But things didn't go as smoothly. The old Dragon King and many dragon elders deliberated for three to four days, yet they still hadn't given Zhou Yan a response.
Zhou Yan and Jin Ye waited, believing the old Dragon King surely had his own considerations.
"Why don't I go and talk to my father again?" Jin Ye said with some urgency.
"No need. Your father is a prominent figure. Once he makes a decision, it will undoubtedly affect the entire dragon race. So let's just wait. I'm sure we'll hear news soon."
Zhou Yan could understand the old Dragon King's concerns, so he wasn't particularly impatient. He was also awaiting the old Dragon King's decision.
That evening, Jin Ye received a telepathic message from the old Dragon King and happily said, "My father has summoned us."
"Let's go. It seems we have an answer," Zhou Yan said, leading Jin Ye to the dragon race's grand hall. An Tian and Liu Li also followed.
On both sides of the hall sat the dragon elders. Zhou Yan cupped his hands towards these dragon elders and said, "Greetings, everyone."
The old Dragon King nodded and then said, "We've called you here to inform you that Dragon Island cannot enter your territory."
"Is that so? What a pity," Zhou Yan said, genuinely surprised. He had thought this matter would be successful, but to be rejected, he hadn't expected that.
"Father, why? Such a good opportunity," Jin Ye truly didn't understand.
The old Dragon King smiled and then said, "Although Dragon Island will not enter your territory, all dragons of the dragon race can join your territory." the old Dragon King reiterated.
Zhou Yan was clearly taken aback upon hearing this. He was utterly surprised, never having expected the old Dragon King to make such a decision. Zhou Yan asked in confusion, "Why would you do that?"
"You find it strange, don't you? I know your thoughts and understand your meaning, but I also have my concerns."
"It's true that if the entire Dragon Island were to relocate to your territory, you could indeed break the seal on Dragon Island."
"However, it's precisely because of this that I cannot do so," the old Dragon King began to explain.
This left Jin Ye utterly perplexed. "What do you mean? It seems there's no difference."
"No, the difference is huge," the old Dragon King shook his head and continued to explain. "Once the seal on Dragon Island is broken, that supreme being from the Immortal Realm will detect it, and then you will be in danger. Before you have grown strong enough, it is best for Dragon Island to remain as it is."
Upon hearing the old Dragon King's words, Jin Ye and Zhou Yan finally understood. It turned out the old Dragon King didn't wish to move Dragon Island into Zhou Yan's territory, but rather, he couldn't.
With Zhou Yan's current strength, he was no match for that supreme being from the Immortal Realm. Once the seal on Dragon Island was broken, the supreme being of the Immortal Realm would surely find Zhou Yan and utterly eliminate him before he could grow strong.
Wouldn't that be harming Zhou Yan?
It was precisely because of these numerous considerations that the old Dragon King felt he couldn't break the seal on Dragon Island. Instead, it was sufficient to have all the younger generation within Dragon Island join Zhou Yan's territory.
Seeing so many pure-blooded and powerful dragon descendants, the old Dragon King and the dragon elders were greatly comforted. They seemed to foresee the moment when the dragon race would finally break free from the seal.
Zhou Yan naturally understood the old Dragon King's worries and felt they were not without reason. He even more so felt that the old Dragon King's words were very wise. With their current strength, they were considered overlords in the lower realm.
But in the God Realm, in the Immortal Realm, they had no foundation.
They would eventually ascend, so this point had to be considered.
"Then you could also come to my territory," Zhou Yan suggested.
"Hahaha," the old Dragon King laughed, still refusing, "I am the Dragon King of Dragon Island. If even I leave, they will still sense it."
"Not just the Dragon King, but all of us need to remain on Dragon Island so that the supreme being of the Immortal Realm has no reason for suspicion."
"We cannot let your efforts be in vain. We need to stay here and ensure that your affairs are not discovered."
The surrounding dragon elders also spoke up one after another.
"Apart from us old fellows, I will send all the dragons and dragon descendants to your territory. I truly wish to witness the moment of the dragon race's resurgence to glory," the old Dragon King stated his plan.
This was the decision made by the old Dragon King and others after many days of deliberation.
Besides these dragon elders, all hope was placed on Zhou Yan. This was a momentous decision, a decision that concerned the survival of the dragon race.
If they failed, when their lifespans ran out, it would likely be the moment the bloodline of all dragons in the lower realm would be extinguished.
Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't let them act rashly."
Zhou Yan wouldn't allow these dragons to make a move unless absolutely necessary. However, it was fine for some to appear, especially those with impure bloodlines, the sub-dragons. There would be no problem at all. Zhou Yan would consider this himself.
The old Dragon King produced a dragon whip, emanating a powerful divine light.
"This is a dragon artifact, the Nine Dragon Whip. I now bestow it upon you. From this moment on, you are the new Dragon King of the dragon race!" The old Dragon King handed the Nine Dragon Divine Whip to Jin Ye.
"Father!" Jin Ye's small dragon claws gripped a weapon longer than himself, filled with complex emotions.
Jin Ye could not refuse, nor could he refuse. This was his destiny, and it was something he had to do. Only he could lead these dragon powerhouses and rally these dragons.
"I believe you will become a qualified Dragon King."
After speaking, the old Dragon King handed Jin Ye a set of divine armor. This entire set was divine, and only dragons could use it. Other races could not use or activate it at all.
Following that, the old Dragon King said to Zhou Yan, "I have a set of quasi-divine artifact armor from the dragon race. I will give it to you now. This set of quasi-divine armor was made from the shed scales of powerful dragons."
A complete set of armor appeared before Zhou Yan, including gauntlets, a helmet, chest armor, leg armor, and boots.
"Thank you, Dragon King!" Zhou Yan was truly delighted and thanked him profusely.
Zhou Yan was indeed very happy. This was quasi-divine artifact armor, and it was a complete set! This would definitely boost his combat power by several times.
With this armor, Zhou Yan could challenge several demigod-level powerhouses simultaneously.
A dragon's roar echoed throughout Dragon Island. All the dragon powerhouses on Dragon Island, whether they were sleeping or cultivating, all headed towards the palace.
Giant dragons flew towards them in droves. It was a spectacular sight, and something truly awe-inspiring.
These were all the dragon powerhouses on Dragon Island. They had all been gathered by the old Dragon King, who then explained everything to them, instructing them to all follow Zhou Yan and leave Dragon Island.