As expected—Ao Qing's prediction had been completely correct.
While sharing a meal inside the grand Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, chatting casually with the Dragon King, Receiving Daoist was, inwardly, shaken to his very core.
The reason?
It was simple:
Along the way, he'd seen far too many Lobster Warrior Soldiers, far too many fish spirits that had undergone full transformation.
He knew better than anyone what that meant.
Even more stunning—
The entire Eastern Sea appeared to be devoid of ordinary marine life.
Instead, nearly every creature he'd encountered had already evolved into a humanoid or semi-divine form.
At first, Receiving Daoist hadn't believed it.
After all, in the Mythic World, transformation for demons and beasts was no easy feat. It usually required massive spiritual energy, incredible luck, or some cosmic opportunity—such as exposure to world-altering events like the birth of the universe.
Take the Three Pure Ones, for instance—they were born from the purest Qi of Pangu after the heavens were split. The same was true for many high-level demon clans.
In short, transformation was rare and difficult, even for the most talented.
And yet, under Ao Qing's rule—
The Four Seas were now filled with fully transformed aquatic creatures.
How in the world had this happened?
Had he forcefully rewritten fate? Altered the world's laws?
Receiving Daoist's heart thudded.
He knew what this implied far too well.
In terms of species population alone, the sea had always held more life than any other realm in the Six Realms.
If Ao Qing could turn even a fraction of them into full-fledged cultivators or divine warriors—
The Dragon Clan's rise was no longer a possibility.
It was an inevitability.
Receiving Daoist finally understood:
Ao Qing must have a terrifying background.
Something so powerful that he dared not probe too deep.
With a smile that barely masked his unease, Receiving Daoist set down a fruit from the feast.
"Truly, Dragon King Ao Qing, this banquet is quite exquisite. Even I am beginning to feel full."
Though his tone was cordial, his eyes flickered with deep complexity.
At his side, the Daoist children also quietly put down their food, their expressions grave.
They knew Receiving Daoist well—he had always referred to himself as a "Saint", proud and lofty. Now he was calling himself a mere "Daoist."
That subtle shift said everything.
Even their master was lowering his stance.
"To properly receive Daoist Friend," Ao Qing replied warmly, "I had my shrimp and crab soldiers gather the finest fruits from the seabed. I hope they're to your liking."
Ao Qing could already sense it—Receiving Daoist's awe and alarm were genuine.
Not that he had to guess. The system was already chiming—
"Congratulations! Your Dragon Clan's Fortune has increased by 1 point!"
"Your Dragon Clan's Fortune has increased by 1 point!"
Even just receiving a Saint with dignity?
Was enough to boost Dragon Clan Fortune.
Ao Qing chuckled internally.
So even entertaining Saints earns Fortune now… good to know.
It made sense.
After all, the Eastern Sea was no longer some backwater. Even a Saint like Receiving Daoist couldn't help but be impressed.
Just as Ao Qing was about to continue speaking, Receiving Daoist suddenly stood up.
"Ah, it seems I have pressing matters to attend to. I fear I cannot linger much longer."
As he spoke, he gave a subtle glance to one of the Daoist children.
The boy immediately understood, reached into his satchel, and retrieved a small, radiant pagoda that sparkled with seven-colored light.
"This treasure is called the Seven-Colored Exquisite Spirit Tower.
It is an innate-grade spiritual treasure, won from subduing a ferocious demon long ago."
Receiving Daoist gently caressed the treasure—reluctance flickering across his eyes.
"Originally, I intended to bring it back to the West to await a fated bearer.
But today, having met the Dragon King, I feel our meeting was predestined.
Please accept this humble gift."
"The Exquisite Spirit Tower!?"
Ao Qing blinked in surprise.
Receiving Daoist was seriously giving this to him?
An innate spiritual treasure, handed over just like that?
What a glorious surprise.
But then Ao Qing remembered: he had absorbed Li Jing's fortune, and that fortune included ties to this treasure.
So Receiving Daoist offering it now?
Made perfect sense.
Still, Ao Qing pretended to hesitate—
"Ah, this… I couldn't possibly accept…"
But Receiving Daoist insisted with a laugh:
"This treasure is sentient. If I'm not mistaken, it was always meant for you, Dragon King. Please, don't refuse."
Without waiting for further protest, he pressed the pagoda into Ao Qing's hands.
Though the pain of parting with the treasure was visible in his eyes, Receiving Daoist forced a smile.
If this "background" was real,
then giving up a spiritual treasure was a small price to pay.
If only he knew…
There was no "background." It was all an act.
If he ever discovered the truth—
He'd probably vomit blood on the spot.
"Then I shall gratefully accept it," Ao Qing said, feigning modesty.
He slipped the tower into his storage pouch as a new round of system prompts chimed:
"Congratulations! You've obtained the innate spiritual treasure: Seven-Colored Exquisite Spirit Tower!"
"This tower is one of the Western Sect's most powerful treasures. Capable of suppressing one hundred thousand demons."
"Any being with weaker cultivation than the user can be imprisoned within, doomed for eternity, with no hope of reincarnation."
Ao Qing's eyes gleamed.
Just the description alone... this tower was absolutely broken.
He cleared his throat deliberately, his voice calm.
"Daoist Friend, I won't keep you any longer.
Rest assured—I'll be sure to mention your generosity to… that elder."
He turned to Prime Minister Turtle.
"See our guest out."
Receiving Daoist's eyes lit up.
"That elder…"
He had no idea who Ao Qing meant—but just hearing it filled him with excitement.
He really does have a hidden backer!
"Yes, yes! That would be wonderful! Our Western Sect is poor in resources and weak in foundation.
If the Dragon King could spare a few kind words…"
"Naturally, naturally," Ao Qing said smoothly, nodding as if he understood.
Receiving Daoist didn't dare linger.
With his Daoist children trailing behind him, he departed the palace with visible joy.
"This time, our Western Sect might finally rise!"
"Master is incredible! To have seen through the Dragon Clan's hidden backing!"
"A single Exquisite Spirit Tower is nothing compared to building a relationship with that elder!"
"Absolutely! Master is truly wise beyond compare!"
Too bad they didn't know—
Ao Qing's so-called "elder" didn't exist at all.
Everything—the aura, the infrastructure, the air of mystery—
Was pure performance.
Had they known the truth?
Receiving Daoist would've coughed blood on the spot.