Qi Yu and Si Qing listened to Shao Feng's words, thought for a moment, and then nodded together before turning their gaze back towards Jin Yan, the Ancestral Dragon of the West Sea.
Jin Yan was currently beating Jing Xiu.
Qi Yu could hardly watch and couldn't help but ask Yan Hua, "Master, will Jing Xiu be beaten to death by him..."
Yan Hua raised an eyebrow, "Probably not. This is how they've always interacted, master and disciple."
Si Qing was full of admiration.
Jing Xiu lay prostrate on the floor within the barrier, clutching her head. Perhaps due to Jin Yan's brutal beating, she had integrated a lot of the original Jing Xiu's memories after her soul possession.
Thus, Ling Ruo realized that the Jing Xiu she had possessed, although favored within the West Sea Dragon Clan, had been living in torment. This was because she had awakened her inherited memories and had taken the most volatile Ancestral Dragon of the West Sea, Jin Yan, as her master.
She was beaten almost every day.
Sometimes it was for not learning well, other times it was because Jin Yan was in a bad mood.
The reasons for the beatings were always unpredictable.
Ling Ruo's intestines were turning green with regret.
If she had known this would happen, she might as well have stayed as Qi Wen!
At least Qi Wen wouldn't have been beaten.
As she was lost in thought, Jin Yan grew tired of beating her and went to sit down to rest.
Seeing this, Yan Hua removed the barrier and slowly walked out.
Jin Yan cast a disgusted look at Yan Hua, "Yan Hua, after all these years, you're still so fond of protecting people. I was just disciplining my disciple, and you, looking like that, had to set up a barrier to isolate us?"
"You're too fierce," Yan Hua said in a calm tone, "It might scare my cubs."
"Tch, your cubs? You mean those two?" Jin Yan smiled and looked at Qi Yu and Si Qing, scrutinizing them, "They are indeed good-looking, quite cute. What about their talent? How much of their inherited secret techniques can they learn?"
"None of your business," Yan Hua lowered his gaze, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
Qi Yu sat by the side with his hands propping up his chin, looking around.
He suddenly realized that although they were all Ancestral Dragons, Yan Hua, Chen Xi, and Jin Yan had vastly different appearances and temperaments.
For instance, Yan Hua had a handsome and aloof face, but his personality was somewhat mischievous.
Chen Xi's appearance matched his personality; not only was he handsome, but he also exuded warmth from his bones and was prone to smiling.
As for this newly appeared Ancestral Dragon of the West Sea, Jin Yan... he was different.
If not for the scar on his face, he would have been handsome. But with the scar, he gave off a fierce aura, looking menacing and unapproachable.
"Hmph, keep protecting them," Jin Yan pouted at Yan Hua, "Although these two cubs look quite good, Shao Feng's talent isn't that high either. He and An Nuo can only learn five hundred types of inherited techniques. No matter how talented these two are, they won't surpass that by much."
Shao Feng raised an eyebrow. He didn't want to push Qi Yu and Si Qing forward to show off how capable they were just to prove this point, so he didn't engage with Jin Yan at all.
Yan Hua glanced at Jin Yan and said, "As long as you're happy," then he withdrew his gaze and quietly drank his tea, ignoring him further.
Chen Xi hooked the corner of his lips from the side.
Jin Yan immediately and keenly caught the subtle change in his expression. Then, he narrowed his eyes and taunted Chen Xi, "Coward, what are you smiling about!"
"I'm happy to smile," Chen Xi stood behind Yan Hua, borrowing his prestige, "You've been babbling non-stop since a moment ago, and you keep asking about talent and inherited techniques. Isn't it just that you want to know how many inherited techniques Qi Yu and Si Qing have awakened, and whether it's more or less than Jing Xiu?"
"Hmph, I've had enough. Jin Yan, why do you have to compare everything with Yan Hua? Your jealousy is truly strong. No wonder you beat Jing Xiu to death whenever she does something you don't like. You're taking your anger out on her. It's truly unfortunate for her to learn from you."
Jin Yan's face immediately darkened.
Chen Xi stood behind Yan Hua, hands on his hips, full of righteous indignation.
Jin Yan looked at Chen Xi's demeanor and sneered, "Chen Xi, if you have the guts, stay with Yan Hua forever. Don't ever fall into my hands, or you'll suffer."
After speaking, Jin Yan looked at Shao Feng and asked him to prepare lodging, as he intended to stay for a few days, then turned to leave.
Jing Xiu's cheeks were swollen from the beating, and she knelt on the ground, trembling. Seeing Jin Yan stand up, she quickly followed him with her head bowed.
Jin Yan looked back and saw Jing Xiu's timid appearance. His anger flared, and he slapped her casually, "Don't you have legs? Why are you walking so slowly?! Come back to my room. I want to see how much of the inherited techniques I taught you before you still remember! If you make one mistake, I'll break your leg."
The slap was crisp and loud.
The shrimp soldiers and crab generals nearby saw it, but none dared to make a sound.
Jing Xiu's cheek bore a red handprint. Terrified by Jin Yan's ferocity, she quickly responded with an "Yes" and hurried her pace.
Qi Yu watched for a while, then turned to ask Yan Hua and Chen Xi, "If Lord Jin Yan beats Jing Xiu like that, won't Jing Xiu's parents in the South Sea be angry and heartbroken?"
"Who dares to interfere?" Chen Xi pouted, "The seniority hierarchy in the Dragon Clan isn't just for show."
Qi Yu and Si Qing shivered involuntarily. Then, the two of them reverted to their original forms, like two white scarves, hooked around Yan Hua's neck, and buried their heads.
"Wuwu, Master is the best," Qi Yu nuzzled Yan Hua's head.
Si Qing also nuzzled.
"Hmph," Yan Hua raised his chin proudly, "You know I'm good, so you'd better be filial to me in the future."
"Exactly," Chen Xi said as he also began to shrink his form, eventually transforming into the juvenile form of a green snake. He climbed onto Yan Hua's head and coiled into a large mass on his head.
Shao Feng couldn't help but cover his mouth and burst into laughter.
Yan Hua rolled his eyes, "I'll give you three seconds, Chen Xi, get down."
Then he squeezed Qi Yu and Si Qing's necks, "And you two too."
"No," Qi Yu clung tightly.
Si Qing buried his head.
Chen Xi also refused, with teary eyes, "I've already boasted. What if Jin Yan really acts? I, I've suffered before, I can't leave you."
Shao Feng also quietly followed closely behind Yan Hua, "Lord Jin Yan insists on staying, and I can't refuse, so..."
Yan Hua's forehead veins bulged, "So what? So what the hell! Even if you're scared, you don't have to hang on me, do you? Do you think I'm a big tree? Did you pay me?!"
Qi Yu (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ): "Esteemed Master, if I pay money, can I hang on your neck and cuddle? I have money."
Si Qing (｡i_i｡): "I don't have money, but my sister does..."
Chen Xi（＞＜）: "Yan Hua, I don't have money, but I can pay on credit."
Shao Feng quietly followed beside them.
Yan Hua was so angry he gritted his teeth, "Do I look like I want to bother with you?"