The Immortal Court's Grand Gathering Draws Myriad Immortals; Dongwang Gong's Moment of Glory; Is Someone Causing Trouble?

"Besides, Fellow Daoist may not acknowledge it, but the blood of my Dragon Race still flows through your veins. That is a fact that cannot be changed."

"This Dragon Pearl is the Ancestral Dragon's Legacy. It is only right and proper for Fellow Daoist to inherit it. Perhaps this is also the Ancestral Dragon's will guiding us from beyond."

"Lastly, and most importantly..." Candle Dragon's voice carried a hint of wonder and anticipation. A faint flame seemed to kindle in his yellowed dragon eyes.

"Though I do not know what earth-shattering method Fellow Daoist cultivates, I can clearly sense the aura surrounding you—that air of transcendence, beyond time and space, even faintly above the Heavenly Dao..."

"How similar it is to the state my elder brother, the Ancestral Dragon, revealed when he pursued the ultimate path of transcendence! Perhaps yours surpasses it!"

"This Ancestral Dragon Pearl contains the Ancestral Dragon's lifelong explorations and insights into the path of transcendence. It even holds a wisp of his undying dragon-soul imprint!"

"Perhaps it could play a vital role in Fellow Daoist's future cultivation! Across the entire Primordial Wilderness, I doubt there is anyone more suited to inherit this pearl than you!"

"In our hands, this treasure is but a pearl hidden in the dust. Only in Fellow Daoist's hands can it shine with its due brilliance—and perhaps even surpass its former glory!"

"Come to think of it, we old relics have been clinging to life, yet cannot support the younger generation. Now we can only offer a few worldly possessions. It is truly shameful."

Every word Candle Dragon spoke struck Ao Chen's heart like the tolling of a great bell, shaking his spirit to its core!

Ao Chen fell silent. He could feel the sincerity and resolve in Candle Dragon's words, as well as the weight of his hopes.

Indeed, considering what the Myriad Calamities Furnace Body meant to the Dragon Race, no reward would be too much. And as a member of the Dragon Race, it was only natural for him to inherit the Ancestral Dragon's Legacy.

What moved him most was Candle Dragon's last remark!

The Ancestral Dragon Pearl contained the Ancestral Dragon's explorations and insights into the path of transcendence? And an undying dragon-soul imprint?

This was an unimaginably immense opportunity for him to perfect the Mythical Grand Unity Method and break through to a higher realm!

And besides...

Ao Chen's thoughts stirred again, and his divine sense probed more deeply into the hovering seven-colored Dragon Pearl.

This time, he felt more clearly that besides the vast power of the Dragon Race's origin and its profound Dao resonance, the pearl radiated a faint yet unyielding aura—one that seemed to have endured for countless ages, imperishable and eternal: an aura of immortality!

It resembled the Innate Undying Spiritual Light he had sensed while comprehending the Kunwu Sword, but was purer, more primordial, and more powerful. It even seemed to contain a unique rhythm of life!

This... This was practically an unparalleled Dao foundation tailor-made for his breakthrough into the Mythical True Immortal Realm, where the body became immortal and the primordial spirit indestructible!

If he could fully comprehend and absorb it, the bottleneck to his breakthrough into a Mythical True Immortal might be overcome with ease. Forming his Three-Life Body would be just around the corner!

Though the Mythical Grand Unity Method reached for the heavens, it was limited by the resources available to him. He could slowly grind away at it through sheer persistence and wait for the day he transcended—but why would Ao Chen refuse a chance to save time?

All his doubts and reservations were swept away by the immense temptation and his yearning for the Great Dao!

Ao Chen took a deep breath, no longer demurring. He bowed solemnly to Candle Dragon once more, his voice carrying a gravity and resolve unlike any before.

"Since Senior Dragon Mother and the other seniors have shown me such kindness, I shall accept!"

"I will always remember the Dragon Race's kindness! If I achieve anything in the future, I will never forget what you have done for me today! And if the Dragon Race is ever in peril, I will not stand by idly!"

He no longer hesitated. Carefully, he extended both hands and slowly received the unbearably heavy Ancestral Dragon Pearl, as though it carried the rise and fall of an entire era and all its fortune.

The moment the Dragon Pearl touched his hands, an indescribable warmth and boundless power swept through his entire body, resonating even more intensely with the Star River Universe within him!

It was as though their bloodlines were connected and their origins drawn together! He could even sense a trace of friendly goodwill from the dormant undying dragon-soul imprint within the pearl!

With this Dragon Pearl in hand, along with the already perfected True Immortal Chapter of the Origin Scripture, he was confident he could cultivate into a Mythical True Immortal within a hundred thousand years. A promise was well worth a price like that.

Besides, Candle Dragon was right. Whether he acknowledged it or not, he could not sever his ties to the Dragon Race. His previous incarnation had been a dragon, and that karmic connection existed no matter what.

He might be able to ignore it for now, but in the future—or when he reached a higher cultivation realm—he could not guarantee it would not affect him. After all, the Mythical Method was far too elusive. Even as its creator, he could not fully control it.

"Good!"

Seeing Ao Chen finally accept the Dragon Pearl, Candle Dragon's aged face broke into a heartfelt smile, as though he had set down a burden carried for countless ages. Even the black miasma of Karmic Debt around him seemed to thin.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Ao Chen shared some of his thoughts on the Dragon Race, and Candle Dragon reiterated that whenever Ao Chen needed anything, he could ask Ao Guang. Any treasure belonging to the Dragon Race could be shared with him.

Then Candle Dragon swept his dragon claw again, and the strange scenes of space and time around them receded like the tide.

Light and shadow shifted, and Ao Chen and Candle Dragon reappeared in the vast cavern deep within the Dragon Abyss.

Ao Chen looked up and saw Azure Dragon, Azure Dragon, and the other Dragon Clan Elders still immersed in the pain and hope of cultivating the Myriad Calamities Furnace Body. They had not noticed his conversation with Candle Dragon in that strange pocket of time and space.

Candle Dragon gave Ao Chen a slight nod, then closed his eyes again, their gaze bearing the weight of endless years. He, too, began cultivating the Myriad Calamities Furnace Body.

He had suffered a backlash from Karmic Debt in the past, and his burden had been no lighter than that of the Dragon Clan Elders. It was only his immeasurable strength that had allowed him to endure until now.

Now that he had obtained this boundless method, he naturally would not slack off. After all, no one wanted to die, and no one was willing to sink into ruin without a fight. Candle Dragon was no exception.

Seeing this, Ao Chen did not disturb him. He held the warm Ancestral Dragon Pearl, feeling the vast power of its origin and the trace of immortal Dao resonance within. His excitement was difficult to quell.

"The Karmic Debt here is heavy, but it will also bring out the full effect of the Myriad Calamities Furnace Body. This is the perfect place for them to cultivate," Ao Chen thought.

"And I should find a quiet place to study the mysteries of the Ancestral Dragon Pearl and make my final preparations for breaking through to the Mythical True Immortal Realm."

Having made up his mind, Ao Chen bowed slightly toward the elders in seclusion as a farewell. Then he flickered away, leaving the Dragon Race's final refuge without a sound.

However, just after he emerged from the depths of the Dragon Abyss, before he could find a secluded spot—

Rumble!

A violent surge of energy came from outside. Immediately afterward, a figure rushed into view in a panic—it was none other than East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang!

Ao Guang's face was even paler than before, his eyes filled with undisguised panic and fear, as though the sky had fallen.

"Brother Ao Chen! This is bad! The Immortal Court has sent someone again!"

Ao Guang's voice trembled. He was clearly badly shaken, and had not even thought to avoid barging into Ao Chen's place of seclusion.

Ao Chen raised an eyebrow and stood, putting away the Dragon Pearl. "Oh? The Immortal Court sent someone again? What for?"

"They've come to call us to account!" Ao Guang said urgently, his expression grave.

"The leader is one of the Immortal Court's Grand Unity Golden Immortals, Star Lord Chang Geng. Several Taiyi Golden Immortals came with him!"

"They say the envoy they sent earlier vanished without a trace in our territory, and they suspect our Dragon Race was behind it! They demand an explanation!"

"However..." Ao Guang paused, his face filled with confusion.

"Strangely, although the Grand Unity immortal envoy is acting aggressive, he doesn't seem entirely sure who the culprit is. He's only convinced that our Dragon Race must have something to do with it!"

Ao Guang looked baffled. If they had come to call the Dragon Race to account, it was strange to probe them with words instead of making a direct accusation.

Ao Chen understood.

The Mythical Grand Unity Method he cultivated existed independently of the Heavenly Dao and could even conceal his own fate. He had casually erased the Taiyi envoy, severing the karmic ties, so the Immortal Court could not divine what had happened.

Besides, East King Duke was probably still on his way back from listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace, or busy preparing for the Immortal Court Grand Ceremony. He had no time to carefully investigate such a "trivial matter."

They had come after the Dragon Race because, to put it bluntly, they thought the Dragon Race was easy to bully. They had simply stumbled onto the truth by accident.

"This is nothing to worry about. I'll go with you to meet him. I'd like to see what sort of demons and monsters this Immortal Court is made of."

A cold Killing Intent flashed in Ao Chen's eyes, and a grim smile curled his lips.

He patted Ao Guang's shoulder, signaling for him to calm down.

Looking at the frightening calm in Ao Chen's eyes, Ao Guang remained uneasy, yet for some reason, he felt much steadier.

He nodded, forced himself to calm down, and led Ao Chen back to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

The Dragon Palace's main hall.

An old man in a silver-white immortal robe sat in the guest seat, holding a whisk. He had a kindly face but an arrogant gaze, and was leisurely sipping the immortal tea served by the Dragon Palace's maids.

Behind him stood several Taiyi Golden Immortals, each with an extraordinary aura and an air of arrogance. They paid no heed to the Dragon Palace attendants around them, who trembled in fear and scarcely dared to breathe.

This man was Star Lord Chang Geng, one of the Immortal Court's Grand Unity Golden Immortals.

When Ao Guang and Ao Chen entered the hall together, Star Lord Chang Geng put down his teacup, leisurely wiped the corner of his mouth, and said with a false smile:

"Dragon King Ao Guang, have you made your decision? Our patience is limited. If you still can't produce a 'sincere offering' that satisfies us, don't blame us for reporting to the Sovereign Lord that your Dragon Race harbors treacherous intentions and murdered our envoy!"

"When the Sovereign Lord flies into a rage, your little East Sea Dragon Palace will be reduced to dust in an instant!"

As he spoke, he deliberately released his Grand Unity Golden Immortal pressure. It bore down on Ao Guang like a tangible force, and even the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Ao Guang's face turned white, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. He nearly lost his balance.

At that moment, however, Ao Chen stepped forward beside him, standing like a pillar in a raging current. He shielded Ao Guang from the pressure and calmly looked at Star Lord Chang Geng.

The Grand Unity pressure landed on him like a gentle breeze, stirring not the slightest ripple.

"Envoy, please calm down," Ao Chen said evenly. His voice was not loud, but everyone in the hall heard him clearly.

Seeing Ao Chen speak up for Ao Guang, and noting that his aura was only that of a Heavenly Immortal, Star Lord Chang Geng assumed he was some ignorant young descendant newly promoted by Ao Guang. Deep contempt flashed in his eyes.

But when he saw that Ao Chen could ignore his Grand Unity pressure, his heart tightened ever so slightly. The Dragon Race still had some hidden strength, it seemed—even one of its young Heavenly Immortals was strange.

Still, the disdain soon returned. He snorted and said, "Who are you? What makes you think you have the right to speak here? Let your Dragon King answer!"

Ao Chen ignored his rebuke and simply continued, "Our Dragon King is preparing a generous gift. Before long, he will send me personally to Yingzhou Immortal Island to present a... grand gift for the Immortal Court Establishment Ceremony!"

He deliberately stressed the words "grand gift," and a cold smile flickered deep in his eyes.

When Star Lord Chang Geng heard "generous gift," the arrogance on his face eased slightly. Though Ao Chen's aura was only that of a Heavenly Immortal, he carried himself with distinction and could speak and laugh calmly beneath Star Lord Chang Geng's pressure. The old man could not help but think a little more highly of him.

He looked Ao Chen up and down and asked, "Oh? Are you Ao Guang's descendant? You have some nerve."