Hello, Take Care of Yourself!

But after hearing Ancestor Dragon's words, Candle Dragon...

Could only reply nervously, "Wasn't I just trying to secure some favorable terms for the Dragon Race?

How could Haotian give the Dragon Race generous terms based on empty promises?

Only by showing Haotian the strength of our Dragon Race could we get him to budge, right?

Who knew..."

Ancestor Dragon nearly spat a mouthful of salty soda in Candle Dragon's face when he heard that.

"Who knew what?

You don't know a damn thing!

That Kunpeng already showed you how it was done.

And you still foolishly rushed right in.

What's in that head of yours?

Huh?

Shit?

Couldn't you use that underdeveloped brain of yours before you acted?

Kunpeng hadn't even made a move.

He ended up like that after Haotian captured him.

And you actually fought Haotian. Did you think you'd get away with it?"

Candle Dragon stared blankly as Ancestor Dragon berated him.

The gloom on his face only deepened.

After a long while...

Ancestor Dragon finally finished cursing and stopped hurling abuse at Candle Dragon.

By then, Candle Dragon looked utterly despondent.

Ancestor Dragon glanced at Candle Dragon's vacant expression and barked irritably, "Snap out of it!

Tell me!

What did you come to me for this time?

I'll tell you now!

According to the Dao Ancestor, I can't leave the East Pole.

So if you're asking me to help you get revenge, don't even bother.

Even if you ask, I can't do it.

If I leave the East Pole, who knows what will happen to the Dragon Race?

I'm not going to gamble the fate of the entire Dragon Race for your personal pride."

At those words, Candle Dragon immediately came back to his senses.

Naturally, he was disappointed that Ancestor Dragon wouldn't help him get revenge.

But thinking of the Dragon Race's predicament, he could only swallow his disappointment.

If getting revenge was out of the question, then he'd have to settle for the next best thing.

He could see whether there was a way to get that wisp of his soul back.

With a wisp of his Natal Soul in someone else's hands, Candle Dragon couldn't help feeling uneasy.

It wasn't just a vague suspicion that someone was out to get him anymore.

His life could be in danger at any moment.

Thinking of this, Candle Dragon said sheepishly, "Big Brother!

Since you can't leave the East Pole, let's forget about getting revenge.

But could you think of a way to get that wisp of my Natal Soul back?

Haotian has it in his grasp, and I can't feel at ease."

Ancestor Dragon fell silent at Candle Dragon's words.

Getting that wisp of his Natal Soul back?

That wouldn't be easy.

Since Haotian had dared to take it, surely he had some way to keep hold of it.

But it couldn't be allowed to leave Candle Dragon's life in Haotian's hands forever.

Pride could be set aside.

The real worry was that Haotian might use Candle Dragon as cannon fodder in the future.

That would be a real disaster.

After a moment's silence, Ancestor Dragon could only say, "We'll try.

I can't guarantee that I'll be able to get that wisp of your Natal Soul back.

Haotian isn't a pushover.

Since he dared to take a wisp of your Natal Soul and one of Kunpeng's, he probably has a way to keep them.

Don't get your hopes up."

Candle Dragon was overjoyed.

"Then we'll work together!

There's no way Haotian can withstand the spellwork of two Perfected Hunyuan Golden Immortals."

Ancestor Dragon glanced at Candle Dragon, but ultimately refrained from cursing him again.

Then he nodded. "All right.

Let's give it a try.

If we can get it back, that would be best.

But if we can't...

You'll have to be careful from now on.

What we're about to do will surely alert Haotian.

And neither of us can control what he'll think of it.

How he treats you and the Dragon Race from now on will be anyone's guess.

You'll have to give even more thought to the Dragon Race's affairs."

Candle Dragon was already in this predicament. How could he worry about all that?

Right now, all he cared about was getting back what Haotian held over him.

Candle Dragon immediately said, "I understand, Big Brother.

If we can't get that wisp of my Natal Soul back, I'll be more careful from now on.

Let's start right away!

If we wait too long, who knows what Haotian might do?"

Ancestor Dragon scowled. "Now you're afraid?

Where was that fear before?"

Even as he spoke, Ancestor Dragon's hands moved swiftly.

Before his words had even faded, he was already forming hand seals.

A moment later...

Ancestor Dragon's brows knitted tight, and his forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

Yet the wisp of Candle Dragon's soul he had summoned showed no sign of returning.

Seeing this, Ancestor Dragon called out, "Second Brother, help me!"

At once, Candle Dragon raised his hand and sent a surge of Mana toward Ancestor Dragon.

Inside Taiwei Palace in the Heavenly Court...

Haotian had just returned to his meditation chamber when he sensed the Investiture of the Gods stirring. He immediately sent a surge of Mana toward it.

The disturbance was quickly suppressed.

But before he could relax, the Investiture of the Gods stirred again.

After it had stirred twice, Haotian understood what was causing it.

Thinking of Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon casting spells in the East Pole, Haotian's lips twitched.

You think you can get that wisp of Natal Soul back?

Dream on!

I knew you wouldn't behave.

Hmph!

It was a good thing Ancestor Dragon hadn't come knocking.

Otherwise, I'd have shown you why flowers are so red.

Because they're dyed with your blood!

With that thought, Haotian raised a finger and jabbed at the Investiture of the Gods.

As the Mana flowed into it, the disturbance vanished at once.

At that very moment, far away in the East Pole, Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon both shuddered and nearly collapsed onto their meditation cushions.

After catching his breath, Ancestor Dragon looked at Candle Dragon with a complicated expression.

"What kind of monster have you provoked?

I knew it would be difficult to get your wisp of soul back.

But I never expected him to break through our efforts in an instant.

Now you've seen it for yourself.

It's not that I won't help you. There's simply nothing we can do.

You'd better take care of yourself from now on!"

With that, Ancestor Dragon closed his eyes to recover.

Candle Dragon, meanwhile, leaned backward, disbelief written all over his face.

After a long while...

Candle Dragon sat up, his expression utterly lost.

It seemed that getting back that wisp of his Natal Soul was now just a pipe dream.

From now on, his life and death rested entirely in Haotian's hands.

What made him even more furious was that their attempt had alerted Haotian.

Who knew what kind of trouble Haotian might have in store for him?

After resting for a while, Ancestor Dragon slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing Candle Dragon's dejected state, Ancestor Dragon frowned. "Pull yourself together!

Things have turned out this way, so face them properly.

Could it be worse than before?

What storms haven't we weathered?

Haotian has offended all Six Sages.

Who knows how things will turn out for him?

As long as you're careful, it's not impossible to escape this predicament one day.

It's only a temporary setback. What's there to despair about?

With our cultivation, how could we concern ourselves only with what happens today or tomorrow?

Look at Kunpeng!

What did he do back then?

He endured humiliation and bided his time!

When the chance finally came, he not only escaped the control of Dijun and Taiyi, but also made off with the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square.

You can say Kunpeng is a bad person, but you can't say he's useless.

If Kunpeng could do it, why can't you?"

Candle Dragon wanted to say that he couldn't.

But the words reached his lips, then slipped back down.