Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 311: Sword Sovereign Ji Ping of Jing Kingdom – East Sea Palace and the Flood Dragon King

The East Sea.

Waves stretched endlessly, blending sea and sky into a seamless expanse.

Fishing boats dotted the sea's surface, manned by fishermen from Jade Sea City and nearby villages, who relied on the bounty of the sea to make a living. Their sun-weathered faces were filled with the joy of an abundant harvest.

In recent years, the East Sea's fisheries had become exceptionally rich. While no one knew why, the fishermen were ecstatic, frequently visiting the Dragon King Temple in Jade Sea City to offer their gratitude for the benevolence of the Flood Dragon King.

Yet beneath the calm surface of the sea, in the deep and shadowy waters, a different scene unfolded.

Rows of aquatic demons stood at attention on platforms forged from deep-sea metals. Known as Wave-Cleaving Platforms, these constructions, created by the Dragon Palace, boasted remarkable speed and allowed the aquatic demons to easily engage in combat outside of water.

Every one of these aquatic demons was armed to the teeth, exuding an intense bloodlust. It was clear that they were elite warriors.

At the forefront stood two figures.

One was a white flood dragon wearing a small crown atop its head. The other was a white-furred ape.

The white ape remarked with admiration, "Second Prince, your talent is extraordinary. To have reached the Flood Dragon Emperor realm while training such a formidable force of aquatic demons is truly impressive. I, Yuan Kong, can't help but admire you."

The white flood dragon laughed heartily. "Do you think I haven't seen the army of demons you've hidden on that remote East Sea island? Your training surpasses mine! Complimenting me is the same as praising yourself."

Yuan Kong chuckled lightly.

The white flood dragon continued, "Yuan Kong, we're friends. No need for formalities. Just call me Ao Sheng."

"If you insist on addressing me as Second Prince, I'll have to call you Fourth Prince in return."

"Besides, didn't you step into the Ape Demon Emperor realm a year ago? We're equals now. There's no need for hierarchy between us."

The two demons exchanged knowing smiles.

They were none other than Ao Sheng, the Second Prince of the Dragon Palace, and Yuan Kong, the Fourth Prince of the Myriad Demons Kingdom.

Yuan Kong remarked, "If you gain control of all the aquatic demons in the East Sea, it won't take ten years before the East Sea surpasses the South Sea and becomes the strongest among the Four Seas!"

Ao Sheng laughed loudly. "That day will come!"

"My father has already given his tacit approval. If I achieve merits in this battle, half of the East Sea's aquatic demons will be under my command!"

Yuan Kong clasped his hands in respect, his admiration evident. "It seems I'll witness that day very soon."

Ao Sheng laughed even more heartily. "Yuan Kong, why are you clasping your hands like humans? You're even acting politely."

Yuan Kong smiled faintly. "Humans may be inferior, but they do have qualities worth learning from. As the saying goes, 'Take the essence and discard the dross.'"

Ao Sheng nodded, half-understanding.

At that moment, a figure in white suddenly appeared on the sea's surface. In the blink of an eye, the figure arrived at the entrance to the Dragon Palace of the East Sea.

Both Yuan Kong and Ao Sheng immediately noticed the newcomer, their expressions turning to shock.

"Who are you?" Ao Sheng warily sized up the elderly man dressed in white.

Yuan Kong scrutinized him closely.

The man was tall and well-built, his hair and beard entirely white. His appearance was unremarkable, and his clothing wasn't actually white but faded from repeated washing. At first glance, Yuan Kong couldn't discern the man's cultivation level, which made him inwardly alarmed. He quickly averted his gaze.

The elder glanced at them briefly, pausing a moment longer on Yuan Kong before shifting his attention to the Dragon Palace.

"East Sea King, why don't you show yourself?" the elder said indifferently.

The moment his voice fell, waves roared as if thunder had erupted.

Yuan Kong and Ao Sheng struggled to remain standing, while the aquatic demons wavered like drunken men, collapsing into a disorganized mess.

In an instant, their once-disciplined formation became utterly chaotic.

Ao Sheng gritted his teeth in fury. "Damn old man!"

The elder didn't look back, but a terrifying surge of water burst forth from his body. It coalesced into a massive sword, which shot toward Ao Sheng.

Wherever the water sword passed, the sea froze into ice, and countless ice spikes spread in all directions.

Ao Sheng's dragon eyes narrowed sharply. From the sword, he felt an overwhelming killing intent and a premonition of death.

"Father, save me!"

Without thinking, Ao Sheng let out a desperate cry.

A deep voice resonated, filled with an ancient and majestic tone. "Ji Ping, it's been a long time. Have you come to the East Sea just to kill my offspring?"

A cold voice echoed from within the East Sea Dragon Palace.

In the next instant, the massive sword heading toward Ao Sheng abruptly halted. Then, inch by inch, it dissolved and vanished into nothingness.

Yuan Kong, witnessing this, narrowed his pupils slightly.

Such immense power!

The elder in white frowned. "East Sea King, are you truly planning to wage war against Yuzhou?"

From within the Dragon Palace, that indifferent voice replied again, "That's merely a game for the younger generation. I have no interest in intervening."

The elder in white nodded faintly. "Very well."

He took a deep look at the magnificent Dragon Palace but did not linger. In a flash, his figure vanished.

The exchange between the elder and the Flood Dragon King was exceptionally brief, concise, and direct.

Yuan Kong appeared thoughtful after hearing it, while Ao Sheng quickly prostrated himself toward the Dragon Palace.

"Thank you, Father, for saving my life! If not for your intervention, I would have perished at the hands of that old man!"

The East Sea King responded calmly, "He wouldn't have dared to kill you."

Ao Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Father, who is that old man?"

The East Sea King replied evenly, "Sword Sovereign Ji Ping of Jing Kingdom."

Hearing this, Yuan Kong's expression finally shifted.

So, the elder in white was none other than the strongest figure in Jing Kingdom, the one who silently safeguarded its royal family—a peak Divine Transformation cultivator and Sword Sovereign, Ji Ping!

Ji Ping's visit to the East Sea had an obvious purpose: to ensure the East Sea King would not personally intervene.

This way, the intensity of the coming war would be contained within certain bounds, preventing an all-out conflict between the Myriad Demons Kingdom, Jing Kingdom, and the Dragon Palace.

"Yuan Kong, Ao Sheng, handle your tasks well. Do not disappoint me," the East Sea King instructed before falling silent once more.

"Yes!" Yuan Kong and Ao Sheng both bowed respectfully.

A peerless Ape Emperor, a Flood Dragon Emperor, and an aquatic demon army meticulously trained for five years—this was the Eastern Army of the demon race.

…

Above the sea, Ji Ping flew past Jade Sea City, gazing down at its still-thriving streets, where music and festivities carried on uninterrupted. He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

The city thrived today, but by tomorrow, it might be ravaged, reduced to a hellish wasteland.

He had done all he could. The rest was up to the cultivators of Yuzhou.

"Hmm, that young man…"

Ji Ping's gaze suddenly fell on a figure in green standing atop the city's eastern wall.

The youth stood there against the sea breeze, his robes billowing as he gazed out at the vast ocean, showing not the slightest hint of fear.

"What exceptional talent and remarkable resolve."

"He must be Shen Mo, the young sect master of the Jade Cauldron Sect."

"Such a pity. He's only at the peak of the Divine Transformation stage and cannot change the outcome of this war."

Ji Ping sighed again.

Such an extraordinary figure, yet not part of the royal family. He couldn't serve the imperial court—what a shame, what a shame!

Without pausing further, Ji Ping continued flying westward.

After Ji Ping left, Shen Mo finally turned and looked toward the sky where Ji Ping had lingered.

"What formidable strength. That must be the one secretly protecting the Jing Kingdom's royal family."

"Judging by his return from the sea, he must have negotiated with the East Sea King."

"A negotiation to control the intensity of the war?"

"It seems even the Jing Kingdom's royal family has foreseen this conflict. Yet, the Jing Emperor still has no intention of sending reinforcements to Yuzhou and might even coordinate with the Demon Emperor from afar."

"It's evident that, in the Jing Emperor's eyes, a ravaged Yuzhou—a Yuzhou without its sects—is easier to assimilate."

Shen Mo's expression remained calm.

Though he had never met the Jing Emperor, he could already guess his thoughts.

The Jing Emperor was no longer concerned with the fate of a single province or region.

He was focused on the grand scheme of the world.

To achieve his ultimate goal, what did the suffering of countless lives or the fall of two regions matter?

In the end, the Jing Emperor would simply take them back.

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