After a bit of exploration, Ao Qing quickly discovered that the evolution system was actually quite simple.
As long as he could raise the prestige of the entire dragon clan, he would earn corresponding evolution points, which he could then use to strengthen himself and his subordinates.
In other words, as long as he kept grinding out reputation points for the dragon clan, he and his underlings could keep getting stronger!
"Not bad, not bad—I like this system!"
Ao Qing nodded in satisfaction. He was quite pleased with the system's functions. At that moment, he also opened up his current status panel:
Name: Ao Qing
Title: Newly Appointed Dragon King of the East Sea
Domain: Eastern Seaboard
Forces:
Five-Clawed Golden Dragon ×1
Four-Clawed Golden Dragons ×2
Three-Clawed Golden Dragons ×3
Shrimp Soldiers ×20,000
Crab Generals ×5,000
Reputation: 3 points
Cultivation Technique: Dragon God Codex
Realm: Golden Immortal
Magic Treasures: None
True Form: Six-Clawed Mixed-Element Golden Qilin Dragon
Skills: Thunder Shakes the Heavens, Ice Seals a Thousand Miles
Evolution Points: 0
Dominion Rating: F (Worst Tier)
Even Ao Qing himself couldn't help but smile wryly when he saw the full extent of the East Sea Dragon Clan's forces.
With such strength, they were barely the size of a larger demon lair. No wonder people looked down on the East Sea Dragons—it was only natural they were ranked the lowest in dominion rating.
But Ao Qing firmly believed that, with the system's help, he would soon be able to unite the entire dragon clan and reclaim their former glory!
Just as Ao Qing closed the system, the dragon clan elders quickly leaned in to express their heartfelt support. Their dragon eyes shimmered with fervent anticipation.
Especially the former Dragon King of the East Sea, who was still bound to a massive pillar—he looked the most emotional of all.
"Ao Qing, you've truly grown up. Who would've thought this accident would trigger your evolution into a six-clawed golden dragon! You are the hope of our dragon clan!"
"Indeed, Ao Qing—you're our last hope! I never expected you'd become a six-clawed golden dragon!"
"A six-clawed golden dragon—how marvelous!"
The dragon elders all began chattering excitedly, their emotions surging.
Suddenly, the former Dragon King Ao Guang gave the others a meaningful glance and said, "Ao Qing, as the hope of our clan, we don't have much to offer you. But take this armor as a gift from us."
As he spoke, the Dragon King twisted his body, struggling to pull a scale from his own flesh with a claw. The other elders followed suit, each tearing off their toughest inverse scale and tossing it to the same spot.
These hardest dragon scales quickly gathered into a glowing cluster, shining with radiant seven-colored light. A powerful aura surged within it, stirring deep awe.
Ao Qing was stunned for a moment. Then warmth welled up in his chest.
Having seen Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child, how could he not recognize what these scales were forming?
It was the Ten Thousand Dragon Armor!
In the original story, the dragon clan had pulled out all their inverse scales to forge the armor for Ao Bing, hoping it would help him defy fate and complete his mission…
Ao Qing hadn't expected that his arrival had caused the plot to diverge—and that now, this sacred armor had landed on him.
Just as he was deep in thought, the young Ao Bing transformed into his dragon form and, with great effort, tore off one of his own inverse scales and tossed it into the mix…
As the multicolored light shimmered, the armor made from dragon inverse scales slowly descended onto Ao Qing's body.
Ao Qing instantly felt it—this armor, the Ten Thousand Dragon Armor, was light as cicada wings and weightless.
And he knew full well just how powerful it was. If not for this very armor, Ao Bing in Ne Zha would have died countless times!
The next moment, a pleasant chime rang in his ears:
"Congratulations! You have received the blessing of the East Sea Dragon Clan.
You have acquired the acquired-grade spiritual treasure: Ten Thousand Dragon Armor!"
The glowing armor quietly settled onto Ao Qing like a hidden inner breastplate, making him appear all the more noble and imposing.
"Thank you. I won't let everyone down."
Ao Qing took a deep breath.
In that very instant, he could feel himself fully merging with the original owner of this body. All of the original Ao Qing's deep love for the dragon clan was now his own…
These elders, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals were no longer just NPCs or strangers. They were his kin. His family.
"To defy fate for the dragon clan, is it?"
Ao Qing's eyes gleamed, and at that moment, his gaze landed on the golden pillar behind Ao Guang.
If he remembered correctly, this golden pillar was none other than the Ruyi Jingu Bang—the same staff that suppressed the East Sea in ancient times. Back in the Journey to the West era, it was Sun Wukong's favored weapon, of unparalleled might.
In Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child, this very staff had bound the former Dragon King Ao Guang, keeping him from leaving the area—forcing him to guard the abyss where countless demons were sealed.
If it had been the old Ao Qing, he would have chosen to bide his time, develop in secret, and wait for the right moment to seize glory.
But now? Now that he had a system that rewarded every surge in reputation with more power—why hold back?
This was the perfect opportunity to earn a massive boost in reputation!
And from this day forward, the East Sea Dragon Clan would no longer have to rely on the so-called Heavenly Court!
The days of bowing and scraping to gods and demons were over!
Whoosh!
In a flash, Ao Qing appeared atop the golden pillar, his dragon eyes glowing with determination.
The former Dragon King Ao Guang and the elders suddenly realized what he was planning and jumped up in alarm.
"Dragon King, that pillar is the Ruyi Jingu Bang that suppresses the Eastern Seaboard—it weighs tens of thousands of tons! No one can move it! Don't waste your strength!"
"That's right! Back when the humans expanded their territory and clashed with our clan, their leader Yu the Great brought in this Sea-Fixing Divine Needle to suppress our dragon clan's fate! We elders tried to pull it out countless times… but all in vain!"
"Exactly! If it weren't for that, the Heavenly Court wouldn't have chained your father Ao Guang to the pillar!"
But before they could finish, Ao Guang and the other elders froze in place, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Before their horrified gazes, Ao Qing reached out—and the Sea-Fixing Divine Needle, which had suppressed the East Sea for eons, trembled violently at his touch!