Is It Worth It

Candle Dragon spoke slowly, his voice completely devoid of emotion.

"Fellow Daoist, how do you wish for my Dragon Clan to assist your Immortal Court?"

Upon hearing this, the East King Duke was greatly relieved, knowing that the matter was settled.

"I need fellow Daoists, as well as Dragon Clan Daoists from the Dragon-Han Tribulation."

"When the great war begins, bring the Dragon Clan and lend a helping hand to my Immortal Court!"

Candle Dragon's golden eyes were fixed intently on East King Duke.

"No."

"We old folks already suffer indelible damage to our Dao."

"Now we're merely clinging to life, using this broken body to buy the Dragon Clan race a few more days."

You want us to go to war?

"Apart from myself and a few elders, the rest of the old dragons..."

"I'm afraid that after this battle, I will perish on the spot due to the depletion of my Origin Essence!"

"My Dragon Clan cannot afford this price!"

"Fellow Daoist, are you asking me to sacrifice the last vestiges of my Dragon Clan to your Immortal Court?"

Candle Dragon paused for a moment, then presented his conditions.

"I can send my other Dragon Clan elites, as well as the aquatic creatures of the Four Seas, to form a large army to assist your Immortal Court in battle."

"Hehe."

East King Duke shook his head and let out a soft chuckle.

"Fellow Daoist, you're not being sincere."

"Ordinary Dragon Clan and aquatic creatures, no matter how many come, are nothing more than cannon fodder in a battle of this level."

"How can it be of any help to my Immortal Court?"

"Only you, fellow Daoist, and a few elders from your Dragon Clan who survived from the Dragon-Han Period."

"This is true help for my Immortal Court!"

"Fellow Daoist, your concern is simply that once you join the war, it will hasten your demise, and you will no longer be able to protect the Dragon Clan."

Candle Dragon remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Upon seeing this, East King Duke immediately offered his own chips, his voice full of allure.

"I understand that."

"I can promise you, fellow Daoist, that as long as my Immortal Court exists, it will protect your Dragon Clan."

"Our Immortal Court will spare no effort to nurture Ao Hai."

"Once he advances to the Quasi-Sage Realm, I can even allow him to return to the Dragon Clan and wield great Dragon Clan!"

"Fellow Daoist should understand one principle!"

"Now, your Dragon Clan and my Immortal Court are inextricably linked, sharing both prosperity and ruin!"

"If our Immortal Court is defeated, Ao Hai and his fellow Dragon Clan elites will lose the protection of the Immortal Court's Fortune."

His cultivation has stagnated from this point onward, making further progress extremely difficult!

"At that time, your Dragon Clan will truly have lost its last shred of hope!"

"After all..."

"You older generation can't protect the Dragon Clan for much longer."

"Fellow Daoist, I have shown you my full sincerity."

"You can think it over carefully."

The main hall was deathly silent.

Candle Dragon Inner Struggle between his inner conflict and his own will.

He knew that what the East King Duke said was true.

The Dragon Clan have no way out.

This high-stakes gamble began the moment they chose to join the Immortal Court.

Candle Dragon remained silent for a long time, so long that East King Duke thought he was going to refuse.

For a long, long time.

Candle Dragon let out a long sigh, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

"Good."

"I agree to your request, fellow Daoist, and will lend you a hand."

"However, I also have my conditions!"

Candle Dragon's voice became extremely solemn.

"If your Immortal Court is unfortunately defeated in this great battle, then all is lost, and my Dragon Clan will accept defeat!"

"But if your Immortal Court wins, you must keep your promise and help Ao Hai reach the Quasi-Sage Realm at all costs!"

"Furthermore, Ao Hai and the other Dragon Clan elites will absolutely not participate in this war between the Immortal Court and the Demon Clan Race!"

Candle Dragon stared intently at Dong-Wanggong and uttered his final condition.

"After this battle, my Dragon Clan will select another group of elite disciples."

Join the Immortal Court and enjoy Immortal Court Fortune!

"After all, my Dragon Clan has staked our last reserves this time, and the price we've paid far exceeds your imagination."

"These are what my Dragon Clan deserves!"

"Good!"

The East King Duke agreed readily and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

"I agree to all of your conditions, fellow Daoist!"

"Then it's settled."

"To show my sincerity, Ao Hai, please stay with the Dragon Clan for now."

"Once I return to the Immortal Court, I will immediately send the other Dragon Clan elites back to the East Sea."

"Once this great battle with the Demon Clan race is over, we will allow them to return to the Immortal Court and continue their cultivation."

He looked at Candle Dragon with a gentle smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist, are you satisfied with my sincerity?"

Candle Dragon gave him a deep look.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist."

"This time, my Dragon Clan will spare no effort to assist your Immortal Court."

"My Dragon Clan has staked everything."

"I hope you won't let me, or the entire Dragon Clan, down."

"Fellow Daoist, please rest assured," said the East King Duke with complete confidence.

"This time, my Immortal Court will absolutely not be defeated!"

"I have come to seek your assistance this time, fellow Daoist, merely to devise a foolproof plan, just in case."

"With the help of fellow Daoists and the Dragon Clan, even if the Saint Nuwa were to disregard her status and lend a hand to the Demon Clan..."

"Our Immortal Court also has the power to fight!"

"Moreover, the Dao Ancestor has Imperial Edict Saint are not allowed to arbitrarily interfere in the conflicts of the Primordial Wilderness."

"As long as we don't go too far and don't wipe out the Demon Clan, even the Saint Nuwa might not intervene."

Candle Dragon simply said, "I hope so."

"Hahaha!"

The East King Duke laughed loudly.

"Then I will be at Penglai Immortal Island to welcome you, fellow Daoist!"

Goodbye!

"Fellow Daoist, please take care."

Candle Dragon gazed in the direction where East King Duke had departed, remaining silent for a long time.

Once the aura of the East King Duke had completely dissipated, Ao Hai quickly returned to the main hall.

He gazed at Candle Dragon's aged and weary back, his heart filled with mixed emotions, and finally couldn't help but speak.

"Ancestor!"

"Our Dragon Clan has expended such a tremendous cost to aid the Immortal Court..."

Is it really... worth it?

Candle Dragon did not turn around; he simply looked up at the dazzling pearl atop the Crystal Palace.

It was as if through it, one could see the distant past and the uncertain future of the Dragon Clan.

"Ao Hai."

"As long as you can advance to the Quasi-Sage Realm."

"Then everything we've done now has been worthwhile."

His voice carried a resolute tone.

"We old folks are the past of the Dragon Clan, a dying candle about to be extinguished."

"And you are the Dragon Clan's present, their only hope!"

"At that time, my Dragon Clan will have you, as our new Quasi-Sage, for protection."

"Even if all of us old guys die, it will be worth it."

"So, Ao Hai..."

"You must work hard and absolutely not waste this opportunity that we risked our lives for."

Ao Hai trembled violently, staring blankly at Candle Dragon.

He finally understood completely.

This isn't a transaction; it's a high-stakes gamble.

They used the frail bodies and lives of these older generations to fight for a slim chance of the Dragon Clan's continuation.

Ao Hai's eyes instantly reddened, and he suddenly knelt down, kowtowing heavily to Candle Dragon.

"Rest assured, Ancestor!"

His voice choked with emotion, yet carried an unprecedented resolve.

"Ao Hai will certainly live up to your expectations!"

"I will definitely advance to the Quasi-Sage Realm!"

"Good!"

Candle Dragon nodded, and a relieved smile finally appeared on his aged face.

"I'm relieved to hear that."

"You should stay in the clan and focus on your cultivation during this time."

"We'll return to Immortal Court after the great battle is over."

"Yes, Ancestor."

"Ao Hai, I understand."