Desperate Measures! Creation Water Spirit!

The atmosphere froze, and the space fell silent.

The smiles on Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal's faces abruptly vanished. Together, they turned to Ao Guang, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

The Dragon Clan had languished for hundreds of millions of years. Did they truly not wish to seek a way out?

Ji Meng's thoughts churned, but he quickly raised his voice. "What are the Dragon Kings hesitating over or wary of? My Demon Court is backed by two Heavenly Dao Saints. Are we not worthy of the Dragon Clan's allegiance?"

"The Dragon Clan currently occupies the Four Seas, yet its control over the Four Seas Water Tribes is steadily weakening. If this decline continues, the position of ruler of the Four Seas may no longer belong to the Dragon Clan!"

His words carried both temptation and threat.

So long as the Dragon Clan pledged allegiance to the Demon Court, the Demon Court could take over the Four Seas without lifting a finger. This was a scheme Bai Ze, Ancestor Kunpeng, and the others had devised together to strengthen the Demon Court's foundation.

Yet now, Ao Guang had rejected him so casually. Ji Meng simply could not understand it!

Hearing this, Ao Guang shook his head. "The Demon Court's influence is immense, while my Dragon Clan is merely a race struggling to survive. How could we trouble the Demon Court to such lengths?"

"The Dragon Clan only wishes to guard the East Sea Spring Eye and seek Heavenly Dao merit to cleanse our karmic sin. I ask Senior Ji Meng and Dao Friend Dingguang Immortal not to press the matter further."

"If you two wish to be guests at the East Sea Dragon Palace, we will receive you with utmost hospitality. But if you insist on making the Dragon Clan join the Demon Court, then forget it!"

Compared to the Demon Court, Ao Guang favored the Heavenly Court.

Haotian and Yaochi had once been attendants to Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Now, Ling Xiao, the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, had answered the call of Heaven and followed the Dao, with Zhen Yuanzi, Daoist Hong Yun, and Wangshu supporting him from behind.

Most importantly, Ling Xiao cared for all living beings and would not treat the Dragon Clan as pawns!

But if they joined the Demon Court, Ao Guang knew the Dragon Clan's fate would certainly be no better than that of the Phoenix Clan. They might even be exterminated entirely.

"Arrogant!"

Dingguang Immortal shouted furiously, killing intent surging forth.

"From beginning to end, this Daoist and the Demon Saint have shown nothing but sincerity, yet I never expected the Dragon Clan to be so unable to distinguish good from bad. If you remain so stubborn, do not blame us for being discourteous."

With a flick of his jade sleeve, the East Sea Dragon Palace shook, and a nearby throne crumbled into dust.

Dingguang Immortal considered himself Tongtian's most favored disciple, which was why he acted with such arrogance. Though the Dragon Clan was a race with an inheritance stretching across countless ages, he showed not the slightest restraint.

At once!

Ao Guang and the others slammed their hands on the table and rose, their auras confronting Dingguang Immortal's.

If not for the shackles of the Heavenly Dao restraining them, they would have attained the Golden Immortal of Grand Dao long ago.

In terms of foundation and experience, Ao Guang and the others surpassed Dingguang Immortal. Moreover, they had already planned to visit Ling Xiao at Penglai Immortal Island and then join the Heavenly Court.

How could they possibly yield now?

"Dingguang Immortal, calm yourself!"

"Since the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas have made their choice, let us grant them their wish. However, it will not be long before calamity erupts throughout the Four Seas. When that time comes, I trust you will beg this Saint for help!"

Ji Meng's Mana stirred slightly as he spoke with profound meaning.

Within the East Sea Dragon Palace, he dared not attack the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas. He did not know whether the Dragon Clan still concealed some final trump card. After all, the Primordial Dragon, Candle Dragon, Azure Dragon, and the others had once been renowned figures.

Furthermore, Azure Dragon suppressed the far eastern region of the Primordial Wilderness, making him no small threat to the Demon Court!

Thus, they could only proceed gradually. They could not openly force the Dragon Clan into submission!

Very soon!

Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal left with a sweep of their sleeves, leaving the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas staring at one another.

"They harbor evil intentions, and now they have finally resorted to desperate measures."

"My worthy brothers, immediately summon all Dragon Clan members to the East Sea. If this king's premonition is correct, the Demon Court will incite the Four Seas Water Tribes to attack the East Sea Spring Eye. We cannot allow the sacrifices of our ancestors to be wasted!"

"This king will head to Penglai Immortal Island to pay respects to the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance!"

Ao Guang was beside himself with rage, gritting his teeth.

Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal were treacherous and cunning, which enraged him greatly.

Threats and inducements, blatant extortion.

Based on Ji Meng's words, Ao Guang deduced the Demon Court's scheme. Thus, he made a desperate gamble and ordered the Dragon Kings of the other three seas to gather every member of the Dragon Clan in the East Sea.

"We shall obey Elder Brother's command!"

"A starving camel is still larger than a horse. Our Dragon Clan is not so easily bullied! If the Four Seas Water Tribes collude with the Demon Court, we can use this opportunity to reshuffle the board and restore the Dragon Clan's former glory!"

Ao Run cupped his hands in salute and spoke in a deep voice before departing along the ocean currents.

The other two vanished as well!

Ao Guang handed the affairs of the East Sea Dragon Clan to Prime Minister Turtle, then hurried anxiously toward Penglai Immortal Island.

Little did he know that all of this had been anticipated by Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal.

Beyond Penglai Immortal Island, hundreds of millions of li away.

Dingguang Immortal stood tall and said to Ji Meng, "This Daoist sensed that something was amiss long ago. As expected, Ao Guang and the others harbor rebellious intentions. They actually wish to pledge allegiance to that little thief Ling Xiao."

"I ask the Demon Saint to use his divine ability to trap Ao Guang within that disturbance. So long as Ling Xiao is given no suitable excuse, he certainly will not interfere!"

"No matter what, we are in the right in this matter. If Ling Xiao rashly appears, then I ask the Demon Saint to erase him with a single move. My master will protect you when the time comes!"

Hearing this, Ji Meng nodded lightly.

With a slight stir of Mana, boundless laws swept toward Ao Guang and trapped him in a hidden corner.

Then, Ji Meng secretly observed everything while Dingguang Immortal summoned several Golden Immortal of Grand Dao experts from the Demon Court. Together, they headed into the depths of the Four Seas, directing the Four Seas Water Tribes to prepare a surprise assault on the East Sea Spring Eye.

At the same time.

On Penglai Immortal Island, beneath the Ren Water Peach of Immortality tree.

The blush on Wangshu's beautiful face had yet to fade. Whenever she thought of what had happened within the Pure Creation Dao Palace, she found it difficult to speak of it. Her heart was filled with complicated emotions.

There was regret, but there was also joy!

Ling Xiao's grin nearly reached his ears. With his head resting upon Wangshu's jade-like thighs, he wore a carefree expression as scenes continuously replayed in his mind.

Fair skin, smooth jade-like legs...

Ding! Divine Choice Mission refreshed successfully!

Choice One: Save Ao Guang and shatter Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal's scheme. Reward: Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, Dragon Transformation Pool.

Choice Two: Descend upon the East Sea Dragon Palace and recruit the Dragon Clan into the Heavenly Court. Reward: Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Root, Green Willow.

Choice Three: Decisively lie low and allow Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal to court death. Reward: Creation Water Spirit.

The system's voice suddenly echoed through Ling Xiao's mind.

"Ji Meng, Dingguang Immortal, two clownish fools!"

"They wish to use threats and temptation to turn the Dragon Clan into pawns of the Demon Court. They are simply humiliating themselves. Still, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas seeking me out before joining the Heavenly Court shows that they possess some shrewdness and foresight."

Ling Xiao raised a brow and thought to himself.

As the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance and master of the World-Cleansing Creation Dao, Ling Xiao's divination techniques were rather profound. He could also glean certain information from the system's Divine Choice Missions.

Very soon, Ling Xiao had grasped most of the full sequence of events.

"If I help the Dragon Clan now, I would be forcibly interfering rather than following the greater course of events. If I wish to act according to the situation, I must allow Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal's scheme to proceed successfully."

"Only then can I determine whether the Dragon Clan is worth lending a hand to!"

"System, I choose the third option!"

Ling Xiao had long since deduced everything in his mind.

Borrowing force to strike force was his plan!

If Ji Meng and Dingguang Immortal led their subordinates to breach the Dragon Clan's defenses and turned the East Sea Spring Eye upside down, the resulting upheaval would be enough to give both the Demon Court and the Sect of Interception a severe headache.

Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Creation Water Spirit.

Within the system space, a droplet of water no larger than a fingertip emanated mysterious radiance.

Spiritual energy overflowed from it, nurturing all things. It was pure and flawless.

When Great God Pangu created Heaven and Earth, the first things to emerge were the four Heaven-Opening Spirits: the Heaven-Opening Earth Spirit, Heaven-Opening Fire Spirit, Heaven-Opening Wind Spirit, and Creation Water Spirit. They corresponded to the most primordial laws of earth, fire, wind, and water.

Even if the East Sea Spring Eye exploded, Ling Xiao could restore it with the Creation Water Spirit.

"Wangshu, I am going to refine the World-Ending Black Lotus and the Merit Golden Lotus!"

Casting aside his thoughts, Ling Xiao stared at Wangshu's lovely face.

He had remained at the middle stage of the Golden Immortal of Grand Dao for far too long. He could no longer suppress his cultivation.

The World-Ending Black Lotus and the Merit Golden Lotus—just how far could they elevate his cultivation?

"Ling Xiao, I will stand guard for you!"

Wangshu's face was full of tenderness, her eyes gentle as water.

Ling Xiao sat cross-legged beneath the Ren Water Peach of Immortality tree, placing an Enlightenment Tea Leaf beneath his tongue. Then, he circulated the Primordial Chaos Dao Scripture and absorbed the origins of the World-Ending Black Lotus and the Merit Golden Lotus.

He nourished himself and raised his cultivation.

Elsewhere!

The Four Seas churned, and calamity was about to descend...