The crimson-gold invitation was thrown into the East Sea by Lián Túyú without hesitation. Instantly, the entire sea surface boiled.
This was a method Ji Liyuan had taught her.
Every invitation sent out by the East Sea had a unique mark. Guests only needed to cast their own invitation into the sea, and someone would come to escort them.
Previously, Emperor Lord Xumi had never attended such an occasion. This piqued everyone's curiosity: what kind of grand event could possibly be worthy of the Emperor Lord's presence? Although it wasn't the Emperor Lord himself today, the invitation was real.
After the invitation entered the water, the churning seawater churned up waves, and a path about six feet wide began to gradually form before everyone's eyes.
“This is such preferential treatment. When I came before, a Tiger Illusory Whale escorted me in, with at most a few shrimp soldiers and crab generals following.”
“Looking at it this way, you probably don't even measure up to one ten-millionth of the Emperor Lord.”
Suìchuān, who had already taken human form, added to Ji Liyuan's words. However, Ji Liyuan did not retort this time. Instead, he said sincerely:
“If the Emperor Lord could be caught up to so easily, he wouldn't still be a legend.”
Lián Túyú had been diligently observing the changes in the seawater. But upon hearing Ji Liyuan and his subordinate discussing the Emperor Lord, her attention somehow shifted.
Before, when Ji Liyuan spoke of these things, she only felt his words were full of worship and reverence. But ever since hearing what Yuè Fúbèi said, it was truly hard for Lián Túyú not to think in a prejudiced way.
Is it really love?
Does loving someone manifest as such fervor, even leading to a lack of judgment?
Seeing Lián Túyú spacing out at a time like this, A Wu couldn't help but gently poke her with her finger, lest some sudden incident occur and her Princess Royal be unable to react.
She had only been awakened shortly before Lián Túyú cast the invitation into the East Sea, so she was unaware of the conversation between Lián Túyú and Yuè Fúbèi.
Otherwise, she might have been spacing out along with them.
“Tutu, I bet the one coming to greet us soon will be that flirtatious dragon, Ping Xuan.”
“Why do you call him a flirtatious dragon?”
“Because he loves to attract bees and butterflies, of course.”
Ji Liyuan's tone was brimming with disdain. He had never met anyone more detestable than Ping Xuan. Even though Ping Xuan possessed admirable strength, he disdained to associate with such a person.
When Lián Túyú heard this, she knew there must be a story behind it. Just as she was about to inquire further, a large contingent of people emerged from the sea.
Leading the group was a tall man, clad in a crimson-gold robe embroidered with surging waves and the vast ocean. A lifelike dragon on his chest bared its fangs and claws, as if looking down upon everything in the world.
Judging by his attire, it was clear this person was not the Dragon Crown Prince, Ping Xuan.
This being the case, the person before them could only be the Dragon King of the East Sea. With this realization, Lián Túyú intended to step forward to pay her respects, but she was completely ignored.
“I thought it was the Emperor Lord himself gracing my humble abode, but it turns out it's General Yue.”
“Young Ji Liyuan is here too. Why have you come alone? Your father and the others arrived yesterday.”
Despite the Dragon King of the East Sea's seemingly warm reception, he was actually quite displeased. He was dissatisfied with his subordinates for reporting such news without even seeing the person clearly, and also dissatisfied with Emperor Lord Xumi for casually discarding the invitation.
However, since Yuè Fúbèi had come with the invitation, he was likely not here to cause trouble. This could be considered good news. Since they had come, there was no reason for him not to welcome them.
“Here are the Water Repelling Pearls. Everyone, remember to keep them close. Once they are separated from you, the waters of the East Sea will not recognize you.”
Under his instruction, the Dragon King of the East Sea's subordinates began distributing the Water Repelling Pearls to everyone.
The Water Repelling Pearls of the East Sea were all made from pearls. The finer the quality of the pearl, the more runes could be carved into it, and the more powerful its functions.
For the Dragon King's birthday celebration, all the Water Repelling Pearls distributed to guests were made from pearls that had been polished by ancient oysters for over a thousand years. Therefore, apart from differences in appearance, they were all identical in other aspects.
But it was precisely because of these differences in appearance that the distribution of the Water Repelling Pearls became an art.
Among the group, Yuè Fúbèi and Ji Liyuan received the plumpest and most perfectly spherical Water Repelling Pearls. The other members of the Yanque Army also received plump and round pearls, though their luster was somewhat dimmer.
As for the Water Repelling Pearls received by Lián Túyú, A Wu, and Suìchuān, their shapes were somewhat peculiar.
No matter how Lián Túyú looked at her Water Repelling Pearl, it resembled a peach. If it were a bit pinker, it would be exquisitely lifelike.
Honestly, she quite liked the pearl. But her liking it did not mean others would be satisfied.
Yuè Fúbèi saw that the Dragon King of the East Sea had directly overlooked Lián Túyú, who wanted to pay her respects, and subsequently offered no opportunity for her to speak. Such blatant disregard; if he were to pretend nothing had happened, wouldn't that violate the Emperor Lord's orders?
The Dragon King of the East Sea was unaware of Yuè Fúbèi's inner thoughts. Seeing that the Water Repelling Pearls had all been distributed, he was about to lead the group to the Dragon Palace.
But after he had walked a short distance, he noticed that everyone except his own people remained in place, not moving.
“Why aren't you all proceeding?”
“Did the Dragon King overlook something?”
“???”
What was it about this place that displeased this general? Yet, he had personally come out to greet them. No matter how formidable Yuè Fúbèi was, he was merely a general of the Stop-War Army.
Did he expect this Dragon King of the East Sea to grovel and plead with him?
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Ji Liyuan looked from the stern-faced Yuè Fúbèi to the displeased Dragon King of the East Sea, then to Lián Túyú opposite him, who looked as bewildered as he did. He felt a sudden realization.
Yuè Fúbèi was probably supporting Lián Túyú.
That's right, his good friend was Emperor Lord Xumi's only disciple. To disrespect her was to disrespect the Emperor Lord; to disregard her was to disregard the Emperor Lord.
How could the Emperor Lord not be taken seriously!
“I was momentarily distracted just now and forgot to make introductions. Uncle Ping, this is Emperor Lord Xumi's only personal disciple, the daughter of Chihuang Yuanjun, Princess Royal of Danshan, Lián Túyú.”
In the current situation, no one was more suitable to speak than Ji Liyuan. Thus, he took it upon himself to make the introductions for both sides:
“Tutu, this is the Dragon King of the East Sea. You can also call him Uncle Ping, just like I do.”
After hearing Ji Liyuan's introduction, the Dragon King of the East Sea found himself displeased with yet another person. This brat, usually so talkative, had become a mute at such a crucial moment.
Why didn't he introduce such an important person before the banquet ended…
“So, it's a young lady from Danshan. I thought you were Ji Liyuan's friend from the Kirin Clan.”
“Lián Túyú of Hongmeng Palace pays respects to the Dragon King.”
She introduced herself as someone from Hongmeng Palace, naturally because she had understood Yuè Fúbèi's intention. He wanted her to put on airs. As a qualified supporter, she would, of course, respond to his request.
“Earlier, I saw the Dragon King was busy greeting and arranging for the distribution of Water Repelling Pearls, and I never had the chance to speak. Now, I can finally introduce myself.”
Subtle jab! This was definitely a subtle jab.
The Dragon King of the East Sea had not expected that Chihuang Yuanjun, who was so uncontentious and focused solely on Phoenix Clan affairs, would have such a sharp-tongued daughter.
Despite her bright and alluring eyes, she turned out to be black-hearted on the inside.