The Way of Time, Leaving the Dragon Palace

Candle Dragon mulled over Di Jiang's words, finding deeper meaning with each reflection. "Unify all living beings, establish a single tribe, and cleanse karmic sin! Gather destiny!"

This was practically a beacon of light for the Dragon Clan, who had been struggling in darkness for countless eons, pointing them towards a bright and broad path! Though the road ahead would undoubtedly be arduous, at least there was a clear direction and hope!

Seeing Candle Dragon deeply moved, even subtly excited, Di Jiang's mind raced. He had initially intended to flatter him to get his hands on some treasures, but unexpectedly, he might have stumbled upon one of the Heavenly Secrets of this epoch.

He was the leader of the Witch Clan, and if Candle Dragon truly became the spokesperson for the Demon Clan! That joke, "Among all the heroes in the world, only you and Cao are worthy," might actually come true in the Primordial World!

This made him chuckle self-deprecatingly. However, the Karma involved in guiding the Dragon Clan was truly immense! Although the Demon Clan could only dominate for one epoch and was destined to decline, for the Dragon Clan, currently burdened by karma and barely surviving, this was akin to receiving charcoal in winter. It was a supreme opportunity that could change the fate of their entire race! This Karma could not be easily offset by a few Innate Spiritual Treasures.

Candle Dragon naturally understood this as well. There was no such thing as a free lunch; Di Jiang's enthusiasm must have an ulterior motive. He suppressed his excitement and looked at Di Jiang solemnly, asking the crucial question:

"Fellow Daoist Di Jiang, your guidance today weighs heavier than Mount Buzhou. However, Candle Dragon has a question: you have no prior dealings with the Dragon Clan, so why are you willing to reveal such Heavenly Secrets concerning the rise and fall of our race to me?"

Here it comes! Di Jiang thought inwardly, but his expression remained impassive. He had his response ready.

Di Jiang smiled faintly and didn't answer directly. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand, and a wisp of profound law power began to flow from his fingertips. A subtle aura that distorted perception, as if capable of accelerating or decelerating everything around it, circulated—it was the Time Law he derived from his Ancestral Witch origin and had begun to comprehend!

Although this wisp of power seemed nascent and shallow compared to Candle Dragon's vast control over day, night, seasons, and time, its essence originated from the Great Pangu. In terms of unpredictable mystery, it surpassed Candle Dragon's Time Law!

"Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon, to be frank, I also dabble in the Way of Time. I have long admired you, as you are known to have mastered the Time Law. My visit today was partly to pay my respects, and partly to discuss the Dao with you and exchange insights. What I mentioned earlier was merely a passing thought during our discussion of the Dao."

Di Jiang casually dispersed the law power from his fingertips and said calmly. His words were exceptionally eloquent! He downplayed the revelation of Heavenly Secrets as a casual remark during a Dao discussion, thus explaining how he knew about the Dragon Clan's future opportunity (because I also understand the Time Law and saw something you might not have perceived clearly)!

He also highlighted the main purpose of his visit—to discuss the Dao. As for demanding Spiritual Treasures? He didn't even mention it, projecting an image of magnanimity, as if he wasn't interested in such trivial matters.

Indeed, upon seeing the Time Law Di Jiang displayed, Candle Dragon's last trace of doubt vanished completely!

"So that's how it is!"

Candle Dragon suddenly understood, and his gaze towards Di Jiang became even more amiable!

"You've also delved into the Way of Time, Fellow Daoist? No wonder you possess such foresight! It seems Candle Dragon has been looking at the world from the bottom of a well. To be able to discuss the Dao with you is also my good fortune!"

He completely believed Di Jiang's explanation. A Primordial Golden Immortal who also cultivated the Time Law had seen fragments of the future that he, burdened by karma or differing perspectives, had failed to perceive!

And he had kindly reminded him during their Dao discussion—this was perfectly reasonable! As for the Dragon Clan's meager possessions, to a Primordial Golden Immortal, a true descendant of Pangu, they were likely insignificant. He wouldn't care about them!

Little did he know, Di Jiang was indeed there for those possessions!

With this realization, Candle Dragon felt reassured and grew even more grateful and respectful towards Di Jiang.

"Haha, you are too humble, Fellow Daoist. My understanding of the Dao is shallow; I still have much to learn from you," Di Jiang said smoothly.

For a time, the atmosphere in the Crystal Palace hall was harmonious, with the host and guest getting along splendidly. The two Primordial Golden Immortals no longer discussed the grand affairs of the Primordial World but began a deep exchange and exploration of the profound and mysterious Great Dao of Time.

Relying on Pangu's inheritance and his perspective from wielding multiple different laws, Di Jiang often presented insights that made Candle Dragon's eyes light up;

Candle Dragon's years of accumulated insights and his understanding of the essence of time also greatly benefited Di Jiang, deepening his comprehension of the Time Law by another layer!

The profound Daoist rhyme of the Time Law gradually subsided in the Crystal Palace, and Di Jiang and Candle Dragon both emerged from their deep Dao discussion, their minds refreshed. Both felt they had benefited immensely from this exchange. Di Jiang's grasp of the subtle nuances of time flow became more precise, while Candle Dragon's perspective broadened.

With the Dao discussion concluded, the atmosphere remained harmonious. Di Jiang leisurely picked up the now-cool jade wine, sipping it slowly, his peripheral vision occasionally glancing at Candle Dragon, inwardly anticipating:

"After all this buildup—the flattery, the revelation of Heavenly Secrets, the Dao discussion—this old dragon should finally show some appreciation, right? Not asking for ten or eight, but just a few Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures would be enough for me to go back!"

Di Jiang felt his hints were sufficiently obvious. He had helped the Dragon Clan find a clear path and solved their biggest karmic predicament. Shouldn't the Dragon Clan express their gratitude with some external possessions for this Karma?

However, Di Jiang had calculated everything except for Candle Dragon's even more convoluted inner thoughts.

Candle Dragon's mind was also churning: "Fellow Daoist Di Jiang's kindness today is truly greater than the heavens! Guiding me through the confusion, it's like being reborn! This Karma must be repaid with a heavy reward to be settled!"

Candle Dragon's divine sense swept over the Dragon Clan's treasury. There were indeed over ten pieces of Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures stored there, all collected during the Dragon Clan's peak prosperity. But the next moment, he dismissed the idea:

"No, no! How extraordinary is Fellow Daoist Di Jiang? A true descendant of Pangu, a Primordial Golden Immortal, with such lofty vision! He could casually reveal the Heavenly Secrets of establishing a race, so why would he care about mere Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures? If I were to offer such ordinary items as thanks, wouldn't it make my Dragon Clan seem stingy and even insult Fellow Daoist?"

In Candle Dragon's view, Di Jiang mentioning Spiritual Treasures himself would be lowering his status. As the beneficiary, he couldn't possibly offer something that lacked the proper caliber and embarrass him.

If he were to thank him, it should be after the Dragon Clan had truly unified all races, established a great tribe, accumulated merit, and risen again. Only then, by offering truly worthy Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, would it be solemn and truly settle this immense Karma!

Thus, Candle Dragon suppressed the urge to offer immediate thanks. He cupped his hands towards Di Jiang again, his tone utterly sincere: "My discussion of the Dao with you today, and your guidance on our future path, Candle Dragon and the Dragon Clan are eternally grateful! This kindness, we shall remember for now. Once our Dragon Clan shows some improvement in the future, we will surely repay you handsomely!"

Candle Dragon deliberately emphasized the words "repay you handsomely," hinting at a substantial gift in the future. Upon hearing this, Di Jiang's hand, holding the jade cup, trembled slightly, and his smile almost faltered.

Handsomely? In the future???

He looked at Candle Dragon's sincere expression, which seemed to say, I understand, I understand, but giving it now wouldn't befit your status. Di Jiang's heart was bleeding!

"Who wants your future handsome repayment! I want Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures now! Even one would be fine!" Di Jiang roared inwardly, but outwardly, he forced a calm smile!

"Heh, you are too kind, Fellow Daoist. Discussing the Dao is merely a mutually beneficial exchange. As for guiding your path, it was just a casual remark; it doesn't warrant such a grand repayment."

Di Jiang said this nonchalantly, but inwardly he was complaining furiously: Does this old dragon misunderstand the meaning of "handsome repayment"? Or does he think I, Di Jiang, am a Saint who views Spiritual Treasures as dirt? I still have four hungry younger brothers at home and a creditor waiting for their debt to be repaid!

But to maintain his image as a high-and-mighty figure, Di Jiang absolutely could not utter the words, "Give me the Spiritual Treasures now."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat delicate. One party felt that giving Spiritual Treasures now was too shabby and insisted on waiting for the future; the other was anxiously waiting for immediate payment but couldn't say it directly due to face.

Both felt they had considered everything thoroughly. Di Jiang looked at Candle Dragon's confident expression, which seemed to say, Don't worry, I will never mistreat you in the future. Knowing that it would be difficult to pry any Spiritual Treasures from this old dragon today, he sighed inwardly and rose to take his leave:

"My discussion of the Dao with you today has been very rewarding. I have some trivial matters to attend to in the mountains, so I will not linger."

Seeing Di Jiang about to leave, Candle Dragon did not try to keep him. He personally escorted Di Jiang out of the Dragon Palace, still speaking of his future handsome repayment along the way.

Leaving the Dragon Palace and returning to the sea surface, Di Jiang gazed at the vast East Sea, feeling a tightness in his chest.

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