Wang Lanqing took a step back.
Qi Yu, completely unguarded against Yue Zhiyin, was urged by him and, without a second thought, dripped blood onto the silver waist token.
Instantly, the waist token blazed with light, and streams of pure silver dragon's breath surged into Qi Yu's body.
Qi Yu, the entire person... no, the entire dragon, was stunned.
Yue Zhiyin's face broke into a satisfied smile as he retreated, saying, "Mission accomplished." He continued, "Qi Yu, before I gave you the waist token, I thought carefully. There's so much to do in the North Sea. Besides the celebration, there are many things in the North Sea I haven't managed yet. So, you know, as the saying goes, 'send a Buddha all the way to the West.' It's just right for you to manage it for a few more days, isn't it?"
Qi Yu touched his forehead, where a pure silver floral pattern was imprinted, and his horns, which had turned pure gold, trembled.
"No, what do you mean?"
"What I mean is," Yue Zhiyin strategically retreated further, "I feel that the position of Heavenly Emperor alone is enough to keep me busy. You saw when you were in the Nine Heavens that besides my own affairs, I also had to make time for the North Sea. The North Sea is so vast, so expansive. Not only do I have to manage so many things, but those old fellows are also urging me to get married and have children."
"Alas, I can understand why the elders of the Dragon Clan are so insistent. After all, most of the Four Sea Dragon Kings are already married with children, and I don't even have an egg."
"But then again, my wife wouldn't just be the Queen of the North Sea, but also the Empress!"
"So, can I be careless about finding a wife? Of course not. If I haven't met the right person, I won't rush it. After all, I'm still young."
"But again, these are my reasons. Do you think those old fellows in the North Sea will agree? They definitely won't. No, they'd be delighted to find someone else to manage the North Sea."
Qi Yu grew increasingly agitated. "So, what's the point?!"
Yue Zhiyin spread his hands and spoke rapidly, like beans pouring from a bamboo slip:
"The point is, they're rushing me to get married, mainly because they feel I've reached the age for marriage. If I hand over the management of the North Sea to someone else, and that new North Sea Dragon King is very young, they probably won't be able to pressure you to get married like they do me. But at the same time, they won't have the right to boss you around. Don't you think so? After all, you're still young. It will be many tens of thousands of years before you truly get married and have children."
Qi Yu's expression was complicated. "No, I don't believe it. Is being the North Sea Dragon King that simple? How is that possible? Just dripping blood to make the waist token recognize its master? Who are you trying to fool?"
"Yes, it's that simple. Do we need a ceremony?" Yue Zhiyin changed the subject. "Of course, if you want a grand celebration, I have no objections."
He took another step back. "It's all up to you now."
Qi Yu wiped his face. "...Senior Brother, don't you think you're going too far? You transferred the North Sea Dragon King position to me without a word, secretly. Is this something a Heavenly Emperor would do?!"
"And if I had told you in advance, would you have agreed?" Yue Zhiyin asked with an innocent look.
Ming Lou, standing nearby, was on the verge of laughter.
His Senior Brother had wanted to shed either the Heavenly Emperor or the North Sea Dragon King identity since he ascended to the throne of Heavenly Emperor.
Originally, his Senior Brother had yearned to shed the Heavenly Emperor position.
However, the Heavenly Emperor had too many responsibilities, making it difficult to trick anyone into taking it.
The North Sea Dragon King was different.
By dripping blood onto the Dragon King's waist token, any dragon of legitimate bloodline, regardless of whether they were from the North Sea, could easily transfer the kingship.
He never expected that after so many years of hesitation, Senior Brother would finally do it.
Qi Yu was so choked by Yue Zhiyin's words that he had no retort.
Si Qing, having finished his current task and about to attend to more important matters, saw everyone gathered around, munching on melon seeds, and walked over with a puzzled expression. He asked Shao Feng and An Nuo, who looked solemn, "Parents, what's wrong with Sister?"
"My dear child, your sister is fine," An Nuo said with a smile, putting an arm around Si Qing's shoulder. "Lend Mother a drop of blood."
"...Huh?" Si Qing asked, raising his hand in confusion.
With lightning speed, Shao Feng pricked his finger with his nail, then grabbed the South Sea Dragon King's waist token and pressed it onto the blood.
Si Qing looked confused and bewildered.
A golden light flashed, his dragon horns transformed into the appearance of an adult Dragon King, and an imprint appeared on his brow.
The Dragon King imprints on An Nuo and Shao Feng's foreheads, like Yue Zhiyin's, faintly faded.
Si Qing looked at the waist token in his hand, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Shao Feng smiled and remarked emotionally, "My son has grown up, I am gratified."
Why hadn't he thought of having these two brats recognize the Dragon King's waist token first?
Once they recognized it, the Dragon King position would be transferred. Then he could go wherever he pleased, whether he had business or not.
Indeed, Yue Zhiyin was clever.
Si Qing was stunned. "...No, what's going on? What did you all do to me?"
Qi Yu glanced at his fellow unfortunate. "What do you mean, what's going on? They've handed the South Sea over to you. They're shirking their responsibilities and leaving. That's what's going on!"
He's already got the burden and he's still asking!
What an idiot!
Si Qing was dumbfounded.
Shao Feng looked at Qi Yu sternly. "Actually, there's a reason why the Heavenly Emperor and I passed on the positions of South Sea and North Sea Dragon King to you and your sister in advance. We still have many enemies ahead. If we were to unfortunately perish, the Dragon King positions wouldn't fall into the hands of others. Don't you agree, Heavenly Emperor?"
Yue Zhiyin nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes, yes."
"..." Qi Yu smiled and couldn't help but retort to Yue Zhiyin, "Agree with what? You just agree with whatever my father says. You started all this. None of you have good intentions."
And they talk about contingency plans.
When the great battle first began, why didn't you think of contingency plans?
Now that you're busy with many things, you suddenly remembered?!
Do you think my sister and I are fools?!