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When it came to Prime Minister Turtle, Ao Qing had always been at ease.
Whether during his secluded cultivation or large-scale evolutions, the Prime Minister had never failed to keep everything in perfect order.
Receiving the compiled report on the current state of the Four Seas, Ao Qing gave a subtle nod.
With that signal, Prime Minister Turtle stepped forward and began his official briefing.
"Over the past two weeks of development, the number of fish monsters capable of assuming human form has increased by 120,000.
Before Dragon King Ao Qing took office, that number would barely reach 5,000 in the same span of time."
A quiet gasp echoed among the Dragon Clan elders.
They knew exactly what that meant.
In the Eastern Sea, any fish spirit able to take on human form already counted as a base-level combatant—and now, 120,000 of them had appeared in just two weeks!?
Before Ao Qing issued those three edicts, the number was a mere 5,000!
"Roughly 10% of those new fish monsters show exceptional talent," the Prime Minister continued.
"And approximately 30% have already received preliminary training and been inducted into the shrimp-soldier and crab-general corps—
—That's an additional 40,000 troops added to our defensive forces."
"Moreover, among the existing ranks of shrimp, crab, and fish warriors, 10% have broken through their former limits, evolving into even stronger combatants."
Hearing that, even Ao Guang and the most stoic elders inhaled sharply.
Such rapid progress… was unprecedented.
"I ran a rough calculation," the Prime Minister added, his voice practically trembling with excitement,
"And in these two weeks, our combat-ready force has doubled.
But that's not all—what's even more thrilling…"
"We've had seven fish spirits successfully evolve into dragons. They've all become Single-Clawed Flood Dragons, and if their growth continues, they may one day reach the level of Four- or even Five-Clawed Golden Dragons."
The moment he said that, the Dragon Clan elders all looked like they'd been struck by lightning.
"Seven!?"
"In just two weeks!?"
Ao Guang, the former Dragon King, could hardly believe it.
"The tale of the Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate has always fascinated humankind…
But in truth, for the past tens of thousands of years, only one such transformation had occurred.
And now? Seven in two weeks!?"
This wasn't evolution. This was a myth reborn.
"Indeed," Prime Minister Turtle nodded seriously.
"When I first saw the numbers, I was shocked as well. But after checking and cross-checking—there's no mistake."
"And it's not just complete transformations either.
Many shrimp soldiers have evolved into Dragon Shrimp Battle Soldiers.
Numerous turtle spirits have advanced into Dragon Turtle Warriors.
Partial dragonification is happening on a wide scale—over 100 cases logged so far."
Ao Qing remained composed on the surface—but internally, even he was stunned.
He had known the Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate was a rare event.
But he didn't expect that, under his governance and the power of a few Evolution Points, even fish monsters could evolve into full-blooded dragons and become a part of the Dragon Clan's elite.
This report only confirmed one thing:
Every Evolution Point he had spent was worth it.
The only regret?
"If only the seas hadn't maxed out after evolving into Super Hunyuan Seawater...
I'd have pumped in every last point to turn this place into a full-blown paradise-realm."
Still, he took in every word of the report with care, not missing a single detail.
And the conclusion was crystal clear:
The Four Seas had undergone a total metamorphosis.
Their strength had risen to the point where they could now compete with the myriad clans of the Three Realms.
But Ao Qing wasn't complacent.
He knew very well—
It still wasn't enough.
The truly top-tier forces of the Mythic World were still far beyond his reach.
However—
"Even so… conquering the Three Realms is no longer a fantasy.
It's only a matter of time."
At that moment, Prime Minister Turtle finished his report and bowed deeply.
"My Lord, do you have any further orders?"
Ao Qing paused for a moment… then opened his mouth.
"My three edicts have yielded great results. Everyone's strength has seen massive improvement.
The next priority—is weapons."
"Our shrimp soldiers and crab generals cannot wield ordinary arms. Their strength will be wasted."
"Prime Minister Turtle, seek out the greatest divine weapon smiths in the Mythic World.
Whether they come willingly or not—bring them here.
If they refuse, then drag them back."
"And another thing—no resources from the Four Seas are to be traded externally.
Everything will now be exclusively used to empower our Dragon Clan, our soldiers, and our army."
"All Dragon Clan elders will assist in enforcing this policy."
Prime Minister Turtle nodded at the first order… but when he heard the second, his eyes widened in surprise.
This… this is a full military lock-down! Dragon King Ao Qing is preparing to forge an invincible army!
"Yes, my Lord!" he responded quickly, heart surging with excitement.
But just as Ao Qing was about to issue another command—
A shrimp soldier burst into the hall, panicked and breathless:
"Dragon King! Dragon King! A man claiming to be the attendant of the Western Daoist—Receiving Daoist has appeared outside!"
"He demands we lend him the Sea-Calming Divine Needle… and says that if we refuse—he'll tear down the East Sea!"
"Receiving Daoist's attendant?" Ao Qing narrowed his eyes.
"How bold…"
Inwardly, he sneered.
The East Sea Dragon King really used to be down bad… Even some lowly attendant of Receiving Daoist dares spout threats like this?
Back in the old days, the Dragon King would have welcomed such guests with trembling hands—handing over any treasure requested.
But now?
Receiving Daoist? Please.
Yes, he was one of the Six Saints of the Great Desolation, and in the future would be known as Amitabha.
But so what?
Ao Qing wasn't afraid of him.
Especially during the Fengshen Era, when both Receiving Daoist and his brother Bodhi Daoist were notorious for their scheming.
Receiving Daoist in particular had a habit of showing up and claiming:
"This treasure is fated to be mine."
Then walking away with it.
He never returned a single item.
And right now?
Ao Qing had just been wondering where to go next to farm some Dragon Clan Fortune...
And someone's delivered themselves to his doorstep.
Perfect.