Chapter 122: Preparations of the Dragon Lord

"Indeed." Gui Qiannian nodded and continued, "It was precisely because the Great Emperor of the Western Peak pointed the way, saying that my opportunity for enlightenment lay here and that I must wait a thousand years, that I have served in the Dragon Palace all these years."

Wang Yuanfeng nodded. He had no interest in the old turtle's affairs; his opportunity was his own business, and he could worry about it himself. There were more important matters to attend to, and that was the priority.

If he were to follow the turtle's lead, he would be drawn into the turtle's narrative and end up working for him. It was better to focus on his own goals. As a divine being, one should not revolve around others; rather, others should revolve around oneself. If they didn't like it, they were free to go wherever they pleased.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Tell me about the defensive strength of this water palace, any important locations, or critical items. As long as it does not affect the overall situation, I have the authority to let you go, regardless of your position as the Water Palace Prime Minister."

Kang Jinlong nodded in agreement. He followed Wang Yuanfeng’s lead; after all, having lived for several hundred years, he possessed at least that much awareness.

Gui Qiannian felt a sense of disappointment. According to his usual tactic, Wang Yuanfeng should have been curious and asked questions. Once the questions started, he would hold the initiative, drawing the two youths into his own story. Eventually, he could offer to help them and earn their gratitude, ensuring his status remained secure.

Gui Qiannian’s plan was sound, but Wang Yuanfeng was well-versed in such tactics. In his previous world, various stratagems were commonplace; one would be embarrassed to call oneself a modern person without understanding such tropes.

This turtle was employing a simple "self-story" tactic. The way to break such a scheme was to be indifferent—unmoved by the winds of the world, leaving the opponent's strategy with no point of impact.

Though disappointed, Gui Qiannian had no choice but to answer. If he continued to play his games, the conversation would stall, and he might face force. He thought for a moment and said, "I trust both young masters are well aware of the Dragon King of Lake Dongting's plan to marry off his daughter."

Wang Yuanfeng nodded; even the common folk had heard of this.

Gui Qiannian continued, "The Dragon King is choosing from various heroes, but these so-called heroes are actually rival kings."

He looked at Wang Yuanfeng and Kang Jinlong, but Wang Yuanfeng remained expressionless, his thoughts unreadable. Jinlong had intended to speak, but seeing Wang Yuanfeng’s demeanor, he sat upright and closed his eyes to rest.

Gui Qiannian felt a tightening in his chest. He realized these youths possessed high-minded natures and formidable martial prowess. While he might not fear them, their attacks were sharp, and he would not necessarily come out on top in a fight. Furthermore, there was a dragon beside him with a bloodline even purer than the Dragon King’s, emitting a faint pressure that naturally suppressed him. Their speed was immense; one misstep could lead to ruin, rendering his thousand years of cultivation meaningless. He had no choice but to yield.

Gui Qiannian straightened his posture and stated, "There are three thousand demon soldiers and generals in the Dongting Lake water system. One thousand are currently defending the Dragon God Island, eighteen hundred are scattered across the lake, and the remaining two hundred are here in this water palace. They are mostly elderly soldiers with little lifespan left."

Wang Yuanfeng nodded, noting that he had finally received some useful information. "Continue," he commanded.

Seeing that Wang Yuanfeng was no longer expressionless, Gui Qiannian breathed a sigh of relief. Realizing Wang Yuanfeng’s high level of mental fortitude, he decided to be more forthcoming. "The Dragon King intends to gather the entire fortune of Lake Dongting to attain a supreme divine position, free from worldly constraints."

"How does he plan to do this?" Wang Yuanfeng asked, finally getting to the point.

Gui Qiannian pondered before answering: "He intends to absorb the entire dragon vein of Lake Dongting and has prepared a 'cauldron' for the process. He has been preparing for this for nearly three hundred years."

"A 'cauldron'?" Wang Yuanfeng had guessed the dragon vein was key, but this was the first he had heard of a cauldron. He asked for clarification.

"Yes, a cauldron," Gui Qiannian nodded. "The little princess is a dragon with a pure bloodline, said to have come from the great ocean. As soon as the Dragon King heard of her, he tricked her into coming to Dongting Lake and used an ancient chain to imprison her in the palace. That is the true reason for this year's marriage."

"How do you know she is a 'cauldron'?" Wang Yuanfeng asked.

"I... I may have been vague," Gui Qiannian admitted. He had only been guessing, and he hadn't expected Wang Yuanfeng to call him out on it. He explained, "This dragon has a pure bloodline, while the Dragon King's blood is impure and his potential is mediocre. If he absorbs her bloodline, he can enhance his own potential and his cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds."

At this, Jinlong suddenly thought of something and asked, "When did this little princess arrive?"

"A year ago," Prime Minister Gui replied, watching the flickering gaze of the golden dragon, as if trying to deduce what he was thinking.

Wang Yuanfeng looked at Jinlong and, seeing him lost in thought, asked, "What is it, Jinlong? Have you realized something?"

Jinlong nodded to Wang Yuanfeng and cast a glance at Gui Qiannian.

Wang Yuanfeng looked at the turtle and said to Jinlong, "Speak. It doesn't matter."

Gui Qiannian felt a jolt of anxiety, silently lamenting. He realized this was information not meant for outsiders, and he was certainly not one of them; in fact, he seemed to be on the opposing side. To speak secrets in front of him meant he was either irrelevant or marked for death.

Wang Yuanfeng indeed intended the latter. Since he allowed the turtle to hear, he had no intention of letting him leave. The old turtle knew too much, and if he couldn't serve him, it was safer to keep him contained. If he were to escape to the enemy, he would become a formidable opponent.

Jinlong spoke, "Ever since the demon dragon of Dongting discovered I possessed a true, pure dragon bloodline, he has been trying to capture me to enhance his own. But since a year ago, he seemed to lose interest. If this little princess arrived a year ago, she must be the one he is using to enhance his bloodline."

Wang Yuanfeng nodded, silently processing this. It made sense.

Upon hearing that the golden-clad youth had also been hunted, Gui Qiannian added, "Back then, the Dragon King claimed someone had stolen a treasure from the water palace and flew into a rage, flooding many areas around Dongting Lake. I suppose he was hunting this young master."

Jinlong nodded. "Yes. Because of me, tens of thousands suffered. Although I did not cause it directly, I am indirectly responsible, and I bear a portion of that karma."

Hearing this, Wang Yuanfeng understood the situation. However, the karma was something that had to be addressed. "I have my own plans regarding this karma," he said. "Now, we have two things to do."

He paused, then turned to Jinlong. "First, release the dragon vein currently locked under Dongting Lake back into the water. Second, free this dragon princess. Once these two tasks are accomplished, I have a way to wear down the demon dragon."