Chapter 2336 - 2339: Passing the Test—A Scheme Even the Great Sea Demon King Couldn't See Through

At the same time, it wasn't just the Mermaid Princess whose palm was slick with sweat as she clutched Shen Qiang's arm; the charming Ye Guyun and Qingxuan, who was occupying Athena's Divine Body, both held their breath at the exact instant that the Great Demon charged into the Treasure Vault.

Sea Demon King Yu Jiang and Uncle Gui tensed their muscles in that same instant, surging True Yuan carrying a bloodthirsty killing intent. Not only could Shen Qiang sense that they were already prepared to fight, their hot blood was brazenly surging, utterly unrestrained.

The many Great Sea Demons present also sensed this with shock and bewilderment.

So the atmosphere on site turned tense in a heartbeat, steeped in a silent, drawn-bow, unsheathed-blade hostility and rampant killing intent.

"Don't worry, they'll take their weapons in order. And with treasure, a lot of the time it comes down to fate—the first thing you lay eyes on, the one that looks the most pleasing, is usually the one that suits you best. So three seconds is more than enough for them to pick the Divine Weapon most suited to them."

Shen Qiang smiled calmly. That light, effortless tone made the slightly manic Uncle Gui and Sea Demon King Yu Jiang fall quiet at once.

"Rest assured, Dragon Emperor, we won't break the rules or cause trouble!"

At this moment, the elite Sea Demons that had returned from Atlantic City all spoke up in turn.

With that, Uncle Gui and Yu Jiang's clearly abnormal reaction instead seemed normal.

"They're worried those bastards will rush in and grab things like a mob!"

The other Great Sea Demons' gazes also relaxed quite a bit.

At the same time, Yu Jiang, now calmed, burst out laughing wildly and said, "With the Dragon Emperor returned and the Treasure Vault opened, my Sea Clan is destined to flourish!"

"Dragon Emperor returned, Sea Clan flourishing!"

The roar of the many Great Sea Demons echoed outside the Treasure Vault.

Their fervent emotions spread with their shouts, to the point that Qian Ning, whose palms were drenched with sweat, was stunned for a moment. Her delicate body trembled as she stared at Yu Jiang in astonishment.

"He didn't see that this Treasure Vault is fake?"

Almost at the exact instant that astonishment flashed in Qian Ning's eyes—

Boom!

Amid a wild surge of aura, the Great Sea Demon who'd charged into the Treasure Vault earlier burst back out.

In his hand at this moment,

was a blue Steel Fork, radiating a terrifying stench of blood.

"Powerful!"

"What a treasure!"

"A Divine Weapon!"

All the Sea Demons present had their eyes light up at once.

"Don't show off here, you're blocking the others." Shen Qiang said with a smile.

The Sea Demon was wildly overjoyed, howling and shrieking as he kowtowed to thank the Dragon Emperor.

Shen Qiang chuckled and said, "I still have a lot of things to deal with and time is tight, so once you've taken your treasure, just head out on your own. No need to thank me—leave room for the others."

"Thank you, Dragon Emperor!"

That Sea Demon, elated and excited, left hugging his Steel Fork.

As he walked out, he flaunted his treasure.

The Steel Fork, brazenly exuding the stench of blood, glowed in his hand, recklessly releasing a powerful aura.

So much so that all the Sea Demons present looked on in envy.

"Relax, there are over ten thousand such Divine Weapons inside. Stick with me and do a good job, and everyone will get their share!"

Shen Qiang smiled.

The many somewhat restless Sea Demons quieted down immediately.

Their gazes turned reverent as they looked at Shen Qiang.

By his side, the Mermaid Princess stared at him in utter shock, her beautiful eyes fixed blankly on Shen Qiang.

Shen Qiang smiled at her.

And he took her hand.

"Villain!" Jinli Qianning turned her head with coquettish charm, rolling her eyes at Shen Qiang.

Because she knew Shen Qiang was bragging his ass off.

But there was nothing she could do. Shen Qiang knew very well that if he couldn't get these Great Demons to calm down, if they rushed in en masse, everything would be over. So this boast had to be made—there was no choice.

Under the shocked gazes of the many Sea Demons, one Sea Demon after another entered the open Treasure Vault.

And very quickly, they all came back out of the Treasure Vault.

Without exception, each one carried a Divine Weapon out of the Treasure Vault.

The quality was exceptionally high in every case—there was simply no way to fake that.

And among them were quite a few old pieces that you could tell at a glance had been around for at least several hundred, even a thousand years.

This left Yu Jiang wildly overjoyed, smug and triumphant. The way he looked at Shen Qiang grew happier by the moment, his face radiating that kind of pride that said, see that? Dragon Emperor, that's my son-in-law.

Only Uncle Gui,

stood by quietly, his expression calm.

Which made Shen Qiang realize that he might have noticed something.

So Shen Qiang, who had originally planned to seize the chance to make a big move, held himself back a lot. Once all twenty-seven Sea Demons had received their weapons,

he immediately closed the Treasure Vault.

And asked all those Sea Demons to leave.

Including the ones kneeling there picking Pearls; he drove them off too.

Once they had all left,

Sea Demon King Yu Jiang let out an ecstatic screech and said, "With the Treasure Vault reopened, Shen Qiang, you should go take out the Three Divine Artifacts now. After all, your Cultivation isn't strong enough yet—only with the Three Divine Artifacts can you become a truly top-tier powerhouse!"

Hearing that,

the previously silent Uncle Gui suddenly said in a deep voice, "This Treasure Vault is fake!"

In an instant, Sea Demon King Yu Jiang froze. "Fake? Impossible!"

Shen Qiang smiled, waved his hand.

The Treasure Vault door opened once more.

Only this time,

there was no terrifying pressure and no sharp killing aura.

Walking out from within was Youying, Black Blade in hand.

Yu Jiang was stunned.

Then he strode forward and shot into the Treasure Vault with a swish.

But he froze as soon as he stepped in.

Inside the Treasure Vault, Divine Weapons were arrayed in ranks stretching as far as the eye could see.

Steel Forks, long spears, lances, all kinds of shapes, in endless variety.

Yet with just one glance, Yu Jiang's eyes filled with disappointment.

"It really is fake. I've seen the Dragon Emperor's Treasure Vault before—this isn't what it looks like at all."

Listening to him, Shen Qiang, who had already walked in, waved his hand and dissolved the huge Gold door, saying, "Which is why I was gambling that none of the Sea Demons who followed us to Atlantic City had ever entered the Dragon Emperor's Treasure Vault."

Yu Jiang said blankly, "They haven't, but in their families, there are people who have."

As he spoke, Yu Jiang suddenly flew into a rage, grabbing Shen Qiang by the collar and snarling, "You're playing with fire! They'll use the descriptions from those who've entered the Treasure Vault to figure out you're lying. You're done for! Those old geezers who truly have entered the Dragon Emperor's Treasure Vault will flip you off the Dragon Throne and tear you to pieces!"

Shen Qiang looked at Yu Jiang with a smile. "I'm not going to give them that chance. And you have to understand—if we can't clear this hurdle today, there will be no future. I can say that the Treasure Vault can be arranged however I like, different from the last Dragon Emperor's. There's nothing to be so shocked about."

"The real Dragon Emperor's treasury, once you go in, is a small secret chamber with spatial windows to check the stored treasures. Though it's something only the Dragon Emperor can use, in normal circumstances, when the Dragon Emperor bestows treasures, the entire Treasure Vault will only show a single item. It's the only one, no choices. The Dragon Emperor doesn't allow subordinates to question him, and he doesn't allow them to pick and choose."