You Blame This Lonely One for Not Knowing You!

The situation was now rather precarious, and Candle Dragon could only pin his hopes on whether Haotian might be fooled by his words.

After deliberating for a moment, Candle Dragon spoke: "Fellow Daoist Haotian! This bout of spell combat was lost by This Seat! Now, please release This Seat."

As his words fell, Candle Dragon fixed his gaze on Haotian, hoping to see from his expression any possibility of escape.

Unfortunately! Candle Dragon had underestimated Haotian's intellect.

At that moment, Haotian was looking at him with a mocking grin. The smile on his face—whether it was ridicule for Candle Dragon walking right into the trap, or joy over his victory in the spell duel—was unclear.

But after waiting a while, Candle Dragon still heard no reply from Haotian.

By then, Candle Dragon understood that the smile on Haotian's face was mostly derision. It was a laugh at Candle Dragon for failing to see the situation clearly.

At this, Candle Dragon couldn't help but recall what Haotian had said to Kunpeng earlier: "Once you fall, all your spiritual treasures shall be Imperial We's!"

Those words now applied to him, Candle Dragon, more or less. He was now the fat meat in the pot, and Haotian could eat him however he pleased.

Let him go just like that? Impossible! If Haotian had any ambition at all, he wouldn't do it. The matter of winning people over with virtue also depended on the recipient. Would old-timers like them ever be truly won over by a few acts of kindness? Even Candle Dragon himself found that unlikely, so how could Haotian think otherwise?

Thinking this far, Candle Dragon had no choice but to speak again: "Fellow Daoist Haotian! The Dragon Race is willing to submit to the Heavenly Court and from now on follow your commands."

Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Haotian said flatly: "Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon! At this point, do you think the Dragon Race can stand apart from the Heavenly Court? Imperial We thinks that what we need to discuss now is not the matter of the Dragon Race. The Dragon Race? Whether they submit or not is not up to them. In the past, Dijun and Taiyi could burn the heavens and boil the seas. Imperial We believes We are not without that power either. But if it comes to that, whether the Dragon Race would still be the Dragon Race as it is now is hard to say. Not that it makes much difference to Imperial We. The problem now is you, Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon. How do you intend to settle this matter? Imperial We said before: if Imperial We made a move, the price would be very heavy. So now, what do you have to say, Fellow Daoist?"

As his words ended, Haotian stared intently at Candle Dragon.

And Candle Dragon, hearing Haotian's speech, felt his heart sink. Things were looking bad! Judging by Haotian's attitude, today he would either have to offer something that moved him, or follow Kunpeng's path—don the label of a thrice-turncoat and become a stranger from then on. Of course, he could also choose to resist unto death. But the consequence of that would be his certain demise.

And Haotian at most puts on a show, sighing with feigned regret.

Then shedding a few crocodile tears for good measure.

Praising him, Candle Dragon, for having integrity.

But that's not what he, Candle Dragon, wanted!

If he truly had integrity, back when facing Dijun and Taiyi, he, Candle Dragon, would have already been dead cold.

Moreover, when he agreed to Haotian's terms earlier, it was far too hasty.

He hadn't even asked what price needed to be paid.

He simply assumed, carelessly, that it could be easily brushed aside.

After mulling it over for a while, Candle Dragon felt it best to start with spiritual treasures.

After all, what if Haotian was actually moved by his treasures?

Was this wishful thinking?

No!

This was the proper way to open negotiations.

Having thought it through.

Candle Dragon spoke: "Then may I ask what spiritual treasure This Seat needs to offer for you, Daoist, to let this duel slide?"

Haotian, upon hearing this, gave Candle Dragon a deep look.

Then slowly said: "Daoist Candle Dragon, your words are far too frivolous.

Daoist Kunpeng intended to use Imperial We's own things to bargain with Imperial We.

But his schemes were seen through by Imperial We.

Does Daoist Candle Dragon think Imperial We will make concessions to you?

Or perhaps, Daoist Candle Dragon believes.

That the spiritual treasure you offer can surpass the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square?"

At Haotian's words, Candle Dragon's heart sank halfway.

Could he, Candle Dragon, offer a spiritual treasure better than the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square?

Impossible!

If he had such a treasure, how could the Dragon Race have fallen to its current state?

As for Haotian making concessions to him, Candle Dragon?

That was even more absurd!

So, looking at the situation now.

There wasn't much room for choice.

Either die and see if Ancestor Dragon would avenge him later.

Or follow Kunpeng's example.

And bow down in submission.

Between the two options.

Candle Dragon quickly made a choice from the heart.

Better to learn from Kunpeng!

A living dog is better than a dead lion.

If you're not afraid of death, what's there to fear in living?

Besides.

With Daoist Kunpeng setting the precedent, him, Candle Dragon, doing this wouldn't be too shameful for a dragon.

Having thought it through, Candle Dragon spoke: "This Humble One wishes to pledge allegiance to the Great Heavenly Venerate!

I beg the Great Heavenly Venerate to take me in!"

Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Haotian did not immediately agree.

They were all old players; who didn't know who?

With empty words, who would dare accept such a thing?

Kunpeng had once handed over a strand of his Primordial Spirit to Dijun and Taiyi.

And still managed a backstab at the critical moment.

Do you, Candle Dragon, think I, Haotian, can trust you?

Don't blame Imperial We for being suspicious; it was that bastard Kunpeng who destroyed trust.

If you want to blame someone, blame Kunpeng.

When Candle Dragon saw that Haotian did not reply, he immediately realized the problem.

Thinking of the reason, Candle Dragon inwardly cursed Kunpeng up and down.

That fellow had completely cut off the path for all cultivators.

Cursing Kunpeng in his heart, Candle Dragon nonetheless continued aloud: "I understand the rules!

I will swear the oath now!"

Then Candle Dragon repeated the same oath Kunpeng had sworn not long ago.

The same oath, recited by a different cultivator.

Naturally, Candle Dragon's feelings at this moment were vastly different.

When he had heard Kunpeng recite it before, Candle Dragon only thought Kunpeng was a joke.

But now, reciting it from his own mouth, Candle Dragon felt like cursing.

Having finished the oath, Candle Dragon took out a wisp of his Primordial Spirit and offered it before Haotian.

"Please accept my sincerity, Your Majesty!"

Haotian glanced at the wisp of Primordial Spirit, then raised his eyes slightly to look at Candle Dragon.

"I thank Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon for coming to the Heavenly Court, working together for the stability of the Primordial World!"

With that.

Haotian reached out and patted Candle Dragon on the shoulder.

Only then did he take the wisp of Primordial Spirit and cast it into the Investiture of the Gods.

Hearing Haotian's words, Candle Dragon's mouth twitched.

Thanks for the thanks, I suppose!

If it were possible, This Seat would rather do without this gratitude.

With one word of thanks from you, the price This Seat paid is no small matter.

Not only has face been completely lost, but the label of a thrice-cursed turncoat has also landed on my head.

More seriously, freedom is gone from now on.

Steadying his mindset, Candle Dragon forced a smile onto his face.

"This is but this subject's duty!

As a cultivator of the Primordial World, this subject bears an unshirkable responsibility for its stability and peace!"

Haotian replied: "Good!

Had I known earlier that Fellow Daoist possessed such good intentions.

I would surely have invited Fellow Daoist to the Heavenly Court long ago to plan great deeds together.

Alas!

It is my fault for not knowing you, Fellow Daoist!

But it is not too late now.

In the days ahead, I hope Fellow Daoist will join hands with me.

To manage the Primordial World into something even better!"