A Brief Discussion on Hegemony, Candle Dragon's Shock

Inside the Crystal Palace's grand hall, immortal nectar and jade dew emanated a swirling spiritual energy. Di Jiang and Candle Dragon sat opposite each other, their conversation appearing casual, yet laced with hidden barbs.

After a few rounds of polite exchanges about Daoist methods and the matters of the Primordial World, Di Jiang shifted his tone. His gaze swept casually over Candle Dragon as he picked up his jade cup, took a slow sip, and said gently:

"Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon, Senior Hongjun has now attained the Primordial Saint position, and the Purple霄 Palace has begun its lectures on the Great Dao. The landscape of the Primordial World has been renewed. I wonder, Fellow Daoist, what are your esteemed views on who, under this new order, has the potential to wield authority over heaven and earth and become the overlord of this epoch?"

Candle Dragon's heart stirred at the question, unsure of Di Jiang's intentions. He pondered for a moment, choosing his words with caution, and tentatively listed:

"The Primordial World is filled with talented individuals. The Three Pure Ones on Kunlun Mountain are the true descendants of Pangu's Primordial Spirit. Their Origins are extraordinary, their Fortune profound, and their brotherhood unbreakable. When the three attain their cultivation goals in the future, they may perhaps have a chance."

Di Jiang listened, put down his wine cup, and chuckled, shaking his head. His tone carried a hint of disdain:

"The Three Pure Ones? While they are Pangu's true descendants, they are ultimately beings of Primordial Spirit. They lack the majestic spirit required to create heaven and earth. Content to reside in Kunlun and cultivate in seclusion, they are not suited to be overlords. Like a flood dragon hidden in the abyss, it may be able to soar through the clouds, but it can hardly become a true dragon of the nine heavens."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Candle Dragon's eyes. He hadn't expected Di Jiang's assessment of the Three Pure Ones to be so critical. He pondered for a moment and then said:

"What about Di Jun and Taiyi of the Sun Star? They harbor great ambitions and are currently consolidating the Southern Wilderness. They have a multitude of powerful individuals under them and possess treasures like the He Tu Luo Shu to suppress their destiny. Their momentum is immense, with a clear intention to sweep across the Primordial World."

Di Jiang shook his head again, a playful smile on his lips: "Di Jun and Taiyi? Now that the Phoenix Clan is in decline, they rise in the Southern Wilderness. Their prosperity appears brilliant, but their foundation is actually shallow. Their subordinates are also a motley crew with varied intentions, making true unity difficult."

"Their momentum is like a prairie fire, capable of blazing fiercely for a time, but unable to last. Faced with a monstrous wave, they can be extinguished in an instant. They are not material for overlords, but mere guard dogs."

Candle Dragon's brow furrowed slightly. Di Jiang's words were quite harsh. He thought for a moment and then brought up the two from the West:

"Jieyin and Zhunti from the West, though born into poverty, possess great perseverance and wisdom. They survive in hardship and guide all beings. Their aspirations are not small, and they may forge a different path to become regional overlords."

Di Jiang almost burst into laughter upon hearing this. He waved his hand: "Jieyin and Zhunti? These two indeed have extraordinary perseverance, and their skin, ahem, their resolve is also tenacious. However, their Dao leans towards salvation and is adept at scheming. Their scope is ultimately too small. Like withered bones in a grave, though they may catch a wisp of opportunity, they cannot change their fundamental nature. How can they control the ebb and flow of heaven and earth?"

Candle Dragon proposed several factions, all of which Di Jiang unceremoniously rejected one by one, with increasingly sharp critiques. His confusion grew, and a sense of vigilance also arose. Looking at Di Jiang, who sat calmly as if holding all wisdom, he couldn't help but ask directly:

"In your opinion, Fellow Daoist Di Jiang, the Three Pure Ones are not true dragons, Di Jun and Taiyi are like barking dogs, and the two from the West are like withered bones... Is it possible that in this vast Primordial World, there is no one worthy of your attention, no one who can be called an overlord?"

Seeing that Candle Dragon had finally reached the crucial point, Di Jiang knew the time was right. He did not answer immediately but slowly rose and walked to the center of the hall. Standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze seemed to pierce through the magnificent Crystal Palace and cast towards the river of Primordial World's destiny in the distant void.

The majestic aura of a Primordial Golden Immortal and the radiant authority of Pangu's True Lineage that emanated from Di Jiang's body were no longer concealed. It was like a slumbering giant dragon slowly awakening. Although not directed at Candle Dragon, the very air in the grand hall seemed to grow heavy.

Di Jiang turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on Candle Dragon. His voice was not loud but carried an irrefutable, decisive power, as he spoke word by word:

"The supreme overlord of the Primordial World must possess the ambition to govern heaven and earth, the ability to control the mechanisms of creation, the breadth of mind to swallow stars, and the grand vision to encompass the six directions..."

Di Jiang paused, gestured towards the outside of the hall, then slowly pointed to himself, and finally, his gaze landed on Candle Dragon like a tangible force: "In my view, the so-called powerful beings of the Primordial World are nothing but mere trifles! And those who can be called overlord material—"

"Are only you, Fellow Daoist, and I!"

This statement struck like a thunderclap! The entire Crystal Palace hall fell into absolute silence! The four Dragon Clan elders standing below turned pale with shock, holding their breath!

Candle Dragon's pupils contracted violently. The usually calm expression on his face finally revealed unconcealed shock! He had never imagined that Di Jiang would go through such a long preamble only to utter such a sentence!

Di Jiang's gaze locked onto Candle Dragon, as if trying to see through him completely. He thought to himself:

Candle Dragon, Candle Dragon, I didn't say this for nothing. I've elevated you to this status, so when I ask you for Spiritual Treasures later, you won't be able to fob me off with some junk, will you?

Candle Dragon was deeply shaken by Di Jiang's "only you, Fellow Daoist, and I," his mind filled with doubt. He instinctively activated the Time Law, his divine sense sinking into the vast and boundless river of time, trying to glimpse the future trajectory of the Dragon Clan's destiny.

However, as far as his gaze could reach, the Dragon Clan's destiny was still shrouded in thick clouds of karmic sin. Although not severed due to their deep foundation, there was no sign of any resurgence or potential to dominate the Primordial World again.

Could this fellow be speaking nonsense?

The thought arose in Candle Dragon's mind, but he immediately dismissed it. Di Jiang, as Pangu's True Lineage and a Primordial Golden Immortal, naturally carried the Dao rhythm in his words and did not seem like someone who spoke without purpose. He suppressed his doubts and decided to probe directly, cupping his hands and asking:

"Fellow Daoist Di Jiang flatters me; I am unworthy. However, my Dragon Clan is entangled by karma, and our path forward is blocked. How can we still contend for dominance in this new era? I implore Fellow Daoist to enlighten me."

This question stumped Di Jiang. His heart sank: Damn it, I've bragged too much! Why is this old dragon taking me seriously? Your Dragon Clan is covered in karma. It'd be good enough if you didn't go to the Sea of Blood for repentance, and you want to contend for dominance? Contend to reincarnate?

But the words had already been spoken. To maintain his persona of being "profound and knowledgeable, with insight into heavenly secrets," Di Jiang showed no outward reaction. Instead, he feigned a deep expression, shook his head, and uttered six words:

"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

Just as Candle Dragon's face showed disappointment, a flash of inspiration struck Di Jiang's mind! He recalled past knowledge about the Witch-Demon epoch and his current understanding of heavenly secrets. Moreover, Di Jun and Taiyi had not yet officially established the name "Demon Clan"! A brilliant idea instantly took shape!

Di Jiang shifted his tone, as if casually mentioning: "However, I do recall something. It is said that in ancient times, your elder brother, Ancestor Dragon, unified the scaled and shelled creatures of the Primordial World, gained the recognition of the Heavenly Dao, and was bestowed with immeasurable merit, thus achieving the golden age of the Dragon Clan. First Qilin unified the beasts, and Primordial Phoenix unified the flying birds, in the same manner."

Candle Dragon's eyes flashed with brilliance upon hearing this. He naturally knew about Ancestor Dragon's deeds back then; it was the most glorious period for the Dragon Clan. What was Di Jiang's intention in bringing this up now?

Seeing Candle Dragon lost in thought, Di Jiang knew he was on the right track and continued to guide him: "Now that the ancient great calamity has passed, the flying bird and beast races are in decline, leaderless. Within the Zhou Tian, apart from the innate divine beings, there are also countless acquired beings, the five categories of creatures (lizards, scaled creatures, naked creatures, shelled creatures, insects) are multiplying. Their numbers are infinite, and their destiny is also immensely vast!"

Di Jiang deliberately emphasized the words "immensely vast destiny," observing Candle Dragon's reaction. Seeing his eyes sharpen, he revealed his true intentions:

"Fellow Daoist, why not emulate Ancestor Dragon's actions? With the might of the Dragon Clan, unify the flying birds, beasts, and all acquired beings and the five categories of creatures within the Zhou Tian, and merge them into one clan!"

"This action aligns with the great trend of sentient evolution. Once successful, the Heavenly Dao will surely bestow supreme merit! At that time, not only will the Dragon Clan's past karma be cleansed by this merit, allowing for a rebirth, but you will also be able to control the destiny of this newly formed great clan, and dominating the Primordial World will no longer be mere words!"

Di Jiang's words were half true and half false. The truth was that this epoch was indeed one where "Witches and Demons would rise." The Witch Clan was of his Mount Buzhou lineage, and the "Demon Clan," a vast collective of countless acquired beings, flying birds, and beasts, was indeed born according to destiny, with sky-high fortune.

Whether the clan was ultimately established by Di Jun and Taiyi or by Candle Dragon, it would conform to the great trend of the Heavenly Dao. The falsehood was that he omitted Di Jun and Taiyi, who possessed the fate of supreme royalty and were destined children of heaven, directly throwing this opportunity to Candle Dragon.

In the future, Di Jiang and Taiyi would certainly not be content to be subordinate to Candle Dragon. And Candle Dragon, having cleansed his karma and possessing the Time Law, would undoubtedly improve his cultivation. The Dragon Clan would not be inferior to Di Jun and Taiyi. It was highly likely that internal strife would occur within the Demon Clan, allowing him to sit back and watch the show!

Candle Dragon's mind was greatly shaken after hearing this! He once again disregarded the cost and fully activated the Time Law, his gaze projecting towards the even more blurred future branches.

This time, he vaguely saw it! He saw a vast, unimaginably huge, blurry silhouette formed by the convergence of the destinies of countless races. Its fortune was indeed far beyond that of any current faction! Although the specific details were unclear, Di Jiang's words about "immensely vast destiny" were by no means false!

Could it be that such a thing truly exists?

Candle Dragon's heart churned like stormy waves. The future trend that he, relying on the Time Law, could not fully glimpse, was so casually revealed by Di Jiang! The extent of this fellow's grasp of heavenly secrets was terrifyingly profound!

For a moment, Candle Dragon's gaze towards Di Jiang held not only the previous equality but also a newfound genuine respect, and even a hint of apprehension. This fellow was not only powerful and of extraordinary origin but also possessed such prescient abilities! Befriending him might truly be an opportunity for the Dragon Clan!

Candle Dragon suppressed the excitement in his heart and solemnly cupped his hands towards Di Jiang: "Your words, Fellow Daoist, are like parting the clouds to see the sun, leaving Candle Dragon enlightened! The Dragon Clan will remember this kindness!"

Seeing that he had successfully intimidated Candle Dragon, Di Jiang felt inwardly smug but maintained a calm and composed demeanor, waving his hand: "You are too kind, Fellow Daoist. It was merely a casual chat and a few humble insights."