Even a colossal maritime power like Qixia City, which possessed several Totems, would be enormously affected if a new Totem joined. The Ice Dragon had no ambitions; it simply planned to throw in with a giant power and live out its remaining years in peace.

With its strength, being enshrined by Shenyuan City and becoming sworn siblings with its several Totems was indeed no great difficulty.

"Ah," Shi Shuo said blankly.

"Ah what?"

Shi Jin: "...The problem is, Shenyuan City is also a part of Donghuang."

The Frost Dragon: "?"

"Shenyuan City went through a upheaval a thousand years ago and changed Dragon Gods once. The current Dragon God of Shenyuan City is a friend of the Dragon Emperor, another legendary Beast Tamer after Emperor Shi in those days. They once fought side by side... Beyond that, the Sea Dragon King of Shenyuan City is the battle beast of Lin Feng, a legendary Beast Tamer of Donghuang, and its strength reached Totem tier a hundred years ago. And... most of Shenyuan City's Totems have ties of one kind or another to Donghuang."

"As things stand, Donghuang and Shenyuan City are the staunchest of allies, with no distinction between them."

As far as Shi Che knew, certain members of the first game had gotten in precisely because of their connections to Shenyuan City...

The Ice Dragon: ???

Holy shit, was that really the case?

The Ice Dragon was momentarily a little bewildered. In Emperor Shi's time, Shenyuan City and the human race of Donghuang had had no ties at all.

"Well, I'm on very close terms with the Sea Dragon King, and I even have its scale as a token. I'll be visiting Floating Light City before long. How about I make an introduction for you? We can go together then."

Shi Jue did not care whether the Ice Dragon joined Wangjiang City or not. In fact, it would be even better if it did; their network would grow all the larger.

"Ah, this." The Frost Dragon was dumbstruck once again.

"You brat, something's off. Out with it, do you have a favor to ask of me?" The Ice Dragon sensed something amiss.

Shi Qi fell silent.

"...You may not believe it when I say this, but besides you, Chitong has another mother. That mother, however, seems to harbor ill intent and may do Chitong harm. If you could stay in Donghuang, I would be a little more at ease, at least Chitong wouldn't be bullied..."

"Could you bear... to let your daughter be taken from you by someone else?"

"She needs a reliable guardian deity far too much right now."

"After all, that Undying Nether Phoenix looks so fierce and so powerful. We simply can't beat it..."