Chapter 114: Breathtakingly Stunning

"I saw a dragon... and sitting atop that dragon was none other than Brother Liu!" Lu Liang said this, finding it hard to believe his own words.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the several scholars nearby looked at each other and burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Brother Lu, you really know how to crack a joke. We never knew you had such a talent before; it seems you’ve been hiding it all along, haven't you?"

Lu Liang smiled bitterly. "I am not joking. I truly saw a dragon just now..."

A scholar beside him chimed in, "Brother Lu, please, spare us the jokes. If you said you saw a dragon, we might believe you; after all, with manifestations of the Dao, it isn't just you who has seen deities. But to say that Brother Liu was riding on the head of a dragon? That is truly the height of absurdity! Could Brother Liu be the reincarnation of some Immortal Emperor to be able to ride a dragon?"

The others nodded in agreement. While it was not strange for divine beings to appear, the idea of Liu Ping riding a dragon was simply too exaggerated.

"Wait! Look, everyone, the fog is clearing!" Before Lu Liang could reply, he gasped and pointed out the window.

The river surface, which had been blanketed in thick fog only moments ago, was now completely clear. This was truly eerie, and the scholars stared at each other, at a loss for words.

***

Beneath the river, inside the Water Mansion.

The azure dragon swam toward the manor. Upon hearing the news, Prime Minister Turtle and General Blackfish led the aquatic troops to welcome her.

Soon, the azure dragon descended. Not daring to look directly, they knelt and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Highness!"

The dragon transformed into human form. Accompanying her were Uncle Kong and five armored guards, all of whom also shifted into human shapes.

Ao Jinyu said calmly, "Rise. I am Ao Jinyu, daughter of the Lord. I believe you have heard of me, and I even met you once when I was a child."

Prime Minister Turtle, General Blackfish, and the troops rose.

Prime Minister Turtle carefully looked up at Ao Jinyu. Seeing a beautiful, elegant woman in simple, refined clothing with an air of distinction, she did indeed resemble that little girl from many years ago. Not daring to stare, he quickly lowered his head. "This old servant remembers you, Your Highness, and has been awaiting your arrival for a long time... I have a sin to confess."

Ao Jinyu asked, "What sin?"

Prime Minister Turtle replied, "Yesterday, three wicked thieves came to the river to fight. They were fierce. I tried my best to stop them and fought bravely, but it was to no avail. They were too powerful; I nearly lost my life! They destroyed the teleportation array. Fortunately, I managed to protect the Water Mansion, killed two of the thieves when their strength waned, and let the third one escape. Even so, I have caused a delay in your journey and allowed the precious array to be destroyed. I have no words to defend myself; please, Your Highness, punish me."

"Pfft." Liu Ping couldn't help but laugh. The Prime Minister’s words were quite amusing. Not long ago, he had stood there, dazed and terrified, doing nothing, and now he had become a brave warrior? Nearly died? Let one escape while killing two?

Hearing the laughter, the Prime Minister and the troops looked up, instinctively turning their gaze toward the source. The Prime Minister felt indignant—who was so rude as to laugh at such a critical moment? Such a lack of etiquette!

However, when he fixed his eyes on the man, he found the face hauntingly familiar. His eyes widened, and he sat down hard on the ground, pointing at Liu Ping with trembling fingers, his expression filled with horror. He could never forget the terrifying, overbearing aura of the god-demon that had left him breathless. Seeing that man appear here, in such an unexpected way, how could he not be shocked?

General Blackfish and the rest of the troops were equally terrified and pale.

This loss of composure surprised Ao Jinyu, Uncle Kong, and the five guards. What exactly had Liu Ping done to make them so afraid? Ao Jinyu guessed a little, but the others were completely bewildered. Even Liu Ping was slightly surprised, thinking to himself, *Am I really that scary? If I were to bare my fangs and claws, would they faint from fright?*

"What is the meaning of this?" Uncle Kong asked in a deep voice.

"He... he..." The Prime Minister stammered, pointing at Liu Ping. His eyes darted around; he wanted to speak the truth, but the memory of Liu Ping’s might choked the words in his throat. He quickly changed his tune: "He, um... this lord is so mighty, heroic, and stunningly brilliant that I was overcome with admiration and shock, which caused me to lose my composure..."

Even the Prime Minister didn't believe his own nonsense. However, this quick wit relieved the tension among the troops and General Blackfish—if a fight had broken out, they would have been doomed.

Liu Ping smiled and exposed him directly. "The 'thieves' he speaks of were me. A malevolent spirit and her subordinates were hunting me down. I fought her here on the river; although I managed to kill her, I accidentally destroyed the array during the battle, which led to me being pulled into the Ancient Origin Divine Realm."

"Ah?" Hearing Liu Ping’s confession, the Prime Minister and the troops gasped in disbelief, unable to process the information.

"Is that so?" Uncle Kong and the guards looked at each other. Since Liu Ping had resolved the threat, they had no reason to be dissatisfied. As for these troops, they were truly a disgrace! They knew of Liu Ping’s combat prowess and realized that the soldiers’ reaction clearly revealed the truth of the situation.

Uncle Kong straightened his face and barked, "Stand up! Where is your decorum?"

"Yes! Yes!"

The group entered the Water Mansion. While not as grand as a true Dragon Palace, it was far superior to any mortal mansion, with golden halls, carved pillars, coral trees, and floors paved with jade. Attendant maids, transformed from aquatic spirits, moved about. They were in human form, though still young and delicate in appearance. On both sides stood the water troops, as motionless as statues.

Liu Ping, who had considered himself a minor magnate, sighed in secret. The gap was indeed significant.

Liu Ping rested in the main hall. Ao Jinyu went to handle administrative matters, and Uncle Kong and the others were sent off to assist. Liu Ping, happy for the leisure, began to refine the weapons in his storage bag. Looking at the dense, endless pile of artifacts, he felt both happy and miserable—when would this refining ever end? It was truly a grueling project.

Before long, two thinly-clad maids approached, offering fruit platters and food. "Please, my lord. Is there anything else you require?"

Their eyes sparkled with a hint of allure. Seeing Liu Ping shake his head slightly, they looked disappointed and said, "Then we shall take our leave. If you have any needs, just call out, and we shall be at your beck and call."

Liu Ping nodded and ate some fruit while continuing to refine the artifacts. About an hour later, Ao Jinyu hurried in, looking apologetic. "Young Master Liu, I am so sorry. You are a guest, yet I have left you here alone."

"It's nothing," Liu Ping said, shrugging offhandedly.

Seeing that he truly didn't mind, Ao Jinyu sighed with relief. She hadn't wanted to leave him, but it was unavoidable. She smiled and said, "I have finished with my affairs. I am now preparing to refine the Water God's Seal. Would you like to watch?"

Refining the Water God's Seal did not mean refining the physical object, but rather using it to refine the river itself, gaining control over it to become the true Water God of this place. Once completed, Ao Jinyu would instantly gain the magical power of an Earth Immortal, and after being officially invested by the Celestial Court as the River Governor, her status would be firmly established.

This was a rare event, and Liu Ping nodded. "Of course."