Who Did She Learn That From

"How I found out is none of your business! The point is, I know! Before you went in, you didn't ask for her permission—you just let her in directly!"

Quentin Lian shot the Celestial Emperor a sideways look. "And why did she go in? She was saving your son! She rushed back in a panic, saying she needed to get a Golden Immortal Swallow Nest—a legendary medicinal treasure—to refine a Divine Crimson Pill, the top-grade healing elixir!"

Quentin Lian pointed at Sean Shaw. "Now your son is perfectly fine, but here you are, trying to settle scores with me!"

Sean Shaw's expression shifted slightly as he looked over at Lucia Lu.

He knew she’d refined the Divine Crimson Pill for him, but he hadn’t realized it was so dangerous.

That place held a monster capable of wiping out the entire Divine Realm...

Lucia squirmed under his gaze, glancing away.

Celestial Emperor: "Regardless, you still let her in! So your so-called rule isn’t set in stone, is it?"

"The rules are set in stone," Quentin Lian replied. "She went in to get the swallow nest—not to see anyone!

If you wanted to go in for a swallow nest—I still wouldn’t let you! The Golden Immortal Swallow Nest belongs exclusively to our Spirit Alliance."

"Ah!" The Celestial Emperor sighed helplessly and looked to Lucia Lu for help: "Lucia, could you try persuading your Divine Father for me?"

Lucia glanced at the Celestial Emperor, then at her father, and said, "Oh, I just remembered—I need to see Elder Yu about something. You two go ahead, I’ll excuse myself for a bit."

She darted off in a flash.

The Celestial Emperor pointed after her, "Who did she learn that from?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Why are you all looking at me?" The Celestial Emperor snorted. "Hmm, well... Sean, go bring her back!"

Sean Shaw nodded and headed out.

Once the two younger ones had left, the Celestial Emperor sighed and said, "Looks like unless I get something out of you, you’re not going to budge."

Quentin Lian calmly sipped his tea. "Your Majesty, you’re overthinking."

"Then I’ll tell you," said the Celestial Emperor. "But this matter is truly unbelievable. If word gets out, it could cause panic in all Three Realms—so I must ask you to keep it secret."

Quentin Lian frowned in confusion.

...

Of course, Lucia Lu wasn’t actually going to see any Elder.

She ran to the lakeside and whistled.

Immediately, a school of Zao Fish—a rare spirit fish with wing-like fins, prized for alchemy—surfaced, mouths wide open, waiting for her to feed them.

Lucia took out her pouch of fish feed and sprinkled it for them; they happily scrambled and swam around for it.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her pouch.

It was Sean Shaw.

Lucia glared at him. "What are you doing?"

He grabbed a handful of feed and tossed it into the water.

The fish glanced at him, silently swam over, and took the feed into their mouths.

Lucia stepped back two paces.

Sean found her reaction odd. Suddenly, the fish sprayed water—mixed with feed—straight at him.

The water shot out like arrows, the feed like arrowheads, and the force was surprisingly strong.

Sean flicked his sleeve, blocking all the water arrows.

But as he used his power, he couldn’t help but leak a bit of dragon aura. The Zao Fish sensed it—and darted away in a flash.

Looking back, Lucia was grinning from ear to ear. "Did you really think they’d eat from just anyone’s hand?"

"Are they your spirit pets?"

"They’re my medicinal materials!" Lucia replied. "They’re called Zao Fish—every part of them is precious: meat, bones, swim bladder, even their excrement, all top-grade ingredients."

Sean said, "If they heard you say that, I doubt they’d stick around to be raised by you."

"Nope! They know they’re medicinal," Lucia said. "Every time I come to catch one, they say goodbye to each other in advance."