Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

It was transferred into the bodies of the four people to help stabilize their injuries.

Wan Jianyi let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile, "Sect Leader, if you had arrived even half a step later, you would have been left only to collect our corpses."

Dao Xuan shook his head, his gaze fixed on the depths of the East Sea, in the direction where the dragons had retreated, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

He knew that this matter would not end there.

He could clearly see the humiliation and resentment in Ao Guang's eyes as he retreated.

The dragons will never let this go.

The Dragon Palace of the East Sea, the Crystal Main Hall.

The beaded curtain swayed, and the light was dim.

Only a few large luminous pearls emitted a cold, eerie light, illuminating the silent figures in the hall.

Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, sat on his throne, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

Below, the elders of the Western Wilderness Shadow Clan, the Corpse Emperor of the Southern Underworld, and the Fifth Heavenly Venerable, representing the remnants of the Sea Demon Clan, stood with their heads bowed.

Don't dare to vent your anger.

The atmosphere inside the hall was terrifyingly oppressive.

After a long silence, Ao Guang finally spoke, his voice hoarse:

"You all saw it? A mere Dao Xuan, with just the power of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, sent us utterly defeated."

"We, the Dragon Clan of the Four Seas, and all other races under Heaven, where is our dignity?!"

The last four words were almost a low growl, containing endless anger and humiliation.

The Shadow Clan elder raised his head and said cautiously, "Dragon King, please calm your anger."

That Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation is indeed terrifying; it is beyond our ability to withstand.

A direct confrontation is definitely not the best strategy.

"Then tell me, what should we do?" Ao Guang looked at him coldly.

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."

A cold light flashed in the Shadow Clan elder's eyes.

"No matter how strong Dao Xuan is, or how prosperous Qingyun Sect is, it is ultimately just a sect in the Central Continent."

Humanity is not a monolithic entity. Why don't we... start from within?

"Oh?" Ao Guang's eyes flickered slightly. "Tell me more."

"Among the human race in the Central Continent, there are numerous sects, constantly engaged in open and covert struggles with each other."

Although the three major sects, Xuantian Sect, Zifu Sect, and Fulong Mountain, fought alongside Qingyun this time, it was only because of external threats.

Now that the external threats have temporarily subsided, are there no disagreements between them, and between them and Qingyun?

The Shadow Clan elder analyzed, "In particular, Dao Xuan's prestige is currently at its zenith, and he is showing signs of becoming the leader of the human race."

Are those three major sects truly willing to do this?

The Southern Underworld Corpse Emperor added ominously, "That's right. Moreover, as far as I know..."

There are also many second- and third-rate sects, as well as independent cultivator forces in Zhongzhou.

They had reservations about the rise of the Qingyun Sect in recent years, but dared not speak out. "If we could secretly support and instigate them…"

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Heavenly Venerable immediately knelt down and said urgently, "Your Majesty the Dragon King!"

My sea monster race is located along the coast of the East China Sea in the Central Continent, as well as among some scattered human cultivators.

There are also some secret contact points and pawns that I am willing to offer up entirely for Your Majesty's use!

"I only beg Your Majesty to avenge my clan!"

Ao Guang's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the throne, producing a rhythmic sound.

His eyes gleamed, clearly he was weighing the pros and cons.

Disintegrating the human race from within and instigating conflict is indeed far more sophisticated and insidious than directly confronting the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

Moreover, the dragons do not need to intervene directly, so the risk is minimal.

"This matter... requires someone who is shrewd enough, discreet enough, and has a good understanding of the human race to handle it," Ao Guang said slowly.

"Does His Majesty already have someone in mind?" the Shadow Clan elder asked.

Ao Guang did not answer directly, but pondered for a moment and said, "Send word to have 'Ao Ming' come to see me."

Upon hearing this, the Turtle Prime Minister, who was standing by His Highness, was slightly taken aback, then bowed.

"Your humble servant obeys."

He was startled.

Ao Ming? The illegitimate son born to His Majesty and a clam maiden from the North Sea?

Because of his impure bloodline, he was always disliked and was sent to guard a remote sea trench.

Why did Your Majesty suddenly think of him?

Before long, a slightly thin figure walked into the main hall.

The newcomer appeared to be in his early twenties, with a handsome, even somewhat effeminate, face, pale skin, and wearing a simple dark blue robe.

He had deep blue hair, like the ocean, and blue eyes, but his gaze was calm and unwavering when he bowed.

His posture was extremely submissive: "Your subject Ao Ming greets Your Majesty."

The representatives of the various ethnic groups in the hall were somewhat surprised.

This dragon prince, whose aura was only at the peak of True Immortal, appeared insignificant in front of a group of powerful figures.

Moreover, his dragon aura was faint, mixed with a trace of other aquatic creatures' aura, no wonder he was not valued.

Ao Guang looked at this son he had almost forgotten and said calmly:

"Ao Ming, you've been guarding the 'Sinking Abyss Trench' for a hundred years now, haven't you?"

"Reporting to Father, it is the ninth day of the seventh month of the one hundred and third year."

Ao Ming's voice was steady, and he accurately reported the time.

"Do you feel wronged?"

"It is my honor to serve the Dragon Clan, and I dare not complain."

Ao Guang stared at him for a moment, then suddenly said, "I'll give you a chance. A..."

It gives you the opportunity to prove your worth, and even a chance to gain the recognition of pure-blooded dragons.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible ripple flashed in Ao Ming's lowered eyes.

But his voice remained steady: "Please give your orders, Father."

"I want you to infiltrate the Central Continent as a rogue human cultivator."

Ao Guang said, word by word.

"Your mission is to secretly contact and support those forces and individuals who are dissatisfied with the current state of humanity, especially with Qingyun Sect and Daoxuan."

They stirred up trouble and created conflict, weakening humanity from within and causing problems for Dao Xuan.

If necessary... we can plan some 'unexpected' events.

He paused, then added, "Beihai will provide you with a batch of resources and manpower."

The Western Wilderness, the Southern Underworld, and the remnants of the Sea Demon Clan will also provide you with necessary assistance and information.

But remember, your identity must be kept absolutely secret, and your relationship with the Dragon Palace must be completely severed.

Once exposed, you know the consequences.

This is a road full of dangers and opportunities.

If successful, he might win his father's favor and change his fate;

If he fails, he will surely die, and the Dragon Palace will never acknowledge his existence.

Ao Ming remained silent for three breaths, then bowed deeply: "Your subject obeys. I will certainly not fail Father's trust."

"Very good." Ao Guang waved his hand.

"Go and prepare. We will depart in three days. Prime Minister Turtle, take him to the secret vault and retrieve some useful items."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Ao Ming bowed again and quietly withdrew, remaining silent throughout.

He didn't even glance at the representatives of the foreign races in the hall, as if they didn't exist.

After he left, the Shadow Clan elder couldn't help but say:

"Dragon King, this matter is of utmost importance. Entrusting it to a dragon prince with impure blood is far too risky, isn't it?"

Ao Guang sneered: "Precisely because his bloodline is impure, he is not easily noticed and has been marginalized for a long time."

There must be a sense of discontent and ambition in one's heart to desperately seize this opportunity.

Moreover, if he fails, he will only lose an insignificant piece, which will not affect my dragon clan.

If he succeeds... that would be a pleasant surprise.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the western Central Continent, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Dao Xuan, do you think you can rest easy just because you have the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation?"

The real contest is only just beginning.

I, the King, would like to see what happens when your human race is engulfed in internal strife, and when your Qingyun Sect becomes the target of everyone's hatred.

Can you still be this arrogant as you are today?!

Inside the hall, several representatives of different races exchanged a knowing smile, a chilling atmosphere permeating the air.