The entire Dragon Palace became busy from the moment the Dragon King spoke.
What were they all busy with?
"Hey, haven't you heard? A new little dragon cub has been born! They're holding a banquet to celebrate!"
"A little dragon cub?"
"The Thirteenth Princess just brought them back. They weren't in the Dragon Palace before."
"No wonder, I was wondering... Then I must prepare a proper gift."
Crawling crabs, in twos and threes, scuttled across the seabed sand.
They chatted as they walked.
Even from a distance, their discussions about gifts could be heard.
Even these little fellows knew, which showed how much importance the Dragon Palace placed on this matter.
After this official baptism, it was likely that the entire Dragon Palace would know that a little dragon cub had returned.
And, they were highly valued.
Beside them,
A small blue-backed fish led the way.
Jiang Lin and the Seven-Colored Egg followed at a leisurely pace.
Listening to the words of these crawling crabs, the Seven-Colored Egg felt a bit overwhelmed.
Would even these little fellows prepare gifts?
Before, when it heard Ao Bai say that the banquet would last at least seven days, and that various races from the Four Seas and Eight Desolations would attend,
It hadn't felt much.
But at this moment, seeing the entire busy Dragon Palace, and the various little shrimp discussing this matter everywhere,
It finally felt a sense of unreality.
It realized that it seemed to be the protagonist of the banquet.
This banquet...
It would probably be grander than it had imagined.
The Seven-Colored Egg quickly flew forward, staying close to its master's side.
One of its claws hooked onto Jiang Lin's hem.
As if this way, it could peacefully enjoy these nervous, yet somewhat joyful emotions.
It seemed like...
It had received a protagonist's script!
Outside, it was protected by its master.
Upon returning to the Dragon Palace, it was staged as a true dragon's return, with a grand banquet.
After that, it should begin its true growth path.
Its strength would skyrocket.
And then, someone would challenge it, or someone would be in trouble.
At the critical moment, it would unleash its newly acquired power and instantly defeat everyone!
"Heh heh... heh heh..."
Jiang Lin glanced at the Seven-Colored Egg, which was grinning foolishly beside him. "..."
Had it turned into a silly dragon?
Just as he was thinking this, a strong gust of wind suddenly came from behind him.
He reacted quickly, pulling the Seven-Colored Egg to the side to dodge.
However, the attacker did not give him time to breathe and immediately pressed forward.
A storm of attacks rained down.
Instantly, the surrounding seawater churned, forming new currents of force.
Jiang Lin, with the Seven-Colored Egg, dodged and defended at times.
Finally, after repelling the opponent once, he found an opening and tossed the Seven-Colored Egg far away.
Even so, he did not dare to relax his vigilance, cautiously dealing with each of the opponent's moves.
Undoubtedly, the opponent was very strong.
And, they were not using their full strength.
If he hadn't already reached the Half-Step Underworld Emissary realm, he would have been in quite a predicament.
Meanwhile,
As soon as the Seven-Colored Egg landed, it prepared to help.
But it was immediately thrown aside by the dark purple figure.
The guiding pufferfish, after a moment of愣愣, its entire body flattened with a 'whoosh'.
It quickly used the gas inside its body to escape, to avoid being accidentally injured.
"..."
Jiang Lin blocked the attacker's move again with a parry.
Looking at how the opponent had thrown the Seven-Colored Egg aside, he understood everything in his heart.
This was a member of the Dragon Palace, specifically coming to fight him.
Did they know about his relationship with the Seven-Colored Egg and were they here to vent their anger?
Just as Jiang Lin was pondering whether the opponent was here to protect their own, or purely to test his strength,
The attacker in front suddenly retreated, flying about five meters away.
It was then that Jiang Lin finally got a clear look at the opponent's appearance.
The youth looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a face like white jade, and two small black protrusions on his forehead.
He wore a dark purple robe, and exuded an indescribable aura.
Very strange.
It was somewhat similar to the aura of their Underworld, but not entirely.
At this moment, the young man retracted his power, cupped his hands towards him, and bowed.
His expressionless face carried a hint of maturity.
"You are strong."
Jiang Lin guessed that the opponent was likely a Dragon Prince, and was about to speak when he heard the other continue,
"I am also strong."
Jiang Lin: "..."
So, what did you come here for?
"My name is Ao Yu."
The youth in dark purple robes looked at Jiang Lin, seemingly just realizing that he hadn't introduced himself yet.
"I am the Seventh Dragon Prince of the Dragon Palace, Ao Bai's elder brother..."
He glanced at the Seven-Colored Egg, which was now pouncing towards Jiang Lin, "And I will also be his brother."
"For all my siblings, I will treat them equally, so you don't need to worry when you leave."
"I am Jiang Lin, from the Underworld," Jiang Lin replied after a moment of silence.
Although what this Dragon Prince had said was not wrong,
He felt something was a bit strange about it?
"Yes, I know you."
Ao Yu said, "Before you arrived, the Ancestor mentioned you to me."
Ancestor?!
Jiang Lin and the Seven-Colored Egg both looked at the young man before them.
Ao Bai's mention of his seventh brother...
Was the Dragon Clan's Ancestor truly still alive?!
The Seven-Colored Egg asked in surprise, "That's an Ancestor! An Ancestor!"
Ao Yu looked at them expressionlessly and replied, "Yes and no."
Seven-Colored Egg: "???"
Thinking about it, it excitedly said, "Then will I have a chance to see the Ancestor?"
Ao Yu: "I don't know. It depends on the Ancestor's consent."
"Then the Ancestor is alive?"
"Yes and no."
"...???"
The Seven-Colored Egg was stunned.
This Dragon Brother seemed to have said something, yet also said nothing.
At this moment, Jiang Lin spoke, "What do you need from me?"
Ao Yu looked at Jiang Lin. It seemed the Ancestor had not said he could reveal anything.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Nothing."
Jiang Lin: "..."
Well, this is how "looking for trouble for no reason" comes about, right?
Ao Yu: "The banquet will begin in a few days, so I won't disturb your tour of the Dragon Palace."
"Farewell."
With that, he cupped his hands, turned, and swiftly disappeared from his spot.
Jiang Lin, Seven-Colored Egg: "..."
This dragon actually knew he was disturbing them?
They thought he didn't have that awareness.
The Seven-Colored Egg held back for a long time, then blurted out, "Was he just here to make a cameo?"
...