Summoners: One Golden Term per Level

East Sea Dragon Palace, Crystal Discussion Hall.

The Luminous Pearls embedded within the dome cast a soft yet icy light, illuminating the dozens of Dragon Race elders standing sternly below.

The atmosphere was as heavy as the Xuanbing beneath the sea. The air was suffused with an intangible pressure and suspicion.

Ao Lie was coiled on the left side of the main seat, his massive Dragon Body appearing tired, but those dark golden Dragon Eyes were as sharp as knives, fixed tightly on the Dragon Maiden suspended on the Cold Jade Throne opposite.

Beside him, several trusted elders also had hostile gazes.

”Your Majesty, Dragon King, esteemed elders!” Elder Qiu Long, aligned with Ao Lie, was the first to challenge, his voice resonant yet filled with doubt, ”Elder Ao Qing has fallen in the Ancient Abyss, under suspicious circumstances.

Elder Ao Lie ventured to Kunpeng Nest and finally gained something using the Spiritual Treasure River Map and Luo Book.

At the place of demise, beyond the Ancient Abyss’s malevolent aura, lingered an extremely bizarre, absolutely non-Dragon Race aura.

This aura is insidiously discreet and deeply entwined with the cause of Elder Ao Qing’s death! Dare I ask, Your Highness Dragon Maiden, how do you explain this?

You were nearby in the Ancient Abyss overseeing defenses at the time, were you... truly unaware?”

The criticism was bluntly directed at the Dragon Maiden.

Several powerful Dragon Soul thoughts focused on the Dragon Maiden, like spotlights, laden with scrutiny and suspicion.

The Dragon Maiden sat serenely on the Cold Jade Throne, silver scales flowing with a cold radiance.

Faced with the storm of questioning, her expression was calm, neither joyful nor sorrowful, except for the profound depths of her Dragon Eyes.

The power of [Deceiving Heaven and Sea] was operating at its zenith.

Her aura, her emotions, her Dragon Soul fluctuations flawlessly fused with the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the Crystal Palace under the Cold Jade Throne symbolizing East Sea’s authority.

”Explanation?” The Dragon Maiden slowly spoke, her voice clear and carrying an inherent authority, with the faint aura of [Celestial Destiny Dragon Master] quietly enveloping her, lending a hint of compelling force to her words.

”Elder Qiu Long’s words leave me quite puzzled.”

Her gaze swept across the assembly, finally landing on Ao Lie: ”What Elder Ao Lie pursued is merely a strand of indistinguishable, unidentified foreign aura. The Ancient Abyss is a forbidden land of our kind and the relic of an ancient battlefield, with thousands of mysterious auras lingering.

Is it surprising if there are unrecorded foreign auras remaining?

Is it possible, on the basis of a single aura, to conclude that Elder Ao Qing died in conspiracy?

Or to question my guard of this position handpicked by the Dragon King and jointly approved by the Elder Council, accusing me of betrayal?”

Her tone turned cold, tinged with a just right touch of anger: ”I stationed at the Ancient Abyss to stabilize the dragon race’s Eastern Border, defending against threats from the Abyss.

The accidental fall of Elder Ao Qing caused me profound grief, and I immediately locked down the information, stabilized the situation, personally ventured into peril to inspect and eliminate hazards, and took over his duty without the slightest negligence.

Elder Qiu Long, jumping to conclusions before me and the esteemed elders, questioning my honor and duty, what is your intention?

Could it be that you feel our Dragon Race’s internal discord is insufficient, and wish to further disrupt the morale of our Eastern Sea Army at the Abyss’s behest?!”

Every word was resounding, every sentence touching the heart! The Qi Fortune of [Celestial Destiny Dragon Master] magnified the weight of these words dramatically.

Many elders who originally held neutral or observant stances showed subtle changes in their eyes. The Dragon Maiden’s actions after Ao Qing’s demise were indeed commendable, beyond reproach.

Ao Lie’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, he spoke in a deep voice: ”Your Highness, calm down.

Elder Qiu Long is mindful of his elder, and his words may have been urgent, but the aura is anything but ordinary.

Its nature, pure and sinister, impossible to possess by inanimate remnants of the Ancient Abyss.

If Your Highness has a clear conscience, would you dare open the records of several decades of activity to prove your innocence?”

He cut to the chase, outright requesting an examination of the Dragon Maiden’s activity! This meant placing her under intense scrutiny.

These words caused an uproar within the hall. Examining the activity records of a Dragon Son, especially one as a strong contender for Dragon King’s successor, is a tremendous sign of distrust and offense.

The Dragon Maiden coldly sneered inside, but [Deceiving Heaven and Sea] kept her appearance serene as water, even carrying a hint of offended chill: ”My activities involve dragon race secrets, how can they be exposed to others lightly?

Elder Ao Lie, you, today insist on examining my activities, based solely on an aura difficult to verify.”

”Then, should I anticipate each day that an unwarranted charge will be leveraged to Slay any Dragon Son, allowing those close to you to garner more resources.”

”I must inquire, are you truly intent on uncovering Elder Ao Qing’s death was fate, or are you taking this opportunity to shake the dragon race’s foundation, striving to seize power for your Ao Lie faction?!”

She deftly exchanged the ”grasping for power” accusation back.

Simultaneously, she hinted at Ao Lie’s actions’ impropriety and the potential danger within!

”You!” Ao Lie was incensed, his Dragon’s Might escaped uncontrolled, yet it was steadily countered by the increasingly evident Qi Fortune of [Celestial Destiny Dragon Master] emanating from the Dragon Maiden.

”Enough!” At the top of the throne, the Golden Immortal Dragon King, who had appeared to be asleep with closed eyes, finally opened them.

His gaze was calm yet contained an abyss-like dignity, immediately suppressing all disruptive Dragon Might and thoughts within the hall.

He slowly cast his gaze over Ao Lie and the Dragon Maiden, his voice deep like thunder from the deep sea: ”Ao Qing’s fall is indeed a tragedy for our race. It is right to seek the truth, but unwarranted speculation without evidence cannot be accepted.

Bring forth the aura, I will request the Human Emperor Palace for extrapolation. The Dragon Maiden has meritoriously guarded and should not be lightly insulted.”

Ao Lie shook his head and said: ”It cannot be, as the Dragon Maiden is friendly with the Human Emperor Palace, it would surely be concealed; hence, why I ventured to Kunpeng Nest initially!”

”Then I will request the Bai Ze lineage’s assistance, I have some acquaintance with the Golden Immortal there!”

The Dragon King’s gaze finally landed on Ao Lie with a hint of warning: ”This matter will be entrusted to the ’Hidden Scale Guard’ for a covert investigation.

The Dragon Maiden’s activity records shall only be accessed with the consent of myself and the Elder Council.

Ao Lie, if you are truly concerned for your brother, focus on recuperation. The defense of the Ancient Abyss shall temporarily be fully managed by the Dragon Maiden, and now disperse.”

The Dragon King made a definitive ruling, seemingly impartial, but in reality, favoring the Dragon Maiden.

Not only did he reject the examination request but also entrusted the vital command of the Ancient Abyss defense entirely to the Dragon Maiden.

The elders aligned with Ao Lie’s faction looked sullen.

”Submit to the Dragon King’s command.” The Dragon Maiden bowed, her posture respectful, yet she felt no relaxation in her heart.

She knew Ao Lie would not cease.

The Dragon King’s reference to ”covert investigation” itself was a signal that he harbored suspicions, just lacked evidence.

And she was absolutely not someone who would remain idle and await her fate.

Returning to her meticulously guarded private chamber within her guarded palace, the Dragon Maiden gestured and established layered spatial barriers. She coiled herself in the center, Dragon claws sculpting in the Void as the faint glow of [Cosmic Star Track] danced across her scales.

A secretive communication spanned the vast space, connecting to Fuxi City.

”Master, Ao Lie sought Kunpeng Nest for extrapolation.

Though lacking tangible proof, his hatred remains undying.

The Dragon King ordered a covert investigation. Ao Lie’s faction will surely have movements soon, I need irrefutable evidence of their collaboration with the Abyss, or threats to Dragon Race, to Strike them decisively!” the Dragon Maiden’s voice declared sternly.