Ao Qing's statement made it clear to Ao Lie: the Dragon Palace of the Vast Sea was no longer the only one being approached. In the Bohai Sea and other regions, envoys had already been sent to negotiate with other Dragon Palaces. He could choose to cling to his pride, but that didn't mean others would.
Joining the Destiny Dynasty meant receiving the blessing of fate and the recognition of Great Yi. It granted official status, unrestricted access to Great Yi's lands, and a share of vast benefits. Who could guarantee that other dragons wouldn't be tempted by that?
Most importantly, it came with the privilege of "obeying summons without obeying commands."
Though it was just a verbal promise, it preserved the Dragon Clan's dignity. On the surface, they weren't subordinates of the human race, but autonomous collaborators. They had sovereignty, not total submission.
Both face and substance—Great Yi had given them all.
"Third Sister, aside from responding to summons for weather duties, there truly won't be any other commands to follow? This 'obey summons, not commands' promise—it's not something to be taken lightly. If there's any deception, the face of our Dragon Clan will be utterly disgraced."
Ao Lie asked again, torn with hesitation.
"A ruler's word is not a joke. The Holy King personally gave his word. Naturally, it's true," Ao Qing replied with a smile. "Once Big Brother agrees, the imperial decree will be issued. Then you'll receive the position and blessings of Great Yi's fate—you can experience the wonders of the Destiny Dynasty firsthand."
Ao Qing already knew Ao Lie was almost convinced. She understood her brother well. He wasn't one to settle for mediocrity. With such a vast world out there, missing the chance to grow stronger would be a lifetime regret.
"Big Brother, do you know that in Great Yi, there's a rare treasure called the Immortal Evolution Fluid? It has the power to elevate one's bloodline, to break its inherent shackles, and allow life itself to evolve. Even our Dragon Clan's bloodline can benefit and be transformed."
She could see Ao Lie wavering, and so she dropped her final, heavy bargaining chip.
"What? The Immortal Evolution Fluid can refine and evolve Dragon Clan bloodlines?"
Ao Lie couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
He knew very well—though the Dragon Clan's bloodline was mighty, its future was largely determined at birth. The purity and strength of one's bloodline dictated one's potential. For instance, Ao Lie, despite being a pure dragon, only bore the bloodline of a Four-Clawed True Dragon. Without some miracle, he would never ascend beyond that form.
But now, he heard that Great Yi possessed a treasure capable of breaking through his bloodline limits. His heart instantly raced.
This meant he could possibly evolve into a Five-Clawed True Dragon—or even higher, to a Six-Clawed level.
Just the thought of it made his blood boil, his eyes glinting with unconcealed desire.
"Big Brother, look."
Ao Qing smiled and extended her left hand. A flash of light shimmered—and her fair hand transformed into a dragon claw, white and crystalline like jade. It had five toes—five dragon talons—radiating a noble aura. A pressure rooted in bloodline filled the hall. Even Ao Lie felt a suffocating weight.
That was a pressure that only a superior dragon bloodline could produce.
"A Five-Clawed True Dragon... Your bloodline really evolved. This is the power of the Immortal Evolution Fluid?!"
Both Ao Lie and Ao Qi's eyes burned with longing.
The desire to evolve one's bloodline—it was an instinct of all dragons.
"Indeed," Ao Qing replied. "It was by relying on the Immortal Evolution Fluid that my bloodline evolved. According to my husband, if enough of it is accumulated, I might even reach the level of a Six-Clawed Dragon."
Her voice carried a trace of longing and ambition.
"Dragon King," spoke the old Turtle Prime Minister suddenly, "the Princess's bloodline has indeed evolved—and with no signs of harm or side effects. I've also heard of this Immortal Evolution Fluid in high-level circles. It's quite famous. Reportedly, it has nine tiers, each corresponding to a stage of cultivation. If all are gathered, even an ordinary being could leap to divinity. Both life and bloodline can evolve."
He added solemnly, "Before he left, the old Dragon King once told me that should the chance arise, we should consider joining Great Yi. The path of Destiny Dynasties is the true mainstream of this era. The ancient conflict of dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans vying for fate's mantle—was merely the echo of the last epoch's karma. Even awakening the Ancestral Dragon through time was only a temporary glory, not something that could last."
"The truth proves this: the three clans ultimately retreated to resist the outer realms. And now, Great Yi stands as the most brilliant flower among Destiny Dynasties. To join them and be granted 'obey summons without obeying commands'—this is a heaven-sent opportunity. One we must not miss."
The Turtle Prime Minister held enormous weight in the Dragon Palace. He had watched generations grow up—even the old Dragon King never treated him as a mere servant. In times of uncertainty, they always sought his counsel.
"Very well," Ao Lie finally said, gritting his teeth. "Then I agree."
…
The next day—
"The Holy King of Great Yi proclaims:
The Dragon Clan, moved by Great Yi's past century of drought, and gifted with the power of summoning clouds and rain, is hereby granted divine appointments.
All dragons of excellent conduct may join Great Yi and receive divine titles.The Dragon King may be appointed a First-Rank Divine Official, presiding over a realm's rainfall.
Each realm may include:
4 Second-Rank officials
10 Third-Rank
49 Fourth-Rank
81 Fifth-Rank
108 Sixth-Rank
Positions beneath the Dragon King may be self-nominated by the Dragon Palace and submitted to the Immortal Court for approval.
All gods of the Dragon Clan may enjoy worship and position, but shall not interfere with national affairs of Great Yi.They shall obey summons, but not commands.By royal decree!"
In the skies, a vast rainbow bridge arced between heaven and earth. Cao Zhengchun unfurled the decree and read it aloud across all of Great Yi.
His words echoed clearly through every land and sea. This was a public, divine canonization.
The Canon of Gods declared two categories:
Front side: true court ministers of the Immortal Court, with real governing power.
Back side: divine officials—gods with roles and duties, but no authority to interfere in national governance. Any such overreach would be punished by Great Yi's law. The Dragon Clan was no exception.
"Vast Sea Dragon Palace accepts the decree!"
"Bohai Dragon Palace accepts the decree!"
"Shushan Dragon Palace accepts the decree!"
Across the seas of Great Yi, figures emerged from the depths and loudly acknowledged the decree.
"What?! The Dragon Clan is joining Great Yi? Accepting divine appointments?"
"Holy crap, is that even possible? The Dragon Clan is one of the strongest races in the world! Even if much of their power left, the ones who stayed aren't weak. How can they submit?"
"Where's that Dragon Clan pride? Did they throw it to the dogs?!"
Many foreign races within Great Yi gaped in disbelief. The Dragon Clan had once ruled supreme—how could they bend the knee? Even with a promise of limited obedience, it was still submission. The crown had fallen.
But among Great Yi's citizens, the reaction was entirely different.
"Fantastic! Great Yi is the strongest! Even the Dragon Clan must join us now."
"From now on, rainfall will be summoned by dragons. Maybe we'll even see a real True Dragon flying overhead!"
"Not all of them are True Dragons. Most of those who remained are likely Flood Dragons—but they're part of the Dragon Clan too. They have the same weather-manipulating gifts. Flood Dragons are dragons too!"
"This proves Great Yi's future is limitless!"
Excitement swept the cities. The people rejoiced—even dragons now bowed to their king.
At the same time, from each Dragon Palace under Great Yi's domain, streaks of Destiny Qi rose into the heavens. Though still green (not yet golden), the clouds of fate expanded rapidly from each palace, growing thicker and broader, as the seas themselves became fully drawn into the orbit of Great Yi's rule.
ROAR!!
Above Xuanhuang City, the colossal Dragon of Destiny raised its head from the sea of merit-clouds and devoured the tide of incoming Qi. Its body grew massively—visible to the naked eye.
In just moments, its form had expanded by over 5,000 zhang.
Before long, it neared 25,000 zhang—a truly massive beast coiled in the heavens, suppressing the four corners of the world.