Chapter 451 - 154: Dragon-man Princess Ao Yin, The Needed Chess Piece, Great Xia’s Female War God

"The Prime Minister’s Mansion is making a big move this time. They’ve ordered our five races to send our most outstanding Celestial Prides, ostensibly to become followers of that Jiang Lan. But in reality, it’s because the world is on the verge of a great change, with opportunities and fortune about to erupt, and they want to keep us under their control."

"A golden age will soon arrive, and the fate and fortune of this generation of our races are concentrated in us."

"The Saint from the Taiyi Sect must have foreseen something to leave behind such a decree."

With just a few words, she seemed to have laid out the future landscape, a profound wisdom hidden deep within her eyes.

The Elders of the Dragon-man Race were all secretly shocked to hear her words.

"Then, Yin’Er, what are you suggesting?" Ao Guang asked.

He held this daughter in high regard. Her bloodline had reverted to its ancestral state, and she had even earned the recognition of the Dragon Scale left by their forebears. He would often consult her on important matters.

"Since it is a Saint’s command, the Dragon-man Race naturally dares not disobey. We can work for the Prime Minister’s Mansion, but don’t think for a moment this will make me truly submit. I will never be subordinate to anyone," Ao Yin said, her expression cold, proud, and defiant.

"In that case, Yin’Er, go and make your preparations."

"I will contact the Prime Minister’s Mansion on my end," Ao Guang said with a sigh.

Ao Yin nodded without another word, then turned and strode out of the palace.

「Half a day later」. On an island in the Outer Sea, a massive Cloud Boat appeared, its beams carved and its hull painted with gilded, florid designs. A banner representing the Prime Minister’s Mansion fluttered in the wind.

A somewhat portly middle-aged man stood on deck, facing the sea breeze with a smile, seemingly waiting for someone.

Before long, towering waves surged from the north, accompanied by the cry of a Golden Crow. A scorching aura seemed to make the very waves boil. Boundless heat rolled forth as if a majestic sun were rising, intensely brilliant and blinding.

A man with a full head of golden hair and a ramrod-straight posture arrived, riding a Divine Rainbow. His eyes were a dazzling gold that seemed to hold a divine light, and the phantom of a sun flickered within them, making one’s heart palpitate.

Behind him followed a number of young men and women who clearly regarded him as their leader.

"You must be Jin Ming, the Third Crown Prince of the Golden Crow Race?"

The portly man on deck spoke. His voice was like rolling thunder, so powerful it seemed to suppress the ocean waves into stillness.

"I am Jin Ming. It is an honor to meet you, Senior."

A flicker of shock and astonishment passed through the golden-haired man’s eyes. He never expected this unassuming-looking person to be a Seventh Realm expert.

"I am Jiang Suibo, one of the supervisors from the Prime Minister’s Mansion stationed in the North Sea." The portly man seemed to wear a perpetual smile, putting others at ease as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

’Jin Ming didn’t dare to underestimate him. The Golden Crow Race was long past the glory of the Ancient Times; even now, the Supreme Elders of his race were merely at the Seventh Realm.’

’For a supervisor from the Prime Minister’s Mansion stationed in the North Sea to possess such a cultivation level... it’s truly terrifying.’

Of course, the Golden Crow Race of today was a far cry from its state during the Ancient Times. Not only was their bloodline diluted, but after experiencing several world-ending calamities, members with even a trace of the true bloodline were few and far between.

"These are my trusted subordinates who have followed me since childhood. They will accompany me on my journey to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to serve the Young Master."

Jin Ming explained. Though he was the Third Crown Prince of the Golden Crow Race, he knew his place and showed not a single hint of dissatisfaction.

Jiang Suibo smiled and gestured with his hand. "Third Crown Prince Jin Ming, if you please."

Jin Ming then offered a cupped-fist salute and led his trusted subordinates onto the Cloud Boat.

Not long after his arrival, a rumbling sound echoed from another direction. The sky trembled as five Divine Steeds pulled a magnificent chariot, thundering through the air toward them.

Dozens of riders on roaring Sea Beasts cleared the path ahead. They rode the clouds and mist, parting the waves with breathtaking momentum.

’Xiang Xiao of the Sea God Race...’ A glint flashed in Jin Ming’s eyes as he recognized the newcomer.

Soon, more Divine Rainbows arrived from other directions, though these individuals came without followers. They were Yuan Kong of the Demon Ape Race, Kong Xuan of the Peacock Race, and Ao Yin of the Dragon-man Race.

Among the surrounding Alien Races, these young prodigies were all renowned Celestial Prides, unrivaled by their peers. They could be called Young Venerables.

Even when compared to the successors, True Disciples, and seeded talents from the top Immortal Sect Lineages in all of Celestial Central Province, they were by no means inferior.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion had personally dispatched envoys with the Jade Talisman Imperial Decree, so not even the powerful races behind them dared to refuse.

’This journey to Celestial Central Province to serve Jiang Lan, the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion... what does the future hold?’ None of them knew.

Some of them had never even bothered to learn much about Jiang Lan. All they knew was that he was called the number one wastrel of Great Xia, a man who indulged in sensual pleasures with wild abandon and had committed countless deeds that provoked the wrath of both heaven and earth.

And now, he had become the Feng Jun of Great Xia by marrying the Empress Regnant, a fact that made countless young prodigies burn with envy.

...

’My Lifebound Divine Technique, rooted in the Age Dao Fruit, is finally complete. With this, my Divine Power Realm has reached Perfection for the time being. As my cultivation deepens, it will be much easier to condense new Lifebound Divine Techniques in the future.’

Deep within a courtyard of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Jiang Lan sat upon a zafu. As a vague, hazy substance, like a mysterious mist, surged around him, his aura also seemed to undergo a subtle change.

In that instant, an ancient aura of time’s passage flowed around him, seeming to freeze the very space he occupied and forming an invisible yet tangible domain of void.

Within this domain, the passage of ages and the flow of time were all manipulated by his will alone. Finally, this power coalesced into two streams of energy, one seemingly black and the other white, which coiled in his palm as if they had come to life.