Chapter Fifty-Four: The Threefold Trial

Ao Guang exchanged glances with the other Dragon Kings, and together they slowly approached the entrance of the Ancestral Land. Instinct told them that the golden radiance shrouded there was likely the key to unraveling the mysteries of their sacred ground. Though everything was shrouded in uncertainty, the gravity of the situation left them no choice but to take the risk.

No one present dared to breathe too loudly; every gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the figures of the Four Seas Dragon Kings. In their hearts, they silently prayed for the Dragon Clan to weather this ordeal.

“Brothers, let’s surround it from all sides. We must not let that golden light escape!” Ao Guang’s voice rumbled low and commanding.

The other Sea Dragon Kings nodded imperceptibly, signaling their understanding.

But just as the Four Seas Dragon Kings were about to close in, the golden radiance seemed to sense their approach. In an instant, it shot skyward, its brilliance so dazzling it nearly blinded those watching. Alarmed, the Dragon Kings leapt in pursuit, but the golden light was simply too swift.

What happened next left everyone dumbfounded. The golden light plunged directly into the body of a human youth utterly unfamiliar to the Dragon Clan, disappearing without a trace.

The entrance to the Ancestral Land then returned to its former, undisturbed state.

“You there—who are you? How did you sneak into the Dragon Clan?” Ao Guang strode heavily to Yi An’s side, his expression hostile as he demanded answers.

He still didn’t know what that golden radiance truly was, but intuition insisted it was vital. Had it fallen into the hands of a Dragon Clan descendant, Ao Guang would have been at ease. But for it to choose a human youth—one who had seemingly appeared from nowhere—was deeply troubling. Was this some spy from another race?

Yet the boy didn’t look the part. What infiltrator would dare to appear so brazenly under Ao Guang’s very nose?

Confusion knotted in Ao Guang’s mind. How had an outsider entered the Dragon Clan’s stronghold without his knowledge? Could he be a guest of the other Sea Dragon Kings?

“Father, he’s my friend! Please don’t make things difficult for him—let’s talk this through,” Ao Xiu Xiu quickly interjected, pleading for Yi An’s sake. She was well aware of the significance of the golden light, but she couldn’t just stand by and watch Yi An come to harm.

Ao Guang was stunned. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined his precious daughter would be the one to bring an “intruder” into their midst.

A sense of foreboding blossomed in his heart.

The Dragon Queen, seeing the situation, hurried to explain Yi An’s background to Ao Guang.

“Xiu’er, you’ve been far too willful! We’ll deal with you later,” Ao Guang thundered. Had things not gone awry, he might have discussed the matter calmly with Ao Xiu Xiu. But disaster had struck, and she could not shirk responsibility. Indulgence could only go so far.

“Father, the golden light entered Brother Yi of its own accord! How can you accuse an innocent man without knowing the facts?” Tears welled in Ao Xiu Xiu’s eyes, her pitiful appearance softening even Ao Guang’s hardened resolve.

“Your Majesty, this is not the time to assign blame,” the old turtle interjected, seizing the opportunity to mediate. “What matters now is understanding the nature of that golden light—and its connection to the turmoil in the Ancestral Land.”

Originally, the Dragon Queen’s intervention would have resulted in Yi An being swiftly expelled from the Eastern Sea. Yet fate had played a different hand. Now the Dragon King himself was involved, and the matter had grown far more complicated. Should Ao Guang investigate thoroughly, he would soon discover the old turtle’s own hand in these events.

“Hmph! Grand Chancellor Turtle, I haven’t even questioned your lack of oversight, and yet here you are, thrusting yourself into the matter,” Ao Guang snapped. The old turtle, as if anticipating this very reaction, immediately launched into a pitiable display, effectively silencing Ao Guang before he could vent his anger.

Meanwhile, Yi An paid no heed to the commotion around him. The moment the golden radiance entered his body, he slipped into a state both wondrous and inexplicable. He could not describe it, but under the guidance of that golden light, his very soul strained as if eager to break free from his mortal shell.

“A stroke of great fortune—this journey to the Dragon Clan has been a windfall beyond imagining!”

Yet when his eyes met Ao Guang’s suspicious glare, all joy evaporated. His most pressing concern now was escape, but Ao Guang was no fool and would not let him go so easily.

Soon enough, Ao Guang dismissed the younger generation of the Four Seas Dragon Clan. Only the Four Dragon Kings, the Dragon Queen, the old turtle, Ao Xiu Xiu, and Yi An remained.

Observing the situation, Yi An realized at once that Ao Guang intended to subject him to a tribunal. If he revealed everything, the Dragon King would likely dispose of him once he had outlived his usefulness. Yet hiding the truth would also doom him.

Torn, Yi An pondered what excuse he might offer—one that would both extricate him and safeguard his greatest secret.

Ao Guang, as host, spoke first. Having already learned Yi An’s background from the old turtle, he understood that the youth’s acquaintance with Ao Xiu Xiu was most likely a matter of chance. This knowledge brought some relief, but also discomfort, as if the flower he’d cultivated so diligently had been spirited away by a petty thief.

“Young human, as you seem to be blameless in this affair, I will give you a chance: reveal all you know about the golden radiance, and I will not hold you accountable for trespassing in the Dragon Palace. I shall even return you to your own kind. What do you say?” Ao Guang’s tone was measured and calm.

Yi An found the offer laughable. If he truly shared the secret, Ao Guang would surely have him destroyed without hesitation.

“Dragon King, if I speak, will you truly not hold it against me?”

Seeing matters progressing, Ao Guang quickly assured him, “Rest easy—my word is my bond. All under heaven know that Ao Guang never goes back on a promise.”

“That’s right, Brother Yi! My father is the best—if he says he won’t harm you, he won’t,” Ao Xiu Xiu added, hoping to reassure him. Her words, however, only darkened Ao Guang’s expression. Indeed, daughters are destined to leave their fathers behind.

Yi An remained deeply skeptical.

Still, this was exactly the impression he wanted to give: a naïve youth out of his depth. Only by lowering Ao Guang’s guard and gaining his trust could his plan succeed.