As they spoke, the sky suddenly changed, wind and clouds churning as countless bolts of lightning crashed down, covering a sea region stretching ten thousand miles.
Kui Ox abruptly raised his head and let out an earth-shaking "Moo~." His eyes turned silver-white, and the surrounding lightning streamed into his mouth like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, absorbed by him.
The remaining lightning struck the sea, raising towering columns of water with thunderous booms. The columns exploded, turning into a downpour that pattered down from the sky.
Bai Jin immediately said, "Quick, hide beneath the water."
Kui Ox immediately carried Bai Jin beneath the surface.
"Roar~"
"Roar~"
"Roar~"
Angry dragon roars rang out one after another. Divine dragons burst from the ocean, each trailing a column of water behind it. The water columns crashed back into the sea as several dragons circled above the ocean.
Demonic clouds churned overhead, and several thousand members of the Demon Race appeared within them, letting out strange howls of "Awo~ Awo~."
At their head stood a young man with flames burning atop his head. Clad in crimson armor, he looked like a god of fire.
Light flashed over the dragons' bodies, and they transformed into half-dragons with human bodies and dragon heads.
The Old Dragon King, dressed in a dragon robe, said coldly, "Bifang Demon God, do not push us too far."
Bifang Demon God, clad in crimson armor, chuckled and said indifferently, "Old Dragon King, those who understand the times are the wise ones. The Demon Emperor desires your Nine Dragon Carriage; it is your honor. If you refuse to offer it up, there will be no Dragon Race left in the prehistoric world."
The Old Dragon King said furiously, "Impossible! At worst, we will head to the Eastern Azure Dragon Realm."
Beneath the sea, Bai Jin quietly asked, "Have you heard of the Nine Dragon Carriage?"
Kui Ox shook his head.
Bifang Demon God stroked the flames rising from his head and said, "If you head to the Eastern Azure Dragon Realm, you will have to abandon the Four Seas. Can you bear that?
"I will give you three more days. After three days, give me your answer: offer up the Nine Dragon Carriage, or go to war."
Several thousand demon soldiers shouted excitedly, "War!"
"War!"
"War!"
Bifang Demon God turned around. The demon soldiers immediately parted to either side, opening a passage. Bifang Demon God entered it, and the demon soldiers closed ranks, riding their demonic clouds into the sky.
Beneath the sea, Kui Ox said angrily, "Senior Brother, they attacked us just now."
Bai Jin nodded. "Of course I know. But can you beat them? The Demon Court has three hundred and sixty-five Demon Gods, all in the Great Luo Realm!"
Kui Ox fell silent. Only after a moment did he say, "But isn't Senior Brother here?"
Bai Jin rolled his eyes. "I'm not even as strong as you!"
Kui Ox asked doubtfully, "Senior Brother, didn't you say Saint disciples were impressive? Why do we seem completely unimpressive?!"
"Isn't Master not yet a Saint? Relax. Once Master becomes a Saint, we'll be awesome."
"Oh!" Kui Ox answered softly.
The Old Dragon King turned to look toward the western sea and said, "Which fellow Daoist is present? Please show yourself."
Kui Ox whispered, "Senior Brother, I think they found us!"
Bai Jin said, "Then let's go out."
Kui Ox carried Bai Jin up from beneath the sea and headed toward the Dragon Race.
Ao Guang's eyes suddenly widened. Pointing at Bai Jin, he shouted, "Imperial Father, it's him! He's the one I told you about."
The Old Dragon King came to a realization and said with a smile, "Thank you, little friend, for saving my son."
Bai Jin said modestly, "Even if I had not saved him, he would not have been in danger."
The Old Dragon King smiled. "But he would have suffered a little."
He gestured with one hand and said, "If you have nothing else to do, little friend, would you care to visit the Dragon Palace for a chat?"
Thinking of the Nine Dragon Carriage they had mentioned earlier, Bai Jin nodded. "Then I shall gladly accept."
The group parted the seawater and headed toward the seabed. They entered the East Sea Dragon Palace and took their seats as host and guests in the main hall. Kui Ox lay behind Bai Jin while clam maidens brought wine and delicacies.
The Old Dragon King said with a smile, "I heard that you recently acquired an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Congratulations!"
Bai Jin's expression shifted. "Your Majesty the Dragon King wishes to take this Innate Spiritual Treasure?!"
The Old Dragon King burst into laughter. "You misunderstand, little friend. Treasures under heaven belong to those with virtue. Since that Innate Spiritual Treasure came into your possession, it is naturally fated with you. This old dragon would certainly never commit such robbery. Besides, my Dragon Race possesses the riches of the Four Seas and countless treasures. A mere Innate Spiritual Treasure is not worth mentioning in this old dragon's eyes!"
Ao Guang curled his lip. He's boasting again. If you can take out a second Innate Spiritual Treasure, I'll admit defeat.
Bai Jin's expression also turned strange. If I hadn't seen Ao Guang's greedy face when he saw the Innate Spiritual Treasure, I might really have believed him. This Old Dragon King has quite the thick skin!
The Old Dragon King said apologetically, "Because of my Dragon Race, little friend was caught up in that attack. This old dragon offers his apologies."
Bai Jin immediately said, "It is not the Dragon King's fault. The Demon Race is simply far too overbearing now."
The Old Dragon King said helplessly, "Above the thirty-third heaven stands the supreme Demon Court. Dao Ancestor Hongjun decreed that demons govern the heavens, so naturally they have the capital to be overbearing."
Bai Jin asked doubtfully, "Dragon King, you do not seem anxious at all. You even have the leisure to entertain this poor Daoist."
The Old Dragon King shook his head and sighed. "What use is anxiety? The situation is stronger than us. I have already decided to take my dragon sons and descendants to the Azure Dragon Realm."
Bai Jin asked curiously, "What exactly is this so-called Nine Dragon Carriage?"
The Old Dragon King said slowly, "In the past, Ancestral Dragon commanded the Four Seas and suppressed heaven and earth, standing as the foremost of all scaled creatures. The countless scaled races worked together to forge a Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage as Ancestral Dragon's vehicle. Thus, the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage became a symbol of Ancestral Dragon's status.
"Later, during the Dragon-Han Calamity, Ancestral Dragon died in battle, and the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage was stored away in the treasury. I do not know where the Demon Emperor learned of it, but he ordered us to offer up the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage as a sign of submission."
Ao Guang cursed angrily, "Damn Demon Race!"
Joy rose in Bai Jin's heart. It really is the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage. In myth, the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage was Primordial Lord of Heaven's vehicle, but there were many different stories about where it came from. Some said Primordial Lord of Heaven forged it himself. Some said Dao Ancestor Hongjun refined it. Others said Primordial Lord of Heaven stole it from the Dragon Race.
Now Bai Jin knew. The Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage had once been Ancestral Dragon's vehicle. No, I have to get it. First Martial Uncle has his crimson robe, and Master has Kui Ox as his mount. If only Second Martial Uncle has no gift, won't he make things difficult for me? Gifts cannot just be given at random; the recipient has to like them. At least for now, nothing is more suitable than the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage.
Bai Jin immediately said furiously, "The Demon Race has gone too far! Old Dragon King, a warrior may be killed but never humiliated. Let us fight them!"
The Old Dragon King smiled awkwardly. "We can't beat them!"
Bang! Bai Jin slammed his palm onto the table. The Old Dragon King jumped in fright, and Kui Ox also sprang to his feet, his bull eyes wide.
Bai Jin shouted angrily, "Even if we can't beat them, we have to fight! Are we supposed to let those demons ride on our heads and shit and piss on us?"
The Old Dragon King's eye twitched twice. Why does he seem more agitated than I am?
Ao Guang looked at Bai Jin suspiciously. What bad idea is he plotting now? And who said you were one of us? You stole my Innate Spiritual Treasure. From now on, we are through. You are you, and we are us.
Bai Jin abruptly stood up and declared angrily, "Old Dragon King, I'll lead the charge. We'll storm the Heavenly Court, slaughter the demons, destroy the Demon Emperor, and show the Demon Race the spirit of our Dragon Race.
"As the saying goes, every family gets its turn on the throne. Today, we will overturn the Demon Court and let our Dragon Race reclaim its place as the protagonists of heaven and earth."
Before you continue