Eastern Emperor Retreats, Dragon Race Seeks Someone

Eastern Emperor Taiyi was filled with doubt.

Yet seeing the other's earnest vow and that faint, elusive smile at the corner of his mouth—

He recalled Nuwa's earlier words about being possessed by a murderous star.

Most crucially, all of that had been taught by her mysterious master.

If he provoked one such figure, and the other's daughter had already become a disciple—

Once that master emerged from seclusion and learned the full story, He might well storm the Demon Race in a fury.

Another god of slaughter like Nuwa would appear.

And one with a grudge against the Demon Race, no less.

The mere thought of it was utterly terrifying.

So he spoke directly.

"What you say—is it true?"

The East Sea Dragon King pointed up at the sea surface above.

"Do you truly believe our Dragon Race could have silently annihilated the entire Demon Race in an instant?"

At this, Eastern Emperor Taiyi fell into thought.

If this were the Dragon Race from the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, it would certainly be possible.

But the Dragon Race of today was truly in decline.

Many powerful dragons had perished in the final battle of the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation.

Those left behind were all weaklings.

The Demon Soldiers he had brought were at least Golden Immortals from the start.

To kill them all without a trace—that method was indeed difficult.

After weighing the matter, Eastern Emperor Taiyi finally relented.

If these people were lying to him, at worst he would capture them all and turn them into Demon Race slaves or mounts.

But if they were deceiving that one—given Nuwa's bloodlust, her master would likely leap out with a single blade stroke.

He might even slaughter the entire Dragon Race outright.

They wouldn't be foolish enough to do such a thing.

Having said that—

"I'll spare you this time, but the Demon Race will not die for nothing."

He turned to leave, but the West Sea Dragon King couldn't help speaking up.

"If you don't want them to die for nothing, go take revenge on that Great Power. What's the point of blustering here? Say that again, and you might find yourself left here in the South Sea."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi paused mid-step. Though anger flared, a golden light shot from beneath his feet as he fled toward the Heavenly Court like his life depended on it.

Watching that figure—pretending to be calm yet flying faster than anyone—

The Dragon Kings exchanged glances, then breathed a sigh of relief.

But the East Sea Dragon King was full of worry.

He had borrowed the tiger's skin to wave the banner, but he had no idea what the future would bring.

He turned to look at Ancestor Ying Long.

Ying Long's face was also troubled.

"Let's return first and discuss this."

The Dragon Kings all nodded.

Back in the Dragon Palace, Ying Long let out a sigh.

"Since we've spoken thus, let's gather all our kin here in the South Sea. We'll settle here from now on."

"Though the Four Seas are under our watch, we can't guarantee the Demon Race won't strike in the shadows, like just now."

"So we'll hide here in the South Sea. If that Senior blames us, we'll have nothing to say."

Rather than be enslaved or turned into mounts, they would rather die.

Besides, even if Ying Long went to the Heavenly Court, Di Jun would treat him with courtesy.

If he died, the Dragon Race's fate would likely be no better.

As they sat in heavy silence, A white figure flew straight into the Dragon Palace.

"Father, I have found the location of that Senior's dojo."

The East Sea Dragon King watched his daughter arrive in such a hurry.

He let out a sigh, then sat back down in his seat, propping his forehead on his hand.

"Your father already knows—your injuries were healed by that Great Power."

"Caizhu, do you still feel any discomfort in your body now?"

Ao Caizhu, hearing this, finally took a look at herself.

There was no discomfort at all, and she even felt a faint sense of nearing a breakthrough.

Then she looked at her father before her, shook her head, and spoke.

"Father, why don't we go seek out that Senior?"

At just that one sentence, the atmosphere instantly froze. Go now? Wasn't that asking for death?

"It's not that we don't want to, but we just borrowed that Senior's name to scare off Eastern Emperor Taiyi. If we go now and the Senior takes issue with us, how would we handle it?"

Hearing this, Ao Caizhu furrowed her brows tightly, then said.

"Father, uncles, and Ancestor—since we've already made this mistake, why not go to that Senior's domain, find him, bow our heads in apology, and offer gifts? Perhaps we can earn forgiveness."

"If we keep dragging this out, and the Senior finds out, won't we be in a passive position?"

The Dragon Kings sat there, already troubled for a long time.

Finally, Yinglong slapped his hand down.

"Enough. Caizhu is right. We should go confess our fault—this might leave the Dragon Race a path to survival."

"By now, Eastern Emperor Taiyi likely believes we have that one's protection. If our Dragon Race survives this and endures in the South Sea, there will always be a day for us to rise again."

"Alright, let's each return to our Dragon Palaces and retrieve the treasures. We'll offer all the treasures our race has gathered over these years to that Senior—that should earn forgiveness."

Hearing this, the Dragon Kings exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

They each prepared to go back and fetch their treasures—partly to retrieve them, and partly to bring all their treasures and clansmen here to the South Sea.

To keep them from being taken by others.

After all, these were the treasures they had accumulated over so many years.

Then Yinglong sat there, looking at Ao Caizhu.

"Caizhu, come here. I have something to ask you."

Ao Caizhu stayed behind. She had found that path, but had never voiced her request, leading to this situation.

A hint of regret stirred in her heart—she should have pushed through and spoken her plea back then.

"Ancestor, please ask whatever you wish."

Yinglong nodded, then asked curiously.

"That Senior—what kind of person is he?"

What kind of person?

Ao Caizhu shook her head.

"At the time, I only caught a glimpse before passing out. There was a great formation on that island—the moment I entered, I felt the presence of death."

"If that Senior hadn't saved me, I might have died by now."

Just as she was about to say more, Ao Caizhu's face suddenly flushed.

Though she had fainted, she had felt something—as if someone had touched her.

Even though she had reverted to her original form, the thought that it might have been that Senior who touched her...

Her face couldn't help but redden.

Yinglong frowned in thought.

If he were a killer, he wouldn't have saved anyone—he'd have let her die in that formation.

Not only did he save her, but he also healed all of Caizhu's injuries.

From that, it seemed he was a benevolent sort.

Though not certain, it gave them some measure of confidence.

"Caizhu, you'll need to lead the way this time. Do you remember the location?"

Ao Caizhu nodded. Of course she remembered that place.

After searching there for so long, she knew exactly where it was.