The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 304 Harem
Clumps of them vie for attention, each displaying its own unique beauty.

Some creatures are born in water, and many more are born only on land. But it doesn't matter. There are immortals and magic in this world. As long as you are willing to pay the price, those on land can also grow underwater.

The floor tiles beneath their feet were all made of fine jade, each one carefully selected and flawless. If placed in the mortal world, any one of them would be enough to be collected into the royal treasury, enough to ensure a person's lifelong comfort.

But at this moment, they only deserve to be trampled underfoot.

Ding Lin admired the pavilion he once lived in in the sky, which was a guardhouse, or at most a small, separate building.

Now this entire Dragon Palace belongs to him.

The shrimp and crab generals followed.

Ding Lin offered a few words of encouragement and then had them follow behind him as guards and attendants. This was not an insult; given his current status as the Yellow River Water Lord, allowing his subordinates to be close to him was enough to send a signal, even without further words.

The shrimp general and the crab general's anxiety about the change of dynasty subsided.

The old tortoise remained calm and led Ding Lin through courtyard after courtyard. Whenever Ding Lin stopped, the tortoise would give a brief explanation.

We passed through another courtyard.

Suddenly, my eyes lit up.

Under the eaves, clam maidens played with pearls, and mermaids sang softly. Even before getting close, the air was filled with the scent of perfume. Palace maids dressed in snow-white gauze walked by, and among the clumps of aquatic plants and corals, beauties of all kinds smiled charmingly, vying for attention.

“This is…” Ding Lin paused.

"Your Majesty," the old tortoise said, "these are tributes presented by the generals guarding the various tributaries. Your Majesty has just taken office, and they are unable to come to greet you due to the waterways. They are understandably uneasy and do not know Your Majesty's tastes. Therefore, they have presented beauties from various tribes, hoping that Your Majesty will find them pleasing."

Ding Lin did not speak.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, these women are all virgins with clean backgrounds. Your Majesty can use them with peace of mind," the old tortoise guessed Ding Lin's thoughts. Seeing that he remained silent, the tortoise's eyes flickered, and it pointed to the adjacent palace. "If Your Majesty does not like these, the palace next door is occupied by the concubines of the previous Dragon King. Now that he has passed away, Your Majesty will succeed him. Using these playthings would be a fine story."

It was indeed Old Turtle who mistakenly assumed Ding Lin's preferences.

It was actually the old tortoise's idea to have the beauties offered up below.

The old tortoise has been in charge of the Yellow River for three hundred years. Although he is only a minor official in the Heavenly Court, he is a wise and experienced man. He knows that his position as the deity in charge of the Yellow River will not last long. He has been paying attention to the gods in the heavens who may be in charge. If he can please them, his future will be more comfortable.

Despite the old tortoise's words that his days are numbered, the lifespan limit of an immortal is a full twelve years. With the old tortoise's past accumulation, he has already pushed his lifespan to its limit by consuming the peaches of immortality. He is only over ninety thousand years old and can live for another thirty thousand years.

Ding Lin was not on the list that the old tortoise had guessed. His rise was too fast. In a short period of time, he had cultivated to the late stage of Golden Immortal. According to the old tortoise's intelligence, this sovereign had escaped unscathed from Taiyi. Although he only had the rank of fourth grade, his combat power was much stronger than that of the previous Water Lord. However, all the information he could find out was the information on the surface. Other things, such as Ding Lin's preferences, were completely blank.

Fortunately, there is one more thing: this new ruler will eventually become a true dragon.

It's a dragon.

That makes things easier.

The so-called dragon is inherently lustful.

No true dragon would dislike this.

The old tortoise, having lived a long life, was more knowledgeable and experienced. Considering his lack of understanding of Ding Lin and the possibility that he might have unique tastes, he had made thorough preparations beforehand, and he had not disbanded the former Dragon King's harem.

That way, there will be no chance of anything going wrong.

Ding Lin's gaze followed the old tortoise's finger to the next room. The high wall blocked the view, and there were indeed many auras next door, vibrant and fragrant. But deep within these auras was another dragon aura, which had obviously been used. Looking at this courtyard, beauties were as beautiful as jade, available for one to take.

His gaze shifted and landed on the old tortoise's face.

"Your Majesty," a smile appeared on the old tortoise's face.

A smile that every man understands.

Ding Lin did not smile. The shrimp generals and crab generals behind him also stood straight, their faces serious.

“You think I like this?” Ding Lin said, glancing at the courtyard before looking away.

The old tortoise's smile gradually faded. He could tell that Ding Lin's expression was genuine, and he was amazed, but not particularly apprehensive.

Is there really a dragon in this vast world that is not lustful?
"However, I'm very happy that they thought of preparing a gift for me." Ding Lin smiled again and said. Whether it was really the idea of ​​the subordinates or Old Turtle's own idea, the fact that they wanted to please him meant that they wanted to get closer to him.

I can refuse, but I can't refuse to give it to you below.

"Since Your Majesty dislikes this practice, how should these two palaces be dealt with? Please give your instructions, Your Majesty," the old tortoise said again.

"Keep some as palace maids, and send the rest back. There's no need to keep so many beautiful women in the Dragon Palace," Ding Lin said.

"Your subject understands," the old tortoise said, taking out a jade talisman to transmit his voice, ready to act immediately, wanting Ding Lin to see his efficiency.

"Wait a minute," Ding Lin interrupted again, "Keep it for now, it might come in handy someday."

Ding Lin then thought that he didn't know how many years he would have to sit on the throne of the Yellow River Water Lord. Sooner or later, his confidantes would come to the Dragon Palace. At that time, if he kept these two beauties in the palace, they would see that he did not harm them in the slightest, and they would naturally understand how great the temptations he faced outside were.

"Yes." The old tortoise put away the jade talisman, his expression unchanged, showing no intention of probing.

"Since Your Majesty does not favor these beauties, there are other gifts available. This is the gift list; please take a look."

The old tortoise continued, saying that he was in a period of adjustment when he first met Ding Lin. To be more precise, he was refining himself and adapting to Ding Lin, since he was in a lower position. From greeting to the beauty, step by step, he was exploring Ding Lin's style of handling things. At this point, he naturally knew that Ding Lin was not one of those rigid people, so the gift list could be presented.

Ding Lin took the long list of gifts. There were no particularly valuable items, but the quantity was large. His brows relaxed, but then he frowned again: "Prime Minister, this list doesn't seem to be complete." Ding Lin noticed that the number of people on the gift list differed from the number of tributaries that the old tortoise had mentioned earlier.

Again.

I may not need it, but you can't refuse to give it to me.

If you don't even have this attitude, what's the point of talking about loyalty and aligning yourself with them?

"Your Majesty, there are always a few upright and honest people among these waters," the old tortoise said.

"Where are these things now?" Ding Lin asked. "They are currently in the treasury, awaiting Your Majesty's use," the old tortoise replied.

"Take me there first." Ding Lin was impatient; he had been poor for far too long.

Another tall palace stood, with a celestial general leading over a thousand armored soldiers surrounding the courtyard, while inside, it was quiet and secluded.

The old tortoise led the way, with the shrimp and crab generals still following.

Ding Lin didn't try to avoid them. He pushed open the palace door and was greeted by a dazzling array of gifts. The gift list had only shown numbers; how could it compare to the impact of the actual items? His eyes lit up.

The hall was filled with spiritual materials, including demon cores, spirit jade, aged spirit herbs, as well as some magical artifacts and immortal weapons, and all kinds of elixirs.

Ding Lin waved his hand without any politeness and put all these things away, and his empty wallet immediately bulged up.

"Prime Minister, the Dragon Palace should have had a treasure vault, right?" Ding Lin added, seemingly still wanting to say more.

Goodness, quite the appetite.

The old tortoise thought to himself, but was completely relieved. At this point, he felt that he had gotten to know the new water lord quite well. He seemed to be in harmony with the world, but in fact he accepted all comers. This was the kind of selfish and self-centered personality that was common among cultivators.

However, this kind of ruler is good.

It seems he can wear the crown of prime minister for many more years.

"Your Majesty, the Dragon Palace does indeed have a treasure vault, but it is usually empty," the old tortoise said with a wry smile.

"Empty?" Ding Lin asked, puzzled.

“Your Majesty, although the Four Rivers Dragon Gods are noble, we are not like those of the Four Seas. We are under the Heavenly Court, so naturally everything we do is for the public good. We have no private treasury. The same applies to our offerings. We only make one round in the Dragon Palace before we are presented to the Heavenly Court. This happens once every hundred years. But Your Majesty, rest assured, in addition to the portion in Heaven, Your Majesty will also receive a separate portion,” said the Turtle Prime Minister.

"I see." Ding Lin nodded.

By this time, Ding Lin was increasingly satisfied with the old tortoise. This step-by-step appeasement could be seen as a test, but it could also be interpreted as a desire to join his ranks. Since he had the absolute strength to suppress it, why not accept the old tortoise first?

"Your Excellency Turtle has accomplished a great deal in governing the Yellow River over the years. I am usually in seclusion and have limited free time. From now on, all matters concerning the Yellow River will continue to be handled by Your Excellency Turtle. You must not fail my trust," Ding Lin said.

"Your Majesty, I thank you. I will do my utmost to ensure peace and tranquility at sea, so as not to fail Your Majesty's trust." The old tortoise bowed deeply to Ding Lin solemnly.

"I'm already familiar with this Dragon Palace, so let's leave it at that for now. Turtle Minister and the two generals, please go about your business." Ding Lin waved his hand, dismissing the old turtle and the shrimp and crab generals.

……

Inside the main hall, Ding Lin stood with his hands clasped below the high platform.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Xin Jia entered the hall and bowed deeply.

"You can blame me for neglecting you today," Ding Lin said.

"This humble general dares not presume. Both thunder and rain are acts of imperial grace. This humble general follows His Majesty without any selfish motives," Xin Jia said.

“Your cultivation is only at the mid-stage of the Immortal Realm. I intend to promote you to Prime Minister, but your cultivation is not high enough. Even if I support you, you know that I am in seclusion most of the time, so it is not possible. You still need to cultivate diligently over time. So, you should learn more about the matter first. When your cultivation improves in the future, I will arrange for you to take over. For now, let the turtles and the others handle things.”

“You’ve been with me since I was a nobody, and you’re the one I trust the most. So,” Ding Lin said, seemingly reluctant, as he tossed out a list, “I will write an order later. You can choose good men from among your men. They’ve come with me to this post, and I can’t let them lose heart. All the garrison commanders on the list will be dismissed and replaced with our men.”

This list naturally includes those garrison commanders who did not offer gifts.

"You will remain my personal guard commander for the time being. Reorganize the remaining men and I will entrust the entire Crystal Palace to you."

"I have already asked Prime Minister Turtle. Most of the Yellow River tributaries are under my jurisdiction, but there are still seventy-three that belong to the Four Seas Dragon Palace. Before you take over the Yellow River Dragon Palace, go there. The Jing River is a bit troublesome, so leave it for now. Sweep away all the other seventy-two tributaries for me. I will then report to the Heavenly Court and ask for your reward when you return."

"I will still allow you to select from among the young men to fill the seventy-two vacant positions. With this merit, once your cultivation is sufficient, I can order that old tortoise to step down, and you will naturally succeed him as prime minister. No one will dare to object," Ding Lin said earnestly.

"This humble general..." Xin Jia listened, feeling a mix of emotions. He understood that Ding Lin's words were not entirely true, but they were also genuinely considerate of him. He still felt somewhat wronged and resentful, but at this point, he could only accept it. "I hope the general will continue to guide me."

This address of "General" was intended to evoke Ding Lin's old feelings.

Ding Lin remained silent for a moment, just as appropriate.

“In that case, when you return, you will be the Great General of my Dragon Palace. I will separate the Shrimp General and Crab General’s troops separately, otherwise you probably won’t be able to control them. Xin Jia, this is all the general can do for now,” Ding Lin said with difficulty.

In fact, this was something Ding Lin had planned long ago. He brought so many old subordinates with him, so of course they had to occupy important positions. Prime Minister Turtle could let him continue to govern the Yellow River. With the shrimp generals and crab generals treated this way, there was no way for them to rise. Since they were all old people, they would naturally gravitate towards Prime Minister Turtle. Xin Jia held military power and could also command the heavenly soldiers he brought down from the Heavenly Court. In this way, he would have most of the Yellow River's military force in his hands. Even if his cultivation was slightly inferior, he could still rival Prime Minister Turtle's faction.

Thus, both sides are satisfied, yet neither is satisfied.

The Yellow River's current situation has stabilized.

The old tortoise could continue to lead him in managing the Yellow River, but it would also be restrained by Xin Jia.

Ding Lin could then free up his energy to continue his cultivation. He had long realized that in this world, no matter how powerful one was, it was all fleeting. Only cultivation was fundamental. This was especially true at higher levels, where one person's strength could suppress everything.

This arrangement means that it won't matter if you accidentally take it off.

With his current strength and virtue, he is worthy of his position. As long as he remains in the Yellow River, he can stay put.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, General. Thank you, General!" Xin Jia bowed deeply.

"There's nothing difficult about it. You've followed me for so long, it's not right to let them ride roughshod over you, only seeing the new faces laughing while ignoring the old ones crying. If that's the case, how will the five hundred soldiers who followed me down from the heavens view me? In the end, we are the real ones. Get up. The most urgent thing is for you to go and suppress those seventy-two tributaries. Otherwise, even if I want the position of Grand General, it still won't be possible."

Ding Lindao waved his hand, signaling Xin Jia to step down.

"This humble general will certainly not disappoint the general." Xin Jia bowed to Ding Lin again. "General, this humble general will take his leave." Then he walked backward until he was out of the hall, then flicked his cloak and rode away in a flash of light.

"This is the only way for now. Time is of the essence, and I should start cultivating as well. If I don't become a Taiyi, who knows what will happen next?"

Only Ding Lin remained in the main hall. The pretense on his face slowly faded, and he muttered to himself.

(End of this chapter)