Candle Dragon remained silent until the Ancestor Dragon's anger subsided slightly, then said bitterly:
"Brother, the Sage said this is the 'only viable path,' a 'Thread of Life.'"
Sage discern the secrets of heaven and survey the Primordial Wilderness; their intentions are beyond our comprehension.
Perhaps... it is precisely because this choice seems the most unbearable and the most unexpected that it is the only way for my Dragon Clan to survive?
His tone carried uncertainty, but even more so, reverence for the words of the Sage.
At their level, they deeply understand that every word and action of Sage is in accordance with the Will of Heaven, and that they would never speak without reason.
The Ancestor Dragon's massive head drooped, its whiskers swaying listlessly. After the initial rage lay a deeper sense of powerlessness and contemplation. He pondered Qing Huan's words:
"... Stop wavering, hesitating, and clinging to wishful thinking... Settle down completely and let go of the arrogance of your former hegemony... Use the orthodox Luck of the Heavenly Court to act on behalf of Heaven and slowly wear away your karma..."
Every word was piercing, yet every word made perfect sense.
Since the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, the Dragon Clan has indeed been trying to find various ways to get rid of karma, and even once wanted to make a comeback with the help of certain forces. They have never been able to truly let go of the past and find a way out in a down-to-earth manner.
The Sage was pointing out to them that wishful thinking is the path to disaster.
"Set aside arrogance... uphold the duties of a subject... act on behalf of Heaven..."
The Ancestor Dragon muttered to himself, the anger in his dragon eyes gradually subsiding, replaced by a complex mix of understanding and struggle.
"The Heavenly Court was established by the Dao Ancestor and is the legitimate authority to govern the order of the Primordial Wilderness. Although its Luck is weak now, it is rightfully favored by the Heavenly Dao."
By attaching ourselves to the Heavenly Court and fulfilling our duties as subjects of Heavenly Dao, we can use this Merit to gradually wash away the overwhelming karma of our race... Perhaps this is the true meaning of the four words "gradually eroding" that the Sage pointed out?
Thinking of this, Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Putting aside prejudices about Hao Tian's personal strength and the current state of the Heavenly Court, from the perspective of "orthodox lineage" and "duty," this is indeed a difficult but fundamentally sound path.
This is closer to the principles of the Heavenly Dao order than any of their previous opportunistic ideas.
"But will Emperor Hao Tian accept us that day?"
Candle Dragon was deeply worried. "Our Dragon Clan race is burdened with karmic debts, a fact known throughout the Primordial Wilderness. Who wouldn't avoid us like the plague? To accept us is tantamount to inviting disaster. The Heavenly Court is already teetering on the brink of collapse; how could it possibly agree to this..."
The Ancestor Dragon remained silent for a long time. Finally, it suddenly raised its massive dragon head, a resolute glint in its eyes:
"Now that things have come to this, is there any other choice? The Sage has pointed out the 'only' path. Whether we believe it or not, whether we follow it or not, it is all up to our people."
"Is it better to cling to that pitiful pride and utterly perish in the flames of karma, or to humble oneself and fight for that sliver of hope?"
His gaze swept across the dark sea, where the dragon princes and grandsons groaned in agony, barely clinging to life under the torment of karma. His voice was heavy yet resolute:
"For the sake of ensuring the continuation of the Dragon Clan bloodline, for the sake of any possibility of returning to the world in the future... I, the Ancestor Dragon, accept this humiliation! I, the Dragon Clan, accept this!"
With the decision made, the few remaining core elders of the Dragon Clan were summoned.
When they heard that their entire clan was to submit to the current Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian, another fierce debate and roars of resentment ensued.
However, after Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon joined forces to suppress the opposition and analyzed in detail the profound meaning in the Sage's words and the desperate situation facing the Dragon Clan, all dissenting voices eventually turned into helpless silence and resignation.
Ultimately, the Dragon Clan's leadership reached a consensus: following the words of the Qing Huan Sage, the entire clan would pledge allegiance to the Heavenly Court and submit to the Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian!
"Junior sister, although Master has agreed to the conferment of Investiture of the Gods, it will still take time. As for the Heavenly Court..."
Hao Tian sighed, looking at the churning sea of clouds outside the palace, but there were no immortals or gods coming and going, only a desolate and cold scene.
"It's still just an empty shell."
Although he was personally appointed as the Heavenly Emperor by the Dao Ancestor, his own cultivation was only at the peak of the Daluo Golden Immortal. He had no one under his command, and his orders did not extend beyond the Lingxiao Hall. In the eyes of those Primordial Great Powers Tongtian with profound roots and Magic Power, he was indeed no different from a joke.
This position of Heavenly Emperor brings more pressure and embarrassment than anything else.
At that moment, Hao Tian's mind stirred slightly as he sensed a faint yet undeniably real fluctuation in the Heavenly Court's Fortune.
Now connected to the Heavenly Court's Fortune, though the Luck is thin, no change can escape his notice.
"Um?"
Hao Tian frowned slightly, just as he was wondering, a heavenly soldier on duty outside the hall rushed in to report:
"Your Majesty, outside the South Heaven Gate, there are... the Dragon Clan Ancestor Dragon and the Candle Dragon, leading a group of the Dragon Clan Elders, who say... say they wish to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty and submit to the Heavenly Court, and have come to request an audience!"
"What?!
Hao Tian suddenly stood up from his Emperor's Seat, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"Dragon Clan? Submitting to me? Are you sure it was the Ancestor Dragon or the Candle Dragon who came in person?"
Not only him, but even the Yaochi Golden Mother, who was sitting quietly to the side, showed a look of surprise.
Although the Dragon Clan has declined, it is still a force to be reckoned with, with its foundation remaining strong, especially the Ancestor Dragon and the Candle Dragon, which are ancient beings that have survived since the Heaven-Opening, with unfathomable strength (although suppressed by karma).
Why would they suddenly come to seek refuge with the now weakened Heavenly Court?
This is like a pie falling from the sky—no, it's like a giant dragon falling from the sky!
But Hao Tian quickly calmed down from this sudden "surprise," his brows furrowing tightly.
The Dragon Clan have allied themselves? Behind this... lies an immense karmic burden!
As the Heavenly Emperor, he was particularly perceptive of the karmic forces of the Primordial Wilderness.
The karma on the Dragon Clan was so dense that it was almost impossible to dissolve; it was the backlash from the boundless slaughter caused by the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity.
Accepting the Dragon Clan is tantamount to transferring the karma that could have Jieyin down a great world to the already fragile Heavenly Court's Fortune!
If not handled properly, not only will you not receive help, but you may also be dragged down by this karma, making the already struggling Heavenly Court even worse off, or even causing it to collapse prematurely!
This... is a huge temptation, and also a deadly trap!
Hao Tian dismissed the heavenly soldiers and paced back and forth in the hall, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. He looked at Yao Chi and said with a wry smile:
"Junior sister, look at this... The Dragon Clan's sudden arrival is of dubious intent. More importantly, their karmic burdens are like a festering sore; how can we possibly accept them?"
Yao Chi gazed thoughtfully for a moment, her nature becoming even more compassionate and considerate, and softly said:
"Hao Tian, it is true that the Dragon Clan has heavy karma, but they are, after all, an ancient clan with noble blood. If they can sincerely submit, it will greatly enhance the prestige of the Heavenly Court."
Furthermore, the Sage of Qing Huan once said, "The Primordial Wilderness operates with order, and what the Heavenly Court lacks is precisely this kind of ancient race capable of performing its duties and exercising authority."
She paused, looking at Hao Tian:
"More importantly, why did they come to seek refuge at this particular time?"
I observe that the Ancestor Dragon and the Candle Dragon are not foolish or dull-witted; how could they not know that their own karma is something others resent?
Is there another reason for this visit? Perhaps... it's because I received guidance from some master?
Upon hearing this, Hao Tian paused. Yao Chi's words had awakened him. The Dragon Clan's actions were indeed suspicious.
Considering that he had just gone to the Purple Cloud Palace to plead his case not long ago, and that the Dao Ancestor had just granted the Investiture of the Gods, the Dragon Clan came to him seeking refuge... the timing was too coincidental.
Could it truly have been orchestrated by the Dao Ancestor in secret? Or... the work of another Sage?
He took a deep breath, his gaze gradually hardening. "Junior sister is right."
What's meant to be will be; if it's meant to be, you can't escape it.
The Heavenly Court is newly established and is in dire need of capable people. If we turn away those who offer help out of fear of karma, wouldn't we be laughed at for our incompetence by all living beings in the Primordial Wilderness, and would also discourage those who wish to join us?
Moreover, the existence of the Heavenly Emperor in the Heavenly Court must have a profound purpose; perhaps resolving karmic obstacles and guiding people towards goodness is one of his duties.
Yao Chi smiled and nodded:
"That is indeed the case. If we can guide the Dragon Clan to do good deeds and accumulate merit, and use the orthodox Divine Duty of the Heavenly Court to resolve their karma, it will not only not be a disaster, but rather a great Merit, and will further demonstrate His Majesty's benevolence and the majesty of the Heavenly Court."
With Yao Chi's support, Hao Tian felt reassured. He straightened his clothes, regained his imperial dignity, and said in a deep voice, "Summon Candle Dragon and all the elders to the Lingxiao Hall!"
When Candle Dragon and the other Dragon Clan powerhouses, who had shrunk in size but still exuded a powerful aura and whose bodies were shrouded in red and black karma, stepped into the empty Lingxiao Treasure Hall, which represented the orthodoxy of the Heavenly Dao, their feelings were extremely complicated.
Looking at the Jade Emperor, seated on his throne, whose cultivation was far inferior to theirs but whose bearing was already extraordinary, and the Yaochi Golden Mother the Emperor Hao Tian beside him, who embodied the majesty of the Primordial Wilderness world, the Ancestor Dragon took a deep breath and stepped forward first, slowly bowing his noble dragon head according to the ancient etiquette of a subject:
"The sinful Candle Dragon clan, leading the remnants of the Dragon Clan, pays homage to the Emperor Hao Tian and the Yaochi Golden Mother! We are moved by the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor and the righteousness of the Heavenly Court, and we wish our entire clan to submit to Your Majesty, to be loyal to Your Majesty, to faithfully uphold our duties, and to fulfill our responsibilities. We hope Your Majesty will accept us!"
Its sound was thunderous, carrying a hint of suppressed tragedy and determination.
Hao Tian's gaze swept over the prostrate Dragon Clan below, clearly sensing the chilling karmic entanglements binding them. But he also saw in the eyes of the Ancestor Dragon and the Candle Dragon the sincerity born from setting aside their pride and their yearning for life. The last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished, and he proclaimed loudly:
"Senior Candle Dragon, please rise. All Dragon Clan elders, please rise. Your ability to understand the Heavenly Dao, abandon darkness for light, and willingly submit to the Heavenly Court is a virtuous act."
I, Hao Tian, in the name of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, accept the submission of the Dragon Clan! From this day forward, the Dragon Clan shall be subjects of the Heavenly Court, in charge of controlling the clouds and rain of the Primordial Wilderness world, regulating the water veins, diligently performing their duties, atone for their sins through meritorious service, and must not err!
As soon as he finished speaking, Hao Tian activated his Heavenly Emperor's authority, drawing upon the meager yet supremely orthodox Heavenly Court's Fortune, transforming it into a golden Heavenly Emperor's decree, which slowly descended and merged into the Dragon Clan's Luck.