Dragon Clan Calculations

The Dragon Mother Empress wore a magnificent sky-blue robe.

Rivers, Lakes, and Seas are engraved on her dress, and waves surge and roll in the space and time around her.

Hearing Candle Dragon's reply, she felt a slight sense of relief.

This Dao Mother Goddess was the Dao companion of the Ancestor Dragon and also Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate who cultivated the Great Dao of Great Dao of Water Element.

In the Archaic Era, it roamed the four seas, suppressed the four rivers and Eight Streams, and assisted the Ancestor Dragon in ruling the Primordial World Water Essence. Its methods were extremely ruthless.

But at this moment, he had no choice but to restrain his temper and lie low.

But times have changed.

'Although the dragon race has made the difficult decision to cut off its own flesh, it has also lost a number of its top-tier combatants.'

'We have no choice but to lie low, we have no choice but to lie low.'

But flowing water doesn't compete to be first; it competes to flow endlessly.

'As long as the foundation of our Four Seas Dragon Clan remains.'

'There may still be a future.'

He suppressed all the thoughts surging in his mind.

The Dragon Mother Empress looked at the Candle Dragon, her voice aged and hoarse:

"Have all the descendants who controlled the Four Rivers and Eight Streams of the Primordial Continent been summoned back?"

Candle Dragon nodded:

"As early as when we went up Kunlun Mountain, we had already summoned this group of pure-blooded dragons back to Dragon Abyss."

A faint smile appeared in the Dragon Mother Empress's weathered eyes, fleeting in an instant:

"They are the new generation of the dragon race."

"He is the most talented being among this generation of dragons."

"Having control over the four rivers and Eight Streams, and gaining insight into the Authority of Water Element, will be of great use to their future cultivation."

"Now that we're back, let's spend some time recuperating in Dragon Abyss."

"It just so happens that Taiyuan purified the dragon tomb on the ninety-eighth floor of the Ten Thousand Dragons Palace."

"I wish to create a Dragon Blood Pool here."

"Let them receive a baptism as well."

At this point, the Dragon Mother Empress paused, glanced at Candle Dragon, hesitated for a moment, and finally said:

"Our dragon clan has many descendants."

"There are quite a few Aquatic Race in the four seas that possess the bloodline of the dragon race."

"Among those Aquatic Race, there are many with exceptional talent."

"If we could properly win them over, we could send them into the Dragon Blood Pool to activate their bloodlines."

"They are certainly a force to be reckoned with."

The Candle Dragon, holding a prestigious position, places the utmost importance on bloodlines.

The Dragon Mother Empress originally thought that she would have to put in a lot of effort to achieve this goal.

But no sooner had she finished speaking than...

Candle Dragon raised an eyebrow, seemingly somewhat surprised, but in an instant he agreed without hesitation, and even said:

"The Dao Injuries we both sustained this time are quite severe."

"It's probably not advisable to intervene in the situation of the Primordial World for the foreseeable future."

"Furthermore, we need to find a powerful backer for the Dragon Clan in order to navigate among the many forces of the Xuanmen and maintain our foundation across the four seas."

The Dragon Mother Empress gently tapped her cane, and a ripple spread out from beneath it, stirring up rolling waves that obscured the traces of cause and effect.

"Have you thought it through?"

Still waters run deep, colors gather, and divine light permeates the Dragon Palace. The Candle Dragon sits quietly on the jade platform, his face solemn and dignified, like an eternal snow mountain. After a long while, he exhales a long breath.

He said quietly:

There is no other choice.

"This time, we have truly offended the Mystic Gate Immortal Path."

"After you and I retreated from the world."

"The Authority of Water Element of the four seas is like a large piece of fat meat, hanging high in the sky."

"Everyone would want to take a bite."

"Faced with these murderous-looking immortals of the Xuanmen..."

"The dragon race cannot be defended."

Without Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate Venerable to oversee them, the Dragon Clan is like a child carrying a gold brick walking through a bustling city.

There is absolutely no guarantee or sense of security.

Having said that, Candle Dragon said no more.

Then he shouted at Grand Void.

"Ao Guang, come in."

As the Candle Dragon opened its mouth.

Before long, a young man dressed in a golden robe with a gentle face respectfully entered the palace.

His eyes were lowered, making him appear extremely humble, completely lacking the arrogance of a dragon.

"Greetings to the two venerable ancestors."

"Ao Guang."

"You may now choose from the thirty-six dragon princes I have instructed you to select."

Ao Guang respectfully said:

"Six pureblood dragons have been selected, and thirty mixed-blood dragons are waiting in the field."

"Does the Ancestor wish to summon me?"

Candle Dragon waved his hand and said calmly:

"No need."

"You shall immediately take these thirty-six people to the Purple Mansion Continent to visit Fellow East King Duke."

"Just say..."

Candle Dragon was speechless for a moment.

After a long pause, his voice was dry and hoarse as he spoke with great difficulty:

"Then they said that the Four Seas Dragon Clan sincerely wished to submit."

"From this day forward, the entire world shall regard Purple Mansion Continent as the most revered."

"Our dragon race is willing to graze the four seas and manage the Aquatic Race of the Purple Mansion Continent."

Boom!

A bolt from the blue struck Ao Guang, making his head buzz.

After a while, he raised his head.

His eyes were already bloodshot, and tears streamed down his cheeks, dripping from his chin onto the jade palace floor with a piercing, pattering sound.

"Ancestor, why go to such lengths?"

"Why did it have to come to this!"

"Only the dragons who died in battle."

"There has never been a dragon that surrendered."

Ao Guang's eyes were bloodshot and filled with murderous intent.

"What abilities does Purple Mansion Continent possess that allow it to rule over our Dragon Clan?"

"And what ability do they have to acquire this vast empire?"

Candle Dragon did not answer him.

Then she looked at him coldly.

After a while.

"Look closely at me, look at the Dragon Mother Empress."

Ao Guang felt a jolt of fear.

He looked up.

He was immediately terrified, his face turned pale, and beads of cold sweat dripped from his temples. His heart felt as cold as the ice of the North Sea.

Then, the Candle Dragon and the Dragon Mother Empress, who were sitting on the jade platform, revealed their true forms at some point.

On the dragon's body, which stretched across endless dimensions, bloody holes revealed stark white bones, and dense Karmic Debt seemed to have transformed into Black Mist that enveloped the dragon's body.

Like a vengeful ghost seeking death, like a maggot clinging to a bone.

Ao Guang seemed to hear mournful cries echoing through time and space.

"Ancestor..."

"Just as you see."

"The Dao Injuries we have suffered this time are far too severe."

"So severe that we have to resort to sleep therapy."

Candle Dragon said sternly:

"And after we fall into slumber..."

"Can you lead the dragon race to face the tigers and wolves around them?"

"Can you lead the dragon race to preserve their legacy across the four seas?"

"Can you preserve the bloodline of my people?"

Three questions in a row.

Ao Guang wanted to say something.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't utter a single word.

He slumped to the ground, dejected.

He let his tears soak his clothes.

"Ao Guang is useless."

"It's because Ao Guang is useless!"

The Dragon Mother Empress's voice is kind and loving:

"Child, this is not your fault."

"When things reach their peak, they decline; this is the natural order of things."

"Our dragon race once enjoyed ancient glory, hence our current decline."

"But as long as we preserve our clan's foundation across the four seas, there may be a day when we can make a comeback."

She looked at Ao Guang and said slowly:

"The East King Duke of the Purple Mansion Continent is the immortal leader personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor."

"He aspires to the highest position in the Primordial World."

"But his forces consist only of rogue cultivators from all over the world, making him weak and isolated."

"Our clan was already allies with them before."

"Although there are occasional conflicts."

"But our dragon clan is going to seek refuge this time."

"The East King Duke was only happy; he had nothing else to say."

"Although it is said that the authority over the four seas is being offered up."

"But they can only rely on our dragon race to govern the four seas."

By relying on the East King Duke, they can isolate themselves from the sight of many powerful beings in the Primordial World, while still maintaining control over the four seas and allowing the people to recuperate.

Ao Guang listened to the Dragon Mother Empress's words, lost in thought.

Therefore, it seems that seeking refuge with the East King Duke is the best option the Dragon Clan can find right now.

Candle Dragon continued, picking up where the Dragon Mother Empress left off:

"The situation in the Primordial World is unpredictable and ever-changing."

"Our dragon race, situated within this situation, is like a boat sailing into the sea, facing raging storms and towering waves."

Candle Dragon, contemplating the complex relationships within the Mystic Gate Immortal Path, sneered:

"When facing us, the remnants of the ancient times, the Mystic Gate Immortal Path truly stood united."

But now we are all alone.

"The immortals face struggles for destiny, struggles for status, and Struggle for the Great Dao."

"How long can this harmony last?"

"Ao Guang!"

"This junior is here."

Candle Dragon opened his eyes, and within them time flowed, and primordial chaos was created.

He stared intently at the future leader of the dragon race, chosen jointly by him and the Dragon Mother Empress, and said, word by word:

"Remember this."

"Our dragon race is no longer the same as it used to be."

"From now on, you will be in charge of the Dragon Clan."

"One should guard against arrogance and impatience, and prioritize patience."

"I didn't send you to lead the dragon clan to submit to the East King Duke so that you would truly become his pawn."

Candle Dragon spoke in a deep, melancholic tone, his eyes seeming to see through the ages:

"Hesitation leads to trouble."

"If the East King Duke is no longer of use, you should choose a new master."

"Whoever wins, our dragon clan will help."

"This Primordial World is in utter chaos!"

"As long as the Primordial World remains in chaos, our dragon race will always have value."

After a long while.

Ao Guang turned around, his face full of determination.

"Ao Guang... never forget the humiliation of today!"

Ao Guang paused in his steps.

"Guang will never forget!"

The words were still lingering in the air when the person had already left the Dragon Palace.

"I don't know if choosing him was the right or wrong decision."

The Dragon Mother Empress's gaze was deep, and a sigh rose from her heart.

Ao Guang's nature was ultimately a bit too soft.

Candle Dragon smiled faintly, his words carrying a hidden meaning:

"The dragon race today."

"Your bones are too stiff; you can't bend over. That won't do."

"This is the mission that their generation must shoulder."

The dragon race, with its excessive arrogance, cannot survive in today's great world of immortals.

The soft light of dawn shone into the palace from the seabed.

Candle Dragon and the Dragon Mother sat regally on the jade platform.

His figure, however, grew increasingly hunched and aged.

They knew that their era had passed.

Buzz~

An inexplicable fluctuation emanated from Dragon Abyss.

As Ao Guang reached the exit of Longyuan, he felt a sense of awe.

He glanced back into the depths of Dragon Abyss.

Then he bowed in greeting.

"Respectfully seeing off the Ancestor!"

When he looked up again, he felt as if his shoulders were even heavier.

That thing carries the Aquatic Race of the four seas, the last glimmer of the ancient dragon race!

Just as the Four Seas Dragon Clan was making arrangements for their retreat...

On Mount Sumeru.

The Eight Treasures Merit Pool flow ceaselessly.

Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli, Bodhi Treasure Tree.

Holding the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, Daoist Zhunti sat upright on the lotus platform. He looked down at the Demonic Sect Dao Lord kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with deep thought.

After a long while, the Daoist Zhunti waved the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in his hand, which shone with brilliant light and endless radiance.

He spoke softly, considering his words carefully:

"Kinnara."

"You have come to my Mount Sumeru this time."

"Do you truly wish to join my sect and propagate my great teachings?"

Kinnara was dressed in a black robe, but there was no longer any fierce aura about him.

With a compassionate expression, he clasped his hands together and respectfully bowed, saying:

"Honorable Ones above."

Kinnara knew his sins were grave.

"But from this day forward..."

"I wish to worship at Mount Sumeru, to propagate the Great Law, to expand the Western Dao Lineage, to save all sentient beings in the West, and to lead them to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"I humbly request that you two venerable ones accept me into your sect's lineage."

This...

Daoist Zhunti's heart stirred.

It's important to know that Kinnara wasn't the only one who came to worship at Mount Sumeru.

He led a group of elites from the Western Demonic Cult Sect to join the Sumeru Sect.

As long as we accept them.

This would be equivalent to taking over countless Grotto-heaven blessed lands, Divine Mountain Dojo in the entire West.

This is equivalent to controlling most of the western region of the Primordial World.

Even after the end of the Dragon-Han Calamity, the western earth veins were damaged, and spiritual energy was severely lost.

However, as the western region of the Primordial Great World, although this place is not as blessed with outstanding people and prosperous fortune as the East, it is not a place that is dispensable.

Both Jieyin and Zhunti had a grand ambition: to revitalize the West as the ultimate goal of their spiritual path.

Now I've seen such a great opportunity.

How could the Daoist Zhunti not be moved?

But the person before him was, after all, one of the most notorious old demons in the Western Demonic Cult.

If we were to introduce Sumeru, let's set aside the question of whether it would disrupt the orthodox tradition and its rules.

Even the gods and saints of heaven, could they possibly pass this test?

How would the Three Pure Ones and others view this?

A multitude of thoughts, a chaotic mess.

Even Daoist Zhunti found this situation difficult.

"Compassion, compassion!"

Just then, the Daoist Jieyin Divine Banner uttered a chant, a look of sorrow appearing on his aged face:

"The past is dead, and the future is like life."

"Our path opens wide the doors of convenience, widely guiding those with affinity."

"The sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore."

"Since you have such compassion and enlightenment, fellow Daoist..."

"This perfectly aligns with the true essence of my teachings."

"You can enter Mount Sumeru! You can enter Mount Sumeru!"

Kinnara hearing this, Kinnara was delighted and said:

"Thank you, Venerable One."

"Kinnara then descended the mountain to gather his fellow Daoists and ascend Mount Sumeru together to cross the sea of suffering."

"From this day forward, I will repent and reform myself, and devote myself wholeheartedly to the Way."

"There is nothing else besides this."

Having said that, Kinnara clasped his hands together and bowed again.

Then he turned around, transformed into a beam of divine light, and descended straight down from Mount Sumeru.

After he left.

Daoist Zhunti reminded him:

"Senior brother."

"This Kinnara is a senior figure in the Western Demonic Cult Sect."

"He has now entered the Mount Sumeru lineage."

"There may be some ulterior motive involved."

Their Mount Sumeru lineage and the Western Demonic Cult are both located on the Western continent, and they even have some shady dealings with each other.

These old devils are all cunning and utterly sinister.

If they truly felt compassion and were inspired by enlightenment...

Daoist Zhunti absolutely did not believe it.

The Daoist Jieyin Daoist smiled and said:

"Junior brother, you're too attached to appearances."

"The Heavenly Dao is not perfect; it needs the Dao Ancestor to unite with the Dao to mend it."

Nothing in this world is perfect.

"You and I are both scheming to seize power in the West."

"We shall bear the consequences of any hidden dangers that may arise."