Xu Fang couldn't be bothered to exchange pleasantries with the Golden-Winged Great Peng, and directly pushed away its approaching face.
"The Dragon King's hospitality is greatly appreciated, and I would be remiss to refuse. Please lead the way!"
"Excellent, excellent!"
Ao Guang repeatedly agreed. He had initially expected to spend considerable effort persuading Xu Fang, but to his surprise, this fellow daoist agreed so readily, saving him a great deal of trouble.
Without further ado, he then led Xu Fang and his entourage towards the location of the Dragon Clan's treasure vault.
As they walked, Ao Guang glanced back at the Golden-Winged Great Peng and spoke.
"Ao Xue, take your avian friend and tour the Dragon Clan's domain!"
While he wouldn't dwell on the ancient animosity between the dragons and phoenixes, the Golden-Winged Great Peng was still a member of the phoenix clan, and Ao Guang maintained a degree of caution.
Ao Xue was about to say something, but the Golden-Winged Great Peng shrewdly tugged at her arm, signaling her to refrain from speaking.
"Very well!"
Ao Xue relented, and dejectedly led the Golden-Winged Great Peng away.
Although the Golden-Winged Great Peng had acted with discretion and retreated, it still felt a pang of unease regarding Ao Xue.
Despite Dragon King Ao Guang not holding a grudge for the dragon-phoenix feud, he still seemed to harbor reservations about its presence.
"If that's the case, what will become of Ao Xue and me in the future?"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng gazed at Ao Xue, who had begun to cheer up again, and felt a wave of worry, unsure of how to proceed.
Without the presence of these two, Ao Guang quickly led Xu Fang to the entrance of the Dragon Clan's treasure vault.
With the Dragon King Ao Guang personally escorting them, the Dragon Clan guards offered no objections and allowed them entry into the treasure vault.
As the massive doors of the Dragon Clan's treasure vault swung open, an endless stream of light rushed out, enveloping Ao Guang and Xu Fang.
Gazing at the dazzling treasures and sensing the powerful auras emanating from them, Xu Fang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"The Dragon Clan truly lives up to its reputation as a former overlord of heaven and earth. The richness of its vault is beyond imagination!"
Even though he had some preconceptions, the sheer opulence of the Dragon Clan's treasure vault at this moment left Xu Fang deeply impressed.
If the Dragon Clan was still this prosperous in its current declining state, he could only wonder how overwhelmingly powerful they must have been in their prime!
"What of it? Alas!"
Ao Guang couldn't help but sigh, shaking his head.
"Even with so many treasures, without any true experts among the Dragon Clan, they merely gather dust."
Hearing this, Xu Fang looked at the melancholic expression on Ao Guang's face and also felt a sense of wistfulness.
Indeed, the Dragon Clan's most powerful figures now were merely the four Dragon Kings.
Therefore, despite possessing an immense treasury, they lacked the experts to wield these treasures, leaving them to lie dormant, a source of helplessness for the Dragon Clan.
At this moment, within the Dragon Clan's treasure vault, countless treasures stirred, their voices resonating.
"Why has Ao Guang brought this creature here? Is a great battle imminent?"
"That would be wonderful! Lying in this Dragon Clan vault day after day, my entire hoard is practically rotting away!"
"Exactly! When will the Dragon Clan ever take us out for a spin?"
Xu Fang didn't know how to respond to this. The Dragon Clan had truly fallen, to the point where even the treasures within their vault expressed their frustration and disappointment, complaining incessantly.
After his sigh, Ao Guang noticed Xu Fang's apparent detachment and quickly composed himself, speaking.
"Fellow Daoist, do not stand there idly. Your immense kindness to the Dragon Clan is unforgettable. Feel free to select any treasures from here, do not be shy."
"You mean, I can just pick anything?"
Xu Fang was astonished. Was Ao Guang truly this generous, not fearing that he might empty the entire vault?
However, since Ao Guang had said so, Xu Fang certainly didn't hold back.
His purpose in visiting the Dragon Clan this time was precisely for these treasures!
Xu Fang immediately took a step forward and slowly began to walk through the vault.
The treasures within the vault, overhearing the conversation between Ao Guang and Xu Fang, became excited and began to speak out.
"Hey, you creature over there, look here! I'm the most dazzling treasure here!"
"What good is being dazzling? You're just a glorified torch! I'm the most capable, picking me is the right choice!"
"What's the point of you all chattering? This fellow has to be able to hear us first!"
The treasures bickered incessantly, each hoping that Xu Fang would notice them and take them out into the world again.
However, they soon remembered that this creature couldn't hear their words, so how could he possibly know their desires?
Thus, they immediately began emitting bursts of light, attempting to attract Xu Fang's attention.
Xu Fang could clearly hear their words and see their efforts to showcase themselves.
However, even though Ao Guang was generous, Xu Fang had no intention of emptying the Dragon Clan's vault. He had a specific item in mind for this trip.
As Xu Fang walked past, he would glance at this item and then at that, but made no move to take anything.
Soon, he arrived at a location that was conspicuously empty.
Xu Fang glanced at the treasure map beside him, and with a thought, he magnified the map. The chaotic array of treasures receded into the distance, leaving only one item glowing brightly on the map.
"This is the place."
Xu Fang looked at the empty spot before him and immediately realized that there was a hidden formation present. Without hesitation, he unleashed an attack.
As the attack landed, the space rippled, and indeed, a acquired formation was revealed.
"Oh? There's a formation here that I wasn't aware of?"
Ao Guang was quite surprised. He, as the Dragon King, was unaware of such a formation within the Dragon Clan's treasure vault?
However, after some thought, he recalled that the Dragon Clan's treasure vault had been relocated from their ancient dwelling. It was possible that this formation had been set up by a senior of the Dragon Clan.
It might even have been set up by Ancestor Dragon himself.
"It seems fellow Daoist Xu Fang has a predestined connection with this item. We shall see what treasure it is!"
Ao Guang nodded, now convinced that Xu Fang had a fated encounter with this particular item, and waited expectantly.
Xu Fang heard this and smiled gently. Of course, he had a fated connection with this item; his sole purpose for coming to the Dragon Clan was for it.
With a surge of spiritual energy, several attacks were unleashed from his hands.
Xu Fang wasn't particularly skilled in formations, but as the saying goes, brute force can break any technique. As long as the power was sufficient, even innate formations could be shattered, let alone an acquired one.
Before long, the acquired formation, under Xu Fang's relentless assault, collapsed spectacularly.
As the formation crumbled, its interior was revealed, and a brilliant light erupted, bathing the entire treasure vault in five-colored radiance.
The glow of the other treasures, which had previously illuminated the vault, now paled in comparison to this magnificent light.
As the light swirled, the treasure within slowly emerged, shining brilliantly.
"Innate Spiritual Treasure?"
Sensing the aura of the treasure, Ao Guang exclaimed.
"Indeed, it is the Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Sea-Calming Divine Bead."
Xu Fang replied.
This was his ultimate objective in coming to the Dragon Clan – to acquire the Sea-Calming Divine Bead.