Best of luck to you!

After hearing the words of Ancestor Dragon, Candle Dragon could only respond with trepidation: "I was only trying to secure some favorable conditions for the Dragon Race, wasn't I?"

"Without any leverage, why would Haotian ever grant the Dragon Race generous terms?"

"Only by letting Haotian see the true foundation of our Dragon Race could I make him loosen his grip. Who would have known..."

Ancestor Dragon nearly spat a mouthful of salt soda right into Candle Dragon's face upon hearing this.

"Known what? You know nothing!"

"That fellow Kunpeng had already set the example for you."

"Yet you still foolishly threw yourself into the fire."

"What is inside your head?"

"Huh?"

"Is it excrement?"

"Before you act, can't you use that underdeveloped brain of yours?"

"Kunpeng hadn't even made a move yet, and look at the outcome after he was captured by Haotian."

"You actually dared to fight him; did you really think you would come away unscathed?"

Candle Dragon was left stunned by the scolding from Ancestor Dragon.

The look of dejection on his face grew even more pronounced.

After a long while, Ancestor Dragon finally finished his tirade and ceased his verbal assault.

By this time, Candle Dragon already wore an expression of utter hopelessness.

Glancing at the dazed Candle Dragon, Ancestor Dragon roared impatiently: "Snap out of it!"

"Speak! What did you come to see me for this time?"

"I'll tell you first: according to the words of the Dao Ancestor, I cannot leave the East Pole."

"So, if you want me to go and settle the score for you, you had better not even bring it up."

"Even if you ask, I cannot do it."

"Once I leave the East Pole, the fate of the Dragon Race will be unpredictable."

"You cannot gamble the entire Dragon Race on your personal pride."

Upon hearing this, Candle Dragon immediately regained his senses.

Naturally, he was disappointed that Ancestor Dragon would not help him settle the score.

But considering the situation of the Dragon Race, Candle Dragon had no choice but to endure it.

Since seeking revenge was off the table, he could only settle for second best.

He would see if he could find a way to retrieve that wisp of his Natal Soul.

With a wisp of his Natal Soul held in someone else's hands, Candle Dragon felt a constant, gnawing unease.

It was no longer just a feeling that some rogue wanted to harm him; he was genuinely at risk of being harmed at any moment.

Thinking of this, Candle Dragon spoke sheepishly: "Big Brother!"

"Since you cannot leave the East Pole, we shall not speak of settling the score."

"But could you think of a way to help me retrieve that wisp of my Natal Soul?"

"With that wisp of my Natal Soul held by Haotian, I just don't feel at peace."

Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Ancestor Dragon fell silent as well.

Retrieve that wisp of Natal Soul?

This matter was not going to be easy to handle.

Since Haotian dared to seize it, how could he not have methods to keep it?

Yet, allowing Haotian to hold the life-gate of Candle Dragon was simply not an option.

Face and reputation were things he could care less about.

He was only worried that Haotian would use Candle Dragon as cannon fodder in the future.

That would truly be a disaster.

After a moment of silence, Ancestor Dragon finally spoke, "Let's give it a try.

I cannot guarantee that I can retrieve that wisp of your Natal Soul.

That Haotian is no pushover.

Since he dared to accept a wisp of Natal Soul from both you and Kunpeng, he likely has a way to keep it.

Do not get your hopes up too high."

Upon hearing this, Candle Dragon was instantly overjoyed.

"Then let us combine our efforts!

I refuse to believe that Haotian can withstand the spellcasting of two Perfected Hunyuan Golden Immortal cultivators."

Ancestor Dragon could not help but glance at Candle Dragon upon hearing this.

But in the end, he refrained from spewing any more insults.

He then nodded and said, "Fine.

Let us try then.

If we can retrieve it, that would naturally be for the best.

But if we cannot, you must be more careful from now on.

What we are doing now will surely alert Haotian.

Once that happens, how Haotian reacts will be beyond our control.

How he treats you and the Dragon Race in the future will become an unknown.

You will likely have to put even more effort into the affairs of the Dragon Race from here on out."

Having reached this point, how could Candle Dragon possibly care about all that?

He was now single-mindedly focused on retrieving his life-line.

Candle Dragon immediately spoke, "Big brother, I understand.

If we fail to retrieve that wisp of Natal Soul this time, I will certainly be more cautious in the future.

Let us begin quickly!

If we are too slow, who knows what kind of tricks Haotian might pull."

Ancestor Dragon could not help but retort irritably, "Now you know fear?

What were you doing earlier?"

Despite his words, Ancestor Dragon's hands moved without delay.

Before his voice had even faded, Ancestor Dragon had already begun to weave incantations.

A moment later, Ancestor Dragon's brows were tightly furrowed, and a fine layer of sweat covered his forehead.

Yet, the wisp of Candle Dragon's soul he was trying to summon showed no signs of returning.

Seeing this, Ancestor Dragon called out, "Second brother, assist me!"

Hearing this, Candle Dragon immediately raised his hand, and a surge of Mana flowed toward Ancestor Dragon.

In Taiwei Palace of the Heavenly Court, Haotian, who had returned to his meditation chamber, sensed the disturbance in the Investiture of the Gods and immediately channeled a surge of Mana into it, easily suppressing the unrest.

But before he could even catch his breath, the disturbance from the Investiture of the Gods returned.

Having experienced the disturbance twice, Haotian now understood the cause.

Thinking of Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon currently casting spells at the East Pole, Haotian's lips curled slightly.

You want to take back that wisp of Natal Soul?

In your dreams!

I knew you fellows wouldn't stay quiet.

Hmph!

It was fortunate that Ancestor Dragon hadn't come knocking.

Otherwise, he would have made them understand exactly why the flowers were so red.

They were dyed in the color of their blood!

Thinking this, Haotian raised a finger and jabbed it toward the Investiture of the Gods.

As this surge of Mana poured in, the strange fluctuations of the Investiture of the Gods vanished without a trace.

At that very moment, far away at the East Pole, Ancestor Dragon and Candle Dragon both shuddered simultaneously, nearly collapsing from their meditation cushions.

After catching his breath, Ancestor Dragon looked toward Candle Dragon with a complex expression.

"What kind of monster have you provoked?

I knew that retrieving your strand of soul would be difficult.

But I never imagined that they would shatter your and my methods in the blink of an eye.

Now you have seen it for yourself.

It is not that I will not help you, but that there is simply no way to do so.

You had best look after yourself from here on out!"

Having said that.

Ancestor Dragon began to close his eyes and regulate his breathing.

Meanwhile, Candle Dragon leaned back, his face still etched with disbelief.

After a long while.

Candle Dragon sat back up, his face filled with utter dejection.

It now seemed that retrieving that strand of Natal Soul had become a pipe dream.

From now on, the life and death of Candle Dragon would be held entirely in the hands of Haotian.

What was even more infuriating was that this attempt had alerted Haotian.

There was no telling what kind of petty retaliation awaited him.

After regulating his breathing for a moment, Ancestor Dragon slowly opened his eyes.

Glancing at the despondent Candle Dragon, Ancestor Dragon frowned and said, "Pull yourself together!

Since things have already reached this point, you must face them squarely.

Could it be any harder than what we faced in the beginning?

What great storms have we not weathered before?

That Haotian has already offended all of the Six Sages.

Who knows what his ultimate fate will be?

As long as you handle this carefully, it is not impossible for you to break free in the future.

It is merely a temporary setback; what is there to be so discouraged about?

With our level of cultivation, how can we be concerned only with the struggles of the moment?

Look at Kunpeng!

How did he handle things back then?

He endured humiliation and bore the burden!

Once he seized the opportunity, he not only broke free from the control of Dijun and Taiyi.

He even managed to make off with the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square.

You may call Kunpeng wicked, but you cannot call him incompetent.

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

Upon hearing this, Candle Dragon desperately wanted to say that he couldn't.

But the words reached his lips, and he swallowed them back down.