Fellow Daoist Kunpeng's Demeanor Remains Unchanged!

After a moment of silence, under the eager, hopeful gazes of the Four Dragon Kings.

Candle Dragon finally spoke.

"This Seat is already aware of the matter.

But for now, the Heavenly Emperor has directly entered seclusion.

And among the tribute we've sent, there are some things that are not so easy to hand over.

For the time being, the only course is to wait.

Wait until the Heavenly Emperor emerges from seclusion, then present the Dragon Race's tribute.

After all, the Clam Maidens we offered—though the intent was to let the Heavenly Emperor enjoy some song and dance, a way to relax—

How others might interpret it, well, that's hard to say."

As Candle Dragon's words fell, a flicker of embarrassment crossed the faces of the Four Dragon Kings.

Enjoy "song and dance"?

That was just a pretext.

If this matter were laid out in the open, the Dragon Race would be nothing short of sycophantic flatterers.

What decent person sends beautiful women for no reason?

And not just a few, but several hundred at once.

Moreover, they would continue to offer tribute every ten thousand years from now on.

This was practically the hallmark of a treacherous minister.

After a long silence, Ao Qin couldn't help but sigh: "Ah!

What a mess!

We can't even give away our gifts!

What do we do now?

If we make no move, by the time the Heavenly Emperor comes out of seclusion, he'll likely come straight for the Dragon Race's head."

Candle Dragon pondered for a moment, then said: "Here's what we'll do!

After you return, Ao Guang, immediately contact Qiu Niu.

Have him come serve in the Heavenly Court. Since we've brought eight hundred thousand water tribesmen, we need to treat this as a serious matter.

Otherwise, This Seat stands alone in the Heavenly Court, and the Dragon Race's days will be no easier.

Also, have Qiu Niu bring Tao Tie along.

That fellow has been running wild in the Primordial World for far too long.

It's time he settled down.

Things are different now—the Heavenly Court's authority grows by the day.

If we let him keep causing trouble, the next target to be eliminated might just include Tao Tie himself.

Additionally, have Xie Zhi come to the Heavenly Court.

His innate divine ability makes him perfect for managing the Heavenly Prison.

Each of you Four Seas should contribute another fifty thousand water tribesmen.

Help Xie Zhi set up the framework of the Heavenly Prison.

Never mind how far behind Kunpeng we are—at the very least, we must show our stance.

Otherwise, with neither value nor attitude, it will be the Dragon Race that suffers."

Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Ao Guang frowned: "Old Ancestor!

I understand what you're saying.

But..."

Seeing Ao Guang's hesitation, Candle Dragon's voice turned stern: "But what?

Could it be you're unwilling to spare another fifty thousand water tribesmen?"

Ao Guang immediately shook his head: "That's not my meaning at all!

The problem is, the three you just named are no ordinary figures.

If I go notify them, they might not even bother to acknowledge me.

Especially Tao Tie—with his temperament, if he's displeased, he might just gobble me up into his belly."

Candle Dragon's face immediately fell at these words.

It really was just like that—given Tao Tie's temperament, this wasn't beyond him.

Then Candle Dragon said, "Forget it!

You all go back and prepare the next batch of aquatic tribes.

This Seat will notify Tao Tie and the others personally."

The Four Dragon Kings rose and bowed, saying, "Yes!

We take our leave!"

After the Four Dragon Kings departed, Candle Dragon continued sitting in his chair, pondering the current situation.

For the Dragon Race, this time was even more infuriating than when they had joined the Heavenly Court before.

After all, back then, Dijun and Taiyi had seemed quite hostile toward the Dragon Race.

Yet once the Dragon Race declared their submission, they hadn't actually inflicted much real loss.

But now it was different. Haotian appeared to elevate him highly.

Yet how Haotian truly intended to treat the Dragon Race remained a mystery.

On top of that, Candle Dragon himself was also trapped in the Heavenly Court.

This left the Dragon Race in a very passive position.

On one hand, they had to give Haotian an account; on the other, they had to control the Dragon Race's losses.

Exhausting!

After thinking for a moment, Candle Dragon decided to first visit Kunpeng.

Kunpeng had experience with this sort of thing.

He could try to probe indirectly and see if he could get something useful.

Besides, from now on, they would both be taking orders in the Heavenly Court, so it was good to build a relationship.

That way, he might avoid being set up later.

He didn't expect Kunpeng to offer any help, but at least he shouldn't cause trouble.

Especially since most of the divine positions in the current Heavenly Court came from the Demon Race.

They might not dare to defy Haotian's orders, but that didn't mean they couldn't trip up Candle Dragon.

Having thought this through.

Candle Dragon's form flickered and vanished from where he stood.

In a moment.

Candle Dragon arrived at Kunpeng's palace.

"Daoist Kunpeng!

Candle Dragon pays a visit!"

Hearing Candle Dragon's voice, Kunpeng suppressed his doubts.

He slowly spoke, "Daoist Candle Dragon, please come in!"

Once inside the hall, Candle Dragon gave a slight bow.

"Greetings, Daoist Kunpeng!

It's been years, and your bearing remains as splendid as ever!"

As soon as Candle Dragon said this, a surge of resentment rose in Kunpeng's heart.

Are you deliberately bringing up the sore spot?

This Seat has fallen to such a miserable state, and you say my bearing remains splendid?

Are you mocking me for being caught again?

Thinking this, Kunpeng immediately replied, "Daoist Candle Dragon, you are too kind!

Your bearing, too, has not diminished!

Please, sit!"

With these words, Kunpeng quietly struck back.

Aren't you, Candle Dragon, also captured and brought to the Heavenly Court?

This Seat may be in a bad spot, but you're not much better off.

Once Candle Dragon was seated, Kunpeng waved a hand to offer a cup of tea.

Then he asked, "May I ask what advice Daoist Candle Dragon has come to offer?"

Candle Dragon shook his head at this and said, "I dare not speak of advice!

It's just that from now on, we will both be serving in the Heavenly Court, so I came specially to pay a visit."

Hearing this, Kunpeng couldn't quite figure out Candle Dragon's intentions.

Had he come specifically to mock him?

It didn't seem like Candle Dragon had that kind of leisure.

Was he here to build a connection?

That would be a good thing!

Though ultimately useless!

Everyone's life was clenched in Haotian's grasp.

Stirring up trouble?

They'd be lucky to survive the night!

For now, Kunpeng would treat Candle Dragon's overture as a genuine gesture of goodwill, without rushing to refuse it.

After all, Candle Dragon's cultivation was a cut above his own.

So Kunpeng replied, "This Humble One deeply agrees with your words, fellow Daoist!

Now that we both serve in the Heavenly Court, let's communicate in advance on matters.

That way, we can avoid many misunderstandings and strive to complete the tasks His Majesty assigns."

The meaning was clear: Candle Dragon, I, Kunpeng, accept your goodwill.

And I am willing to coexist peacefully with you, Candle Dragon.

Provided we do not defy the Heavenly Emperor's will.

Hearing this answer, Candle Dragon had a sense of the situation.

It seemed Kunpeng was also willing to live in peace.

That at least removed the possibility of being kicked while he was down.

Though Haotian loomed over them all, making talk of shared advance or retreat impossible.

Still, for the Dragon Race and himself, this was a decent start.

So Candle Dragon spoke, "Kunpeng, fellow Daoist, your words are reasonable!

We truly cannot botch His Majesty's tasks.

However, the Dragon Race hasn't contributed much this time, and I fear His Majesty may be displeased.

Could you, fellow Daoist, offer me some guidance?"

As soon as Candle Dragon said this, Kunpeng felt a surge of displeasure.

Were you here to express goodwill, Candle Dragon, or to pick a fight?

Why bring this up for no reason?

Who in the entire Primordial World didn't know that Kunpeng had ruthlessly betrayed the Demon Race to save his own skin?

Saying the Dragon Race hadn't contributed much—

Wasn't that just pointing out how viciously I, Kunpeng, had struck against the Demon Race?

Was he needling me?

Or mocking me?

And here This Seat thought you'd come to offer goodwill.

It seemed that conclusion was premature.

Let's wait and see.

See what you have to say next.

So Kunpeng replied flatly, "Candle Dragon, fellow Daoist!

This Humble One can't say for sure on this matter!

Besides, haven't you, fellow Daoist, already prepared a grand gift?

Why bother asking me further?"

When Kunpeng mentioned the grand gift, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Candle Dragon's face.

He'd thought he was being discreet, but it turned out everyone had noticed.

Still, why did you have to call it out?

Couldn't we just have a pleasant chat?