There were no hard rules in the Boundless Sea Realm that a dragon bride must necessarily come from the Hanhai Dragon Palace. No one ever said it couldn't be a dragon princess from another realm. Yet while reason might allow it, the intricacies of interest and face were far more difficult to disentangle.
With Bohai stepping in, where would that leave the Hanhai Dragon Palace?
"Father, can't we disrupt this marriage?"Ao Ying finally voiced what many in the Hanhai Dragon Palace were thinking.
Ever since news of the wedding invitation had reached them, the faces of the Hanhai dragon maidens had been less than pleasant. After all, Yi Tianxing hadn't come to them to seek a bride. Instead, he had gone to Bohai. Was that not implying that Bohai's dragon maidens were superior?
Even if Yi Tianxing hadn't meant it that way, once the message spread, perception would become reality.
In her heart, Ao Ying found herself instinctively resenting her cousin Ao You, whom she hadn't even met yet.
"This marriage mustn't be allowed to proceed smoothly," said Ao Chun coldly, the gleam in his eyes sharp with pride. "Bohai acted without honor. They've completely disrespected us. If the marriage goes through, what face will Hanhai have left?"
"What are you all thinking? Bohai is still part of our dragon clan. If they marry off a daughter and we deliberately interfere, won't that just make a laughingstock of our clan in front of all races under heaven?"The Hanhai Dragon King's face was ashen, but his voice remained restrained. "We are in the middle of a grand plan. Internal strife would only give outsiders the chance to mock us, or worse. I will not allow that."
If the dragon clan's ambitions were disrupted, he would be remembered as the one who ruined everything.
"Father, I have an idea,"Ao Qi suddenly interjected.
"Oh? What idea?"The Dragon King turned his gaze to her with interest. He valued her thoughts highly.
"If Bohai can marry off a daughter, then so can we. If Yi Tianxing can fall in love with Ao You at first sight, then I, Ao Qi, have long been hopelessly in love with him. I am willing to enter the Great Yi Dynasty together with Ao You—as a second bride."
Ao Qi's words were steady and resolute.
"Marry off two dragon princesses?"
The Hanhai Dragon King's eyes lit up. The more he considered the idea, the more ingenious it seemed. If Bohai sent a daughter, so could they. And once their daughter was within Great Yi's borders, what could Yi Tianxing do? Refuse? He wouldn't dare.
"This is a brilliant idea," the Dragon King nodded, "but it won't be you, Qi'er. Let Qing'er go instead. She was born with innate charm. No man can resist her allure. Once she's in Great Yi, she'll certainly gain the emperor's favor. With her influence, we'll have leverage in their court."
The Dragon King's decision was swift and absolute.
Ao Qing—third princess of Hanhai, daughter of a beautiful dragoness, and born with a rare mutation: a Charm Dragon bloodline. Her natural allure was so potent that she didn't even need to use enchantments. Her every gesture and breath was a deadly seduction.
She was a living aphrodisiac. A beauty beyond imagination. And a terrifying one at that.
"Qing'er…"Ao Qi fell silent. In such matters, no one could compare to Ao Qing.
"Prepare everything. Notify Qing'er. In three days, Bohai will offer a bride, and so will we."
With a wave of his hand, the Dragon King made the decision final.
Three Days Later – Eastern Shores of Great Yi, Snow Continent
On the golden coastline, General Hua Mulan stood at attention, leading the entire Hundred Flower Legion. Dressed in bright battle armor, every one of them was a female warrior, proud and powerful, an inspiring sight to behold.
Five hundred thousand female soldiers stood in perfect formation, their presence like a wall of steel. Nearby stood the immortal city of Jinsha, named after the vast golden beaches that glowed at sunrise—a renowned tourist spot within the Great Yi Dynasty.
Today, however, it was flooded with people.
News of Yi Tianxing's marriage to a dragon princess had spread across the entire world. A dragon palace offering a daughter in marriage—such an event had occurred only a few times in all history. It wasn't just rare—it was legendary.
Add to that the fact that she would become an imperial consort of the Great Yi, and it was no wonder thousands had rushed to witness the moment.
Even the city walls were packed, and space was scarce.
"Truly exciting, wouldn't you say, Brother Yan?"On the rooftop of Wangsha Tower, which overlooked the sea with the best possible view (and came at a steep price), a table was shared by several powerful cultivators.
The pale-faced Young Master Emptiness, the grizzled master Yan Chixia, and a brawny man in a tiger-hide coat sat together, sipping tea and alcohol.
They too had come for this wedding.
"The dragon clan has been moving quickly lately," said Yan Chixia, "between the Dragon Gate trials and these marriages, it's clear they're setting their pieces on the board. Yi Tianxing marrying the Bohai princess is a masterstroke—he's sidestepping Hanhai's schemes entirely."
"But," he added, "I doubt Hanhai will take it lying down. They'll surely stir up trouble."
"Aye. Great Yi protects billions of our kind. It's one of the last bastions of human peace. If something happens, I wouldn't mind helping out," said the tiger-clad brute cheerfully. His eyes gleamed sharply despite the smile.
"The dragon palace is filthy rich. I wonder what kind of dowry they'll send," chuckled Young Master Emptiness. "It might just blind us."
He wasn't wrong—everyone knew how wealthy the dragon clan was, but no one dared covet it. Not unless they had a death wish.
"Look—it's starting!"Yan Chixia suddenly stood, eyes fixed on the sea.
Everyone in the city did the same.
Even the patrol officers from the Six Doors—who had been stationed throughout the city to maintain order—paused and turned their eyes seaward.
From the ocean's surface, a glowing portal suddenly formed. And out from it poured a massive army.
At the front was a legion clad entirely in black armor, exuding a crushing sense of dread. Their black cloaks rippled like waves. On their heads grew horns like bulls, clearly dragonspawn of a special breed.
Each soldier held a black spear, their bodies coiled in spiked black chains wrapped tightly around them. The barbs glinted wickedly—obviously weapons designed for horrific battlefield carnage.
"That's the Blackwater Legion—Bohai Dragon King's personal gift to Ao You,"Hua Mulan's eyes narrowed.
This was no ceremonial escort. This was a fully armed private army. And every single soldier was at the Nascent Soul realm or above.
Just one squad of them could wipe out an ordinary sect. As a whole… they were devastating.
And then came the dowry.
Endless treasure chests—countless in number—sparkling and gleaming even from afar.
"My heavens, that's… that's too much…"
"Look at all those chests. I can't count them! The dragon palace really is drowning in treasure…"
People on the walls sucked in cold breaths, their eyes bulging. Their hearts raced wildly.
The spectacle was only just beginning.