After leaving the Immortal Volcano, wreathed in flames, Candle Dragon did not return directly to the East Sea after forming an alliance with Yuanfeng. Instead, he swung his massive body, tore through the void, and headed for Mount Buzhou, at the heart of the Primordial World.
"With the founding of our clan imminent, it's only right that I invite fellow Daoist Di Jiang to attend the ceremony."
Candle Dragon considered the matter. It was also a perfect chance to see for himself Mount Buzhou, which no one could enter at present! The invitation was not only a matter of etiquette, but also a way to build momentum.
Candle Dragon was sure Di Jiang would not turn him away. And gaining entry to Mount Buzhou would, without anyone realizing it, affirm the status and strength of him, the ancient Dragon Ancestor, attracting more onlookers to join the Demon Clan when it was founded.
Candle Dragon made no effort to conceal his presence. His enormous body appeared above the Primordial World, instantly drawing countless eyes! The mighty pressure of a late-stage Primordial Golden Immortal radiated naturally from him, catching the attention of many powerful figures along the way.
"The Dragon Clan still has such a powerful figure? I wonder where this senior is headed."
"That's Senior Candle Dragon! The direction he's going in looks like Mount Buzhou!"
"Seems he's going to visit the lord of Mount Buzhou."
"Do you think the array will open for him?"
"Hard to say. No one's managed to enter Mount Buzhou so far."
Candle Dragon headed for Mount Buzhou in grand fashion, showing off the Dragon Clan's current strength and resources. Before long, he arrived.
Outside Mount Buzhou, Candle Dragon sensed the Five Elements Great Array enveloping the sacred mountain, its Five-Colored Divine Light flowing. A trace of solemnity passed through his eyes. The array's intricacy and formidable defenses were well deserved.
As the powerful figures watched with their divine senses and whispered among themselves, Candle Dragon drew in his aura, assumed his Innate Dao Body, and called out in a clear voice:
"I am Candle Dragon of the Dragon Clan. I've come to visit fellow Daoist Di Jiang."
His voice reached into the array. Inside Pangu Divine Hall, Di Jiang, who had been comprehending the Great Dao, abruptly opened his eyes, a flicker of surprise passing through them.
"Candle Dragon? Shouldn't he be in the East Sea preparing to found his clan? What's he doing at Mount Buzhou?"
"Could he have discovered that the Kirin Clan has moved to Mount Buzhou?"
After all, the Kirin Clan had suddenly vanished from Mount Kunlun. If Candle Dragon had made inquiries, he might have uncovered a few clues and guessed that it had something to do with him, the lord of Mount Buzhou.
"If that's why he's here, this should be interesting." A playful glint appeared in Di Jiang's eyes. He had no intention of turning Candle Dragon away. With a thought, he controlled the array and opened a perfectly sized gateway in its five-colored barrier.
"Come in!" A calm voice rang out from Mount Buzhou.
Candle Dragon had barely finished speaking when, to the astonishment of those watching, a gateway slowly opened in the seamless five-colored barrier.
Candle Dragon smiled and strode inside. Once he had entered, the gateway silently closed, shutting out every probing divine sense from the outside.
The powerful figures watching from afar exclaimed in amazement:
"He got in! Candle Dragon actually got in!"
"The lord of Mount Buzhou really did give Candle Dragon face."
"That voice just said 'Di Jiang'? So the lord of Mount Buzhou is named Di Jiang!"
As Candle Dragon entered Mount Buzhou, the sight before him drew a soft "Huh?" from even this ancient Dragon Ancestor.
Within the sacred mountain, spiritual energy fell like rain and the Dao's natural order permeated all things. Every blade of grass and every tree brimmed with vitality. Compared with the wild, ancient Mount Buzhou he remembered, this place was more orderly, alive, and possessed an indescribable refinement.
Most striking was the emerald-green vine winding up the mountainside, its surface covered in Dao patterns. Its aura was unmistakably that of a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root! He didn't know its exact origins, but its presence alone revealed the profound resources of the mountain's master.
"Fellow Daoist Di Jiang, you have quite the skill—and quite the good fortune."
Candle Dragon silently praised him, his estimation of Di Jiang rising even higher.
But what surprised him more was the figure who came to greet him.
A Daoist in a red robe hurried over and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Candle Dragon, Huoyun was remiss in not welcoming you sooner! Please follow me. The mountain lord is waiting in the hall."
Candle Dragon took a closer look and froze. Wasn't this Huoyun, the current leader of the Kirin Clan? What was he doing here?
Noticing the brief astonishment in Candle Dragon's eyes, Huoyun smiled and explained of his own accord, "There's no need to be puzzled, Senior Candle Dragon. Our Kirin Clan was struggling to survive on Mount Kunlun. Fortunately, the mountain lord remembered that we both hail from Mount Buzhou and nobly took us in, bringing us back to our ancestral home here for protection. The Kirin Clan will never forget this kindness."
Candle Dragon: "!!!"
"I see. Fellow Daoist Di Jiang is indeed a man of honor."
Candle Dragon remained composed, but inside, his thoughts surged. His wariness toward Di Jiang deepened, and he abandoned any idea of trying to poach the Kirin Clan. They'd already been brought back to their ancestral home—how could he possibly pry them away?
Still, with the Kirin Clan here, certain matters would be easier to handle. As Candle Dragon mulled this over, he followed Huoyun into the ancient, vast Pangu Divine Hall.
As soon as he entered the hall, Candle Dragon felt an awe-inspiring majesty and Dao resonance that seemed to originate from the very creation of heaven and earth. It surpassed the treasure-laden luxury of his Dragon Palace by countless levels! In the face of that Dao resonance, even he instinctively reined in his aura and felt a sense of reverence.
Inside the hall, Di Jiang had already set out a rustic stone table. He leisurely picked up a few golden-yellow Bitter Bamboo leaves and put them into two stone cups, then drew out a stream of limpid, innate spiritual water—Ren Water—to brew them. In an instant, the fragrance of tea, bitter at first with a sweet aftertaste, filled the hall with Dao resonance.
"Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon, please sit. Try my Bitter Bamboo tea. It clears heat and cools the body, perfect for someone as busy as you."
Di Jiang greeted him with a smile. Candle Dragon was the first guest to visit him at Pangu Divine Hall since his transmigration. As for his younger siblings—a bunch of little rascals—he had no plans to let them appear before the powerful figures of the Primordial World just yet!
Candle Dragon looked at the Bitter Bamboo leaves and innate Ren Water, top-tier spiritual water in the Primordial World, casually used to make tea. Then he thought of the treasures in his own Dragon Palace, collected and cherished like precious heirlooms. He suddenly felt that his glittering palace and Di Jiang's simple, unadorned Pangu Divine Hall were worlds apart.
Seeing Candle Dragon's reaction, Di Jiang thought to himself, Heh, that's exactly the effect I wanted! This is what you call understated luxury. Get it, old dragon? A transmigrator's style has to be on point!
Candle Dragon steadied himself, sat solemnly across from Di Jiang, and lifted his stone cup. Feeling the pure Dao resonance within, he praised him sincerely:
"This place of yours is a true sanctuary for cultivating the Great Dao. Candle Dragon is impressed."
Candle Dragon then explained why he had come, first inviting Di Jiang to attend the founding ceremony.
"I appreciate your kind invitation, fellow Daoist. But the affairs of the hall are too numerous for me to travel far. I'll have Huoyun attend in my place, to honor the occasion."
Going to the ceremony was nothing compared to staying home and cultivating at Pangu Divine Hall, Di Jiang grumbled inwardly as he answered. Besides, the Dragon Clan's celebration would surely be full of formalities. Relaxing at the hall was much more comfortable. He could just send Huoyun to see what it was like.
Candle Dragon didn't press the matter. Instead, he brought up something else.
"Your answer is much appreciated. There's one more matter. Now that the Kirin Clan is settled on Mount Buzhou, the title of Beast Overlord is nothing but an empty shackle. I hope you'll allow them to relinquish it. I'll repay you for this kindness one day."
At his words, Di Jiang thought, This old dragon is promising repayment again. Still, he wasn't afraid Candle Dragon would go back on his word. Once this karma was upon him, he could not bear the consequences of leaving it unresolved!
Candle Dragon's purpose was also to help the Demon Clan's Fortune become more complete in the future. Having the Kirin Clan relinquish the title of Beast Overlord would, in the long run, be a good thing. The title had long since become outdated. This was a chance to put it behind them and let them travel light, so they could live in peace in the future.
Di Jiang's thoughts raced. Since this would benefit the Kirin Clan more than it harmed them, he agreed. Then he turned to Huoyun, who was standing nearby.
"Huoyun, did you hear what fellow Daoist Candle Dragon said? Is your clan willing to let go of this title?"
Huoyun stepped forward at once and bowed.
"Reporting to the mountain lord, this empty title is now a burden to our clan. To be free of it is a blessing. Huoyun will obey the mountain lord's command!"
"Good!"
Di Jiang said no more and gestured. Huoyun immediately activated a secret technique and willingly drew out the wisp of Fortune that tied his clan to its former status. It became a strand of Xuanhuang Qi, which slowly faded away in the hall and returned to heaven and earth.
Candle Dragon thanked Di Jiang once again. After sharing tea and discussing the Dao for a while longer, Huoyun escorted him out of Mount Buzhou.
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