heart subtly quickened.

The Zhu Family was, after all, just a Human Race Cultivation Family. The demise of their clan-protecting Spirit Beasts, while a major event, would not attract the same level of consequences and attention as directly hunting Demon King Fushui's dragon blood descendants.

If handled properly, he could completely divert the blame to the Lin Family, or disguise it as an accident during battle.