Candle Dragon Visits East King Duke

Above the East Sea Penglai Immortal Island.

Inside the main hall of the Immortal Court, East King Duke was handling various matters concerning the Immortal Court.

Just then, East King Duke suddenly sensed something and stopped what he was doing.

He raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of Restrictions of the Immortal Court, and looked towards the East Sea.

A familiar yet unfamiliar aura was slowly approaching from afar.

It felt familiar because the owner of this aura had fought alongside him.

It felt unfamiliar because this aura was far, far weaker than the last time.

"Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon?"

The expression on East King Duke's face instantly became complicated.

"Well..."

He sighed, stood up, and vanished from the main hall in a flash.

The next moment, he appeared at the entrance to Penglai Immortal Island.

In the distance, on the horizon, an aged figure was seen walking slowly and steadily across the waves.

East King Duke's brows furrowed unconsciously.

The situation was worse than he had imagined.

He quickly went to meet him.

"Fellow Daoist, your presence is an honor to have me greeted. I have failed to welcome you properly."

East King Duke stepped forward and bowed to Candle Dragon.

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist."

Candle Dragon nodded slightly to East King Duke, as if to offer a salute.

"I have come uninvited, and I hope you will not take offense."

"Fellow Daoist is joking."

East King Duke composed himself and stepped aside in a gesture of invitation.

"This is not the place to talk. Please, fellow Daoist, enter the hall for a chat."

Thank you for your help.

Candle Dragon didn't stand on ceremony and followed East King Duke step by step toward the main hall of the Immortal Court.

The two remained silent the entire way, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

Soon, the two returned to the main hall of the Immortal Court.

After the two were seated, a maid served them Immortal Tea.

The East King Duke dismissed his attendants, leaving only the two of them in the main hall.

"Fellow Daoist, your body..."

East King Duke couldn't help but ask.

Candle Dragon waved his hand, his face expressionless.

"Fellow Daoist, my time is running out."

His tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

But East King Duke could sense the resolute determination and composure hidden beneath that calm.

This guardian deity of the Dragon Clan has accepted his fate.

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need for this. Perhaps there's still a chance."

"Hehe."

Candle Dragon chuckled softly and shook his head.

"I know my own body best."

"The Immortal-Demon War and Origin Essence has depleted their very essence, leaving them on the verge of exhaustion."

"Now, it's just clinging to its last breath, barely clinging to life."

Candle Dragon did not continue on this topic, but went straight to the point.

"Fellow Daoist, I've come specifically to tell you something."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak."

"Ao Hai is currently in seclusion at my East Sea Dragon Palace, attempting to break through to the Quasi-Sage Realm."

"This is a good thing," said the East King Duke.

"With Ao Hai's talent, coupled with the blessing of my Immortal Court's Fortune..."

"Once you decide to take this path, I think it won't be long before you succeed."

Candle Dragon continued.

"If he succeeds in breaking through this time, he will stay with the Dragon Clan, oversee the East Sea, and will not return to the Immortal Court."

Upon hearing this, the East King Duke nodded without hesitation.

"That's how it should be."

He wasn't surprised; this was a condition agreed upon in the original deal.

The Dragon Clan paid such a high price, betting their last reserves, just to secure a Dragon Clan where a Quasi-Sage would be in charge.

Now that Ao Hai is going to break through to that realm, he should naturally stay in the Dragon Clan.

Once he achieves his goal, he will become the new pillar of the Dragon Clan, and he will no longer be content to remain in the Immortal Court as a mere protector.

He looked at Candle Dragon and said solemnly.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I, the East King Duke, always keep my word."

"As long as Ao Hai can reach the Quasi-Sage Realm, he will be the King of the Dragon Clan, the Lord of the Dragon Clan, and my Immortal Court will not interfere."

"Good."

A look of relief appeared on Candle Dragon's aged face.

This is one of his biggest concerns.

He worried that the East King Duke would be unwilling to release Ao Hai because of his potential.

In retrospect, I was overthinking it.

"Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist." Candle Dragon's voice carried a hint of sincere gratitude.

He knew that a Quasi-Sage warrior was an immeasurable asset to any power.

The fact that the East King Duke was able to keep his promise so readily completely put his last lingering concerns at ease.

"Fellow Daoist, I have one last request."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely; there's no need for such formalities."

"I hope that after I pass away, you, my fellow Daoist, will consider our past relationship and show some favor to the Dragon Clan."

The East King Duke remained silent.

Involuntarily, the scene of the Immortal-Demon War flashed through his mind.

That battle was so fierce that the sky darkened and the sun and moon lost their light.

He admitted that he had underestimated Di Jun and the Demon Clan at the time.

The power of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array exceeded his expectations.

On several occasions, the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation was nearly breached.

If it weren't for Candle Dragon leading those old Dragon Clan, desperately stabilizing the formation and using their own Origin Essence to replenish its energy consumption, it wouldn't have been possible.

The outcome of that battle was truly hard to predict.

Perhaps, even before the Saint Nuwa makes a move, his Immortal Court will already be defeated.

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

East King Duke stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting to Candle Dragon.

Our two races are allies; we share both prosperity and adversity.

"Taking care of the Dragon Clan is simply my duty."

"I can assure you, fellow Daoist."

"As long as my Immortal Court exists, I will protect the Dragon Clan!"

"From now on, anyone who dares to be so foolish as to bully the Dragon Clan will be an enemy of my Immortal Court!"

"I, the East King Duke, will personally lead the Immortal Court's army to seek justice for the Dragon Clan!"

Candle Dragon listened quietly, and finally a slight expression appeared on his aged face.

It was a sense of relief, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted.

His biggest worry upon arriving here was that after his death, the Dragon Clan would lose its last protection.

Now, with the promise from the East King Duke, he can finally rest assured.

"Good."

"With your words, fellow Daoist, I am relieved."

He stood up and bowed deeply to the East King Duke.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

East King Duke quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you doing? Please rise."

"It's what I should do," Candle Dragon shook his head.

"My Dragon Clan thanks you for your kindness, fellow Daoist."

Everything has been settled, and my wish has been fulfilled.

Candle Dragon had no more worries.

"Everything has been said, and I should go back now."

East King Duke nodded and did not try to stop him.

He knew that Candle Dragon wanted to go back and witness Ao Hai's breakthrough, and protect him.

He personally escorted the Candle Dragon out of the main hall, all the way to the edge of Penglai Immortal Island.

As they parted, East King Duke looked at Candle Dragon's disappearing figure and suddenly spoke.

"Fellow Daoist."

The Candle Dragon turns its head.

The East King Duke looked at him and said in a deep voice.

"When that day comes, fellow Daoist, please... be sure to inform me."

"At that time, I will definitely go to the East Sea in person to see you off on your final journey."

Candle Dragon's body trembled slightly.

He stared blankly at the East King Duke, a complex light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

There was surprise, there was emotion, and there was also a sense of relief as a strong person.

After a long while, he nodded heavily.

"Good."

As soon as he finished speaking, Candle Dragon stopped and his aged figure transformed into a streak of light, resolutely plunging into the vast East Sea and disappearing from sight.

The East King Duke stood there, silent for a long time.