You're Talking a Little Too Much

Yet Candle Dragon knew the situation as well.

Even if he said he couldn't do it, that wouldn't change anything.

Perhaps Ancestor Dragon was right: he had to endure the humiliation and bide his time.

Waiting until he could break free was the only way.

At that thought, Candle Dragon couldn't help letting out a quiet sigh.

"Ah!

I looked down on Kunpeng and mocked him.

And now I have to become him!"

After a moment of silence, Candle Dragon finally spoke. "Big Brother, that's more or less what happened to me.

But what about the Dragon Race?

What should the Dragon Race do from now on?

Are we really going to let Haotian take whatever he wants from us?

I'm afraid Haotian won't be satisfied, and the Dragon Race will suffer enormous losses."

Ancestor Dragon fell silent at that.

After a long while, he finally said, "Now that things have been settled, I don't have a good solution either.

Haotian has the moral high ground, so the Dragon Race has no grounds to resist him.

And in terms of strength, the Dragon Race is no match for Haotian.

That leaves the Dragon Race with no way to resist.

For now, all we can do is go along with Haotian's wishes.

Now that the Dragon Race has joined the Heavenly Court, its position will naturally change.

We can no longer be Haotian's primary target for suppression.

Just wait!

There are plenty who are more anxious than the Dragon Race!

Now that we've joined the Heavenly Court, who in the Primordial World will become its thorn in the side?"

Candle Dragon replied, "The Sages' Great Sects!"

Ancestor Dragon nodded. "That's right!

Those Sages!

Haotian has already had two disputes with them over their disciples.

Without the Dragon Race drawing Haotian's attention, do you think those Sages will be able to sit still?

So although you seem to have suffered some indignity this time, it may not be a bad thing for the Dragon Race.

At the very least, it will make us much less conspicuous.

From now on, just remember this.

Do your job quietly, and the Dragon Race must stop making a show of itself.

If possible, make the Dragon Race seem even weaker.

Only then can our race gain more breathing room."

Remember!

Stop using that underdeveloped brain of yours to make what you think are clever decisions on your own.

For all you know, that scoundrel Haotian—or one of the other Sages—could be setting a trap for you."

Although Ancestor Dragon's words displeased Candle Dragon, he didn't argue.

After all, he had just been taught a lesson by Haotian.

He had lost all his trump cards in one go.

Candle Dragon truly didn't dare to act rashly again.

He nodded and said, "Yes!

I'll remember!"

"If you remember, then get lost!

Don't come looking for me unless it's necessary!

If I keep appearing in the eyes of cultivators across the Primordial World, then no matter how low-profile the Dragon Race is, we won't escape everyone's notice.

If you don't want others to set their sights on the Dragon Race again, you'd better behave yourself too."

With that, Ancestor Dragon closed his eyes and paid Candle Dragon no further attention.

Candle Dragon sensibly withdrew from the hall.

He glanced back at the palace, gradually shrouded by clouds and mist, then blurred into motion and headed for the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Back in his cave abode,

Candle Dragon had only just sat down when the Four Dragon Kings impatiently asked, "Old Ancestor!

How did it go?"

Candle Dragon looked around, then replied coolly, "I've reached an agreement with Haotian.

From now on, the entire Dragon Race will join the Heavenly Court and obey its commands.

Once Kunpeng finishes consolidating the Demon Race, we'll all go to the Heavenly Court to receive our titles.

Don't just sit around waiting. Think about what we should offer as tribute.

Everyone knows the Dragon Race is rich in the treasures of the four seas. If we don't offer anything, what will Haotian think of us?

The Demon Race can earn Haotian's favor by selling their lives.

Does the Dragon Race have to sell our lives to survive too?

If you think you're capable enough, you don't have to offer tribute.

You can take on whatever assignments come your way yourselves.

And when you die and your cultivation is destroyed, don't say I didn't warn you."

The Four Dragon Kings' expressions changed at Candle Dragon's words.

Wait a minute!

We were all waiting for you to bring back good news.

But you've returned only to tell us not only that there are no special favors, but that we have to pay tribute to Haotian?

What the hell is this?

How is this any different from selling the Dragon Race to Haotian?

And paying him on top of it, no less.

At that thought, Ao Qin couldn't help speaking up. "Old Ancestor!

This...

Do we really have to pay Haotian tribute on top of everything?

Even if Haotian is powerful, we can just play along in public.

There's no need to pay such a steep price, is there?"

Candle Dragon glared fiercely at Ao Qin.

He brooded inwardly.

Do you think I can tell you this is the price I have to pay to stay alive?

From now on, that bastard Kunpeng can rely on his massive army of Demon Race soldiers to secure a foothold in the Heavenly Court.

That will prove his worth.

But what about me, Candle Dragon?

If I don't prove my worth, then the next time there's trouble with a Sage's Great Sect, do you think that bastard Haotian won't send me?

Either way, I'd be in trouble.

If I go, I'll definitely offend a Sage.

Haotian dares to stand up to a Sage, but do I?

If I refuse, I'll certainly offend Haotian.

He holds a strand of my Natal Soul in his hands.

With a single thought, he can make me wish I were dead.

With that, Candle Dragon said icily to Ao Qin, "You're talking a little too much today!

What?

Do you want to be in charge of the Dragon Race now?"

Candle Dragon's words made Ao Qin shudder.

He hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare!

I wouldn't dare!"

Candle Dragon snorted at that.

"Hmph!

You'd better not dare!

But if any of you do have that idea, you can just say so.

I'll gladly grant your wish.

I'll expel you from the Dragon Race right now.

Whatever you do from then on will have nothing to do with the Dragon Race.

Whether or not you pay tribute will no longer be my concern.

You don't even have to join the Heavenly Court. I won't say a word.

So, what do you think?

Want to try leading one of the four seas as an independent force?"

At Candle Dragon's words, the Four Dragon Kings' expressions changed.

Leading one of the four seas as an independent force?

It sounded pretty good.

They could make every decision for themselves from then on.

But in return, they'd have to face every crisis on their own.

With their cultivation at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level, could they handle such crises by themselves?

That was a fool's dream.

If they declared independence, other cultivators would swallow them whole, skin and bones, before long.

The Four Dragon Kings hurriedly replied, "We have no such intention!

We'll follow your orders, Old Ancestor!"

Seeing that the Four Dragon Kings' discontent had been suppressed, Candle Dragon continued slowly, "Hmph!

Good. As long as you don't mean that!

Do you think you're the only ones who'll suffer losses?

Even I have to go to the Heavenly Court to receive a title this time.

What do your little losses amount to?

Tell me!

What do you plan to offer as tribute on this first visit to the Heavenly Court?

And what do you plan to offer every ten thousand years from now on?

We might as well settle it now.

That way, when we receive our titles, we can show the Dragon Race's sincerity.

We mustn't leave a bad impression.

If you can't provide something Haotian is satisfied with, then get ready to risk your lives.

You have to have some value.

Otherwise, why would Haotian want the Dragon Race?

Once the Dragon Race is useless, we'll become discarded pawns.

And then the Dragon Race will be in an even worse position."