Chapter 498: Chapter 497 Defend the Bottom Line

“The Human Emperor sure knows how to jest. I, Old Dragon, just need a good rest and a good sleep. Death is still a long way off.” The Old Dragon King laughed heartily, struggling to rise as if to prove his vitality.

The old Dragon King sat on the edge of the bed, his whiskers trembling, his body swaying like a pendulum, seeming like he might return to bed at any moment.

“I… I can still live for two hundred years, two thousand years…”

A foul odor emitted from the Old Dragon King’s mouth, so pungent that even various kinds of incense could not cover it.

As the Old Dragon King’s emotions fluctuated, his body began to sweat increasingly. The maids took turns wiping it away, but they couldn’t keep up.

“Get out of my sight!” The Old Dragon King, deeming the maids useless, exploded in anger. An appalling aura emanated from him, threatening to fling the maids through the air.

Jiang Li’s face showed pity. He stepped forward and gently held down the Old Dragon King’s wrist.

These maids could not withstand a casual hit from the Old Dragon King.

Jiang Li waved his hand, instructing the maids to leave. The current Old Dragon King was very dangerous. If this continued, the maids would not just disappear, but truly die.

“Old Dragon King, if you want to live, you must face the reality that your life is nearing its end.”

“I told you, I can still live a long time!” The Old Dragon King was afraid of death and firmly denied reality.

Jiang Li sighed softly, leading Li Nian’er, Ao Chengcheng, and Mo Ruoyu away.

“I will await you at the birthday banquet.”

Before parting, Jiang Li left only these words, leaving the vast palace with the Old Dragon King alone.

The path back to the banquet was silent.

Li Nian’er lightly bit her lip, feeling that the previous scene had subverted her cognition. She murmured quietly, “Grandpa Dragon was not originally like this…”

Jiang Li nodded, “Five hundred years ago, when I traveled the East Sea, I met the Old Dragon King. He was then a low-key man, generous in giving and loved to help others. He treated people kindly, didn’t judge heroes by their cultivation levels, and didn’t discriminate against humans. His attitude towards me was the same as towards his own sons and daughters.”

“However, his current state doesn’t surprise me.”

Li Nian’er was puzzled.

Jiang Li turned his head to look at Li Nian’er and continued, “Who can truly face life and death? Knowing that the end is near, it is only natural for one’s mindset to change.”

“Especially for those who have lived a long time. The longer they live, the more they fear death. They have enjoyed the prosperity of the world and its wonders, so they want to prolong their lives and continue to enjoy life. In this process, their hearts may become distorted and deformed.”

“This is the ‘Discontent with One’s Position’ in the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.”

“Regardless, the Old Dragon King has preserved the bottom line of being a creature. He is a senior who deserves respect.”

With the Old Dragon King’s lifespan of two thousand eight hundred years, it’s sure that he knows how to practice demonic cultivation. Regardless of whether the demonic cultivation could help him break through the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, he never chose to try. This is quite rare.”

Jiang Li had seen too many cultivators who were nearing their end and made monstrous choices.

Li Nian’er nodded thoughtfully, feeling that Uncle Jiang was talking about the Old Dragon King’s matters but also seemed to be teaching her something.

…

The Old Dragon King rested his head against the bedstead, his eyes dull.

Of course, he knew he was dying. He knew his body better than anyone else.

But he didn’t want to believe it, nor did he dare to.

He knew he would die one day, but he hadn’t expected it to come so quickly. It seemed like just yesterday when he was competing for the fifty-second Human Emperor’s position, only to be defeated by the brilliant girl.

The Old Dragon King instinctively stroked his beard. After a few strokes, he lowered his head to look at his white beard, no longer the vigorous dragon clan’s pride of his imagination but an old dragon emitting a foul odor.

“Two thousand years… Qing Luo, have I been losing to you for so long?”

The name of the fifty-second Human Emperor was Qing Luo.

The Old Dragon King often found himself lost in illusions, returning to the era when a dozen candidates competed for the Human Emperor’s position. He defeated other candidates over and over again, but he could not escape his destined fate and lost to Qing Luo.

Even so, the Old Dragon King liked to indulge in these illusions, enjoying the reunions with old friends, reveling in the joyous times of crying and laughing with friends.

More than two thousand six hundred years had passed. All his old friends had disappeared in the long river of time. Even Qing Luo, the only one who managed to break through the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, had fallen under the claws of the extraterritorial Heavenly Demon.

Only he was left.

“More than two thousand six hundred years have passed. Even the old Buddha has passed away on the top of Mount Sumeru. The only one who witnessed my growth must be Commander Liu.”

“All my old friends could not stand the test of time and turned into dust. What more could I ask for?”

“It’s laughable that I, at this age, am not willing to face reality, making myself a laughingstock in the eyes of the younger generation.”

“It’s about time, I should attend the birthday banquet.”

Leaning on his walking stick, the Old Dragon King shuffled towards the birthday banquet.

As soon as the Old Dragon King appeared, the lively banquet instantly quieted down. The smell from the Old Dragon King was so repellent that no incense could mask it, and everyone could see that the Old Dragon King was not in a good condition.

The Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

All the sea races had the same thought. They realized the Old Dragon King was about to die – today might be his birthday, but also the day of mourning.

For the sea races, the Old Dragon King was indispensable. They had all benefited from the Old Dragon King’s blessing in one way or another. Seeing him in such a state, they knew the Old Dragon King was truly at his end.

The sea races instinctively looked at Jiang Li, hoping that this mighty Human Emperor would find a way. But they saw him looking composed, undisturbed, with no intention of intervening.

All these changes happened within a few breaths. After those few breaths, the sea races carried on with the feast, toasting and celebrating the Old Dragon King’s two thousand eight hundredth birthday as if they did not smell anything unpleasant.

The atmosphere got more joyous than before.

They hoped the Old Dragon King would leave with a smile.

The East Sea Dragon King recited his well-rehearsed birthday wishes, enlivening the atmosphere.

Then it was time for the gift-giving ceremony.

“The East Sea Dragon Clan offers Grandpa Dragon a set of bronze lotus lamps as a birthday gift. Wishing grandpa Dragon blessings as boundless as the four seas.”

“The Eastern Sea Dragon Clan offers Grandpa Dragon twelve Luminous Pearls as a birthday gift. Wishing Grandpa Dragon eternal clarity.”

“The Golden Clam Clan offers Grandpa Dragon three drops of Essence of Moonlight as a birthday gift. Wishing Grandpa Dragon a blissful heavenly life.”

“The Mermaid Clan offers Grandpa Dragon a box of premium Mermaid’s Tears as a birthday gift. Wishing Grandpa Dragon endless happiness.”

“…”

“The Body-incorporating Sect offers Grandpa Dragon a set of Real Dragon Body-incorporating practice methods as a birthday gift. Wishing Grandpa Dragon eternal longevity.”

The Old Dragon King could barely keep his eyes open. After taking his place at the banquet, he had kept his eyes closed, half-asleep, half-awake. Upon hearing Li Nian’er’s clear and vibrant voice, he forced his eyes open slightly, a bit of greed showing in his gaze.

Youth, vitality, such beautiful words.

“I remember you, the children of Xiao’er and Chengcheng’s family… Come, let Grandpa Dragon take a good look.”

The Old Dragon King wanted to beckon, but sadly he didn’t have the extra strength. He could only bend his fingers a few times, serving as a gesture to beckon.