Chapter 1296 - 1295: Troops March on Black Water Plain
Ao Jin raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but ask, "Just the two of them?"
If it were only two people, that would be the main business.
"No." The Shrimp Guard shook his head and added, "They also brought a little child."
"A little child?"
This time, Ao Jin truly had no idea what was going on and just said, "Invite them in," then stood up and went to the entrance of the great hall to welcome them.
However, when Ao Jin sensed Ao Qin’s presence, a gleam instantly flashed in his eyes.
"Ao Qin?"
Not only Ao Jin, but Ao Jue and Ao Min, the couple beside him, also recognized Ao Qin and couldn’t help but whisper in astonishment.
"He only went missing a few days ago!"
Seeing the Jade Dragon King Ao Jin’s reaction, Lu Zheng pulled Ao Qin forward a step, "Greetings, Jade Dragon King. It seems the Dragon King knows about Ao Qin’s situation."
"Greetings, Uncle Jin, Uncle Jue, and Aunt Min!" Ao Qin greeted respectfully, also letting out a deep sigh of relief.
Although Yue Honghai had saved his life and Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi were kind, returning to the Dragon Palace finally allowed him to completely relax.
"Good, good, good, it’s good you’re back. Your parents were very worried," Ao Jin said.
"Jin’Er is still in the hands of the Black Water Profound Snake. Please, Uncle, notify my father and grandfather to rescue her quickly!" Ao Qin said urgently.
"Black Water Profound Snake?" Ao Jin immediately turned pale, then suppressed the doubt in his heart and turned to bow respectfully to the two guests, "Lady Nv, Young Master Lu!"
Si Lingxi slightly bowed, and Lu Zheng also returned the gesture, saying directly, "It’s not just the Black Water Profound Snake. The Fiery Heaven-Destroying Demon Dragon King is also at the Black Water Plain."
Ao Jin’s face changed drastically.
Ao Jue and Ao Min, who also knew the details, were even more shocked.
The Black Water Profound Snake was already shocking enough; adding a Celestial Demon Dragon made it truly terrifying!
"You two, please come into the hall to talk!" Ao Jin hurriedly stepped aside to make way, gesturing with his hand.
The group entered the great hall, taking their respective seats, with guards attending to the lights and shell ladies serving tea.
Without waiting for Ao Jin to ask further, Lu Zheng narrated how Yue Honghai came to the East Sea and inadvertently saved Ao Qin, and how he and Si Lingxi came to deliver the person and incidentally investigated the Black Water Plain.
"There is solid evidence of Demon Fire lamps in the Black Water Plain and the Snake Demon openly practicing magic," Lu Zheng added, "but we didn’t actually see the Black Water Profound Snake in person, nor did we see the Fiery Heaven-Destroying Demon Dragon King."
"That’s enough!"
Ao Jin raised his hand to stroke his beard, took a deep breath, and then offered his thanks to the two once more, "Please stay in the palace for a few days until I handle this matter, and then we’ll host you."
Lu Zheng said nothing, but Si Lingxi gently spoke, "If you don’t mind, I’d also like to witness the Dragon Race’s grandeur."
The Black Water Profound Snake and Fiery Heaven-Destroying Demon Dragon King had abducted a young dragon of the Dragon Race, making this a matter of life and death for them.
Having saved Ao Qin and brought reliable information, Ao Jin was already deeply grateful to Si Lingxi and Lu Zheng. What remained was to gather other dragons and march their forces to crush the Black Water Profound Snake and the Demon Dragon King at the Black Water Plain.
Though the Black Water Profound Snake and the Demon Dragon King were both supreme beings of their time, and despite Si Lingxi being a top-tier combatant, Ao Jin didn’t plan on asking her for help.
Because the Four Great Dragon Races were strong enough on their own.
Of course, since Si Lingxi had actively asked to observe the battle, Ao Jin wouldn’t refuse.
Ao Jin immediately clasped his hands respectfully, "Thank you, Sect Leader Si, for overseeing the battle for us."
"You’re too kind, Dragon King."
...
In the Jade Dragon Palace, the Sea-Suppressing Bell tolled.
The messages contained in the bell’s tones were transmitted through the sound waves to the other Golden Dragon Palace, Cyan Dragon Palace, and Azure Dragon Palace.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
Dragon roars echoed and resonated among the major dragon palaces.
Rows of water soldiers and generals assembled outside the Dragon Palace.
Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, Captain Sharks, and Whale Commanders, banners fluttering with a sky-piercing momentum.
Divine Dragons emerged from the water, with dragon horns erect, dragon claws extended, stirring waves and trampling the waves.
The Four Great Dragon Races, each led by their experts, assembled a hundred thousand water soldiers, advancing from three directions toward the Black Water Plain.
Along the way, waves surged, and the sky changed colors.
Every island, strait, underwater cave, and demon lair they passed fell silent, trembling in fear of causing even a slight noise that might provoke the Dragon Race’s wrath.
...
"The Azure Dragon Race’s army is mobilizing. It’s been so many years; what could be happening?"
"I saw the Cyan Dragon King. Who dared to provoke the Azure Dragon Race? It’s courting death!"
...
"The Golden Dragon King Banner, my heavens, this spells the pace of an extinction battle!"
"Wow, look there, a Golden Dragon showing its true form, a hundred-zhang Golden Dragon, displaying its thousand-zhang golden body, stirring the winds and clouds, truly terrifying!"
...
"The Cyan Dragon Race is sending troops westward toward the Central Plains, what’s going on? Could there be a conflict between the East Sea and the Central Plains?"
"Wow, the Cyan Dragon Race even has a Central Plains Sword Immortal leading the way, how prestigious!"
...
"With an army of a hundred thousand mobilized and the Jade Dragon King personally commanding the central forces, they’re preparing for a big battle!"
"Everyone, be careful. The Jade Dragon Race is highly perceptive, and if anyone harbors any ill intent, even if killed, it would be in vain!"
...
Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi followed in the center of the Jade Dragon Army, marching with the troops.
For Lu Zheng, who had never experienced modern warfare or ancient cold-weapon warfare, this impending Xianxia World battle was utterly overwhelming.
Though all one hundred thousand water soldiers might be just for show, they were all linked by Qi, forming a great array that stirred the winds and waves.
Back then, the Lu River God relied on just over a hundred water soldiers to form an array to enhance himself.
This battle was of a higher level but also boasted a much larger and sophisticated array.
However...
Lu Zheng was very worried that such a grand mobilization by the Four Great Dragon Races might scare off the Black Water Profound Snake and Fiery Heaven-Destroying Demon Dragon King.
"That won’t happen."
One could say married couples have a tacit understanding; just a glance from Lu Zheng, and Si Lingxi understood.
"Before the army set off, dragons had already carried magical treasures over," Si Lingxi said. "Now the Black Water Plain only allows entry, not exit. Even if they try to escape, only the Black Water Profound Snake and the Demon Dragon King could make it out alone; the rest must stay behind."
Hearing this, Ao Jin nodded to Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi, saying, "Two elders from the clan have already gone ahead with the Sea Covering Net."
Lu Zheng understood.
Of course, something he could consider—how could the Four Great Dragon Races not?
Their only previous disparity was the information gap.
Once they identified the Black Water Profound Snake in the Black Water Plain as the target, Lu Zheng was no longer necessary. Their understanding of the Black Water Profound Snake and demons surpassed Lu Zheng’s by far.
...
Soon, the Black Water Plain lay ahead.