Chapter 30

The turtle’s back was spacious and steady. The cub sat down, still in a daze.

Ao Qing’s action had been so sudden that Sect Master Yu hadn’t even reacted before his daughter was scooped from his arms. In the blink of an eye, he hurried to look down, only to see her bobbing along on the surface of the sea. The little one looked as though she had never seen the world before, her expression completely blank.

After a long while, the little one let out an "ah" sound and looked around, appearing happy and excited. It was the first time in her life she had possessed a mount. Although it didn't look as majestic as the divine beasts in the myths her father told her, it was still quite impressive. Being able to float on the sea—how rare!

The cub puffed out her chest and held her head high, her small face glowing. Seeing this, Sect Master Yu could not help but sigh with regret. He had been too careless as a father. Knowing his daughter loved things that were interesting and novel, he should have found her a mount or a fluffy playmate long ago.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master." Sect Master Yu was deeply grateful that Ao Qing had thought to find something amusing to cheer the little one up.

Ao Qing was also satisfied to see the cub so genuinely delighted by the new sights. When a Azure Dragon acts, it must win the favor of the cub. He nodded with majestic indifference and said calmly, "After all, I am her elder." Besides, a tiny cub sitting on a silly sea turtle did look rather amusing.

He then turned to the handsome young man who was watching with curiosity and said with even greater detachment, "Let us go to see the Clan Leader." He hadn't come today for pleasantries; the more important matter was the dragon egg.

Seeing that he was still mindful of the dragon egg and clearly held the affairs of the Dragon Clan at heart, the young man’s eyes brightened. He agreed and led the group toward the sea.

The Dragon Clan resided in the deep ocean, a vast expanse of blue. As Yu Youyou sat on the turtle shell, she watched her father and senior brother activate a beautiful magical artifact that kept the seawater at bay. Just as she was poking her head out to watch them cast their spells, she felt a chill in her palm. The handsome young man who had brought the turtle was winking at her.

He was very handsome, and his wink was dashing. The cub looked down to see a small, crystal-clear bead resting in her tiny palm. As she gripped the bead, the surrounding seawater receded. The sea turtle paddled its limbs, sinking into the deep with the others. Because of the bead, Yu Youyou didn't get a drop of seawater on her.

She stared wide-eyed at the young man who had winked at her, only to see him offer another kind smile.

...The Dragon Clan hadn't seen a cub in thousands of years; it was too hard. Having finally encountered one, even if she wasn't their own, the young man couldn't help himself. He always wanted to stuff good things into the cub's paws.

"Thank you!" This kindness left Yu Youyou feeling dazed. She found this to be a very novel experience. Though she and this dragon youth were meeting for the first time and shared no blood ties, he was willing to show her affection the moment he saw her. Much like the inexplicable malice she had encountered from the demons in the Demon City, such pure kindness was something she rarely experienced.

So... she was a child worth liking after all. She wasn't just someone to be disliked and criticized, someone who was considered lacking in every way. She clutched the water-avoidance bead and looked at her father, who was standing in front of her to ward off more seawater. The tall, middle-aged man turned back, saw the scene, and smiled at her, nodding slightly as he said, "Our Youyou is just that lovable."

He wasn't surprised at all that his daughter, whom others considered weak and dim-witted, could be loved by others. On the contrary, he felt it was only natural.

The cub’s eyes brightened, and she nodded her small head vigorously. "Mm!" Her father was definitely right. She had never been an unlovable cub. If someone didn't like her, it was their fault, not hers.

"Oh, no." The young dragon saw the little one clutching her hand and thanking him blankly. Although she didn't speak very fluently, her bright, obedient expression made his heart skip a beat. This cub was so sweet that it made him want to stuff more treasures into her hands.

Silently counting the savings he had accumulated over hundreds of years, the young dragon decided he had to restrain himself. After all, while the cub was wonderful, if the Azure Dragon Clan’s egg were to hatch soon and another cub arrived... his collection might not survive.

Muttering to himself that building up a fortune wasn't easy, the young man gently steadied the happy little one on the turtle shell. Seeing that the young man was just as inexperienced as the cub—as if he had never seen a cub before—Ao Qing, who was in the lead, felt a sense of disdain for his lack of exposure.

Just as ignorant as the cub.

However, because Yu Youyou had never been in the ocean before, the wonders visible in the deep sea were a completely different landscape from the world above. The deep ocean was vibrant and colorful. She was fascinated by the jellyfish and fish in the distance, which dared not move for fear of the dragon’s majesty, and she began to babble with joy.

The group consisted of high-level cultivators who were well-traveled and would normally pay no mind to such common sights. But because of the child's happiness, they slowed their pace. They traveled slowly until the little one had seen enough. The young Azure Dragon then plucked a beautiful piece of red coral from nearby and placed it in Yu Youyou’s arms for her to hold.

It was so beautiful; even though it was useless as a magical artifact, Yu Youyou was very happy.

"Thank you!" She hugged the coral, cupped her small hands, and thanked the young man repeatedly. The young man hesitated, then tentatively reached out and patted her small head. The cub looked up and smiled at him with innocent cuteness.

When the young dragon pulled his hand back, he was in disbelief. Was she really this docile? He recalled a time he had tried to touch a cub of the Red Flood Dragon clan, and the little dragon had immediately turned and bitten him with its fangs... He suddenly understood that there were not only cubs in this world who would slap their tails in his face, but also little ones who were very affectionate toward him.

He looked like a fool who had been soaked in the deep sea for too long, his soul drifting lightly in the water. Ao Qing snorted coldly. When the group arrived above a magnificent complex of palaces in the deep sea, he brought everyone down to the seabed.

The seabed was sealed off from the seawater by immense magical power. As they landed, they looked up to see the ocean water rippling above, while the surroundings were as dry as land.

Yu Youyou realized this was the ancestral home of the Azure Dragon Clan. She sniffed the rich spiritual energy of the place and busied herself by placing the water-avoidance bead and the coral into her "Youyou Treasure Vault." Sect Master Yu watched his precious daughter cherish her treasures with a loving smile. The young dragon glanced at the little one still sitting steadily on the turtle shell and silently covered his purse.

"Let's go." Ao Qing led them inside.

"Down." Yu Youyou climbed off the turtle shell. Even though she was young, she felt it was impolite to remain on her mount while meeting elders, so she decided to walk herself. However, as she climbed down, she met the innocent beady eyes of the sea turtle and hesitated.

"Why not let it go with you when you return?" Ao Qing turned and asked, seeing her standing there blankly.

The cub was stunned. Being gifted a mount was naturally a very happy thing, but after thinking it over carefully, she shook her head blankly. She gestured with her small hands, pointing at the turtle and then at the sea above. "Home."

Although she liked the turtle, truthfully, it was born and lived in the sea, which was the most suitable environment for its cultivation. It likely had its own friends and family, too. She couldn't take it away just because she liked it, forcing it to leave the place it was familiar with. Moreover, sea beasts were better suited to cultivating in the sea. If it followed them back to the Tai Gu Sect, there was no ocean there, which would make cultivation difficult for the turtle.

She had already sensed while sitting on the turtle that it was a sea-dwelling spirit creature with weak cultivation but a genuine demonic aura; it had already gained intelligence. Since it had gained intelligence, it was a living soul. If that was the case, how could she be so selfish and overbearing as to deprive it of its own will and desires just because "I like it"?

Ao Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. "Very well. You may visit the Azure Dragon Clan often in the future, and every time you come, you can have it pick you up." He was not displeased by the cub’s refusal.

Behind him, Sect Master Yu and his disciple Chu Xingyun were lost in thought, already pondering which spirit beasts in the cultivation world were gentle-natured and suitable as mounts. As they walked slowly into the palace, they were greeted by a beautiful young man and woman. Seeing them, Sect Master Yu smiled and bowed. He clearly had a very good relationship with the two.

"Brother Yu, you haven't visited our Azure Dragon Clan in many years. Why do you seem so distant?"

The man was imposing and dignified. Sect Master Yu said to his daughter, who was tilting her head with curiosity, "This is the Azure Dragon Clan Leader. Call him Uncle Yong, and this is your Aunt Zhen."

This was the current Azure Dragon Clan Leader and his wife, Ao Yong and Ao Zhen, who seemed to have a close relationship with Sect Master Yu.

Yu Youyou was long accustomed to meeting elders everywhere. She stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Uncle... Auntie!"

"What a beautiful child." This was the truth. Although the cub was thin and small, looking as if she would break in the wind, her face was exquisitely beautiful. Now that she was being cared for and had shed her listless air, she was immediately striking.

After the praise, Ao Zhen hurriedly took out various gifts for her. The Azure Dragon Clan hadn't seen a cub born in many years; she had finally obtained an egg, but it had never been able to hatch. Her overflowing love for cubs could not be relieved, so she stepped forward, picked up the little one, and pressed her red lips to her cheek.

A fragrant breeze washed over her, and a soft kiss landed on her cheek.