Each of the treasure chests stood over a meter tall. Sealed tightly, no one could tell what lay inside—but it was surely pearls, coral, and rare marine treasures. That was just the unseen portion. Visible to all were things like coral treasure trees towering seven to eight meters high, their branches adorned with all sorts of spirit shells and pearls. These were no mere decorations.
These coral trees were real treasures. For one to grow to such a size, glowing faintly with spiritual light, meant it had developed an innate ability to gather the essence of heaven and earth. They functioned like natural spirit-gathering arrays, radiating beauty and aura so dazzling it enchanted the eye.
Countless spectators atop the city walls gasped in disbelief, eyes wide with shock.
This was truly a grand display. Not only were there visible treasures, but even more were hidden in the sealed chests. The true value of this dowry was immeasurable. The Bohai Dragon Palace had pulled out all the stops, shocking everyone in attendance.
An astronomical dowry.
Roar!!
Then, a majestic carriage appeared—drawn by seven Dragon Horses. Not ordinary beasts, but genuine Dragon Horses, their bodies covered in scales, bearing dragon heads, radiating divine majesty.
In ancient myths, Fuxi had once divined the River Diagram from observing a dragon horse—its body shaped like a horse, but with dragon scales, claws, and a head. It was a creature of auspicious omen.
As recorded in The Chronicle of Dragon Horses:
"The dragon horse is the essence of heaven and earth. It has the body of a horse and the scales of a dragon, stands eight feet and five inches tall, resembles a camel, has wings, and walks on water without sinking. When sages rule, it emerges from the Meng River bearing celestial charts."
A dragon horse had always been a symbol of supreme auspiciousness. In ancient times, its appearance signaled heaven's favor. Any official near its presence would rise swiftly in rank, and for emperors, it symbolized divine legitimacy.
In the outside world, dragon horses were rare. But in the Dragon Palace, they were not so uncommon.
This time, the carriage was drawn by seven snow-white dragon horses, pulling an ornate cart shrouded in silken curtains. Inside sat a graceful figure, dignified and noble, wearing a festive red palace dress—clearly the bride. She was accompanied by hundred thousand Blackwater Guards and a large retinue of palace maids—all transformed from aquatic races, each stunningly beautiful.
At the front of the procession marched Prime Minister Turtle of the Bohai Dragon Palace.
"Hua Mulan, Commander of the Hundred Flowers Legion, greets the Seventh Princess. I shall escort Her Highness to the imperial capital,"
Mulan stepped forward and said respectfully.
"General Hua, there's no need for such courtesy. I'll trouble you, then."
Princess Ao You responded gently. She turned to the turtle prime minister:
"Prime Minister, this is as far as you go. Please return to the Dragon Palace and inform Father that I can no longer serve him by his side."
"Your Highness… this old servant shall relay your words to the Dragon King. From now on, take great care within the Great Yi Dynasty."
The turtle prime minister was visibly moved. After all, he had watched the Seventh Princess grow up. Seeing her now married off, the emotions in his heart were complex beyond words.
Whoosh—!!
Suddenly, a vast region of nearby seawater split to either side as if some irresistible force parted it. A wide path emerged from the sea floor.
"Not good! That seems to be power from the Hanhai Dragon Palace!"
"Are they upset? Are they going to try and stop the wedding? A fight might break out!"
"Marrying the Bohai Dragon Princess while rejecting the Hanhai Dragon Princess—this is an enormous slap in the face for the Hanhai Dragon Palace. It's intolerable. If they act, it's understandable."
"What now? What's the Hanhai Dragon Palace going to do?"
Within Golden Sand City, the people grew restless with unease, sensing a brewing crisis.
Even the guests in Wangsha Tower, including Young Master Emptiness (Kongxu), began paying close attention. No one expected the Hanhai Dragon Palace to offer congratulations—such hopes were naive.
Every gaze now locked onto the sea path that had just opened.
Even the Bohai turtle prime minister, who had been about to depart, stopped and looked back, expression darkening. The surrounding Blackwater Guards immediately went on alert.
"On guard!"
Hua Mulan raised her hand and gave the order to the Hundred Flowers Legion.
But what followed left everyone completely stunned.
From the sea route emerged battalions of shrimp and crab soldiers, carrying crates full of marine treasures—just like a bridal dowry. Then came a military procession in crimson armor, exuding a presence almost identical to the Blackwater Guard.
"The Red Jiao Army of the Hanhai Dragon Palace!"
Ao You narrowed her eyes and murmured.
Bohai had its Black Jiao Army, Hanhai had the Red Jiao Army. Both were elite troops formed of jiao dragons, equal in power and fearsome reputation. Each numbered 100,000 strong, their bloodlust capable of silencing crying infants.
Roar!!
A second carriage, this one drawn by seven crimson dragon horses and just as ornate, now rose above the waves. Within sat another dragon princess, clad in red wedding attire.
A second bride had arrived. It was an unmistakable attempt to compete for favor on the spot.
Everyone looked from the Bohai procession to the Hanhai one—completely dumbfounded.
"Why is the Hanhai Dragon Palace suddenly acting like they're sending off a bride too? What's going on!?"
"I'm confused—wasn't His Majesty marrying the Bohai Princess? Could this all be some huge misunderstanding?"
The citizens on the city walls were in disbelief. Had they mistaken who was being wed?
No. Everyone knew—today's wedding was for the Bohai Princess.
So why had the Hanhai Dragon Palace brought a second princess?
Were they picking a fight?
Clearly—they'd come to force a confrontation.
"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant," marveled Young Master Kongxu. "This is a masterstroke. Not only does Hanhai restore its face, but they still want a hand in Great Yi's affairs. They never intended to give up."
"Looks like Emperor Yi is going to have quite the headache today," said Yan Chixia with a wry smile.
Then, Prime Minister Turtle of the Hanhai Dragon Palace stepped forward.
"Our third princess, Ao Qing, once met Emperor Yi in the Dragon Palace. She fell for him at first sight and has pined ever since, unable to eat or sleep, nearly wasting away from longing. The Dragon King, moved by her suffering, has decided to offer her hand in marriage—without need for a betrothal gift. Instead, we present a generous dowry and pledge the Red Jiao Army as her private guard. All we ask is that her love be fulfilled."
There was no attempt to preserve face.
No dowry required. In fact, they gave a dowry—and Hundred thousand elite troops. The message was clear: "Please, take our daughter."
They didn't say it outright, but the intention was loud and clear.
"This general cannot decide such a matter. We must await His Majesty's command. I ask the two princesses to wait a moment."
Even Hua Mulan was flustered. She hadn't expected this marriage to take such a dramatic turn. She was certain Emperor Yi already knew—his decision wouldn't be long in coming.
Xuanhuang City – The Imperial Palace
Emperor Yi and his ministers had been watching the events unfold from afar using arcane means. Not a single moment escaped their sight.
Even the most composed ministers stared dumbfounded at the scene before them.
"A dragon king that throws away his pride like this... is truly unbeatable," muttered Wu Yong.
"What now? If we reject this, it's war with Hanhai. No room for diplomacy. And if the dragons rise again, they'll stop at nothing to crush us," said Gou Yu, shaking his head bitterly.
"We have no good options," sighed Huang Chengyan. "Rejecting means battle. Accepting gives Hanhai a reason to meddle in our affairs."
This move had truly caught them all off guard.
"Very well," said Yi Tianxing, eyes steely. "Since the Dragon King has thrown away his dignity, then we shall accompany him to the end. And with Bohai and Hanhai now holding each other in check... that may actually benefit us."
Though Hanhai had cornered him, Yi Tianxing understood—Great Yi was not yet ready to confront the entire dragon race head-on. For now, accepting was the only viable path.
As for the future—well, the true game had only just begun.