Ao Hai Leaves His Seclusion

East Sea.

Inside the Dragon Palace.

Ao Hai finally emerged from his seclusion.

Upon seeing Ao Hai emerge from seclusion, Candle Dragon suddenly burst into laughter. His laughter echoed in the empty hall, carrying an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"Ao Hai, you've finally emerged from seclusion!"

"Not bad! Quasi-Sage Realm! You've finally taken this step!"

Candle Dragon strode forward and sized up Ao Hai.

"If you don't come out of seclusion soon, I'm going to force my way in and wake you up!"

Ao Hai bowed respectfully to Candle Dragon.

"Greetings, Ancestor."

A sense of foreboding rose in Ao Hai's heart.

The Ancestor valued his cultivation most, unless something truly terrible happened.

It is absolutely impossible for him to say that he wants to break out of his secluded place and awaken himself.

"Ancestor, has something serious happened?"

"Yes."

The smile on Candle Dragon's face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

Something big has indeed happened.

"The Immortal Court and the Dragon Clan are about to go to war with the Demon Clan."

Ao Hai's body jolted violently.

"What?"

"How could this happen? Why did war break out?"

Everything was fine before he went into seclusion; the Immortal Court and the Demon Clan Race kept to themselves. How come they're suddenly going to war?

A deep sense of powerlessness appeared on Candle Dragon's face.

"Our Dragon Clan and the Immortal Court have been betrayed."

"Di Jun's son died in the East Sea."

"The East King Duke's Evil Corpse killed eight, and the last one died on my Dragon Clan's territory."

Ao Hai's body swayed slightly; the impact of this news on him was even greater than when he himself broke through to the Quasi-Sage.

"What!"

"How so!"

He cried out in a hoarse voice.

"Then we'll be locked in a life-or-death struggle with the Demon Clan!"

"Good."

Candle Dragon nodded, his expression grave.

"This battle is unavoidable."

"Either the Demon Clan perishes, or my Dragon Clan and the Immortal Court perish together."

He looked at Ao Hai in front of him and continued speaking.

"I've already spoken with the East King Duke."

"This time, I am the only one from my Dragon Clan to participate in this battle."

"All other Dragon Clan will not participate in this battle."

"No!"

Without even thinking, Ao Hai immediately retorted.

"Ancestor! How can we send only you!"

"I'm already a Quasi-Sage! I'll go with you!"

"Our Dragon Clan has no reason to let our Old Ancestor fight alone while their descendants hide away!"

"No!"

Candle Dragon resolutely refused.

"You finally became Quasi-Sage, how could I possibly let you fall into danger again?"

"My Dragon Clan has been plotting for so many years, isn't it all so that you can become Quasi-Sage, so that we can protect the Dragon Clan?"

"Now you're sending me to my death? What was the point of everything I did before?"

He pointed at Ao Hai, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Your mission now is not to go and die!

Instead, he led all his people to the Eye of the East Sea!

"Hide there and come out after this Immortal-Demon War is over!"

"If I'm not mistaken, this Immortal-Demon War will ultimately result in mutual destruction."

"Just like the struggle for supremacy among the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans back then, none of them benefited."

"Once they've been crippled, you can bring the Dragon Clan back."

"As long as my Dragon Clan continues to remain hidden in the Four Seas and doesn't go out to cause trouble."

"With you, a Quasi-Sage, in charge, the safety of my Dragon Clan can finally be considered somewhat guaranteed."

Ao Hai's body was trembling slightly.

He understood the meaning behind Candle Dragon's words.

This is someone making arrangements for their funeral.

"Ancestor... and what about you?"

"Once you go to participate in this battle, it's very likely... you won't come back!"

Candle Dragon smiled, a smile full of composure and relief.

"I know."

"From the moment I agreed to the East King Duke's request, I was prepared to die."

Even without this great battle, I wouldn't have lived much longer; this crippled body of mine couldn't hold on any longer.

"Fortunately, you've become Quasi-Sage. With you in the Dragon Clan, I can leave in peace."

"Ancestor, is it absolutely necessary for you to participate in this battle?"

"How about... we hide together in the Sea Eye!"

"No matter how strong the Demon Clan is, can they still find their way into the Sea Eye?"

Candle Dragon shook his head, interrupting him.

"Ao Hai, how do you think you became a Quasi-Sage?"

"If it weren't for the protection of the Immortal Court's Fortune, do you think you could have broken through so smoothly?"

"My Dragon Clan has benefited from the Immortal Court 'Immortal Court Fortune; this is the Karma we owe them."

This Karma must be repaid.

"I am fighting on behalf of the entire Dragon Clan race this time to settle this Karma."

He paused, then continued.

"Besides, if not a single member of my Dragon Clan participates in the war, do you think the person plotting against us behind the scenes would agree?"

"Only Saint can manipulate the Demon Clan and the Immortal Court at will."

"My Dragon Clan is nothing more than a pawn casually included on the chessboard of Saint."

"If I don't go to war, it will only bring greater disaster to the Dragon Clan."

Candle Dragon looked at Ao Hai and a smile appeared on his face.

"I'll trade this old codger who deserves to die, for you, a promising Quasi-Sage, and for the peace of the entire Dragon Clan."

"It was worth it."

"Ancestor..."

Ao Hai wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Candle Dragon.

"Alright, that's enough."

My mind is made up.

"Go now and lead the Dragon Clan to the Sea Eye."

"My people, we have been ready for a long time."

Ao Hai looked at Candle Dragon, and finally, he knelt down heavily and kowtowed three times to Candle Dragon.

"Yes."

"Ancestor."

He stood up, said no more, and turned to walk out of the palace.

Soon, under Ao Hai's leadership, countless Dragon Clan began to migrate towards the East Sea Eye.

The entire process was completely silent.

Watching the last member of his clansman disappear from sight, Candle Dragon withdrew his gaze, turned around, and flew alone towards Penglai Immortal Island.

Penglai Immortal Island.

Inside the main hall, the East King Duke stood with his hands behind his back, waiting quietly.

The space rippled slightly, and the figure of Candle Dragon appeared inside the hall.

The East King Duke looked at him and spoke.

"Fellow Daoist, you've finally arrived."

"It seems that Ao Hai has successfully advanced to Quasi-Sage."

Candle Dragon nodded.

"Indeed, Ao Hai has advanced to Quasi-Sage."

"Old Dragon, my wish has been fulfilled."

"Now I can fulfill my promise to my fellow Daoist without any reservations."

A look of joy appeared on the face of the East King Duke.

"Good!"

"In that case, let us await the arrival of the Demon Clan!"

Candle Dragon nodded, then closed his eyes and remained silent, quietly awaiting the inevitable final battle.