Thanks to Candle Dragon, My Bro, for the Grand Gift

Just as Haotian was about to enter seclusion.

From the South Heaven Gate came Ao Guang's voice.

"Dragon Race Ao Guang, requests an audience with the Great Heavenly Venerate!"

Haotian's heart stirred at the words.

He had just made up his mind to find an opportunity to hit the Dragon Race hard.

Unexpectedly, they came knocking on his own door.

Was this a surrender the moment they sensed trouble?

Surrender and take half the loss?

Or were they trying to secure favorable terms?

But.

This Imperial We had no tradition of leniency toward captives.

In the Primordial World.

Especially now that this Imperial We had already smoothed things over with all the saints of the Primordial World.

Only then did the Dragon Race come crawling up.

Favorable terms?

There would definitely be none.

Not a shred of favor!

You Dragon Race could only choose one: come up on stage or sit at the table.

But Ao Guang wanting to negotiate with Imperial We?

That was hardly appropriate.

Who did he think he was looking down on?

What rank did Ao Guang hold?

Having thought this through.

Haotian sent a message granting entry.

Then, with a flicker of his form, he went straight to Lingxiao Palace.

Soon.

Ao Guang arrived at Lingxiao Palace.

Bowing deeply, he said, "Dragon Race Ao Guang pays homage to Your Majesty!"

Haotian replied flatly, "Rise!

May I ask what advice you have come to offer?"

Hearing Haotian's words, Ao Guang's heart jolted.

What was this about?

I'd barely opened my mouth, and Haotian was already speaking harshly.

Advice?

I'm just a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal—would I dare put on airs before you, Haotian?

Could it be that I entered the main hall with my left foot first, and that displeased him?

While his mind raced, Ao Guang dared not be slow with his words.

"This Humble One has come entrusted by my Dragon Race's Old Ancestor.

To discuss with Your Majesty the matter of the Dragon Race submitting to the Heavenly Court."

Hearing this, Haotian replied, "The matter of the Dragon Race's submission?

Can you be certain of making decisions on this?

If Candle Dragon himself won't come, yet sends you, Ao Guang.

What does Candle Dragon mean by this?

Does he look down on Imperial We?"

At Haotian's words, Ao Guang was instantly struck speechless.

How to answer?

The man had said it outright—Ao Guang had no standing to negotiate.

But to go back like this would be hard to explain to the Old Ancestor.

After a moment of deliberation, Ao Guang could only say, "Why doesn't Your Majesty first state the terms?

Perhaps this Humble One can still make a decision."

Haotian looked at Ao Guang and said, "No need.

The conditions I wish to speak of, you cannot answer.

If you want to negotiate, let Candle Dragon come."

Seeing that Haotian had put it so bluntly, Ao Guang could only withdraw in chagrin.

If he didn't leave now, Ao Guang feared he might not be able to.

Back at the East Sea.

Ao Guang once again arrived at Candle Dragon's cave dwelling.

Before Ao Guang could speak.

The South Sea Dragon King Ao Qin asked, "Elder Brother!

How did the talks go?

What conditions did Haotian offer?"

Ao Guang's heart was filled with bitterness at the words.

He naturally knew what Ao Qin meant by "conditions."

Still dreaming, thinking they were voluntarily submitting.

What generous treatment could Haotian give the Dragon Race?

But Haotian's attitude just now didn't seem like he intended to offer any favorable terms.

If they handled it poorly, this time it might truly threaten the Dragon Race's survival.

Ignoring the other Dragon Kings, Ao Guang cupped his hands toward Candle Dragon and said, "Old Ancestor!

Haotian didn't mention any conditions.

He didn't even negotiate with me.

He only said that you should go in person.

And..."

Seeing Ao Guang hesitate, Candle Dragon frowned and asked, "And what?"

"And in my view, Haotian likely has no intention of treating the Dragon Race favorably."

As Ao Guang's words fell, before Candle Dragon could respond.

The other three Dragon Kings shot to their feet with a rustle.

Then Ao Run spoke up, "What does that mean?

Does Haotian think that with a bit of cultivation, he can have the Dragon Race at his mercy?

Even if we can't defeat him, we don't have to submit to Haotian.

In this Primordial World, besides Haotian, there are still the Six Sages."

As Ao Run finished, Candle Dragon immediately cut in, "Enough!

Everyone quiet down!

Let This Seat think first!"

The Four Dragon Kings fell silent at once, sitting down with indignant expressions.

Meanwhile, Candle Dragon was weighing the feasibility of Ao Run's words.

Submit 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's always a "but."

Could a sage truly protect the Dragon Race?

Or, would they be willing to go against Haotian for the Dragon Race's sake?

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 follow Haotian's rules once they left their dojos.

And the Dragon Race obviously couldn't move into a sage's dojo.

That meant the Dragon Race would always be under Haotian's jurisdiction.

In such a situation, if Haotian deliberately sought trouble with the Dragon Race.

Would a sage break their agreement to help them?

Then the Dragon Race would face Haotian alone.

On this matter, even a saint's promise cannot change it.

After all, a promise is no match for a Dao Oath.

But Haotian's actions here somewhat belittle the Dragon Race.

If he were to do nothing and simply go negotiate with Haotian like this, he suspected Haotian truly wouldn't show the Dragon Race any face.

Then who knew what harsh terms he might come up with.

After a moment of deliberation, Candle Dragon rose and said, "You all wait here.

This Seat will go meet this Haotian!

Let's see just how much weight he carries, to dare treat my Dragon Race with such disdain."

With that, Candle Dragon shot straight toward the Heavenly Court.

Before long, Candle Dragon appeared in the Lingxiao Palace.

Seated on the dragon throne, Haotian exchanged a glance with Candle Dragon.

Seeing Candle Dragon remain silent for a long while, Haotian spoke, "You've come!"

"I've come!"

"Then let's hear the Dragon Race's sincerity!"

"The Dragon Race naturally has sincerity, but This Seat wants to see if you, fellow Daoist, are worthy of that sincerity."

At Candle Dragon's words, Haotian's heart stirred.

An opportunity!

He had been pondering how to drag Candle Dragon into the trap as well.

He never expected Candle Dragon to leap into the pit himself.

If he missed this chance, then Imperial We might as well stop being the Heavenly Emperor.

Thank you, old friend, for sending such a gift!

He gave Candle Dragon a serious look.

Only then did Haotian speak slowly, "Judging by your meaning, fellow Daoist, you want to weigh Imperial We?

But Imperial We's price for making a move is quite high.

Don't regret it later, fellow Daoist!"

Candle Dragon replied, "No matter!

My Dragon Race still has some foundation; a small price is something we can afford."

Yet Candle Dragon had no idea that the price he spoke of and the price Haotian spoke of were two entirely different things.

Since Candle Dragon had said as much, Haotian naturally had no reason to object.

"This place is too cramped. How about a battle in Chaos?"

"Agreed!"

With that, the two cultivators turned into streaks of light and shot toward the Chaos beyond the heavens.

Watching the two heading into Chaos, the several saints present could only shake their heads.

What was Candle Dragon thinking?

Kunpeng had just fallen into the trap, and now Candle Dragon was eagerly rushing in too.

Was he afraid Haotian's power wasn't strong enough?

At this rate of gifting, Haotian really wasn't far from controlling the Primordial World.

If Candle Dragon could escape this time, it would surely mean the Dragon Race's fortune was at its peak.

But what kind of state was the Dragon Race's fortune in now?

This time, Candle Dragon likely wouldn't return.

Back when the Demon Race's Heavenly Court was at its height, it only had five Quasi-Saints.

Now, on Haotian's side, he was about to have four Quasi-Saints.

This was shaping up to match the might of the Demon Race's Heavenly Court!