Seeing a Daluo Golden Immortal vanish in both body and spirit right before their eyes, the gathered Jie Sect Immortals on the square were utterly dumbfounded.

After all, that was a Daluo Golden Immortal!

In the entirety of the Three Realms, they were figures of great renown.

Especially in this era, reaching the pinnacle had become increasingly difficult.

Among the various major powers—numerous Saint sects, the Heavenly Court that reigns over the Three Realms, the Underworld that governs reincarnation—there weren't that many Daluo Golden Immortals openly known.

It could be said that in any power, a Daluo Golden Immortal was a pillar of strength.

Even within the Jie Sect itself, there were not many Daluo Golden Immortals.

Yet now, Yu Yuan had cleanly and decisively executed a Daluo Golden Immortal without giving him any chance to repent, solely because the latter had violated the new rules he had established.

This was to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys... no, this was clearly killing the monkey to warn the chickens!

In order to implement new sect rules, the Vice Sect Hierarch actually used a Daluo Golden Immortal as an example to make a point, demonstrating his immense resolve!

Realizing this, the vast square suddenly fell silent as the dropping of a pin could be heard.

Those Jie Sect Immortals who had previously been muttering in secret against the new regulations now all shut their mouths.

"It seems like there are no objections now."

Yu Yuan nodded with satisfaction and swept his arm, declaring: "Then I ask everyone to remember well not to violate the rules again... that's all, you may all disperse."

With these words, the Immortal Gods on the square finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to rise and leave with rustling whispers.

Many Immortal Gods looked at Yu Yuan, wanting to speak but stopping themselves, ultimately holding back and quietly departing with their heads down.

Yu Yuan was clear that his actions today would inevitably earn him the reputation of "brutality," but he did not care in the slightest.

As the saying goes, in troubled times, harsh laws are needed!

Had he taken over the Jie Sect at its inception, he could have gradually made changes from within, subtlety influencing the sect. But in this seemingly peaceful yet actually danger-laden period, the great Jie Sect could collapse in an instant at any moment.

Therefore, he was determined from the outset to act decisively, using the most severe methods to rectify the "rotten apples" within the Jie Sect that were spoiling the whole barrel!

That Xuan Yu Daoist was precisely a rather large rotten apple!

Just as the black-robed Daoist had exposed, this wretch, under the banner of the Jie Sect, wielded power and acted tyrannical, comporting himself like a local emperor, treating other disciples with lesser Dao Xing as slaves.

For such a person, Yu Yuan would not show a shred of mercy!

With the departure of the Immortal Gods, news of the Jie Sect's new rules and Yu Yuan's domineering and brutal methods spread like a storm, sweeping across the East Sea and resounding through the Three Realms and Six Paths.

Countless Immortal Gods engaged in heated discussions.

Some believed that the Jie Sect had been rotten for a long time and needed such drastic reform; others assumed it was all bark and no bite, that imposing the new rules was a sham, with establishing authority being the true goal...

Many Immortal Gods also focused on Yu Yuan's public execution of Xuan Yu Daoist as evidence of his cruel and tyrannical approach, intolerant of even the slightest dissent—truly the style of the Demon Path!

During this period, the entire East Sea was in turmoil.

The previously unruly and domineering Jie Sect disciples and apprentices suddenly became much more compliant.

They did not venture outside their doors or steps, conscientiously sealing themselves within their cave mansions and quietly reciting the Yellow Court.

This was not to say they were completely cowed by Yu Yuan's stern measures, ready to mend their ways and sincerely follow the new rules. They were only watching, waiting, or perhaps switching from blatant defiance to sneaking around.

After all, like the old saying goes, "A wolf travels a thousand miles to eat meat, a dog travels a thousand miles to eat feces"—how could those accustomed to bullying and domineering change overnight?

...

East Sea.

The boundless sea churned with waves, the sea breeze fresh, clouds billowing and mists swirling.

Bathed in the morning light, the sea's glimmering surface shone like a silvery ribbon fluttering in the wind.

Countless Immortal Islands and Divine Mountains were shrouded in mist, beautifully mirroring the thousands of miles of azure waves.

Beneath these vast waves, a splendid cluster of buildings nestled on the ocean floor, with a massive Immortal Palace, made entirely of crystal, standing gloriously at the center, shimmering brilliantly in the water.

This Immortal Palace is known as the Crystal Palace, the Daoist practice site of the Dragon King, and concurrently the power center of the Dragon Clan.

Ordinarily, only the most distinguished guests are entitled to enter the Crystal Palace.

At this moment in the Crystal Palace, the old Dragon King Aoguang sits upright with a stately posture on the broad throne, with his three brothers—Ao Run, Ao Qin, Ao Shun—as well as his progeny Ao Yi seated beneath him.

This is a banquet to welcome someone back.

The guest of honor is Ao Yi.

All four Dragon Kings are gathered, taking the main and guest seats in turn, toasting and drinking merrily.

In the hall, Clam Girls and dragon maids are dancing gracefully, enjoying themselves immensely.

However, Ao Yi is still rather young, not quite understanding the significance of these women twisting and turning about.

He simply buries his head among delicacies of all flavors, akin to a traveler returning from afar, just wanting to fully savor the "taste of home."

Soon, Ao Yi's stomach visibly swelled.

Sitting beside him, Ao Run with a chuckle lifted his cup and said, "Come, little Yi, let's have a drink together, uncle and nephew."

Ao Yi glanced at the fine liquor of the Dragon Palace before him and shook his head, saying: "Third Uncle, father once told me 'Do not drink and drive, and when drinking do not drive,' 'Safety first among myriad roads,' so I will not drink. Let's discuss serious matters first, shall we?"

He turned his head to look at the old Dragon King Aoguang seated at the head, and spoke earnestly: "I wonder what father's urgent summons for my return is about?"

He was supposed to be quietly cultivating in Tian Yuan Palace these few days, constantly ready for his own father's assignments, yet he received a Sound Transmission Jade Slip from the old Dragon King, instructing him to rush back to the Dragon Palace for important matters.

He didn't really want to return.

He knew that his father had encountered some troubles recently and he didn't want to leave at such a time.

However, with his father insisting so urgently, he could only toughen up, take leave, and hastily return to the Dragon Palace, planning to promptly return to Penglai once he understood the situation.

Unexpectedly, upon his return to the Dragon Palace, he was immediately surrounded by the old Dragon King and his three uncles, who offered their warm greetings and heartfelt concern, with an overwhelming enthusiasm.

He tried all the exotic delicacies of the Four Seas and even had the Clam Girls and dragon maids, each vying in beauty, flaunting before him, turning the young white dragon red-eared and his heart wavering.

This only made him more curious, what exactly did his father want to do?

Upon hearing his words, the old Dragon King Aoguang and the other three Dragon Kings exchanged glances, their smiles fading as they sighed and said: "Little Yi, you surely understand the current plight of our Dragon Clan… We are like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others!

Father is going to have a heart-to-heart with you today. Although our Dragon Clan claims dominion over the Four Seas and the Water Clan calls us king, in truth we are merely the slaves of those Immortals!

At their mere command, we must attend on them hand and foot!

If not for this, why would our Dragon Clan willingly subordinate ourselves to the Heavenly Court?

Isn't it just to hope for a powerful backer?

But now, the Heavenly Court is equally weak and isolated; if something truly happens, we probably can't rely on them.

Therefore… the future hope of our Dragon Clan is all on you!"

"Ah?"

Ao Yi was dumbfounded, his eyes filled with confusion.

He was still a child!

How could he suddenly be expected to shoulder the hope of the Dragon Clan?

"You are unaware!" the old Dragon King spoke seriously: "If Yu Yuan Immortal can truly implement new regulations, our East Sea Dragon Clan will benefit the most!"

Ao Yi was even more confused, "This is the Jie Sect's matter, how is it related to our Dragon Clan?"

"You really are clueless…" the old Dragon King said with irritation: "After all these years, don't you realize how much our East Sea Dragon Clan has been bullied by those Jie Sect Immortal Gods?

Why did we move our Crystal Palace to the vicinity of the Southern Continent?

Isn't it because all the superior blessed places in the East Sea have been occupied by those Jie Sect Immortal Gods?

Beside that, every year our Dragon Clan has to present hefty tributes to those Jie Sect Immortal Gods, with all the precious marine products first chosen by them. On a day-to-day basis, we must come at their beck and call, serving as their slaves… and even the most beautiful females of our clan must be sent to serve as their Furnace Tripods!"

Hearing this, Ao Yi finally understood.

"Father means… the new regulations that our lord is pushing for are the hope of the Dragon Clan?"

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