Chapter 497: Chapter 496: The Five Declines of Man and Nature

Jiang Li often changed his surname and appearance for a reason, his presence was enough to make people disregard everything else.

Looking at these people’s expressions, Jiang Li wanted to remind them that this was the Dragon King’s birthday banquet, not his.

“Is Grandpa Dragon’s health not good? Then quickly contact Uncle Su Wei from Alchemy Peak.” Li Nian’er believed there was no pill that Su Wei couldn’t create, no disease he couldn’t cure.

The East Sea Dragon King simply shook his head, offering no explanation.

…

“What birthday gifts have you prepared?”

The dragon clans gathered in groups, eager to know each other’s gifts before the birthday celebration.

“Twelve Luminous Pearls, each with a radius of two inches.” One of the dragon princes slightly opened the gift box, revealing a faint green glow.

Such a large Luminous Pearl, given a little refinement, could be turned into a decent Spiritual Treasure or decoration.

It was something the prince had painstakingly located in his territory.

“Mine might not be as impressive as yours, just a reverse scale left by a true dragon.” Another dragon prince claimed his gift was less impressive, but his heart was actually leaping in excitement.

A true dragon’s reverse scale was much more valuable compared to the Luminous Pearl.

“See my longevity peaches, eat one, and you can extend your life by twenty years.”

“None of your gifts are heartfelt. At the once-in-a-decade birthday banquet, there are always these kinds of things.”

The dragon princes sneered, “Then what do you want to give to Grandpa Dragon? Show us.”

“It’s a Clear Fragrance Pill, personally crafted in the Red Crow Furnace. When carried on one’s person, it emits a faint fragrance that suppresses all odors.”

“What’s the use of this?” The dragon princes were dismissive, they wouldn’t even want this useless pill even if given for free.

“This you probably don’t know, I paid a hefty sum to a maid of Grandpa Dragon to get a tip, apparently Grandpa Dragon has recently taken a liking to these fragrant curiosities.”

“In terms of value, the Luminous Pearl and reverse scale are definitely more valuable than my Clear Fragrance Pill with pill markings, but what’s the use of that if it doesn’t cater to his preference? It’s all in vain.”

This prince wasn’t worried that they would change their gifts. Although the fragrant items weren’t valuable, they were rare. They wouldn’t possibly be able to find some on a whim.

“Are you sure about this information? I heard that Grandpa Dragon has been switching his maids recently. The old maids always mysteriously disappear and new maids are constantly being recruited. Could it be that your maid is newly recruited and doesn’t know Grandpa Dragon’s preferences, and merely made up something to swindle you?”

“That’s impossible.” This prince felt guilty because after the maid gave him the information, she quickly became unreachable, and a new maid replaced her.

“Maids disappearing?” Li Nian’er frowned.

“It’s Sister Nian’er.” All the princes were polite to Li Nian’er. As the daughter of a true dragon and a unique woman in the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, she was more precious than all of them combined.

In front of Li Nian’er, they didn’t dare to brag about their gift, because whatever the daughter of the Transcendence Tribulation Stage presented as a birthday gift would undoubtedly be much more valuable than theirs.

“What’s the matter with the maids disappearing? Can you explain in detail?” Li Nian’er sensed a big problem.

“Well…” The princes looked at each other.

“We were just casually mentioning it, don’t take it seriously.”

“Recently, rumors have been spreading from somewhere, saying that Grandpa Dragon’s lifespan is nearing its end, and in order to break through the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, he was bewitched by the demonic path, and has killed a lot of maids. To cover up this news, the East Sea Dragon King announced that the maids were missing. But how could all the maids go missing? Several batches of maids have gone missing.”

“That’s impossible, Grandpa Dragon isn’t that kind of dragon.” Li Nian’er shook her head hard, refusing to believe their words. Grandpa Dragon was a very kind dragon, he couldn’t do such a thing.

“That’s why we said it’s a rumor, don’t take it seriously. But the disappearance of the maids is true.”

Li Nian’er felt that this matter was not simple, and there might be a huge secret hidden behind it. She didn’t investigate it alone, but ran directly to Jiang Li and told him what she had heard.

Ao Chengcheng and Mo Ruoyu were also listening on the side.

“So, what do you think is the connection between the old Dragon King and the disappearance of the maids?” Jiang Li asked with a smile.

“I…I don’t know.” Li Nian’er’s tears welled up in her eyes, anxiety gripping her. Deep within, she felt that the rumor might be true — that the Dragon Grandfather had been practicing dark arts. But emotionally, she refused to believe it.

Those at the Body Integration Realm could live up to two thousand years, the Dragons were no exception. Lifespan Extension Pills and other longevity resources could further extend this life expectancy by eight hundred years.

The aging Dragon King was indeed nearing the end of his lifespan.

That was why Li Er objected to attending the longevity feast.

The lifespan of those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage would make the old Dragon King green with envy.

“Human Emperor, my father requests your presence,” the East Sea Dragon King respectfully invited Jiang Li.

“Good, Nian’er, you come too. Meet your Dragon Grandfather.”

Jiang Li led Li Nian’er, Ao Chengcheng, and Mo Ruoyu to the old Dragon King’s sleeping chamber.

The chamber was in stark contrast to the outside world — it was deathly quiet, without the slightest sound.

The moment Li Nian’er stepped into the chamber, she was hit with a powerful stench.

The fragrance itself was pleasant, but the mix of different aromas resulted in a bizarre, off-putting scent.

And the source of this aroma was the old Dragon King himself.

The aging Dragon King appeared wilted, surrounded by various spices.

The king’s body was slick with sweat. Maids bustled about wiping his skin clean, but barely a moment passed before new beads of sweat would emerge.

This was certainly not the normal condition for those at the Body Integration Realm.

Li Nian’er was about to say something when Jiang Li signaled her to stay silent.

“Old Dragon King, how have you been feeling lately?” Jiang Li cheerily sat by the bed and began making small talk with the king.

“Not too bad, just a little weak and some mood swings. Probably because I haven’t been getting enough rest.”

“Then you should rest more, it will surely get better.”

“Your concern is appreciated, Human Emperor. Speaking of which, you used to be at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, could you share how to break through?”

“That might be difficult. The method to breakthrough the Transcendance Tribulation Stage is understood, not told. Nevertheless, why not contemplate on it yourself?” Jiang Li brushed off in laughter.

“I can’t figure it out.”

“Think harder.”

“I really can’t figure it out, can you just tell me?”

“I’m afraid I can’t.”

The old Dragon King looked old and haggard. Wrinkles had spread across his face; he seemed to frown in dissatisfaction at Jiang’s straightforward refusal, or perhaps he simply wanted Jiang Li to leave.

“In that case, I kindly ask you to leave, Human Emperor.”

Despite being dismissed, Jiang Li didn’t seem bothered nor showed any signs of leaving. He remained serious and asked, “Old Dragon King, do you know you are dying?”

Ao Chengcheng and Mo Ruoyu widened their eyes, shocked at Jiang Li’s blunt words.

Be it them, the East Sea Dragon King, or Li Nian’er, all of them — being at the Body Integration Realm — knew that the ancient Dragon King was nearing the end of his lifespan. He was covered in filthied sweat, emitting stench, and abruptly changing their attitudes… These were signs of impending death.

The old Dragon King refused to admit his impending death. He used these spices to mask his stench, ordered the maids to wipe his sweat, and prevented any information about his condition from reaching others. Any maid who leaked information would be banished by the East Sea Dragon King to hidden residences, cut from the outside world, only to be released after the Ancient Dragon King had passed.

The old Dragon King’s refusal to admit his condition led to a silent consensus among the others. They acted as if everything was normal, even held a normal longevity feast.

Who would’ve thought that Jiang Li would shatter this illusion?

For a many beats, the chamber fell silent.