Chapter 495: The Old Dragon King

“……”

Jiang Li looked at this task, frowning in deep thought, then suddenly had an epiphany and finally remembered that the system had indeed issued a task to write “Journey to the West,” even thoughtfully indicating that this task could be abandoned.

At the time, Jiang Li had thanked the system for its thoughtful reminder and happily abandoned it.

“According to the system task description, it’s probably that ‘Journey to the West’ spread throughout the Nine Provinces, causing a sensation. From the Nine Provinces Continent to the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, everyone knew about it, and then at the Dragon Palace, I encountered some dragon princess?”

“The ultimate comeback story—not only improving cultivation but also enhancing literary talent.”

Following the system’s line of thinking, Jiang Li imagined all the things he had missed.

“So that means the Idle One Jiang Li also has a dragon princess as his Dao Companion.”

Just as Jiang Li had adapted classics like “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King” and “Calabash Brothers,” he had also considered bringing “Journey to the West” to the Nine Provinces.

But soon Jiang Li encountered an insurmountable obstacle.

He had never read the original novel, only watched the TV drama.

Even at the Mahayana Stage, one couldn’t imagine things they had never seen before.

So Jiang Li naturally gave up.

“And this ‘Dragon Pearl Theft Case’…”

Five hundred years ago, Jiang Li had visited the Eastern Sea and encountered a True Dragon who had lost their Dragon Pearl, which caused quite a stir at the time.

While everyone was fully utilizing their mental faculties, engaging in wild speculation and reasoning about who the thief might be, Jiang Li invited Ji Zhi over. Ji Zhi identified the real culprit with a single glance.

“I wonder how the Idle One Jiang Li solved the case.”

“As for the Old Dragon King, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. Calculating the days, it’s about time to visit him.”

The Old Dragon King was the Eastern Sea Dragon King’s father, the previous generation’s Eastern Sea Dragon King, and also a Human Sovereign candidate—one of the final two candidates from his generation.

He had narrowly lost to the fifty-second Human Sovereign, a female cultivator of unparalleled elegance and talent.

He could only return to the Eastern Sea to become the Dragon King.

When Jiang Li was in the Eastern Sea, he received attention from the Old Dragon King, who provided him with much assistance.

After Jiang Li became Human Sovereign, he repeatedly returned gifts to thank the Old Dragon King for his help.

The Old Dragon King was a low-profile person who disliked conversation. Gradually, he became a legend, only mentioned by people during casual chats.

Jiang Li rode the clouds and mists, arriving at the Eastern Sea.

The Eastern Sea was already a bustling and prosperous place, but now with the Old Dragon King’s 2,800th birthday celebration, it was even more lively than usual.

True Dragons cast spells to disperse rain clouds, clearing the sky. Flood dragons played in the water, forming rainbows everywhere. Shrimp soldiers and crab generals were well-trained and moved in perfect unison.

Jiang Li encountered an acquaintance.

Penglai Immortal Isle Master, Mo Ruoyu.

“Island Master Mo, we meet again.” Jiang Li greeted with a smile. Behind Island Master Mo followed several young men and women who, upon seeing Jiang Li, erupted in waves of excited exclamations.

“The Human Sovereign is also invited here?” Island Master Mo showed a surprised expression. To her knowledge, for this Old Dragon King’s grand birthday, only the Four Seas Dragon Palaces and Penglai Immortal Isle had received invitations. The Old Dragon King hadn’t invited other forces, as if wanting to keep this celebration relatively small.

This was consistent with the Old Dragon King’s longstanding habits.

“No, I just calculated that the Old Dragon King’s birthday was approaching and came to visit.” Even without the system, Jiang Li would have come.

“You’re all familiar with the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace. Go ahead to the seats reserved for us by the Eastern Sea Dragon King.” Island Master Mo dispersed the young men and women she had brought.

They had wanted to watch Jiang Li a while longer since it was rare to see him, but unfortunately, they still had to obey Island Master Mo’s words. After sighing repeatedly, they had no choice but to leave first.

They walked backward so they could keep looking at Jiang Li a little longer.

“Please forgive my disciples’ behavior, Human Sovereign. Their favorite thing to listen to is your storytelling.”

“How much exaggeration is in the storytelling of ‘The Biography of Human Sovereign Jiang’—others might not know, but Island Master Mo, you definitely know. And you still let them listen to it recklessly.” Jiang Li was speechless. Over five hundred years ago when he was injured, he had stayed at Penglai Immortal Isle for a while and told Mo Ruoyu about his experiences.

Mo Ruoyu knew what his real past was like.

Mo Ruoyu covered her mouth with a light laugh: “Because it’s interesting.”

“Your mischievous sense of humor really hasn’t diminished over the years.” When Jiang Li was young, Mo Ruoyu had played many pranks on him. The Old Human Sovereign had even come to learn from her after hearing about it.

Unfortunately, the Old Human Sovereign never mastered the essence.

Fortunately, now that Jiang Li had become Human Sovereign, Mo Ruoyu, out of respect for the Human Sovereign’s position and authority, hadn’t revealed the pranks from back then and rarely played tricks on Jiang Li anymore.

“Madam Ao, niece Nian’er.” Jiang Li noticed that the True Dragon dispersing rain clouds not far away was Ao Chengcheng, Li Er’s wife and the eldest princess of the West Sea Dragon Palace.

“Human Sovereign.” Ao Chengcheng transformed into human form and came over with her daughter.

“Uncle Jiang.” Li Nian’er hadn’t expected to see Jiang Li again so soon after leaving the consciousness space.

“Sister Cheng, niece Nian’er.” Mo Ruoyu was acquainted with Ao Chengcheng and had a good relationship with her.

“Li Er didn’t come?”

“He said that as someone at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to come here.” Ao Chengcheng explained.

Li Nian’er didn’t quite understand her father’s meaning.

Jiang Li nodded, understanding Li Er’s implied meaning.

“Guests, please stop and present your invitations… H-H-H-Human Sovereign?!” The shrimp soldiers and crab generals were dutifully standing guard at the Dragon Palace entrance.

Then they started stammering.

“Reporting to the Dragon King, wonderful news! A distinguished guest has arrived!” The shrimp soldiers and crab generals brought the good news to the Eastern Sea Dragon King.

The Eastern Sea Dragon King was entertaining guests when he saw this. He lowered his voice and quietly scolded the shrimp soldiers and crab generals: “I told you long ago that after Island Master Mo arrives, you should secretly inform me. If you shout like this, what will the other three Dragon Kings think?”

“It’s not Island Master Mo, it’s the Human Sovereign who has come!”

“What? The Human Sovereign is here!”

The Eastern Sea Dragon King’s voice suddenly rose several octaves, and nearly half the venue heard him.

“Then why aren’t you coming with me to welcome him immediately!”

The Eastern Sea Dragon King apologized to his guests, then personally went to welcome Jiang Li.

“No need to specially come out to welcome me, I’m already here.”

Jiang Li laughed heartily. His face was more effective than any invitation.

“Where is the Old Dragon King? Take me to see him.”

“My father is feeling unwell and needs quiet rest. The Human Sovereign will see him at the birthday banquet, please understand.”

“Understood, understood.”