Inside the treasure vault of the Dragon Palace.

  Xu Fang followed Ao Tingxin's lead as they entered.

  He had no interest in the Ruyi Jingu Bang; that was meant for Sun Wukong. Now that Ao Tingxin was offering him a magical item, he naturally wouldn’t refuse. After all, he was preparing to help her deal with the Nine-Headed Monster, and it wouldn’t do to leave empty-handed.

  However, as he stepped into the treasure vault, his expression darkened involuntarily. He couldn't help but mutter, “This old dragon king is really a money-grubber!”

  Outside, it was rumored that the treasures of the East Sea Dragon Palace were countless, and Xu Fang had believed that too. But after his first glimpse of the resplendent Dragon Palace, he had already felt a twinge of disdain.

  Now, upon entering the vault, he was utterly disappointed.

  The Dragon Palace treasure vault appeared grand and radiant, but once inside, Xu Fang quickly realized that most of its contents were mundane gold, silver, and jewels, along with some common ornaments. As for genuine treasures, there were hardly any worth noting.

  He picked up a Fang Tian Hua Ji (方天画戟) and swung it a couple of times before putting it back down. This weapon was merely a postnatal artifact, not even worthy of being called a spiritual treasure. Weighing over three thousand jin, Xu Fang even wondered if he'd break it in half while wielding it.

  He glanced at a Nine-Loop Sabre, which weighed over four thousand jin, and discarded it without a second thought.

  As he continued to browse the various weapons, Xu Fang shook his head repeatedly. It seemed that the East Sea Dragon Palace was merely famous for its name, but its actual treasures were unimpressive!

  He couldn’t fathom the old dragon king’s thoughts; his strength was mediocre and his treasures meager, yet he acted like a nouveau riche!

  Ultimately, Xu Fang settled on a bright silver long spear, which was a postnatal spiritual treasure.

  “This spear will do,” he decided. As he tested its feel, he found it had a good weight—estimating around thirty to fifty thousand jin—though its only virtue seemed to be its heft.

  Outside the East Sea Dragon Palace.

  A man with an unsettling appearance and wearing a nine-winged crown stood waiting, exuding a sinister aura.

  This man was the Nine-Headed Monster, a powerful being at the late stage of the True Immortal realm!

  As Xu Fang emerged with Ao Tingxin, the Nine-Headed Monster's eyes lit up when he spotted her. A broad smile spread across his face as he advanced, saying, “Princess, you are as beautiful as ever! Today, I have come to propose to you.”

  With a flourish of his sleeve, he conjured a large array of gifts that spread out before the Dragon Palace, nearly blocking the entrance. It was quite a spectacle!

  Despite his charming demeanor, the Nine-Headed Monster's words dripped with a bully's malice.

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  Ao Tingxin’s expression darkened at his antics. Ignoring him completely, she turned to Xu Fang and said, “Noble immortal, that is the scoundrel!”

  Xu Fang nodded, gesturing for Ao Tingxin to step back. “Put away your gifts. The princess wouldn’t even glance at such trifles. You should prepare something more worthy!”

  It was at this moment that the Nine-Headed Monster noticed Xu Fang standing behind Ao Tingxin. His brows furrowed slightly, but when he realized that Xu Fang was merely at the early stage of the True Immortal realm, his frown relaxed. “Tingxin is a noble princess of the dragon clan, and I am a descendant of the Nine Infants. You, a nameless True Immortal, have no right to interject. Get lost!”

  Xu Fang let out a cold laugh. “Hmph, I may be nameless, but you’re just a lowly creature, a descendant of the Nine Infants. What gives you the audacity to think you’re worthy to pursue the Fourth Princess of the Dragon Palace?”

  As soon as he finished speaking, the Nine-Headed Monster's face darkened. He had never been insulted like this since his birth! Anger surged through him. “You’re asking for death, and I shall grant it!”

  With a roar, he surged through the water, drawing a golden crescent-shaped spade from his side, slashing it toward Xu Fang in a furious attack!

  Xu Fang remained calm, raising his right hand to reveal the bright silver long spear!

  With a swift motion, he thrust the spear forward!

  A flash of cold light erupted as the spear shot forth like a dragon from the depths of the sea!

  The Nine-Headed Monster scoffed, dismissing Xu Fang’s attack. With his late-stage True Immortal cultivation, he could easily crush this insignificant junior. As a descendant of the Nine Infants, he possessed unparalleled spells; even an ordinary Xuan Immortal would struggle against him!

  This early True Immortal was but an ant, destined to be killed!

  As his thoughts raced, the crescent spade aimed to collide with the bright silver spear!

  But Xu Fang’s eyes gleamed with determination. This was his first battle since crossing over, and he was determined to give it his all!

  With a shake of his palm, he channeled immense magic power into the spear, reinforcing his strike!

  In the time since his arrival, he had been signing in daily, accumulating attributes. Though the gains had been modest, they had added up, pushing his abilities beyond those of a standard True Immortal!

  Boom—

  The two weapons clashed!

  The Nine-Headed Monster’s expression changed dramatically as he felt an overwhelming force, like a towering mountain, erupting from the spear's tip!

  Despite his late-stage True Immortal cultivation, he found himself unable to budge that immense power even slightly!

  In the next moment—

  Xu Fang’s spear flicked upwards, sending the Nine-Headed Monster’s crescent spade flying!

  “Ugh—”

  The Nine-Headed Monster grunted, his hands trembling and his palms bleeding!

  Glancing at his hands, he felt a surge of pain.

  Xu Fang’s gaze hardened as he pressed the attack, launching the bright silver spear again with the intent to pierce the Nine-Headed Monster through!

  “Damn it!”

  Seeing the spear coming again, the Nine-Headed Monster ignored the pain in his hands and quickly dodged!

  However, Xu Fang was relentless, closing in on him like a shadow!

  A chill crept into the Nine-Headed Monster’s heart as he swiftly tilted his head to the side!

  Swish—

  The spear skimmed past his ear, drawing a line of blood that quickly mingled with the seawater.

  “That was close!”

  The Nine-Headed Monster thought to himself, his eyes now filled with a fierce glare as he regarded Xu Fang.

  This little early True Immortal had actually injured him in just one exchange!

  But before he could react, Xu Fang didn't give him a moment’s respite. In a flash, the spear lunged at him again!

  The sound of the spear cutting through the air echoed, and the water churned violently, shaking the entire East Sea!

  The Nine-Headed Monster’s eyes widened, and his breath quickened!

  “I must retreat!”

  In an instant, seeing the spear’s tip closing in, he had no time to think and swiftly retreated!

  The Nine-Headed clan, descended from one of the Ten Great Demon Saints of the Demon Clan during the ancient war, excelled in aerial combat. In the water, their strength was diminished by at least thirty percent!

  If he stayed in the East Sea any longer, he might very well die at the hands of this insignificant early True Immortal!

  “Brat, if you have the guts, come out and fight me!”

  The Nine-Headed Monster shouted back, not forgetting to provoke Xu Fang as he made his escape!