An isolated island lay off the coast of the East Sea, where the sea breeze brushed gently past and waves lapped against the shore.
The Azure Ox lay by the beach, leisurely chewing tender grass, while Shi Yu comfortably reclined beside it, using the Azure Ox as a pillow and basking in the sunlight.
"Moo~"
"Young Master, what should we do if the East Sea Dragon Palace gets into a fight?"
"Fool, of course we run!"
"But... what if we don't have time to run?"
The Azure Ox blinked its enormous bell-like eyes and pressed anxiously, not even chewing the grass in its mouth.
Shi Yu rested his hands behind his head and said unconcernedly, "Don't worry. With my senior brother there, he'll definitely be able to hold the line."
Hearing this, the Azure Ox nodded deeply in agreement. In its heart, the Young Master had always been reliable.
"Mmm~"
A long, sonorous dragon roar suddenly rang out. A five-clawed true dragon burst from the water, sending up a tremendous column of water.
In an instant, light flashed, and the true dragon transformed into a smartly dressed young dragon-man.
"Big Brother, you really came!"
"I thought you wouldn't dare to come!"
Ao Guang looked at the genuine Shi Yu and spoke in a tone full of admiration.
"Uh..."
"Do you look down on me that much?"
"No, no, I just wanted to make sure!"
"Ao Guang, we're brothers. Whatever happens to the Dragon Clan is my business!"
Shi Yu put one arm around Ao Guang's shoulder and thumped his chest with the other hand.
Seeing Shi Yu's confidence, Ao Guang thought to himself, As expected of Big Brother. He actually came. Today's opponents are the Demon Emperor and the Ten Great Demon Sages, yet he still dared to come.
"Moo~"
The Azure Ox gave a low growl and carried Shi Yu toward the East Sea Dragon Palace. Led by Ao Guang, the Crown Prince of the Dragon Clan, they passed through without obstruction and soon arrived at the Crystal Palace.
Deep beneath the mysterious waters of the East Sea, the East Sea Dragon Palace stood in majestic splendor. Yet today, it was shrouded in a murderous atmosphere.
"Little Friend Shi Yu, I never expected you to really come!" Old Dragon King Ao Ren said with a smile.
"With Junior Brother Huang Long's request, how could I refuse? Besides, my friendship with the Dragon Clan is as solid as metal and stone."
Shi Yu's expression shifted as he spoke. According to the customs of the demon race, matters like this would normally be handled by a Demon Sage. There was no way the leader of the demon race would personally come, right? He must have been awfully free...
Now that he had become a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and with the home-field advantage at sea, escaping would be easy. In short, the advantage was on his side!
"Good, good, good!"
"The future of the primordial world belongs to you young people. It seems this old dragon really must admit his age..."
The Dragon King of the East Sea smiled as he spoke. This was the hope of the primordial world. Even after learning that the Demon Emperor of the demon race would be coming today, he still dared to come. It was truly an act of courage and resolve.
Just then, a sea-patrolling yaksha outside the Dragon Palace suddenly entered the main hall to deliver a report.
"Reporting to the Dragon King!"
"The demon race's Demon Sage Bai Ze has arrived outside the Crystal Palace!"
"Hurry and invite him in!"
Dressed in white and exuding refined elegance, Bai Ze entered the main hall while waving a fan.
Shi Yu and Bai Ze exchanged a glance. Bai Ze then bowed to the Dragon King.
"His Majesty the Dragon King!"
"The master of our Demon Court, His Majesty the Demon Emperor, will be arriving shortly. We hope His Majesty the Dragon King will go out to welcome him!"
Bai Ze waved his fan and spoke with a genial smile. If the Dragon King went out to welcome the Demon Emperor, they would gain the upper hand in the negotiations shortly.
If he did not, that would be even better. They could directly accuse the Dragon Clan of discourtesy and start a war~
"This..."
Old Dragon King froze completely, momentarily at a loss and unsure what to do.
"Oh, His Majesty the Dragon King, didn't your old illness relapse? Didn't the turtle physician in the Dragon Palace forbid you from moving around?"
Shi Yu hurriedly spoke and secretly gestured to the Dragon King.
Old Dragon King understood at once. He took a deep breath and began coughing violently.
Bai Ze, standing below, wore an expression that said he could see through the act. Playing sick? Fine, let's see who gets embarrassed first!
Old Dragon King truly was an old hand at acting. He put in even more effort and actually coughed up a pool of blood...
"Demon Sage Bai Ze, please forgive me. The East Sea Dragon Palace is damp, and an old injury I suffered during the Dragon-Han Tribulation back when I was young has flared up~"
Old Dragon King put on an expression of someone in the twilight of life and "accidentally" revealed the pool of blood.
Old Dragon King's performance left not only Shi Yu stunned—even Demon Sage Bai Ze, renowned for his wisdom and resourcefulness, was dumbfounded.
You're a dragon, for goodness' sake. You're saying the East Sea Dragon Palace is damp? Is that reasonable? That's extremely unreasonable!
No matter how clever or resourceful you were, if you couldn't outdo the other side, it was useless. Old Dragon King's performance had been truly vicious...
This clash ended with Bai Ze losing by one move. In the end, Old Dragon King had Crown Prince Ao Guang go out to welcome the Demon Emperor.
The Azure Ox, which had been lying behind Shi Yu the whole time, suddenly realized something. "Young Master, that fellow just said Di Jun is coming!"
"What? Di Jun is coming?!"
Shi Yu's heart jolted. Oh no, why is Di Jun coming? If a fight really breaks out, I wonder whether I can escape. At this point, I can only use that move!
Damn Huang Long! Why didn't your letter mention that Di Jun would be coming? You actually deceived your senior brother! Just wait until I get back—I'll turn you into a display dragon!
Suddenly, a scorching breeze swept into the main hall. The lights flared, and heat surged everywhere. Old Dragon King straightened warily, his eyes blazing as he stared at the entrance.
"His Majesty the Demon Emperor has arrived!"
Demon Sage Bai Ze slightly bowed toward the entrance of the main hall, expressing his respect for the ruler of their demon race.
Amid a sea of golden light, Di Jun appeared. He was tall and imposing, golden demonic patterns embroidered on his black robe glimmering brightly, while his black hair streamed wildly, embodying the majesty of an emperor.
The other nine Demon Sages followed behind him. Demonic aura surged from each of them, forcing the atmosphere in the main hall to the absolute limit.
Old Dragon King suppressed the unease in his heart and said in a deep voice, "With the Demon Emperor's arrival, the East Sea Dragon Palace is truly honored. But with such an impressive entourage, could it be that you have come with ill intent?"
Old Dragon King swept his gaze over the Demon Sages behind Di Jun. Every one of them possessed Quasi-Saint cultivation. It seemed Di Jun intended to overwhelm the Dragon Clan by force today.
Di Jun's expression was as cold as still water as he slowly said, "Dragon King, you should know why I have come today."
"The situation in the primordial world has changed. The rise of the demon race can no longer be stopped. The demon race is destined to flourish, and your territory in the East Sea should also contribute to the great cause of the demon race."
Among the Four Seas, the East Sea stood supreme, and the Dragon King was the same. As long as they took down the Dragon King of the East Sea, dealing with the other three Sea Dragon Kings would be no problem.
As for the Eastern Azure Dragon Realm, that was a place the demon race could not touch. The Four Saints guarded the four extremities of the primordial world, and demonkind could neither interfere with nor meddle there.
Old Dragon King said coldly, "Di Jun, I advise you not to go too far! Even a clay figure has a temper!"
"Ao Ren, those who understand the times are wise. Those who submit to my demon race will prosper; those who oppose my demon race will perish!"
"I am only advising you kindly because your Dragon Clan still has some strength. Do not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Otherwise, my demon race will ensure that not a single dragon remains in the primordial world!"
Di Jun's eyes sharpened, and demonic aura surged around him. The crystal chandeliers throughout the Crystal Palace swayed precariously.
"Absolutely not! At worst, we'll go to the Eastern Azure Dragon Realm!" Old Dragon King said angrily. With the protection of the Azure Dragon Saint Venerable, his Dragon Clan would not dare cause trouble there.
"Hahahaha, Old Dragon King, you make it sound so easy. Your Dragon Clan has such a vast foundation across the Four Seas. Do you really have the heart to abandon it?"
Di Jun smiled. He had already determined that the Dragon Clan could not bear to give up its foundation across the Four Seas.
A moment later, Di Jun's laughter abruptly ceased. His eyes instantly turned icy, and the temperature throughout the Crystal Palace seemed to plummet along with his gaze.
"Even if your Dragon Clan had the courage to abandon the Four Seas and head to the Eastern Azure Dragon Realm!"
"Ao Ren, do not naively think that going to the Azure Dragon Realm will let you evade the edge of the demon race."
Di Jun's voice was low and full of pressure as it echoed through the main hall. "I, Di Jun, guarantee this: if a single dragon appears in the primordial world, my demon race will slay a single dragon!"
Old Dragon King and the Dragon Clan soldiers throughout the palace all revealed looks of indignation.
"Young Master, I think a fight's about to break out. Let's figure out how to escape, or we'll lose our lives..."
"Don't rush. I'm thinking..."
Before you continue