Just as Haotian was about to enter seclusion.
Ao Guang's voice came from the South Heaven Gate.
"Dragon Race's Ao Guang requests an audience with the Great Heavenly Venerate!"
Haotian's heart stirred at the words.
He had just decided that as soon as he found an opportunity, he would take a bite out of the Dragon Race.
He hadn't expected Ao Guang to deliver himself right to his door.
Were they surrendering the moment things looked bad?
Was this a case of losing half by surrendering?
Or were they hoping to secure favorable treatment?
But.
I, Haotian, have no tradition of treating prisoners well.
In the Primordial World.
Especially now, with me, Haotian, having already brought the Sages of every faction in the Primordial World to heel.
Only now had the Dragon Race come eagerly knocking.
Favorable treatment?
That was definitely out of the question.
There wouldn't be the slightest bit of preferential treatment!
You Dragon Race can choose only one: take the stage or take your place at the table.
But for you, Ao Guang, to come and negotiate with Us?
That wasn't quite appropriate.
Who did you think you were looking down on?
What sort of standing did you have, Ao Guang?
With that thought.
Haotian sent a voice transmission granting permission to enter.
Then, with a flash, he went straight to Lingxiao Palace.
Before long.
Ao Guang arrived at Lingxiao Palace.
He bowed and saluted. "Ao Guang of the Dragon Race pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Haotian replied coolly, "You may rise!
May I ask what brings you here?"
At Haotian's words, Ao Guang's heart lurched.
What was this about?
He had only just spoken, and already Haotian was being hostile.
"What brings me here"?
I'm a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. How could I possibly put on airs in front of you, Haotian?
Could it be that he was displeased because I entered the hall with my left foot first?
While turning this over in his mind, Ao Guang didn't dare show the slightest negligence in his reply.
"I have come at the request of my Dragon Race's Old Ancestor.
I'm here to discuss with Your Majesty the Dragon Race's submission to the Heavenly Court."
Hearing this, Haotian replied, "The Dragon Race's submission?
Are you sure you have the authority to decide that?
Candle Dragon didn't come himself. Instead, he sent you, Ao Guang.
What does Candle Dragon mean by this?
Does he look down on Us?"
At Haotian's words, Ao Guang was immediately at a loss for words.
How could he answer?
Haotian had made it clear: Ao Guang wasn't qualified to negotiate.
But if he went back just like this, he wouldn't be able to explain himself to the Old Ancestor either.
After pondering for a moment, Ao Guang could only say, "Why don't Your Majesty state your conditions first?
Perhaps I'll be able to make the decision."
Haotian looked at Ao Guang and said, "There's no need!
You can't answer the conditions I have in mind.
If you want to negotiate, have Candle Dragon come himself."
With Haotian having put it so plainly, Ao Guang could only withdraw dejectedly.
If he stayed any longer, Ao Guang feared he might not be able to leave.
Back in the East Sea.
Ao Guang returned to Candle Dragon's cave.
Before he could say a word.
The South Sea Dragon King, Ao Qin, asked, "Big Brother!
How did the talks go?
What conditions did Haotian offer?"
Ao Guang felt a bitter taste in his heart.
He naturally knew what Ao Qin meant by "conditions."
He was still dreaming, thinking they were the ones voluntarily submitting.
What kind of favorable treatment could Haotian possibly offer the Dragon Race?
But Haotian's attitude just now hardly seemed like he intended to give the Dragon Race favorable treatment.
If they handled this badly, the Dragon Race's very survival might truly be at risk.
Ignoring the other Dragon Kings, Ao Guang cupped his hands toward Candle Dragon and said, "Old Ancestor!
Haotian didn't make any offer.
He didn't even negotiate with me.
He only said that you must go in person.
And..."
Seeing Ao Guang hesitate, Candle Dragon frowned. "And what?"
"And from what I could tell, Haotian has no intention of treating our Dragon Race favorably."
As soon as Ao Guang finished speaking, before Candle Dragon could reply.
The other three Dragon Kings shot to their feet.
Then Ao Run said, "What do you mean?
Does Haotian think that having a little cultivation means he can take our Dragon Race for granted?
Even if our Dragon Race can't beat Haotian, we don't have to submit to him.
There are Six Sages in the Primordial World besides Haotian."
As soon as Ao Run finished speaking, Candle Dragon cut him off. "Enough!
Quiet!
Let me think this through first!"
The Four Dragon Kings immediately fell silent, each taking a seat with an indignant look.
Candle Dragon, meanwhile, weighed the feasibility of Ao Run's suggestion.
Submitting to another Sage?
At first glance, it didn't seem impossible.
At least in terms of cultivation, a Sage was certainly stronger than Haotian.
But.
There was always a "but."
Could a Sage really protect the Dragon Race?
Or would they be willing to go up against Haotian for the Dragon Race?
That possibility didn't seem very likely!
After all, the Six Sages had previously made an agreement with Haotian.
Even the Sages' disciples had to abide by Haotian's rules whenever they left their sanctuaries.
And the Dragon Race obviously couldn't move into a Sage's sanctuary.
That meant the Dragon Race would always be subject to Haotian's rules.
Under these circumstances, if Haotian decided to make trouble for the Dragon Race.
Would a Sage really break his word to help them?
Then the Dragon Race would have to face Haotian alone.
Even a Sage's promise couldn't change that.
After all, a promise was no match for a Dao Oath.
But Haotian was taking the Dragon Race too lightly by doing this.
If they went to negotiate with Haotian without doing anything first.
Haotian probably wouldn't show the Dragon Race any respect.
Who knew what harsh conditions he might impose then?
After pondering for a moment, Candle Dragon rose and said, "Wait here.
I'll go meet Haotian!
Let's see just how capable he is to dare treat our Dragon Race with such disregard."
With that, Candle Dragon headed straight for the Heavenly Court.
Before long.
Candle Dragon appeared in Lingxiao Palace.
Seated on the Dragon Throne, Haotian exchanged a glance with Candle Dragon.
Seeing that Candle Dragon remained silent for a long time, Haotian spoke. "You came!"
"I came!"
"Then let's hear what the Dragon Race is offering!"
"The Dragon Race is certainly sincere. I just want to see whether you're worthy of that sincerity."
At Candle Dragon's words, Haotian's heart stirred.
Here was his chance!
He had been wondering how to draw Candle Dragon into the trap as well.
He hadn't expected Candle Dragon to jump right into it on his own.
If he let this opportunity slip away, then he might as well give up being the Heavenly Emperor.
Thanks, buddy, for the generous gift!
Haotian gave Candle Dragon a searching look.
Only then did he say slowly, "So you mean to test Me?
But My price for taking action is very high.
Don't regret it when the time comes!"
Candle Dragon replied, "No matter!
Our Dragon Race still has some reserves. We can afford a small price."
What Candle Dragon didn't know was that the "price" he meant and the "price" Haotian meant were entirely different things.
Since Candle Dragon had said as much, Haotian naturally had no reason to refuse.
"There isn't enough room here. How about we fight in Chaos?"
"Agreed!"
With that, the two cultivators turned into streaks of light and sped toward the Chaos beyond the heavens.
Watching the two cultivators head for Chaos.
At that moment, several Sages could only shake their heads.
What was Candle Dragon thinking?
Kunpeng had only just fallen into the trap, and now Candle Dragon was eagerly rushing in too.
Did he think Haotian's influence wasn't strong enough already?
If you all keep delivering yourselves to him like this, it won't be long before Haotian controls the Primordial World.
If Candle Dragon could escape this time, then the Dragon Race's Fortune must truly be flourishing.
But what did the Dragon Race's Fortune look like right now?
This time, Candle Dragon would likely not return.
Back when the Demon Race's Heavenly Court was at the height of its power, it had only five Quasi-Saints.
Now Haotian's side was about to have four Quasi-Saints.
It looked like they were on track to reach the same level of might as the Demon Race's Heavenly Court!
Before you continue